By Debra Toppeta

Is there a better way to celebrate the first official weekend of summer than in New York City? We don’t think so. With so much to do in town, it’s no wonder you decided to skip the lines at Nick & Toni’s. While your friends will come home Sunday night hot and frazzled from too much sun, sand and way too much traffic, you’ll probably be topping off your stay-at-home weekend at a relaxing sidewalk café, watching them unpack the car. Here are just some of the things you can do.

FRIDAY JUNE 19, 2009

Central Park Summerstage: Comedy Central Park

8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Gabriel Iglesias and Pablo Francisco, two high-octane comics with unmatched vocal talents, perform at this third annual evening of stand-up comedy. Presented in association with Comedy Central.

Rumsey Playfield, Central Park (Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side). Contact info@summerstage.org for more information

Shakespeare in the Park: Twelfth Night

8:00 p.m.

Come see Anne Hathaway as she makes her Public Theater debut playing Viola, one of the canon’s most charming heroines. This beguiling comedy follows the romantic adventures of Viola and her identical twin Sebastian, both shipwrecked in the enchanted dukedom of Illyria. At the helm of this time-honored story of cross-dressing and mistaken identity, all in the name of love, is Tony Award-winning director Daniel Sullivan.

Free tickets are available both in person and online to the general public. Tickets start being distributed at 1 p.m. on the day of the performance–get there early to get one!

Delacorte Theater, Central Park. Free

Shakespeare in Riverside Park: The Tempest

6:30 p.m.

Join Hudson Warehouse, the Other Shakespeare in the Park, for their production of The Tempest, a classic Shakespeare play.

Riverside Park, North Patio of Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument (89th Street).  Free. Call (212) 870-3070 or contact mail@riversideparkfund.org

Good Morning America Summer Concert Series: Jamie Foxx

8:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m.

In the Good Morning America Summer Concert Series, a range of talented and famous musicians performs every Friday morning from May 22 to August 21. Today’s performance is by Jamie Foxx.

Central Park opens to the public at 6 a.m. and audience members will be permitted to enter the park starting then. Concerts are free and open to the public. Entrance is on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive at 6 a.m.  Rumsey Playfield, Central Park. Free

SATURDAY JUNE 20, 2009

Fitness Walking Programs in Fort Tryon Park

8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.

All are welcome for one hour of walking, stretching, strengthening, and body toning using only the park, your own bodies, and gravity. All levels welcome; the program will be modified to meet your level of ability. ?The program is free but pre-registration is required.  To register, email Nancy at healthwriter2@aol.com. For more information, call Linda at (212) 795-1388 ext. 304.

Meet in Fort Tryon Park at the entrance to the Heather Garden on Margaret Corbin Circle where Cabrini Boulevard and Fort Washington Avenue converge. Free.

Waterways & Vistas

9:30 a.m.

Walk in Central Park from the Dairy to Belvedere Castle and learn about the intricate design of Central Park’s web of pastoral landscapes and formal romantic vistas.

Meet outside the Dairy Gift Shop, mid-Park at 65th Street. Call (212) 794-4064 for more information.

Green Thumb’s Summer Solstice Block Party

10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Bring your friends to Green Thumb’s Annual Summer Solstice Block Party! This year’s event is hosted by the William A. Harris Garden in Manhattan, and is sure to be another great time for everyone. Event highlights include a BBQ, live music, the Parks Playmobile, face painting, and craft activities for kids. Located at the William A. Harris Garden (northwest corner of 153rd Street & St. Nicholas Avenue). Free. Contact (212) 788-8070 for more information.

A Road Once Traveled

11:00 a.m.

Holding the Park’s northern highlands was key in the American Revolution and the War of 1812 because armies could see their enemies approach as they sailed down the East River.  History buffs will love this tour of the Harlem Meer and its strategic environs.

Meet at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park (inside the Park at 110th Street, between Fifth and Lenox avenues). Free.  Contact (212) 860-1370 for more information.

A Clearing in the Forest: Swan Lake Ballet Workshop

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

This Saturday join the American Ballet Theater for a “Swan Lake” Ballet Workshop. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and enjoy an afternoon of multicultural fun in Central Park’s most intimate natural playground!

