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As the spooky season quickly approaches, it’s time to figure out where to go pumpkin picking. Among the many awesome options around town is the Cityside Pumpkin Patch at The Summer Club rooftop in Long Island City, where guests have access to over 10,000 gourds sourced from upstate New York and spread across the 25,000 square feet of space. 

The experience will take over the rooftop at 8-08 Queens Plaza South from October 4 through Halloween.

In addition to the pumpkin patch, guests will get to partake in a variety of other activities, from photo ops to archery sessions, face painting, tarot card reading, a smash-o-lantern activation and—of course—food and drink offerings to boot. 

There are different tiers of tickets, some of which come with a complimentary pumpkin (but they’re available for sale “a la carte” as well!). You can check all options out right here. 

Between this massive pumpkin patch and the magical new Tim Burton-inspired light trail now open to the public, it really feels like the holidays are around the corner. No, we’re not complaining. We actually cannot wait. 

* This article was originally published here

Everyone knows about Chinatown’s famous Lunar New Year parade, when thousands take to the streets and celebrate the procession of lion dancers that bless businesses in the neighborhood with a year of good fortune. 

But not everyone knows that, every October, there is another festival that honors the contributions of Asian-American artists, performers and musicians who make up the vibrant fabric of Chinatown.

RECOMMENDED: This super famous Chinese restaurant is hosting its first-ever soup dumpling festival

The Chinatown Arts Festival is produced by Think!Chinatown, an organization that fosters the bustling art scene in the Manhattan neighborhood. 

Although the event’s full lineup will be announced on September 30, we already know what some of the highlights will be. This year’s festival headliner on October 12 will be singer and multi-instrumentalist Treya Lam, whose music is rooted in Chinese medicine wellness practices. A guided Cantonese opera experience about the Legend of the Purple Hairpin will also delight, this one in the bamboo garden at 5 Essex on October 25. The festival will wrap up with a huge block party on October 27, with tunes provided by DJ Yiu Yiu. 

If you’re looking for something a bit calmer, opt for the plenty literary events on schedule, including readings by Ava Chin and others. Music fans, on the other hand, should take part in Listening Sessions, where you’ll get to listen to vinyl records of Chinese music collected from the local Chinatown community.

Think!Chinatown’s Arts Festival aims to highlight emerging Asian artists and celebrate the storytelling, histories and people who make the neighborhood one of the most vibrant and visited in the entire city. 

To stay updated on the latest information about performances and schedules, visit the festival’s website. 

* This article was originally published here

After conquering some of electronic music’s biggest stages so far this year (Tomorrowland, Hi Ibiza, Ultra Music Festival), coveted dance star Vintage Culture is set to perform in NYC this Saturday, marking one of his biggest headlining shows ever in the Big Apple.

Fresh off his debut album Promised Land, which dropped back in May, he’s gearing up to rock the Under the Bridge K venue this weekend, exhilerated to touch foot down in the city again.

“New York is one of the most inspiring cities in the world,” he tells Secret NYC. “There is a pulse to NYC that keeps driving you forward.”

We caught up with Vintage Culture before his long anticipated weekend performance, asking him everything—from his new album to what his go-to bagel order is. Check it out:

You just dropped your debut album, Promised Land, bring me through some of the creative process of the project, favorite tracks, and moments while making it

VC: Promised Land was a four-year journey, and it’s more than just a collection of tracks. It’s a reflection of everything I’ve been through, both musically and personally, over these years. I wanted this album to feel like reaching a destination, not just for me, but also for the fans. Much of the album was written during and after the pandemic, so it captures that emotional rollercoaster we all went through. The creative process was intense but incredibly rewarding.

I’ve heard other artists say it before, and now I understand that picking a favorite track is like choosing a favorite child. Each one holds its own story, its meaning.

