NYC Social - May

Hello May (aka the month I celebrate my third anniversary of arriving in NYC)! While I wrote about Spring arriving last month, I didn't mean for it to hide for most of April. Let's cross fingers and toes, and hope May will bring permanently warm weather. Here are a few highlights in NYC this month (hint: SALES!): 

1. Five Boro Bike Ride - 5 May

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Get your bicycle out for this 40-mile bike ride that will see various streets in each of the five boroughs closed to automobiles. Starting at Battery Park, you can ride up through Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and all five bridges, before finishing up at Staten Island. Regardless of how much the spelling of "borough" in the official event title is killing me, it will be such a treat to cycle without worrying about navigating New York traffic (those cabs!). Get more information here.

2. NYCxDesign: May 10 - 21

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With support from the City Council and Mayor's Office, this inaugural design festival takes place in venues all around the city. Over the course of 12 days, there will be exhibitions, talks and open studio sessions representing all genres of design. Having a greater affinity for sartorial design (surprise surprise), I am looking forward to being present at a design talk with Iris Apfel and Deborah Needleman, as well as checking out the FIT Graduating Class exhibition. Head on to the NYCxDesign website for information on fashion and other events.

3. Shanghai Glamour at the MOCA - through September 29

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While part of NYCxDesign above, the Museum of Chinese in America will showcase Shanghai Glamour: New Woman 1910s-40s right through Fall. If you, like me, are a fan of Maggie Cheung's exquisite cheongsams in the movie In The Mood for Love, this exhibit will be right up your alley. 12 outfits are on loan from the China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou which will illustrate early 20th century Shanghai women and their love of glamour. Don't leave without seeing the other fashion exhibit at the MOCA - Front Row: Chinese American Designers. 

4. The Met Costume Institute Exhibit: May 9 - August 14

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"Punk" is the theme of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute exhibit. Preceded by the glamourous Met Gala, the installation will illustrate the growth of punk in the 70s and map its influence in modern fashion. Included in the exhibit are nearly 100 pieces from original punk garments to recent designs inspired by the original movement. Though what is a punk exhibit without punk music - prepare to walk through the installation accompanied by the Ramones, The Clash and Sex Pistols amongst others. 

5. Frieze Art Fair: May 10 - 16

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The Frieze Art Fair returns to Randalls Island after a successful debut last year (remember when I visited?). This contemporary art fair will showcase works by over 180 art galleries from around the world and like it's counterpart in London, will be held at a bespoke space overlooking the East River. Don't forget to check out the panel discussion and lectures - and if the weather is nice, I recommend taking the ferry over. 

6. Rain Room at the MOMA PS1: May 12 - July 28

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After the tremendous success it received in London, the Rain Room is coming to New York this month. The 1000 square foot, high-ceilinged room will pour down artificial rain, until one steps in. Motion detectors then cause the rain to stop directly above you but not around you. The dry circle continues to sense you,  allowing you to wander through the exhibit bone dry. This is one exhibit I can not wait to see.

(Edit: see my survival tips for the exhibit here)

7. Manhattan Cocktail Classic: Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit: May 17 - 21

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5 days of cocktail events? Count me in! Commencing with an Opening Night Gala at the iconic New York Public Library, the Manhattan Cocktail Classic is followed by 100 other events around cocktail bars in the city - from mixology classes to bar crawls. While most events have since sold out, you can still find tickets here. 

8. Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit: May 25 - 27

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This 80-year-old art fair started one day when Jackson Pollock and his friend Edward DeKooning displayed a few of their paintings for sale near Washington Square Park. These days the art fair showcases artists and artisans, including painters, jewelers, sculptors and glassblowers. This year the art fair will run over Memorial Day and the weekend after, and again on Labour Day and the weekend after that. 

9. Sales Sales Sales 

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It is sample sale season again in NYC. Wedding shoes are high on my wishlist this sale season so I am looking forward to the Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo and (if I'm ridiculously lucky) the Christian Louboutin sample sales. My go-to source for all things sample sale is Mizhattan - so click on over to her Mizreminders section to be kept in the loop. Even if you are not in NYC, fret not, department store markdowns are scheduled to take place later this month, including at my favourite Net-A-Porter. (Tip: load your cart with must-haves before hand!) 

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I am used to celebrating my NYC anniversary with sailors so I am rather disappointed at the cancellation of Fleet Week. I suppose how busy May is looking, I probably won't notice the lack of ships in town. But then I'd just be lying. (Is there a petition somewhere I can sign?)

Here's to a wonderful month regardless!