Fri 23
Pregame Your Brain Caveat; 6pm; free
This brainy happy hour invites experts to gather around the bar to share knowledge, games and trivia centered on a fascinating—and often esoteric—topic. At March 16's "Your Brain on Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll" edition, learn how your favorite vices stimulate your brain.
Spring Shop Small Astoria Retail Crawl at various locations and times; free
Unlike a bar tour, this crawl won't leave you with a pounding headache the next morning. Shop owner Nicole Panettieri of Brass Owl organizes this annual small business event during which shoppers can nab discounts and other perks at 16 chic boutiques. Hit five stores and you'll get a chance to win a $450 gift card prize; shop at eight and you'll receive a free swag bag with cool stuff from participating businesses and other Astoria hotspots like Salt & Bone, Singelcut and Fresco's Cantina.
Awkward Sex...and the City The Pleasure Chest; 8pm; $15, at the door $20
Head to this swank sex shop to sip on free beer and wine while storytelling pro Natalie Wall and her favorite comedians regale you with tales of their artless romps. At the February edition, Wall brings Kevin Allison, Mary Beth Barone and more favorites to the mic, and audience members get a 15% discount on Pleasure Chest merch—so the fun won't stop when the show is over.
Hater’s Roast: The Shady Tour The Town Hall; 8pm; $22–$152
In Latrice Royale's immortal words: "The shade of it all!" Watch Trixie Mattel, Thorgy Thor, Phi Phi O'Hara, Latrice Royale, Jinkx Monsoon, Ginger Minj, Trinity Taylor and other RuPaul's Drag Race divas shred one another to bits at this deliciously savage roast night.
Everybody Hates Us (But Not Tonight) The Mockingbird; 8pm; $5–$7
Betsy Kenney and Dara Katz have liberated themselves from the opinions of peers and friends, and at their unbeatable new show, they ask you to do the same. Joining them for some blissful, cathartic confidence-building is a killer lineup including Marie Faustin, Tim Baltz, Chris Burns, Marcia Belsky and Friends Who Folk, with support by the Mockingbird’s house band and liquid confidence from the bar’s menu of signature margaritas.
Sat 24
Orchid Evenings New York Botanical Garden; 6:30pm; $38
The Botanical Garden's stunning annual exhibition lights up for special weekend evenings in the spring. Indulge your senses with custom cocktails and yummy vittles while DJs and performers delight you under an arched facade of colorful orchids. You’re sure to find inner peace beside the verdant flowers.
Luna Park Season Opener Luna Park; 11am; free with donation to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC
Whee! Though prime boardwalk season is still a while away, Luna Park has now opened its gates for spring. Kick off the season with a ride on the 91-year-old Cyclone or Thunderbolt roller coasters or bites on the boardwalk. 90% of proceeds benefit Girl Scout Troop 6000.
Legally Blonde - Brunch & Day Party 5th & MAD; noon; $30
Pull on some pink duds, grab your fellow Gemini vegetarians and head to this Legally Blonde–themed day soiree to sip signature cocktails like the "Harvard" and "Delta Nu" and compete to become "Miss Hawaiian Tropics" (and walk out with a free bottle of champagne). A $30 ticket gets you a brunch main, dessert and a glass of prosecco. Get ready to bend... and snap!