In the hit Broadway show “Hamilton,” Aaron Burr says “There’s nothing like summer in the city,” and he was definitely right. Summer in New York City is full of activities for people with a range of interests, and Untapped Cities has curated the perfect list for you. Here are the top ten events happening in New York City from July 18th to the 24th.
Monday, July 18th
Outdoor movies are a summer staple in New York City and the city’s parks across the five boroughs are host to some of the best outdoor film festivals. On July 18th, there will be a screening of “The Omen” at the HBO Bryant Park Film Festival. This 1976 film stars Gregory Peck and Lee Remick as Robert and Katherine Thorne. The couple lives in London with their son Damien, but they are soon surrounded by an unfortunate series of deaths. Is their son to blame? The screening is presented by Bank of America and is free to the public. The movie starts at around 8 or 9 pm, but the lawn opens at 5 for laying out blankets and picnicking. For more information and to see the full list of movies playing this summer, visit bryantpark.com/plan-your-visit/filmfestival.html.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park annual literature series Books Beneath the Bridge continues on July 18 on the Granite Prospect Steps. For six weeks, an author representing local, independent bookstores in Brooklyn will read excerpts from their works and participate in a Q&A and book signing. This week’s installment of Books Beneath the Bridge features authors representing WORD bookstore in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. At 7 pm, author Emma Straub and Rumaan Alam will present their respective novels “Modern Lovers” and “Rich and Pretty.” This event is free and open to the public. For a full list of authors participating in this series, visit brooklynbridgepark.org/event-series/books-beneath-the-bridge.
Tuesday, July 19th
On July 19th at 8pm, Shakespeare in the Park presents “Troilus and Cressida,” directed by Tony Award winner, Daniel Sullivan. The plot begins in the midst of the Trojan War, as the young prince Troilus vies for the love of Cressida. Meanwhile, there is debate whether Ajax, Ulysses and Achilles should return Helen or continue to wage war. Troilus and Cressida runs from July 19th to August 14th. Tickets for this event are free and can be obtained in one of four ways: in person at the Delacorte Theater, mobile ticket lottery, distribution lottery at Astor Place and borough distributions. Visit publictheather.org/shakespeareinthepark/ for more information and to see other Shakespeare in the Park events.
On July 19th at 8 pm, get ready to capture the zeitgeist of the 1920s and 1930s at the Jazz in July: Summertime Swing Party. Kick off this summer festival at the Kaufmann Concert Hall, with swing-era hits played by modern-day jazz and swing musicians like Bill Charlap, Harry Allen, Jon-Erik Kellso and more. Tickets for this event can be purchased here. Tickets for the concert can also be bought as part of a 2-concert, 4-concert or 6-concert package. Visit 92y.org/Jazz for more information about all upcoming concerts in this series.
Wednesday, July 20th
Lincoln Center Out of Doors is kicking off this season with A Night of Words and Music with Patti Smith and Mariachi Flor de Toloache. The iconic singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist will present an “evening of poetry, prose and acoustic music. She will be joined by musicians Lenny Kaye, Tony Shanahan and the all-female, Latin Grammy-nominated group Mariachi Flor de Toloache. This free event will take place at 7:30 pm at Damrosch Park. See the entire list of events at lcoutofdoors.org/#calendar.
Thursday, July 21st
When the sun goes down, New York City summer nights are alive and full of activity From 10 pm to 12 am Friends of the High Line will host Up Late featuring dancers, musicians and visual artists for a late-night exhibition of performances, art installations and more. The list of artists and performers include Rob Roth, Jordan Eagles, THE DANCE CARTEL with DJ Average Joe, Yael “KAT” Modiano & Ursula Scherer, Merche Blasco and Carte Blanche Performance. RSVP to this free event here.
Friday, July 22nd
Films on the Green presents “Cléo From 5 to 7” at 8:30 pm at Tompkins Square Park. This 1962 film was directed by Agnès Varda, and stars Corinne Marchand and Antoine Bourseiller. “Cléo” follows the titular character as she awaits the results of her biopsy, after a fortune-teller informs her she may be ill. This event is free and open to the public. All films show by Films on the Green are shown in French with English subtitles. For more information, visit frenchculture.org/film-tv-and-new-media/festivals/films-green-2016.
Saturday, July 23rd
New York City history is steeped in Dutch influence from its formative years in the 17th century. From 2 to 4 pm, discover the history of the southern tip of Manhattan when it was known as New Amsterdam. Join Untapped Cities and Tour the Remnants of Dutch New Amsterdam. Author, playwright and Untapped Cities tour guide, Justin Rivers, will guide you through the streets of 1667 Manhattan using the borough’s first map. While on the tour, you will see the remnants of Manhattan’s first City Hall, the original Dutch fort and discover how Bowling Green got its name. Tickets for this tour can be purchased below.
Sunday, July 24th
Coney Island is a summer staple for Brooklynites and other New Yorkers around the city. The smell of funnel cake and the screams of delight from riders on the Cyclone call to mind childhood memories for many. Untapped Cities invites you to Tour the Secrets of Coney Island: Past, Present and Future from 2 to 4 pm. The tour is led by Untapped Cities tour guide Justin Rivers, and traces the steps of the main characters from his graphic novel, “The Wonder City: The Great Whale of Coney Island.” Discover what Coney Island was like at the height of its popularity and find out little-known secrets of the famed amusement park. Purchase tickets for the event below.
Every day, thousands of commuters rush through Grand Central Terminal without stopping to think about its rich history, but now is your opportunity to learn! Untapped Cities is hosting two Tours of the Secrets of Grand Central Terminal at 2 pm and 4 pm. The tour is led by Tamara Agins from the New York Department of City Planning who will reveal secrets like the tennis court inside Grand Central and the how the Whispering Gallery works. Also on the tour, learn about the past, present and future of Grand Central and also the history of what could have been. Tickets for the event can be purchased below.
Check out the full list of Untapped Cities NYC Tours
