Ideasmyth kicks your summer up a notch with our dandy weekly curated list of New York’s quirky hidden treasures of culture, events and other surprising treats. Please submit your suggestions for any future events via our CONTACT US page. Happy adventuring & we greatly appreciate your comments & sharing!
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Thursday August 14: Bach in the Garden
Friday August 15: Artists Anonymous
Saturday August 16: Tap + Cork Beer & Wine Festival
Sunday August 17: Downtown Dance Festival
Monday August 18: Documentary Screening: Waking the Green Tiger
Tuesday August 19: Harold Night w/ the Upright Citizens Brigade
Wednesday August 20: Create Your Own Conceptual Art
Thursday August 21: 35 and Under Drink & Draw: Figure Drawing
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Thursday August 14
Bach in the Garden
7PM, FREE Admission
Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
http://on.nyc.gov/1pcaslo
The ensemble Basis, featuring the violin, bassoon and flute, will serenade you with the innovative complexities of Johann Sebastian Bach’s chamber music in the Mansion’s breathtaking formal garden. Sit down with a glass of wine and enjoy an evening of sophisticated fun.
Friday August 15
Artists Anonymous
7PM, FREE Admission
Museum of Arts & Design
http://bit.ly/1B1cWbt
Being an artist has its own rewards, but the task comes with many headaches and sleepless nights as well. Reawaken your ingenuity and join performance artist Karen Finley and other local artists to discuss the internal conflicts inherent in trying to balance a creative life and a career in a meeting reminiscent of a 12-step program.
Saturday August 16
Tap + Cork Beer & Wine Festival
2-8PM, $20 Admission
Restoration Plaza, Brooklyn
http://bit.ly/1uonvDH
No beer or wine connoisseur wants to miss this festival of regional craft breweries, local artisan wineries and gourmet cuisine ranging from fine cheeses to Jamaican jerk barbecue. Be sure to take advantage of a day of prime food and drink as well as live music and shopping from local vendors on the cheap! Tee-tollers, you can always get a Dancing Only ticket to enjoy the day without the drinks.
Sunday August 17
Downtown Dance Festival
7PM, FREE Admission
Wagner Park
http://bit.ly/1l0oDdO
Experience New York City’s longest-running dance festival complete with 200+ dance companies ranging from classical ballet all the way to Afro-Cuban. The festival continues until Thursday with new free performances each night, so it’s the perfect place to visit more than once this week if you’re looking for some after-work entertainment without breaking your budget.
Monday August 18
Documentary Screening: Waking the Green Tiger
6PM, FREE Admission
Asia Society and Museum
http://bit.ly/1rnmjvi
The infamous smog of Chinese city skylines points to an obvious environmental crisis in the country, but less visibly noticeable issues created by China’s rapid growth pose an equally ominous threat to citizens’ communities and livelihoods. Gary Marcuse’s documentary uses testimonials from activists, farmers, journalists and even a government insider to outline Chairman Mao’s campaigns to subjugate nature in the name of progress and a community’s movement to stop a destructive dam project on the upper Yangtze River.
Tuesday August 19
Harold Night w/ the Upright Citizens Brigade
7:30PM, $5 Admission
UCB 26th St Theater
http://bit.ly/XfxDky
The Upright Citizens Brigade is hosting one of its famous Harold Nights, a night of intricately structured long-form improv comedy created by the king of comedians himself, Del Close (famous for mentoring the biggest names in comedy including Tina Fey, Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray). For only a few bucks, you’ll enjoy an evening of gut-busting laughter courtesy of three different comedy troupes in New York’s hub of improv.
Wednesday August 20
Create Your Own Conceptual Art
1:30PM, FREE Admission
MoMA
http://bit.ly/1osx7L9
Conceptual art, quite simply, consists of an idea and a way to make that idea visible. This session will examine the history of the art form beginning with Marcel Duchamp’s 1913 sculpture of a bicycle wheel attached to a kitchen stool. After learning more about other artists’ work, patrons will bring their ideas to life to create their own piece of conceptual art.
Thursday August 21
35 and Under Drink & Draw: Figure Drawing
7PM, $25 Admission
Lexington & 92nd St
http://bit.ly/1sVjWC2
Expand your artistic abilities with a cold one in hand! 92Y’s instructors will provide the model, the supplies and the libations, so all you need is yourself for a light-hearted evening of art and community-building.
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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.
