My friend Rachel and I recently went to Bindlestiff's Open Stage Variety Show at Galapagos Art Space in Dumbo, and were extremely excited about it, because, well, we love a good circus act/variety show.
Unfortunately, this wasn't a good one.
The opening act was Bindlestiff, himself, and he was less than whelming. He did some diablo tricks (that big spool-thing on a rope) that were pretty cool and told some jokes that were flatter than an open coke in the backseat of your car on a summer day. If this was the peak of entertainment, we were in for a long night.
(Silly girls. They had no idea how long.)
The first act was a juggler (yay!) who did old man schtick for about seven hours before starting to juggle (boo!). Key moves included: walking-really-slowly-with-a-walker, taking-six-minutes-to-pick-up-something-he-dropped, making-cheesy-faces-like-the-guy-in-the-six-flags-commercial, and striking-a-really-LAME-pose-when-he-finished-a-trick-so-we-knew-to-applaud-uproariously.
mrph.
The next act was nearly indescribable. I think she was clowning, but it wasn't funny. All I can tell you is that there was a bathing suit, an audience volunteer in a full-body safety suit, some oil, a "dance," some cutout cardboard waves, and Rachel and I exchanging looks of utter bewilderment.
Did I mention we weren't drinking?
But it was the next two acts that put us over the edge.
If I were naming Act Three, I would call it:
-- Some People Call It Pouting, I Call It "Bellydancing"
-- Pull Your Pants Up So Your Belly(dancing) Doesn't Flop Over Your Panties
-- Winkin', Blinkin', Shakin', and Digestin'
-- Please Stop. Please.
Luckily, Act Four came with its own name -- Le Gateau Chocolat -- and finally I was excited! Hooray! A chocolate cake! This has to be fun! When the curtains opened, however, at center stage stood a big, fat, black man in a neck-to-knees leopard print unitard, yellow socks, lots of make up, and a floofy yellow hat made out of papier mache.
Definitely not the dessert I had in mind.
Then the music started, and this operatic baritone belted out Radiohead's "Creep." In keeping with the theme, I asked myself, what the hell AM I doing here?
"I think my house is on fire," I said to Rachel, who looked as if she were watching a traffic accident involving a busload of crippled orphans.
"Do you -- should you -- call someone? Or should we just go?"
"I think we should just go. You know, just to be safe."
So we left. Never to return again.
Ever.
Showing posts with label things to do. Show all posts
Showing posts with label things to do. Show all posts
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
don't get suckered!
Rarely (if ever) do I offer you wisdom that will save you money. But it's a new year, and today, all of that's about to change.
Three Things To Avoid Wasting Your Money On, by Katherine Surgeon.
1. Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum
Nando and I got free passes to Madame Tussaud's that expired at the end of December. So we had to visit during high tourist season, and, if you can score these passes, DO. Otherwise, skip the museum all together. Forever. Avoid the block. Hell, don't go to Times Square.
With the free passes we had, we got to bypass the line that snakes through the lobby like an airport security line. Flash your passes (ha! I typoed that as "flash your asses" -- which would also probably work) and you skip right to the head of the line. Nando and I ended up behind a clusterfucky group of six hundred (ok, ok, five) and heard the exorbitant price -- $38 per ticket! That's nearly two twenties to walk around in a crowd of tourists taking pictures with statues of people that don't look like the people they purport to be. Nothing says "waste of money" like futile, crowded, annoyingness.
Nando and I had fun, though, because it was free. While we were waiting for the elevators (at the beginning of the exhibit and at the end), we contemplated a suicide bombing, just because it was annoying to be stuck like a herd of cattle with no one telling us why we were waiting. In the end, we decided against it because we had tickets to yet another waste of money:
2. Cirque de Soleil's Wintuk
We were very excited by the IDEA of Wintuk. We spent all week pronouncing things with fake German accents ("Vintoook!" "Vonderful!")* and thinking magical, wintery thoughts. We got to MSG and into our seats, and the set was beautiful! So exciting! Such Vintery Gutness!
Then the show started and it was poop. Cirque de Soleil makes their money by spectacle, and there was definitely spectacle in this show, but it was UGLY. The costumes looked like what you'd get if you melted a box of crayons over a gang of skateboarders. All the performers looked like children, and they're all in sixty five layers of clothing. Part of what I love about circus performers is seeing how hard their bodies are working when their faces are so serene and fun-filled. When they're in big, ugly, puffy jackets (or, in some cases, a garbage can), that ruins it for me.
There's supposed to be a plot to Wintuk, but it essentially just keeps coming back to an annoying little boy saying "When is it going to snow??" There are six dogs in the show -- people in dog costumes -- and they have a theme song. The lyrics? "Dog. Dog dog dog. Dog. (whispered) dog!"
At intermission, I looked at Nando, he looked at me, and we both agreed that we had gotten our $40 worth. In fact, more than that. We had gotten as much Vintook as we could handle.
And we left.
3. Emergen-C's Pink Lemonade Flavor
After New Year's and the concomitant freezingness that is winter, I'm succumbing to a touch of the plague. So I bought a box of Emergen-C Pink Lemonade, and I have to say, it tastes nothing like lemonade (pink or otherwise). If I had to guess the flavor, I'd say Strawberry Banana, because it has that cloying sweetness and yechiness I associate with fake strawberry banana. And the best part? On the back of the box it says "The color pink carries many connotations. Power, strength, and energy aren't usually among them."
Go with tangerine. At least then you won't be subjected to colorism!
* I'm not entirely sure why we pronounced things with fake German accents, as Cirque de Soleil is a Fronch getup. But if Nando and I did things that were rational, you probably wouldn't read this blog.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
what I learned while bellydancing
1. Water is your friend. Unless you are bellydancing.
2. It looks a LOT easier than it actually is.
3. There are several hundred different ways to shake your hips. Most of them are wrong.
4. One can have excellent rhythm in her feet, legs and arms, with hips, shoulders and a butt that have a different soundtrack all together.
5. It's incredibly easy to look like a jackass in a room full of strangers. (It would be a lot harder if I actually knew anyone in there.)
6. Did I mention the water thing?
7. Sultry French-looking girls are good at shaking their hips but not good at following directions.
8. A woman can be outrageously strong and fit, and still have a belly that flops over her pants.
9. "Banana feet" is an acceptable dance term.
10. I am a lot sexier than a lot of people.
2. It looks a LOT easier than it actually is.
3. There are several hundred different ways to shake your hips. Most of them are wrong.
4. One can have excellent rhythm in her feet, legs and arms, with hips, shoulders and a butt that have a different soundtrack all together.
5. It's incredibly easy to look like a jackass in a room full of strangers. (It would be a lot harder if I actually knew anyone in there.)
6. Did I mention the water thing?
7. Sultry French-looking girls are good at shaking their hips but not good at following directions.
8. A woman can be outrageously strong and fit, and still have a belly that flops over her pants.
9. "Banana feet" is an acceptable dance term.
10. I am a lot sexier than a lot of people.
Monday, January 26, 2009
"when you care enough to hit send"
Until recently reminded of someecards, I had forgotten about their hilarity and general applicability to my life. Here are just a few I've been ever-so-tempted to send:
Go forth and select your own. Send them to me. Unless, of course, you're too busy, flaky or dead from a salad-induced stomach ailment that Airborne can't cure...
Go forth and select your own. Send them to me. Unless, of course, you're too busy, flaky or dead from a salad-induced stomach ailment that Airborne can't cure...Monday, January 12, 2009
why I'm a good person, or Mulchfest 2009!
Here is the lifecycle of a Brooklyn Christmas Tree:
A tree is planted.
A tree grows (but not in Brooklyn).
A tree is cut down and shipped to Brooklyn.
A tree is purchased, toted home, decorated and adored.
A tree-based holiday is celebrated.
A tree is thrown to the curb, sometimes from a window (or balcony).
A tree is peed on. Repeatedly.
A tree is schlepped to the park.
A tree is chopped up into mulch.
A tree is distributed into the garden-ish beds of Prospect Park.
A tree rots and eventually grows into part of another tree.
Which this time, grows in Brooklyn.
Mulchfest is an annual event (I'd say festival, but that would seriously be stretching it) where the Parks Department collects all the formerly-beloved Christmas trees for chopping, chipping and future use in the park in a mulch smaller form. (ha! mulch smaller!)
However, until someone can genetically engineer the trees to get up and walk to the park themselves, Mulchfest requires volunteers (like yours truly) to schlep the heavy, pee-soaked bastards to the park. Because the Parks Department can't drive around and pick up the tree -- no, no, that would impinge upon the Sanitation Department. They can only pick up the trees they happen to find in the park. You know, the ones I put there.
Have you ever seen a strong man competition? Where they compete to see who can pull a truck the farthest? Yeah, well, that was me on Saturday. Except the truck was made out of discarded christmas trees, and I was cute and svelt, not big and juiced. Thanks to an ingenious idea I'm sure I inherited genetically from my father, I took a piece of clothesline with me and tied one end to one tree and the other end to another one. Then I headed up Park Slope (which, by the end of the day, I renamed Park EnormousIncline) hauling anywhere between two and six trees.
I was kind of a machine.
People's reactions were interesting. Some offered to help, some ignored me all together (which was difficult, as I was taking up the entire sidewalk), some thanked me and some made jokes -- how I wouldn't have to go to the gym today, how I looked like a cavewoman, how I could be a lumberjack... (apparently hauling trees does not make one look sexy).
I was wearing so many layers that by the end of the day, I was drenched. Nothing smelled good, and everything was sore. But I felt like I had really served my neighborhood. The trees wouldn't go to waste, the park would spend less money on mulch, and I got a good workout.The only drawback is that now, when I see a christmas tree on the sidewalk -- and especially when I see a dog peeing on it -- I want to punch people.
I don't think that's quite the spirit of volunteerism I should be fostering...
A tree is planted.
A tree grows (but not in Brooklyn).
A tree is cut down and shipped to Brooklyn.
A tree is purchased, toted home, decorated and adored.
A tree-based holiday is celebrated.
A tree is thrown to the curb, sometimes from a window (or balcony).
A tree is peed on. Repeatedly.
A tree is schlepped to the park.
A tree is chopped up into mulch.
A tree is distributed into the garden-ish beds of Prospect Park.
A tree rots and eventually grows into part of another tree.
Which this time, grows in Brooklyn.
Mulchfest is an annual event (I'd say festival, but that would seriously be stretching it) where the Parks Department collects all the formerly-beloved Christmas trees for chopping, chipping and future use in the park in a mulch smaller form. (ha! mulch smaller!)
However, until someone can genetically engineer the trees to get up and walk to the park themselves, Mulchfest requires volunteers (like yours truly) to schlep the heavy, pee-soaked bastards to the park. Because the Parks Department can't drive around and pick up the tree -- no, no, that would impinge upon the Sanitation Department. They can only pick up the trees they happen to find in the park. You know, the ones I put there.
Have you ever seen a strong man competition? Where they compete to see who can pull a truck the farthest? Yeah, well, that was me on Saturday. Except the truck was made out of discarded christmas trees, and I was cute and svelt, not big and juiced. Thanks to an ingenious idea I'm sure I inherited genetically from my father, I took a piece of clothesline with me and tied one end to one tree and the other end to another one. Then I headed up Park Slope (which, by the end of the day, I renamed Park EnormousIncline) hauling anywhere between two and six trees.
