ChelseaCommunityNews.com (CCNews) is an independent online newspaper providing news, arts, events, and opinion content to Manhattan’s Chelsea community and its adjacent areas. That free content is made possible by advertising revenue, grants, and voluntary reader donations. Click here to contribute to our GoFundMe campaign. 

************************************************

Here’s What’s Happening (in order of appearance):

Free Programming from HYHK (Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance)  /  Music, Art, & More at Verdi Cannabis / Drag Queen Bingo / Wonka / On the Stoop Opera / Sunday PRIDE Service at Chelsea Community Church / Down to Earth Farmers Market Chelsea

Free Programming from HYHK (Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance)  | HYHK is back with another season of free and fun programming for all ages in Bella Abzug Park (524 W. 34th St.). Among the events offered–all of them free and open to the public–are a series of yoga classes from Bien Good Well (Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm,  Saturdays at 10:30am). In the Music & Dance category: On select Thursdays and Saturdays through October, Vinyl Nights and DJ The Real offer one of the city’s best dance parties, powered by music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Wednesdays in June, July, and August, enjoy free salsa and bachata classes, a live band, and dancing in partnership with Somos Latin Dance and Paradis in the Park. And for the kids, head to the playground at Bella Abzug Park on Tuesday mornings through October, for acoustic concerts with Mike Messer Music. For a full HYHK events schedule and to register for free classes, click here.

Events at Verdi Cannabis (158 W. 23rd St. btw. 6th & 7th Aves.) | Several months out from its first full year since setting up shop on West 23rd Street, legal cannabis distributor Verdi Cannabis offers free arts programming via gallery-style displays of artwork on their walls, and a live Thursday night music series called The Green Room, whose performances typically take place in the 6:30pm to 9pm time period. KRC rounds out the June bookings with a performance on June 26. Currently on view along the walls–and available for purchase–is the work of Kent Thompson, a commercial photographer who lives in Chelsea. “All images,” notes Thompson, “are shot with Canon 5d–and no flash.” Visit the artist online by clicking here.

Elsewhere on the events calendar are two happenings that Verdi Assistant GM and Events Coordinator Kenny Cunningham (recently featured in this Q&A segment) says are “cool things that we’re doing  that will become more regular things.” Having premiered on May 16, the biweekly Wake and Bake Fridays with A-Roastia Coffee is a coffee cart pop-up scheduled for  June 27. “The goal is to always have something fun, interesting, and unique happening here at Verdi,”  says Cunningham. To keep up with what else is up with Verdi, click here to visit their website. To visit the EVENTS page of their website, click here. 

Drag Queen Bingo: Wednesday, June 25, 6pm-8pm at Pier 57 (25 11th Ave.) | Not since the fateful fusion of chocolate with peanut butter have two elements–each great on their own–combined to creatue something new and even better than their stand-alone parts. Yes, we’re talking about Bingo. With a drag queen calling the shots. it’s called Drag Queen Bingo–and this particular night of fun happens inside Pier 57’s Market 57 food hall. “Enjoy an evening of games with prizes for lucky winers and tasty food from Market 57,” the event’s press release beckons, adding, “Don’t forget to RSVP, spots are filling up fast!” Note: Runtime is 2 hours, and registration is free. There will be between 8-12 games, with prizes for the lucky winners.

Movies Under the Stars Presents a Free Screening of Wonka: Wednesday, June 25, 8pm-11pm in Penn South Playground (W. 26th St. btw. 8th & 9th Aves.) | This fantasy musical film starring Timothée Chalamet, as the titular character, charts the early years of eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka. Based on the character from Roald Dahl’s novel previously portrayed on film by Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp, the Willie of this Wonka proved divisive during its 2023 release.

Will audiences find that time has been kind to Chalamet’s interpretation of the character? Either way, kids in the audience (the target audience for whom the film was made) will find their attention grabbed and held by the film’s bright, candy colored look–the production design equivalent of a seriously strong sugar rush. For more info, click here. 

On the Stoop Opera: A Free Concert Based on Works by William Shakespeare / Thursday, June 26, 6pm on West 21st Street. (btw. 9th & 10th Aves.) | This popular pop-up from the imaginative folks on the 400 block of West 21st Street features the Opera Next Door company’s Shakespeare Jukebox program–a collection of opera that invokes The Bard, with selections by composers including Gounod, Bellini, and Bernstein.

Sunday June PRIDE Services at Chelsea Community Church | Brought together by their “common desire to question, to seek, and to grow,” the 1979-founded Chelsea Community Church (CCC) has long been a non-denominational destination for the diverse, the tolerant, and the forward-thinking. Sanctuary in a Sanctuary, their recent roster of Pride-themed services, has been curated to, says CCC, “embrace the spirit of LGBTQ+ pride through music, message, and community.” The services, free and open to the public, happen Sundays in June, 1pm, at St. Peter’s Church (346 W. 20th St. btw. 8th & 9th Aves.)

Sunday, June 1 saw Love is in the Air as its theme. The June 8 service was a Piano Bar Celebration. June 15 saw a Father’s Day service. Sunday, June 22, was The Blessing of the Drag Artists (CCC’s second annual drag blessing). The featured speaker was the iconic Murray Hill, who spoke on the theme, “If you don’t see yourself represented—go out and represent yourself.” Sunday, June 29 is Pride Sunday Open House. Following the NYC Pride March, CCC opens its doors to those who seek rest, reflection, or reconnection. The 1:00 PM service will be led by Brooklyn’s Rev. John Magisano, a longtime LGBTQ+ advocate and member of the CCC community. At 4pm, a post-march open house offers a quiet, welcoming space for contemplation, friendship, and sanctuary in the heart of the city. All are welcome. For more info, visit www.chelseacommunitychurch.org.

Down to Earth Farmers Market Chelsea | It takes place every Saturday, 9am to 2pm, West 23rd St. off 9th Ave.  For more info, click here. Down to Earth Markets brings together two kinds of vendors: local farmers and area food and crafts makers using locally sourced ingredients. Their mission is to ensure a future for small scale agriculture and food production in the New York area by creating vibrant marketplaces where community thrives, and shoppers connect directly to the local food system.

—Compiled by Scott Stiffler

—END—

—Listings Compiled by Scott Stiffler

—END—