Summer 2014 Free NYC Events
Note: it is advisable to arrive at least an hour early for most events and two hours or more for movies and New York Philharmonic concerts.
Dancing in Bryant Park
When: Wednesdays, May 14-June 11, lessons at 6 p.m., live music and dancing, 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: Fountain Terrace, Bryant Park (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and 40 and 42 Streets, behind New York Public Library)
What: A social dance party after work featuring popular dance instructors plus an incredible band each week: Salsa, swing, tango, and much more. From novices to experts, all are welcome.
May 14, Brazilian
May 21, Argentine tango
May 28, swing
June 4, bachata
June 11, Motown
http://www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/dance_in_bp.html
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
When: May 15-31, Thursdays-Saturdays, 7 p.m.
What: Hamlet
Where: Bryant Park (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and 40 and 42 Streets, behind New York Public Library)
When: Thursday-Saturdays, 8 p.m.
Twelfth Night, July 10-26
Othello, July 31-Aug. 16
Where: parking lot at Ludlow and Broom Streets, Lower East Side
Note: While these productions are free, your contributions when the hat is passed at the end are vital to keeping the company going.
http://shakespeareintheparkinglot.com/
Today Show Summer Concert Series
When: various dates, May 16-Sept. 5, music starts at 7 a.m., suggested arrival by 6 a.m.
Where: outside Today Show studio, 49th Street and Rockefeller Plaza
What: free performances by popular musical artists
Friday, May 16, Mariah Carey
Friday, May 23, Tim McGraw
Monday, May 26, Austin Mahone
Friday, May 30, Rascal Flatts
Thursday, June 5, Pharrell
Friday, June 6, Sara Bareilles
Friday, June 13, Train
Tuesday, June 17, Little Mix
Friday, June 20, Fall Out Boy
Friday, June 27, Phillip Phillips
Friday, July 4, Ed Sheeran
Friday, July 11, Fifth Harmony
Friday, July 18, Jason Mraz
Friday, July 25, OneRepublic
Tuesday, July 29 Jennifer Hudson
Friday, Aug. 1, Aloe Blacc
Friday, Aug. 8, TBC
Friday, Aug. 15, Neon Trees
Friday. Aug. 22, TBD
Friday. Aug. 29, Ariana Grande
Monday, Sept. 1, Maroon 5
Friday, Sept. 5, Usher
http://www.today.com/toyotaconcertseries/mariah-carey-usher-more-full-lineup-2014-summer-concert-series-1D79564738
Summer on the Hudson: Dance for Sculptures
When: Saturdays May 17 & 24, 7 p.m.
Where: 145th St. Lawn,
What: Muna Tseng Dance Projects’ newly commissioned choreography engages with Chuck Ginnever’s monumental steel sculptures, Medusa and High Rise, overlooking the Hudson River, its metal ice breakers, and the George Washington Bridge.
www.nyc.gov/parks/soh
Bargemusic: “Music in Motion”
When: Saturdays, May 17-June 28, 3 p.m.
Where: Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn
What: Classical music performances including a Q & A session with the musicians, on a barge moored to Fulton Ferry Landing. Doors open at 2:45 p.m. and it’s best to arrive early. Programs announced at performances. No reserved seating. All performances one hour except for six-hour concert on June 21 (3-9 p.m.). Note: There are also ticketed Bargemusic events throughout the summer; consult web site for dates, prices, and programs.
http://www.bargemusic.org/calendar.html
Movies Night at Habana Outpost (Brooklyn)
When: Sundays, May through Oct., 8 p.m.
Where: Habana Outpost restaurant (outdoor seating), 757 Fulton St., corner of Fulton & South Portland, Brooklyn
What: Free films at Latin eco-eatery and community gathering space
May 18, Fist of Fury
May 25, Police Academy
June 1, Poetic Justice
June 8, Salsa
June 15, Victor
June 22, Coming to America
June 29, Black Orpheus
July 6, Top Gun
July 13, The Outsiders
July 20, Heathers
July 27, Tootsie
August 3, 9 to 5
August 10, Singin’ in the Rain
August 17, West Side Story
August 24, Purple Rain
August 31, The Bodyguard
September 7, Hoosiers
September 14, Wild Style
September 21, The Big Lebowski
September 28, Foxy Brown
October 5, E.T.
