Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend, it’s a beautiful time to lift others up. This afternoon brings a stirring MLK tribute from the Young People’s Chorus, and this weekend is your last chance to catch Gingerbread NYC’s whimsical edible architecture. We’re spotlighting the city’s most beautiful new restaurants, inviting you into Barbara Biziou’s Vision 2026 retreat, and celebrating women who inspire their communities. Looking ahead, the sanitation department’s Trucks of Art roll out this spring, and we’re gearing up for our 10th Renewal Summit. And if you love adventure and fun, join our NYC Insider’s Club.

 Til Jan. 19. Hurry Catch Gingerbread NYC

 Our roving photographer Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

When you enter the gallery where the Museum of the City of New York displays some of the tastiest buildings, the smell of gingerbread transports you to Christmas past. Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off features Big Apple bakers’ creations that celebrate iconic buildings and landmarks, and even include the classic New York breakfast, a bagel and coffee in the old school blue and white to-go cup! Visitors can cast votes for their favorites.

The show will be closing on Monday, January 19th, so grab your imagination and get a whiff of the delectable constructions. While visiting the museum at 1220 Fifth Avenue, there are many other intriguing shows to see, including Robert Rauschenberg, Urban Stomp, Activist New York, and the ongoing New York at its Core, the story of our sweet city! GET THE DETAILS. 

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

NYC’s Most Beautiful New Restaurants

New York City dazzles once again on Robb Report’s annual list of the Most Beautiful New Restaurants in America, with seven stunning spaces earning a coveted spot. From sculptural minimalism to maximalist Mexican glamour, these restaurants prove that dining in NYC is as much about atmosphere and artistry as it is about the food. Each one offers a mood, a moment, and a visual feast — perfect for a girls’ night, a special celebration, or simply savoring the beauty of the city we love. READ MORE.

Today. The Young People’s Chorus of NYC Honors MLK

Experience an afternoon of extraordinary music as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through powerful spirituals, iconic works, and soul‑stirring anthems — including MLK by U2 and Lift Every Voice and Sing. This inspiring program celebrates unity, belonging, and the shared humanity at the heart of Dr. King’s vision.

The performance brings together the world‑renowned Young People’s Chorus of New York City, led by YPC Founder and Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez, the distinguished Harvard Glee Club under the direction of Andrew Clark, and acclaimed baritone Lester Lynch. Their combined artistry promises an unforgettable musical experience that uplifts and moves.

This concert is free and open to the public — a beautiful opportunity to gather in community and reflect through the transformative power of music.

Brick Presbyterian Church
1140 Park Avenue, New York, NY
Saturday, January 18 at 4:00 PM

Join the Club

We have some fabulous adventures in store for our Insider Club Members. We’d love you to join us. 

Jan. 24-25. Vision 2026

Vision 2026 is Barbara Biziou’s transformative weekend retreat (in-person in NYC or live via Zoom) designed to help you step into the new year with clarity, courage, and energetic alignment. This isn’t a typical vision board workshop—it’s a sacred container for deep transformation through ritual, astrology, sound healing, movement, and intentional manifestation.

Over two days, you’ll work with Barbara and special guests, including astrologer Rebecca Gordon, sound healer Joule L’Adara, and culture creator Emil Wilbekin, to reset your frequency, release what’s holding you back, and create a soul-led roadmap for 2026. For over 20 years, participants have experienced profound results—from book deals and career breakthroughs to finding love and manifesting dream opportunities. This is where energetic alignment meets practical action, and where your vision becomes reality.  GET THE DETAILS HERE: www.barbarabiziou.com/vision2026

Meet Robin McComb

In this month’s Spotlight on Long Island Women, our Long Island reporter Andrea Peponakis introduces us to Robin McComb—a woman who turned life’s hardest moments into a legacy of community, connection, and courage. From reinventing herself as a single mom of four to building two beloved neighborhood gathering places, Robin has shown that when women lead with heart, entire communities rise with them. READ ON.

Trucks of Art: Turning Sanitation Trucks into Moving Murals

New York City’s Department of Sanitation is once again inviting artists to transform its 46,000‑pound collection vehicles into bold, roving works of public art. The Trucks of Art program takes nearly 400 square feet of metal surface on each truck and turns it into a mobile canvas that celebrates creativity, sustainability, and the essential workers who keep the city clean.

This year’s initiative continues DSNY’s zero‑waste mission by requiring artists to use leftover or unwanted household paints—materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Selected artists receive a stipend of up to $1,500 from the Sanitation Foundation and have five workdays to bring their designs to life.

The 2026 timeline includes painting in April, a public unveiling in Union Square in May, and—most exciting for New Yorkers—the trucks officially hitting their regular collection routes in June 2026. These rolling murals will move through all five boroughs, carrying color, pride, and community spirit into the everyday rhythm of the city.

For full program details and application information, visit:
www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/about/news/trucks-of-art.page

May 15, Our 10th Renewal Summit

This will be a very special summit as we celebrate our 10^th year. We will have amazing speakers and panels on the theme of resilience and longevity. Tickets go on sale shortly.