MAYOR BLOOMBERG HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF THE MANY FREE AND LOW-COST ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER TO NEW YORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES Call 311 or Visit NYC.gov for More Information on these Events and Many Others
In honor of the summer season, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today outlined some of the free and low-cost, family-friendly cultural activities occurring throughout the five boroughs. There are countless opportunities for New Yorkers and visitors to experience the creativity that makes New York City a great place to live, work and visit. New York City offers hundreds of events, exhibits and performances that are free or low-cost to the public. Call 311 or visit NYC.gov for more information on these and other programs.
“Every summer, public spaces in all five boroughs host exhibitions, performances, movies and more that give New Yorkers and visitors the opportunity to access some of the most exciting work our remarkable creative community has to offer,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Our Administration is proud to work with arts groups and community partners to bring this summer programming – much of it at little or no cost – to audiences as diverse as the City itself.”
FESTIVALS AND CONCERTS
New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks
Since 1965, New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks have provided New Yorkers with an opportunity to hear the best classical music under the stars. This summer, Music Director Alan Gilbert leads four free outdoor concerts and the New York Philharmonic Brass gives a Free Indoor Concert at the College of Staten Island, CUNY.
July 10, 8:00 PM, Prospect Park, Brooklyn
July 11, 8:00 PM, Cunningham Park, Queens
July 14, 3:00 PM, College of Staten Island, CUNY
July 15, 8:00 PM, Great Lawn, Central Park
July 16, 8:00 PM, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx
Oval Lawn Series and Mad. Sq. Kids at Madison Square Park
The Madison Square Park Conservancy celebrates its 11th year hosting free outdoor concerts. The Mad. Sq. Music: Oval Lawn Series features acclaimed artists from jazz to blue grass to soul, and occurs Wednesday evenings through August 7 (times vary). Mad. Sq. Kids, a series of outdoor performances for children and families, takes place Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10:30 AM, through August 8. Madison Square Park, Manhattan. FREE.
River to River Festival
Each year, River to River presents work artists working across disciplines and responding to the architecture of some of New York City’s most iconic locations and hidden gems. From Dance, visual art, film, mixed media, literature, poetry, music, theatre and more, River To River includes over 150 events throughout Lower Manhattan and Governors Island. Through July 14. Times and locations vary. FREE.
Summer in the Square
Union Square’s Summer in the Square is back this year and bigger than ever. Union Square Partnership’s free weekly summer entertainment series is held Thursdays in Union Square Park from June 13 to August 15. The series offers a vibrant mixture of activities for everyone. This year, in partnership with Paragon Sports, start each morning with a heart-pumping fitness regime for all levels that includes a weekly running club, boot camp from Circuit of Change, and yoga classes from Jivamukti during Fitness in the Square from 7:00 – 9:00 AM. At 10:00 AM, Kids in the Squarekicks off in the Pavilion with Yoga StoryTime with Karma Kids, followed by a rotating lineup of the hottest children’s performers and acts at 11:00 AM on the South Plaza of the park. At lunchtime, enjoy live jazz from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in the park’s Westside Seating Area. Finally, each Thursday will close at 6:00 PM with free dance lessons and performances by Peridance Capezio Center. Mark your calendar and join the free fun in Union Square Park this summer. A complete schedule of activities and performances is coming soon towww.unionsquarenyc.org. FREE.
Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series
This year, the Summer Recital Series returns with six performances in the parks of all five boroughs. FREE.
July 16, 8:00 PM, Central Park SummerStage, Manhattan.
July 19, 2013, 7:00 PM, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn.
July 23, 7:00 PM, Crotona Park, Bronx.
July 25, 7:00 PM, Clove Lakes Park, Staten Island.
July 30, 7:00 PM, Jackie Robinson Park, Manhattan.
August 1, 7:00 PM, Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens.
