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Things to Do in NYC This Week (July 11-18)

Looking for what to do in New York? We've got the latest on all the goings-on. This weekend, everyone is French for a day at the annual New York Bastille Day Festival on 60th Street! Plus, Radiohead and the Foo Fighters are in town, there's a full day of fun and family-friendly water activities at City of Water Day downtown, an Ice Cream Blizzard at Grand Bazaar, and more!

THE BIG EVENT

Bastille Day

(7/15) FIAF Bastille Day Festival in NYC. Everyone is French for a day at New York's annual Bastille Day Festival along 60th Street! You'll find food, live performances, shopping, and more!

PLUS

(7/12) See Waitress star Katharine McPhee performing live, in addition to performances from Chicago, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Stomp, part of this summer's 106.7 LITE FM Broadway Bryant Park series. FREE! 12:30pm.

(Now-7/14) Final weekend!! Lincoln Center's Midnight Summer Swing at Damrosch Park continues! Free dance lessons start at 5:30pm, dance floor opens 7:30pm. Learn salsa, big band swing, the Lindy Hop, and more. lincolncenter.org/midnight-summer-swing

(7/15) Every Sunday on the Upper West Side you can find Grand Bazaar NYC, the city’s largest curated market—and most distinctive! You’ll find one-of-a-kind fashion, crafts, collectibles, and handmade jewelry. On Sunday, National Ice Cream Day, you’ll also find the NYC Summer Ice Cream Blizzard, which brings in artisanal ice cream makers serving up some spectacular flavors you’ve never even heard of.

(7/14-7/15) At the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market you’ll find 170 vendors selling antiques, fine crafts, handmade jewelry, decorative arts, and vintage clothing, all just a couple of blocks from Times Square. On Sunday, catch a major convergence of magickal energy as the WitchsFest USA-A Pagan Street Faire brings in special guest vendors (the Faire will be on Astor Place on Saturday).

(Ongoing) World Cup action is heating up. Click here for more information on Where to Watch the World Cup in NYC

EXHIBITION OF THE WEEK

David Bowie is

David Bowie as alter ego Aladdin Sane, photographed in 1973 by Brian Duffy.

(Now-7/15) Final week! On stage, he was Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, and The Thin White Duke. David Bowie, the beloved English singer/New York transplant who sang about “Changes” and is revered for perpetually changing his sound and look over a five decades-plus career, is being celebrated in David Bowie is, a major exhibition that makes its final stop at the Brooklyn Museum. This first-ever Bowie retrospective explores a creative process of reinvention, collaborations, and bold characterizations that shaped listeners’ own identities. The show includes 300+ significant objects from Bowie’s teens to his death in 2016, including handwritten lyrics, diary entries, photography, set designs, album artwork, and rare performance material, with many items exclusive to the Brooklyn Museum presentation. More than 60 stage costumes are on display. Advanced sound technology, alongside theatrical scene–setting, animation, and video, provides an immersive journey through Bowie’s formative artistic experiences. 

PLUS

Summer of Magic NY Historical Society

(7/13-7/15)Magic and New York have a long history together. Famed NYC shops carried all the tricks during “The Golden Age of Magic” (1853-1932), and no less a legend than Harry Houdini grew up here (he made his home in Harlem later in life). Delve into the world of illusion at Summer of Magic: Treasures from the David Copperfield Collection at the New-York Historical Society, which features a recreation of an antique magic shop, shelves complete with magic sets, decks of cards, linking rings, and a disappearing bird cage. From Friday, July 13th through Sunday the 15th, the museum kicks off the Summer of Magic with Houdini Weekend, presenting films, programs, workshops, and family activities designed around the greatest escape artist of them all.

(NEW!) Sports in America proved a unique form of solace after the seismic losses of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. Comeback Season: Sports After 9/11, a special exhibition at the National September 11  Memorial & Museum, delves into uplifting moments at games in the aftermath of the attacks. Explore the stories of Mike Piazza’s home run during a New York Mets home game, President George W. Bush’s first pitch at a World Series game at Yankee Stadium, and the New York City Marathon on November 4th, 2001. Video, artifacts, and moving images help provide context for a nation coming back together.

(Now-2/3/19) Even over a century after his birth, Dutch artist M.C. Escher (1898-1972) continues to astound. Catch more than 200 of Escher’s mind-bending works at Escher: The Exhibition & Experience in Brooklyn's Industry City. Exploring the intersection of art, mathematics, science, and poetry, the exhibition will feature interactive immersive experiences that bring the artist’s optical illusions to life. eschernyc.com

(Now-10/14) Just opened! The American Folk Art Museum presents Charting the Divine Plan: The Art of Orra White Hitchcock, which brings together aspects of art, love, science, and religion, as expressed by one of America's first female scientific illustrators. Working in the mid-19th century, Orra White Hitchcock was equally skilled in the natural sciences and in art, and her illustrations of plant life, geological formations, fossilized animals, and dinosaur tracks were used in Amherst College lectures and the  scientific journals of the day. The exhibition puts on display Hitchcock's rarely seen drawings and paintings, some up to 10 feet long, which demonstrate both scientific clarity and an unexpected modernity.

