This Labor Day weekend is filled with things to do in all five boroughs. Enjoy the glorious weather and grab some tickets to the US Open or wander around the annual Greenwich Village Art Show. There are boat rides, photography lessons and street fairs galore to enjoy.
This weekend also marks the beginning of NY400 Week with the opening of New Amsterdam Village. NY400 Week is the weeklong, citywide celebration of 400 years of friendship between New York City and the Kingdom of the Netherlands that takes place from Tuesday, September 8 – Sunday, September 13. It all culminates on Harbor Day on Sunday, September 13 with a flotilla of ships, free bike rentals, outdoor concerts and other celebrations along six waterfront sites — The Battery, Battery Park City, Hudson River Park, Governors Island, Brooklyn Bridge Park and Snug Harbor. Check out the “Things to Look Forward To” section below for a list of all of the NY400 Week events that are coming up, in addition to our perennial favorite, the San Gennaro Festival.
Friday September 4
US Open Tennis, Arthur Ashe Stadium, Friday through Monday
There are still plenty of tickets available for this most prestigious Grand Slam tournament. Go to the following link to buy tickets: http://www.usopen.org/en_US/about/tickets/index.html?promo=topnav
Governors Island Swim
4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Spend the Friday before Labor Day jumping off a ferryboat and swimming around Governors Island. This challenging two-mile swim has great views of Lower Manhattan, Jersey City, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and, of course, Governors Island itself. If you’re not a swimmer but want to be part of the action, enroll as an event volunteer. There is an entry fee for swimmers but it’s free for spectators. Event kicks off at Governors Island. Contact info@nycswim.org to get more information.
New Amsterdam Village; Fri., Sept 4 – Sun., Sept. 13, 11am-7pm
Bowling Green Park, bet. Broadway and Beaver Street
Check out replicas of the traditional houses of New Amsterdam, a life size windmill and outdoor podium. Experience Dutch crafts, such as wooden shoe making, Delft blue painting and glass blowing. Sample traditional Dutch foods such as cheese, herring and ‘dollar’ pancakes, and purchase Dutch flower bulbs.
City Winery: Friday Evenings with Joseph Arthur Featuring Emily Wells; 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Joseph Arthur will be playing a very special residency at the City Winery, showcasing his musical and song writing talents alongside Emily Wells. Arthur has collaborated with many of today’s popular jam bands and chart toppers alike. He has toured with the likes of R.E.M., Ben Harper, and Gomez and has had his song “In the Sun” covered by Chris Martin of Coldplay and remixed by Justin Timberlake. Initially, Peter Gabriel discovered him in 1996. Gabriel liked Arthur enough to sign him to his record label, Real World. City Winery is at 155 Varick Street at Vandam Street. Call 212-608-0555 or visit www.citywinery.com for more information. COST: Bar Stools $20.00 / Reserved Tables $25.00 / Reserved Best Tables $25.00 / VIP Tables $25.00.
First Friday! Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m
Tour the Mansion and enjoy the opening of the museum’s fall exhibition of beautiful, early 19th-century botanical illustrations from the Royal Horticultural Society, music for flute and harp, and light refreshments. The free Bronx Seaside Trolley makes a continuous loop from Pelham Bay Park #6 subway station to Bartow-Pell to City Island. Reservations requested; please call (718) 885-1461 or email info@bpmm.org. The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum is at 895 Shore Road in Pelham Bay Park, Bronx. $5 adults, $3 seniors and children 6-17. Call (718) 885-1461 for more information or visit www.bartowpellmansionmuseum.org.
Fulton Street Follies Festival; Fulton Street from Water to Gold Street
Saturday August 5
Summer on the Hudson: Kayaking on the Hudson
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join the Downtown Boathouse for complimentary kayaking and explore the Hudson River first hand! No need to make a reservation; just walk right up and wait on (a bit of a) line. Paddle time is 20 minutes per slot (you can paddle more than once depending on crowds). Don’t worry if you’ve never kayaked before: the nautical experts provide the equipment and the know-how—all they ask is that you know how to swim, wear a life jacket, and have fun! Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult in the same boat. Weather permitting. Come to Riverside Park South, 72nd Street and the Hudson River.
