Price of a Movie: 8.24.10
ShareGet cultured with The Ice Storm author Rick Moody, see Travolta start a disco inferno, and Bird is the word this weekend… and best of all, everything’s free!
"Word for Word Author" with Rick Moody and John Wesley Harding
Hey all you midtown office drones! Instead of noshing at the local Subway, take your $5 foot-long to Bryant Park and check out this lunchtime talk and mini-concert with author Rick Moody and songwriter John Wesley Harding. Moody will read from his new book The Four Fingers of Death, the novelization of the 1963 horror flick, The Crawling Hand, and will join Harding for a musical performance.
Where: Bryant Park Reading Room, 42nd Street side of Bryant Park, Manhattan
When: Wednesday, August 25, 12:30 PM to 1:45 PM
Price: Free! 
Central Park Conservancy Film Festival: Saturday Night Fever
As Tony Manero, John Travolta hustled his way into our hearts, becoming one of the most indelible New York City characters ever committed to celluloid. So what better way to pay tribute to the king of the disco floor than to screen Saturday Night Fever against the backdrop of the iconic New York skyline, in Central Park?
Not a Bee Gees fan? Then come on Saturday night to see the winner of the viewer’s choice: Serendipity or Manhattan. (Seriously, is this even a competition?) Get there early for a good spot and hear guest DJs spin at 6:30 PM.
Where: Sheep Meadow and the 72nd Street Cross Drive, Central Park, Manhattan
When: Thursday, August 26, or Saturday, August 28, 8 PM
Price: Free!
Studio on the Street: Nina Katchadourian
At this open studio, New York-based artist Nina Katchadourian reveals her newest project, What I Did This Summer (and no, Jennifer Love Hewitt plays no part in it). She modeled the show on a back-to-school essay, made up of works crafted over the summer as an artist-in-residence, including a "fleet" of carved bark boats and a sound work with people trying to mimic the noise of the vuvuzela horn—y’know, those buzzzzzzzzzing things that drove you crazy during the World Cup.
Where: Forever & Today, 141 Division Street, Manhattan
When: Opening reception, Friday, August 27, 6 PM to 8 PM
Saturday and Sunday, August 28-29, 12 PM to 6 PM
Price: Free!
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
The two-day fest serves up piping hot jazz in ’hoods where Bird mainly lived and worked: Harlem and the East Village. Each features a lineup of talented musicians who reflect Parker’s musical individuality—so expect some excellent jazz and blues all weekend long.
Things kick off on Saturday at Marcus Garvey Park with performances by Grammy Award-winning pianist McCoy Tyner and the JD Allen Trio, among others. On Sunday, at Tompkins Square Park, you can catch jazz great Jimmy Scott (still crooning at age 84) along with sultry blueswoman Catherine Russell.
Where: Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan
When: Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29, 3 PM to 7 PM
Price: Free!
Photo by Mitch Waxman
Tug & Barge Week
Water Taxi? Whatevs. This weekend, hop on an antique tugboat for a trip around the New York Harbor, or landlubbers can tour a historic barge docked at Brooklyn Bridge Park. It’s all to raise awareness for the Tug Pegasus Preservation Project and the Waterfront Museum, which will host a benefit on Tuesday, August 31. The 1907 Tugboat Pegasus can only hold 40 people per trip, so reserve your spot by emailing info@tugpegasus.org.
Where: Pier 6, Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
When: Saturday, August 28 through Monday, August 30, 1 PM to 5 PM for barge and tug tours; Saturday and Sunday, 1 PM and 3 PM for tug trips
Price: Free!
If you have a suggestion for this column, please e-mail editors@tribecafilm.com.
Price of a Movie: 8.17.10
ShareIf you’re into two wheels, have we got a bike ride for you! More the four-wheel type? Then check out this vintage car show on Governors Island. Yep, you know how we roll… all for the price of a movie—or less!
Photo: Josh Bousel
TankerTunes: Roots & Ruckus on the Mary A. Whalen
When just about every event is billed as “one of a kind” or “not to be missed,” it’s hard to find one that truly is. This would be one of them. First off, it takes place on the Mary A. Whalen, a cute red tanker in Red Hook. Next, it features a fine lineup of musicians, including The Two Man Gentlemen Band (rowdy sing-alongs, furious banjo strumming, free kazoos), blues/jazz vocalist Stephanie Nilles, slide guitarist Dayna Kurtz, and Feral Foster, an NYC-based folk singer.
Also, there’s free ziti, lasagna, and salads (provided by the ship’s mess), plus a cash bar with wine and ice-cold keg beer.
Where: Mary A. Whalen Tanker, Pier 11, Atlantic Basin, Red Hook, Brooklyn
When: Wednesday, August 18, 8:45 PM to 11:15 PM
Price: $10
Upper River Bike Ride
Not up for the Tour de France just yet? Maybe this Saturday morning bike ride is more your (10) speed. Sponsored by Bronx River Alliance, the 7-mile, off-street trek starts at the World War II Memorial at 219th Street at Bronx Boulevard, then goes to Muskrat Cove, before continuing along a scenic route within the Bronx Park forest to explore the east banks of the Bronx River. Things wind up at the Waring Playground, where you can enjoy a picnic with your fellow cyclers.
The ride is suitable for all levels and ages (bring the kids!), and don’t forget plenty of water and a packed lunch.
Where: 219th Street at Bronx Blvd., The Bronx
When: Saturday, August 21, 10 AM
Price: Free!
NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam
Normally gridlock is never a good thing, but when it’s bumper-to-bumper vintage Volkswagens, we’ll gladly make an exception. Beetles, buses, Karmann Ghias, dune buggies, and other classic VWs from the 1950s to the 70s will be cruising around Picnic Point on Governors Island all afternoon. And you can do more than just admire the groovy cars: spectators will award the “best in show” for all models. There will be a Kid Zone with free VW-themed art activities, a Beer Garden (brewskis will be served out of a 1978 Westfalia camper van), a live set from DJ Turmix, and more.
Where: Picnic Point, Governors Island
When: Sunday, August 22, 10 AM to 4 PM
Price: Free!
Ice Cream Fair
Six ice cream and sorbet makers will share their frosty wares at the New Amsterdam Market in Lower Manhattan. Princeton, NJ’s The Bent Spoon, Roberta's, Early Bird Cookery, Brooklyn’s Marlow & Daughters, MilkMade Ice Cream, and Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream will each churn out up to three flavors, which means you can choose among more than a dozen of ’em. All showcase regional products and flavors and use only seasonal or responsibly sourced ingredients, so you can (almost) feel good about being an ice cream glutton.
Where: South Street between Beekman Street and Peck Slip
When: Sunday, August 22, 12 PM to 4 PM
Price: $20 for six tasting tickets, with proceeds supporting New Amsterdam Market
If you have a suggestion for this column, please e-mail editors@tribecafilm.com.