I was kind of a machine.
People's reactions were interesting. Some offered to help, some ignored me all together (which was difficult, as I was taking up the entire sidewalk), some thanked me and some made jokes -- how I wouldn't have to go to the gym today, how I looked like a cavewoman, how I could be a lumberjack... (apparently hauling trees does not make one look sexy).
I was wearing so many layers that by the end of the day, I was drenched. Nothing smelled good, and everything was sore. But I felt like I had really served my neighborhood. The trees wouldn't go to waste, the park would spend less money on mulch, and I got a good workout.The only drawback is that now, when I see a christmas tree on the sidewalk -- and especially when I see a dog peeing on it -- I want to punch people.
I don't think that's quite the spirit of volunteerism I should be fostering...
Sunday, July 1, 2007
canoe racing schmanoe racing
Dear Universe,
Thank you so much for sending the canoe race my way. Man, it was boring as all get out, but if I hadn't gone, I wouldn't have caught up with a friend from my improv group in college, and had a really great afternoon in the sun.
I'm starting to get your point.
Love,
Kate
p.s. HOWEVER, I haven't quite gotten your point in giving me those guys on the beach who said (and I'm quoting) "the Japanese are an inferior race, because of their morals. And it's genetic." Seriously, Universe, WTF? And did they have to say it loud enough to incense me so much I had to leave the beach? And did they have to say it in front of their kids? I was seriously tempted to tell them I was Japanese. Not that they'd buy it, because I'm so SUPER-SWEDISH, but really. Universe, can we work on this??
p.p.s. Happy 20,000th view, blog-readers!
Friday, June 29, 2007
tuvan throat singers
Last night I was exceedingly cultural and went to a concert by a group of Tuvan throat singers called Alash at Judson Memorial Church. But Kate, what is Tuvan throat singing? Only the coolest thing since sliced bread. (Even despite the fact that "throat singing" sounds an awful lot like some sort of filthy euphemism. It's not. I promise. The concert was in a church!)
A little background:
This is Tuva:
This is Tuva:
According to the wikipedia, it has the geographic center of Asia in it.
Here are some of the cities (and I think the legend is in German, just so we're super-multi-national):
Tuva was ruled first by the Mongols, and then by the Chinese and, over time, the Russians started coming to town, thinking that maybe they'd like to take over. In a treaty with Russia, China said they could only stay if they lived in tents or boats. (Talk about housing discrimination)
More time went by, and eventually Tuva got assimilated into the USSR. (they didn't know how lucky they were... boy!) China kind of never agreed to this and still pretends that Tuva (now an independent country) is part of China.
Ok, class dismissed; back to the concert.
There were four Tuvan guys, in traditional costumes, with long hair and traditional instruments who sat down in front of us and started to play. And then, part-way through the first song you hear this
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
coming from somewhere in the basement. Except it's not coming from the basement, it's coming from the guy in the black robe (who looks like he's trying to poop a ring box).
Then someone starts playing a drum and someone starts playing a pipe and all four of them are singing... and wait a second! This isn't possible. There's no pipe!
Then the Irritating-American-Band-Manager-Who-Lives-In-Tuva-And-Speaks-Tuvan-Fluently-Because-He-Translated-The-Lyrics-On-The-CD-And-Has-A-Very-Tough-Tuvan-Wife-Chuckle-Chuckle-Blah-Blah-Blah told us what was going on. One of the styles of throat singing produces this high pitched, almost bell or whistle sound. And blue-robe guy demonstrated it again.
I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. It was the coolest thing.
You can't really understand it without experiencing it, so I'd recommend going here and here to get a sense of what this was really like.
And, while I didn't meet any hot single guys, I am just that much more culturally knowledgable and interesting when I do.
"Hey, what did you do this weekend?"
"Well, I went to hear these Tuvan throat singers..."
hmm... maybe not.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
good things to do on a date this summer!
Since the dating thing is not going so well for me (there's a Franz update, but I'm too busy kicking myself in the head to write about it), I offer you these free events to do this summer. Use them to plan your own dates. Use them as a good excuse to ask me out. Use them for a girls' night out. Use them on your own -- but I encourage you to use them with someone else. Why not?
ONGOING
Boomerang Theatre's Production of All's Well That Ends Well
FREE
Central Park: Enter at CPW and 69th Street
"Bertram is too proud to be tied down to any woman. He'd rather go off to the wars, make his reputation and achieve glory. But Helena's got other plans. With a little mystery and little trickery, she just might get her man yet..."
Every Saturday and Sunday, June 23rd through July 22nd at 2pm.
(website)
Folks on the Island! A Governors Island Folk FestivalDATE: Jul 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2007
TIME: 1:30pm
PRICE: Free
Trinity Church presents a summer folk festival on Governors Island. Visit www.folksontheisland.com for more information.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Governors Island
PHONE: 212-602-0800
La Vie (Not free. Sorry!)
DATE: ongoing/various
TIME: 9:30pm
PRICE: $25/$55
The first ever theatro-batic show especially crafted for a Spiegeltent; aerial acrobatics, wild characters and wicked music will ignite the Spiegelworld stage. Through September 30. Showtimes vary, call for details.
TYPE: Theater
LOCATION: Spiegelworld at the Fulton Fish Market, South Street under the Brooklyn Bridge
PHONE: 212-279-4200
Absinthe (Ok, also not free, but I think that's the last one... maybe.)
DATE: ongoing/various
TIME: 7:30pm
PRICE: $50$55/$69
The most sultry acro-burlesque variety show in town featuring seductive artists performing amazing feats of balance, strength and danger with unfathomable flexibility. Through September 30. Showtimes vary, call for details.
TYPE: Theater
LOCATION: Spiegelworld at the Fulton Fish Market, South Street under the Brooklyn Bridge
PHONE: 212-279-4200
Summer on the Hudson: Kayaking on the Hudson
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturdays & Sundays, May 19 – October 14, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Join the Downtown Boathouse for 20-minute instructional paddles, and explore the Hudson River first hand. Please wear a bathing suit or shorts and a t-shirt, and know how to swim.
Weather permitting. Daily Weather Status: (646) 613-0740
Location: 72nd Street & the Hudson River
(website)
Visit Governors Island
DATE: Saturdays and Sundays in July and August, 2007
TIME: 10:00am
PRICE: Free
Tour the Historic District, picnic on the Parade Grounds, walk the pormenade, and take in extraordinary views of the Statue of Liberty and NY Harbor.
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: Governors Island. Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building, 10 South Street, Slip 7
PHONE: 212-440-2202
website
The Dinner Party
Long-Term Installation, Brooklyn Museum
The Dinner Party, an important icon of 1970s feminist art and a milestone in twentieth-century art, is presented as the centerpiece around which the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art is organized. The Dinner Party comprises a massive ceremonial banquet, arranged on a triangular table with a total of thirty-nine place settings, each commemorating an important woman from history. The settings consist of embroidered runners, gold chalices and utensils, and china-painted porcelain plates with raised central motifs that are based on vulvar and butterfly forms and rendered in styles appropriate to the individual women being honored. The names of another 999 women are inscribed in gold on the white tile floor below the triangular table. This permanent installation is enhanced by rotating biographical gallery shows relating to the 1,038 women honored at the table. Pharaohs, Queens, and Goddesses is the first such exhibition.
website
StoryCorps
StoryCorps is a national project that encourages us to listen to each other by sharing the stories of our lives with the people we love. The heart of StoryCorps is the conversation between two people, but the experience continues whenever these stories are heard.
You can record your own interview. Trained facilitators will help you record your conversation and you will receive a CD copy of your session. With your permission, a second copy is archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, so that future generations can someday hear your loved ones' voices and stories.
Date: Ongoing
Location: Grand Central Terminal
42nd Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues
The StoryBooth is located in the Biltmore Room next to tracks 41 and 42.
Time: Tuesdays: 1:30-7:30pm
Thursdays: 11:30am-5:30pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 9:30am-8:30pm
Mondays and Wednesdays: closed
Open on holidays for your convenience
Ticket price: Free. StoryCorps suggests a $10 donation for each hour-long session.
Ticket information: Reservations are required.
Reserve online or call 1-800-850-4406
Dancing on the Plaza
Every Thursday in August, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues
The Conservancy invites you to free summer dance parties in Central Park. Bring a friend, or find one here, for dance instruction followed by dancing to live music under the stars.
August 2: Swing Night with Sam Ulano's Swing 8
August 9: Merengue Night with Los Clarinetes Magicos
August 16: Salsa Night with Chino Nunez & Friends Orchestra, Salute to Hector Lavoe (presented in partnership with El Museo del Barrio)
August 23: R&B Night with Soul Express
August 30: Disco Night with DJ Bobby Morales
For more information, please call 212-860-1370.
website
Cross Park Promenade Tour
Meet inside the Park at Fifth Avenue and East 72nd Street in front of the statue of Samuel F. B. Morse. You'll be amazed at what you'll see.... a hidden bench that tells time, miniature boats powered by the wind, a magnificent sculpture celebrating fresh water, and a glorious drinking fountain for the city's equine population. These are just some of the the sites along the way on this east to west walk through the Park. Tour is approximately one hour long. Call 212-772-0210 for directions. (website)
Saturday, June 23, 12:00 pm
Wednesday, June 27, 6:00 pm
Saturday, June 30, 1:00 pm
Saturday, July 1, 1:00 pm
Saturday, July 14, 12:00 pm
Wednesday, July 18, 6:00 pm
Saturday, July 28, 9:30 am
Saturday, August 4, 12:00 pm
Saturday, August 11, 10:00 am
Wednesday, August 22, 11:00 am
Saturday, August 25, 10:00 am
Sunday, September 2, 1:00 pm
Saturday, September 8, 10:00 am
Sunday, September 16, 11:00 am
Saturday, September 22, 1:00 pm
Sunday, September 30, 1:00 pm
Moondance
JULY 15 GEORGE GEE AND THE JUMP, JIVE AND WAILERS - swing
JULY 22 NU GUAJIRO - salsa
JULY 29 ETERNAL TANGO - tango
AUG 5 LOS HERMANOS COLON - salsa
AUG 12 DAVID BERGER AND THE SULTANS OF SWING - swing
Hudson River Park's Pier 54
6:30pm
website
DATE SPECIFIC
The Richard Thompson Band / Ollabelle
Thursday, June 21, 7pm
The iconic British folk rocker RICHARD THOMPSON, here in a rare NYC appearance with his full band, delivers fearsome vocals and "guitar breaks so audacious it's like watching a highwire walker swinging in the wind but never falling off." (The Guardian UK) Drawing from a deep well of gospel, blues, bluegrass, and country influences, OLLABELLE creates a "rich, cross-referential take on American roots music." (Paste Magazine)
(website)
Drive in at the Rock - MO
Date: Thursday, June 21st
Time: 9:00pm (doors open 6:00pm)
Location: Rockefeller Center (30 Rockefeller Plaza, enter at 49th St)
Cost: Free
Drive in at the Rock is back with four straight nights of up and coming indie films in Rockefeller Center. This is one of my favorite film series of the summer because - rather then play classic films you could easily catch on DVD - some of the best in new and unreleased indie cinema is shown. "Immerse yourself in the nostalgia of the summer drive-in as special screenings return to midtown Manhattan for the fourth consecutive year [on a] massive 30' x 50' screen in front of 30 Rock.." Tonight's film is "MO," the story of a young boy coming to terms with "Marfan Syndrome."
