May's Social Calendar—Dance, Film Festivals, Broadway Premieres & More
- JAHLEAH SANTIAGO
- May 8
- 6 min read
Updated: May 9
Enjoy the vibrant energy leading up to Summer with these grounding, exciting and creative adventures across the city.
Get Grounded with Floor to Ceiling Crystals at ProxyCo Gallery
Date: Now Open Through June 30 Location: 121 Orchard Street, Lower East Side, New York City
Mercury retrograde doesn’t stand a chance against the colossal crystals on display at ProxyCo Gallery, where visitors can enjoy both an aura cleanse and a dose of artistic inspiration. Running through June 30th in the Lower East Side, the exhibition offers a fully immersive environment that merges dazzling crystal formations with contemporary aesthetics and spiritual energy—captivating even the most skeptical city dwellers. At its center is “Biktor,” a breathtaking 8-foot-tall, 5,000-pound Cathedral Quartz making its first public appearance outside of a museum. Serving as both geological marvel and mystical centerpiece, Biktor leads a collection that blends immersive art, wellness practices, and metaphysical lighting. Aligned with New York Art Week, the exhibit showcases more than a dozen monumental crystals, each selected for their unique energetic qualities—including “Mini Vic,” a 7-foot Lemurian Quartz tied to intuition; “Moli,” a lofty amethyst linked to mental clarity; and “Kameni,” a powerful Black Tourmaline revered for its grounding effects.
JayWood Brings Soul-Soaked Indie Grooves to NYC’s Iron Horse Night Club
Date: Thursday, May 15th, 2025
Location: Iron Horse Night Club 101, New York, NY
Polaris Prize-nominated artist JayWood—aka Jeremy Haywood-Smith—is set to take the stage in New York City on May 15 at Iron Horse Night Club 101 as part of his newly announced U.S. tour supporting Tune-Yards. A true one-of-a-kind talent, JayWood blends the smooth sensuality of neo-soul icons like D’Angelo and Maxwell with the lo-fi indie charm of artists like Mac DeMarco and Homeshake. His latest single, “UNTITLED (Swirl),” is a genre-bending swirl of dream pop, funk, and alternative hip-hop that continues to earn him critical praise from outlets like Consequence, FLOOD Magazine, and WNYC. Outside of his rising music career, JayWood works as a Canadian postal worker and is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community—bringing a refreshing honesty and perspective to his art. With a sound that’s as unexpected as it is magnetic, JayWood’s NYC show promises a night of richly layered, soul-infused music you won’t want to miss.
Kite Festival at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Date: Saturday, May 17th, 2025
Location: Pier 5, Brooklyn Bridge Park
Celebrate the beginning of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s 2025 season at the Kite Festival on May 17th at Pier 5! Enjoy live music, arts and crafts, fun lawn games, and, of course, kite flying against the stunning backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. It’s the perfect way to kick off a season of outdoor fun and community spirit.
Changing Minds: A Decade of Bold Visionaries Redefining Mental Health Through Film
Date: Saturday, May 17th, 2025
Location: Village East by Angelika, New York City
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the Changing Minds Young Filmmaker Festival returns on May 17th with a powerful evening of storytelling, self-expression, and social impact—presented by Community Access, a trailblazing NYC nonprofit at the intersection of mental health and the arts. Hosted at the stylish and historic Village East by Angelika, the festival showcases ten original short films from a new generation of cinematic voices, all aged 15 to 25, who are reshaping the conversation around mental health with nuance, creativity, and heart.
World Premiere of Cracked Open Launches at Theatre Row for Mental Health Awareness Month
Opening Night: Tuesday, May 20th, 2025
Location: Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, New York, NY
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Dream Big World Theatre presents the world premiere of Cracked Open, a powerful new play written and directed by award-winning playwright Gail Kriegel. Opening May 20th, 2025, at Theatre Row and running through June 28, the production explores the emotional and societal challenges a family faces when their teenage daughter suddenly develops a mental illness. With a cast of 11 actors portraying 32 characters—including Broadway talents Paul Castree, Pamela Bob, Katherine Reis, and Bart Shatto—Cracked Open is a timely, deeply empathetic portrayal of resilience, stigma, and love in the face of crisis. Presented by a company committed to social impact through the arts, the production invites audiences to engage in meaningful dialogue around mental health. Performances take place Tuesday through Saturday at 7:00 PM, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Tickets range from $64 to $94 and are available at crackedopentheplay.com.
