Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

If you love unique experiences, today’s newsletter is for you. Have you heard about “Lunch Dances” at the New York Public Library? Well, you’re going to love this! Step inside the latest Insider’s Club’s “must‑see” Monte Cristo experience.  Indulge your sweet side at iCandy NYC, savor chamber music at the Ukrainian Institute, and join the citywide excitement as JapanFes returns. Our Long Island reporter introduces us to a woman who didn’t follow a path—she built one and kept walking. Our roving photographer takes to Freeman Alley, a hidden gem. And we’re sharing another highlight of our upcoming Renewal Summit.

Highlights of This Year’s Renewal Summit

One of the highlights of our 10^th Renewal Summit will be the presentation of The Three Tomatoes & Glow Magazine “Woman of Purpose Award” which this year goes to Deborah.  Deborah is the founder of the amazing Hearts of Gold, whose mission is get mothers and children out of shelters. We will also present then with a $5,000 grant from our Giving Circle. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW.

 Insider’s Club Members at Monto Cristo “A Must See”

Anne Akers co-host with Cheryl Benton of the Insider’s Club, writes:

What do I love about living in NYC?  For many, it’s the theatre, and this past Sunday, members of the Insiders Club were treated to a “must-see” performance of Monte Cristo at the York Theatre.  Impeccable casting with Broadway Tony Winners Norm Lewis and Karen Ziemba…a score representing the “best of musical theatre”… memorable. scenic, lighting, and costume design……and thematic touches that reflect a fresh take on a classic revenge tale.  Overall, a real crowd pleaser with standing ovations.

FYI, The York Theatre is a long-running Off-Broadway musical theatre whose performances often move to Broadway.  The theatre is located at 150 East 76th, with comfortable seating, great sight lines, affordable pricing, and lovely restaurants nearby. Tickets are available through April 5, 2026.

If you want to continue to discover the “best of NYC”, join the Insiders Club.

Spotlight on Long Island Women

Our Long Island reporter, Andrea Peponakis, introduces us to Jeanine Jodice—a woman who didn’t wait for a path to appear. She built one. From her early days growing up in Brooklyn to forging a career in an industry where women were almost never seen, Jeanine carved out a life defined by confidence, curiosity, and a willingness to keep moving forward. Her story is a reminder that some of the most remarkable journeys aren’t planned. They’re created step by step, choice by choice, with courage leading the way. READ MORE.

Roving in Freeman Alley

Our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

Freeman Alley is a hidden gem where many types of street art mingle maniacally with the city architecture. Nestled in the heart of the Lower East Side, hiding in plain site between Rivington and Chrystie off the Bowery is a simple alley turned open-air gallery with constantly rotating exhibits. The walls and ground of this 150-foot artery are heavily layered with murals, graffiti tags, stickers, and posters, creating a contemporary conversation about the fluid current culture. Artist Jimmy Wright, whose work has been shown by the Met and the Whitney museums, has lived at 1 Freeman Alley since 1980. He is not only the only resident of this treasured street, but its de facto expert historian. Wright has seen the alley’s transformation from a tough, degenerate New York street to the current “slick, high-rise affluent Manhattan.”

The New Museum recently reopened after an $82 million expansion. The museum’s future restaurant entrance will be accessible through Freeman Alley, forcing commercialism and gentrification to further collide in the ever-evolving space.Tension is what fuels the vibe, therefore befitting this new condition. This open dialogue between the established artists and institutions, and the gorilla art of the street, is what keeps this New York art scene so lively. Every time you visit Freeman Alley, there will be new art over old art. It is constantly changing, much like the neighborhood framing this beautiful alley.

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

A Candy Lovers Dream!

Ready to feel like a kid again? Don’t miss i Candy NYC, in Times Square.  It’s a candy-filled journey through the heart of New York City. Stroll through a sweet spin on Central Park, explore the vibrant neighborhoods, and uncover hidden treasures in The Underground—all while filling a personal container with treats. Along the way, discover city facts, snap share-worthy moments, and cap the adventure in The Candy Shop for the ultimate sugar rush. Get your tickets today for i Candy NYC!

