Free Events
Summer in New York is many splendid things. A certain number are free, and many of those are quite good. Here are our picks for places to go. Even though they are free, some require tickets.
UPPER EAST SIDE
May 28 to June 30
July 23 to Aug. 18
The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park is one of New York City's most beloved summer traditions. Gather at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park for the free performances. This summer's lineup is The Comedy of Errors from May 28 to June 30 and Love's Labour's Lost, a New Musical from July 23 to Aug. 18.
All performances begin at 8:30 p.m. Free tickets are distributed at noon each performance day; each person (age 5+) may receive up to two tickets while supplies last. Line up along the path designated by The Public Theater staff and The New York City Parks Department. There will be separate lines for senior citizens and people with disabilities. www.shakespeareinthepark.org/
UPPER WEST SIDE
Lincoln Center Out of Doors
July 24 to Aug. 11
The 43rd season of free concerts and events at Lincoln Center is set for July 24 to Aug. 11 at three locations at Lincoln Center: Damrosch Park at West 62nd between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues; Hearst Plaza/Barclays Capital Grove, north of the Metropolitan Opera House in front of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and Lincoln Center Theater near West 65th Street, and Josie Robertson Plaza, main plaza of Lincoln Center facing Columbus Avenue between 63rd and 64th streets.
Twenty-one premieres and debuts highlight the free, outdoor festival; LCOutofDoors.org, 212.875.5766.
NORTHERN MANHATTAN
Scandinavian Music Festival 2013
Sunday, June 16
Hear the Musicians of the New York Scandia Symphony Sunday, June 16, at Billings Lawn in Fort Tryon Park, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Scandia Brass Quintet will perform music by Scandinavian composers Anders Koppel, Esko Heikinen, Asgeir SteingrimssonJukka Vitasaari, Edvard Grieg and Oscar Borg. The event, organized by Northern Manhattan Parks, is free; 212.795-1388; info@forttryonparktrust.org.
DOWNTOWN
Wednesdays June 26, July 10, 17, 24, 31, and Aug. 7
If the films of Barbra Streisand appeal to you, this is your chance to see six of them during free screenings at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, in Lower Manhattan. Films begin at 6:30 p.m. except for the June 26 program that begins at 6 p.m. with a series introduction by Streisand biographer William J. Mann, author of Hello Gorgeous: Becoming Barbra Streisand.
The schedule includes Funny Girl, June 26; What's up, Doc? July 10; The Way We Were, July 17; A Star is Born, July 24; Yentl, July 31, and The Prince of Tides, Aug. 7.
Tickets will be available at the museum box office on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 4 p.m. the day of each screening.
GOVERNORS ISLAND
Harbor Nagila Dance Program
Sunday, June 23
Here's your chance to learn how to dance the hora and other Israeli dances with Ruth Goodman, director, Israeli Dance Institute. Head down (or over) to Harbor Nagila, a dance program on Governors Island, from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23, in conjunction with Hava Nagila: A Song for the People, an exhibition at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park.
Participants of all ages and dance levels are welcome. The event is free and tickets are not required so just show up! Free ferries available; visit www.govisland.com.
DOWNTOWN
Madison Square Music: Oval Lawn Series
June 19 to Aug. 7
Free live musical performers headline the Madison Square Park Conservancy lineup for the 11th season of Madison Square Music: Oval Lawn Series, Wednesdays, June 19 to Aug. 7, at the park, 23rd Street between Madison and Fifth Avenues.
All performances are for the entire family; bring blankets and picnics as no chairs are permitted. Concerts, which take place rain or shine, include folk, jazz, bluegrass, soul/R and B, and Americana. Start time is 7 p.m. unless otherwisenoted. The schedule includes Suzanne Vega, June 19; Anat Cohen Quartet, June 26; The Grascals/Joy Kills Sorrow, July 3, at 6 p.m.; Rene Marie's "Experiment in Truth"; Ben Sollee, July 17; Dafnis Prieto Sextet/Yosvany Terry Quintet, July 24, at 6 p.m.; Erin McKeown/Lake Street Dive, July 31, at 6 p.m., and Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Aug. 7.
MIDTOWN
Live-Mix Video Performance
Friday, July 26
Nica Rossand collaborators fromJoshua Light Showwill stage a live-mix video performance at the International Center of Photography, 1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street in conjunction with the exhibition, A Different Kind of Order: The ICP Triennial. It's scheduled during voluntary admission hours, at 7 p.m., Friday, July 26.
UPPER EAST SIDE
The Sandbox Music Series is slated at 4 p.m. Tuesdays, July 16, 23, and 30, Aug. 6 and 13 at Carl Schurz Park, 86th Street and the East River. The Summer Sounds concert series, open-air music overlooking the river, are planned, weather permitting, at the promenade from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 and July 24, at the top of the stairs at 86th Street and the East River. Seating is limited, on a first-come, first-served basis. Performers include Kenn Morr and Band, July 10; and Steve Shaiman and Swingtime Big Band, July 24.
The Sunset Film Festival includes two movies suitable for the whole family.
Movies are scheduled at 8:30 p.m. in the Basketball/Hockey Courts.
They are: Finding Nemo, Monday, July 29, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Tuesday, Aug. 13. Seating is limited; popcorn is free.