WEDNESDAY 7/2 WEDNESDAY 7/2 Around Town Big "A" ...
Around Town
Big "A" Fair "Young & old alike" enjoy evening of rides, games & live entertainment incl. Circus Hollywood, petting zoo & the magic of Lance Gifford; Aqueduct Racetrack, S. Ozone Park (Rockaway Blvd.), Queens, 516-293-4242, www.bigafair.com; 5, $6 [repeats Thurs., Fri., Mon. & Tues. at 5, Sat. & Sun. at 1].
Display of the Declaration of Independence Several versions of historic document are on display?plus autographed letter from Benjamin Franklin to George Washington; Humanities and Social Sciences Library of the New York Public Library, 5th Ave. (42nd St.), 212-869-8089, www.nypl.org; 10-6, free [repeats Thurs., Sun.-Tues.].
"Drinking & Thinking" Test your "knowledge of useless information"?you can win free beer & "hang out w/the brainiest pub-goers in Manhattan"; Jack Dempsey's Public House, 61 2nd Ave. (betw. 3rd & 4th Sts.), 212-388-0662; 7:30, free.
"Summer Restaurant Week" Over 170 of the city's "finest restaurants" pres. delicious prix-fixe lunches ($20.03) & dinners ($30.03); NYC's Official Visitor Info Center, 810 7th Ave. (53rd St.), 212-484-1222, www.nycvisit.com; [repeats Thurs. & Fri. ].
Treasures on Side Streets Join historian Diana Stuart to see some "unusual artifacts" on walking tour of East Village & Alphabet City; meet at Tompkins Sq. Park, St. Marks Pl. (Ave. A), 212-685-6150; 2, $15.
Wimbledon Comes to NY Race through Grand Central? Take a break & watch Wimbledon matches broadcast live, along w/recreated "side court experience" feat. artificial grass courts, display towers, court walls & player seats?or buy official Wimbledon merchandise; Grand Central, Main Concourse, Vanderbilt Ave. (42nd St.), 212-714-1280 x292; 7-6, free [repeats Thurs. 7-2].
Film/Video
And the Oscar Goes to... Two Best Short Subject Documentary Oscar nominees screen. Director Murray Nossel's portrait of a crack-addicted mom, Why Can't We Be a Family Again? (2003), early screening followed by discussion w/Nossel & Alice Elliot's moving look at Larry Selman in The Collector of Bedford Street (2002), followed by discussion w/Elliot & editor Melissa Hacker; Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-601-1000; 7:30 & 9:30, $15.
"Blast From Your Past What Gen X Watched: 1969-1985" Generation Xers celebrate their other parent, television, w/screenings of "Action-Packed" series incl. Charlie's Angels & The Dukes of Hazard; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 12:30 & 3, $10, $8 st./s.c. [repeats Thurs.-Sun.].
The Lubitsch Touch Three-week, 34-film Ernst Lubitsch retrospective of rare prints continues. Today, romantic comedies incl. 1933's Design For Living (3:40 & 7:10, repeats Thurs. at 2:40) & 1938's Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (2, 5:30 & 9, repeats Thurs. at 1 & 4:30), both feat. Gary Cooper; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (betw. Varick St. & 6th Ave.), 212-727-8110; www.filmforum.com; $9.75, $5 s.c. [continues Thurs.].
My Terrorist New documentary by Israeli survivor of 1978 attack screens w/ Ilan Ziv's Human Weapon; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (betw. Varick St. & 6th Ave.), 212-727-8110; call for times [through 7/8].
Second Annual Festival of Preserved & Restored Films Jean Renoir, Jacques Demy, Michelangelo Antonioni & Peter Fonda among feat. directors in 70-film exhibition; MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-777-4900; call for times [through 7/4].
"Three for Audrey" BAMcinématek screens three Audrey Hepburn classics, showcasing her diversity as an actress. Today, Stanley Donen's 1963 thriller, Charade, also starring Cary Grant; BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-636-4100; 4:30, 6:50 & 9:30, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c.
Lectures
Use Your Freedom to Create the Life of Your Dreams Getting into the spirit of things for the Fourth this lecture discusses freedom & how to maximize yours; New York Open Center, 83 Spring St. (betw. B'way & Lafayette St.), 212-219-2527; 7-9, $15.