BAM presents R&B Festival at MetroTech
Now in its 19th year, the festival, presented by BAM, features R&B legends alongside vibrant newcomers with 10 free outdoor concerts. Thursdays (except Wednesday, July 3 performance) through August 8, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. MetroTech Commons, Brooklyn. FREE.
Poppenhusen Institute presents July Summer Concert Series
Each Sunday in July, enjoy a concert in the garden of the Poppenhusen Institute. On Sunday, July 29, Rick St. James performs “A Rod Stewart Tribute.” College Point, Queens. Sundays in July at 4:00 PM (except July 7 performance, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM). Admission is $2 per person.
Summerstage: Free Summer Concerts in Parks Citywide
City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage will bring over 100 performances to eighteen parks throughout the five boroughs. Through August 29. For a complete listing visitwww.cityparksfoundation.org. FREE.
Celebrate Brooklyn!
This year marks the 35th Anniversary of the dynamic concert series at the Prospect Park Bandshell presented by BRIC Arts | Media | BKLYN and featuring a diverse range of music, dance and film events. Through August 10. Select performances are listed below. Suggested admission is $3.
Dracula with the Philip Glass Ensemble / Kishi Bashi, July 13, 7:30 PM.
Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, August 1, 8:00 PM.
They Might Be Giants / Moon Hooch, August 10, 7:30 PM.
For a complete program listing visit www.bricartsmedia.org.
Lincoln Center out of Doors
Lincoln Center Out of Doors brings three weeks of world-class music, dance, and spoken word to the plazas of Lincoln Center. July 24 – August 11, exact times and locations vary, Manhattan. FREE.
Central Astoria Waterfront Concert Series
Central Astoria Local Development Coalition Inc. presents its annual Waterfront Concert Series Thursday evenings, including an evening of music with Motor City Revue: A Tribute to Motown on July 25. Thursdays, July 11 – August 15, Astoria Park Lawn, Queens. FREE.
On Stage at Kingsborough Hot Summer Nights Concert Series
Kingsborough Community College presents a series of summer concerts at its outdoor bandshell, with iconic views of the New York waterfront. Highlights include The Brooklyn Community Wind Ensemble on July 6 and The Hot Sardines on July 20. Through July 27, all events take place Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM. Kingsborough Outdoor Bandshell, 2001 Oriental Boulevard, Brooklyn. FREE.
Downtown Dance Festival
Battery Dance Company’s 32nd annual dance festival will feature 10 dance companies from New York City, Poland, Hungary and Malaysia at sites across Lower Manhattan. August 10-15, exact times and locations vary, Manhattan. FREE.
Harlem Week
Lasting quite a bit longer than seven days, Harlem Week features events throughout July and August that bring together local artists, cultural groups, and community stakeholders for a variety of screenings, performances, and events, including the Dance Theatre of Harlem Family Street Festival on August 3, 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM, West 152nd Street from Amsterdam to St. Nicholas Avenues, Manhattan. July 28 - August 24, times and locations vary. For a full listing of events visit www.harlemweek.com. Many events are FREE.
JAMS Under the Stars - Cultural Collaborative Jamaica
JAMS Under the Stars is an evening outdoor concert that kicks off the next day of festivities for the Jamaica Arts and Music Summer (JAMS) Festival. This year, JAMS Under the Stars will pay homage to the legacy of Soul Train and the musical legends of Jazz, RB, Rock and Funk. August 2, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Jamaica Avenue Between 150th and 153rd Street, Queens. FREE.
Performances in Parks Citywide
In addition to larger music festivals, the Parks Department is hosting dozens of artists to standalone performances all summer long. Some of the many concerts taking place include:
DJ Kool Herc
Considered by many to be the founder of hip-hop culture, DJ Kool Herc returns to the borough where it all started for this performance in Crotoan Park. July 10, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Crotona Park, Bronx. FREE.
Central Astoria Waterfront Concert Series 2013
The Swingtime Big Band performs as park of Central Astoria Local Development Corporation’s Waterfront Concert Series. July 11, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM, Astoria Park Lawn on Shore Blvd. between Hell Gate Bridge and the Pool, Queens. FREE.