(Now-9/12) An Incredible Giacometti Retrospective Comes to the Guggenheim Museum. Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966), a Modernist sculptor, was a master of perspective. His elongated human figures, spindly miniatures, and ghostly paintings and drawings invite the viewer to lean in close and evaluate the work on its own terms rather than those of the viewer herself. The exhibit features more than 175 works by the artist. 

Georgia O'Keeffe

(Now-10/28) In 1939, the pioneering American Modernist Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986) went to Hawaii on commission for a Hawaiian Pineapple Company promotional campaign. What she created provides the inspiration for the landmark new exhibition Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of Hawai‘i at The New York Botanical Garden. A stunning display in the LuEsther T. Mertz Library Art Gallery includes 17 of O’Keeffe’s Hawaii paintings, not seen together in New York since their debut in 1940. The historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory explores the remarkable beauty and variety of Hawaiian flora, as well as its complex botanical and cultural history. The garden (just a 20-minute Metro-North ride from Grand Central Terminal) also features a living collection of more than one million plants.

(Now-9/9) Surface/Depth: The Decorative After Miriam Schapiro at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD). In June of 2015, Miriam Schapiro, the pioneering feminist artist and founding member of the Pattern and Decoration movement, passed away at the age of ninety-one. Surprisingly, given her status as the elder stateswoman of the feminist art movement, the tremendous impact of her oeuvre on contemporary art has yet to be fully acknowledged or critically assessed. This exhibition seeks to redress this gap in the history of American art through an exploration of Schapiro's signature femmages, the term she coined to describe her distinctive hybrid of painting and collage inspired by women's domestic arts and crafts and the feminist critique of the hierarchy of art and craft. You can read more about it here.

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition

(Now-9/3) Extended! Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, based on the beloved television show Downton Abbey. Be transported to post-Edwardian England, where the characters and the iconic house come to life. You’ll be immersed in the fascinating social history, culture, and some of the most memorable moments and sets from the show’s six-season run, including Mrs. Patmore’s kitchen and the servants’ quarters.

COMEDY

Bryan Callen

(7/12) Bryan Callen at Gotham Comedy Club.

(7/12-7/15) HBO's All Def Comedy's Ryan Davis at Carolines.

(7/11) #Adulting with Michelle Buteau and Jordan Carlos at The Bell House

(7/15) SNL's Sasheer Zamata: Party Time! at The Bell House

(Ongoing) Catch the latest and funniest on the comic strip at the LOL Times Square Comedy ClubUse promo code CITYGUIDE for 50% off tickets!

Click here for more comedy shows in NYC this weekend.

KIDS

City of Water Day Kayak Race

(7/14) It's City of Water Day, the region’s largest and most popular harbor festival, organized by the Waterfront Alliance. The festival hub will come alive at the piers and cobblestones of the historic Seaport District in Lower Manhattan. Popular attractions returning this year include the Con Edison Cardboard Kayak Race, Disney children’s activities, and the Waterfront Activity Fair, where Waterfront Alliance partners will offer waterfront education activities, giveaways, and more. Live music and food vendors offering some of the best bites in the region will round out the day. New to City of Water Day in 2018 are the free, narrated PortNYC boat tours sponsored by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and taking place along the South Street Seaport Museum Street of Ships. The South Street Seaport Museum, a City of Water Day 2018 festival partner and the cultural anchor of the South Street Seaport Historic District, will offer $5 museum admission, as well as hands-on educational activities along Pier 16. 10am-4pm.

PLUS

(7/11-8/1) Design Kids Imagination Playground at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Stimulate your child's design creativity at the Imagination Playground in the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden on Wednesdays from 11am–1pm; now through August 1. 

The Cyclone

(Ongoing) Grab the family, get a Luna pass and ride the Cyclone or the Cozmo Jet, plus stroll the beach with a hot dog and more! Luna Park on Coney Island.

(Now-9/30) Big City Fishing Sundays on Pier 25 in Hudson River Park. 
Adults and kids aged 5+ learn how to fish while engaging with trained environmental educators about river science topics. The park provides the rods, reels, and instruction. 11am.

(New) The Smash Dash game at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square will keep kids on their toes! Keep your reflexes sharp, in this all-new race against time. Here is a coupon!

(Ongoing) Kids of all ages will want to check out the brand new Gulliver's Gate, a $40 million extravaganza that allows visitors to travel the globe without leaving Times Square. Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, Russia, and Europe are all here in incredibly detailed miniature. And don’t let that word “miniature” fool you—Gulliver’s Gate feels like it covers acres, stretching a full city block with the wonders of the world.

Stomp The Performers

(Ongoing) Exhilarating Family Fun at Stomp NYC. Special discount packages available!

Click here for more things to do with kids this weekend.

For more kids activities, check out our sister site nymetroparents.com!