Readings
Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings From Booklist: "Biologist Nate Quinn has been researching whale songs off the coast of Hawaii for years, and although he enjoys his work, he's never discovered anything really earth-shattering...until the day he sights the whale with "Bite Me" written across its tail"; Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; 7, free.
Workshops
A (FREE) Taste of Hebrew Ma ni shma? Get a free sampling of beginner classes in Ulpan method of conversational Hebrew; JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave. (76th St.), 646-505-5708; 6:30-8, free.
Landscape Design Intensive Hate your office job? Take this one month course to learn about getting started w/new gardening career; New York Botanical Gardens, 200th St. (Southern Blvd.), Bronx, 718-817-8747; call for sched., $3,425 [through 8/8].
THURSDAY 7/3
Around Town
Brooklyn Bridge & Brooklyn Heights Walking tour takes you across the bridge, through NY's "first suburb"; Big Onion Walking Tours, meet at S.E. corner of B'way (Chambers St.), 212-439-1090, www.bigonion.com ; 1, $12, $10 st./s.c.
Central Park Traffic-Calming Ride Bicyclists & skaters "kick the cars out of our parks"?protesters ride in front of traffic to "send a positive message" of what the parks would look like without cars. Sounds like there's gonna be some pissed-off cabbies; Central Park, 59th St. (6th Ave.), 212-802-8222, www.times-up.org; 6 p.m., free.
"Garment District: Meet the Wall Signs" Historian Diana Stuart takes you on walking tour of NYC's faded wall signs & "long gone merchants"; meet at Madison Sq. Park, Madison Ave. (26th St.), 212-685-6150; 2, $15.
Independence Day Concert Musical program to "entertain & involve audiences"?feat. the Livingston Street Local Music Group; West Side Senior Center, 120 W. 76th St. (betw. Amsterdam & Columbus Aves.), 212-712-0170; 1, free.
Film/Video
Electra-Elf and Fluffer Robert Beck Memorial Cinema screens underground filmmaker Nick Zedd's created-for-tv-but never aired series. Today, episode one, entitled Dance with the Devil, starring Saint Reverend Jen; Collective Unconscious, 145 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-254-5277, www.rbmc.net; 8, $5.
"Film at the Tank" New visual arts space's bi-monthly series screens Doug DeMay & John Donahue's digital film Sex Doings, about a country boy, w/protective mom in pursuit, who gets into "nothing but trouble" in Boston?feat. discussion w/filmmakers & principal actors; the Tank, 432 W. 42nd St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-868-4444; 10, $5.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom "Sunshine@Midnight" series screens director Steven Spielberg's second installment of the archaeologist adventure series, where Jones (Harrison Ford) almost has his heart ripped from his chest?also starring Kate Capshaw & Head of the Class' Jonathan Ke Quan; Sunshine Cinema, 143 E. Houston St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 800-555-TELL; 12 a.m., $10, $6.50 s.c. [repeats Fri. & Sat.].
"Seinfeld's Neighbors: New York Jews in the 90s" SummerNights program pres. super episodes of great sitcoms incl. Seinfeld's "The Yada Yada," Will & Grace's "Star Spangled Banter" & Tracey Takes On...'s "Fern, the Early Years; Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave. (92nd St.), 212-423-3200, tkts 212-423-3337; 5-9, pay-what-you-wish.
"Three for Audrey" BAMcinématek screens a third Audrey Hepburn classic, showcasing her diversity as an actress. Check out this new print of director Terence Young's 1967 suspense-filled thriller, Wait Until Dark, in which Hepburn plays a blind women?also staring Alan Arkin; BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-636-4100; 4:30, 6:50 & 9:10, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c. [repeats Fri.].
Workshops
Meditation Exercise "Blueprint to the Future" discussion series helps you visualize a process 'for attracting abundance'?of what you ask? That's for us to know & you to find out; Community House, 15 Borage Pl. (41st St.), Forest Hills, 718-263-3501; 1, $10-$12.
Prepare for the Unexpected The American Red Cross is concerned for your safety, let them help you prepare for disasters; American Red Cross, 150 Amsterdam Ave. (betw. 66th & 67th Sts.), RSVP 212-875-2547; 6-7:30.