(website)
BPC Parks' Swedish Midsummer Festival and Family Dance
DATE: Jun 22, 2007
TIME: 5:00pm
PRICE: Free
Celebrate the longest day of the year the traditional Swedish way -- picnicking, making floral headdresses, maypole procession, and dancing until dark to traditional fiddle music. Music: Paul Dahlin and fiddlers from Minneapolis' American Swedish Institute. Dancing: Barnklubben Elsa Rix and Swedish Folkdancers of NY. Co-sponsor: The Consulate General of Sweden, NY.
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: Wagner Park
PHONE: 212-267-9700
(website)
Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys / James Reams & The Barnstormers
Friday, June 22, 7:30pm
Celebrate Brooklyn
When it comes to bluegrass, RALPH STANLEY has no peers. The living legend, "one of the most important country musicians in the world today," (T Bone Burnett) has kept the flame alive for a half century—with grassroots help from folks like JAMES REAMS, the granddaddy of the local bluegrass scene.
Coney Island Mermaid Parade and Ball
Date: Saturday, June 23rd
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Surf Avenue, Coney Island (D,F,N or Q to Stillwell Ave.)
Cost: Free
Do they make bodypaint with sunscreen? Is body glitter easy to get off with salt water? what is the boiling point of asphalt? These are just some of the questions that will be passing through your brain if you choose to partake in one of Brooklyn's newest old traditions, The Mermaid Parade and Ball at Coney Island. I've been to a lot of after parties, but never to the actual parade, but I know it's a blast for everyone. If you want to be a part of the magical procession, you must register yourself or your group. For more information on this rite of summer, click here.
FAMILY FAIR
DATE: Jun 23, 2007
TIME: 11:00am
PRICE: Free
Celebrate the NYPD at this multi-cultural street fair. Performances will include Emerald Society Pipes & Drums, Asian Jade's Dragon Dancers and more! Rides! Music! Fun!
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: 100 Old Slip
PHONE: 212-480-3100
The Thing- From Another World!
Date: Monday, June 25th
Time: Lawn opens at 5:00pm, movie at dusk
Place: Bryant Park (42nd St @6th ave)
Cost: Free
Grab a blanket, make a picnic and check this classic horror flick from 1951!
"A frozen alien is discovered at the North Pole, and trouble starts when it accidentally thaws out. A legendary monster movie based on a story by John Campbell, the "father" of modern science.
(website)
John Pizzarelli and Paula West
John Pizzarelli and Paula West
DATE: Jun 27, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
Pushing the boundaries of jazz music, soulful chanteuse Paula West warms the stage with her lusciously sophisticated vocals for the late-night balladeering, radio-hosting, jazz guitarist, John Pizzarelli.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Rockefeller Park
PHONE: 212-945-0505
(website)
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Date: Thursday, June 28th
Time: 7:00pm doors
Location: Hudson River Park Pier 54@ W. 14th
Cost: Free
"I know that every musician from the 80s seems to be having a reunion or something, and it is getting annoying. However, I caught Joan Jett last summer at a few Warped Tours (don't ask...), and seriously she is as good as ever. Despite that brief period when she tried to make a comeback with that horrid bleached Susan Powter haircut, her voice is strong, the Black Hearts are tight, and not to sound totally lame, but she rocks. Oh yea, and its free."
(website)
Central Astoria's Waterfront Concert-Independence Celebration
Friday, Jun 29, 2007
7:30 pm
Celebrating 25 years of Waterfront Concerts
Independence Celebration featuring an evening of Big Band with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra followed by a spectacular Grucci fireworks display.
Location: Astoria Park Lawn - Shore Blvd. between Hell Gate Bridge and the Pool
(website)
10th Annual Liberty World Outrigger Competition
Saturday, Jun 30, 2007 - All Day
Take front row seats in Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park or the Main Street section of Brooklyn Bridge Park for the 10th Annual Liberty World Challenge. Teams from across the globe will start from the East River and race a course on the New York Harbor.
(website)
Norah Jones
Friday, July 6
7:00am – 9:00am (NOTE: this is in the morning!!)
Upper Terrace
Come to the park to see your favorite artist, as well as say hello to GMA's Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Chris Cuomo, and Sam Champion. If you want to get as close to the stage as possible, arrive at the park no later than 7:00 a.m.
For information about the series, go to abcnews.go.com/GMA.
Fan Yang, Bubble Artist
Saturday, July 7
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Bryant Park Reading Room
Join our soap bubble party as Fan Yang, star of the Gazillion Bubble Show, creates bubbles galore amidst a special story-time.
Favorite book characters and stories come alive, with author visits and special events geared for kids of all ages.
Rain Venue:
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
555 Fifth Avenue (at 46th Street)
212-697-3048
(website)
JellyNYC Presents the Boredoms
Saturday, Jul 7, 2007
3:00 PM
Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the legendary Japanese avant-garde rock band the Boredoms will debut 77 DRUM on 07/07/07 on the lawn of the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The band will lead 77 drummers in a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. Performance at 5:00. FREE! For further information about the event and JellyNYC, please visit www.jellynyc.com or email info@jellynyc.com
Location: Lawn, Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturdays
At the Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturdays, thousands of visitors enjoy free programs of art and entertainment each month from 5–11 p.m. All evening long, the Museum Café serves a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, and beverages, and a cash bar offers wine and beer. Parking is a flat rate of $4 starting at 5 p.m. All other Saturdays, the Museum closes at 6 p.m.
Please note that due to limited capacities, some Target First Saturday programs require tickets. Ticket lines often form 30 minutes before ticket distribution. Programs are subject to change.July 7, 2007
Schedule of FREE Programs
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Performance, Public Plaza, Outside Museum
Circus Amok delights with its unique brand of good old-fashioned circus fun.
6:00 p.m. Film, Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor
Watch Eddie Murphy in Coming to America (John Landis, 1988, 116 min., R), a classic comedy about an African prince who travels to New York to find his queen. Free tickets are available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.
6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Performance, Steinberg Family Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor
Create a wood tile mosaic. Free timed tickets are available at the Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Performance, Meet at the entrance to American Identities, 5th Floor
Brooklyn's Ferentz Lafargue reads from his new book Songs in the Key of My Life. Free tickets are available at the Visitor Center at 6 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Talk and Performance, Forum, 4th Floor
Hip hop ambassador Toni Blackman discusses and performs her work. Free tickets are available at the Visitor Center at 6 p.m.
8:00 p.m. Young Voices Gallery Talk, 5th Floor
Student guide Laura Su gives a tour on African American artists.
8:30 p.m. Film, Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor
See the award-winning film Walk the Line (James Mangold, 2005, 136 min., PG-13) about the life of American country legend Johnny Cash, starring Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix. Free tickets are available at the Visitor Center at 7:30 p.m.
9:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. Dance Party, Museum Parking Lot, Behind Museum
Afro-Punk Festival with DJs CX Kidtronik and King Cole, and bands The Exit and the Dragons of Zynth.
Dance at the National Museum of the American Indian
DATE: Jul 10 & 11 & 12, 2007
TIME: 11:00am
PRICE: Free
Learn Indian social dances in this interactive program led by skilled Native American dancers. This program runs at 11am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.
TYPE: Dance
LOCATION: National Museum of the American Indian, One Bowling Green
PHONE: 212-514-3700
(website)
Spoon
DATE: Jul 11, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
On the heels of their sixth album release, one of the most acclaimed bands in indie music delivers a rocking concert including some of their latest material.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Rockefeller Park
PHONE: 212-945-0505
(website)
Strange Fruit
DATE: Jul 12, 2007
TIME: 11:00am
PRICE: Free
Making its New York City debut, this Melbourne-based company performs a remarkable style of work that incorporates dance, theater and circus, while perched atop 12-foot tall, flexible poles.
Performances at 12:00pm, 1:00pm & 2:00pm
Running time: 30 minutes.
TYPE: Theater
LOCATION: WFC Plaza
PHONE: 212-945-0505
(website)
Ron Sexsmith
DATE: Jul 12, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
Sexsmith's music offers hard-earned pieces of wisdom, all set to strong, yet gentle melodies and sung with emotional eloquence and genuine soul. These are his creative signatures, and they have earned the Toronto-based singer/songwriter immense respect from his peers, critics, and a devoted international audience.
Two free tickets per person will be distributed at the Castle on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 5:00pm on the day of the show.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park
PHONE: 212-835-2789
(website)
Noche Flamenca / Andrew J. Nemr & CPD Plus / Darrah Carr Dance
Thursday, July 12, 7:30pm
This internationally acclaimed Madrid troupe practices flamenco in its purest, most passionate incarnation. "Powerfully raw in its sensuality . . . spellbindingly visceral." (Dallas Morning News) The hot young hoofers of CPD PLUS and the modern influenced Irish step of DARRAH CARR make it a far ranging evening of percussive dance.
(website)
Strange Fruit Presents Swoon!
Saturday, Jul 14, 2007
FREE! PERFORMANCES AT 4:00pm, 6:00pm, and 8:00pm
Australia's Strange Fruit is a Melbourne-based open-air performing arts company that produces and performs a remarkable style of work that fuses theater, dance, and circus, using the unique elevated medium of sway poles. For their first U.S. tour, the Company will present Swoon! – a 20-minute performance where four daredevil Australians tell a spectacular story of love, loss, joy and freedom up on high. Performance will take place on the lawn of the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of the Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Location: Lawn, Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of Brooklyn Bridge Park
(website)
BPC Parks' Family Square Dance
DATE: Jul 14, 2007
TIME: 6:30pm
PRICE: Free
Swing your partner to Western Caravan playing country, swing and honky-tonk standards. Don Coy calls the dances. All ages. No partners necessary.
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: Esplanade Plaza at Liberty Street, Battery Park City
PHONE: 212-267-9700
(website)
Explore the Port of New York aboard 1885 Schooner Pioneer
DATE: Jul 14, 2007
TIME: 1:00pm
PRICE: Call for details.
Sail New York harbor aboard our historic vessel and learn about the history of this great world port. Call for reservations.
TYPE: Nature
LOCATION: South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton Street
PHONE: 212-748-8757
(website)
Summer Stars --Makoto Nakura, Marimba
(yee-haw! Marimba! Come on, we have to go to this one!)
DATE: Jul 16, 2007
TIME: 7:30pm
PRICE: Free
"A dynamo of energy and virtuosity," this exciting marimbist has toured extensively throughout the USA and Japan. This concert will feature the New York premiere of "The Story of Aoyagi," written specifically for Mr. Nakura. Tickets required: available after 4:00PM day of show.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University, Spruce Street entrance
(website)
Avenue Q The Drowsy Chaperone The Phantom of the Opera Tarzan Rent
Thursday, July 19
12:30pm – 1:30pm
The Lawn at Bryant Park<>
The most popular musicals on and off Broadway perform their biggest hits.
(website)
Drive-By Truckers
DATE: Jul 19, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
Equal parts back-porch historians and poets of living the hard life, the Truckers deliver an ironic and gutsy sound that has set the bar higher for southern rock. Their three front men/guitarists/songwriters: Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley and Jason Isbell, make for a triumvirate that would crumble a lesser band. Two free tickets per person will be distributed at the Castle on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 5:00pm on the day of the show.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park
PHONE: 212-835-2789
(website)
John Mayer & Special Guest
Friday, July 20
7:00am – 9:00am (yeah, it's in the morning again)
Upper Terrace
Come to the park to see your favorite artist, as well as say hello to GMA's Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Chris Cuomo, and Sam Champion. If you want to get as close to the stage as possible, arrive at the park no later than 7:00 a.m.
