Your July Guide to Everything Cool + Conscious in NYC
Photo Credit: Mel Barlow & Co.
Editor’s Note: Alden Wicker of EcoCult joins Conscious to share about “Cool + Conscious Things To Do in NYC” here on consciousmagazine.co. Check out her interview and feature here.
01 | Sustainable Summer Fest
Sat. 07/12 | 3 pm to late | 71 Ingraham Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
The Ethical Writers Coalition is teaming up with the underground dance party house, Beef Cuts, to throw a summer bash unlike anything NYC has ever seen. Held in Beef Cuts’ newly built outdoor location in Bushwick, this party will feature the best in local electronic music DJs dropping beats from upon high in a reclaimed-wood DJ booth. Attendees can get their hair off their neck at the braid bar by James Corbett Studio, grab a Prairie Organic vodka or gin cocktail, sodas and mixers by SodaStream, local beer, or Runa clean energy drink at the bar (tucked inside a repurposed shipping container) before hitting the dance floor built from reclaimed wood provided by Built It Green! NYC. For discounts on all drinks and free water refills all day, attendees are encouraged to purchase a reusable cup. You can munch on a snack from the Little Cupcake Bakeshop, or enjoy a locally-sourced grass-fed sandwich. FINALLY, it is time for your conscious and fun side to meet at the same party.
RSVP required for entry to info@beefcutstudios.com | $10 at door | More info at ecocult.com
02 | Brooklyn Bike Tour by Greenmarket
Sun. 07/13 | 10 am to 3 pm
Greenmarket has teamed up with Bike New York for a tour of Brooklyn’s finest. Highlights will include a coffee and light breakfast at Brooklyn Bridge Park, a stop for a tour at the Brooklyn Grange Farm at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, shopping and a Q&A with a farmer at Carroll Gardens Greenmarket, and a lunch at Brooklyn Crab in Red Hook.
Registration details will appear at GrownNYC.org.
03 | Botanical Brew Fest
Sat. 07/19 | Noon to 3 pm & 4 to 7 pm | 43-50 Main Street, Flushing, Queens | tickets $45 online and $50 at the door
This too-often-overlooked botanical garden in Queens beckons this July with a large roster of international and local craft beers for its inaugural Brew Fest. Try the likes of Crispin Cider, Sixpoint, Blue Point, Brooklyn Brewery, and lesser known types like Great South Bay, Oskar Blues, 961, Crabbie’s ginger beer, and more, all while meandering among the flowers and getting fresh air.
More info and tickets at QueensBotanical.org
04 | Ethical Fashion Business Bootcamp
Sat. 07/19 and Sun 07/20 | 520 8th Ave, Manhattan
Been dreaming of disrupting the fashion industry with your ethical designs? Carmen Artigas, CFDA / Lexus Eco-Fashion Challenge Judge, FIT Ethical Fashion curriculum creator, and Francisca Pineda, award winning designer and director of BHAVA sustainable luxury accessories, will lead an intensive nine-hour weekend workshop designed to introduce you to the latest business models and strategies. You’ll be fully immersed in the various sustainable practices in the industry, introduced to the key aspects of planning a fashion business, and leave with a clear step-by-step action plan to launch an ethical enterprise. Resources, action plan, and 45 minute follow-up consultation are included.
$299 | More info and reservations at ethicalfashionacademy.com
05 | New Amsterdam Market
Sat. 07/26 | 11 am to 5 pm | South Street between Beekman Street & Peck Slip
This iconic farmers market takes it to another level. Sure, there are your standard vegetables and apples. But you’ll also find foraged foods from Vermont, a variety of sustainably caught fish, Mexican herbs and vegetables, honey, freshly baked organic breads, charcuterie, preserves, beef jerky, quiche, pies, soups, olive oil, Indonesian coffee, oolong teas, profiteroles, sandwiches, sodas, lobster, floral arrangements, candy, cider, whiskey, and cookware. You’re also supporting an organization that has fought hard against the unrestrained development of a historical neighborhood.
More info at NewAmsterdamMarket.org
06 | Smorgasburg
Sat. 11 am to 6 pm @ East River State Park, Kent and North 7th, Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Sun. 11 am to 6 pm at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 5, Dumbo, Brooklyn
Take in the good weather, the view of Manhattan, and sample from dozens of Brooklyn-based food artisans, from brisket to bulgogi and Burmese noodles, to phatty beet sliders, fish and chips and farm-fresh ice cream. Nearby at 40 Kent street, you’ll find a huge selection of vintage and handmade clothing and home decor at the Brooklyn Flea.
Open rain or shine | More info at Smorgasburg.com
07 | Brooklyn Night Bazaar
Fri. and Sat. | 6 pm to midnight | 165 Banker St. Greenpoint, Brooklyn
This warehouse-turned-concert venue, shopping destination and night market brings together local makers and artists to create a carnival-like atmosphere around up-and-coming doers. Shop twee and cool local fashion and home goods, bounce to live artists, play games, and taste your way through bites from Ample Hills Creamery, Oaxaca Taqueria and more. This month you’ll find artists like the hillbilly band Spirit Family Reunion on July 4th, the brass/guitar/bongo stylings of the upbeat Zongo Junction, and the unabashed rock of Titus Andronicus.
More info at bkbazaar.com
08 | Hester Street Fair
Sat. and Sun. | 10 am to 6 pm @ Hester and Essex
A highly curated outdoor market in the Lower East Side for one-of-a-kind goods and specialty foods, this fair has everything from hand made jewelry, to vintage finds, lobster rolls, macaroons, roasted nuts, sandwiches, rolls, and other baked treats and meals, all with an eye to supporting small makers and helping you discover the next big thing.
