Friday, August 1
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, 212-535-7710
There are three great exhibitions at the Metropolitan that will run through September.
Art of the Royal Court: Treasures in Pietre Dure from the Palaces of Europe Special Exhibition Galleries, 2nd floor. This is the most comprehensive exhibition to date on the tradition of hardstone carving (pietre dure) that developed in Italy in the 16th century and subsequently spread through Europe. Renaissance masters working in Rome cut colored marbles and laid them in geometrically patterned tabletops, such as the celebrated Farnese Table in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, while Milanese artisans preferred to cut designs in rock crystal, lapis lazuli, and other precious materials. Runs through Sunday, September 21.
J. M. W. Turner, The Tisch Galleries, 2nd floor. The first retrospective of the work of J. M. W. Turner (1775–1851) presented in the United States in more than forty years, this international exhibition highlights approximately 140 paintings and watercolors—more than half of them from Tate Britain's Turner Bequest—along with works from other collections in Europe and North America. The artist’s extensive iconographic range is represented, from seascapes and topographical views to historical subjects and scenes from his imagination. Allow time for this one. I can usually cover an exhibition with an acoustic guide in about 45 minutes to an hour. This exhibition was a good 1 ½ hours. Runs through Sunday, September 21.
Jeff Koons on the Roof, Through October 26, 2008 (weather permitting), The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden. On view is an installation of sculptures by American artist Jeff Koons (b. 1955), featuring three of the artist’s meticulously crafted works that have never before been on public display. The works are set in the most dramatic outdoor space for sculpture in New York City: The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, which offers a spectacular view of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Beverage and sandwich service is available from 10:00 AM until closing, including Friday and Saturday evenings when the museum remains open until 8:45 PM. Enjoy a glass of wine in the quiet after 7:00 PM when the crowds leave for dinner.
The New York City Waterfalls, Public Art Fund and the City of New York. Four sites including: the Brooklyn Bridge, between Piers 4 and 5, Pier 35, and Governors Island, 212-980-4575. Commissioned by the Public Art Fund, the project consists of four monumental, man-made waterfalls. These 90- to 120-foot tall installations will operate from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week, and will be lit after sunset. This major work of temporary public art was created by acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson. Runs through Wednesday, October 15. These are best seen at night when they are lit.
Louise Bourgeois, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 5th Avenue (at 89th Street), 212-423-3500. Discover this powerfully inventive artist whose intricately crafted and psychologically charged work alternates freely between abstraction and figuration. See how this true original, whose career spans over seven decades, remains at the forefront of contemporary art today. Runs through Sunday, September 28.
The Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd St. 212-534-1672.
Here are some wonderful exhibitions that are on this month:
Timescapes: A Multimedia Portrait of the City, Ongoing – runs every half hour The only 25-minute multimedia history of New York City, Timescapes, traces the growth of New York City from a settlement of a few hundred Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans to its present status as one of the world’s great cities. Narrated by Stanley Tucci.
Perform: A Multimedia Portrait of the City, Ongoing – runs every half hour New York City’s best tour of New York theater from early Minstrel shows and Burlesque to major Broadway productions, through costumes, photographs, props, and more from major productions such a West Side Story, Rent, Avenue Q, and more!
Campaigning for President: New York & the American Election. An amazing collection of humorous and provocative campaign memorabilia exploring New York's role in American politics from the inauguration of George Washington to the present. Runs through Tuesday, November 4.
Catholics in New York: 1808 – 1946. Social & political history of the diverse group of immigrants who established the formidable Catholic presence in New York. This, first-of-its-kind, exhibition traces Catholic immigrants’ growth from a tiny banned religious minority to a powerful social and political force in the city and shows how Catholics reshaped the fabric of life in all five boroughs. Runs through Wednesday, December 31.
Wednesday, August 6
Summer on the Hudson: Soccer Tots & Pee Wee Basketball, Riverside Park South, 71st St. Soccer Field and Basketball Courts, 212-408-0219. All little ones (5 and under) are welcome at this introduction to soccer and basketball. Wednesdays, July 9 – August 6 Soccer Tots; 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Pee Wee Basketball; 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM. All Events are FREE Weather Permitting.
Summer on the Hudson: Movies Under the Stars - The Manchurian Candidate, Riverside Park South, Pier I at 70th Street, 212-408-0219. This Week: The Manchurian Candidate (1962). Pack a picnic, bring a friend and settle in for a night of premier Hollywood movies. This year’s theme: Election Year! Dusk (8:30 PM) Movies Under the Stars are sponsored by: Riverside South Properties.
Thursday, August 7
Summer on the Hudson: kid acts! Children's Performance Series, Riverside Park South, Pier I at 70th Street, 212-408-0219. This Week: Billy B. the Natural Science Song and Dance Man Music, storytelling & theater for young audiences. Suitable for kids up to age 7. Thursdays, July 10 – August 14, 10:30 AM –11:30 AM. Riverside Park South is located on the Hudson River between 59th and 72nd Streets Weather Permitting.
