Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

6 Things To Do in New York City's Neighborhoods This Memorial Day Weekend

By Daniel Jumpertz | May 22, 2015 7:31am | Updated on May 22, 2015 5:46pm
 Downtown culture, a Civil War commemoration and Queen's night markets are on this weekend's agenda.
6 Things for You To Do in New York City's Neighborhoods This Weekend
View Full Caption

Friday, May 22
The 20th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts kicks off Friday with lots of free theater, music, dance, film and art in a cluster of downtown theaters. It's hosted by the Theater for the New City, the self-described "avant-guardians of the proud history of New York City’s creative downtown quadrant." The performances, which run through to Sunday, begin on Friday at 6 p.m. in the Johnson Theater and from 7 p.m. in the Cabaret Theater — both within the Theater for a New City building on East 10th Street. A street festival is planned from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, outside the building. 155 First Ave., between East Ninth and 10th streets, East Village. Free.

The Paris Review is currently hosting the Norwegian-American Literary Festival and Friday at 7 p.m. sees New Yorker’s book critic James Wood in conversation with writer Karl Ove Knausgaard. At 8:30 p.m. the literary lads swap their books for guitars and microphones as they unveil their bands; Lemen (Knausgaard) and The Fun Stuff (Wood). From 6:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. at Sunny’s Bar, 253 Conover St., Red Hook. Free.

Saturday, May 23
This spring marks the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War. On Saturday only, Green-Wood Cemetery, the final resting place of over 5,000 Civil War veterans and other contributors to the war effort, will be transformed into a Civil War-era commemoration and festival. The 6 p.m. Grand Procession is the main event. It's a spectacular walk across Green-Wood’s grounds, aglow with 5,000 candles at the headstones of those who died in the effort, and featuring a brass band, artillery fire, a chorus, cavalry horses, and re-enactors in uniform. $20 for members of the cemetery and the Brooklyn Historical Society and for non-members $25. 500 25th St., Greenwood Heights.

The Queens International Night Market, a large, family-friendly open-air night market in Queens, features more than 100 independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food. Catch some small-scale cultural performances and entertainment there as well. 6 p.m. to midnight, New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, Queens. Free.

Sunday, May 24
At the newly renovated World of Birds exhibit at Bronx Zoo, embark on "Flight!" an avian quest to see if you can spot the full array of colorful species. Led by experienced zoo staff, the activity is ideal for families. Daily between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Included with zoo entry of $19.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 3-12 and $17.95 for seniors over 65. 2300 Southern Boulevard, Belmont. 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Fingers crossed for warm weather: Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of beach season in New York City. During beach season, (which runs through to Monday, September 7), lifeguards are on duty daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty. Check out the DNAinfo guide to New York City’s Public Beaches here.