Rain or shine–or do we mean “hail or heat wave”?–there’s something for everyone in the next few days. With the opening of the Enterprise space shuttle pavilion, a dance festival and block parties, Olympics-themed sports, and a host of classic films and clever musicals, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of weekend.
FRIDAY
It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s Superman — the 1978 one, to be exact! The original superhero movie will be pitching good against evil in Hudson River Park, so grab a handful of free popcorn and get ready for justice.
Strap on your dancing shoes and pick up some moves from Harlem Dances, where local youth dance companies will be showcasing their best groove.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Calling all space-lovers: The long-awaited Enterprise space shuttle exhibit is finally open at The Intrepid. To celebrate, the weekend-long SpaceFest is showing Star Trek on deck, not to mention granting visitors a rare chance to mingle with current and former astronauts.
Get your art fix at CMOM with this week’s NYC Design Studio workshop. Inspired by a skyline print, these pattern-making hours are an homage to our beloved city. (Friday-Sunday)
SATURDAY
It’s a full-blown fest at El Museo del Barrio’s Super Sabado block party on 104th Street. Join in on salsa, break dancing, or hip hop, then catch your breath with goofy photo booth shots and rad performances by The Welfare Poets.
Take the party downtown to the New Museum, whose hoppin’ block party includes artsy neighborhood tours, remixed poems, and other creative activities. Don’t miss live shows by stars like Sxip Shirey and Aki Sasamoto.
Summer sun getting a little too strong? Duck into the Baruch College Nagelberg Theatre to catch “The Grunch,” a musical about a grumpy 6th grader inspired by the Grinch. Alternatively, the Nitehawk Cinema is presenting rare and never-before-seen footage of Muppets, Sesame Street, and other childhood favorites.
Break out your buckets for the ultimate sand sculpture contest at Coney Island. It’s a family effort, so remember there’s no “i” in “team”!
Boats galore: It’s a great weekend for marine enthusiasts, who can build their very own model ships at the South Street Seaport Museum before continuing the fun at New York Hall of Science’s Dragon Boat Family Day. There, learn all about the speedy Chinese racing vessels and catch a jaw-dropping acrobat performance.
SUNDAY
Cheering for your fave Olympic athletes by the TV is fun, but pretending you’re one of them is even better. Head on over to the Olympic Sports Festival at the Aviator for Games-themed sports, water fun, and a scrumptious BBQ to refuel.
To end the weekend with a bang, rock out at “Stand Tall,” a contemporary musical take on the David and Goliath story that tackles the issue of bullying with family-friendly rock tunes.
BONUS TIP
Love doughnuts? You won’t want to miss the musical adaptation of “Arnie the Doughnut,” a bone-tickling story about a sweet pastry who gets taken home by a man trying to eat him. Adorably cute for the kids, hilariously clever for the adults.
