NOTES ON A CITY

A daily lowdown on what makes New York, New York. It's a stylish look at the city's newest cultural happenings DKNY is taking notes so that you don't have to.

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From one city to another #StandWithParis

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CROSSING NEW “BRIDGES”

Following Lorde’s year on the charts, New Zealand’s music scene, which also encompasses bands like The Naked and Famous, is coming up. Back in November, Billboard.com asked “Is Broods New Zealand’s next pop wonder?” of the brother-and-sister duo, who also tapped Lorde’s producer for their first single. “Bridges,” the debut single “freezes the listener in his or her tracks from the opening second. Georgia Nott’s voice recalls a fragile version of Imogen Heap’s—floating skyward and twisting back down like a maple leaf caught in an autumn breeze.” Catch them tonight at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Broods at the Music Hall of Williamsburg

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BRUSH UP

How many brushes do you need in your arsenal? Vogue.com has tapped makeup artists for a weeklong series spotlighting one multitasking tool per day worth investing in, starting with a stroke of genius: the foundation brush. “A favorite tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or foundation may seem best applied with your fingers or a sponge, but according to makeup artist Daniel Martin, applying your creamy formula with a brush makes the face look ‘more finished, polished, and seamless,’” explains the mag. The best part? This same brush can double for your cream blush.

How to Apply Foundation with a Brush

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STRANGERS WITH CANDY

Taking candy from a stranger might be the last thing you would typically do in New York City, but the David Zwirner Gallery unveiled an exhibit last week that is part Willy Wonka, part social experiment. For the show titled “A Mercantile Novel,” Colombia-born artist Oscar Murillo has re-created the candy factory, in which members of his family worked, complete with a staffed production line churning out free Chocmelos® candies. Says the gallery, “Visitors are invited to take candy and share it throughout the city’s five boroughs, whether on foot, by bike, by taxi, by subway, or by bus.” Sweet!

"A Mercantile Novel" by Oscar Murillo

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SOUTH OF FLATIRON

With Cinco de Mayo only a week away, there’s been a sudden upswing in the number of big Mexican restaurants making big splashy debuts. Yesterday, the team behind Tacombi opened Cafe El Presidente on West 24th Street, in what UrbanDaddy.com, hailed as “a warehouse-size abode of edible Mexican things, soon to be the biggest thing in Flatiron.” But this was hot on the heels of El Vez opening on Friday, in what UD called “an XXL Mexican wonderland in Battery Park City.” This South of the Border behemoth is a satellite of the same Stephen Starr eatery in Philly. Ole!

"Cafe El Presidente" Opens in Flatiron

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BRUNETTE LOOKBOOK

Being brunette doesn’t have to be boring: There are so many subtle shades of this earthy tone, from honey and toffee to dark chocolate and espresso. To celebrate the many stunning (and fun) shades of brown, Allure.com has rounded up some of the most flattering looks to match your skin tone. Beach waves aren’t limited to blondes; as it turns out, Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen layers her golden brown base with highlights for added dimension. Meanwhile, if you look closely at actress Katie Holmes’ trademark dark mahogany locks, you’ll notice hints of ruby accenting her chocolate base.

The Most Flattering Brunette Color for any Skin Tone

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MUSIC FROM THE HEART

It’s easy to fall in love with Johnnyswim. Even without a catchy portmanteau (yet), this husband-and-wife duo are what a happy relationship sounds like: Says Vogue, “Drawing from an eclectic range of influences and powerful personal chemistry, the two have created an infectious sound.” They’ve even grabbed the attention of Jay Z, who notes “[they’re] a band and married couple that live at the intersection of solid songwriting and good music from the heart.” Out today, “Diamonds” is a glimmering debut, following last year’s critically acclaimed EP “Heart Beats.” Johnnyswim will make you swoon.

Johnnyswim "Diamonds"

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MONDAY TO-DOS

Rock some rose gold.

Try a Montreal-style bagel for breakfast.

Learn a new lipstick trick.

See “Young and Beautiful” at the IFC Center.

Check out the grand opening of Café El Presidente.

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CLOUDS CLEARING

Among those hip young things coming out of the L.A. suburbs these days (think: Skrillex and Dillon Francis) at just 25 years old, Will Wiesenfeld, better known by his stage name Baths, has already cemented his rep as one of the hottest beatmakers out there. He was just 21 years old when his first LP “Cerulean” dropped four years ago, earning him an impressive 8.2 rating from Pitchfork, and followed up with his sophomore album “Obsidian,” last May, grabbing Best New Music Status and a near-perfect 8.6. Catch him tonight at the Bowery Ballroom as he reaches for the “Miasma Sky.”