(website)
Free Friday at South Street Seaport Museum
DATE: Jul 20, August 17, 2007
TIME: 5:00pm
PRICE: Free
Free admission to our museum, with special cultural programming for adults and kids.
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton Street
PHONE: 212-748-8568
(website)
Riders in the Sky with The Carolina Chocolate Drops
DATE: Jul 25, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
The Chocolate Drops, an African-American fiddle and banjo band playing in the Carolinas' piedmont tradition, open for the legendary Riders, the multi-Grammy®-winning troubadour band of Western cowboy music.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Rockefeller Park
PHONE: 212-945-0505
(website)
Xanadu Monty Python's Spamalot The Lion King Curtains Stomp
Thursday, July 26
12:30pm – 1:30pm
The Lawn
The most popular musicals on and off Broadway perform their biggest hits.
(website)
The Urban Backyard Vintner
Wine Making in Brooklyn
(I REALLY want to do this one, and if you want to, too, let me know! Please!)
You don't have to live in the Mediterranean to make good wine! This course will introduce you to the art of wine making, using grapes easily procured or grown locally, and also provide a brief overview of wine culture in human history. We'll end with a tasting of homemade wine to complement what we've learned. Specific topics include pertinent definitions and concepts for the budding oeneophile, and varietal characteristics of popular wines. Wines from both the classic wine grape, Vitis vinifera, and hybrid grape species will be reviewed. Then delve into the process of both white and red wine production as we discuss equipment requirements, sugar and acidity (including pH of the must), yeast selection, fermentation methods, clarifying processes, storage/aging, and bottling the wine. We'll point out expected challenges and common wine faults so that you can produce a vintage worthy of a connoisseur. Students must be at least 21 years of age to participate in the wine tasting. Materials fee covers all handouts and wine samples.
Section A: Saturday, July 28 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Section B: Saturday, July 28 2–5 p.m.
$39 member, $44 nonmember (Fee includes $10 materials charge.)
Registration Information
Seaport Music -- A Night of Billie Holiday Remixed and Reimagined
DATE: Aug 03, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
Presented by Turntables on the Hudson, this amazing night will feature DJs Nickodemus, Jazzy Nice, + Nappy G on percussion & Jay Rodriguez of Groove Collective on the saxophone. Come experience a legend as you've never heard her before.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: South Street Seaport, Pier 17
PHONE: 212-SEAPORT
(website)
Chew on This!
DATE: Aug 25, 2007
TIME: 1:00pm
PRICE: Free with South Street Seaport Museum Admission
Learn about the history of chewing gum, Adams NY Gum #1 and make a pack of chewing gum from scratch.
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: 12 Fulton Street
PHONE: 212-748-8753
(website)
Additionally -- if you want to do any kind of outdoor big band dancing and don't have a partner, call me! I love that kind of stuff!
Also, if you want to catch Shakespeare in the Park, I'd love to try to swing that, too!
CRAP! THINGS I FORGOT:
Make Music NY
On Thursday, June 21, New York joins 340 other cities around the world to host a day of free, outdoor music-making. From Metropolitan Opera singers to high school rock bands, church choirs to underground MCs, Tuvan throat singers to Salsa bands, punk rockers to string quartets, there's something for everyone.
(website)
The ARChive of Contemporary Music's Summer Record & CD sale. WHY: To raise money to help fund the ARChive : a not-for-profit music library with over 2 million sound recordings - America's largest and BEST popular music collection. WHERE: At our ground floor office: 54 White St. 3 short blocks south of Canal, between Broadway & Church in Tribeca Take the 1 train to Franklin, or any train to Canal. WHEN: Saturday, JUNE 23 – Sunday, JULY 1 Everyday 11 am. to 6 pm
(website)
"Metrodress"
Details: Russian journalist Nina Vishneva was inspired by the 2005 MTA transit strike to fashion frocks made of NYC MetroCards. Her handiwork is displayed at Citigroup Center as part of the ongoing Russian Heritage Festival.
Venue: Atrium at Citigroup Center
Travel: E, V to Lexington Ave–53rd St; N, R, W to Lexington Ave–59th St; 6 to 51st St.
Address: 153 E 53rd St
Phone: 212-687-6118
This week's schedule: June 21 7am-9pm, June 22 7am-9pm, June 25 7am-9pm, June 26 7am-9pm, June 27 7am-9pm, June 28 7am-9pm, June 29 7am-9pm
Prices: Free
(website)
New York Book Festival
The 2007 New York Book Festival will take place on Sat. June 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. near the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. The event is free and open to the public and includes author readings, live music, children's storytelling, clowns performing children's face-painting and twisting balloon animals, book signings, vendor demonstrations and food, all in the graceful confines of the world's greatest park!
Directions to the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park:
1) Enter park at 72nd Street and 5th Avenue
2) Follow path into park and through traffic light, bearing left
3) Walk straight and you'll see Bethesda Fountain on your right and the Naumburg Bandshell on your left.
(see website for schedule and authors)
Smith Street Fun Day
Smith St between Bergen and Carroll Sts, Brooklyn (718-852-0328). Subway: F, G to Bergen St, Carroll St. 11am–6pm.
Sunday June 24
(website)
Cheese Eating Contest of 2007!!!
On Sunday June 24th at 2pm as part of the Smith St. fair, we will host our 1st annual cheese eating contest outside of Smith & Vine (268 Smith Street between Sackett St. & Degraw St.) at 2pm sharp. Contestants will have to show up by 1:45 and no later! There are only 20 spaces available and registration is a first come first serve basis. The Grand Prize is the "Big Cheese Title Belt", which will be displayed at Stinky Bklyn with your name for a full year. You must be 18 to enter, everyone gets a Stinky T-Shirt and Registration is FREE! Come compete for glory! Come challenge the true warriors of cheese! Come find out how much Cantal you can cram down in 1 minute!
To register, please call 718.522.7425
(website)
ONGOING
Boomerang Theatre's Production of All's Well That Ends Well
FREE
Central Park: Enter at CPW and 69th Street
"Bertram is too proud to be tied down to any woman. He'd rather go off to the wars, make his reputation and achieve glory. But Helena's got other plans. With a little mystery and little trickery, she just might get her man yet..."
Every Saturday and Sunday, June 23rd through July 22nd at 2pm.
(website)
Folks on the Island! A Governors Island Folk FestivalDATE: Jul 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2007
TIME: 1:30pm
PRICE: Free
Trinity Church presents a summer folk festival on Governors Island. Visit www.folksontheisland.com for more information.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Governors Island
PHONE: 212-602-0800
La Vie (Not free. Sorry!)
DATE: ongoing/various
TIME: 9:30pm
PRICE: $25/$55
The first ever theatro-batic show especially crafted for a Spiegeltent; aerial acrobatics, wild characters and wicked music will ignite the Spiegelworld stage. Through September 30. Showtimes vary, call for details.
TYPE: Theater
LOCATION: Spiegelworld at the Fulton Fish Market, South Street under the Brooklyn Bridge
PHONE: 212-279-4200
Absinthe (Ok, also not free, but I think that's the last one... maybe.)
DATE: ongoing/various
TIME: 7:30pm
PRICE: $50$55/$69
The most sultry acro-burlesque variety show in town featuring seductive artists performing amazing feats of balance, strength and danger with unfathomable flexibility. Through September 30. Showtimes vary, call for details.
TYPE: Theater
LOCATION: Spiegelworld at the Fulton Fish Market, South Street under the Brooklyn Bridge
PHONE: 212-279-4200
Summer on the Hudson: Kayaking on the Hudson
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturdays & Sundays, May 19 – October 14, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Join the Downtown Boathouse for 20-minute instructional paddles, and explore the Hudson River first hand. Please wear a bathing suit or shorts and a t-shirt, and know how to swim.
Weather permitting. Daily Weather Status: (646) 613-0740
Location: 72nd Street & the Hudson River
(website)
Visit Governors Island
DATE: Saturdays and Sundays in July and August, 2007
TIME: 10:00am
PRICE: Free
Tour the Historic District, picnic on the Parade Grounds, walk the pormenade, and take in extraordinary views of the Statue of Liberty and NY Harbor.
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: Governors Island. Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building, 10 South Street, Slip 7
PHONE: 212-440-2202
website
The Dinner Party
Long-Term Installation, Brooklyn Museum
The Dinner Party, an important icon of 1970s feminist art and a milestone in twentieth-century art, is presented as the centerpiece around which the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art is organized. The Dinner Party comprises a massive ceremonial banquet, arranged on a triangular table with a total of thirty-nine place settings, each commemorating an important woman from history. The settings consist of embroidered runners, gold chalices and utensils, and china-painted porcelain plates with raised central motifs that are based on vulvar and butterfly forms and rendered in styles appropriate to the individual women being honored. The names of another 999 women are inscribed in gold on the white tile floor below the triangular table. This permanent installation is enhanced by rotating biographical gallery shows relating to the 1,038 women honored at the table. Pharaohs, Queens, and Goddesses is the first such exhibition.
website
StoryCorps
StoryCorps is a national project that encourages us to listen to each other by sharing the stories of our lives with the people we love. The heart of StoryCorps is the conversation between two people, but the experience continues whenever these stories are heard.
You can record your own interview. Trained facilitators will help you record your conversation and you will receive a CD copy of your session. With your permission, a second copy is archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, so that future generations can someday hear your loved ones' voices and stories.
Date: Ongoing
Location: Grand Central Terminal
42nd Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues
The StoryBooth is located in the Biltmore Room next to tracks 41 and 42.
Time: Tuesdays: 1:30-7:30pm
Thursdays: 11:30am-5:30pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 9:30am-8:30pm
Mondays and Wednesdays: closed
Open on holidays for your convenience
Ticket price: Free. StoryCorps suggests a $10 donation for each hour-long session.
Ticket information: Reservations are required.
Reserve online or call 1-800-850-4406
Dancing on the Plaza
Every Thursday in August, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues
The Conservancy invites you to free summer dance parties in Central Park. Bring a friend, or find one here, for dance instruction followed by dancing to live music under the stars.
