Laughter truly is the best medicine, and you can support the work of our friends at Healing Headbands at a fun night – Comedy for a Cause.  Did you know there’s a luxury Italian spa on Governors Island? It’s expanding too. Now that the Met Gala for the Costume Institute is over, the rest of us can visit the latest exhibit. Head to Makers Market at Bryant Park this weekend and next. Our roving photographer is in her own UES neighborhood exploring some of the galleries. And there’s a fascinating exhibit at Rockefeller Center called BLOOM the site of America’s first botanical garden.

May 23. Comedy for a Cause

If you’re on the North Shore of Long Island, there’s wonderful fundraising event that will have you laughing your Spanx off and it supports a wonderful organization, the Healing Headbands Project, a nonprofit started by two awesome woman who work to bring healing through joy and laughter to children with serious illnesses. Get the details.

An Italian Spa on Governors Island

A 5-minute ferry ride from Manhattan, will land you on Governors Island where you will find a luxurious Italian wellness spa and immerse yourself in a world of tranquility.  QC New York, opened in 2022 and according to 6 Sq Ft they are  gearing up for a major expansion this summer with a  15,000-square-foot addition. It will feature sensory saunas, waterfalls, a salt room, a lavender room, an ice room, a relaxation room with waterbeds, and a 142-seat restaurant.

Surrounded by the stunning NYC skyline, and breath-taking sunsets, this is the place to be this summer (or anytime.)  Get the details.

Now Open:  Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion at the Met

Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion makes use of first-hand research, conservation analysis, and diverse technologies—from cutting-edge tools, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and computer-generated imagery to traditional formats of x-rays, video animation, light projection, and soundscapes—to reactivate the sensory capacities of masterworks in the Museum’s collection.

Approximately 250 garments and accessories spanning four centuries will be on view, visually united by iconography related to nature, which will serve as a metaphor for the fragility and ephemerality of fashion. GET THE DETAILS

This Weekend: Makers Market at Bryant Park

There’s always something fun happening at Bryant Park and this weekend and next, there’s the Makers Market. Up to 150 local makers and artisans will set up pop-up stalls, showcasing their unique products. These small businesses are local to New York or the tri-state area, and their products are 100% designed by them and produced locally.

A few of the vendors include Glam Gardener with wild-harvested and organic herbal products; Annie’s Ginger Elixir offering ginger elixirs; Siting Yang’s personal portraiture; and Strawberro serving fresh cups of strawberries covered in melted Belgian chocolate. Some returning favorites include Lemon Zesty’s fresh art with a sour twist; Ad Astra jewelry design studio; Kiboo Kids with colorable dolls for creative kids; and Empanada Lady’s sweet and savory empanadas.

So, if you’re in the area, make sure to visit Bryant Park during May to explore this vibrant market and support local talent!

For more information, you can also check out the official Bryant Park website.

Roving in the UES

Nicole Freezer Rubens writers:

I love my neighborhood for many reasons including the diverse sampling of easily accessible culture it has to offer. The Upper East Side is freckled with world class museums that have costly admission fees. There are also a multitude of small galleries that mount excellent museum quality shows for free.

Last week I stumbled into Aquavella Gallery, 18 East 79th Street, to see Wayne Thiebaud: Summer Days, open through June 14th. The exhibit explores the artist’s favorite simple themes of a nostalgic American summer. It is a colorful, feel-good show gearing up for the sunny days ahead.

Next I strolled one block south to the relatively new White Cube Gallery, 1002 Madison Avenue, to literally poke through the Antony Gormley show Aerial, mounted through June 15th. The lobby of the gallery hosts a room-size sculpture to be cautiously walked through. One has to sign a release to enter the exhibition! Gormley’s purpose is to emphasize “the body’s innate capacity to sense and perceive its position, movements and orientation in relation to itself and the environment.” The show continues upstairs with his more traditional work.

Both are very impressive displays inviting everyone to have the privilege to see them. Enjoy!

~Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath.” Follow her in Instagram.

Head to Rock Center for BLOOM: The Secret Wonders of New York’s Forgotten Eden.

Two centuries ago, America’s first botanical garden—The Elgin Garden—flourished where Rockefeller Center stands today. This secret history is reimagined at BLOOM as the wondrous journey of a seed from root to bloom. The experience is now open Monday through Friday, 12PM-8PM, and Saturday, 10AM-8PM. with special hours to be announced surrounding upcoming programming. Tickets start at $35 for General Admission Weekday, $45 for General Admission Weekend. Get the details.

The BLOOM experience features a variety of activities and immersive storytelling, making it an ideal destination not only for families, but also for couples, individuals, and groups to explore. In addition to the exhibit, BLOOM will host weekly events including a garden-themed concert series, floral workshops, yoga and meditation classes, and kids programming.