FRIDAY 7/4
Around Town
Central Park Moonlight Ride Celebrate America's birthday w/bike ride under the stars; Columbus Circle, W. 59th St. (CPW), 212-802-8222, www.times-up.org; 10, free.
Children's Museum of Manhattan Celebrates 4th of July Fun-filled day of kiddie stuff incl. staged readings of Frog & Toad, Louis Miranda's original music & miniature boat races; Children's Museum of Manhattan, 206 E. 124th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-721-1223; 11:30-3, $6 [repeats Sat. & Sun.].
City Lights Cruises 4th of July Extravaganza All aboard! Luxury yacht Amberjack sails the Hudson?w/"lavish" hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner, "exotic drinks" & "front-row view" of the fireworks; Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, Pier 86 W. 46th St. (12th Ave.), 212-822-8573, www.citylightscruises.com; 7:30-12, $150.
88th-Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest How much processed meat can you consume in 12 minutes? Watch champion hot dog eaters compete for "coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt"?current champ holds the record at 50 hot dogs w/buns; Nathan's Famous, 1310 Surf Ave. (Stillwell Ave.), Coney Island, 718-946-2705, nathansfamous.com; 12, free.
The Fulton Art Fair Family fun at 45th-annual fair feat. arts & crafts?plus live entertainment; Fulton Park, Fulton St. (Stuyvesant Ave.), Bklyn, 718-707-1457, www.fultonartfair.org; 12-dusk, free [repeats Sat. & Sun.].
The Great 4th of July Festival Celebrate Independence Day w/corporate america's "down-home American birthday party" feat. "patriotic" entertainment, over 100 cultual & corporate displays, international foods & merchandise; Water Street (betw. State & Fulton Sts.), 212-809-4900; 11, free.
Les Halles Liberty Festival Celebrate American & French "national days" w/music, trivia, cheese-making exhibit & super yummy red, white & blue menu; Les Halles Downtown, 15 John St. (betw. B'way & Nassau), 212-285-8585; 12-12, free [repeats Sat.-Tues.].
"Lights of Freedom: 27th-annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular" Don't miss the "world's largest fireworks display" feat. 30 min. "pyrotechnic display" & "rousing patriotic score"; FDR Drive (betw. 14th & 42nd Sts.), 212-494-4495; 9, free.
Metro Tour Service "Discover & learn" the ethnic communities, historic sites & institutions of Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene & Clinton Hill w/tour guide Mauricio Lorence; Marriott Hotel Brooklyn, 333 Adams St. (betw. Pearl & Willoughby Sts.), Bklyn, 718-789-0430, metrotourservice@yahoo.com; 2-5, $25 [repeats Sat. & Sun.].
Old-fashioned Independence Day Celebration "Fun-filled" events for the whole fam incl. making & eating your own ice cream, creating Victorian paper fireworks & pinwheels & "processing flax & spinning wool"; Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave. (Richmond Rd.), Staten Island, 718-351-1611, www.historicrichmondtown.org; 10-5, $5, $4 s.c., $3.50 st./child.
Red, White & Blue Festival "Face painting, flag making & apple pie eating" fun!?not to mention cute USO boys performing "patriotic songs"; Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, Pier 86 W. 46th St. (12th Ave.), 212-245-0072, www.intrepidmuseum.org ; 11, $14, $10 vets./reservists/st./s.c., $7 child. 6-11, $2 child. 2-5, active duty/child. 0-2 free.
River to River Festival "Celebrate your freedom" touring old battle ships & learning history?all-day fest takes place at various NY locations, ending w/ "fireworks spectacular" at the South Street Seaport; North Cove Yacht Harbor, 393 S. End Ave. (Liberty St.), 212-528-2733, www.hudsonriverfestival.com; 9-9, free.
Watch the Fireworks on Roosevelt Island! Catch the tram to Southpoint Park for the "best view in town" of the East River fireworks display?on-site entertainment incl. face-painters, jugglers & live music; Southpoint Park, Main St. , Roosevelt Island, 212-832-4540, www.rioc.com; 6, $18.
Film/Video
Cremaster Due to popular demand, artist Mathew Barney's Cremaster 1-5 films, the inspiration for his recent Guggenheim installation, will screen Fridays throughout July; Guggenheim Museum Peter B. Lewis Theater, 1071 5th Ave. (89th St.), 212-360-4321; 10-8, $10, $20 1-day pass [through 7/25].
