With such a big city, and so much to do, it can be difficult to find new ways to shake up your weekend. It's easy to fall into a routine of boozy brunches and late night dinners, so we're offering you a smorgasbord of options to choose from this weekend.

Friday, August 8 

La La Lush at Arlene's Grocery 
Arlene's Grocery at 7 PM
Tickets: $10 

This Bronx-based band is hauling over to the Lower East Side this weekend, and will be performing at the infamous Arlene's Grocery on Friday. Their unique sound fuses old school and modern pop, giving us a fresh new take on a genre that can sometimes feel exhausted. Come and check out La La Lush this weekend, and take this opportunity to see them before they get too big!

Rural Route Film Festival 
Museum of the Moving Image 
Tickets: FREE

If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of city life but don't have enough time to actually leave, come to the Rural Route Film Festival! The film festival celebrates the unique people and places found outside of the city. Started in 2002 by two Iowa filmmakers, the Rural Route Film Festival showcases films, fictional and non-fictional, every year.

Asian Dub Foundation: THX 1138
Prospect Park at 7:30 PM 
Tickets: FREE

The iconic London band Asian Dub Foundtion has attracted fans from all over the world, and will be performing in Brooklyn this weekend. The band's unique take on live soundtracking will be showcased as they soundtrack George Lucas' chilling dystopian film THX 1138. We're excited to see how they will adapt to such futuristic and stark visuals, but are expecting nothing less of great from this unique band. 

Saturday, August 9 

Noisey + Ray Bans Present Sky Ferreira
Verboten at 9 PM
Tickets: Free (RSVP)

Vice's music blog Noisey and Ray Bans are bringing to us Sky Ferreira this weekend! The LA based singer has exploded on the scene since her first album Wild at Heart released in 2012. She will be performing in Williamsburg this weekend with DJs Fur Coat, Amirali, and Walker + Royce opening the show. RSVP before all the free tickets sell out, and grab your chance to see Sky Ferreira for free! 

Black Dot Market 
244 E Houston St from 1-6 PM 
Tickets: FREE

Black Dot Market is opening this Saturday, giving us some of New York's best jewelry, clothing, and accessory boutiques. The market will hold major designers including Dharma Eyewear and BeMe New York, as well as vintage stalls for you to sift through! Drink specials and tarot readings will also be part of the event, so come out and do some shopping and schmoozing. 

Four Weddings and a Funeral 
South Street Seaport at 8 PM
Tickets: FREE

If the wallet is feeling a little thin, and you just don't have that $14 to go to the theater, fret not! Front/Row Cinema is bringing us Four Weddings and a Funeral at their outdoor summer screening special. The hilarious British comedy follows the story of Charles (Hugh Grant) and his friends as they attend four weddings and a funeral to find the loves of their lives. Bring a picnic blanket and have a great New York night this weekend for free! 

Sunday, August 10 

The Horse's Mouth 
Nitehawk Cinema at 12 PM 
Tickets: $11 

Based on Joyce Carey's classic novel and adapted for the screen by Alec Guiness, The Horse's Mouth brings us British cinema and comedy at its best. In partnership with Art Seen, Nitehawk will be showing the film this weekend with Absolut Vodka cocktails provided as well. So skip the boozy brunch this weekend, and hang with Gulley Jimson as he searches for artistic inspiration in unlikely places. 

Evil Pairing: Danish Hot Dogs and Craft Beer
Revolving Dansk from 5 - 10 PM 
Tickets: FREE 

An evil pairing indeed- I think we can all agree that nothing goes better with a juicy hot dog than a refreshing craft beer. The Danish have apparently mastered this combination, and are sharing the love this weekend at Revolving Dansk. Leave some space in your stomach on Sunday, and experience the best of Danish culture! 

Free Kayaking at Stuy Cove
Stuy Cove from 1:15 PM - 5:15 PM 
Tickets: FREE

As much as kayaking in the East River may sound like a ridiculous proposition, outdoor sports activities are not exactly common in NYC. Urban Swim is offering a rare opportunity to learn how to kayak for free at the Stuyvesant Cove. All equipment and boats are provided, so just bring yourself and make sure your can swim!