Ideasmyth is kicking summer up a notch with our weekly curated list of New York’s quirky hidden treasures of culture, events and other surprising treats you can’t find anywhere else. Looking to spice up your week? Tell your friends about these unexpected finds, and you’ll be their go-to event planner every time.
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Thursday July 24: Chalk the Walk
Friday July 25: Fridays at Five with Allen Salkin
Saturday July 26: NYC Poetry Festival
Sunday July 27: The Secret City Service
Monday July 28: Agora Discussion: The Meaning of Art
Tuesday July 29: HANDBALL
Wednesday July 30: Reading from The Wes Anderson Collection
Thursday July 31: Improv Performance with Colson Whitehead
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Thursday July 24
Chalk the Walk
11AM-2PM, FREE Admission
Museum of the City of New York
http://bit.ly/1mHoKK5
Visit the Museum of the City of New York’s exhibition, City as Canvas, as it displays artist Martin Wong’s collection of graffiti art, and participate in creating a collective chalk mural on the museum’s sidewalk to become part of the exhibit, yourself.
Friday July 25
Fridays at Five with Allen Salkin
5PM, FREE Admission
Hamptons Library, Bridgehampton, NY
http://bit.ly/1mJ5Dup
For an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres and gourmet conversation, join Ideasmyth client Allen Salkin as he reads from his new book, From Scratch: Inside the Food Network. The food journalist will be speaking about his behind-the-scenes look into the television network as well as answering audience questions and signing copies of his juicy read.
Saturday July 26
New York City Poetry Festival
11AM, FREE Admission
Governors Island
http://bit.ly/1r3mE6z
Take the ferry to New York’s annual Poetry Festival headlining 250 poets, including Pulitzer Prize-winning Irish poet Paul Muldoon. The festival will also feature a children’s poetry corner, an open mic stage, a beer garden, food trucks and other vendors and tons of interactive activities to spark your poetic creativity.
Sunday July 27
The Secret City Service: TRIBES
12PM, $15 Suggested Donation
Byrdcliffe Theater, Woodstock, NY
http://bit.ly/1rHmDqb
The Secret City is expanding its monthly tributes to the arts in Woodstock, NY. Join your fellow art-worshippers as July’s tribal-themed service appreciates the talented local artists and musicians of the area. More than just an exhibition, The Secret City’s services offer a space for creative individuals to form a community and inspire each other, so don’t miss this singular opportunity to experience the organization’s first-ever service in the foothills of the Catskills.
Monday July 28
Agora Discussion Series: What Makes Art Meaningful?
3PM, FREE w/ Museum Admission
The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, MoMA
http://bit.ly/1kavZLt
The ancient greeks used the agora as a place to gather and learn from philosophers posing moral, political and cultural questions to their students. Today, artists and art connoisseurs are transforming the MoMA’s sculpture garden into a similar discussion space to ponder the meaning of art based on visitors’ experiences at the museum.
Tuesday July 29
Urban Theatre Movement’s HANDBALL
8PM, FREE Admission
Marcus Garvey Park
http://bit.ly/1paMiqc
Urban Theatre Movement presents its newest production, HANDBALL, written by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld and directed by Brenda Banda. Set in an urban park, the play follows the gentrification of the neighborhood and the reaction of locals as new, wealthier patrons arrive. Over the course of just two days, the once community-oriented park turns into a tense no-man’s-land between the natives and the newbies, offering a poignant take on New York’s own increasing gentrification.
Wednesdsay July 30
Reading from The Wes Anderson Collection
6PM, FREE Admission
Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St
http://bit.ly/1ucbuC5
Join film critic and writer Matt Zoller Seitz as he reads from his book, The Wes Anderson Collection, a one-of-a-kind look into the life and career of the filmmaker extraordinaire. Wrought with interviews of the iconic director as well as rare photos and artwork epitomizing his unique visual style, a signed copy of this book will make for a much-wanted addition to any film buff’s library.
Thursday July 31
Improv Performance with Colson Whitehead and Reggie Watts
6:30PM, FREE Admission
The Drawing Center
http://bit.ly/WBx3xq
Colson Whitehead, author of the critically-acclaimed novel The Illusionist, joins forces with TV personality, comedian and musician Reggie Watts for a comical, improvised commentary on select images found in The Drawing Center’s Viewing Program artist registry. A seamless blend of culture and satire, this evening will whet the appetites of both art aficionados and their reluctant dates.
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Got any other can’t-miss events in the city you’re excited about? We’re all ears– tell us about them in the comments section below!
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~~~Beth St. John is an Editorial and Social Media Intern for Ideasmyth, as well as a student at Boston University, where she studies English, History and European Studies. She loves to write and hopes to put that love to good use by publishing the next Harry Potter. When she’s not fumbling for words, she is probably baking or watching a David O. Russell movie.
