The Citiblog

Chinese American chef and popular food content creator Jon Kung [TikTok, Instagram + YouTube] will be coming to New York City for an evening in conversation with food writer and YouTube creator Farideh Sadeghin on Tuesday, 2/12 at 6:30 pm at Essex Market [88 Essex Street, New York, NY]. Jon and Farideh will be talking about third culture cooking, Jon’s recently released debut cookbook Kung Food: Chinese American Recipes from a Third Culture Kitchen, and more, as part of Essex Market’s Talk & Taste series in partnership with Kitchen Arts and Letters and Edible Manhattan. Jon will be answering questions and signing books, and light bites will be served during the event. Tickets are available here, and doors open at 6pm.

Photo: Alonzo King LINES Ballet

Celebrated American choreographer Alonzo King and his company Alonzo King LINES Ballet will make their Lincoln Center debut at the Rose Theater Feb 22-24 with Deep River, a contemplative and high-intensity work of heart-stopping beauty. King has been recognized internationally as one of the most consequential choreographers of his time, and noted by The New York Times as a choreographer with “astonishing originality.” Deep River is a collaboration featuring GRAMMY Award–winning vocalist Lisa Fischer (20 Feet to Stardom and longtime lead backup vocalist for the Rolling Stones) and Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz and MacArthur Award winner Jason Moran. Melding dance with spiritual music from the Black, Jewish, and Indian traditions, Deep River invites audiences to consider the physical beauty and majesty of humanity as the pinnacle of creation.

Photo: Emily Andrews/Rockwell Group

Wayan turns five on Thursday, February 8th. To celebrate, the Indonesian spot by Cedric Vongerichten will be serving a Liwetan Dinner. The restaurant describes Liwetan as a tradition from East Java, Indonesia, to mark a special ritual, life stage or for celebration. Typically, friends and families gather to enjoy foods served on banana leaves, which enhance the aroma and aesthetic of the food. Options will include a Whole Sea Bass and/or Whole Chicken Lombok as your centerpiece. Cocktails will be served in coconuts. Reservations here.

Photo: Juliette Larrouy and Moe Aljaff and

Nestled behind the Hotel Eventi lobby, Back Bar, known for its craft cocktail program and elegant ambiance, is presenting its “Visiting Bar Luminary Series,” a curated calendar of events featuring some of the brightest minds on the global cocktail scene, kicking off on February 6th. This series prominently highlights the distinctive styles and characteristics of bartenders, positioning them at the forefront. The first luminary to kick off the series will be Meaghan Dorman, the creative mind behind Raines Law Room and Dear Irving. During this one-night-only appearance at Back Bar, Dorman will transport guests on a tasteful journey through the last 15 years at the Raines Law Room, showcasing some of her all-time favorites in celebration of this milestone anniversary. On February 8th, the series continues with the highly anticipated stint of Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy, the brilliant duo behind the globally celebrated "Schmuck." brand. Dale DeGroff, often regarded as the mentor of many notable New York bartenders, is confirmed for February 27th. For more info click here

Photo: Donna

“Sabor a Mi”is an upcoming dinner party pop-up hosted by worker-owned West Village eatery Donna and the culinary team at Amantes Amentes on February 11th. To complement the Greek and Puerto Rican-influenced menu of Pastitsio, Dakos, Empanadas, and more curated by guest Chef Frances Roman, Amantes Amentes will also be offering signature cocktails like Mil Pasos with Mezcal, Mommenpop Makrut Lime Aperitif, basil, cucumber, pineapple, lemon, and coriander; and the Caribeña a mix of Ten to One White Rum, Ten to One Dark Rum, bourbon, cognac, lemon, tamarind, winter spices, grilled banana cordial, and Peychaud’s Bitters (milk clarified). Tickets can be purchased here ($120 for five courses, including cocktail pairings and an array of desserts).

Image: Michelangelo Lovelace, Chasing Fireflies, 2019, Acrylic on canvas, 43 × 60 inches

Fort Gansevoort is presenting Cleveland by Night, its second exhibition devoted to the work of late artist Michelangelo Lovelace (1960-2021). On view will be paintings and drawings depicting nocturnal city life in Cleveland, Ohio—exterior and interior tableaux capturing the city where he was born and lived for all of his sixty years. Best known for urban genre scenes set within sprawling cityscapes, Lovelace attracted critical praise in his lifetime for intimate depictions of Cleveland’s Black community and its built world. His subject matter explores topics of policing, poverty, war, and healthcare, all replete with deep personal expressions of Black identity and shaped by his immersion in art as an antidote to the effects of poverty and addiction.

WHITE WAVE DANCE presents the 8th Annual SoloDuo Dance Festival on Thursday, Feb 8 at Dixon Place ( 161A Chrystie St, NYC). The Festival, founded by WHITE WAVE’s Artistic Director Young Soon Kim will feature 30 dancemakers from the New York Metro area and across the country this year, as well as international dancers from Korea, Japan and Germany who were selected by a panel of distinguished presenters and dance artists. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and $20 for students and seniors. For more information, visit www.whitewavedance.org.

Photo: CityPickle

CityPickle is offering two nights of fun and socializing— on February 13th, a Galentine's Day pink party and on the 14th is a singles mixer – both honoring "the season of friendship and love". Every ticket comes with a glass of rosé, and there are Hampton Water specials all night: $9/glass or $30/bottle. Galentine's Day Party, 2/13: Ticket; Single & Ready to Dink Valentine's Day Party: Women's Ticket / Men's Ticket

Until next time, we'll be seeing you Around Town!