October 12, Dog Day Afternoon
October 19, The Shining
October 26, Twilight Zone marathon
http://www.habanaoutpost.com/locations/location/habana-outpost
Accordions Around the World
When: Tuesdays, May 20-July 29, 5-7:15 p.m., solo musicians begin playing throughout park at 5 p.m., band performances begin at 6 p.m. at Fountain Terrace
Where: Bryant Park (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and 40 and 42 Streets, behind New York Public Library)
What: Take a cross-cultural musical journey - from France to Colombia, from the Balkans to Louisiana, from Cumbia to Jazz, and more - with accordions, harmoniums, concertinas, and bandoneons.
http://www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/accordion.html
Good Morning America Summer Concert Series
When: Fridays, May 23-Aug. 29, music starts at 7 a.m., gate opens at 6 a.m.
Where: Rumsey Playfield in Central Park
What: free performances by popular musical artists. Note: no large bags or backpacks allowed.
May 23, Lady Antebellum
May 30, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Tickets Required; go to website for details.
June 6, Demi Lovato
June 13, Paramore
June 20, Jennifer Lopez, Tickets Required; go to website for details.
June 27, Afrojack
July 4, Jason Derulo
July 11, Keith Urban
July 18, Zedd
July 25, Kings of Leon
August 1, Enrique Iglesias
August 8, Luke Bryan
August 15, Florida Georgia Line
August 22, Robin Thicke
August 29, Brad Paisley
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/entertainment&id=9531421
Intrepid Summer Movie Series
When: Friday, May 23 and selected Thursdays, May 23-Aug. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Intrepid Sea. Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, 12th Ave. & 46th Street
What: Bring your lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets for these free films on the deck of the Intrepid. Guests are encouraged to bring food, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. No outside alcohol is permitted.
May 23, Top Gun
July 10, Independence Day
July 17, Gravity
July 24, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
July 1, The Hunt for Red October
Aug. 7, Spaceballs
Aug. 14, Captain Phillips
http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/SummerMovieSeries2014.aspx
Summer on the Hudson: Sweet Spot
When: Sunday, May 25 and Saturday, Aug. 30, 2-9 p.m.
Where: 125th & Marginal Sts., West Harlem Piers Park
What: Musical Directions bring you a family-friendly gathering of community, cultures & music lovers of all ages. This public cultural fete features Reggae, Soulful House, Disco and Afro-Beat spun by a rotating collection of North America’s most renowned sound architects.
www.nyc.gov/parks/soh
New York Philharmonic Memorial Day Concert
When: Monday, May 26, 8 p.m.
Where: Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at 110th Street/Cathedral Parkway)
What: Free concert with seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets will be distributed at St. John the Divine on the day of the concert. Music will also be piped out onto the adjacent Pulpit Green, weather permitting. (It’s recommended to arrive at least 90 minutes before the concert for a good seat.)
Program: Nielsen: Helios Overture; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, conducted by Alan Gilbert
http://nyphil.org/calendar-view
Films on the Green
When: most Fridays and one Saturday, May 30-Aug. 1, 8:30 p.m., one Thursday in Sept., 7:30 p.m.
Where: various parks in Manhattan and Brooklyn
What: Classic and contemporary French films, shown with English subtitles. This year’s theme is ““Masculin / Masculin” and presents a gamut of colorful male figures in French film—lovers, heroes, gangsters, and rebels.
