What I saw in June/July + what I’m looking forward to in August

 

Summer is sliding by quicker than an ice cup melts in the sun, but things are finally slowing down. After a non-stop last two months (15 reviews!) and some very hot outings to outdoor theater productions, I’m looking forward to a slower tempo. August offers a last chance to escape the city before the return of autumn (and school and work and jackets), which makes for a quiet culture calendar. It’s the perfect time to move at your own pace: outdoor public art installations erase the risk of missing opening hours and museums are cool when temps are high. Let’s enjoy this while it lasts, September is chomping at the bit.      

 

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Here’s a list of all of the posts from this month (sorted by the date I attended), click the links to check out the ones you may have missed!

 

June

Jun 2 – Ceremonies in Dark Old Men (starring Norm Lewis)  🎭 

Jun 4 – BOOP! The Musical 🎭

Jun 9 – Chiaroscuro at The Flea🎭

Jun 10 – Museum Mile Festival 2025 🎉🏛️

Jun 11 – Thomas J. Price ‘Resilience of Scale’ 🎨

Jun 16 – ‘Jack Whitten: The Messenger’ at MoMA 🏛️

Jun 18 – BOWL EP at Vineyard Theatre 🎭 [review coming soon]

Jun 19 – Fem Queen Honors at the Apollo 🎉 [review coming soon]

Jun 23 – Black Fashion Talks: Robin Givhan on Virgil Abloh 📖

Jun 26 – ‘Open Call: Portals’ at The Shed 🎨 [open until Aug 24]

Jun 28 – Breakin’ NYC: Off-Broadway Review 🎭 [open until Aug 31]

 

July

Jul 16 – The Gospel at Colonus at The Little Island 🎭

Jul 20 – Classical Theatre of Harlem presents Memnon  🎭

Jul 26 – Zoraobi Studio Grand Opening 🎨

Jul 29 – Titus Burgess in Oh, Mary 🎭

 

Here’s what I’m looking forward to in August! Grab a ticket so you can tell me what you think and check back for the reviews.

 

Music 🎵

Raena White: Dear Whitney at Joe’s Pub, Astor Place (August 9th)

Back by popular demand, acclaimed Broadway actress and powerhouse vocalist Raena White will perform a special evening celebrating the life and legacy of Whitney Houston on the late R&B icon’s birthday. There are two performances scheduled on Saturday, August 9th at 7:00pm and 9:30pm. Tickets are $42.

 

Theatre 🎭

‘The Brothers Size’ at The Shed 

Described as “A modern-day fable about the bonds of brotherhood and life after incarceration” The Brothers Size will celebrate its 20th anniversary at The Shed. The play is written by Tarell Alvin McCraney, who also wrote the story for the Academy Award winning film Moonlight. Andre Holland, Alani iLongwe, and Malcom Mays will star. I’m also looking forward to seeing the costumes by Dede Ayite; I’ve loved her costuming for Purpose, Jaja’s African Hairbraiding, and Goddess. The show will run at The Shed in Hudson Yards for 4 weeks only and previews begin on August 30.

 

Public Art & Programs 🎨

Safe Space: Diorama Workshops with Traci Johnson, Washington Square Park

Brooklyn-based artist Traci Johnson will host hands-on workshops every Saturday (8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23, and 8/30) from 1-3pm in Washington Square Park. Their work incorporates textiles, neon colors, abstraction and femininity. Bring your creative side! The workshops are free and open to the public.

 

“Aunties” by Fitgi Saint-Louis, Harlem

“Aunties” is one of five public works commissioned by the NYC Department of Transportation. The Manhattan commission is located in Harlem on 124th Street & Lenox Avenue, steps away from the 2/3 Subway station. The colorful wooden sculpture “honors the women who passionately nurture and embolden the Harlem community” and will remain on the traffic island through April 2026. This outdoor installation is free and open to the public.

 

“Go” by Kehinde Wiley, Penn Station

This stained-glass triptych by Kehinde Wiley, the artist who painted Barack Obama’s official portrait, is located on the ceiling of Moynihan Train Hall (the extension of Penn Station). Enter on the middle of the block on 33rd Street and look up for a heavenly view befitting a cathedral, but with Black angels in the clouds.

 

Museums 🏛️

 

Amy Sherald: American Sublime at The Whitney Museum

Previously reviewed. CLOSING AUG 10th.

 

Centennial Celebration at NYPL Schomburg Center

In addition to ongoing exhibitions and special events, the Schomburg Center in Harlem will host a festival to celebrate its 100 year anniversary. The center is “one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the preservation and study of materials focused on African American, African Diasporic, and African experiences” and I’ve never been disappointed by a single program of theirs.

 

Lorna Simpson: Source Notes at the Met

Ms. Simpson joins Ms. Sherald and Mr. Johnson in the honor of a major survey this season. The show is entitled “Source Notes” and “is the first exhibition to consider the entirety of her painting practice to date.” It opened at the Met on May 19th. [This a repeat from the May and June watchlist because I still haven’t visited!]

 

blacklove 🖤 and starlight 🌟