Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

The unofficial start of summer is here and the city is already bursting with energy, and this week’s lineup proves it — Shakespeare under the trees, gardens in full psychedelic bloom, cabaret legends being honored, new salons taking flight, and music that celebrates justice, joy, and community. From Central Park to the Bronx, from the Triad Theater to the city’s most vibrant cultural corners, there’s inspiration everywhere you turn. We hope you enjoy the long weekend and take a moment on Memorial Day to honor and reflect on those who lost their lives in service to our country.

A Time to Remember, Reflect, and Honor

Memorial Day on Long Island and across the country carries a profound sense of gratitude and remembrance. From flag‑lined Main Streets to quiet moments at local memorials, the day invites us to honor those who gave their lives for our freedom. Our Long Island report, Andrea Peponakis, reminds us that it is a time to reflect, to teach younger generations, and to remember that every flag represents a story of courage and sacrifice. READ MORE.

Shakespeare is Everywhere this Summer

Boomerang Theatre Company brings back its beloved Free Summer Shakespeare with a fresh, outdoor staging of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, running June 20–July 19 at Central Park West and 69th Street. Directed by Philip Emeott, this lively afternoon production tackles Shakespeare’s battle‑of‑wills comedy with sharp humor, bold interpretation, and Boomerang’s signature adventurous spirit. All performances are free and open to the public.

Set on the lawn in the summer sun, the show invites audiences to laugh, question, and engage with the play’s charged themes in a welcoming, family‑friendly setting. Since 1999, Boomerang has produced 23 free Shakespeare productions across New York City, drawing more than 21,000 audience members to parks and public spaces.

The cast features Katy Castaldi as Kate, Thane Madsen as Petruchio, Miriam Muriithi as Bianca, and a dynamic ensemble from Off‑Broadway, regional theatre, film, and television. Performances take place Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., with a 110‑minute runtime. More details are available on the company’s website. If you want, I can make this even shorter, more promotional, or formatted for social media. GET ALL THE DETAILS.

May 23-Oct. 18. Back to the 1960s

Flower Power brings a burst of 1960s spirit to the New York Botanical Garden, transforming the grounds into a vibrant celebration of peace, creativity, and connection to nature. Bold, psychedelic floral displays, retro‑styled VW buses, and immersive installations create a joyful, color‑saturated atmosphere that invites visitors to wander, explore, and tap into the era’s free‑spirited optimism. Inside the Mertz Library Gallery, iconic artworks—including Andy Warhol’s Flowers—highlight how the decade embraced blooms as symbols of hope and cultural expression.

Photos: Ellen Easton

Throughout the season, the Garden comes alive with music, movement, and hands‑on experiences. Evening Liquid Light Shows pair live bands with swirling, luminous projections, while weekends feature folk performances, drum circles, creative workshops, and family‑friendly programs. With classes in botanical arts, themed activities across the grounds, and exclusive Flower Power merchandise, the exhibition offers a full‑garden celebration of beauty, harmony, and the enduring power of nature to inspire. GET THE DETAILS.

June 15. Everybody Loves Sidney

The American Popular Song Society, Inc. is honoring the one and only Sidney Meyer with a Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual gala. Sidney Myer is a beloved pillar of New York cabaret, having spent four decades shaping the scene as a booking manager at iconic venues like Don’t Tell Mama, Rose’s Turn, and Panache. A gifted performer himself, he’s earned both MAC and Bistro Awards for his singular warmth, wit, and musicality.

The American Popular Song Society, a volunteer‑run 501(c)(3), is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the American Popular Songbook. Through performances and programs, APSS promotes both the creation and appreciation of this rich musical tradition. If you love great music, APSS is a welcoming home for your heart and soul.  GET TICKETS TO THE GALA.

June 17. It’s Wonderful. It’s Marvelous. It’s Merrill.

We’re thrilled to present the launch of Merrill Stone’s Music & Life Stories Salon — a brand‑new evening of songs, stories, and sparkling conversation at the Triad Theater on June 17 at 7 PM. 

For her “maiden voyage,” the show will feature 2026 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs) Award winner, Marieann Meringolo, and her amazing pianist, Doyle Newmyer. Merrill will be singing a song or two with Marieann! And the show’s artistic consultant, Jeff Harner, just won best director for the 2026 MAC awards.

Merrill is a Tomatoes’ Tomato through and through— a performer, producer, therapist, gerontologist, cabaret lover, and the beloved Singing Therapist who knows how to lift hearts and light up a room. She’s also the proud mom of comedy duo Stone & Stone, and her life story is as rich and entertaining as the music she loves. From singing at the Fontainebleau to modeling, to sending texts that could fill a novel, Merrill brings warmth, humor, and soul to everything she does.

Come celebrate her debut salon — an evening of joy, connection, and the magic of live performance.  GET TICKETS HERE.

June 23. Musicians for Justice Jazz Jubilee

Our friend Judy Stewart, a proud board member of Music on the Inside, is championing an event that beautifully honors both Juneteenth and the transformative power of music. On June 23, the organization presents the Musicians for Justice: Juneteenth Jazz Jubilee 2026, a celebration that brings together world‑class jazz artists, formerly incarcerated musicians, and community members who believe in second chances. This is more than a concert — it’s a powerful evening of artistry, resilience, and justice, shining a light on the healing work Music on the Inside does every day.

By joining this Juneteenth Jazz Jubilee, you’re not just enjoying an unforgettable night of music; you’re helping fuel programs that provide mentorship, creative expression, and hope to people impacted by incarceration. Judy believes deeply in this mission, and her passion is contagious. Let’s stand with her — and with the artists and participants whose lives are being changed — by filling the room with support, energy, and community spirit. Tickets are available now, and your presence truly makes a difference.

🎟 Get Tickets for the Juneteenth Jazz Jubilee

Roving at the Manhattan Vintage Show

Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

My friend and I often wander into our local The Real Real and other neighborhood consignment shops to see all that is old as new again. When the Manhattan Vintage show was announced at Metropolitan Pavilion, we bought tickets to attend this treasure hunt. They are bringing shows to New York City and beyond, expanding the community of vendors and collectors.

Sustainable retail is here to stay, and thrifting high-end luxury goods is a passion for many who pursue it to consider the environment and find good deals on luxury retail items that are very expensive or long sold out. I was eager to explore and see some items from my past that reminded me of my grandmother’s, my mother’s, and my old closet contents. I loved visiting these “old friends” with my oldest friend.

Since that show is over, I recommend checking out my favorite luxury retail goods website Trio Consignment.  or Instagram @trio.consignment. Trio buys, sells, and rents the purses, clothing, and shoes of your dreams at solid prices. Happy Hunting to all who shop in the past!

~Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath”