New York City
Yoko Ono and Martin Scorsese are sharing the stage (so to speak) at the Museum of Modern Art, which is hosting exhibits honoring both icons this summer. Scorsese Collects celebrates the filmmaker’s commitment to preserving international film culture with 34 works from his poster collection, including “The Tales of Hoffmann,” the 1951 film adaptation of Jacques Offenbach opéra fantastique, along with Howard Hawks’ “Scarface” (1932) and Michael Powell’s “The Red Shoes” (1948). The Ono exhibit has been destined since 1971, when the avant-garde artist announced her one-woman show “Modern Museum of (F)art” that turned out to be just a guy outside the museum wearing a sandwich board stating that Ono had unleashed flies (yes, really) for the public to follow around New York. The current exhibit showcases the work leading up to that odd display, titled Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960–1971, and features more than 100 of her works on paper, installations, performances, films and rare archival materials. moma.org —Ian Zelaya
Philadelphia
The only thing that can make ice cream an even sweeter summer treat is the addition of unicorns and rainbows. On a dare, partners Doug Quint (a concert bassoonist) and Bryan Petroff (who worked in corporate human resources) opened Big Gay Ice Cream as a roaming truck almost six years ago in New York City. The bedazzled soft-serve outlet expanded with stores in the Villages (both East and West) and most recently in the heart of Philly’s “Gayborhood,” which stretches from Chestnut to Pine streets between 11th and Broad streets). Order a classic cone like the “Bea Arthur” or “Salty Pimp” (two different takes on dulce de leche delights) or ask for a custom flavor from the new Anthony Bourdain-approved recipe book. If you’re saving room for dinner after dessert, hop upstairs for 1980s-inspired fare (complete with Lionel Richie tunes) at Juniper Commons. biggayicecream.com —I.Z.
Chevy Chase, MD
Ever had that ick moment where you think: “Do I really want to put my feet in this pedicure bowl?” Try a waterless mani/pedi at Varnish Lane, the haute new destination for well-heeled ladies (and germaphobes) in D.C. “Besides being the main source of infection, water engorges nails so they shrink back up after your service, giving your polish less staying power,” says beauty junkie/co-owner Lauren Dunne who opened the salon with her mom last spring. You’ll find no (illegal) cheese graters here! Just 100 percent chemical-free products, including a locally blended oil cleanser that gets removed with a warm damp towel, single-use foot files, all-natural callus and cuticle removers and a chic polish selection, including Archie, Lauren B., Chanel, YSL and Dior. “If you’re stuck on Ballet Slippers for life, we also have Essie and OPI,” adds Dunne with a laugh. varnishlane.com —Jessica Bizik