“King Kong” Written by Alfred Preisser & Randy Weiner / Directed by Alfred Preisser
As part of SummerStage, Randy Weiner and director Alfred Preisser team up for a hip-hop themed theater remake of “King Kong”, a totally original music/dance/comedy spectacle that upends everything you thought you knew about one of the most famous love stories of all time. Presented By Time Warner. July 30, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM, Herbert Von King Park, Brooklyn. FREE.
The Persuasions / Felix Hernandez's Rhythm Revue
Renowned a cappella group The Persuasions and Felix Hernandez’s tribute to the heyday of soul, Motown, funk, salsa and disco dance classics perform as part of the SummerStage festival. July 31, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Tappen Park, Staten Island. FREE.
Accordions Around the World in Bryant Park
Every Thursday evening through the end of August, Bryant Park presents cross continental musical journeys featuring accordions, harmoniums, button-boxes, bandoneons, and more. July 18th, and August 15th are special extended evenings with many more accordionists performing. Through August 29, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (extended evenings 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM), Bryant Park, Manhattan. FREE.
For a complete listing of events taking place in parks, visitwww.nyc.gov/parks.
THEATER EVENTS
Summer on the Hudson: Children’s Performance Series
Music, storytelling & theater for young audiences. Suitable for kids up to age 7. Thursdays, July 11 – August 15, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, Pier I in Riverside Park South, Manhattan. FREE.
Shakespeare in the Park
Now in its 59th year, The Public Theater’s popular program will present a new musical version of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost at the Delacorte Theater. July 23 - August 18, . FREE.
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
The Drilling Company performs the works of Shakespeare on the black top. This year’s season opens with Cymbeline from July 11 to 27. In honor of the discovery of the bones of King Richard III in an English parking lot earlier this year, Richard III will be performed August 1-17. Performances start at 8:00 PM, Municipal Parking Lot at the corner of Ludlow and Broome Streets, Manhattan. FREE.
Theatreworks USA
Theatreworks USA is celebrating 25 years of its Free Summer Theatre Program to provide youth and their families with performances that entertain and educate. This summer, they will distribute more than 15,000 free tickets to their production of The Civil War, a musical that illuminates this defining moment in American history. 1-3 shows per day from July 15 to August 16, except Saturdays. Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher Street, Manhattan. FREE.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION PROGRAMS
Summer Streets
Part bike tour, part walking tour, part block party, Summer Streets is an annual celebration of New York City’s most valuable public space–our streets. On three Saturdays this August, nearly seven consecutive miles of NYC’s streets will be opened for New Yorkers and visitors alike to play, walk and bike. The route extends from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, with easy side travel options to the Hudson River Greenway, Harlem, Brooklyn and Governors Island, and will feature a broad range of activities for all ages. Check nyc.gov later in the summer for more information. All activities are FREE.
Weekend Walks
DOT is once again partnering with community groups in every borough to present Weekend Walks. These temporary pedestrian streets expand the doorsteps of local businesses and cultural institutions while promoting healthy, safe, and fun recreation. Hosted by local community groups and merchants, each Weekend Walk features a range of family-friendly activities, from music performances to arts and crafts to classes and youth programming. This year there are 24 Weekend Walks events in all five boroughs through October. For a list of locations and dates, visit nyc.gov/weekendwalks or call 311. All activities are FREE.
For more information visit www.nyc.gov/dot.
VISUAL ART
Public Art Fund
The Public Art Fund hosts temporary, site-specific public art installations throughout the city year round. This summer’s exhibitions include:
Ugo Rondinone: Human Nature, comprised of nine colossal stone figures standing like ancient sentries along the full length of Rockefeller Plaza between 49th and 50th Streets. Through July 7, Manhattan. FREE.
Thomas Schütte: United Enemies, a series of cast bronze sculptures towering over the entrance to Central Park. Through August 25, Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Manhattan. FREE.
