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Karaoke, Silent Disco and Hula-Hoop Party Added to Summer on the Hudson

By Emily Frost | April 23, 2015 1:04pm
 This summer there will be more events and the festival will last longer, said a Parks Department spokeswoman. 
Summer on the Hudson 2015
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UPPER WEST SIDE — Organizers of the annual free festival Summer on the Hudson are adding karaoke, a silent disco and hula-hooping to the roster this year — and extending the festival into October for the first time. 

Each year, the summer-long festival hosts hundreds of events in Riverside Park — with 166 events planned this year — ranging from lawn bowling and yoga classes to live Shakespeare performances.

Here's a rundown of some of this year's events:

Karaoke

To mix it up, Summer on the Hudson has added a new karaoke event called "Totally Public Karaoke" at Pier I on July 3 and 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. 

"This could be great or it could be terrible — it's up to you," said Zhen Heinemann, the Parks Department's director of public programming, of the karaoke experiment.

The Parks Department will set up a karaoke machine to provide lyrics and have amplification on the pier. 

"There’s a whole bunch of songs on the list," said Heinemann, who promised to join in. 

"Duets — I’m down, if you need the support," she said. 

Silent Disco

For park-goers who aren't as keen on loud interruptions, the festival is hosting a free silent disco

Only participants wearing a pair of headphones from the company Quiet Events will be able to hear music being spun by two live DJs and to flick back and forth between the two options.

Organizers have ordered 700 headphones for the event, which will take place on Aug. 29 at Pier I from 5 to 10 p.m. There could be a line to join the disco if it's popular, Heinemann noted. 

People can join the party, which is open to all ages, on a first-come first-served basis.

Hula-Hooping

Summer on the Hudson's events kick off May 3 and typically wrap up in early September, but this year organizers stretched the events into October with a hula-hoop dance party on Oct. 3.

Also at Pier I, this event takes place on World Hoop Day, which celebrates the importance of play through group hula-hooping events across the globe. 

From 1 to 5 p.m., hula-hoopers young and old are encouraged to bring their hoop to the pier for dancing and live music.  

Extra Films

Three films are being added as an extension of Summer on the Hudson's Pier I Picture show.

The films, which are in addition to the seven films on the existing lineup, are sponsored by the Chatsworth apartment building. 

The films will be shown on the lawn at West 72nd Street inside Riverside Park at dusk, roughly 8:30 p.m.

The additional selections are:

June 11: "Hyde Park on Hudson"

July 9: "Pride and Prejudice" (with Keira Knightley)

August 13: "Fantastic Mr. Fox" 

Celebrating Women in Music

The Parks Department put out an "open call for groups with female musicians" and has lined up five bands, whose names haven't been released yet, for an all-women music session in the park, Heinemann said.

The one-day concert, "Make Some Noise: A Celebration of Women and Music," will happen May 19 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. in Crabapple Grove between West 93rd and 94th streets.

Like all Summer on the Hudson events, it's free.

Girl Skateboarder Day

The Girls Riders Organization (GRO NYC) is joining Summer on the Hudson to host an "open skate" for girls of all ages and skill levels. Girls can skate, take lessons or just hang out from noon to 5 p.m. on May 16 at the Riverside Park Skate Park at West 108th Street.

The event will include skateboarding lessons and board-decorating activities.

Girls under 18 should wear a helmet, elbow and knee pads to participate. 

For a list of all the Summer on the Hudson events, visit here. Check for event updates and weather-related cancelations on twitter by following @SummeronHudson.

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