[field notes nyc] things to do in new york: Sep 29 - Oct 5
Tomato Potato, Octavia Butler, and mushrooms. Intrigued?
Multiday events:
📷 ICP Photobook Fest 2025 (10/2 - 10/5): “This three-day celebration of the best in photography publishing includes exclusive photographer book signings, drop-in workshops, and illuminating conversations to shape the future of photobook making. Whether you’re a collector, a creator, or simply curious, this is where the next chapter of photography unfolds.” See the link for the full schedule!
🎨 Powerhouse: International - A New Arts Festival (through 12/13): “This fall, artists from around the world converge at Powerhouse Arts—a former power plant transformed into a home for bold artistic freedom—to do what this moment demands: imagine what’s possible, provoke change, and spark collective joy. In a city built on bold expression and constant reinvention, artists and audiences move with each other’s stories, rhythms, and forms to begin something new.”
📚 University Open Air (10/2, 10/4 & 10/5): Classes taught by immigrant scholars at the Prospect Park Boathouse. Feature photo painting, Feng Shui and more.
Monday, September 29
📚🍽️ Enlightened Eaters Book Club: Featuring Alyshia Gálvez
6 - 8pm | Church of the Living Hope: 161 East 104th Street, Manhattan | $33.85+
“Join us for an engaging conversation with Alyshia Gálvez, author of Eating NAFTA: Trade, Food Policies, and the Destruction of Mexico, hosted in collaboration with Cabrini Coalition. This timely talk explores the human impact of trade agreements on food systems, migration, and public health, centering the voices and experiences of those most affected. Ticket price will include admission to the talk as well as delicious homestyle Mexican food from neighborhood restaurant Ollin.”
Tuesday, September 30
📚 Susana M. Morris and Ibi Zoboi Discuss “Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler”
6.30 - 8pm | Center for Brooklyn History: 128 Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn | Free with RSVP
“
’s new book, Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler, is a magnificent cultural biography that charts the life of one of our greatest writers, situating her alongside the key historical and social moments that shaped her work. Join Morris in a conversation moderated by Ibi Zoboi, author of Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler. Curated by Morgan Jerkins.”🎨 Artists on Artworks: William Parker on Jennie C. Jones
6 - 7pm | The Met Fifth Avenue | $35
“Listen as musician William Parker discusses his creative practice in the context of The Roof Garden Commission: Jennie C. Jones, Ensemble. Learn how the exhibition’s themes of abstraction and improvisation inspire Parker, a prominent musician in New York City’s experimental jazz scene, then enjoy a performance by Parker on the double bass.” BTW the Met roof is closing until 2030 so best get your visits in now 👀
🎨 Visiting Artist Lecture Series with Brigitta Váradi
6 - 7.30pm | Dock 72: Brooklyn Navy Yard | Free with RSVP
Hosted by Pratt’s Fine Arts program. “Brigitta Varádi is a multimedia artist who delves into tradition, craft, and the everyday rituals of working life. She investigates themes of sustainability and cultural heritage through a combination of research, material experimentation and community engagement. Interweaving notions of fine art and craft, labor and heritage, Brigitta focuses the attention on the importance of traditions in an age of mass production and the global economy.”
Wednesday, October 1
🎭 Writers of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
7.30 - 9pm | Union Hall: 702 Union St., Brooklyn | $15.92
“An evening of standup comedy from some of the writers of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Featuring: Troy Walker, Laurie Kilmartin, Jesse Joyce, Rory Albanese, Devin Field, Bryan Cook, and special guest-host Alison Leiby.”
🎨 Sketch Night at the Society
6.30 - 8.30pm | Society of Illustrators: 128 East 63rd Street, Manhattan | $15+
“Artists of all skill levels are invited for figure drawing at the Society of Illustrators. Model will be nude. Chairs and sketch boards will be provided, but artists should come prepared with their own art materials.”
Thursday, October 2
🍽️ Now we are 10: An Anniversary Potluck Party
7.30 - 11pm | Archestratus: 164 Huron St, Brooklyn | Free
Beloved Greenpoint bookstore and café Archestratus marks its 10th anniversary with a giant community potluck. Guests are encouraged to cook and share a dish, don pajamas and bright lipstick, and join in on the cozy festivities. The evening will feature Archestratus’s signature “Tomato Potato” on the stove, surprise guests, and a drink sponsor. Sign-up with a dish.