Configurations brings together new and recent works by four artists who share a concern with one of the essential questions of sculpture: what happens when we walk around an object. Through September 16, MetroTech Center, Brooklyn. FREE.
Oscar Tuazon: People consists of three related sculptures inspired by the resourceful creativity of urban neighborhoods, suggesting sculptural variations on familiar playground designs. Through October 13, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn. FREE.
Midnight Moment: A Digital Gallery
Midnight Moment is the largest coordinated effort in history by the sign operators in Times Square to display synchronized, cutting-edge creative content at the same time every day. Each month, the program will present a new selection to be screened every day in a countdown to Midnight. Every night, 11:57 PM – 12:00 AM, Times Square, Manhattan. FREE.
The Water Tank Project - Word Above the Street
A public art and environmental advocacy campaign that will transform the New York City skyline for three months beginning in August 2013. Over 100 water tanks across all five boroughs will be wrapped with water-themed contemporary art by both leading and emerging artists to draw awareness to our most precious resource - water. Art up above will be grounded in a variety of educational programs and social media initiatives. Starting in August, citywide. FREE.
Art in the Parks
NYC Parks hosts temporary public art exhibitions in public spaces in all five boroughs throughout the year.
The Art Students League - Model to Monument (M2M): Creating Work for Public Spaces
The Art Students League of New York presents the Model to Monument Program (M2M), a collaboration with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation that has will exhibit sculptures in Riverside Park and Van Cortlandt Park. Through May 2014, Riverside Park, Manhattan and Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx. FREE.
Ben Snead, Fish Farm (Brooklyn Snappers)
Three large fish heads sprout from the corner of this slopping lawn bordered by the Brooklyn Bridge and the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Presented by Two Trees Development. Through September 27, Clumber Corner, Brooklyn. FREE.
LEAP, A View from the Lunch Table: Students Bringing Issues to the Table
Students from ten New York City public middle schools, with two schools representing each borough, have transformed school lunchroom tables into personalized canvases and created colorful works of public art that touch upon critical social issues in their community and across the globe. The tables have been installed in ten community parks across the five boroughs. Artworks can be found through August at: Central Park and Marcus Garvey Park in Manhattan; Kaiser Park and Detective Joseph Mayrose Park in Brooklyn; Van Cortlandt Park and Claremont Park in the Bronx; Juniper Valley Park and Forest Park in Queens; and Willowbrook Park and Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island. FREE.
Orly Genger: Red, Yellow and Blue
Orly Genger’s monumental commission for Madison Square Park Conservancy entitled Red, Yellow and Blue features the artist’s renowned usage of intricately hand-knotted nautical rope covered in paint, creating a work that transforms the park’s lush lawns into colorfully-lined chambers. Through September 8, Madison Square Park, Manhattan. FREE.
Situ Studio, Heartwalk
Heartwalk- the 30-foot heart constructed from Hurricane Sandy salvaged boardwalk in the Rockaways and Atlantic City- embodies the collective experience of Hurricane Sandy and the love that binds people together during trying times. Through July 10, 94th Street and Shore Front Parkway, Rockaway Beach Boardwalk, Queens. FREE.
For a complete listing of public art installed in city parks, visitwww.nyc.gov/parks.
The Hebrew Home at Riverdale
Two exhibitions at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale’s Derfner Judaica Museum and art collection. Abstraction in the 1960s features abstract paintings and works on paper from the 1960s by nine different artists and drawn from the Hebrew Home's art collection. Alchemy in Art - Selected Abstract Sculpture by Barry Feuerstein takes inspiration from science and the natural world - particle physics, mathematical principles, and global warming. Abstraction in the 1960s is on display through July 28; Alchemy in Art is up through December 29, 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, 5901 Palisade Avenue, Bronx. FREE.