Baths plays the Bowery Ballroom

photo via

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HAPPY HOUR FOR ART LOVERS

If you love personality quizzes, art, and seasonal cocktails, check out An April Evening in Paris tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Start out with a short quiz in the Great Hall to find your perfect artwork match and then decompress with live classical music and a springish mix of Prosecco and Chambord garnished with fresh rose petals called La Vie en Rose served up at the Balcony Bar. Consider it a great date idea for kindred art lovers, or a subtle way to drop a hint to your office crush—that doesn’t involve a packed happy hour scene.

An April Evening in Paris

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LOVE IS STRANGE

When it’s a movie called “Love Is Strange,” you might take a guess that it’s set in New York City. In his latest, director-screenwriter Ira Sachs follows up his acclaimed indie, “Keep the Lights On,” with another take on modern love. The film stars John Lithgow and Alfred Molina as an older Manhattan couple, Ben and George, who are finally given the option to marriage, but when Ben loses his job as a result, it tests their relationship in unconventional ways. Says the Tribeca Film Festival, “They deliver inspired performances, while Sachs expertly guides his cast in the delicate dance of difficult emotions.”

"Love is Strange" at the Tribeca Film Festival

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ACCORDING TO WHAT

Two years ago, the documentary “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry” had an extended run at the IFC Center lasting from July 2012 until January 2013 due to popular demand, now the Brooklyn Museum offers its own up-close look at one of China’s most prolific and provocative contemporary artists. Opening last week, the special exhibit “Ai Weiwei: According to What?” features more than 30 works spanning 20 years. Exploring the clash of culture, history, politics, and tradition found in his works that often blur the line between art and activism, the show provides an intriguing look at global issues.

“Ai Weiwei: According to What?” at the Brooklyn Museum

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WHERE DID YOU BUY THAT?

It’s been called the Shazam of clothes, replacing “What song is this?” for “What brand is that?” A new wearable tech software from startup Awear Solutions embeds garments with a digital chip that when you scan it, not only gives you the deets on where the item is from, but actually lets you buy it directly. Talk about instant gratification. But it gets better, if you’ve got enviable street style, you could be rewarded for having your outfit scanned. Last week, DKNY took over the Awear app for one morning only and presented shoppers with a stylish scavenger hunt. The future for fashion is bright.

DKNY Shares New Wearable Tech App

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HAVE THE BLUES

Blue skies and blue eyes are in the fashion forecast: Blue eye shadow, a hue that first appeared in the 1960s, before getting so out of hand, no one would touch it for decades, has made a major comeback this spring. In its current spin, the look is more washed denim than the baby blue of its mod predecessors. Starlets and celebs, from Emma Stone to Emmy Rossum, have all made appearances showing off their true blues, but if you’re hesitant about going bold and bright, try a gray-based hue for starters that isn’t too light or icy. Otherwise, go super-retro like Lily Allen and even add a cat-eye.

Blue Eyes is the New Makeup Trend for Spring

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STREET MUSEUM OF ART

Following Banksy taking on the five boroughs this past fall and the MCNY museum’s “City as Canvas” exhibit, street art has become one of the biggest stories in the local art world. Now the Street Museum of Art (SMoA) is back and has teamed up with 18 local artists, including CB23, Ballistic, and Mori, for the newest public street art exhibition. Says the pop-up art organization: “There’s no way of knowing how long each piece will last in the wild, but for 24 hours, these local artists turned the city into their own public art museum through the guerrilla tactics of street art and graffiti culture.”

Street Museum of Art's "24 Hours in NYC"

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BALLET 422

Make your must-see Tribeca Film Fest list a mix of documentaries, global comedies, and indie features. For the hair obsessed, catch the Brazilian coming-of-age flick, “Bad Hair,” about a nine-year-old boy who wants straight hair for his annual yearbook photo (showing today and Friday at noon or the more doable 6:45 p.m. on Saturday). Laugh with Ireland’s contribution to the ever-growing wedding comedy genre, “The Bachelor Weekend,” which is “The Hangover” with camping and more adorable accents, or see “Ballet 422,” a behind-the-scenes look at the New York City Ballet (both showing tonight).

"Ballet 422" tonight at the Tribeca Film Festival

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MONDAY TO-DOS

Find a spring bag.

Check out “Alibis: Sigmar Polke 1963–2010” at MoMA.

Keep it classical with the Cutting Edge fest at Symphony Space.

See “About Alex” at the TFF.

Have the Last Word at The Garret (hint: it’s a cocktail).