Picks of the Week: August 5-11

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival; photo by Dave Bledsoe of FreeVerse Photography

You couldn’t have asked for better weather this week! Saddle up for another amazing week of citywide events. Be sure to carve out time for Civil War Heritage Weekend on Governors Island and the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Queens.

Thursday, August 8

Broadway in Bryant Park
The Lawn in Bryant Park
12:30-1:30pm
Can’t make it to a Broadway show this summer? {ack a picnic blanket and head over to Bryant Park on Thursdays through August 15 to see the biggest Broadway and off-Broadway shows perform some of their most popular tunes. On offer this week: cast performances from “Annie,” “Wicked,” “The Fantasticks,” and more. Free.

Friday, August 9

FringeJR
The Theater at the 14th Street Y
Various times
Part of the New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), the largest multimedia festival in North America, FringeJR selects kid-friendly theatrical productions for families with children ages 5-2. This year FringeJR has chosen “Sarazad & The Monster-King,” “Peter Pan and Stardust Dances,” and “The Young Olympians and The Most Amazingly Awesome Adventure Ever.” Beginning Friday will be “Sarazad & The Monster-King,” which is an adaptation of “The 1001 Arabian Nights,” telling the story of a nine-year-old girl whose love for storytelling takes her on an adventure with pirates, robots, and detectives. Recommended for children ages 6-12. Tickets are $10 for kids under 12.

Saturday, August 10-Sunday, August 11

Civil War Heritage Weekend
10-11am
Governors Island
Ever wonder what it was like to fight in the Civil War? Take the ferry to Governors Island to experience Civil War Heritage Weekend! Watch as living historians recreate a day in the life of a Civil War soldier with camp, musket, and cannon firing demos. Event is free.

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
9am-5pm
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
The two-day Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival includes dragon boat racing, food, live music, a balloon artist, face painting, and more. Enjoy performances from the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York, Shaolin masters, the Bailen Brothers, and others. Festival will be held rain or shine and admission is free.

Bounce! Family Entertainment Center

Bounce! Family Entertainment Center is an indoor birthday party and play space located in Syosset, NY. Perfect for birthday parties, group events, open play, and more! We have the best party packages on Long Island! Our facility has multiple AWESOME attractions: The Trampoline courts, The Adventure Zone, Bumper Cars, Laser Tag, Soft Play, Arcade, &amp; MORE! If you need a break from jumping and climbing, try out some of our delicious food from The Bounce Bites Kitchen! Come on in to any of our Open Play, Toddler Time, or Glow Night sessions!

CK Kids

CK Kids offers various classes and programs, including Afterschool Program, Lil Chefs, Boys Hip-Hop, Ninja Starz, Lil Artists, CK Kids Athletic Programs, Acrobatics, Dance and Drama, and Karate.&nbsp;

Play On! Studios

Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games! Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun! Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show! During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us. &nbsp;