From the Bordertown out into the World: Jews in Memel
An exhibition of historical photographs documenting the diverse day-to-day lives of Jews in East Prussia, Germany, before Hitler occupied the region in 1939. Through September 30, Kupferberg Holocaust Resource Center and Archives, 222-05 56th Avenue, Queens. FREE.
"On Time/Grand Central at 100"
MTA Arts for Transit and Urban Design curate this contemporary-art exhibit that celebrates the transit hub’s centennial. Artists tackle the theme of time, with pieces that include a video of a recent Improv Everywhere performance in the terminal, an installation of Grand Central ephemera, and photographs and paintings that reference the station’s iconic imagery. Through July 7, New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex Grand Central Terminal, E 42nd Street between Lexington Avenue and Vanderbilt Avenue, Manhattan. FREE.
“Maurice Sendak: A Celebration of the Artist and His Work”
The Society of Illustrators displays more than 200 previously unseen sketches, photographs and illustrations by the renowned children’s book author. Through August 17, Society of Illustrators, 128 E 63rd Street between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue, Manhattan. FREE.
Pete Pin Cambodian Diaspora - En Foco
Pin’s images of Cambodian communities across the United States are on view at the. Through July 19, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Montefiore Family Health Center, 360 E 193rd Street, Bronx. FREE.
Blue Star Museums
A program of the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue StarFamilies and the Department of Defense, Blue Star Museums offers free admission to more than 1,600 museums nationwide to active duty military service members and their families. This year, nearly 50 cultural institutions in all five boroughs are participating in the Blue Star Museums initiative. Now through Labor Day (September 3). FREE. Please note that some institutions, including the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Museum of Arts and Design and the Museum of Modern Art, are free year-round to military service members and their families.
FILM SCREENINGS
Free Movies in the Parks
NYC Parks host dozens of free film screenings in parks throughout the boroughs through September. Visit www.nyc.gov/parks for a complete listing. Film series in New York City parks include:
Films on the Green
Films on the Green is a free outdoor French film festival produced annually in New York City parks by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in partnership with NYC Parks Department. This year the festival explores the many facets of love with works by established and new directors. Fridays through August 2, times and locations vary. FREE.
HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
This popular festival brings classic films to the big screen for the 21st consecutive year. Mondays through August 19, lawn opens at 5:30 PM, film begins at sunset, Bryant Park, Manhattan. FREE.
Socrates Sculpture Park – Outdoor Cinema
For the 15th anniversary of Outdoor Cinema, Film Forum joins Socrates Sculpture Park for the first time to become primary programmers of the eight-week international film festival. Presented by Socrates Sculpture Park and AT&T, in collaboration with Film Forum and Rooftop Films, Outdoor Cinema is an annual international festival of open-air cinema, music, dance, and food. Wednesday evenings through August 21, Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Boulevard, Queens. FREE.
Syfy Movies with a View - Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy
Now in its 14th season, Movies with a View is one of the most popular summer film series in New York City. This year’s films include Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Vertigo, and a film to be determined by a public vote. Evenings start with a DJ at 6:00 PM.. Thursdays, July 11 – August 29, 6:00 PM (movies start at sun down), Brooklyn Bridge Park, Harbor View Lawn, Brooklyn. FREE.
River Flicks for Kids and Grown Ups - Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park presents two parallel film series—one for children and one for adults. Films for the children’s series include Paranorman and Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted and Beetlejuice; films for the grown ups series include Silver Linings Playbook, Moonrise Kingdom and Argo. July 12 - August 23, films for grown ups on Wednesdays and films for kids on Fridays, Pier 63 lawn, Manhattan. FREE.
A Better Jamaica, Inc. Classic Film Fridays
A Better Jamaica's Classic Film Fridays presents classic films in downtown Jamaica's Rufus King Park. The films are exhibited on a 25' inflatable screen and begin at dusk -- between 8:00 pm and 8:30 pm. This season’s films include “Roman Holiday,” “Annie Hall,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “Pretty Woman,” and “Knocked Up.” Fridays, July 13 – August 17, Jamaica’s Rufus King Park (Jamaica Avenue at 153rd Street), Queens, FREE.