Cross-Park Promenade in Central Park; 1:00 p.m.
You will see many surprises on this walk. A hidden bench that tells time, miniature boats powered by the wind, and a magnificent sculpture celebrating fresh water are just some of the sites on this east-to-west walk through the Park. Promenade begins inside the Park at Fifth Avenue and East 72nd Street, in front of the statue of Samuel F. B. Morse. Call 212-772-0210 or visit www.centralparknyc.org/walkingtours for more information.
Classic Blues Women: The Musical
3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
The new musical “Classic Blues Women” comes to Euclid/Pine Community Garden in Brooklyn. Come join the community for an evening of classic blues tunes from 1920s through the 1970s. Euclid/Pine Community Garden is at Pine Street & Dumont Avenue in Brooklyn. For more information call (212) 788-8070.
52nd Street Fall Festival; 11am – 6pm
52nd Street from Lexington – 7th Ave.
Fourth Avenue Festival
Fourth Ave between 8th and 14th Sts; 11am–6pm.
St. Bartholomew’s Church 52nd Street Festival
52nd Street between Lexington and 7th Avenues, 11 am – 6 pm.
Sunday August 6
Harlem Meer Performance Festival: ARC Gospel Choir
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join the Central Park Conservancy for the 2009 season of this popular FREE concert series that features the best in local emerging and established Latin, Jazz, World, and Gospel artists. Performances take place at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues, inside the Park). Please call (212) 860-1370 or visit www.centralparknyc.org/performancefestival for more information.
Labor Day Weekend Boat Ride
Pier 40; 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Join Friends of Hudson River Park for this end of summer Hudson River cruise with great views of the Statue of Liberty and the Park. All cruises launch from Hudson River Park’s Pier 40 at West Houston Street in Manhattan. By subway take the number 1 train to the Houston Street stop. Exit and walk west on Houston Street for five blocks and cross over the West Side Highway. Walk to the northern most end of the Pier 40 building and you will see the boat docked on your left hand side.
Tickets – Purchase tickets at www.fohrp.org. Adults – $20 Kids – $10 Friends of Hudson River Park Members and Business Partners – $15. Call 212-757-0981 for more information.
Curious Frog Theatre: Romeo & Juliet
4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Curious Frog will present a 90-minute, six-actor contemporary version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in Inwood Hill Park. With its Shakespeare in the Parks series, Curious Frog seeks to overcome cultural isolation and disconnect in today’s world by bringing timeless drama to audiences unable to attend more traditional venues in the city. The performances will in Inwood Hill Park at “The Peninsula”, just past the Nature Center. Free. Visit www.curiousfrog.org for more information.
Nature Photography Series: The Golden Hour in Van Cortlandt Park
7:00 p.m.
Photographers refer to the time surrounding sunset as the “golden hour” because of the beautiful soft light that can be captured. Come see the difference dynamic lighting can make in your photographs. All skill levels welcome. Please bring your camera, and a tripod is strongly recommended. Come to Van Cortlandt Park, Van Cortlandt Nature Center. Enter the park at West 246th Street and Broadway. Call 718-548-0912 for more information.
City Winery Sunday Night Concert; 8:00pm
Jonathan Edwards and Red Molly
Warm as summer sunshine, real as the truth, intimate as a long overdue visit between old friends … such is a Jonathan Edwards concert. Four decades into a stellar career of uncompromising musical integrity, the man simply delivers, night after night – songs of passion, songs of insight, songs of humor, all rendered in that pure and powerful tenor which, like fine wine, has only grown sweeter with age.
Red Molly consistently brings concert-goers to their feet withstunning three-part harmonies, crisp musicianship and a warm, engaging stage presence. They have earned a devoted and ever-widening fan base, and have begun to tour nationally. Laurie MacAllister, Abbie Gardner and Carolann Solebello have a lot of fun on stage, and it’s contagious.
