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If you were sad about the swift end to Brat summer, don’t store your poppers in your freezer just yet. It seems like the end of Brat summer simply singled the beginning of Brat fall. 

At least that’s what Charli XCX fans speculated after the artist dropped several hints about a potential listening party earlier this week, when a Brat billboard was spotted at the Storm King Art Center upstate. 

RECOMMENDED: Out Late: 9 ways to have the perfect Brat Summer in NYC

In a recent Instagram story, the pop icon finally gave New Yorkers confirmation and a heads up, telling us we should try to get off work early this Thursday, October 10. 

Then, she posted an Instagram story with the following text: “nyyyyyyy i want to play you my new album 🙂 shall we go upstate?” with an accompanying RSVP link. 

She’s referring to her remix album, which will contain all the songs from the original album reimagined and reinterpreted by various artists, including Ariana Grande, Tinashe, and Caroline Polachek.

Although Charli seems to be hinting at a listening party, some fans are hopeful that she might perform, which would be a huge deal considering she’s currently in the midst of her Sweat tour with Troye Sivan. The RSVP link doesn’t give much more information other than the fact that the event will take place at 3pm, you have to be 18 years or older and an RSVP won’t guarantee entry—So travel at your own risk. 

The artist obviously has a strong affinity for New York and New Yorkers, considering her 360 music video included a star-studded cast of New York socialites and she threw her first Boiler Room party in a Bushwick warehouse earlier this year. 

We’re not saying you should skip work this Thursday, but if you’ve thought about doing the apple dance at an apple orchard, all we’re saying is this really might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

* This article was originally published here

It’s a busy month for Earth–not only does it have two moons orbiting it for the next few weeks, but a blazing comet, the brightest one of the year, is set to zip on by this October! And you won’t want to miss it as it won’t return for another 800 centuries!

Here’s everything you need to know:

What is the brightest comet in 2024?

The year’s brightest comet will be Tsuchinshan-ATLAS aka Comet C/2023 A3.

When was Comet C/2023 A3 first discovered?

Space.com writes that Tsuchinshan–ATLAS was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in South Africa on February 22, 2023. Though originally thought to be an asteroid, it was found to be the same object photographed six weeks earlier by the Purple Mountain Observatory (Tsuchinshan) in the east of Nanjing, China, and has since been determined to be a comet.

When will Comet C/2023 A3 be closest to earth?

This weekend, on Saturday, October 12th, the comet will reach its closest point to earth, passing just 44 million miles away.

Will Comet C/2023 be visible to the naked eye?

Space.com notes that the comet might brighten to second or possibly even first magnitude, developing a notable tail visible to the naked eye.

Will Comet C/2023 be visible in NYC?

When Tsuchinshan-ATLAS reaches its closest distance to Earth this Saturday, it will be easily visible from the five boroughs so long as it doesn’t break apart.

NASA astronomer Bill Cooke suggests choosing a dark vantage point just after full nightfall and looking to the southwest, roughly 10º above the horizon. Tsuchinshan-ATLAS should be visible between the constellations of Sagittarius and Scorpio.  By October 14th, the comet may remain visible at the midway point between the bright star Arcturus and the planet Venus.

Am I guaranteed to see the comet?

Unfortunately, no. Comet C/2023 comes directly from the Oort cloud, a “spherical shell of icy space debris scientists theorize to be situated far beyond the outer limits of the solar system and thought to contain billions or even trillions of comets.” Comets originating from the Oort cloud usually end up being duds or underperforming, so there are no guarantees you’ll see it.

However, the comet did successfully closely soar past the sun on September 27th, withstanding the sun’s intense heat and surviving more or less intact, so there is a reason to remain optimistic!

Though legendary comet expert Dr. Fred Whipple perhaps stated, “If you must bet, bet on a horse, not a comet!”

Will Comet C/2023 ever return?

According to NASA, the comet will return, however not in our lifetime–it won’t be back for another 80,000 years.

The post The Year’s Brightest Comet Zips Past Earth This Weekend, & It Won’t Return For Another 8 Centuries appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

My pandemic related activities went as follows: cooked a lot of food, fostered some dogs (and failed with one) and threw dance parties only attended by my roommate and I. However, the big miss I had? Making bread. While there was a yeast shortage during the pandemic because everyone and their grandmother was suddenly in the kitchen, making bread wasn’t high on my list of things to do. Mainly because the idea of tackling bread as a whole seemed like an intimidating feat. But the NYC Bagel Tours changed that for me.

NYC Bagel Tours is part of BagelUp, an organization dedicated to uplifting the culture and history behind New York’s iconic bagel. The organization includes the annual festival, New York Bagel Fest, alongside classes ($150/person) and tours ($59/person) throughout the year. With a resolve to finally tackle the almighty bagel, I signed up for a class, just in time for our Back to Class series.