09 | Governor’s Island
7 days a week through 09/24 | First boat 10 am
You don’t really need a reason to take the $2 ferry over to this isle of respite, which this year is open seven days a week. On any given day you can take a quick bike ride around the island to see the historic buildings, say hi to the baby composting goats at the composting educational center, laze in a hammock, have a picnic, take a look at the public art, and never see a car while you’re there. But if you need more convincing, there are plenty of special art and family events going on in July, including an art show of contemporary female artists (July 11th to 27th), a concert by the New York Philharmonics Very Young Composers Program (July 13th), a non-profit dance group performing in public spaces on the island (July 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th) and more.
More info, which ferries are free, and events at GovIsland.com
10 | Take a Hike
Planning your own outdoor adventures when you don’t have a car gets old fast—you’re limited to the same trails over and over. That’s why I like Discover Outdoors, which has single-day and multi-day trips for every fitness level and taste. In July you can go searching for wolves, learn mountain climbing, go whitewater rafting, take a swim in a lake, take adoptable dogs on a hike, do various brewery and wine tastings, do yoga on a mountaintop, or go on a night hike. They provide the transportation and expertise. Prices start at around $70, and a portion of the price goes to getting an underserved urban student into the outdoors.
11 | Mister Sunday
Every Sunday | 3 to 9 pm @ Industry City | 220 36th Street, Brooklyn
This has got to be the most chill and fun party by a pair of socially conscious DJs. After losing their Gowanus space last year, Justin and Eamon have moved to a new outdoor spot, Industry City, to continue the all-ages party. Sip Brooklyn-brewed beers, Limonata, sangria, Mexican coke and other libations, eat Mexican food from Country Boys while you dance to disco-house music under the setting sun. No photos or cigs or texting on the dance floor, thank God. But dogs are allowed on a leash! Part of the proceeds always go to charity.
Advance tickets $10 | $15 at door |
12 | Rooftop Farm Yoga
Every Monday | 6:30 to 7:30 pm @ Brooklyn Grange, Brooklyn Navy Yard
Loosen up in the fresh, herb-scented air with Sarah Schumann of Prospect Heights’ Shambhala Yoga and Dance Center. Open to practitioners of all levels, this class will begin with a brief centering and will gently evolve into a flow of movement and meditation. Classes will be held on the spacious paved patio at dusk, with a view of the sun setting over Manhattan. It’s BYO Yoga mat, water bottle, and please make sure you have a photo ID for entering the Navy Yard!
$15 | Reserve your space
13 | Bikeable Feast
Saturdays through October (privately booked dates available) | Williamsburg
Take your Brooklyn cred to a whole other level. Get Up and Ride has partnered with a local farm and professional chef to bring you the entire package of a Perfect Day in Brooklyn. The ride will show guests hidden urban parks and expansive waterfront sunset vistas from Williamsburg to Greenpoint, and will end at a tiny organic farm near the base of the Williamsburg bridge, where seasoned private chef Shane McGarvey will prepare a 4-course seasonal, local meal on the coal grill, while a playlist curated by local music buffs sets the tone.
The ride commences at 135 N 11th St, covers Williamsburg and Greenpoint, and ends at dinner at a farm by the Williamsburg bridge. $140 per person: bikes, guide, food, wine, and tax all-inclusive.
14 | Hamptons Collective Pop-Up
Through 09/14 | 2411 Main Street, Bridgehampton, NY
Heading out East? Then do all your hostess shopping at this conscious little pop-up featuring emerging brands and retailers like Ethica, an online boutique selling ethical and sustainable clothing and accessories; Forma de Ser, which focuses on homeware and accessories handcrafted in the Americas; Tess Giberson, which is made in NYC; Face Stockholm, which is botanically derived and sustainably packaged; and Oak 73, a made-in-the-USA online boutique.
More info at hamptonscollective.com
15 | Vegan Shop-Up
Once Saturday a month | 12 to 6 pm | Pine Box Rock Shop 12 Grattan Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
At this mini food fest for vegans, the sidewalk will be humming with fresh juice, grilled goods, ice cream sandwiches, pesto, salsa, ice chai, mac n’ cheese, seitan tamales, food truck treats, and more guilt-free goodies. Bring your puppy and an appetite, and watch with glee as the conventional ice cream truck driver parked outside wonders why no one will buy his ice cream.
More information and date announced at veganshopup.wordpress.com
16 | MoMA PS1 Warm Up
Saturdays thru 09/06 | 3 – 9 p.m. | PS1, 22-25 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, Queens | $18 in advance, $20 day of. Doors open at noon.
Never have you been to such an intellectual dance party. The main attraction is the massive roster of international DJs, like Todd Edwards, Simian Mobile Disco, Pantha du Prince and many, many more. But what makes this party special is that it’s held in the shadow of a giant sculpture that changes from year to year. And you can wander inside the modern and conceptual art museum at any time to get a feast for your eyes as well as the ears. Plus, nosh on oysters, artisanal eats and local beer. Hint: Buy a ticket ahead of time and you can skip the long line.
See the lineup and get tickets at PS1’s website.
17 | Be Social Change Classes
Mon. Tues. Wed. in the evenings | WeWork 175 Varick St., Manhattan |$25 early bird or $30 regular
Entrepreneurism is hot, and social entrepreneurism that tries to change the world is even hotter. Rev up your engines with one of Be Social Change’s Classes on topics ranging from how to become a B-Corp to measuring your impact to time management.
More info and reserve a spot at BeSocialChange.org