Jump-start your summer with food and music on Governors Island, outdoor art installations in Times Square and near the High Line, and cocktails at a beautiful new rooftop bar. For our full listings of the week’s events, check here.
1. James Murphy DJs the Kitchen’s Spring Gala After-Party
Capitale, May 23, 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
To celebrate The Kitchen’s Spring Gala honoring Joan Jonas and Steve Reich, join the after-party with tunes provided by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem.
2. We Are All Anonymous: Conversation and E-Book Launch
Triple Canopy, May 23, 7:00 p.m.
Triple Canopy will launch its first e-book, Here Comes Nobody: Essays on Anonymous, 4chan and the Other Internet Culture, with a discussion hosted by authors Gabriella Coleman and David Auerbach.
3. Shoplifter’s Colorful Hair Installations at Clocktower Gallery
Clocktower Gallery, May 23 – Sept. 4
In case you missed her show at Charles Bank Gallery earlier this year, Shoplifter has a new large-scale installation at Clocktower Gallery. You can also check out her work in the group show at VPL’s showroom.
4. JR’s Latest Mural Overlooking the High Line Park
29th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues
For this week’s edition of Artlog’s In Conversation series, JR and José Parlá stopped in at ARTLOG to talk about their most recent project at the Havana Biennial. Check out JR’s latest piece in New York near the High Line and keep an eye out for a video of the talk.
5. Kiki Smith’s Stained-Glass Sculptures in Times Square
The Last Lot, May 24 – Sept. 4
Kiki Smith will install a series of stained-glass sculptures in the same lot that previously contained Josephine Meckseper’s Manhattan Oil Project and David Brooks’ Desert Rooftops.
6. New Works by Nicole Eisenman
Leo Koenig, Inc., May 24 – June 30
Nicole Eisenman’s portraits received great praise after being featured in the 2012 Whitney Biennial. This week, Leo Koenig, Inc. opens an exhibition of her most recent work.
7. Governors Island Kicks Off Its Summer Season
Governors Island, Opening Weekend May 26 – 27
Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend on Governors Island with the 5 Boro PicNYC, a festival of gourmet food, craft beers, and live music. Buy your tickets in advance here.
8. BAM: DanceAfrica 2012
BAM, May 25 – 28
BAM presents the 35th anniversary of DanceAfrica, the nation’s first festival devoted to African dance. Live out your fantasies of shimmying across the Soul Train stage at BRC Orchestra’s Salute to Don Cornelius & Soul Train.
9. Visit the Rooftop Bar at the New Wythe Hotel
The Wythe Hotel, 80 Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
The new Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg is Brooklyn’s answer to the Standard. With a restaurant run by the folks who created foodie haven Diner and a rooftop bar with sweeping views of Manhattan, this will be a new summer hotspot.
10. Summer Jams: Watch the new Bob Marley Documentary
In Theaters and OnDemand
Get in the mood for warm weather with the perfect summer soundtrack. Watch Kevin MacDonald’s critically acclaimed documentary on the late reggae superstar, now screening at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at Lincoln Center and the Maysles Institute in Harlem.