SIGHTSEEING

Nat Geo Ocean Odyssey

(Now-8/31) Sip 'n' Sea Beach-themed Friday nights at National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey in Times Square. If you can’t make it to the beach, join Encounter for “Sip n’ Sea,” a fun beach-themed Wine Night. From 4pm to 9pm every Friday throughout the summer, your ticket to Encounter will include a glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage if you're there after 4pm. Use our coupon to take $5 off admission!

PLUS

New! Check out NYC's hottest new museum, exploring the world of espionage, SPYSCAPE

Bring a loved one to take in the breathtaking view at Top of the Rock

Zip up 100 stories in 60 seconds and see New York City atop One World ObservatoryUse this coupon and save: 20% off!

Explore New York City from the best vantage points with Helicopter Flight Services Tours. Choose from four different itineraries.

Ripley's Relic

(NEW!) Escape room fans will want to check out the brand new Ripley's Relic, now open at Ripley's Times Square. This escape room adventure takes you and your friends underground as you solve a series of puzzles together. The adventure is based on a series of strange symbols recently discovered in Times Square. Here is a coupon

MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

Radiohead

(7/11, 7/13, 7/14) Radiohead takes over Madison Square Garden.

(7/12) The Society of Illustrators hosts an opening party for its Art of the Avengers and Other Heroes exhibitProceeds will go to support arts programming and exhibit.

(7/12) Rose on the Water Cruise aboard Spirit of New YorkIt's time to break out your best pink outfits and get ready to join in a beautiful summer evening on the Hudson River...rosé glass in hand, of course.

(Now-8/9) The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum introduces the world of design in the masterpiece that is Carnegie Mansion. Thursday evenings in summer, the museum’s popular performance series Cocktails at Cooper Hewitt takes over the Arthur Ross Terrace and Garden. On July 12th, DJs, style icons, and former dancers for Prince Coco & Breezy will produce unexpected, energizing sounds. On July 19th, to coincide with NYC’s Disability Pride Month, New York-based modern dance company Heidi Latsky Dance performs “ON DISPLAY,” with a diverse cast transforming into a sculpture court of living statues. Cocktails and light fare are available for purchase.

(7/12) Silent Disco Party with DJ Calvin Harris: Madame Tussauds New York is taking the silent disco concept up a notch by placing Scottish DJ Calvin Harris at the head of the party. The legendary Times Square attraction will transform into a club where you can pop on headphones and dance like no one’s watching. You can also grab a selfie nearby with a new wax figure of Harris and hundreds of other uncanny A-list figures.

Foo Fighters

(7/14) Foo Fighters at Jones Beach Theater, followed by...

(7/16-7/17) ...two nights at Madison Square Garden.

(7/12, 7/14) Illusionist David Blaine at Kings Theatre.

(7/13-7/15) The Erasure Word Be Gone Tour stops at the Beacon Theatre.

(7/13) NYBG Concert Series: An American Tribute. Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in song, through the music of Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, and others. Doors open 5pm, concert 7pm, at The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx.

(7/14) Catch the sights and sounds of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry with Radney Foster, who wrote “Raining on Sunday,” at Opry City Stage

(7/14) Enjoy a screening of Sofia Coppola's lush Marie Antoinette with Pastries and Champagne, at Williamsburg's Videology. Starring Kirstin Dunst. 9:15pm. Let them eat cake!

(7/17) Dave Matthews Band at Jones Beach Theater

Click here for more nightlife this weekend.

Cheers! Check out the Best Rooftop Bars in NYC.

For information on LGBTQ nightlife, visit our brother site metrosource.com!

SNEAK PEEK NEXT WEEK

(7/21-7/22) This year’s OZY Fest at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park brings two days of a “SXSW-meets-Coachella” music fest, party, and conversation. Among the cultural heavyweights appearing this year are Alex Rodriguez, Michelle Wolf, Chelsea Handler, Martha Stewart, Isaac Mizrahi, Malcolm Gladwell, Common, Hillary Clinton, Padma Lakshmi, and Roxane Gay. (You’ll find some good eats, too, thanks to celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Roy Choi.) ozy.com/ozyfest

John Cleese

(7/22) John Cleese with Monty Python & The Holy Grail at Brooklyn's Kings TheatreLiving comedy legend John Cleese is heading in your general direction for a live and truly unforgettable evening of conversation and audience Q&A. Absurd and/or ridiculous questions only, please.

(7/24-8/12) Lincoln Center Out of Doors returns. Featuring a Family Day with the Mark Morris Dance Group (7/28), RZA (7/24), and NPR's Music Turning the Tables with Carly Rae Jepsen, Jamila Woods, and I'm With Her (8/1).  

(7/23-7/24) Britney Spears at Radio City Music Hall

(7/24) Panic at the Disco at Madison Square Garden.

(7/24) Arctic Monkeys at Forest Hills Stadium


Like what you see here? Share it with your friends on Facebook! Find out more about what to do in July here. We've got August covered, too! 

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