“Nothing Ever Changes” stands out for me, it’s deeply melodic, and emotional, and resonates whether you’re at a live show or listening at home. “Weak” is another special one, an original collaboration with Maverick Sabre. Remixing Maverick’s “Slow Down” had such a massive global impact, so working on this new track felt like a natural progression.

The show is at a venue called Under the K Bridge…a literal rave under a bridge…will this atmosphere inspire the set at all?

VC: This is my first time playing Under the K Bridge, and I love the raw, urban vibe. I thrive off that energy. It pushes me to go harder and take things to the next level. Last year’s Brooklyn show had some crazy rain, but it didn’t last long, and the crowd was incredible, running right back to the stage as soon as it cleared up. This year, I’ll be dropping a lot of unreleased tracks. There are going to be plenty of surprises the audience has never heard before.

You’re set to play a special b2b set with fellow Brazilian, Maz. Talk to me about how that relationship formed and what we can expect from that set.

VC: I’ve admired Maz’s work for a long time. It’s great to see him finally get the attention he deserves. We’ve talked about working together and finally, our schedule coincided for this USA tour. Each of us has our unique style and I love his vibe. Couldn’t be more excited for another b2b.

What can fans expect from your extended set on Saturday night?

VC: I’ve been doing extended sets at home in Brazil for a while now. With an extended set, I love having the space to take people on a journey. It’s not just about bangers the whole way through, it’s about building up, taking moments to go deeper, more introspective, and then hitting those peak moments when the energy just explodes. Expect a mix of new music, unreleased tracks, some surprises. I’m going to take my time and feel the crowd’s energy too.

Are there any NY artists, producers, places, or neighborhoods that are inspiring you creatively at the moment?

VC: New York is one of the most inspiring cities in the world. You can feel the rhythm of the city as soon as you step off the flight. There is a pulse to NYC that keeps driving you forward. It’s contagious and it’s a feeling that stays with me long after I leave.

New York DJs and Producers helped build this industry. Artists such as Louie Vega, Todd Terry, Tony Humphries, Danny Tenaglia are pioneers.

I also admire the songwriting and production talents of Sofi Tukker and The Knocks.

Where do you think the state of techno/melodic techno is heading as a genre?

VC: I get asked that question frequently. I’m very fascinated by how flexible dance music is. It remains open to numerous possibilities. While excellent songs can certainly be the foundation of fantastic productions and tracks, there are also remarkable pieces that don’t depend on traditional song structures. Simple concepts, spoken word elements, and the rhythm and sound of the voice can elevate less structured songs into outstanding tracks, as the instrumental components can generate the right energy to counterbalance this.

Now for some fun NYC-based questions!

Settle the debate: What’s the best pizza spot in NYC?

VC: Is there any bad pizza in New York? Near my hotel in New York on West 54th Street, there is a Ray’s Pizza on 54th & 7th Ave. It’s awesome.

Do you have any favorite Brazilian spots in NYC that reminds you of home? Or any favorite restaurants in general?

VC: As a Brazilian, when I’m in other cities I don’t usually go for Brazilian food.

There are so many terrific restaurants in New York. Tao Restaurant downtown is one of my favorites. Great food, terrific service and I really like the vibe of that restaurant.

Do you have a specific bagel order when you’re in NYC?

VC: I go for an Everything Bagel with cream cheese when I’m in the city. It’s part of my New York routine and the perfect start to the day, especially after a late night.

What’s one thing you do/see/eat every time you visit NYC?

VC: Walking through Times Square feels like the center of the world. I like to go shopping too, but unfortunately most of the time I don’t have time. It’s from the airport to the hotel to the club and then leave to the next destination.

What NYC attraction/activity/restaurant is still on your bucket list that you haven’t gotten around to yet?

VC: If I had the opportunity, I’d like to rent a bike and cruise around New York City and just get lost in its wonder.

The post Vintage Culture Talks New Album, Favorite Pizza Spot & More Ahead of Massive NYC Show appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here