Newsletter #11 - Week of 8/3
Post-punk, hotdogs, and beer - oh my!
Week 11 is here and I’m back! Fresh off a mini break, half-unpacked in my new apartment, and fully spiraling after spotting Halloween candy at CVS. The air’s shifting, summer’s slipping, but not without a fight. This week’s lineup leans hard into late summer energy: a classic outdoor film screening, two mini music fests, free hot dogs, and beer in an indoor log cabin.
If you're new here, hi! I’m Molly (a.k.a thriftyboy on IG) Each week I share 5 free NYC events worth leaving your apartment for, plus one stay-in rec.
5 Free NYC Events Worth Leaving Your Apartment For
Movie with a View: The Wizard of Oz
August 7 | 6:00 PM | Pier 1 Harbor View Park
Catch The Wizard of Oz (1939) under the stars. Doors open at 6 PM, movie starts at sunset. Bring a blanket, snacks, and N/A bevs (no chairs, dogs, or glass), and enjoy concessions like popcorn, candy, and OddFellows ice cream.
No RSVP: show up early for a good spot
Summer by Shea: Music Weekend
August 8-9 | 5-9 PM | Rippers
Hellgate Magazine teams up with the (now-defunct but forever iconic) Shea Stadium for two nights of beachside chaos and catharsis.
August 8: Celebrate Volvo’s 17th anniversary with a headlining set from Jobber, whose sounds like if Smashing Pumpkins and pro wrestling had a baby. You can expect riff-heavy, theatrical, and full of high-energy, power-chord glory.
August 9: A stacked bill featuring Moon Sand Land, Rat Palace, Strawberry Runners, Gobbinjr, and one of my longtime faves, Pop Music Fever Dream. You can expect a night of noisy tenderness, experimental pop, and DIY magic.
Follow @sheastadiumbk on IG for any last-minute updates.
No RSVP - show up early for a good spot
Dog Days of Summer at Filson NYC
August 9 | 12-5 PM | Filson NYC
Celebrate the end of summer with free chaat hot dogs, kombucha, beer, and lemonade! Featuring local brands: Chaat Dogs, Brooklyn Best, KCBC Beer, Good Mood Kombucha.
Side note: Chaat dogs are all-beef hot dogs on a ghee-toasted bun, piled high with chaat, cilantro chutney, tamarind-plum chutney, fried onions, a Sev and boondi crunch, fresh cilantro, and house-pickled hot wax peppers.
No RSVP: show up early for first dibs on food/bevs and fewer crowds
Show Brain Festival ‘25
August 9-10 | 1:30-6:00 PM | Tompkin’s Square Park
August 9: High-octane sets from NYC staples Daddy Long Legs, The Thing, Dion Lunadon (of A Place To Bury Strangers), Dead Tooth, and 95 Bulls. They each riff on the raw spirit of late-'70s/early-'80s rock. Expect a fusion of snarling psych-rock with post-punk intensity, immersing you in the grit of downtown NYC with a modern, unpolished edge.
August 10: Headlined by the explosive garage-psych of The Mystery Lights, with support from Native Sun (blending psych-punk with performance intensity) and Fine Mess. More acts to be announced.
Powered by Show Brain and CREEM - Follow Showbrain on IG for updates
No RSVP: show up early for a good spot
Misguided Mondays: Voyeur
August 11 | 7 PM | The Rooftop at Elsewhere
Free rooftop show with some of NYC’s best underground acts: Voyeur and Holidays in the United States bring experimental noise, post-punk, and lo-fi textures, while Chanel Beads and Cina spin genre-blurring DJ sets to close out the night. Expect a hazy, high-energy vibe for your Monday night. First 50 guests receive free Misguided Spirits drink tickets.
RSVP required - Entry subject to capacity
Stay inside Rec
I’m keeping the rec the same cause I’m busy and nobody clicked this far….Anyways get your free 90 days MUBI subscription and watch some amazing movies! Plus MUBI just added Twin Peaks !! Grab your free trial [here].
Here are a few other gems to check out on MUBI right now, depending on your vibe:
If you're into surreal or dark comedy:
Rotting in the Sun – a sharp, self-aware satire with a death wish
The Code - I won’t stop promoting this until y’all watch it. A voyeuristic spiral full of nonstop “WTF” moments and essential viewing for anyone navigating modern love, social media, or just trying to make sense of 2025.
Mainstream - a chaotic, satirical dive into influencer culture, like if Network was filtered through TikTok.
If you're craving something experimental or visually trippy:
Magic Farm – slow cinema weirdness with lush, unnerving textures
If you want something stylish and classic:
The Living End – an early Gregg Araki road movie that’s loud, messy, and unforgettable
Thanks for reading! I hope you find some fun things to do this week, and be sure to keep an eye on my Instagram for spontaneous recs throughout the week.
See you next week!
-xoxo Thriftyboy