September in NYC: Cultural Highlights
Having fled sweltering Manhattan for the breezy shores of The Hamptons in August, native New Yorkers are returning to a social calendar brimming with cultural highlights and see-and-be-seen events. Here are our top picks...
The world turns its gaze NYC-ward in early September as annual style spectacle New York Fashion Week (9-14 Sep) struts into town. Meanwhile, tennis pros, celebs and their fans descend on Flushing Meadows for the grand slam US Open (29 Aug-1 Sep).
A whopping 61 ballets pirouette onto the stage of the Lincoln Center from 19 September for a new Winter-Spring season of the New York City Ballet. Six programs are devoted to NYCB founder and godfather of American ballet, Russian choreographer George Balanchine; a three-week spectacle celebrates Broadway legend Jerome Robbins’ centennial with 19 of his most acclaimed works.
If you’ve ever wondered how collectors manage to nab art works by emerging talent before their prices go stratospheric, look no further than the Affordable Art Fair (22-25 Sep). This globe-strutting annual extravaganza touts thousands of original paintings, prints, sculptures and photographs, with prices ranging from US$100 to US$10,000 – with more than half coming in under US$5,000. In the same democratic vein, young artists sit alongside the big names.
Foodies meanwhile should beeline for Little Italy, where the Feast of San Gennaro (15-25 Sep) on Mulberry Street sports a festive atmosphere replete with religious processions, colourful parades, musical entertainment, and – most importantly – amazing Italian food, just like nonna used to make… Do save room for the cannoli-eating competition.
New York’s iconic skyscape has backdropped countless movies, but this month the city takes a firm backseat with films from around the world stealing the spotlight at the 60th New York Film Festival (30 Sep-16 Oct). Get booking now!
NYFW / Skylight Clarkson Sq / 558 Washington St / nyfw.com
US Open / USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center / Flushing Meadows–Corona Park / usopen.org
New York City Ballet / Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts / nycballet.com
Affordable Art Fair / The Metropolitan Pavilion / 125 W 18th St / +1 212 255 2003 / see website for schedule / affordableartfair.com
Feast of San Gennaro / Mulberry St / +1 212 768 9320 / 11am-11pm Sun-Thu, until 12am Fri-Sat / sangennaro.org
New York Film Festival / Film Society of Lincoln Center / 70 Lincoln Center Plaza / +1 212 875 5610 / filmlinc.org