Our Renewal Summit was a glorious event, and we have a recap. It may not feel like summer quite yet, but here we are —Memorial Day weekend. The fleet is in, and if you encounter our men and women in uniform, make sure to thank them, and enjoy some of the many celebrations. And take a moment to pause this weekend to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedoms. We have a few summer kick-off events, and if the weather doesn’t cooperate for outdoor fun, consider a trip to the Guggenheim, which is where our roving photographer was roaming recently. Enjoy your long weekend, Tomatoes.

Renewal Summit Recap

Anne Akers and I are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for this year’s Renewal Summit at Scandinavia House on May 16. Your enthusiasm and engagement made all the effort worthwhile. It was truly a day of transformation, connection, and celebration, where visionaries, health leaders, tech pioneers, and creatives came together to explore new opportunities for women at every stage of life. Here are some standout moments. Stay tuned—videos of all the sessions will be available soon! GET THE RECAP.

Now to May 28. Fleet Week New York

Fleet Week New York is in full swing! This annual celebration honors the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, giving New Yorkers a chance to meet service members and explore military ships.  It kicked off with the impressive Parade of Ships sailing into New York Harbor. Throughout the week, visitors can enjoy ship tours, military demonstrations, and free concerts in Times Square and Bryant Park.

Some highlights:

• Ship Tours: Vessels from the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and even the Royal Canadian Navy are docked at various piers for public tours.
• Concerts: The Navy Band Northeast and Marine Corps Band are performing in Times Square and Bryant Park.
• Special Events: Military displays, dive tank demonstrations, and a **flight deck movie night** featuring *Top Gun* at the Intrepid Museum.

If you’re in NYC, it’s a great opportunity to experience the maritime services up close! You can check out the full schedule here.

Long Island Memorial Day Events

Our Long Island reporter, Andrea Peponakis, has the scoop on a variety of celebrations this weekend.  From the lively beachside tunes at Tiki Joe’s to thrilling air shows at Jones Beach and heartfelt parades, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Families flock to the shores, friends gather for barbecues, and music fills the air as the Island’s coastal hotspots come alive with energy and excitement. GET THE DETAILS.

Catch Manhattanhenge This Month

There are two opportunities to experience this breathtaking experience this month. This stunning phenomenon occurs when the setting sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan’s Street grid, and it’s happening May 28 at 8:13 PM and May 29 at 8:12. The best viewing spots include 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th Streets.

Starry Nights Drone Show at the NYBG

Experience the timeless beauty of Van Gogh’s art brought to life after dark! This first-of-its-kind event at a cultural institution in NYC brings Van Gogh’s iconic “Starry Night” to life with hundreds of illuminated drones dancing in the sky. It’s part of the Starry Nights program, running on select Fridays and Saturdays from May 23 through September 13, 2025.

Visitors can enjoy the Van Gogh’s Flowers exhibition after dark, featuring botanical displays, immersive art installations, live music, and handcrafted cocktails. The event takes place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering a magical experience under the stars.

For tickets and more details, check out NYBG’s official site or Starry Nights event page. Sounds like an unforgettable night!

Roving in the Guggenheim

Our roving photographer Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

Immerse yourself in Rashid Johnson’s all-encompassing world at his survey show at the Guggenheim Museum. Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers is a rotating world of the artist’s conceptual multimedia work over the last 30 years, focusing on his life experience through pop culture, art history, and dimension.

The bold use of plant life accompanying the visitor up the Frank Lloyd Wright ramps, with potted plants flying overhead, creates an indoor jungle of natural and unnatural life in the balance. The dramatic culmination of this 90-piece exhibition at the top of the rotunda is titled Sanguine, which is a room-like, large-scale shelf system filled with plants in absolutely scrumptious ceramic pots. Embedded in this installation is a piano, and there are live musical performances and poetry readings scheduled as part of the show.

On view through January 18, 2026, this grand retrospective offers insights into the artist’s experience and is in harmony with the spiraling Guggenheim space, both offering a unique perspective on the viewing of art. This is truly a deeply thought-out and beautifully poetic show!

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