Best Things To Do In New York This Weekend Sept. 23-24
By Jessica Allen
Trying to pick one activity to recommend around the city each week would be like trying to pick a favorite child: doable, perhaps, but nobody would be happy about it. Good thing for us that we get to list five fun, fabulous adventures to be had. Read on for our choices for Saturday and Sunday, and have a great time!
Museum Day Live
Various participating museums
smithsonianmag.com/museumday
Smithsonian magazine is helping people get into dozens of museums around New York City for free this Saturday, Sept. 23.
Among the places participating in the free ticket Museum Day Live event are the National September 11 Memorial & Museum; the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; the Morgan Library & Museum; the Museum of Arts and Design; and dozens of other sites.
While typical prices for each museum normally range from $10 to $30 or more, the promotion on Saturday grants tickets covering admission for two.
To find participating museums and apply for free tickets, go to smithsonianmag.com/museumday, browse the map of participating locations, and apply to be emailed a free pass.
Photoville
Brooklyn Bridge Plaza
At the intersection of Water Street and New Dock Street
Brooklyn, NY 10038
photoville.com
Arguably no artistic medium has been as impacted by technology as photography. We're all photographers now, thanks to the tiny cameras everyone has in their pocket. Check out just how talented the talented are at this year's Photoville. This innovative exhibition repurposes some 55 shipping containers as photo galleries, showcasing a diverse array of subjects and styles. Excellent food and libations may be had at the Smorgasburg Beer Garden, with panel discussions and workshops being held nearby too. Now through Sunday, September 24, see schedule for details, free.
Central Park Horse Shows
Wollman Rink
830 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10065
(212) 439-6900
cphs.coth.com
Seeing a horse in the middle of the city, whether part of the NYPD or with a private citizen rider, never ceases to astonish. Consider their majesty, as well as the abilities of their riders, at the annual Central Park Horse Shows. There will be amateur riders and Arabian stallions, professionals and pony rides, tons of gaits and exhibitions of grace, dog agility courses and plenty of photo ops. It's serious business for the participants—one of the contests boasts a $50,000 prize. Wednesday, September 20, through Sunday, September 24, see schedule for details and ticket info.
Urbanworld
Various venues
New York, NY
www.urbanworld.org
One of the largest competitive independent film festivals around, Urbanworld hones in on films that expand, tweak, explode, or nuance words like "diversity" and "urban," emphasizing storytelling above all. Founded in 1997, Urbanworld brings a range of points of view and filmmakers to the screen, as well as hosting panels, discussions and conversations, staged screenplay readings, demos of the latest digital technology, parties, and after-parties. Wednesday, September 20, through Sunday, September 24, see schedule for details and ticket info.
15th Annual New York Burlesque Festival
Various venues
New York, NY
www.thenewyorkburlesquefestival.com
Va-va-varoooommm! The 15th annual New York Burlesque Festival celebrates "glitter and glamour in Gotham," and features performances from more than 100 dancers around the world. If you like what you see, or simply want to learn more, sign up for one of the master classes taught by acknowledged legends like Dirty Martini and Jo Weldon. The festival culminates in the Golden Pasties Award, in recognition of the truly tremendous and abundantly gifted. Thursday, September 21, through Sunday, September 24, see schedule for details and ticket info.
Queens County Fair
Queens County Farm Museum
73-50 Little Neck Parkway
Floral Park, NY 11004-1129
(718) 347-3276
www.queensfarm.org
You know fall is here when the Queens County Fair kicks off. This weekend, the working farm and museum hosts its 35th annual county fair, an amazing opportunity to experience a little country without leaving the big city. Scheduled activities include pig racing, corn-husking and pie-eating contests, midway games, hayrides, arts and crafts, livestock and produce competitions (complete with blue ribbons for best in show!), live music, and a twisty, turn-y corn maze. Saturday, September 23, and Sunday, September 24, 11 am to 6 pm, see schedule for details, tickets required.