August 2: Swing Night with Sam Ulano's Swing 8
August 9: Merengue Night with Los Clarinetes Magicos
August 16: Salsa Night with Chino Nunez & Friends Orchestra, Salute to Hector Lavoe (presented in partnership with El Museo del Barrio)
August 23: R&B Night with Soul Express
August 30: Disco Night with DJ Bobby Morales
For more information, please call 212-860-1370.
website
Cross Park Promenade Tour
Meet inside the Park at Fifth Avenue and East 72nd Street in front of the statue of Samuel F. B. Morse. You'll be amazed at what you'll see.... a hidden bench that tells time, miniature boats powered by the wind, a magnificent sculpture celebrating fresh water, and a glorious drinking fountain for the city's equine population. These are just some of the the sites along the way on this east to west walk through the Park. Tour is approximately one hour long. Call 212-772-0210 for directions. (website)
Saturday, June 23, 12:00 pm
Wednesday, June 27, 6:00 pm
Saturday, June 30, 1:00 pm
Saturday, July 1, 1:00 pm
Saturday, July 14, 12:00 pm
Wednesday, July 18, 6:00 pm
Saturday, July 28, 9:30 am
Saturday, August 4, 12:00 pm
Saturday, August 11, 10:00 am
Wednesday, August 22, 11:00 am
Saturday, August 25, 10:00 am
Sunday, September 2, 1:00 pm
Saturday, September 8, 10:00 am
Sunday, September 16, 11:00 am
Saturday, September 22, 1:00 pm
Sunday, September 30, 1:00 pm
Moondance
JULY 15 GEORGE GEE AND THE JUMP, JIVE AND WAILERS - swing
JULY 22 NU GUAJIRO - salsa
JULY 29 ETERNAL TANGO - tango
AUG 5 LOS HERMANOS COLON - salsa
AUG 12 DAVID BERGER AND THE SULTANS OF SWING - swing
Hudson River Park's Pier 54
6:30pm
website
DATE SPECIFIC
The Richard Thompson Band / Ollabelle
Thursday, June 21, 7pm
The iconic British folk rocker RICHARD THOMPSON, here in a rare NYC appearance with his full band, delivers fearsome vocals and "guitar breaks so audacious it's like watching a highwire walker swinging in the wind but never falling off." (The Guardian UK) Drawing from a deep well of gospel, blues, bluegrass, and country influences, OLLABELLE creates a "rich, cross-referential take on American roots music." (Paste Magazine)
(website)
Drive in at the Rock - MO
Date: Thursday, June 21st
Time: 9:00pm (doors open 6:00pm)
Location: Rockefeller Center (30 Rockefeller Plaza, enter at 49th St)
Cost: Free
Drive in at the Rock is back with four straight nights of up and coming indie films in Rockefeller Center. This is one of my favorite film series of the summer because - rather then play classic films you could easily catch on DVD - some of the best in new and unreleased indie cinema is shown. "Immerse yourself in the nostalgia of the summer drive-in as special screenings return to midtown Manhattan for the fourth consecutive year [on a] massive 30' x 50' screen in front of 30 Rock.." Tonight's film is "MO," the story of a young boy coming to terms with "Marfan Syndrome."
(website)
BPC Parks' Swedish Midsummer Festival and Family Dance
DATE: Jun 22, 2007
TIME: 5:00pm
PRICE: Free
Celebrate the longest day of the year the traditional Swedish way -- picnicking, making floral headdresses, maypole procession, and dancing until dark to traditional fiddle music. Music: Paul Dahlin and fiddlers from Minneapolis' American Swedish Institute. Dancing: Barnklubben Elsa Rix and Swedish Folkdancers of NY. Co-sponsor: The Consulate General of Sweden, NY.
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: Wagner Park
PHONE: 212-267-9700
(website)
Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys / James Reams & The Barnstormers
Friday, June 22, 7:30pm
Celebrate Brooklyn
When it comes to bluegrass, RALPH STANLEY has no peers. The living legend, "one of the most important country musicians in the world today," (T Bone Burnett) has kept the flame alive for a half century—with grassroots help from folks like JAMES REAMS, the granddaddy of the local bluegrass scene.
Coney Island Mermaid Parade and Ball
Date: Saturday, June 23rd
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Surf Avenue, Coney Island (D,F,N or Q to Stillwell Ave.)
Cost: Free
Do they make bodypaint with sunscreen? Is body glitter easy to get off with salt water? what is the boiling point of asphalt? These are just some of the questions that will be passing through your brain if you choose to partake in one of Brooklyn's newest old traditions, The Mermaid Parade and Ball at Coney Island. I've been to a lot of after parties, but never to the actual parade, but I know it's a blast for everyone. If you want to be a part of the magical procession, you must register yourself or your group. For more information on this rite of summer, click here.
FAMILY FAIR
DATE: Jun 23, 2007
TIME: 11:00am
PRICE: Free
Celebrate the NYPD at this multi-cultural street fair. Performances will include Emerald Society Pipes & Drums, Asian Jade's Dragon Dancers and more! Rides! Music! Fun!
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: 100 Old Slip
PHONE: 212-480-3100
The Thing- From Another World!
Date: Monday, June 25th
Time: Lawn opens at 5:00pm, movie at dusk
Place: Bryant Park (42nd St @6th ave)
Cost: Free
Grab a blanket, make a picnic and check this classic horror flick from 1951!
"A frozen alien is discovered at the North Pole, and trouble starts when it accidentally thaws out. A legendary monster movie based on a story by John Campbell, the "father" of modern science.
(website)
John Pizzarelli and Paula West
John Pizzarelli and Paula West
DATE: Jun 27, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
Pushing the boundaries of jazz music, soulful chanteuse Paula West warms the stage with her lusciously sophisticated vocals for the late-night balladeering, radio-hosting, jazz guitarist, John Pizzarelli.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Rockefeller Park
PHONE: 212-945-0505
(website)
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Date: Thursday, June 28th
Time: 7:00pm doors
Location: Hudson River Park Pier 54@ W. 14th
Cost: Free
"I know that every musician from the 80s seems to be having a reunion or something, and it is getting annoying. However, I caught Joan Jett last summer at a few Warped Tours (don't ask...), and seriously she is as good as ever. Despite that brief period when she tried to make a comeback with that horrid bleached Susan Powter haircut, her voice is strong, the Black Hearts are tight, and not to sound totally lame, but she rocks. Oh yea, and its free."
(website)
Central Astoria's Waterfront Concert-Independence Celebration
Friday, Jun 29, 2007
7:30 pm
Celebrating 25 years of Waterfront Concerts
Independence Celebration featuring an evening of Big Band with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra followed by a spectacular Grucci fireworks display.
Location: Astoria Park Lawn - Shore Blvd. between Hell Gate Bridge and the Pool
(website)
10th Annual Liberty World Outrigger Competition
Saturday, Jun 30, 2007 - All Day
Take front row seats in Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park or the Main Street section of Brooklyn Bridge Park for the 10th Annual Liberty World Challenge. Teams from across the globe will start from the East River and race a course on the New York Harbor.
(website)
Norah Jones
Friday, July 6
7:00am – 9:00am (NOTE: this is in the morning!!)
Upper Terrace
Come to the park to see your favorite artist, as well as say hello to GMA's Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Chris Cuomo, and Sam Champion. If you want to get as close to the stage as possible, arrive at the park no later than 7:00 a.m.
For information about the series, go to abcnews.go.com/GMA.
Fan Yang, Bubble Artist
Saturday, July 7
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Bryant Park Reading Room
Join our soap bubble party as Fan Yang, star of the Gazillion Bubble Show, creates bubbles galore amidst a special story-time.
Favorite book characters and stories come alive, with author visits and special events geared for kids of all ages.
Rain Venue:
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
555 Fifth Avenue (at 46th Street)
212-697-3048
(website)
JellyNYC Presents the Boredoms
Saturday, Jul 7, 2007
3:00 PM
Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the legendary Japanese avant-garde rock band the Boredoms will debut 77 DRUM on 07/07/07 on the lawn of the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The band will lead 77 drummers in a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. Performance at 5:00. FREE! For further information about the event and JellyNYC, please visit www.jellynyc.com or email info@jellynyc.com
Location: Lawn, Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturdays
At the Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturdays, thousands of visitors enjoy free programs of art and entertainment each month from 5–11 p.m. All evening long, the Museum Café serves a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, and beverages, and a cash bar offers wine and beer. Parking is a flat rate of $4 starting at 5 p.m. All other Saturdays, the Museum closes at 6 p.m.
Please note that due to limited capacities, some Target First Saturday programs require tickets. Ticket lines often form 30 minutes before ticket distribution. Programs are subject to change.July 7, 2007
Schedule of FREE Programs
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Performance, Public Plaza, Outside Museum
Circus Amok delights with its unique brand of good old-fashioned circus fun.
6:00 p.m. Film, Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor
Watch Eddie Murphy in Coming to America (John Landis, 1988, 116 min., R), a classic comedy about an African prince who travels to New York to find his queen. Free tickets are available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.
6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Performance, Steinberg Family Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor
Create a wood tile mosaic. Free timed tickets are available at the Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Performance, Meet at the entrance to American Identities, 5th Floor
Brooklyn's Ferentz Lafargue reads from his new book Songs in the Key of My Life. Free tickets are available at the Visitor Center at 6 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Talk and Performance, Forum, 4th Floor
Hip hop ambassador Toni Blackman discusses and performs her work. Free tickets are available at the Visitor Center at 6 p.m.
8:00 p.m. Young Voices Gallery Talk, 5th Floor
Student guide Laura Su gives a tour on African American artists.
8:30 p.m. Film, Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor
See the award-winning film Walk the Line (James Mangold, 2005, 136 min., PG-13) about the life of American country legend Johnny Cash, starring Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix. Free tickets are available at the Visitor Center at 7:30 p.m.
9:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. Dance Party, Museum Parking Lot, Behind Museum
Afro-Punk Festival with DJs CX Kidtronik and King Cole, and bands The Exit and the Dragons of Zynth.
Dance at the National Museum of the American Indian
DATE: Jul 10 & 11 & 12, 2007
TIME: 11:00am
PRICE: Free
Learn Indian social dances in this interactive program led by skilled Native American dancers. This program runs at 11am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.
TYPE: Dance
LOCATION: National Museum of the American Indian, One Bowling Green
PHONE: 212-514-3700
(website)
Spoon
DATE: Jul 11, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
On the heels of their sixth album release, one of the most acclaimed bands in indie music delivers a rocking concert including some of their latest material.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Rockefeller Park
PHONE: 212-945-0505
(website)
Strange Fruit
DATE: Jul 12, 2007
TIME: 11:00am
PRICE: Free
Making its New York City debut, this Melbourne-based company performs a remarkable style of work that incorporates dance, theater and circus, while perched atop 12-foot tall, flexible poles.
Performances at 12:00pm, 1:00pm & 2:00pm
Running time: 30 minutes.
TYPE: Theater
LOCATION: WFC Plaza
PHONE: 212-945-0505
(website)
Ron Sexsmith
DATE: Jul 12, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
Sexsmith's music offers hard-earned pieces of wisdom, all set to strong, yet gentle melodies and sung with emotional eloquence and genuine soul. These are his creative signatures, and they have earned the Toronto-based singer/songwriter immense respect from his peers, critics, and a devoted international audience.
Two free tickets per person will be distributed at the Castle on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 5:00pm on the day of the show.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park
PHONE: 212-835-2789
(website)
Noche Flamenca / Andrew J. Nemr & CPD Plus / Darrah Carr Dance
Thursday, July 12, 7:30pm
This internationally acclaimed Madrid troupe practices flamenco in its purest, most passionate incarnation. "Powerfully raw in its sensuality . . . spellbindingly visceral." (Dallas Morning News) The hot young hoofers of CPD PLUS and the modern influenced Irish step of DARRAH CARR make it a far ranging evening of percussive dance.
(website)
Strange Fruit Presents Swoon!
Saturday, Jul 14, 2007
FREE! PERFORMANCES AT 4:00pm, 6:00pm, and 8:00pm
Australia's Strange Fruit is a Melbourne-based open-air performing arts company that produces and performs a remarkable style of work that fuses theater, dance, and circus, using the unique elevated medium of sway poles. For their first U.S. tour, the Company will present Swoon! – a 20-minute performance where four daredevil Australians tell a spectacular story of love, loss, joy and freedom up on high. Performance will take place on the lawn of the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of the Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Location: Lawn, Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of Brooklyn Bridge Park
(website)
BPC Parks' Family Square Dance
DATE: Jul 14, 2007
TIME: 6:30pm
PRICE: Free
Swing your partner to Western Caravan playing country, swing and honky-tonk standards. Don Coy calls the dances. All ages. No partners necessary.
