WEDNESDAY September 14
Sometimes feel like your glamorous life in Manhattan is like living in a gilded cage? Well, you’re wrong. Manhattan is great. The only time that birdcage analogy is relevant is if you’re at the launch of the French-inspired shop Birdcage hosted by Julia Restoin Roitfeld and Liz Rodbell. Birdcage, second floor of Lord and Taylor, 424 Fifth Avenue, 6-8 p.m., invite only
THURSDAY September 15
The 33-year-old restaurant Sistina is moving on up. Today they’ll be hosting a grand opening in their new Upper East Side mansion. Chef Giuseppe Bruno provides a late-night menu, which you might want to sample in their newly opened winter garden. Sistina, 24 East 81st Street, open to public
FRIDAY September 16
Astor Place is reopening! And it’s doing so in style with an Astor Alive! Festival that will debut Astor Place’s four new public plazas. The celebration begins today and culminates with a parade on September 17. Astor Place, Astor Place and Lafayette Street, 5 p.m., free
SATURDAY September 17
There are a lot of reasons to love fall. Cozy sweaters. Walks in the park as the leaves turn colors. Pumpkin spice lattes. Or, if you’re the kind of contrarian who opposes pumpkin spice lattes—on principle, I guess?—then there’s pumpkin-flavored beer. And if you also hate pumpkin-flavored beer—on that I’m assuming your reasons are taste-related—then you’ll be happy to know that you can get steins of the more traditional flavors of beer at OktoberFest. The yearly festival kicks off today with brats, pretzels and, of course, beer. German favorites like Hofbrau as well as Weihenstephan and Radeberger will be served, all for $8. While you drink, you’ll be able to enjoy live music and some fantastic traditional costumes and games that promise “fun for your entire family.” (You should probably make the kids stick with a pumpkin spice latte, though. Or milk? I don’t know, whatever children are drinking these days.) Watermark (Pier 15), 78 South Street, noon to midnight, free
SUNDAY September 18
O.K., here’s a chance to get to see a whole bunch of designers at the end of fashion week instead of one very specific designer for a very long time (if you had the misfortune to attend Kanye’s show, you can surely appreciate that). Linda Fargo is curating a special exhibition for the School of Visual Arts. It will feature works from students aided by some of today’s best designers, like Michael Kors, Erdem, Jason Wu, Phillip Lim and many more. And you can actually go! Without a ticket! Or ties to the fashion world, or anything! Because they’ll be taking over Madison Avenue from 57th to 79th Streets. There, graphic silhouettes that SVA students have designed along with their big name mentors will be on display. Go for a walk, pick your favorite and relish the fact that you didn’t have to make it through a mob of well-dressed onlookers to get to The Arc at Moynihan Station. 57th-79th Street, Madison Avenue, all day, free
MONDAY September 19
Like eating everything but meat? Good news. Green Thumb Farm is teaming up with the West Village’s da Tommy Osteria to create a six-course vegetarian feast. The produce is all organic and local and includes some truly delicious options like zucchini cake, Parmesan fondue, truffle and Trofie basil pesto. Da Tommy Osteria, 14 Bedford Street, 7 p.m., $45
TUESDAY September 20
How well do you know Hamilton? (Oh, god, please don’t start singing.) If the answer is you only know as much as you’ve seen in the musical, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Jeff Wilser’s new book Alexander Hamilton’s Guide to Life. Celebrate the founding father’s life—and death—tonight with Caribbean-inspired rum cocktails at the book party. The Copper Still, 151 Second Avenue, 6-8 p.m., invite only
WEDNESDAY September 21
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus kidnapped those children, and she should be brought to justice. But have no fear, the Second Annual Magic Bus Gala will bring no such terrors. Instead, you’ll just be raising funds to help school children in India while mingling with Georgina Chapman. Three Sixty°, 10 Desbrosses Street, 6:30 p.m., $500
