By Henry Dansicker
From the fearless pigeons to the eccentric SOHO street style, NYC is undeniably home to the unusual, the huddled masses yearning to be weird. The yearly events in NYC mirror this dedication to the unusual, this burgeoning interest in the niche and obscure. Here are five 2025 things to do in New York that unequivocally embrace the extraordinary.
New York City at night | Photo: Paulo Barcellos Jr.
1. Huma Bhabha’s Figures
First on our list of things to do in New York is ‘Figures’. Huma Bhabha, a Pakistani artist who became iconic for her uniquely grotesque, figurative forms that often appear dissected or dismembered, will bring four of her towering and recognizable figures to Brooklyn Bridge Park. Regularly using materials she has found, she creates everything from rubber and paper to styrofoam. The Poughkeepsie-based artist addresses questions of belonging and what is considered monstrous in this newest collection.
2. Distant Worlds
Looking for an interdisciplinary musical experience? Look no further than ‘Distant Worlds,’ a multimedia concert experience of one of gaming’s most iconic titles. Completely new orchestral arrangements of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH are brought to life. The beloved musical genius of Masashi Hamazu and Nobuo Uematsu are sure to bring more than one tear to your eye in a genuinely transcendent concert experience. Arnie Roth leads an over 100-person chorus and orchestra.
3. The Encores!
Where else except for New York City could you find a one-dollar pizza and Archival theater on the same street? Starting this spring at the New York City Center, ‘The Encores!’ revisits the archives of American musical theater. Each revival will run for a limited time, emphasizing revived orchestral arrangements and star-studded performances. Starting in February of 2025, Urinetown, starring Jordan Fisher (Hadestown), will premiere, examining one man’s fight to create change in a dystopian world where water is scarce and ‘Hope’ is even scarcer.
4. Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern
Next on our list of things to do in New York: come celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the world’s most beloved role-playing games in this singular NYC-only experience. The Twenty-Sided Tavern lets 500 people all work together toward a common goal where each dice roll, puzzle, and object dictates the performers’ next move. The event promises a thrilling time even for those who have never played a role playing game before. In addition to laughter, this experience also provides a plentiful amount of beer and performance if you were not already sold.
5. Who Wants to Die for Glamour?
Already open at the MOMA, this exquisite exhibition showcases installations that investigate the topics of image-making and fragmentation that the human eye cannot see. Jasmine Gregory uses space and object combinations that make her work unique and exciting. Wine bottles and studio items hang treacherously in sculptural structures. Her work considers what it means to produce art during this time of environmental crisis.