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This week, Frieze art event comes to the city, along with NYCxDESIGN, Brooklyn Tech Expo, and a slate of smaller talks, salons, and events. In recent news, New Yorkers were evacuated from a hantavirus-affected cruise ship, Albany is weighing a tax break for tipped workers, and the city is reviewing how AI should be used in schools.
Let's get to it.
– Sofia Kurd.
Best Events May 12 – May 16
Tue, May 12, 11am–4:30pm: Brooklyn Tech Expo — Brooklyn's largest tech conference at 26 Bridge St features AI seminars, networking with 1,000+ professionals, and free professional headshots.
Wed–Sat: Frieze New York — One of the world's leading contemporary art fairs takes over The Shed, bringing together over 65 major international galleries to showcase ambitious presentations.
Tue, May 12, 6pm: Election Preview — A spring happy hour with a preview of upcoming primary races. The event includes appetizers, time for questions, and a chance to meet others interested in NYC politics and urban policy. Space is limited, and RSVP is required.
Thu, May 14, 6pm: Longevity Salon — This event brings together investors, operators, clinicians, and others interested in the future of health. The evening will focus on nutrition, gut health, and hormones, with a panel and audience on how these topics connect to metabolic health, inflammation, and mental well-being.
Thu, May 14, 6pm: NYCxDESIGN Festival Opening Party — The official launch of New York City's design week, featuring culinary experiences and a dramatic new venue setting at Halo at 28 Pine Street.
Fri, May 15, 1–8pm: Manhattan Vintage Spring Show — New York’s premier vintage clothing show at the Metropolitan Pavilion features a massive collection of fashion, jewelry, and accessories from over 90 dealers.
Fri, May 15, 9pm–2am: Agents of Time at Edge Marquee Skydeck — A nightlife experience 100 stories up, featuring a performance by melodic techno duo Agents of Time.
Fri, May 15, 7pm: FashionSpeak Fridays: Chanel in Vogue — An evening discussion at The National Arts Club exploring the history and relationship between Coco Chanel and Vogue magazine.
A former 19th-century carriage house turned gallery in the East Village, hidden behind a facade adorned with a mosaic of pennies—supposedly contributed by Jean-Michel Basquiat—that reimagines a historic stable as a sanctuary for slow, domestic art viewing.
A polished padel club with locations in Williamsburg, Dumbo, and Greenpoint, with airy indoor courts with lounges, locker rooms, a pro shop, and café-style amenities. Book classes or 1-1 lessons based on your level.
An upscale Tribeca lounge lined with nearly 1,000 bottles, where the walls double as a spirits archive. The focus is on cognac, whiskey, and cocktails, paired with food that goes beyond standard bar snacks, including house-made breads. Jazz, attentive service, and a calm, polished room make it feel relaxed without being casual.
Local News
New Yorker Among Americans Evacuated From Hantavirus Cruise Ship. One New York City resident was among 17 Americans evacuated from a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday. Two other New Yorkers on board were from Orange and Westchester counties. The Americans were brought back to the U.S. on a government medical repatriation flight and taken to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for evaluation. Two passengers have tested positive for the virus, including one showing symptoms. Hochul said passengers may be monitored for 42 days and could either remain in Nebraska or make other arrangements. She said she does not know yet whether the New Yorkers will return to the state during the monitoring period, but added that New York is preparing responsibly given its large, dense population. Read more.
Service industry workers may soon see a larger paycheck thanks to a breakthrough in the state budget. Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders reached a preliminary deal this week to eliminate state taxes on service industry tips, a direct move to help staff keep pace with the relentless cost of living in the five boroughs. The agreement also includes a secondary win: a plan to streamline environmental reviews for housing, which officials hope will finally break ground on thousands of new residential units. But as with all Albany deals, the devil is in the details, and housing advocates are waiting to see if these fast-track measures will prioritize truly affordable apartments over luxury stock. Full details here.
The future of the classroom is being debated with record intensity as the Department of Education closes its review on AI guidelines. The city received over 6,000 public comments during the 45-day window, reflecting deep anxiety about the "traffic-light" system that currently allows AI for lesson planning. While the framework offers a roadmap for tech integration, a coalition of 1,500 parents and educators has signed a petition demanding a two-year moratorium on AI-driven student grading and disciplinary tools. Critics fear that rushing these algorithms into the hands of teachers could exacerbate bias rather than alleviate administrative burdens. The department’s final ruling on these guardrails will likely set the tone for the entire school year. Read the report.
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NYC Trivia
Which New York City neighborhood is technically the birthplace of the martini?
A) Greenwich Village B) The Bowery C) Hell’s Kitchen D) Murray Hill
Reply to this email with your answer! We'll reveal the correct answer in next week's issue.
NYC Featured
Most New Yorkers pass the limestone facade of 58 Joralemon Street in Brooklyn Heights without a second glance. It looks like a standard Greek Revival townhouse, but don't be fooled by the windows; they are actually painted onto metal plates. This building is a total sham—a functional "ventilation plant" for the 4 and 5 subway lines. Since 1908, it has served as an emergency exit and intake hub for the busy tunnel beneath the East River.