From stellar meals prepared by 2023 James Beard nominated talent to festivals, small-owned businesses, and more.
Black culture is an entire part of what delimit New York City ’s vivacious , originative , and ever - flourishing identity . And across the five boroughs , with 1.9 million Black New Yorkers — key out as Black American , Trinidadian , West African , and more — making up22%of the city ’s universe , their impact across communities here can be find in everything from artistry and music to solid food and entrepreneurship .
In increase to communities likeBed - Stuyin Brooklyn and the rich width ofhistorical museums and citywide landmarks , the city is home to a battalion of cool new hubs of culture likeSEED Brklynand the upcomingLouis Armstrong House Museumslated to debut this spring .
And as we continue to respect Black polish throughout February during Black History Month — as well as all twelvemonth - round — we’ve round up some of the serious way in town to celebrate . Here ’s our scout on 2023 events and computer programing to check out across NYC .
Artist Vincent Peters|Photo courtesy of Carlton Fine Arts
Peruse Black-made artisan goods at a pop-up market
Saturday , February 4 , 10:30 am–5:30 pmProspect HeightsPopping up in unlike location throughout Brooklyn every workweek , theBrooklyn Pop - Upartisan market is do it for their unbelievable choice of handmade trade good created by local journeyman . In honor of Black History Month , on February 4 outside of theBrooklyn Museum , the market will showcase Black - own businesses . abide tune up for more information on trafficker via theirIGpage .
Get a taste of 2023 James Beard Award semi-finalists
Throughout FebruaryVarious locationsEach year , The James Beard Foundationhonors a blue-ribbon group of chef , bakers , and eating place across America with a range of “ best in the city ” nominations , such as Outstanding Chef and Best New Restaurant . The lately announced 2023 list of trucking rig - finalist , all of whom are one footfall nearer to realise a sought - after title , admit an exciting chemical group of NYC eateries lock by some of the city ’s top disgraceful culinary endowment .
Among this year ’s buzzy local spot , drop by theMusket Roomwhere pastry chefCamari Mickis hosting a extra dinner party on Sunday , February 5 in collaboration with chefBrittney Williams(BWC Catering ) to honor of Black History Month . The class - style repast draws inspiration from Mick and Williams ’ Jamaican heritage and includes dishes like Smoked Jollof and Plantain Sticky Toffee . ticket are available onResy .
Additionally , head to either of chef JJ Johnson’sFIELDTRIPlocations in Harlem orRockefeller Centerfor Black History Month specials like Sweet Potato Rice Grits served with Creole King Crab and Rice Milk Strawberry Shortcake Soft Serve .
Brooklyn Pop-Up
Other popular NYC contenders for 2023 prizes includeHarlem Hops , a beer bar and restaurant owned by Kevin Bradford , Kim Harris , and Stacey Lee Spratt;Melba ’s , a Southern eatery in Harlem led by chef Melba Wilson with an outpost aboveCentral Park ’s Wollman Rink;Dept of Culture , a Nigeriandinner political party conceptin Bed - Stuy from chef Ayo Balogun ; andCadence , where chef Shenarri Freeman specialize in vegan soul food for thought .
Champion creative freedom at an art exhibit
Wednesday , February 8 , 5:30 pm–7:30 pmMidtown EastHome to an telling solicitation of art by fabled artists like Jean - Michel Basquiat and Takashi Murakami , theCarlton Fine Artsgallery also showcases work by contemporary and egress artist . Slated for the month of February , visitors can peruse a new showing titledArt is Dead , featuring 18 painting by artistVincent Peters(also known by ÆTHELSTAN ) and from which all purchase net profit will go to theDecree 349Rorganization ( which agitate for the creative freedom of Cuban artists ) . Additionally , drop by on February 8 for an intimate creative person ’s reception , where Peters and others will plunk into which historical disgraceful figures inspired his collection .
Enjoy imaginative waffles at a culinary collective’s pop-up
Throughout FebruaryMidtownA collaborative try between thePark Lanehotel and the Bronx - born culinary collectiveGhetto Gastro — which highlightsrecipesand techniques of grim , brown , and Asiatic folks across the world — drop-off by Midtown for a Black History Month - inspired dining serial . Held at the hotel ’s second base cocktail couch and eatery , Harry ’s New York , the limited - variant menu item are created with the Ghetto Gastro ’s line of rippled waffle mix and include offerings like Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Ancestral Roots & Toasted Matcha Waffles ( served with walnut syrup ) .
Get in some laughs with 90 minutes of improv comedy
Friday , February 24 – Saturday , February 25Manhattan WestAfter a foresightful week of Zoom calls and deadline , an eventide of laughs is in edict . Coming off of a sell - out trial at Washington , D.C. ’s Kennedy Center , The Black Versionmakes its NYC debut for Black History Month atMidnight Theatrein the Manhattan West developing . Here , the cast prompt the audience for thing like names of movies , which spurs skit by the cast in the form of Sung , terpsichore , and more . Notable cast appendage includeNyima Funk(Wild N ’ Out ) andCedric Yarbrough(Reno 911 ) . Tickets are availableonlinenow .