"The Freed Unit and the Golden Age of the MGM" Three-week tribute to the musicals of producer Arthur Freed begins today w/screenings of 1953's The Band Wagon, directed by Vincente Minelli & starring Fred Astaire & Cyd Charisse; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (betw. Varick St. & 6th Ave.), 212-727-8110, www.filmforum.com; 1, 3:15, 5:45, 8 & 10:15, $9.75 [repeats Sat.-Mon.].
Workshops
Psychology Discussion Group Get together, pick some brains & discuss gay life w/men & women; LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-620-7310; 8, $5.
SATURDAY 7/5
Around Town
"Australian Adventure!" Kids & adults discover "arts & culture" w/craft making activities from "Down Under"; Imagination Playground, Ocean Ave. (betw. Lincoln Rd. & Parkside Ave.), Park Slope, 718-965-6973; 3-4, free.
First Saturday Celebrates special exhibition "Pulp Art: Vamps, Villians and Victors" w/live entertainment, discussion & refreshments; Brooklyn Museum of Art, 200 Eastern Pkwy. (Washington Ave.), Bklyn, 718-638-5000, www.brooklynart.org; 5-11, free.
The Hidden Jewels of Lincoln Square Explore ins & outs of NY's favorite artsy neighborhood on unique walking tour; meet at U.S.S. Maine Monument, Columbus Circle (Central Park), 212-581-3774, www.lincolnbid.org; 11, free.
Lullaby of Broadway Festival "Old-fashioned style" carnival w/arts & crafts, petting zoo, hay wagon rides & food; B'way (betw. Fulton St. & Battery Pl.), 212-809-4900; 11-6, free.
"Manumission Day Celebration" "Song & spirit" celebration commemorates 176th anniversary of slavery's abolition in NY state w/photography exhibition, readings of slave narratives & Luvada Harrison's African drumming & negro spirituals; St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, 290 Henry St. (E. B'way), 212-673-5220; 4-8, free.
"Summer Nights: Spots & Stripes Forever" Meet "fabulous spotted & striped" animals?from "peacocks to pythons to zebras"?plus live music & dance by African Harambee Dance Co., crafts, face-painting & storytelling; Bronx Zoo, Bronx River Parkway (Fordham Rd.), 718-367-1010, www.bronxzoo.com; 5-8, $8, $5 st./s.c. [repeats Sun.].
Summer Aviate Exhibition feat. pieces by emerging artists incl. video & photography by Claudia Sohrens & Derrick Gomez?plus music by Bitshifter, Nick, Josh Doubles & Eva & Andrew Cappetta; Pianos, 158 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-505-3733; 9-3, $5.
Summer skating Escape the heat on "perfectly cool 55 degree" ice?bring or rent skates; Chelsea Piers Sky Rink, Pier 61, 23rd St. (Hudson River), 212-336-6100; 2-4, free.
Walking Tour of Roosevelt Island: In the Steps of Charles Dickens Expert tour guide Bernie Cohen walks you through the island's most beautiful & historical sights; meet at Tramway Plaza, 2nd Ave. (betw. 59th & 60th Sts.), 718-796-8249, www.thefriendsofdickens.org; 1, $14.
Workshops
Chocolate Event: Godiva Chocolate Tasting Mmm, chocolate. How can you resist? You know you want to go & sample Godiva chocolate, so go; American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W. (79th St.), 212-769-5100; 1-4, free w/adm. [repeats Sun.].
SUNDAY 7/6
Around Town
Take a Walk in Old New York Walk through the city's "labor & radical history" as tour guides Bob Erler & Bob Palmer give you an alternative history lesson; meet at Peace Bldg., 339 Lafayette St. (Bleecker St.), 718-264-3021; 2:30, don.
USO Avenue of the Americas Summerfest 14th-annual festival feat. live entertainment & over 500 international food, craft & antique exhibitors; 6th Ave.(betw. 42nd & 56th Sts.), 212-809-4900; 11-6, free.
Readings
Staten Island OutLOUD Community reading of Emancipation Proclamation & Bill of Rights; Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave. (Richmond Rd.), Staten Island, 718-907-0709; 2, free.