The Boston Globe says: “Everything Red Molly sings is delivered with tick-tight arrangements, crystalline vocals, and caramel harmonies. But what is most striking is the ardor they bring to everything they do, whether snuggling into the sweet parochialism of an old spiritual, or the gritty pathos of a Gillian Welch tune. They come on less like stars strutting for their minions than pals sharing their favorite songs. In the friendly world of the coffeehouse, that remains a star-making quality.”
City Winery is at 155 Varick Street at Vandam Street. Call 212-608-0555 or visit www.citywinery.com for more information. COST: Bar Stools $25.00 / Reserved Tables $30.00 / Reserved Best Tables $35.00 / VIP Tables $35.00.
The 25th Annual Brazilian Day Festival
6th Ave. from 42nd – 56th St. & on 46th St. from Madison – 7th Ave.
Broadway Festival
Broadway between 8th and 14th Sts 11am–6pm.
Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
Mulberry Street between Canal Street & Houston Street
Avenue of the Americas Festival
Avenue of the Americas between West 42 and West 56 Streets
Some Things to Look Forward to:
Harbor Day; Sun., Sept. 13
Festivities span six major waterfront sites — The Battery, Battery Park City, Hudson River Park, Governors Island, Brooklyn Bridge Park and Snug Harbor – all linked by free rental bikes and hop-on/hop-off boat service. At each site, food, drink, entertainment and activities will commemorate this special moment in New York City history. Highlights include: a flotilla of modern and historic Dutch and American yachts and sailing vessels, an Oyster Festival, Harmony on the Hudson – a family music festival, children’s bike clinics at Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, Brooklyn Flea under the Manhattan Archway, kayaking, paddle boating, and much more. Check www.nycgo.com/harborday for times and updates.
New Island Festival; Thurs., Sept. 10 – Sun., Sept. 13 & Thurs, Sept. 17– Sun., Sept. 20.
Governors Island – Take the ferry from the Battery Maritime Building located adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in lower Manhattan. Direct from Holland, the festival includes concerts, DJ sets, provocative theatre and dazzling visual arts by world-class Dutch performers. Check out the U.S. premiere of Silent Disco – a joyous dance party where all the participants wear headphones. More than 100 artists are expected to perform at the Festival. Visit www.newislandfestival.com for more details, festival hours and directions.
New Amsterdam Village; Fri., Sept 4 – Sun., Sept. 13, 11am-7pm
Bowling Green Park, bet. Broadway and Beaver Street
Check out replicas of the traditional houses of New Amsterdam, a life size windmill and outdoor podium. Experience Dutch crafts, such as wooden shoe making, Delft blue painting and glass blowing. Sample traditional Dutch foods such as cheese, herring and ‘dollar’ pancakes, and purchase Dutch flower bulbs.
Bike NYC — Ride Dutch Bike for Free; Tues., Sept. 8 – Sat., Sept. 12, 11am-7pm
Bowling Green Park, bet. Broadway and Beaver Street
Bright orange NY400 bicycles will be available to the public to ride for free on a limited basis during NY400 week until Saturday evening. Experience the typical Dutch way to get around town and ride your Dutch bike to NY400 week events.
Flying Dutchman Sailing Race; Tue., Sept. 8-Thurs., Sept. 10, 11am-5pm & Sat., Sept. 12, 10am-2pm & 3-4pm
South of Governors Island
Best viewed from southern tip picnic area on Governors Island.*
Sixty sailboats, representing 14 countries, compete in championship races. *Course will vary based on wind conditions. Visit www.ny400.org for daily updates.
Replica of the Half Moon Wed., Sept. 9, 11am-3pm
Battery Park
The only existing replica of Henry Hudson’s Halve Maen annually re-traces the ship’s original 1609 voyage—which laid the foundation for the New Netherland colony and modern day New York City. Visit the ship and meet its crew.
