This and That: Things To Do in NYC in September 2024 (with Free Events!)
It’s a rodeo and we’re gonna do-si-do. Welcome to September in New York City. Here are some special events happening in NYC you won’t want to miss in September 2024.
COLLECTIBLE Design Fair
Jack Simons Studio at COLLECTIBLE Design Fair New York 2024. Image: Simon Leung.
What is it: If you’re craving real curation— super stringent and strict— COLLECTIBLE Design Fair is emerging as an oasis of great taste and talent, coming to the US for the first time ever. Already a major industry event in Belgium for nearly a decade, COLLECTIBLE Design Fair is the world’s only fair devoted to contemporary collectible design. For the US edition, the fair will feature a selection of both European and American designers and collective for the three-day fair.
Why go: Highly edited, there are no imitations or derivative design here. This all cattle, no hat. Created by Liv Vaisberg & Clélie Debehault, the fair strictly prioritizes unique pieces, bespoke commissions, and limited editions. In other words, this is as much of an art museum as is it is a look into the future. Critically, attendees will see newly produced works created with functionality in mind, ensuring a mind-bending and innovative survey of today’s design. Among the highlights is the unveiling of work by Kouros Maghsoudi, including the Hug Bed, the Taarof Table, and the Thong Chair. The fair is divided into a series of curated sections, including the progressive and curious New Garde section, which is dedicated to galleries and collectives conceived within the past three years, as well as the revival of a popular outdoor furniture section.
What’s involved: Highly-curated art fair with a focus on contemporary design. Exhibitions across a series of themed sections.
Thursday, September 5th to Sunday, September 8th, 2024, open daily at Water Street Projects. Information and tickets here.
FREE EVENT: The Great Elephant Migration in The Meatpacking District
“The Great Elephant Migration” in New York’s Meatpacking District. Image: Jim Fryer and Iri Greco courtesy of BrakeThrough Media and the Great Elephant Migration.
What is it: A herd of one hundred elephants will settle in New York City’s Meatpacking District for the month of September as an examination and celebration of co-existence. The exhibition is inspired by life in the mountains known as the Nilgiri Range in Southern India, where, for centuries, local tribes have lived amid the largest herd of Asian elephants in the world.
Here, humans and elephants both jockey for space and resources while supporting each other in a unique and beautifully respectful orchestration. While the local tribes co-exist with living elephants, the touring herd is sculptural, created by The Coexistence Collective, a community of two hundred indigenous artisans from the Bettakurumba, Paniya, Kattunayakan and Soliga communities in India. The elephants are crafted by hand, come in a variety of unique sizes, and are constructed using a highly invasive plant that has devastated local forests. As the global tour continues, the sculptural elephants will be available to the public for purchases with proceeds going directly to the creators and communities that share space with them.
Why go: The Great Elephant Migration represents a once-in-a-lifetime chance see one hundred grazing elephants in New York City’s trendy Meatpacking District. It’s also happens to be of the largest public art installations in NYC since Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s important 2005 installation, The Gates.
What’s involved: An encounter with an art installation in an urban setting.
Press Conference & Cultural Celebration: Friday, September 6th, 2024 from 4:30pm-5:15pm at 38 Gansevoort Street (Gansevoort Plaza)
Free Exhibition: Saturday, September 7th until October 20th, 2024 around Meatpacking District in Manhattan. Information and programming details here.
New York Fashion Week Men’s Day
A look from Stan's spring collection. Image: Stan.
What Is It: A sartorial extravaganza now in its 22nd edition, New York Fashion Week Men's Day is like going to chic jury duty— editors, stylists, buyers crowd in to witness a remarkably concise survey of the state of American men’s fashion as designers take over white-box spaces to share their side of the story. Like New York Fashion Week is for broader fashion, Men’s Day is an ode to the ever-evolving tapestry of male fashion from the perspectives of sustainability, inclusion, and overall design innovation and craft. As part of the official CFDA Fashion Calendar, NYFW Men’s Day is supported by Victorinox (maker of the iconic Swiss Army knife), Sperry shoes, haircare brand Oribe, and Augment, providing make-up teams and products.
Why Go: Despite being only one day, New York Men’s Day punches far above its weight in terms of influence and raw talent. Past debuts at NYFW Men’s debuts include N.Hoolywood, Bode, and Willy Chavarria, so there is a real pleasure of seeing the next big designer plant seeds in real time. Also, the people watching is fantastic.
What’s Involved: Morning and afternoon sessions of fashion presentations from a variety of new designers such as Of—Nothing, and returning designers including A. Potts, The Salting, Sivan, and more.
Friday, September 6th, 2024 from 10:30am-6:00pm at a private location. Invite only. Follow along on Instagram.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum Tribute in Light
In remembrance of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and all those who were killed, the iconic Tribute in Light commemorative art installation returns for another year, marking the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. These twin beams of light, which evoke the original Twin Towers, have become an essential element of how New York City remembers the city’s resilience. The 9/11 Memorial plaza opens to the public at 3 pm on September 11, 2024 and will remain open until midnight so that visitors from across the city and around the world can view the installation from this sacred site of remembrance and learning.
Visible from dusk on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 until dawn on Thursday, September 12, 2024. The lights are visible within a 60-mile radius around lower Manhattan. Information here.
Party 007 at Rash
Party 007 by oneoneone.world. Image: oneoneone.world.,
What is it: New York City basically invented the party— the kind where if you know you know and if the party gets busted up, you know nothing. Amnesia. If you’re addicted to the game, you know that oneoneone.world is pretty much driving the party season clown car at this point. They’re back for another round, this time stepping back over the river for a situation in Brooklyn that should be fairly unforgettable (just take pictures!). If its your first time, the seventh edition is a great moment to experience oneoneone.world with the kinks ironed out— just be sure to RSVP.
