Monday, Aug. 19
Every Monday in August West Harlem Gastro Cruise teams up with some of Harlem's best restaurants for a dinner and cruise package. Make a dinner date or bring the whole family, since there are special rates for kids. The cruise begins at the World Financial Center Terminal (199 Vesey St.), and goes to the 125th Street Pier, where you can disembark and enjoy dinner at one of these participating restaurants. Then, it's back on the boat for the return journey downtown.
Tuesday, Aug. 20
Today the US Open Qualifying Tournament kicks off, consisting of 128 men and 128 women players competing for the final 32 entries (16 men and 16 women) in the 2013 US Open singles draws. It’s free to the public until Friday on the field courts at the USTA National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows. This is a great way to get close to some of the world's best players and watch some serious competitive tennis.
Wednesday, Aug. 21
The Circus Sideshow is the last traditional 10-in-1 continuous sideshow performing in a circus or amusement context, and includes a cast of live professional performers, many at the top of their field. The Sideshow is appropriately located at Coney Island USA, the home of sideshow culture, in an official New York City Landmark at 1208 Surf Ave. Amongst the acts are Lil’ Miss Firefly; “the Midget of Mischief;” Mat Fraser, the world's foremost international spokesman for the disability rights community, MC of London’s Special Olympics and producer of “Thalidomide! The Musical;” The Original Gumby (contortionist); Ray Valenz (MC and human blockhead); Betty Bloomerz (Sword Swallower); Rush (stretchable-skinned boy); Angelica (fire eater); and Serpentina (Snake Charmer). The shows are $10/$5, last 45 minutes and run regularly from 1-7 p.m.
The Whitney Museum of American Art is shining a spotlight on art from the 1980s and early '90s, including a room of AIDS-related artworks. The exhibition "I, You, We" is the last collection show before the museum relocates to the meatpacking district. Also showing is "Hopper Drawing" the first major museum exhibition to focus on the drawings and creative process of Edward Hopper. This exhibition showcases the Whitney’s unparalleled collection of Hopper’s work, which includes over 2,500 drawings bequeathed to the museum by his widow Josephine Hopper, many of which have never before been exhibited or researched.
Thursday, Aug. 22
If you'd like to visualize and understand the history of New York City's monuments, architecture, parks and infrastructure, a great way to do it is by boat. Narrated by the American Institute of Architects, the Around Manhattan Official NYC Architectural Tour circumnavigates Manhattan, passing under all 18 bridges, in a 2.75-hour journey. Highlights include exploration of waterfront planning visions and addressing rising sea levels, coverage of Manhattan's classic spires, including the Chrysler and Woolworth Buildings and the new World Trade Center buildings and recent "starchitecture" boom. Also covered is the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn and George Washington Bridge and the Highline and its role in the development of West Chelsea and Hudson Yards. Most Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Tickets $76/$64.
Friday, Aug. 23
In just a few days it'll be all over for The New York International Fringe Festival. With more than 1,200 performances and 185 theater troupes and dance companies in 19 downtown venues, it's a big program to navigate. Here's some shows getting good reviews you can take a chance on. All tickets are $18 ($15 in advance).
1/ Scarred for Life: A Tale of a Mexican-American Trying to Get Out of East L.A. More info.
2/ En Avant! An Evening with Tennessee Williams. More info.
3/ Bradley Cole. More info.
4/ Woman of Leisure and Panic. More info.
Saturday, Aug. 24
The Arthur Ashe Kids' Day is the largest single-day, grassroots tennis and entertainment event in the world, with chart-topping performers and some of the best tennis players in the game coming together to celebrate the life and values of tennis legend and humanitarian Arthur Ashe. The free Grounds Festival offers interactive games, music and tennis activities for all ages. Families can test their skills, watch top tennis pros and have a chance to win prizes. The ticketed Stadium Show and concert (from 1- 3 p.m.) inside Arthur Ashe Stadium ($10/$20) has featured Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Britney Spears in previous years. Tickets often sell out, so move fast. The US Open runs from Monday Aug. 26 until Sept. 9. Grab your tickets now!
13 Portals is an interactive street art experience combining technology, art, urban space and community on the sidewalks of New York City's East Village this summer. Brazilian Pérola Bonfanti and New York based artist Nicolina of The Free Art Society have created 13 site-specific, hand-painted murals. Each mural will appear in an abandoned doorway every Saturday accompanied by a theatrical happening and a chance to score one of the 64 keys. The 13 Portals will culminate in an event with all participants invited, the keyholders experiencing a unique passage through Portal 13. How do you play? Head here and click on "Join The Game" and enter your email. The Oracle will contact you with information. The journey continues until October. There's more info on the Facebook page too.
Sunday, Aug. 25
Running every weekend this summer, Long Island City is home to the newest flea and food market in New York, LIC Flea & Food. Enjoy some great eats, find a hidden treasure in the market, discover new artists and great local vendors all while taking in breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Saturdays and Sundays, corner of 46th Avenue and 5th Street, Long Island City, Queens, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