Saturday, August 9
World of Jazz at CAM: Stephane Wrembel, Chelsea Art Museum, 556 West 22nd Street, 212-255-0719. The Chelsea Art Museum is proud to present World of Jazz, a six-week concert series to be held in the museum’s exhibition galleries. Stephane Wrembel’s guitar trio performs Gypsie Jazz.
Sunday, August 10
Summer on the Hudson: kid acts! Afternoon Performance & Dance Party, Riverside Park South, Pier I at 70th Street, 212-408-0219. This Week: Bambouk! & AstroGrass for Kids. Shout along, laugh out loud, and rock out at our monthly afternoon dance & performance parties featuring rock-n-roll, and hula-hoop dancing with GrooveHoops! 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Summer on the Hudson: Acoustic Sundays - Kate McGarry Quartet, Riverside Park South, Pier I at 70th Street, 212-408-0219. This Week: Kate McGarry Quartet. Enjoy spectacular sunsets over the Hudson as you listen to some of New York’s best jazz, R&B, and world music. 7:00 PM. Acoustic Sundays is sponsored by: Riverside South Properties.
Summer on the Hudson: Kayaking on the Hudson, Riverside Park South 72nd St. & the Hudson River, 212-408-0219. Join the Downtown Boathouse for 20-minute instructional paddles, and explore the Hudson River first hand. Please wear a bathing suit or shorts and a t-shirt, and know how to swim Weather permitting. Daily Weather Status: (646) 613-0740 Saturdays & Sundays, May 17 – October 12; 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Tuesday, August 12
Preschool Family Adventures: Sink or Float, New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th Street, 718-699-0005. Discover what objects will sink or float when we put them in water. Make a floating sparkle jar to take home. $15 per session for one child and one adult, $8 per additional child or adult. Members: $9 per session for one child and one adult, $8 per additional child or adult.
Wednesday, August 13
Summer on the Hudson: Movies Under the Stars - Primary Colors, at Riverside Park South, Pier I at 70th Street, 212-408-0219. This Week: Primary Colors. Pack a picnic, bring a friend and settle in for a night of premier Hollywood movies. This year’s theme: Election Year! Dusk (8:30 PM) Movies Under the Stars are sponsored by: Riverside South Properties.
Thursday, August 14
Summer on the Hudson: kid acts! Children's Performance Series, at Riverside Park South, Pier I at 70th Street, 212-408-0219. This Week: City Parks Foundations presents the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater in “Cinderella Samba" Music, storytelling & theater for young audiences. Suitable for kids up to age 7. Thursdays, July 10 – August 14, 10:30 AM –11:30 AM Riverside Park South is located on the Hudson River between 59th and 72nd Streets Weather Permitting.
Tuesday, August 19
Central Park Film Festival, Central Park's Rumsey Playfield, Enter Central Park at Fifth Avenue at 69th Street, 212-310-6600. The Central Park Film Festival features classic New York movies in a classic New York setting. The line-up includes a flick from each borough: Working Girl, The French Connection, Strangers on a Train, Moonstruck, and August Rush. Hosted by the Central Park Conservancy. Sponsored by Bloomberg L.P. FREE! Rain or Shine. Films screen at 8:00 PM. Runs through Saturday, August 23.
Friday, August 22
NTDTV 2nd International Chinese Classical Dance, The Town Hall Foundation, 123 West 43rd Street, 646-736-2969. 1st place prize US$10,000, 3 rounds: Preliminaries, semi-finals & finals. 2 divisions: Adult & Junior. All dance teachers and dancers from professional arts academies and dance troupes and dance instructors, dancers, and dance students from professional dance schools may register and participate. Runs through Sunday, August 24.
2008 New York Korean Film Festival, The Korea Society, 22 E 12th Street, 212-759-7525. New York Korean Film Festival is the largest showcase of its kind in North America. With the most anticipated 14 fantastic feature films, enticing panel discussions, short film festival, and more, the New York Korean Film Festival is back for the eighth straight year. This year the festival will run at the Cinema Village and BAM Cinematek. Runs through Friday, August 29.
Wednesday, August 27
8th Annual New York Salsa Congress - Dance and Music, Festival, Hilton New York/ Mambo Fateegz, Hilton New York 1335 Ave of The Americas, 347-680-7616. A Salsa Congress is a multi-day (3 days & 4 nights) celebration of Latin dance, music and culture much like any conference or convention with the overall focus to unite, develop and educate Salsa dancers and Latin music enthusiasts. Their main goals are to bring people from many different cultures, places and social circles together to establish. Runs through Monday, September 1.
