Free Fun Friday: Stay Cool or Party in the Park

7/18/08 - By Nina

Lots going on this weekend but be warned, it's going to be a hot one so if all you can deal with is staying in air conditioning or being in water check out our Summer Fun Guide for info on places to hop in the water and cool off.

For air-conditioned events, top picks are the Foot and Fiddle Dance Company at the Museum of the New City on Saturday where you can catch a lively dance program that demonstrates how waves of Irish immigration have influenced American dance, FREE with admission. And Summer Sundays at the Gugenheim which includes tours, drawing and children's lterature, $15 per family.

And now for a line-up of the best FREE outdoor events this weekend:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS



White Bird Puppetry. Enjoy an hour-long puppet show about the Brooklyn Bridge performed by kids with puppets made by kids. FREE - Thursday, July 17 and Friday, July 18 from 11:00am – 12:00pm at the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park

Dance Out! City Parks Foundation and The Joyce Theater present 25 FREE performances from July 16 through July 20 in celebration of the theater's 25th anniversary. The three selected dance pieces range from an improvised solo inspired by parks settings to a duet between man and machine to dance aerobatics performed with a 20-foot vertical pipe.

Block Party for the New Kid on the Block. Check out the New Museum's day of art activities and performances on Saturday, July 19, 2008, from 12 to 7 p.m. in Sara D. Roosevelt Park. In addition to interactive art programs you can catch Youth Poets from the Bowery Poetry Club and live performances by Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and the Vangeline Theater at 2:00, 2:45 , 4:30, and 6:15 p.m. FREE.

Abracadabra. Head over to Bryant Park on Sunday from 12-1pm for La Carrousel Magique by magician David Oliver. In addition to the pulling of doves out of a hat you can expect music, and comedy. Matt Lauer of the Today Show said it was "the most amazing magic I've ever seen". FREE.