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: Esplanade Plaza at Liberty Street, Battery Park City
PHONE: 212-267-9700
(website)
Explore the Port of New York aboard 1885 Schooner Pioneer
DATE: Jul 14, 2007
TIME: 1:00pm
PRICE: Call for details.
Sail New York harbor aboard our historic vessel and learn about the history of this great world port. Call for reservations.
TYPE: Nature
LOCATION: South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton Street
PHONE: 212-748-8757
(website)
Summer Stars --Makoto Nakura, Marimba
(yee-haw! Marimba! Come on, we have to go to this one!)
DATE: Jul 16, 2007
TIME: 7:30pm
PRICE: Free
"A dynamo of energy and virtuosity," this exciting marimbist has toured extensively throughout the USA and Japan. This concert will feature the New York premiere of "The Story of Aoyagi," written specifically for Mr. Nakura. Tickets required: available after 4:00PM day of show.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University, Spruce Street entrance
(website)
Avenue Q The Drowsy Chaperone The Phantom of the Opera Tarzan Rent
Thursday, July 19
12:30pm – 1:30pm
The Lawn at Bryant Park<>
The most popular musicals on and off Broadway perform their biggest hits.
(website)
Drive-By Truckers
DATE: Jul 19, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
Equal parts back-porch historians and poets of living the hard life, the Truckers deliver an ironic and gutsy sound that has set the bar higher for southern rock. Their three front men/guitarists/songwriters: Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley and Jason Isbell, make for a triumvirate that would crumble a lesser band. Two free tickets per person will be distributed at the Castle on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 5:00pm on the day of the show.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park
PHONE: 212-835-2789
(website)
John Mayer & Special Guest
Friday, July 20
7:00am – 9:00am (yeah, it's in the morning again)
Upper Terrace
Come to the park to see your favorite artist, as well as say hello to GMA's Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Chris Cuomo, and Sam Champion. If you want to get as close to the stage as possible, arrive at the park no later than 7:00 a.m.
(website)
Free Friday at South Street Seaport Museum
DATE: Jul 20, August 17, 2007
TIME: 5:00pm
PRICE: Free
Free admission to our museum, with special cultural programming for adults and kids.
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton Street
PHONE: 212-748-8568
(website)
Riders in the Sky with The Carolina Chocolate Drops
DATE: Jul 25, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
The Chocolate Drops, an African-American fiddle and banjo band playing in the Carolinas' piedmont tradition, open for the legendary Riders, the multi-Grammy®-winning troubadour band of Western cowboy music.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: Rockefeller Park
PHONE: 212-945-0505
(website)
Xanadu Monty Python's Spamalot The Lion King Curtains Stomp
Thursday, July 26
12:30pm – 1:30pm
The Lawn
The most popular musicals on and off Broadway perform their biggest hits.
(website)
The Urban Backyard Vintner
Wine Making in Brooklyn
(I REALLY want to do this one, and if you want to, too, let me know! Please!)
You don't have to live in the Mediterranean to make good wine! This course will introduce you to the art of wine making, using grapes easily procured or grown locally, and also provide a brief overview of wine culture in human history. We'll end with a tasting of homemade wine to complement what we've learned. Specific topics include pertinent definitions and concepts for the budding oeneophile, and varietal characteristics of popular wines. Wines from both the classic wine grape, Vitis vinifera, and hybrid grape species will be reviewed. Then delve into the process of both white and red wine production as we discuss equipment requirements, sugar and acidity (including pH of the must), yeast selection, fermentation methods, clarifying processes, storage/aging, and bottling the wine. We'll point out expected challenges and common wine faults so that you can produce a vintage worthy of a connoisseur. Students must be at least 21 years of age to participate in the wine tasting. Materials fee covers all handouts and wine samples.
Section A: Saturday, July 28 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Section B: Saturday, July 28 2–5 p.m.
$39 member, $44 nonmember (Fee includes $10 materials charge.)
Registration Information
Seaport Music -- A Night of Billie Holiday Remixed and Reimagined
DATE: Aug 03, 2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free
Presented by Turntables on the Hudson, this amazing night will feature DJs Nickodemus, Jazzy Nice, + Nappy G on percussion & Jay Rodriguez of Groove Collective on the saxophone. Come experience a legend as you've never heard her before.
TYPE: Music
LOCATION: South Street Seaport, Pier 17
PHONE: 212-SEAPORT
(website)
Chew on This!
DATE: Aug 25, 2007
TIME: 1:00pm
PRICE: Free with South Street Seaport Museum Admission
Learn about the history of chewing gum, Adams NY Gum #1 and make a pack of chewing gum from scratch.
TYPE: Family
LOCATION: 12 Fulton Street
PHONE: 212-748-8753
(website)
Additionally -- if you want to do any kind of outdoor big band dancing and don't have a partner, call me! I love that kind of stuff!
Also, if you want to catch Shakespeare in the Park, I'd love to try to swing that, too!
CRAP! THINGS I FORGOT:
Make Music NY
On Thursday, June 21, New York joins 340 other cities around the world to host a day of free, outdoor music-making. From Metropolitan Opera singers to high school rock bands, church choirs to underground MCs, Tuvan throat singers to Salsa bands, punk rockers to string quartets, there's something for everyone.
(website)
The ARChive of Contemporary Music's Summer Record & CD sale. WHY: To raise money to help fund the ARChive : a not-for-profit music library with over 2 million sound recordings - America's largest and BEST popular music collection. WHERE: At our ground floor office: 54 White St. 3 short blocks south of Canal, between Broadway & Church in Tribeca Take the 1 train to Franklin, or any train to Canal. WHEN: Saturday, JUNE 23 – Sunday, JULY 1 Everyday 11 am. to 6 pm
(website)
"Metrodress"
Details: Russian journalist Nina Vishneva was inspired by the 2005 MTA transit strike to fashion frocks made of NYC MetroCards. Her handiwork is displayed at Citigroup Center as part of the ongoing Russian Heritage Festival.
Venue: Atrium at Citigroup Center
Travel: E, V to Lexington Ave–53rd St; N, R, W to Lexington Ave–59th St; 6 to 51st St.
Address: 153 E 53rd St
Phone: 212-687-6118
This week's schedule: June 21 7am-9pm, June 22 7am-9pm, June 25 7am-9pm, June 26 7am-9pm, June 27 7am-9pm, June 28 7am-9pm, June 29 7am-9pm
Prices: Free
(website)
New York Book Festival
The 2007 New York Book Festival will take place on Sat. June 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. near the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. The event is free and open to the public and includes author readings, live music, children's storytelling, clowns performing children's face-painting and twisting balloon animals, book signings, vendor demonstrations and food, all in the graceful confines of the world's greatest park!
Directions to the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park:
1) Enter park at 72nd Street and 5th Avenue
2) Follow path into park and through traffic light, bearing left
3) Walk straight and you'll see Bethesda Fountain on your right and the Naumburg Bandshell on your left.
(see website for schedule and authors)
Smith Street Fun Day
Smith St between Bergen and Carroll Sts, Brooklyn (718-852-0328). Subway: F, G to Bergen St, Carroll St. 11am–6pm.
Sunday June 24
(website)
Cheese Eating Contest of 2007!!!
On Sunday June 24th at 2pm as part of the Smith St. fair, we will host our 1st annual cheese eating contest outside of Smith & Vine (268 Smith Street between Sackett St. & Degraw St.) at 2pm sharp. Contestants will have to show up by 1:45 and no later! There are only 20 spaces available and registration is a first come first serve basis. The Grand Prize is the "Big Cheese Title Belt", which will be displayed at Stinky Bklyn with your name for a full year. You must be 18 to enter, everyone gets a Stinky T-Shirt and Registration is FREE! Come compete for glory! Come challenge the true warriors of cheese! Come find out how much Cantal you can cram down in 1 minute!
To register, please call 718.522.7425
(website)
Thursday, July 13, 2006
things to do this summer (and i'm taking volunteers!)
As my show winds down, I'm going to start having free time on the weekends, and continuing to have some free time on weeknights, and there are SO MANY things to do in New York, that have narrowed down a few of them, and present them for your interest, education and pleasure.
And, if you're free to do any of them, let me know, and we'll see if we can do it together!
These first few are ongoing:
Saturdays 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Downtown Boathouse
Kayaking on the Hudson
Facilitated by The Downtown Boathouse, kayaks are available for short 20-minute paddles on the river. The only requirements are that you know how to swim and have fun! Boathouse staff will supply life jackets, kayaks, paddles, and some tips on paddling. Please wear a bathing suit, or shorts and a t-shirt. Weather permitting only. For daily weather status: (646) 613-0740.
Location: 72nd Street and the Hudson River
Saturdays 1-5
CHELSEA PIERS
Rollerskating for free! ($19 skate rental)
Chelsea Piers outdoor rink hosts outdoor skating. Admission is free with a $19 skate rental
Location: Pier 62 at 23rd Street
(212) 336-6200
Bryant Park: Bryant Park Knits Mondays, April 17 - October 16
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Free knitting lessons. Experienced instructors from Knit New York on 14th Street provide beginners with step by step methods and experts with insights and challenges. Come to watch. Come to learn. Come to knit.
If you are already knitting, bring your project and share ideas & secrets with other enthusiasts. Yarn and needles are supplied for beginners. Starter kits are available for sale.
Classes are limited to 20 people. Please pre-register by calling 212-387-0707, or take a chance and stop by.
Location: Bryant Park
Select Fridays: May 12, June 9, Sept 22, Oct 13, 11:30 am-1:30 pm
Gone Fishing
Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park (Battery Park City)
Join Master Anglers and cast away stress during the lunch hour with relaxing fishing. Equipment and bait provided.
more info here
Select Saturdays and Sundays.River SwimsOpportunities to swim in the beautiful Hudson. Co-sponsored by Manhattan Island Foundation.
¥ Aquathon, Freedom Tower: 8:45 am; and Cove to Cove Swim, 9:00 am, Sunday, July 23; South Cove to North Cove¥ Race for the River Swim: Sunday, July 23, 9:30 am; Pier 62 to North Cove
Go here or call 888.NYC.SWIM for registration.
July 10-17
Restaurant week in NYC
You know the deal. This site lists participating restaurants
Horseback riding in Prospect Park
Kensington Stables (go here for more info)
You can rent a ride for $25 an hour, and can get lessons if youre a novice. Bring a cowboy hat and a hot guy and pretend to wish that you could quit him!
August 8 - September 3, 8:00 pm
Central Park: Shakespeare in the Park - Mother Courage and Her Children
This world premiere production of the Bertolt Brecht play stars Meryl Streep. Translated by Tony Kushner, directed by George C. Wolfe, original music by Jeanine Tesori.
In Brecht's seminal work, we follow Mother Courage over a period of 12 years as one by one her children are taken away by a vicious war. As she seeks to profit from the war that is killing her children, she questions the roles of honesty, virtue, and family in the face of a bitter struggle for survival.
Pick up your free tickets on the day of the performance, beginning at 1:00 pm line usually begins to form early morning at the Delacorte Theater, or from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street.