RECOMMENDED: The 18 best bagels in NYC

Last month, I made my way to Bagel Market (264 W 40th St) in midtown. Located on the second floor of the shop, the class started with a little imbibing over soft drinks, bottled beers and glasses of prosecco rimmed with everything bagel seasoning because why not. Most of the people in the class had already come with a plus one, including a couple traveling from Europe and a foursome who signed up to celebrate a birthday. While I was riding solo, I was easily paired with another person who also came alone.

After a few quick introductions from instructor Aidan Everly, we were invited to walk up to the long counter running the length of the space. With mounds of premade bagel dough in front of us, instructor and bagel expert Reva Castillenti began walking us through the mechanics of the bagel. There, she explained the proper technique of rolling and stretching the dough—making a v shape with your hands as opposed to rolling it back and forth—and how to twist it off to make a perfect bagel round. My first creations were ones only a mother could love—some a bit too small, others varying in thickness. But once I got the hang of it, I was able to make a few decent sized rounds. Once each person rolled a dozen’s worth, we were instructed to set aside the six we wanted to keep for ourselves while the rest went into the community pile. After we carried our trays downstairs to the kitchen, the class split up, half of us staying to bake our goods, while the rest of us traveled another level down to the basement.

There (and really, throughout the class) Everly gave us a bit of bagel history. Starting with the arrival of the baked good from Jewish immigrants, he spoke about the back-breaking work of the bagel maker. With working conditions that climbed up to 120 degrees even in the winter, it spawned the phrase, “May you lay in the earth and bake bagels” a.k.a., a creative way to tell someone to go to hell. To protect the workers, Bagel Bakers Local 388 was formed. Not only did the union formalize the profession, but this group of bagel makers were nothing to played with, evident by the fact they successfully fought off the mob who wanted to get in on the profits.

With this history in our back pocket, we climbed back upstairs to finish our creations. With Castillenti’s help, we boiled our bagels in the store’s bagel kettle and seasoned them with a choice of everything or sesame. Finishing them off, Castillenti took to cooking them in the large industrial-sized oven until they reached that tell-tale color and sheen.

Once they cooled, we all broke bread together, gathering over a table of schmears, lox and capers for the snacking. As a parting gift, each of us were welcome to leave with our own bagels and any of the community bagels from the basket. That evening, I left the class with a warm bag full of bagels in my arms, a few tidbits of knowledge and a bit of confidence knowing how this NYC staple gets made.

* This article was originally published here

Greenpoint Savings Bank, the historic neo-classical landmarked building that opened at 807 Manhattan Avenue back in 1906, may soon become a cannabis storefront.

Altitude NY posted a notice on the facade of the structure, which has been sitting empty for the past four years, warning neighbors about its plans to open the weed shop on site.

Folks concerned with the potential development have an opportunity for public comment today at 6:30pm when the Brooklyn Community Board 1’s Cannabis Review Committee will be looking over the application. Keep in mind that, although the organization’s opinion certainly matters, it’s the state’s Cannabis Control Board that will make the ultimate decision.

The New York Post reports that some area residents are in favor of the potential opening, especially since the building became a “graffiti target” and “fell into disrepair” after Capital One, the last tenant, moved out in 2020.

Others, though, are concerned about the destination’s vicinity to PS031. To be clear, according to official law, cannabis retail businesses are not allowed to operate within five hundred feet of a school, and PS031 falls right outside of those parameters.

When thinking of “creative” locations for recently legalized weed shops, we immediately go back to NYC Bud at 445 Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, the are’a first recreational dispensary and the first-ever subway-themed one. As patrons of the shop know and have documented on social media, the destination also features a life-sized subway car with moving doors that you can actually go inside of. Suddenly, buying weed from inside a former bank sounds like an average Tuesday afternoon.

* This article was originally published here

Honoring more than two decades on Broadway and serendipitously ahead of the new movie premiere, The Plaza Hotel is taking everyone to the Land of Oz with a limited-edition afternoon tea, better described as a “defying gravi-tea” party, back by popular demand!

Guests will have another opportunity to attend the Wicked-themed afternoon tea, that launched after the Broadway musical’s 20th anniversary in 2023, to sit beneath the glimmering emerald dome of iconic The Palm Court.

Exciting and creative treats, both sweet and savory, are on the menu, with highlights including the “Look To The Brest’ern Sky” Tartelette and the “Flying Monkey” Macaron.

Moreover, what’s a visit to the Plaza without a little bubbly? Therefore, beyond cozying into your cuppa, you’ll be served wicked cocktails to pair.

A seat at The Plaza’s Palm Court is a coveted experience that you’ll want to steep in. The in-house Pastry Chef’s ensure you’re to nibble on dainty little cakes, scones and sandwiches with the utmost quality ingredients and presentation.

The defying gravi-tea party will only be available from October 1st through November 3rd, so be sure to make your reservation soon!

Plus, as you anticipate the movie release, you can test your luck at winning two tickets to the U.S. Wicked premiere. All you have to do to enter is check your voting status through HeadCount.

$145/per person

  October 1st through November 3rd

Tea time is from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The post A ‘Defying Gravi-Tea’ Party Is Transforming The Plaza Into The Land Of Oz appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here