MONDAY 7/7
Around Town
The Big New York Money Grubbing Event Whitney Pastorek & John Hodgman host literary reading feat. live music from the 101 & Porteous, followed by celebrity auction?proceeds benefit Pindeldyboz lit mag; Fez/Time Cafe, 380 Lafayette St. (Great Jones St.), RSVP 212-533-7000, www.pindeldyboz.com; 7, $10.
Twisted One's in July feat. Tussle & Shy Child, lightshow by the Mighty Robot Audio Visual Squad & DJs Mike Goodstein & Jeralyn; Lit, 93 2nd Ave. (betw. 5th & 6th Sts.), 212-777-7987; 10, $5.
Film/Video
"Movies On Your Mind: A Psychoanalytic Film Salon" pres. director Mark Moskowitz's 2002 docudrama Stone Reader, about Moskowitz's search for elusive author Dow Mossman (Stones of Summer); Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-601-1000; 7:30 & 9:45, $9 [repeats Tues.].
"One, Two, Three, Four: Billy Wilder" BAMcinématek showcases rarely-seen Wilder films. Today, 1951 b&w drama Ace in the Hole, starring Kirk Douglas as a story-hungry journalist, caught up in a media circus surrounding a mine collapse; BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-777-FILM, www.bam.org; 4:30, 6:50 & 9:10, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c./child.
Readings
Walter Isaacson discusses Benjamin Franklin: An American Life; Union Sq. Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 212-253-0810; 7, free.
Where the Boys Are From Publishers Weekly: "[William] Mann continues to chart the lives, lusts and losses of Jeff O'Brien and Lloyd Griffith, who first appeared in his 1997 novel, The Men from the Boys"; Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; 7, free.
Workshops
Full Body Massage Four-week course meets weekly. Pat Cisarano shows you how massage can be a 'vehicle for pleasure, healing and personal growth'?bring comfy clothes, sheet, towel & massage oil; New York Open Center, 83 Spring St. (betw. B'way & Lafayette St.), 212-219-2527; 6-7:30, $100 [through 7/28].
Jewish Mystical Texts Study the works of Rabbi Isaac Luria incl. his Etz Chaim, Likkutei Torah w/Rabbi Simon Jacobson; New York Open Center, 83 Spring St. (betw. B'way & Lafayette St.), 212-219-2527; 7:45-9:45, $19.
Lost CrEaTiVe Weekly performance art workshop focusing on on using your subconcious to create art; Collective Unconscious, 145 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-254-5277; 7:30-10:30, $5.
TUESDAY 7/8
Around Town
"Pure Country" DJ Alan Kohn keeps the country spinning, while Rona Kaye teaches the particulars of line dancing & ensures you'll have a partner?yeehaw!; Jack Rose, 771 8th Ave. (47th St.), 212-247-7518; 6:30, $13.
Tuesday Night Trivia continues to stump bar-goers w/50 new questions each week. Make new friends?you can win free beer?& "show off your smarts"; Baggot Inn, 82 W. 3rd St. (betw. Sullivan & Thompson Sts.), 212-477-0622; 7:30, free.
Film/Video
"An Irreverent Wit: The Comedies of Sacha Guitry" Retrospective of actor/director Guitry continues w/1936 b&w comedy, The Story of a Cheat, starring Guitry as a cheat w/"dishonesty always pays" convictions?French w/English subtitles; Florence Gould Hall French Institute, 55 E. 59th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-355-6160; 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 & 9, $8.
"Blast From Your Past What Gen X Watched: 1969-1985" Remember when Saturday morning cartoons didn't suck?! Flashback w/help from cartoon & live action screenings of Hey, Hey, Hey it's Fat Albert, The Smurfs, Schoolhouse Rock & Land of the Lost; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 12:30 & 3, $10, $8 st./s.c..
"The Freed Unit and the Golden Age of the MGM" Three-week tribute to producer Arthur Freed's musicals continues. Today, 35mm color prints of director Victor Fleming's 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz (3:30 & 7:30) & Vincent Minelli's 1943 fantasy picture Cabin in the Sky, feat. Lena Horne & Louis Armstrong (1:30, 5:30 & 9:30); Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (betw. Varick St. & 6th Ave.), 212-727-8110; $9.75, $5 child. under 12.
Readings
Great Americans "K.K. Ottsesen traveled across the country interviewing and photographing everyday people with famous names"...the author appears today w/"Shirley Temple!!"; Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; 7, free.