🎨 An Evening of Art at the Prospect Park Carousel
7 - 9pm | Prospect Park | $35
“Learn more about the history of this living piece of art with the Happy Medium team on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 from 7-9 pm. Explore the carousel and draw with the HM team. Yes, we will be riding it at the end. Ticket includes admission and all supplies.”
Friday, October 3
🎨 First Friday
10am - 9pm | Poster House: 119 W 23 St, Manhattan | Free
“Join Poster House on the First Friday of every month for free admission and extended hours! Explore the museum’s latest exhibitions and get in on the fun by attending a tour, workshop, performance, or activity throughout the day. Every First Friday is different, offering unique opportunities to engage with rotating exhibitions and the permanent collection.” Highlights include button-making, pressed flower collage and Sicilian frame drum workshop.
📚 First Novel Friday: Little Movements, First Time, Long Time, and Pick a Color
6 - 8.15pm | The Center for Fiction: 15 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn | $5+
“On the first Friday of the month, join us as we celebrate and launch a selection of the best debut novels published today. Be among the first to discover boundary-pushing and world-expanding work from exciting new voices in fiction. This month, we are thrilled to welcome Lauren Morrow, Amy Silverberg, and Souvankham Thammavongsa alongside the evening’s moderator, author
. October’s debuts explore creative fulfillment within racialized spaces, the resilience inherent in immigrant labor, and the intricate journeys of grief and self-discovery, all converging on the theme of what it means to claim one’s voice.”Saturday, October 4
🌙 Observe the Moon Night
6.30 - 9pm | Pier 11 Atlantic Basin: Brooklyn | Free
“An evening of lunar science, exploration, and celestial observations. The Moon will be entering the first-quarter phase and in a good position for early viewing from our hamlet by the sea. Telescopes will be provided by the Amateur Astronomers Association, who will guide you in using them and explain what you’re seeing. You can also learn from PortSide and a teenage Brooklyn SeaScout about a maritime sextant, a tool used for navigation that determines the angle between the horizon and a celestial body, such as the Moon, Sun, or Stars.”
🎶 Music: Falsa
2 - 4pm | Brooklyn Museum | Free
“Experience a Saturday afternoon performance by Falsa, an NYC-based Sufi musical ensemble. Rooted in Qawwali and the South Asian diasporic experience, Falsa reimagines 14th-century devotional traditions through transcultural jazz, improvisation, and world music. Featuring Sufi vocals, Carnatic violin, Hindustani tabla, Bass VI, harmonium, and drums, Falsa’s sound explores longing, presence, and joy.”
Sunday, October 5
🍄 Fungus Festival
11am - 3pm | Randall’s Island | Free with RSVP
Hosted by the New York Mycological Society, the festival is celebration of the city’s hidden fungal world. Held on Randall’s Island, the free, family-friendly event features mushroom displays, expert identification tables, guided and lectures. It’s a unique intersection of science, nature, and community. Featuring
of Mushroom Monday as well as many other mycological enthusiasts.
💃 Fiesta on the Hudson
2 - 5pm | Wave Hill: 4900 Independence Ave, Bronx | Free with admission
“The Great Lawn transforms into a dance party during this lively celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! Host and dance instructor Talia Castro-Pozo guides you through the steps of traditional styles of dance like salsa, samba, and cha-cha. As you master the moves, enjoy live music by Santiago y La Orquesta and take in the magnificent views of the Palisades and Hudson River. All ages and levels of dance experience are welcome.”
🎶 Classical Interludes: PhiloSonia
4 - 5.30pm | Central Library: 10 Grand Army Plaza | Free with RSVP
“Inspired by the french expression “From the sublime to the ridiculous, there is but one step,” this concert explores two extremes of the emotional spectrum - from the entertaining light and comical to the deep, soul-wrenching and transformative. PhiloSonia is an innovative chamber music series designed to create a personal connection between audience members and classical music.”
Please make sure to confirm details with event organizers.
Coming up soon…
Events you might want to early RSVP before they fill up:
📚 Unscripted: A Night Against Censorship, Featuring George Takei (10/6): A conversation about the transformative power of books and the dangerous trend of censorship.
🎬 Werner Herzog in Conversation with Jerry Saltz: The Future of Truth (10/8): Love Herzog’s documentaries. Can attest that it’s very interesting to hear his thought process in the form of a Q&A.
🗽 Open House New York Weekend Ticket Drop (10/3): An annual festival (10/17 - 10/19) that unlocks 300 destinations across the five boroughs for behind-the-scenes tours and special activities. Certain locations can fill up quickly so make sure to snag tickets for anywhere that’s top of your list!
Have an event coming up? Drop a comment below or share details via this form.
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