Locations:
Cedar Hill, Central Park, east side of park from 76th to 79th Streets
Washington Square Park, between West 4th Street and Waverly Place, University Place and Macdougal Street
Tompkins Square Park, Avenue A between 7th & 10th Streets, Manhattan
Riverside Park, Pier I, 70th Street Plaza at Hudson River
Transmitter Park, West St. bet. Kent St. and Greenpoint Ave., G to Greenpoint Ave., Brooklyn
Columbia University, Broadway at 116th Street
Friday, May 30, Purple Noon by René Clément, starring Alain Delon, Maurice Ronet, Central Park, Cedar Hill
Friday, June 6, Les Tontons Flingueurs by Georges Lautner, starring Lino Ventura, Bernard Blier, Jean Lefebvre, Francis Blanche, Washington Square
Friday, June 13, Buffet Froid by Bertrand Blier, starring Gérard Depardieu, Jean Carmet, Bernard Blier, Michel Serrault, Washington Square
Friday, June 20, The Women on the 6th Floor by Philippe Le Guay, starring Fabrice Luchini, Tompkins Square Park
Friday, June 27, La Haine by Mathieu Kassovitz, starring Vincent Cassel, Hubert Koundé, Saïd Taghmaoui, Tompkins Square Park
Saturday, July 11, The Moustache by Emmanuel Carrère, starring Vincent Lindon, Mathieu Amalric, Riverside Park, Pier I
Friday, July 18, Grand Illusion byJean Renoir, starring Jean Gabin, Pierre Fresnay, Riverside Park, Pier I
Friday, July 25, Le Magnifique by Philippe de Broca, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, Transmitter Park, Brooklyn
Friday, Aug. 1, 2 Autumns, 3 Winters by Sébastien Betbeder, starring Vincent Macaigne, Bastien Bouillon, Transmitter Park, Brooklyn
Thursday, Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m., The French Minister by Bertrand Tavernier, starring Raphaël Personnaz, Thierry Lhermitte, Niels Arestrup, Columbia University, Broadway at 116th Street
http://frenchculture.org/film-tv-and-new-media/grants-and-programs/films-on-the-green/2014-festival
New York Classical Theater
What: Free performances of As You Like It by William Shakespeare
When / Where: Thursdays-Sundays, May 27-June 22, 7 p.m., Central Park, close to West 103rd Street/Central Park West entrance
When / Where: June 24-29, 7 p.m., Prospect Park near the Picnic House, enter at Grand Army Plaza or 5th St. & Prospect Park West
When / Where: July 1-27 (except Mondays), 7 p.m., Castle Clinton in Battery Park
Note: These shows make use of multiple locations, with performers and audiences walking to different parts of the park between scenes. The walking isn’t very far, but don’t plan a picnic as you’ll be moving around a lot. You may want to bring a flashlight to make it easier. Also, while this production is free, your contributions when the hat is passed at the end are vital to keeping the company going.
http://www.newyorkclassical.org/whats-playing
Summer on the Hudson: West Coast Swing Outdoors
When: Saturdays, May 31, June 14, July 26, Aug. 30, Sept. 20, 6-9 p.m., lesson at 7 p.m.
Where: 125th & Marginal Sts., West Harlem Piers Park
What: West coast swing, a partner dance fusing elements of slow lindy hop, salsa, and booty-shakin’, can be danced to R&B, pop, rock, hip hop, and blues.
www.nyc.gov/parks/soh
Summer on the Hudson: Let's Dance!
When: Sundays, June 1-29, 6-9:30 p.m.
Where: Pier I, 70th Street Plaza at Hudson River, Riverside Park
What: Learn to dance like a pro at these salsa, cha-cha and bachata lessons and group dances led by master teaches from the Piel Canela Dance and Music School and featuring DJ Ray Colon. Weather permitting.
www.nyc.gov/parks/soh
Taste of Times Square
When: Monday, June 2, 5-9 p.m.
