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15 Things to Do in New York City's Neighborhoods This Weekend

By DNAinfo Staff | June 26, 2015 8:22am 

 The 1990 film
The 1990 film "Paris is Burning" portrayed the city's ballroom community in Harlem during the 1980s.
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BRIC

All Weekend:

River to River Festival

Where: Governors Island/South Street Seaport
When: 12 through 9:30 p.m. daily

The River to River festival, now in its 14th year, brings a host of eclectic performances to Lower Manhattan, with daily events, many of which take place outside, along the downtown waterfront and Governors Island. Music, theater, dance and art shows are scheduled all weekend. All events are free.

Astoria Park Carnival

Where: Astoria Park parking lot (19th St. between Astoria Park S. and Ditmars Blvd.)
When: 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday, and from noon to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

This annual event at the park will feature games, food and amusement park rides, including a ferris wheel and the carnival favorite “The Zipper.” Free admission.

Swedish Circus

Where: 334 Furman St., Brooklyn Bridge Park
When: 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

The Swedish circus company Magmanus will bring free weekend performances to Brooklyn Bridge Park, featuring an acrobat and a juggler in a unique two-man show. The event is part of SummerStage Kids’ International Contemporary Circus Festival. The shows are free and open to the public.

Friday, June 26

NYC Pride Rally

Where: Pier 26 in Hudson River Park (just north of North Moore Street in TriBeCa)
When: 7 to 9:30 p.m.

The kickoff event for the city’s Gay Pride weekend will be headlined by “princess of hip-hop and R&B” Ashanti. Free, but guaranteed parking can be purchased in advance online. Check out the NYC Pride website for more information on this and other Pride events this weekend.

► "NYSCI After Dark"

Where: NYSCI (New York Hall of Science), 47-01 111th St., Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Corona
When: 7 to 10 p.m.

Adults can enjoy the museum after-hours with live music, crafts, vegan treats and drinks with NYSCI After Dark, organized in collaboration with Play Too Much, a music zine. There will be mini golf and a chance to explore the museum, which is currently hosting the LEGO Brick Fest. EVVY, Charly Bliss, Grlfrndwrks and Ava Luna will perform. Admission is $15, with drinks from sponsor Sixpoint Breweries included. 

Drag Ball and 'Paris is Burning' Screening

Where: Prospect Park Bandshell, Park Slope
When: Gates open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m.

See the best of the New York ballroom community at a free drag ball and screening of the cult classic documentary "Paris is Burning" about the ballroom dancing scene in Harlem in the 1980s, hosted by the Celebrate Brooklyn! festival. After some controversy surrounding the original line-up of the event, organizers invited some of the film's original cast members and current ballroom performers.

Saturday, June 27

► Volunteer at Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project

Where: Metro Baptist Church at 410 W. 40th St., Midtown
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Get your hands dirty at the Hell’s Kitchen Farm Project rooftop garden. The veggies from the garden go to the church’s food pantry. Free every Saturday.

Warm Up 2015

Where: MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City
When: 3 to 9 p.m

MoMA PS1 kicks off its annual outdoor summer concert series Saturday, when “hippie dance” group Panchanga Boys will perform in the museum’s courtyard. Other musical guests include Eclair Fifi, Samantha Urbani, Amnesia Scanner and The Black Madonna. Tickets cost $18 in advance, $20 at the door.

► Dragon Boat Family Festival

Where: Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St., Little Italy
When: Noon to 4 p.m.

The Museum of Chinese in America’s annual Dragon Boat Family Festival includes several activities, from storytimes and arts and crafts to zongzi tastings, where visitors can try the traditional rice dumpling treats. Highlights include an interactive educational activity about dragon boat racing as well as the opportunity for kids to build and race their own dragon boats. $10 per person, $8 for all MOCA Dual and Individual Level Members and free for MOCA Family Level Members and above, children under 2, and Cool Culture families.

► Celebrate Ramadan Festival at the Children's Museum of Manhattan

Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m

The Celebrate Ramadan Festival, aimed at teaching children about Ramadan, includes live dance and storytelling, as well as the opportunity to make collages and explore a 3D mosque. Tickets for children and adults are $11, Seniors (65 and older) get in for $7, children under 12 months and members get in free.

► Rockstock & Barrels Festival

Where: Beach 90th Street and the boardwalk, Rockaway Beach
When: 10 a.m.

The free ninth annual music, skate and surf festival returns to Rockaway Beach, where there is now a boardwalk. There will be live music all day, tents and stands from local merchants and an after-party at local bars.

12th Annual Children’s Sports & Fitness Expo

Where: Boys and Girls High School, 1700 Fulton St., Bed-Stuy
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kids and adults can enjoy more than 25 sports activities and learn about community resources with nutrition clinics and health screenings. Every child participating in the expo gets a gift bag and families can improve their skills in archery, fencing, gymnastics and more. Meet New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings along with NASCAR team owner Melissa Lebron.

Sunday, June 28

► NYC Gay Pride March

Where: Starts at 36th Street and 5th Avenue, ends at Greenwich and Christopher streets.
When: The march kicks off at noon, and the street fair goes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The city’s biggest gay pride event is not to be missed. (Last year’s event included 55 floats.) This year’s grand marshals include actors Sir Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi, Ugandan LGBT activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera, who organized her country’s first Pride festival last year, and J. Christopher Neal, who runs a Brooklyn-based organization for gay men of color. Also check out Pridefest, a street fair with vendors and live entertainment on Hudson Street between 14th Street and Abingdon Square, and grab a bite at Boots & Saddle’s drag brunch in their new location on Seventh Avenue South, with a special show at 2 p.m. Pride events are free; Boots & Saddle drag brunches are $15 and include a complimentary mimosa, Bloody Mary or screwdriver.

Sundae Sermon

Where: Saint Nicholas Park at West 135th Street, Central Harlem
When: 1 to 7 p.m.

Take part in this free outdoor music festival to kick off the summer. Families are encouraged to bring picnics to the park and enjoy free house music from international DJ.

International Mud Day at Queens Botanical Garden

Where: Queens Botanical Garden at 43-50 Main St., Flushing
When: 1 to 3 p.m.

Get muddy while celebrating nature during International Mud Day at the Queens Botanical Garden. Participants will roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty during this family-friendly event. Kids will get to see earthworms and learn how composting works. Free with garden admission ($4 for adults and $2 for students and children over 3).