Lunch Dances at the NYPL: A Midday Escape into Movement and Magic

If you’ve ever wished your lunch hour felt a little more like a scene from a beautifully choreographed film, the New York Public Library has granted your wish. Lunch Dances, created by the inventive duo Monica Bill Barnes and Robbie Saenz de Viteri, transforms the iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building into a moving stage where dance, storytelling, and the quiet hum of the library collide. Audiences slip on headphones and follow performers through the stacks, corridors, and grand halls, discovering personal stories and unexpected moments of joy along the way. Hailed as one of the “best dance performances of 2025,” this hour‑long, free program invites New Yorkers to step away from their desks and into a world where art blooms in the most unlikely places. The New York Public Library Broadway World

2026 Schedule

• Friday, March 27, 2026, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
• Saturday, March 28, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Saturday, March 28, 2026, 1:30 – 2:30 PM

• Monday, April 20, 2026, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
• Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
• Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
• Thursday, April 23, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Thursday, April 23, 2026, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
• Friday, April 24, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Friday, April 24, 2026, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
• Saturday, April 25, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Saturday, April 25, 2026, 1:30 – 2:30 PM

March 27.MATI “Sip & Listen” at the Ukrainian Institute of America

There’s something quietly magical about stepping into the Ukrainian Institute of America on a spring evening — the marble, the hush, the sense that art still matters. MATI “Sip & Listen” builds on that feeling beautifully, offering a concert experience that’s both intimate and gently social. Guests are welcomed with a glass of wine before settling into the Institute’s historic concert hall, where world‑class musicians from Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S. perform in a setting designed for attentive listening and genuine connection. Now in its 37th season, MATI continues its tradition of presenting exceptional chamber music while introducing a more relaxed format that invites conversation and community. After the performance, guests are encouraged to stay for a reception with the artists — a chance to linger, ask questions, and savor the shared experience

🎼 Program Highlights

The evening’s repertoire spans Ukrainian folk inspirations, lyrical Romantic works, and modern classics, including:

• Myroslav Skoryk’s Fantasy on the Ukrainian Folk Song “Moon in the Sky”
• Serhiy Bortkevych’s Prelude and Romance and Valse
• Francis Poulenc’s Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
• Walter Rabl’s Quartet in E-flat Major
  Performed by an accomplished ensemble of clarinet, violin, cello, and piano.

📍 Event Details

Location: Ukrainian Institute of America, 2 E 79th St, New York, NY
Admission: $40 general; $30 for UIA Annual Friends, students, and seniors; $20 for UIA members. AllEvents.in

JapanFes 2026: NYC’s Tastiest Street Festival

New York’s streets are about to smell like sizzling yakisoba, fresh takoyaki, and warm mochi again — JapanFes is back for its milestone 10th anniversary season, and 2026 is shaping up to be its biggest year yet. The beloved Japanese street‑food festival launches its NYC season on March 28 at Astor Place, followed by a second event on March 29 on 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

What began as a local food event nearly a decade ago has grown into a global cultural phenomenon. This year, organizers are planning 34+ NYC events across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, with more than 80 events worldwide — from Miami to Paris — making 2026 the festival’s most ambitious year to date. Get the details.

🍱 What to Expect

JapanFes is essentially a block party devoted entirely to Japanese street food — joyful, bustling, and deliciously chaotic. Visitors can graze their way through:

• Takoyaki, karaage, yakisoba, and ramen
• Onigiri and teriyaki skewers
• Matcha shaved ice, bubble tea, and mochi
• Japanese snacks, crafts, and cultural pop‑ups

Most dishes hover around $10, making it one of the most affordable (and addictive) food festivals in the city.

More Than a Food Festival

JapanFes was founded on the Japanese concept of wa — harmony — and the festival leans into that spirit with live performances, traditional crafts, and a community‑driven atmosphere that feels both global and deeply local. It’s a chance to wander, taste, linger, and connect. Secret NYC

📍 Key NYC Kickoff Dates

• March 28 — Astor Place (East Village)
• March 29 — 40th St between Fifth & Sixth Avenues (Midtown)
  Events typically run 10 AM–6 PM, with pop‑ups continuing throughout spring, summer, and fall.