A Clearing in the Forest is the Central Park Conservancy’s series of FREE multicultural performances and family art workshops. Led by a range of established and emerging performing artists from some of New York City’s leading cultural institutions, and featuring live music and dance, puppets, storytelling, and crafts, these programs are fun for all ages.

Programs take place in The Peter Jay Sharp Children’s Glade* and on the Great Hill. Enter Central Park at West 106th Street. For more information, please visit www.centralparknyc.org/clearing.

The New Village Music Festival in Tompkins Square Park

11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

The New Village Music Festival was created as a vehicle to unite people of all ages and ethnicities and to be a free outdoor community concert that celebrates music, culture and community. It also highlights the importance of local community organizations that focus on music, performing arts, and cultural arts programs for children and families. This festival celebrates the past, the present, and the future of music by paying homage to traditional music while promoting elements of new fusion music. Free.

This year the Festival welcomes to the stage: ?Navegante (Electro Latin Funk), Under The Rasta Influence (Roots Reggae), Inti (Afro Hip Hop), Alvare (Latin Hip Hop), 1 Luv (R&B / Hip Hop), Motha Flores (Flamenco Latin Jazz), Randy Mason and The Crowd (Hip Hop Acoustic Soul), East Koast (Hip Hop), Bad Habitz (Hip Hop), Drew Torres (Solo Acoustic Pop Rock), Eye-N-See (Hip Hop), Marly Manhattan & Ovadose Eman (Hip Hop) and Youth Dancers Hotspot (Hip Hop / Reggae) and Unified (Mambo), The Legendary DJ Vieques (Classic Salsa, Hip Hop and Afro Caribbean Grooves).

Drawing on the Energies of the Garden

11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

First in a free series of five adult drawing classes in the garden with Barbara Slitkin. The garden itself will be a point of inspiration for all those who wish to develop perceptual and observational skills. Whether you are interested in learning to draw from life, or would enjoy exploring feelings abstractly, this series will allow for maximum flexibility and encourage personal creativity. No previous art training is required. Pencil and paper supplies will be provided, space permitting. To register, contact skrem@32@yahoo.com

The remaining classes will be held on Saturday at 11am in the garden on the following dates: June 27, and July 11, 18, 25.

Classes to be held at Dias Y Flores; 520-522 East 13th Street, between avenues A & B. Free

Take Me Out to the Ball Fame: 1864

12:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

Come out and watch costumed players play baseball the way it used to be played. The NY Mutuals will play another local vintage team in a game played by 1864 rules. A signed vintage baseball will be raffled off at the end of the game and the players will stay to play a game of round-up with the kids. Free popcorn and water will be available. Registration is requested, please call (718) 885-1461 or email info@bpmm.org to register.

Pelham Bay Park; Bartow-Pell Mansion (895 Shore Road); Bronx.  $15 per adult, $5 per child 6-17 and children under 6 years are free. Members: $10 per adult, $3 per child 6-17. Call (718) 885-1461 for more information.

Boomerang Theater Company: The Comedy of Errors

2:00 p.m.

The Boomerang Theater Company presents The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare, directed by Philip Emeott. There will be performances on the following dates:?June 20 - 21 2:00 p.m.?June 27 - 28 2:00 p.m. July 11 - 12 2:00 p.m.?July 18 - 19 2:00 p.m.

Performances will be held at 69th Street and Central Park West (the lawn between Strawberry Fields and Tavern on the Green). Free.

NYC LGBT Gay Pride Rally

2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.

This is the official NYC LGBT Pride Rally! The Rally will feature well-known performers and motivating speakers from the LGBT community to kick-off this year’s Pride Week events.

The first NYC LGBT Pride Rally occurred one month after the Stonewall Riots in June 1969 when 500 people gathered for a “Gay Power” demonstration in Washington Square Park. It was followed by a candlelight vigil in Sheridan Square. This event takes place in Bryant Park, is free and open to the public. No tickets are necessary

Laughter in the Park 2009

2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Laughter in the Park is New York’s only free outdoor comedy series. Every week, NYLaughs present two hours of comedy at one of six different city parks. This weekend see NYLaughs at Washington Square Park (Enter via Washington Square West). Call (718) 419-5515 or contact nylaughs@gmail.com for more information.