Where: 46th Street between Broadway and 9th Avenue
What Taste of Times Square is a food festival (a small scale Taste of Chicago, if you will) at which patrons can try small portions of food from various local restaurants. Food tickets can be purchased at the main ticket booth (46th Street and Broadway) starting at 3 p.m.; other booths throughout the neighborhood open at 5 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased ahead of time at the Times Square Information Center (Seventh Avenue, between 46th and 47th Streets, across the street from TKTS) the week prior to the event.
http://www.timessquarenyc.org/events/taste-of-times-square/index.aspx
SummerStage: Brooklyn
When: various dates in June
What: New York’s largest free performing arts festival, featuring music dance, spoken word and theater
Locations:
Betsy Head Park, Strauss Street between Livonia & Dumont Avenues
Herbert Von King Park, between Lafayette, Tompkins, Greene & Marcy Avenues
Red Hook Park, Henry, Lorraine, Clinton & Bay Streets
Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman Street (East River from the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges to Pier 6 and Atlantic Avenue
Tuesday, June 3, 7 p.m., Ty Dolla $ign (music), Red Hook Park
Wednesday, June 4, 7 p.m., Mark McGuire / Marissa Nadler / Delicate Steve (psychedelic music), Red Hook Park
Thursday, June 5, 7 p.m., Pro Era (music), Red Hook Park
Tuesday, June 10, 7 p.m., Duck Down BBQ with Boot Camp Clik & friends (music), Betsy Head Park
Wednesday, June 11, 7 p.m., Sisqó (R&B), Betsy Head Park
Wednesday, June 18, 7 p.m., Salute to Hip Hop with DJ Bent Roc, Chubb Rock, Dana Dane, and Special Ed (music), Herbert Von King Park
Thursday, June 19, 7 p.m., Algebra (R&B), Herbert Von King Park
Friday, June 20, 7 p.m., Jason Samuels Smith (tap dance / music), open level master class at 7 p.m., performance at 8 p.m., Herbert Von King Park
Saturday, June 21, 3-8 p.m., Brooklyn Family Day: Barolosolo Cirkus Company, Brooklyn Bridge Park
Saturday, June 21, 7 p.m., ChoreoQuest (dance), open level master class at 7 p.m., performance at 8 p.m., Herbert Von King Park
Sunday, June 22, 3-8 p.m., Brooklyn Family Day: Barolosolo Cirkus Company, Brooklyn Bridge Park
Sunday, June 22, 7 p.m., Whistle!: a Tribute to Frankie Knuckles (music) / screening of documentary Hands to the Sky, Herbert Von King Park
http://summerstage.donyc.com/
Shakespeare in the Park (Public Theater productions in Central Park)
When: various dates, June 3-Aug. 17, 8 p.m.
Where: Delacorte Theater, Central Park (mid-park at 79th Street)
Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Jack O’Brien, featuring Lily Rabe as Beatrice and Hamish Linklater as Benedick, June 3-July 6
King Lear, directed by Daniel Sullivan, featuring John Lithgow as Lear, July 22-Aug. 17
Note: Tickets available at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park the day of the performance, two per person. They are also available online by registering for a lottery drawing the morning of the performance, but with very limited availability. You can also try to get standby tickets the evening of the show; I have had very good luck with the standby line if I get there by 5:30. Only one ticket per person, but friends can join you in line until 6 p.m. Check online calendar for performance dates.
http://www.shakespeareinthepark.org/about
Moose Hall Theater Company / Inwood Shakespeare Festival
Where: Inwood Hill Park Peninsula (enter park at 218th Street, peninsula is near ecology center)
What: plays by Shakespeare and other writers
When: June and July, Wed-Sat., 7:30 p.m., June and July
June 4-28: The Tempest by William Shakespeare
July 2-26: Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco
Other events: July (date TBA), 7 p.m., Peter & the Wolf, children's concert with the Moose Hall Chamber Ensemble
Note: While these productions are free, your contributions when the hat is passed at the end are vital to keeping the company going.
http://www.moosehallisf.org/homepage.htm
Celebrate Brooklyn
When: June 4-Aug. 9