Central Park Conservancy Film Festival
This year, every film in the Conservancy Film Festival were selected through a public vote. August 22 – August 26, 6:30 PM gates open, 8:00 PM screening begins, Central Park between Sheep Meadow and the 72nd Street Cross Drive, Manhattan. FREE.
Intrepid Museum Free Summer Movie Series
5th annual Intrepid Summer Movie Series includes screenings of Jaws, Top Gun, and The Karate Kid. Through August 23, doors at 7:30, films begin at sunset, Pier 86, 12th Ave. & 46th Street, Manhattan. FREE.
Rooftop Films Summer Series
During the summer of 2013, Rooftop will present over 40 nights of film to 25,000 audience members in spectacular outdoor locations throughout New York City. Through August 17, times and locations vary. Several screenings are FREE.
Coney Island Flicks on the Beach
The Coney Island Development Corporation and NYC & Company in conjunction with Rooftop Films present a free beachside film series in Coney Island. Mondays, July 1 - August 19, films start at dusk, on the beach at W 10thStreet, Brooklyn. FREE.
2013 BAM Senior Cinema
BAM’s popular monthly Senior Cinema program returns bringing classics to the big screen. Senior Cinema provides moviegoers 65 years of age and older free admission to a movie with complimentary popcorn and soda. BAM Rose Cinemas, Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Ave. Starting July 5. Fridays at 10:00 AM. FREE.
GOVERNORS ISLAND
Governors Island is open every Saturday, Sunday and Holiday Monday (Memorial Day and Labor Day) through September 29 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and hosts a wide variety of events, exhibitions, and other activities throughout the season. Below is a selection of events, visit www.govisland.com for a complete listing.
Children's Museum of the Arts - Art Island Outpost
Join CMA's Teaching Artists for free hands on art-making each weekend. Collaborate with other visitors on a variety of themed art workshops including painting, sound design, sculpture, animation, podcasting, and more. Saturdays and Sundays through September 29, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. FREE.
FIGMENT 2013 Summer-Long Installations
This summer, FIGMENT’s acclaimed interactive Sculpture Garden, artist-designed Minigolf Course and City of Dreams Pavilion welcome visitors to the Parade Grounds to play with, dance around, contemplate on, and experience these imaginative installations. One centerpiece of FIGMENT's summer-long installations for 2013 is the Treehouse, expanded and returning to Governors Island for a third year. Through September 22. FREE.
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Presents Building 110: LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island,
LMCC and its artists-in-residence welcome audience to Building 110's Gallery and their studios. Discover new artists, engage in the artistic process and simply enjoy the art. Through September 29, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. FREE.
Bang on a Can All Stars
Formed in 1992, the Bang on a Can All-Stars are recognized worldwide for their ultra-dynamic live performances and recordings of today’s most innovative music. Freely crossing the boundaries between classical, jazz, rock, world and experimental music, this six-member amplified ensemble has consistently forged a distinct category-defying identity, taking music into uncharted territories. July 13, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM. FREE.
New York City Poetry Festival
The Poetry Society of New York invites New Yorkers to this two day festival to celebrate NYC’s vibrant poetry community. The event will include over 50 poetry organizations and 200 poets on its three stages; a Vendor’s Village where local booksellers, artists and craftmakers will sell their wares; healthy and delicious food options; poetic installation art throughout, and the Children’s Festival at NYCPF, this year sponsored by Writopia! July 27 - July 28, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. FREE.
Homage to Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring: Ljova and the Kontraband and Fireworks Ensemble
Ljova and the Kontraband is chamber-jam music that combines Eastern-European and Gypsy melodies, Latin rhythms, Jazz-inspired improvisations, and Classical forms in original compositions. August 10, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM. FREE.
MATERIALS FOR THE ARTS EVENTS
A program of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Materials for the Arts is the City’s largest municipal reuse operation and hosts a number of workshops, activities and exhibitions that are free and open to the public. All events take place at the MFTA Warehouse, 33-00 Northern Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Queens.