Central Park Summerstage: Definitely Poetry

3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Join urban green pioneer Majora Carter and friends in celebration of our planet with innovative and powerful spoken word artists, musicians, and visual artists. There will be performances by Earthdriver, Staceyann Chin, Jennifer Johns, Artbattles, and Urban Word NYC. Summerstage is held at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park (Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side). Contact info@summerstage.org for more information.

RCTA Sunset Concert: Classical Music w/the Gotham Winds Ensemble

7:00 p.m.

The RCTA Sunset Concert Series celebrates fabulous Riverside Park and represents the rich cultural diversity of the Upper West Side. Bring your picnic basket and blanket and join the Riverside Clay Tennis Association for this very popular music series. Join us for an evening of an evening Mozart, Handel, and other classical music performed by the renowned Gotham Winds Ensemble. Rain date: Sunday, June 21; 7 p.m. Located in Riverside at the 96th Street Tennis Court Lawn. Contact (212) 870-3078 for more information.

Times Square Expo; Seventh Avenue from 47^th to 57^th Streets

10th Precinct Community Council Street Fair

West 23rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues

Classic Car Show

9:00AM-5:00PM. Dag Hammarskjöld Park, East 47th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues

Cooper Square Committee Festival

Third Avenue between St. Mark’s Place and East 14th Street

SUNDAY JUNE 21, 2009

NYRR’s Annual Father’s Day Race Against Prostate Cancer

8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Join NYRR, ABC-7, and 1050 ESPN in Central Park to honor all dads at this special annual event featuring a co-ed 5-mile race and fun kids’ races. Help raise money and awareness in the fight against prostate cancer by donating when you register online or by forming a fundraising team. Awards and special recognition will be given to prostate cancer survivors. Visit www.nyrr.org/races/2009 for more information.

Tel Aviv Beach Party

11:00 a.m.

Who needs the Hamptons? In celebration of the Israeli city’s centennial, the famed Tel Aviv beach experience can be enjoyed by all New Yorkers.  The Tel Aviv Beach Party will feature leading Israeli bands, music, entertainment and vibe, and will transform the Naumberg Bandshell area in Central Park into an authentic Mediterranean beachfront. In addition, a 1,300 square foot sand section featuring beach chairs and umbrellas will allow sunbathing fans the perfect tanning experience. Visitors will be able to play Matkot (beach paddle ball) and Shesh-Besh (backgammon) – both classic beach games in Tel Aviv. Because no Tel Aviv beach party is complete without music, DJ Hadar Marks, Hatikva 6 (pictured above), Israel’s leading reggae band and the Israeli rock band, Flow will perform from noon to 3:00 pm. Free, except for food.

Father’s Day Canoeing

11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Bring Dad to Central Park for a fun-filled day of canoeing. Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. First-come, first-served. Ages 8+. Meet at Harlem Meer, near Lasker Pool. Free. Call (212) 628-2345 for more information.

Central Park Summerstage: Yannick Noah, Coralie Clément, & Mayra Andrade

3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

SummerStage joins the global Francophone community in celebrating chanson française (French song) with a line-up representing the diversity of French contemporary music. Presented in association with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. Summerstage is located at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park (Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side). Contact info@summerstage.org for more information.

Turtle Bay Festival; Lexington Avenue from 43^rd to 55^th Streets

19^th Annual Columbus Avenue Summer Festival; Columbus Avenue between 86^th and 96^th Streets

Christopher Street Festival

Christopher Street between Greenwich Avenue and 7th Avenue South

Make Music New York

West 45th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues

Make Music New York

Cornelia Street between West 4th and Bleecker Streets

Tags: A Clearing in the Forest, GreenThumb, NYC LGBT Gay Pride Rally, NYLaughs, NYRR, RCTA Sunset Concert, Shakespeare in Riverside Park, Shakespeare in the Park, Summerstage, Tel Aviv Beach Party

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