This weekend New York is bustling with street festivals, concerts, dancing and movies. We pity all those folks who are heading to the Hamptons this weekend. Just look at what they will be missing.
FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2009
RIVER DAY
Battery Park, State Street at Battery Place
Witness the spectacle of River Day, a nine-day event celebrating the voyage during which Henry Hudson discovered what would become New Amsterdam (and later New York). The June 5 launch party begins at 6pm, and culminates in a blessing of the fleet, a picnic and music. Before then, the boats will gather in New York Harbor between Battery Park and the Statue of Liberty—a spectacular sight best viewed from the Battery and Hudson River Park. City, Dutch and Native American dignitaries will be on hand for the historic occasion. The official River Day takes place on Saturday June 6, when a flotilla of boats, led by New York State heritage ships, embarks on the same course that Hudson used to explore the river in 1609.
For more information go to www.Exploreny400.com
WASHINGTON SQUARE MUSIC FESTIVAL
St. Josephs R.C. Church, 371 Sixth Avenue; 8:30pm
This West Village tradition brings classical music (and folk and jazz) to one of the City’s most beloved public spaces. If you’re a music aficionado, take advantage of this chance to hear acclaimed performers for free. Not yet an expert? The price is right to try something new. First come first served seating. Go to www.washingtonsquaremusicfestival.org for more information.
SHAKESPEARE IN RIVERSIDE PARK: THE TEMPEST
North Patio of Soldiers and Sailors’ Monument (89th Street); 6:30 p.m., FREE
Join Hudson Warehouse, the Other Shakespeare in the Park, for their production of The Tempest, the classic Shakespeare comedy. Visit www.riversideparkfund.org
MUSICAL PUPPET SHOW: PETER PAN & ADVENTURES IN NEVERLAND
The Swedish Cottage Central Park at 79th Street and the West Drive, 12:30pm
City Parks Foundation is proud to announce the launch of Peter Pan & Adventures in Neverland, a new musical marionette production. This fresh retelling of the children’s classic by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie has been adapted for the stage by playwright Zakiyyah Alexander and director Bruce Cannon, with an original score and lyrics by Daryl Kojak, hand-crafted marionettes by Addis Williams and Doug Strich, and costumes by Nicolas Coppola.
The show’s main characters include Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinker Bell, and Hook, with adaptations including a new setting in New York City, characters with U.S. rather than British sensibilities, and modifications that speak to modern cultural dynamics, like Tiger Lilly cast as a native of India rather than as a Native American.
Reservations are required. Tickets are $8/adults, $5/children. Group rates are available for schools and other large groups. For reservations, group rates, and information on private birthday parties, please call (212) 988-9093
HUDSON RIVER PARK PRESENTS: Sunset on the Hudson with Guitar Man David Ippolito
Pier 45 at Christopher Street; 7:00 p.m. FREE
Every Friday from June 5th through August 21st, enjoy the gorgeous sunset and mellow sounds of New York’s acclaimed Guitar Man David Ippolito from this spectacular grass covered pier that stretches 900 feet into the majestic Hudson River.
FILMS ON THE GREEN
Washington Square Park, 8:30pm, FREE
Films on the Green is going… green! For its second year running, the popular free outdoor French film festival will feature movies about the environment and the beauty of the natural world. Following the remarkable success of last year’s inaugural “Films on the Green,” the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation have once again joined forces to present a selection of seven critically acclaimed French films that will be screened every Friday at sunset in city parks during the months of June and July.
INTERNATIONAL JUNE BLOCK PARTY
East 84th Street between Park and Madison Avenues
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2009
MANHATTAN ADIRONDACKS
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park (inside the Park at 110th Street, between Fifth and Lenox avenues), 9:30 a.m. FREE.
Olmsted and Vaux designed the North Woods to replicate the forests and Adirondack Mountains, with their crystal streams, tumbling cascades, rustic bridges, and picturesque pools.
VETERANS MEMORIAL TOUR
Meeting location at Battery Park will be provided when you register. To register, please call (212) 628.2345 beginning at 9 a.m., Monday, May 25. Space is limited. FREE
This tour will travel Manhattan, exploring its war memorials and paying homage to those who have served. Geared towards veterans and those interested in history.
Transportation will be provided.
INWOOD ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS
Inwood Hill Park. Enter the park at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street; 8:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m. FREE
Every Wednesday and Saturday during 2009 (weather permitting), Northern Manhattan Parks and the Inwood Astronomy Project will offer free star and planet gazing in Inwood Hill and Fort Tryon Parks. Telescopes will be available for your use or bring your own.
Fort Tryon programs will be offered on the third Wednesday of each month. All other programs will occur in Inwood Hill Park. These free, family-friendly events aim to spread the joys of the evening sky, and help you to learn more about the nature of our Solar System and current happenings in Astronomy.
Astronomy programs are clear-sky dependent. Call the Inwood Astronomy Project Hotline for updates at (917) 529-2359. Please check times because schedules will change as the season progresses and days get longer
HOUSING WORKS OPEN AIR STREET FAIR
Crosby Street between Houston and Prince
ST.JOSEPH’S FIFTH ANNUAL STREET FAIR
East 87th Street between First and York Avenues
BLEECKER STREET FESTIVAL
Bleecker Street between 7th Avenue South and 8th Avenue
DOWNTOWN ARTS FESTIVAL
East 4th Street between Bowery and 2nd Avenue
MEN WHO COOK OUT
West 115th Street between Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard
SECOND AVENUE STREET FESTIVAL
Second Avenue between East 14th and East 23rd Streets
SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2009
NYRR NEW YORK MINI 10K; Central Park, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The original women-only road race, the “Mini” continues the tradition of celebrating all that is good about women’s running. A professional field of the world’s fleetest female distance runners will lead thousands of women on a 10K course through Central Park. The race started in 1972 with just 78 participants and has been on the NYRR annual calendar ever since. It may be too late to register, but it is always a marvel to watch these elite athletes. Poetry in motion.
NY LAUGHS: LAUGHTER IN THE PARK 2009
Union Square Park, South Plaza; 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Laughter in the Park is New York’s only free outdoor comedy series. Every week, NYLaughs presents two hours of comedy at one of six different city parks. NYLaughs, Inc. is a unique non-profit that wants to change the cultural landscape of the Big Apple through humor. They seek to elevate the comic arts and provide laughter for free to New Yorkers on a consistent basis by producing free live comedy shows in New York City’s public spaces; from its parks and streets to its subways. NYLaughs wants to make New York a better place through laughter! Contact nylaughs@gmail.com or call (718) 419-5515 for more information.
SUMMER ON THE HUDSON: Let’s Dance!
Riverside Park South, Pier I; 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Learn to dance like a pro at these salsa, cha-cha and bachata lessons and group dances led by master teachers from the Piel Canela Dance and Music School. Contact robin.schatell@parks.nyc.gov for more information.
PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY COUNCIL PARADE
East 40th Street and Madison Avenue, Madison Avenue between East 28th and East 40th Streets
EGG ROLLS AND EGG CREAMS BLOCK PARTY
Eldridge Street between Canal and Division Streets
AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS FESTIVAL
Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) between West 42nd and West 56th Streets
THIRD AVENUE FESTIVAL
3rd Avenue between East 66th and East 86th Streets
MADISON AVENUE FESTIVAL
Madison Avenue between East 23rd and East 26th Streets