Every third Thursday of the month, guests are invited to join an evening of free art-making and refreshments. On July 18, come and make a reuse mosaic with unusual supplies always available at the Materials for the Arts warehouse. On August 22, join MFTA artist-in-residence Ben Pederson and make your own mixed-media piece with items from the warehouse.
The MFTA Gallery hosts exhibitions of work that explores the potential of creative reuse. The current exhibition is Long Forgotten Song with works by MFTA artist-in-residence Ben Pederson, who created unique assemblages out of warehouse discoveries like discarded trophies, a lava lamp, AstroTurf, broken lampshades, and corrugated cardboard. Week days through August 30, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Visit www.nyc.gov/mfta for a complete schedule or more information.
LITERARY EVENTS
Lorca in NYC - New York Public Library
The New York Public Library and the Federico GarcÃa Lorca Foundation present Back Tomorrow--Federico GarcÃa Lorca - Poet in New York, an exhibition that brings together for the first time the recovered New York manuscripts, photos, and drawings that trace Lorca’s vision from first drafts to fair copies to the nervous line of pen and colored pencil. Through July 21, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Wachenheim Gallery, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, Manhattan. FREE.
15th Annual Harlem Book Fair
The New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture hosts the on July 20, the country’s largest event dedicated to African-American readers and writers, an afternoon outdoors, with vendors, live music and food. July 20, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Langston Hughes Auditorium, 515 Malcolm X Blvd, Manhattan. FREE.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Gramsci Monument
Gramsci Monument is the fourth and final work in Thomas Hirschhorn’s series of “monuments” dedicated to major writers and thinkers. Gramsci Monument will be located on the grounds of Forest Houses, a New York City Housing Authority development in the Bronx, and take the form of a temporary pavilion with a theater stage, a library of Antonio Gramsci’s books, a public lounge, an internet corner, a workshop area with carpentry tools, a food kiosk and a wide variety of programming. July 1 to September 15, open daily 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, off Tinton Avenue between 163rd and 165th, Bronx. FREE.
Bronx Culture Trolley
Catch the trolley on the first Wednesday evening of each month (except January & September). Hosted by the Bronx Council on the Arts, the trolley ride and admission to participating venues along its route through the South Bronx Cultural Corridor are free. Venues for July include the Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos, Bronx Museum of the Arts, Andrew Freedman Mansion, Pregones Theater, BronxArtSpace, and more. July 3, trolley departs at 5:30 PM, 6:30 PM, and 7:30 PM, Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos, 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx. FREE.
CULTURAL VENUES WITH FREE OR SUGGESTED ADMISSION
The City of New York is home to more than 700 galleries, 380 nonprofit theater companies, 330 dance companies, 131 museums, 96 orchestras, 40 Broadway theaters, 15 major concert halls, five zoos, five botanical gardens, and an aquarium. Many institutions offer free hours or suggested admission:
Alice Austen House Museum | www.aliceausten.org
American Folk Art Museum | www.folkartmuseum.org
American Institute of Graphic Arts | www.aiga.org
American Museum of Natural History | www.amnh.org
Aperture Foundation Gallery | www.aperture.org
BRIC Rotunda Gallery | www.bricartsmedia.org
Brooklyn Museum | www.brooklynmuseum.org
Bronx Museum of the Arts | www.bronxmuseum.org
The Center for Book Arts | www.centerforbookarts.org
CUE Art Foundation | www.cueartfoundation.org
Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts | www.efanyc.org
Flushing Town Hall | www.flushingtownhall.org
The Hispanic Society of America | www.hispanicsociety.org
Horticultural Society of New York | www.hsny.org
International Print Center New York | www.ipcny.org
Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning | www.jcal.org
Kentler International Drawing Space |www.kentlergallery.org
King Manor Museum | www.kingmanor.org
Lefferts Historic House | www.prospectpark.org/lefferts
Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College |www.bronxarts.org/lag.asp
Metropolitan Museum of Art / The Cloisters |www.metmuseum.org
MoMA PS1 | www.momaps1.org
El Museo del Barrio | www.elmuseo.org
Museum of Biblical Art | www.mobia.org
Museum of the City of New York | www.mcny.org
National Museum of the American Indian | nmai.si.edu
Queens County Farm Museum | www.queensfarm.org
Queens Museum of Art | www.queensmuseum.org
Sculpture Center | www.sculpture-center.org
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens |www.snug-harbor.org
Socrates Sculpture Park | www.socratessculpturepark.org
Studio Museum in Harlem | www.studiomuseum.org
Staten Island Museum | www.statenislandzoo.org
Taller Boricua | www.tallerboricua.org
White Columns | www.whitecolumns.org
Free Hours at Cultural Venues
Brooklyn Botanic Garden | www.bbg.org
Free admission on Saturdays from 10 AM–Noon, all day Tuesdays, winter weekdays, and Fridays for seniors.