More Event Info>>
Wednesday nights, 8:30 pm
Pier 54. 14th St. & West St.
Enjoy all-time great movies under the stars! Every Wednesday evening at Hudson River Parks Pier 54 (Quirky Themed Movie Series Films are generally rated Pg-13 and R) and Friday evening on Hudson River Parks Pier 46 (Family oriented movies).
Movies begin at dusk (generally around 8:30pm.) Seating is available. Free Popcorn. Beverages and snacks are for sale.
Wednesdays: July 5 through Aug 23.
Location: Pier 54. 14th St. & West St.
And these are date-specific
Thursday, Jul 13, 2006, 7:30 pm
Asser Levy Seaside Park
Seaside Summer Concert Series presents: "Sweet Sounds of Soul" featuring the incomparable Al Green and special guest Funk Brother Jack Ashford & The Original Motown Sound.
For the best in family entertainment, Asser Levy Seaside Park is the place to be every Thursday night from July 13th to August 24th. Enjoy the free shows!
The public can bring their own chairs or rent them for $5/chair in a specially designated area ($10 on 7/13, 7/27, 8/10 & 8/17).
Location: West 5th and Surf Avenue, opposite the New York Aquarium.
Saturday, Jul 15, 2006
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Coney Island
Village Voice Siren Music Festival
This free, all-day, all-ages, music festival will feature live international, national, local bands and DJs performing on two outdoor stages in historic Coney Island. Now in its sixth year, the Village Voice Siren Music Festival has solidified its status as a leading outdoor music festival, drawing over 100,000 music fans the past three years, establishing itself as a leader in showcasing indie rock veterans and emerging artists.
The 2006 festival line up will be announced shortly. For general information please call The Village Voice Siren Music Festival Hotline: 212-475- 4022 or go here.
Location: Coney Island
Thursday, July 27th 6:00pm-7:30pm
Washington Square Park
Romashka Experience the kinetic rhythms, wild playing, and delicious harmonies of this soulful gypsy folk band. Located at the Southeast Plaza Stage.
More info here
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006
7:30 pm
Celebrate Brooklyn!: Dracula with Philip Glass & Kronos Quartet / Slavic Soul Party
World-renowned composer PHILIP GLASS' collaboration with the genre defying KRONOS QUARTET on an original score to the 1931 camp-horror classic DRACULA resulted in one of the great film soundtracks of all time. Glass and Kronos reunite at Celebrate Brooklyn to perform the score live for the first time since 2001. SLAVIC SOUL PARTY's toothsome combo of Gypsy brass, Balkan anthems, and hip-grinding funk will make you want to bite someone on the neck.
Keep It Great, Give $3 at the Gate!
more event info
Location: Prospect Park Bandshell
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006
8:30 pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park: Movies with a View - Pee Wee's Big Adventure
This year's theme is "Movies in Motion" - get set for some of Hollywood's most incredible journeys and road movies. Music starts at 6 pm; movie starts at sunset.
More Event Info>>
Friday, July 28th 8:00pm-9:00pm
Washington Square Park
Fireless Fireworks The Madagascar Institute crafts the thunder, pulses, screeches and colors of a fireworks display without the use of a single pyrotechnic. Located at the Fountain
More info here
Friday, Aug 04, 7:00 pm
Sunset on the Hudson/David Ippolito
Enjoy the sunset on the Hudson every Friday from June 9th to August 25th. It's the perfect way to wind down the work week.
David Ippolito (a.k.a. The Guitar Man) has been playing in New York City for 15 years. His avid following enjoys both original and cover songs that are of a folk style. You can enjoy Davids original songs, which bring out his unique perspective on life, along with the beautiful sunset from the spectacular, grass-covered pier 45 that stretches 900 feet into the majestic Hudson River.
Phone number: 212-627-2020
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 45 at Charles Street.
Saturday, Aug 05, 1:30 pm
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: Dance with Folk Feet
Move your feet with the Brooklyn Art Councils world traditional dance troupe. Featuring performers from the spectrum of international communities whose New World home is Brooklyn.
Yahaya Kamate - Ivory Coast koukou.
Sheren Attal - Middle East debkah.
King Uprock and Tiny Love - Brooklyn-style uprocking and electric boogie.
Joanna Barry and Martin Connolly - Irish reels and jigs.
Location: South Plaza is directly south of the Josie Robertson Plaza and Lincoln Center Fountain, at West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.
More info: Lincoln Center
Sunday, Aug 06, 7:00 pm
Hudson River Park's MoonDance: Tango
Dance the night away under the stars with music from New Yorks hottest dance bands on Sunday evenings no experience necessary. Featured styles include swing, tango and salsa. Free Dance lessons begin at 6:30pm courtesy of Dance Manhattan. Live bands go on at 7pm!
Featuring Eternal Tango.
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 54 located at 13th Street and the West Side Highway. Enter at West 14th St.
Phone number: 212-627-2020
Hudson River Park Trust
Saturday, August 12th 8:30pm-10:00pm
Washington Square Park
The Fire Within Professional fire dancers mesmerize with a dazzling array of fire accessories that swing, twirl, toss, and spin. Located at the Fountain.
More info here
Saturday, Aug 12, 19, 26 12:00 pm
A Country House in Manhattan
Manhattan's oldest house began its history as Colonial Roger Morris's "Gentleman's Farm" in Colonial New York, became a Revolutionary War headquarters to Washington, and finally a "Chateau in the Heights" to Madame Eliza Jumel in the 19th century. Today you can take a guided tour of its 11 period rooms decorated in the Colonial, Federal and Empire styles and learn about is fascinating history and inhabitants.
More Event Info>>
Location: Morris-Jumel Mansion, Roger Morris Park - 65 Jumel Terrace at 160th St.
Saturday, Aug 12, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Central Park SummerStage: Soul to Soul
This is a music event with a suggested donation of $30 as the 2nd Annual Benefit for the New Orleans' Musicians Clinic by Central Park SummerStage.
SummerStage will present its second annual Soul to Soul benefit to pay tribute to the resilience and spirit of the Big Easy in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. The festivities will help to raise money for the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, the non-profit medical center whose aid for the areas music-makers is needed now more than ever.
Admission to all free performances is on a first-come, first-served basis, no tickets required. Gates open 90 minutes prior to performances on weekends and at benefit concerts, and 60 minutes prior to performances on weekdays. All SummerStage performances are rain or shine.
More Event Info>>
Location: Rumsey Playfield, Central Park - enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Ave on the east side or at 72nd Street & Central Park West on the west side
Sunday, Aug 13, 7:00 pm
Hudson River Park's MoonDance: Swing
Rollickin roadhouse boogie is the heart and soul of George Gees Jump, Jive & Wailers, an electrifying 10-piece band that has kept dance floors pulsating from coast to coast. Dance the night away under the stars to their music no experience necessary. Free Dance lessons begin at 6:30pm courtesy of Dance Manhattan. The live band goes on at 7pm.
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 54 located at 13th Street and the West Side Highway. Enter at West 14th St.
More info: Hudson River Park Trust
Tuesday, Aug 15, 8:15 pm
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: Carpetbag Brigade Physical Theater Company
Brilliant red, nine-foot tall stilt characters rise, fall, and suspend one another with daredevil lifts and stunts in the Carpetbag Brigade Physical Theater Companys Mudfire, a spellbinding tale of destruction and rejuvenation.Inspired by the cycles of regeneration after forest fires, Mudfire is an acrobatic, stilt-walking fairy tale that enchants children and mystefies adults.
Location: Damrosch Park, located at the southwest corner of the Lincoln Center Plaza, at 62nd Street near Amsterdam Avenue.
More Information: Lincoln Center
Saturday, August 19th 10:30am and again at 12:30pm
Washington Square Park
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre: The Princess, the Emperor and the Duck One of the only public marionette theatres left in the US, these puppeteers bring this magical tale gloriously to life. Located at the Southeast Plaza Stage.
More info here
4:00pm-10:00pm
Quiet Disco DJs spin music transmitted directly to wireless headphones, and people dance like crazy to sounds no one else can hear. Bring your own FM headphones, or borrow a pair from presenters The Madagascar Institute. Located on the Big lawn (northwest quadrant).
More info here
Tuesday, Aug 22, 6:00 and 6:45pm
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: Czechoslovak American Marionette Theatre
Conceived by Vit Horejs, Artistic Director of the Czechoslovak Marionette Theater and performed by members of the Czechoslovak American Marionette Theater, this performance piece with puppets, music and dance explores four centuries of immigrant life in the cultural melting pot of the East Village. The title is derived from the bittersweet autobiographical account of artist Yuri Kapralovs life in this turbulent, eclectic neighborhood.
Location: South Plaza is directly south of the Josie Robertson Plaza and Lincoln Center Fountain, at West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.
More Information: Lincoln Center
Thursday, Aug 24, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Central Park: Dancing on the Plaza
Dancing outdoors under the stars, featuring live music and a 45-minute dance lesson. Each week dance to a different style of music. FREE.
Location: Central Park - The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues
More Event Info>>
Saturday September 9
East River
Brooklyn Bridge Swim
Manhattan Island Foundation hosts about 150 swimmers in the first-ever Brooklyn Bridge Swim from South street seaport to Dumbo. Its a distance of one kilometer, requiring exertion roughly equivalent to running five miles.
Saturday, Sep 23, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fall in Love with Prospect Park
Hawk Weekend, 12 5 p.m.
Get up-close and personal with birds of prey and learn about the resident raptors of Prospect Park. Discover how these creatures raise their young, catch their prey, and build their homes. Hand puppets, hawk costumes, interactive games, and crafts. Audubon Center. Free.
Harvest Fair, 1 4 p.m.
History you can touch! Harvest and cook potatoes, churn butter, make apple cider, watch a spinster spinning flax into linen thread, and make instruments from gourds. Lefferts Historic House. Free.
More Event Info>>
this is a really good place to look for things to do
And, if you're free to do any of them, let me know, and we'll see if we can do it together!
These first few are ongoing:
Saturdays 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Downtown Boathouse
Kayaking on the Hudson
Facilitated by The Downtown Boathouse, kayaks are available for short 20-minute paddles on the river. The only requirements are that you know how to swim and have fun! Boathouse staff will supply life jackets, kayaks, paddles, and some tips on paddling. Please wear a bathing suit, or shorts and a t-shirt. Weather permitting only. For daily weather status: (646) 613-0740.
Location: 72nd Street and the Hudson River
Saturdays 1-5
CHELSEA PIERS
Rollerskating for free! ($19 skate rental)
Chelsea Piers outdoor rink hosts outdoor skating. Admission is free with a $19 skate rental
Location: Pier 62 at 23rd Street
(212) 336-6200
Bryant Park: Bryant Park Knits Mondays, April 17 - October 16
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Free knitting lessons. Experienced instructors from Knit New York on 14th Street provide beginners with step by step methods and experts with insights and challenges. Come to watch. Come to learn. Come to knit.
If you are already knitting, bring your project and share ideas & secrets with other enthusiasts. Yarn and needles are supplied for beginners. Starter kits are available for sale.
Classes are limited to 20 people. Please pre-register by calling 212-387-0707, or take a chance and stop by.
Location: Bryant Park
Select Fridays: May 12, June 9, Sept 22, Oct 13, 11:30 am-1:30 pm
Gone Fishing
Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park (Battery Park City)
Join Master Anglers and cast away stress during the lunch hour with relaxing fishing. Equipment and bait provided.
more info here
Select Saturdays and Sundays.River SwimsOpportunities to swim in the beautiful Hudson. Co-sponsored by Manhattan Island Foundation.