Celebrate Black women through the arts at a two-day festival
Friday , February 24 and Saturday , February 25Upper West SideFeaturing awe - prompt performance by Black woman artists from around the populace , tickets are now available for theBlack HERstory Livetwo - day festival . Held in collaboration with ignominious esthetic collectiveAFROPUNKatLincoln Center , the event ’s purpose is to magnify and celebrate Black cleaning woman through medicine , performance artistry , poetry , dance , and pic . Among the performers , expect appearances from the singerUMI , dancer and choreographerEbony Williams , poetMahogany L. Browne , and more .
Commemorate the 15th anniversary of a trailblazing arts festival
Friday , February 24 – Sunday , February 26Hell ’s KitchenKnown for its telling extract of graphics created by African , Caribbean , and contraband artists from across the globe , Harlem Fine Arts Showcelebrates its fifteenth anniversary this year . Claiming the championship as the big traveling fine art show in the U.S. that features artists from the African diaspora , the festival pays court to the Harlem Renaissance from a century ago and features everything from paintings and exposure to intellectual nourishment and unrecorded performances . just the ticket are now availableonline .
Bask in a candlelight concert of soulful hits inside an opera house
Saturday , February 25 , 6:30 autopsy and 9 pmWilliamsburgPerfect for music lover of all form , these twoCandlelight Concertscelebrate the euphony of America ’s most fabled Black creative person under the aristocratic glow of hundred of candles atThe Williamsburg Opera House . head by the player ofPure Soul , the 65 - arcminute set tilt include birdsong by Stevie Wonder , Al Green , Nina Simone , Ella Fitzgerald , Frank Ocean , and more .
Snag a res at a month-long prix-fixe experience from a notable chef
Throughout FebruaryChelseaAt his first new NYC restaurant in twelve year , chefMarcus Samuelsson(Red Rooster ) teams up with executive director chefRose Noël(Maialino Mare in DC ) forHav & Mar , a seafood - centric eatery showcasing present-day mordant cuisine . open in November , guests will be capable to experience a different prix - fixe menu every Monday of February — all of which use ingredients source from local Black - owned and -managed company ( likePrince Abou ’s Butcheryin Astoria andStriped Lion Distillingin Woodbury , New Jersey ) . Each repast is priced at $ 85 per person and will be host by well - sleep with member of the residential district like chief curator of The Studio Museum , Thelma Golden , and artistDerrick Adams . reservation can be made onResy .
Head to The Met for an exhibit that uncovers the storied history of Seneca Village
Throughout FebruaryUpper East SideDuring the 19th century and in what is now Central Park , there was once a thriving community of mostly Black landowners and tenants living in an field calledSeneca hamlet . Consisting of homes , church , a school , gardens , and more , it represented freedom and successfulness to its residents before it was arrogate by the urban center in 1857 to make manner for the park . Now , as a means to shed light on Seneca Village ’s indelible impact , The Metropolitan Museum of Arthas create the exhibit , Before Yesterday We Could flee : An Afrofuturist Period Room , featuring a wood - frame structure take with artifacts from the village , as well as other relevant ephemera and artwork from the museum ’s collection .
Shop locally made goods at Black-owned small businesses
Throughout FebruaryVarious locationsWhile on your retail therapy charge around our city ’s cool small businesses , Lichenin East Williamsburg , owned by Jared Blake and Ed Be , exhibit eclectic and NYC apartment - friendly piece of furniture and home accessories . Elsewhere around Brooklyn , grab some greenery for your nursing home atNatty Gardenin Prospect Heights , point your bicyclist acquisition atBurrowes Brothers Bikesin Flatbush , and social club bloom fragrance fromLes ’ Bloom of Brooklynin Prospect Lefferts Gardens .
Find your next great read at a localindependent bookstorelikeSister ’s Uptown Bookstorein Washington Heights , which is the only Black - owned bookstall in Manhattan . to boot , check outThe Lit Barin Mott Haven , which functions as a bookstore , vino bar , and community center rolled into one , as well as the intersectional feministCafe Con Librosin Crown Heights .
Other NYC - establish favorites let in rooted treats fromIsland Popsin Crown Heights ; sustainable duds fromByas & Leonin Bed - Stuy ; trendy accoutrement and vintage fits courtesy ofTrintagein Central Harlem ; and coffee and lifestyle good atSEED Brklynin Bed - Stuy .
Dept of Culture|Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist
Artist Vincent Peters|Photo courtesy of Carlton Fine Arts
Fried Chicken and WAVY Waffles|Photo courtesy of Park Lane New York
Midnight Theatre|Photo by Jason Greenspan
Candlelight Concerts by Fever
Photo courtesy of Hav & Mar
“Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art|Photo courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Greenhouse Cafe at SEED Brklyn|Photo by Greg Travers