Asia Society and Museum | www.asiasociety.org
Free admission on Fridays from 6-9 PM (does not apply from July 1 through Labor Day).
Brooklyn Children’s Museum | www.brooklynkids.org
Free admission every third Thursday from 4–7 PM and the first full weekend of every month from 2–5 PM, except holiday weekends.
Bronx Zoo | www.bronxzoo.com
Every Wednesday is free.
Children’s Museum of the Arts | www.cmany.org
Pay what you wish on Thursdays, 4-6 PM.
Guggenheim Museum | www.guggenheim.org
Pay what you wish on Saturdays, 5:45-7:45 PM.
Historic Richmond Town | www.historicrichmondtown.org
Free on Fridays, 1 PM–5 PM.
International Center of Photography | www.icp.org
Voluntary contribution every Friday, 5 – 8 PM.
Jewish Museum | www.thejewishmuseum.org
Free admission on Saturdays, Thursday 5-8 pay what you wish.
Lincoln Center David Rubenstein Atrium |www.atrium.lincolncenter.org
Free performances every Thursday at 7:30 PM.
Morgan Library and Museum | www.themorgan.org
Free on Fridays, 7–9 PM.
Museum of Arts and Design | www.madmuseum.org
Pay what you wish Thursdays 6–9 PM.
Museum of Chinese in America | www.mocanyc.org
Free every Thursday, 11 AM–9 PM.
Museum of Jewish Heritage | www.mjhnyc.org
Free every Wednesday 4–8 PM.
Museum of Modern Art | www.moma.org
Free Friday Nights, 4–8 PM.
Museum of the Moving Image | www.movingimage.us
Free Friday Nights, 4–8 PM.
New Museum | www.newmuseum.org
Free Thursday Evenings, 7–9 PM.
New York Aquarium | www.nyaquarium.com
Suggested donation Fridays after 3 PM.
New York Botanical Garden | www.nybg.org
Free all day Wednesdays, and Saturday from 10 AM–Noon.
New York Hall of Science | www.nysci.org
Free Fridays 2–5 PM and Sundays 10–11 AM.
New York Historical Society | www.nyhistory.org
Pay what you wish on Fridays, 6–8 PM.
Noguchi Museum | www.noguchi.org
Pay what you wish the first Friday of every month.
Old Stone House | www.theoldstonehouse.org
Suggested donation on weekends.
Staten Island Children’s Museum | www.statenislandkids.org
Grandparents Free Wednesdays 5-8 PM.
Staten Island Zoo | www.statenislandzoo.org
Free Wednesdays 2–4:45 PM.
Van Cortlandt House Museum | www.historichousetrust.org
Free Wednesdays.
Wave Hill Cultural Center | www.wavehill.org
Free Saturdays and Tuesdays, 9 AM–Noon.
Whitney Museum | www.whitney.org
Pay what you wish Fridays 6–9 PM.