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers Hit NYC for Exclusive Headline Show at Baby’s All Right
Date: Monday, May 20th, 2025
Location: Baby’s All Right, New York
Fresh off a whirlwind year of accolades—including a win for the Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist ARIA Award—Australia’s genre-defying rockers Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are making their return to New York City for a special headline performance on May 20th at Baby’s All Right. Known for their bold sound, feminist spirit, and riotous live shows, the band’s NYC stop comes in the middle of their U.S. run supporting Pearl Jam on six major arena dates. The NYC gig offers a rare chance to see the band—hailed as one of Australia’s most vital rising acts—up close and personal. The performance follows the release of their raucous new single “BALCONY,” produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Catherine Marks, and marks their first new music of 2025. With momentum from their debut album I Love You and praise from outlets like Teen Vogue, The Guardian, and triple j, this one-night-only show is not to be missed.
Pepper Solana at Red Rooster Harlem for Live Music Night
Date: Wednesday, May 21st, 2025
Location: Red Rooster Harlem, 310 Lenox Avenue
On Wednesday, May 21st, rising star Pepper Solana takes the stage at Red Rooster Harlem for a special edition of Spanish Fly, the venue’s high-energy Latin jazz night. A magnetic vocalist and percussionist known for her genre-blurring sound rooted in Afro-Caribbean rhythms and soul, Solana brings a bold and modern twist to traditional Latin jazz. Her performance promises a transportive blend of soaring vocals, powerful improvisation, and rhythmic heat that channels both ancestral spirit and contemporary edge. Backed by a top-tier ensemble curated by Ray Angry, Solana’s set will ignite the dance floor.
Red Lantern District Drag Show at Red Pavilion
Date: Friday, May 23rd @ 10PM
Location: Red Pavilion, 1241 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn
On Friday, May 23rd at 10PM, head to Red Pavilion (1241 Flushing Ave) for Red Lantern District, Brooklyn’s hottest all-Asian drag show, returning for a night of bold, sex-positive storytelling and high-impact performance. Now celebrating two years of uplifting queer AAPI and immigrant voices, the show is a vibrant fusion of culture, identity, and unapologetic self-expression. Early bird tickets are $15, advance tickets are $20, and entry at the door is $25. Secure your spot now at viewcy.com.
DanceAfrica Community Class at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Date: Saturday, May 24th, 2025
Location: Pier 6, Liberty Lawn, Brooklyn Bridge Park
Join us on May 24th for the DanceAfrica Community Class at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6, Liberty Lawn. Led by BAM teaching artist Dánice Jones, this workshop will guide participants through vibrant rhythms and movements inspired by the African Diaspora. It’s a fun, energetic way to connect with community and culture while enjoying the outdoors.
Tis The (Broadway) Season: A One-Night-Only Cabaret with Erika Henningsen
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2025
Location: So & So’s Neighborhood Piano Bar @ Romer Hell’s Kitchen (302 W 52nd St, NYC)
On Wednesday, May 29th at 10 PM, Broadway star Erika Henningsen—known for her roles in Netflix’s The Four Seasons, Mean Girls, and Hazbin Hotel—will take the stage at So & So’s Neighborhood Piano Bar inside Romer Hell’s Kitchen for Tis The (Broadway) Season, a one-night-only post-curtain cabaret. Fresh off her performance in Just In Time at Circle in the Square alongside Jonathan Groff, Erika will treat audiences to an intimate evening of beloved Broadway tunes, including selections from Wicked, Gypsy, Boop!, Smash, and The Last Five Years. With music direction by Evan Zavada and special surprise guests, it promises to be a perfect nightcap for theater lovers. Tickets are available now.
Celebrate Pride at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
Kickoff Event: Pride Eve, Saturday, May 31st, 2025
Location: The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine will celebrate Pride Month in June with a variety of events honoring the LGBTQIA+ community. The celebration kicks off with Pride Eve on May 31st, 2025, hosted by the Greedy Peasant. Starting at 6 PM, the evening will include a cocktail hour, craft stations, a raffle, and a 45-minute performance by the Greedy Peasant. The night will end with the illumination of the Cathedral in rainbow lights, now including the colors of the transgender pride flag for the first time.Monochromatic dress in the colors of the rainbow is encouraged, and tickets range from $35 to $100. The Cathedral will continue its Pride celebrations throughout June with more events that celebrate LGBTQIA+ voices and community.
For tickets and more info, https://www.stjohndivine.org/calendar/52730/pride-eve
If you have an event you'd like to see mentioned send press releases or tips to gtkmag@gmail.com
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