Why go: According to the creators of oneoneone.world: “Rash is back, baby!" Rash was closed for renovation after they were victim of a hate crime, but they have reopened this past spring and have hosted nothing but banger parties every weekend. If you’ve never been to Rash then you must come because it is the true Bushwick techno experience. This night will welcome DJ sets from Heartbreaker, CTRLFR33K, cult favorite DJ Brandy Melville, and more.
Dress code: Let your freak flag fly because it’s Bushwick.
Saturday, September 14th, 2024 from 8pm until 4am at Rash Bar NYC. Information and tickets here.
All the Men I Met but Never Dated Northeast Premiere at SOHO International Film Festival
All the Men I Met but Never Dated (2024)
What is it: Debuting at the Out South Queer Film Festival earlier this year, All the Men I Met but Never Dated will premeire in the Northeast as an official selection at the SOHO International Film Festival. A story of personal relevancy for director and writer Muneeb Hassan, the short film blends personal experiences and culture. The narrative defies many industry expectations, from the fact it is is told through a blend of Urdu and English to the subject matter it touches: homosexual tendencies in the context of religion. The provocative but warmhearted film is making its premiere at the SOHO International Film Festival in New York City.
Why go: With plenty of buzz and a several film festival selections already under its belt, the short film has become a must-see, lauded for its graceful handling of the challenging subject and its use of global perspective. Critics have particularly recognized a standout performance by the Emmy-nominated Ahmed Eldin, who gives a comforting and realistic personality to lead character Ali: a man trapped between his faith and his desires. Executive producer Sampson McCormick augments Hassan’s conceptual approach with thoughtful flourishes, ultimately building an elegant cinematic world.
What’s involved: A film screening.
Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 at 7:45pm at Theater 2 at Village East by Angelika. The film is presented as part of the Greene Street Series section of the SOHO International Film Festival. Tickets available here.
Fourth Annual Fashion 4 Development’s Sustainable Goals Banquet
Abrima Erwiah speaks onstage during Fashion 4 Development’s 9th Annual Official First Ladies Luncheon at The Pierre Hotel on September 24, 2019 in New York City. Image: Mike Coppola/Getty Images.
What is it: Now in its fourth edition, the annual Sustainable Goals Banquet has established itself as a key catalyst of cross-cultural conversation and connection. The important event is supported by Fashion 4 Development, a global platform strategically oriented toward supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through partnerships that promote the fashion and textile industry, advance economic and social development activities, preserve culture and empower women. Since 2011, F4S has established and maintained initiatives in over twenty countries, engaging both governments and the private sector in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.
For this year’s banquet, the organization has joined forces with the unique Years of Culture initiative and the Education Above All Foundation to host an evening honoring fashion and culture from Qatar and Morocco as well as the continued work of the foundation’s original objective.
Why go: Taking place on the eve of the high level week of the annual United Nations General Assembly, the event is sure to draw a vibrant crowd of influential diplomats, business people, community organizers, artists, and designers. Guests confirmed to attend include Fashion 4 Development founder and president Evie Evangelou, Moroccan fashion designer Siham El Habti, celebrated Broadway talent Nia Thompson, Moroccan singer/songwriter Ferdaous, pianist Harold O’Neal and more.
What’s involved: Red carpet, cocktail hour, a Moroccan buffet, music and dance performances accompany a fashion and art exhibition curated by Sheikh Mohammed AL-Thani, founder of the IAIA Institute of Arab and Islamic Art in New York City.
Monday, September 23rd, 2024 from 5:30pm onward at a private location. Information here.
Stadium Chef Series at Citi Field
Stadium Chef Series. Image: Stadium Chef Series.
What is it: A communal feast of epic proportion. The Stadium Chef Series, benefiting the James Beard Foundation, builds awareness and education of the James Beard Foundation’s Good Food for Good® mission across diverse communities via chef-driven events within iconic sporting venues. It might seem novel, but the the series as been a huge success, with sold-out dinners in at Boston’s Fenway Park and Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
For the first time, the Stadium Chef series is dropping anchor on New York City’s iconic Citi Field for a one-night-only celebration of great food and new friendships, where dinner takes place directly on the field at the Chef Series’ unmistakable white-cloth dining table.
Why go: Stepping foot on the legendary Citi Field might seem like a task reserved for baseball players and officials. Dining on that sea of green seems to be an even more remote possibility. But for one night only, you’ll be able to do just that as the sun sets and the big lights come on. Of course, the location is only half the story. A decadent, multi-course meal with complete wine pairing awaits. The chef talent is impressive: you’ll enjoy creations by Jason Eksterowicz, Markus Glocker, Preston Clark, Anne Burrell, Camari Mick, Greg Baxtrom, Matt Abdoo, Shane McBride, Fariyal Abdullahi, and Pat LaFrieda.
What’s involved: A five-course meal, with each course designed by a different chef, paired with wine. On-field photo opportunities, remarks from the culinary team, and a commemorative gift.
Friday, September 27th, 2024 from 5:30pm onward at Citi Field. Information and reservations here.
Other Things Around the World
Papua New Guinea: The leader of the Catholic Church (the Pope) will visit the country as part of a Asian goodwill tour from Friday, September 6th until Monday, September 9th, 2024. Information here. Brazil: Instituto Tomie Ohtake with Iguatemi will present the exhibition Calder + Miró, featuring over 150 masterpieces by Alexander Calder and Joan Miró in São Paulo, from now until September 15, 2024. Italy: Design collective NSS is opening a pop-up shop in an edicola (newsstand) in Rome from Thursday, September 12th to Sunday, September 15th, 2024. Fashion Week in Milan opens Tuesday, September 17th, 2024. France: Paris Fashion Week opens Monday, September 23rd, 2024.