¥ Aquathon, Freedom Tower: 8:45 am; and Cove to Cove Swim, 9:00 am, Sunday, July 23; South Cove to North Cove¥ Race for the River Swim: Sunday, July 23, 9:30 am; Pier 62 to North Cove
Go here or call 888.NYC.SWIM for registration.
July 10-17
Restaurant week in NYC
You know the deal. This site lists participating restaurants
Horseback riding in Prospect Park
Kensington Stables (go here for more info)
You can rent a ride for $25 an hour, and can get lessons if youre a novice. Bring a cowboy hat and a hot guy and pretend to wish that you could quit him!
August 8 - September 3, 8:00 pm
Central Park: Shakespeare in the Park - Mother Courage and Her Children
This world premiere production of the Bertolt Brecht play stars Meryl Streep. Translated by Tony Kushner, directed by George C. Wolfe, original music by Jeanine Tesori.
In Brecht's seminal work, we follow Mother Courage over a period of 12 years as one by one her children are taken away by a vicious war. As she seeks to profit from the war that is killing her children, she questions the roles of honesty, virtue, and family in the face of a bitter struggle for survival.
Pick up your free tickets on the day of the performance, beginning at 1:00 pm line usually begins to form early morning at the Delacorte Theater, or from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street.
More Event Info>>
Wednesday nights, 8:30 pm
Pier 54. 14th St. & West St.
Enjoy all-time great movies under the stars! Every Wednesday evening at Hudson River Parks Pier 54 (Quirky Themed Movie Series Films are generally rated Pg-13 and R) and Friday evening on Hudson River Parks Pier 46 (Family oriented movies).
Movies begin at dusk (generally around 8:30pm.) Seating is available. Free Popcorn. Beverages and snacks are for sale.
Wednesdays: July 5 through Aug 23.
Location: Pier 54. 14th St. & West St.
And these are date-specific
Thursday, Jul 13, 2006, 7:30 pm
Asser Levy Seaside Park
Seaside Summer Concert Series presents: "Sweet Sounds of Soul" featuring the incomparable Al Green and special guest Funk Brother Jack Ashford & The Original Motown Sound.
For the best in family entertainment, Asser Levy Seaside Park is the place to be every Thursday night from July 13th to August 24th. Enjoy the free shows!
The public can bring their own chairs or rent them for $5/chair in a specially designated area ($10 on 7/13, 7/27, 8/10 & 8/17).
Location: West 5th and Surf Avenue, opposite the New York Aquarium.
Saturday, Jul 15, 2006
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Coney Island
Village Voice Siren Music Festival
This free, all-day, all-ages, music festival will feature live international, national, local bands and DJs performing on two outdoor stages in historic Coney Island. Now in its sixth year, the Village Voice Siren Music Festival has solidified its status as a leading outdoor music festival, drawing over 100,000 music fans the past three years, establishing itself as a leader in showcasing indie rock veterans and emerging artists.
The 2006 festival line up will be announced shortly. For general information please call The Village Voice Siren Music Festival Hotline: 212-475- 4022 or go here.
Location: Coney Island
Thursday, July 27th 6:00pm-7:30pm
Washington Square Park
Romashka Experience the kinetic rhythms, wild playing, and delicious harmonies of this soulful gypsy folk band. Located at the Southeast Plaza Stage.
More info here
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006
7:30 pm
Celebrate Brooklyn!: Dracula with Philip Glass & Kronos Quartet / Slavic Soul Party
World-renowned composer PHILIP GLASS' collaboration with the genre defying KRONOS QUARTET on an original score to the 1931 camp-horror classic DRACULA resulted in one of the great film soundtracks of all time. Glass and Kronos reunite at Celebrate Brooklyn to perform the score live for the first time since 2001. SLAVIC SOUL PARTY's toothsome combo of Gypsy brass, Balkan anthems, and hip-grinding funk will make you want to bite someone on the neck.
Keep It Great, Give $3 at the Gate!
more event info
Location: Prospect Park Bandshell
Thursday, Jul 27, 2006
8:30 pm
Brooklyn Bridge Park: Movies with a View - Pee Wee's Big Adventure
This year's theme is "Movies in Motion" - get set for some of Hollywood's most incredible journeys and road movies. Music starts at 6 pm; movie starts at sunset.
More Event Info>>
Friday, July 28th 8:00pm-9:00pm
Washington Square Park
Fireless Fireworks The Madagascar Institute crafts the thunder, pulses, screeches and colors of a fireworks display without the use of a single pyrotechnic. Located at the Fountain
More info here
Friday, Aug 04, 7:00 pm
Sunset on the Hudson/David Ippolito
Enjoy the sunset on the Hudson every Friday from June 9th to August 25th. It's the perfect way to wind down the work week.
David Ippolito (a.k.a. The Guitar Man) has been playing in New York City for 15 years. His avid following enjoys both original and cover songs that are of a folk style. You can enjoy Davids original songs, which bring out his unique perspective on life, along with the beautiful sunset from the spectacular, grass-covered pier 45 that stretches 900 feet into the majestic Hudson River.
Phone number: 212-627-2020
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 45 at Charles Street.
Saturday, Aug 05, 1:30 pm
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: Dance with Folk Feet
Move your feet with the Brooklyn Art Councils world traditional dance troupe. Featuring performers from the spectrum of international communities whose New World home is Brooklyn.
Yahaya Kamate - Ivory Coast koukou.
Sheren Attal - Middle East debkah.
King Uprock and Tiny Love - Brooklyn-style uprocking and electric boogie.
Joanna Barry and Martin Connolly - Irish reels and jigs.
Location: South Plaza is directly south of the Josie Robertson Plaza and Lincoln Center Fountain, at West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.
More info: Lincoln Center
Sunday, Aug 06, 7:00 pm
Hudson River Park's MoonDance: Tango
Dance the night away under the stars with music from New Yorks hottest dance bands on Sunday evenings no experience necessary. Featured styles include swing, tango and salsa. Free Dance lessons begin at 6:30pm courtesy of Dance Manhattan. Live bands go on at 7pm!
Featuring Eternal Tango.
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 54 located at 13th Street and the West Side Highway. Enter at West 14th St.
Phone number: 212-627-2020
Hudson River Park Trust
Saturday, August 12th 8:30pm-10:00pm
Washington Square Park
The Fire Within Professional fire dancers mesmerize with a dazzling array of fire accessories that swing, twirl, toss, and spin. Located at the Fountain.
More info here
Saturday, Aug 12, 19, 26 12:00 pm
A Country House in Manhattan
Manhattan's oldest house began its history as Colonial Roger Morris's "Gentleman's Farm" in Colonial New York, became a Revolutionary War headquarters to Washington, and finally a "Chateau in the Heights" to Madame Eliza Jumel in the 19th century. Today you can take a guided tour of its 11 period rooms decorated in the Colonial, Federal and Empire styles and learn about is fascinating history and inhabitants.
More Event Info>>
Location: Morris-Jumel Mansion, Roger Morris Park - 65 Jumel Terrace at 160th St.
Saturday, Aug 12, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Central Park SummerStage: Soul to Soul
This is a music event with a suggested donation of $30 as the 2nd Annual Benefit for the New Orleans' Musicians Clinic by Central Park SummerStage.
SummerStage will present its second annual Soul to Soul benefit to pay tribute to the resilience and spirit of the Big Easy in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. The festivities will help to raise money for the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, the non-profit medical center whose aid for the areas music-makers is needed now more than ever.
Admission to all free performances is on a first-come, first-served basis, no tickets required. Gates open 90 minutes prior to performances on weekends and at benefit concerts, and 60 minutes prior to performances on weekdays. All SummerStage performances are rain or shine.
More Event Info>>
Location: Rumsey Playfield, Central Park - enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Ave on the east side or at 72nd Street & Central Park West on the west side
Sunday, Aug 13, 7:00 pm
Hudson River Park's MoonDance: Swing
Rollickin roadhouse boogie is the heart and soul of George Gees Jump, Jive & Wailers, an electrifying 10-piece band that has kept dance floors pulsating from coast to coast. Dance the night away under the stars to their music no experience necessary. Free Dance lessons begin at 6:30pm courtesy of Dance Manhattan. The live band goes on at 7pm.
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 54 located at 13th Street and the West Side Highway. Enter at West 14th St.
More info: Hudson River Park Trust
Tuesday, Aug 15, 8:15 pm
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: Carpetbag Brigade Physical Theater Company
Brilliant red, nine-foot tall stilt characters rise, fall, and suspend one another with daredevil lifts and stunts in the Carpetbag Brigade Physical Theater Companys Mudfire, a spellbinding tale of destruction and rejuvenation.Inspired by the cycles of regeneration after forest fires, Mudfire is an acrobatic, stilt-walking fairy tale that enchants children and mystefies adults.
Location: Damrosch Park, located at the southwest corner of the Lincoln Center Plaza, at 62nd Street near Amsterdam Avenue.
More Information: Lincoln Center
Saturday, August 19th 10:30am and again at 12:30pm
Washington Square Park
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre: The Princess, the Emperor and the Duck One of the only public marionette theatres left in the US, these puppeteers bring this magical tale gloriously to life. Located at the Southeast Plaza Stage.
More info here
4:00pm-10:00pm
Quiet Disco DJs spin music transmitted directly to wireless headphones, and people dance like crazy to sounds no one else can hear. Bring your own FM headphones, or borrow a pair from presenters The Madagascar Institute. Located on the Big lawn (northwest quadrant).
More info here
Tuesday, Aug 22, 6:00 and 6:45pm
Lincoln Center Out of Doors: Czechoslovak American Marionette Theatre
Conceived by Vit Horejs, Artistic Director of the Czechoslovak Marionette Theater and performed by members of the Czechoslovak American Marionette Theater, this performance piece with puppets, music and dance explores four centuries of immigrant life in the cultural melting pot of the East Village. The title is derived from the bittersweet autobiographical account of artist Yuri Kapralovs life in this turbulent, eclectic neighborhood.
Location: South Plaza is directly south of the Josie Robertson Plaza and Lincoln Center Fountain, at West 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.
More Information: Lincoln Center
Thursday, Aug 24, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Central Park: Dancing on the Plaza
Dancing outdoors under the stars, featuring live music and a 45-minute dance lesson. Each week dance to a different style of music. FREE.
Location: Central Park - The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues
More Event Info>>
Saturday September 9
East River
Brooklyn Bridge Swim
Manhattan Island Foundation hosts about 150 swimmers in the first-ever Brooklyn Bridge Swim from South street seaport to Dumbo. Its a distance of one kilometer, requiring exertion roughly equivalent to running five miles.
Saturday, Sep 23, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fall in Love with Prospect Park
Hawk Weekend, 12 5 p.m.
Get up-close and personal with birds of prey and learn about the resident raptors of Prospect Park. Discover how these creatures raise their young, catch their prey, and build their homes. Hand puppets, hawk costumes, interactive games, and crafts. Audubon Center. Free.
Harvest Fair, 1 4 p.m.
History you can touch! Harvest and cook potatoes, churn butter, make apple cider, watch a spinster spinning flax into linen thread, and make instruments from gourds. Lefferts Historic House. Free.
More Event Info>>
this is a really good place to look for things to do
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