Vermeer’s Masterpiece The Milkmaid Opens Thurs. Sept. 10
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, Manhattan
In honor of NY400, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum has loaned Vermeer’s most admired work—The Milkmaid—to the Met. It’s the first time The Milkmaid has been in the U.S since the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Several other paintings by Vermeer and fellow Dutch masters round out the exhibition.
Speed Dating with the Low Countries; Thurs., Sept. 10, 1pm-5pm
Roone Arledge Auditorium – Columbia University, 2920 Broadway at 115th Street
Learn about Dutch and Flemish culture at this free event, which features lessons in how to make Belgian chocolates, music from Flanders and the Netherlands, short films from young Dutch filmmakers, an appearance by Russell Shorto, author of the bestselling The Island at the Centre of the World, and more.
Arrival of the Fleet of Dutch Barges; Thurs., Sept. 10 – Sun. Sept. 13, late afternoon
Yankee Pier, Governors Island
17 leeboard vessels—not much different from the ones Henry Hudson and his crew used in exploring New York Harbor— will arrive at Yankee Pier on Governors Island. The boats will be at the pier through Harbor Day. (for viewing only)
Pioneers of Change
Governors Island Fri., Sept. 11, 10am-5pm; Sat.-Sun., Sept 12-13, 10am-6:15pm, Fri., Sept. 18, 10am-5pm, Sat.-Sun, Sept 19-20, 10am-6:15pm
Henry Hudson’s exploration paved the way for great change, and today’s Dutch artists, designers and architects are doing the same. This event—held in and around eleven Officer houses at Nolan Park—highlights the creative repair, recycling and re-use of discarded building materials, along with other innovative approaches to sustainable living. For more details visitwww.pioneersofchange.com.
Open House – Royal Netherlands Navy and NATO Ships Sat., Sept. 12, 10am-3pm
Brooklyn Marine Terminal, Piers 7 & 8
Explore royal Netherlands naval frigates and NATO ships and enjoy live music from the Royal Netherlands Navy Band during this “open decks open house.”
Replica of the Onrust Sat., Sept. 12 & Sun., Sept. 13 , 11am-5pm
South Street Seaport Museum, Pier 16
The Onrust was the first Dutch-built trading and exploration vessel in America, constructed in 1614 by Captain Adriaen Block and his crew after their original ship burned. Volunteers will demonstrate how the crew survived by using local resources and shipbuilding skills.
ING presents Dutch Dance DJ Event; Sat. Sept. 12. 2pm-5pm
NY Water Taxi Beach, Governors Island
Dutch DJ supplies the tunes and the Manhattan skyline is the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable day of dancing. Pre-registration is required; check www.newislandfestival.com for more details beginning September 6.
New Amsterdam: The Island at the Center of the World; Opens Sun. Sept. 13, 10am-6pm
South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton Street, bet. Front and Water Streets, Manhattan
Presented in conjunction with the Dutch National Archives, the exhibit includes the 1626 letter that notes the purchase of Manhattan for goods worth 60 guilders. Also, examine rare maps, plans and watercolors of what would become NYC, many of which have never before been seen in the United States.
82nd Annual Feast of San Gennaro
Thursday, September 10, 2009 through Sunday, September 20, 2009; Mulberry Street between Canal Street & Houston Street.
Although this is an annual celebration of faith, the Feast of San Gennaro is known the world over for its festive atmosphere, an 11-day event featuring religious processions and colorful parades, free musical entertainment every day, a wide variety of ethnic food delicacies, charming restaurants and cafes and even a world-famous cannoli-eating competition! The central focus of the celebration takes place every September 19th, the official Saint Day when a celebratory Mass is held in Most Precious Blood Church, followed immediately by a religious procession in which the Statue of San Gennaro is carried from its permanent home in the church through the streets that comprise Little Italy. Visit www.sangennaro.org for more information.
Photo of Red Molly is by David Plakke.
