Centripetal

Weekend Happenings

This is the first in a series of posts about all the ways to amuse yourself in the hybernation-inducing wintery depths of New York City. Don’t huddle at home, under a ratty blanket watching old episodes of Lost by yourself. That’s just depressing man. Instead, check out all of the amazing things happenings under our collective noses. Hey, you might even get a bit more culture under your belt to impress that professor you were considering hitting up for a grad school application.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Friday++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What: Blip Festival

When: All weekend long

Where: The Bell House
149 7th Street, Between 2nd & 3rd Avenues, Brooklyn, NY
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Cost: $15

Don’t Miss:

11:20PM- 12AM, Friday Bitshifter

This set is comprised entirely of Ninendo Gameboy samples. I saw Bitshifter play a few years ago, and the musical range you can get out of those things is pretty impressive.

Surprise Yourself

Check out the full event schedule here

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Saturday++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What: Brooklyn Museum First Saturdays

When: 5-11PM

Where: The Brooklyn Museum of Art
200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY
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Cost: Free!

Don’t Miss:

6:00 p.m.–8:00 PM Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor

Born into Brothels is a poignant look at the lives of children growing up in an Indian red-light district as they document their own community. A question-and-answer session with the director Zana Briski and a cast member follows. Free tickets (330) available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

8:30 PM Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor

The Brian Jackson Quartet presents a mix of jazz, hip-hop, and soul featuring bassist Diallo House, drummer Ismail Lawal, and percussionist James Trinidad.Free tickets (340) available at the Visitor Center at 7 p.m.

9:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. Dance Party Beaux-Arts Court, 3rd Floor

Premier DJs and the live percussionist of Brooklyn Renaissance’s Manjinga Party present a soulfully eclectic selection of world, conscious hip-hop, classic reggae, and funk.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Ongoing++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What: Spa Castle Korean Sauna

I just about had my mind blown after discovering this place earlier this week. If you like going to saunas, come here. Just get up, leave your job, and get on the 7 train right now. A gem tucked in a an ususpecting strip mall section of Forest Hills, Queens, its completely worth the treck. Upon signing in you’re handed a little watch-looking bracelet that acts as your key to the lockers. They are all automated, and I spent about 10 minutes just playing with the open/close mechanism. You’re handed a set of jammies— pink for women, blue for men; a toothbrush (eh?); and set loose in this watery playground. Shoes or flip flops are not worn, and why bother? The floor is lickably clean.  For a reasonable $35 you have access to …the jade room sauna where all walls are covered in the pricey stone…the 3 massive outdoor heated pools…the cold room where the walls are covered in snowy ice, to cool off after falling asleep in the “gold” sauna…and about 20 more saunas, jacuzzis, pools and the like. You’ll be smooth like a baby’s bottom upon re-entry into the real world. Now go on with your bad pruny self.

When: Open everyday 6AM-12AM

Where: Spa Castle
131-10 11th Ave. College Point, NY
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note: Fear not carless New Yorker! There are free shuttles provided by the spa from the 7 train that run every 15 minutes.

Cost: $35 Weekdays/ $45 Weekends for access to all saunas, pools, jacuzzis, and other building facilities. (Massages, food, snacks, mani/pedis, etc are also available for an extra fee. )

Don’t Miss:

Heated rooftop pool: swim under the wintery stars in the poor man’s hotsprings.

Male/Female Lobby Floor Sauna: This is the place to relax in the comfort of your birthday suit.

1st Floor Floor stones: this is the most unsuspecting aspect of this mind blowing place, but walking on the stones is a great reflexology method and loosens up those tight back muscles.