MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES RETURN AND EXPANSION OF SUMMER STREETS AND MORE THAN 1,500 FREE SUMMER EVENTS THROUGHOUT NEW YORK CITY
Expanded Summer Streets Program will Bring Car-Free Streets for Recreation to 14 Locations throughout the Five Boroughs
Calendars of Free Summer Events Now Available on nyc.gov and nycgo.com.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the return and expansion of the Summer Streets program and more than 1,500 free summer events throughout New York City. Summer Streets will again bring temporary car-free streets, healthy activities and free weekend summer recreation – now to a total of 14 locations throughout the Five Boroughs – through September. The free events available to New Yorkers this summer can be easily viewed on calendars on www.nyc.gov or on NYC & Company’s website www.nycgo.com. The Mayor was joined at the announcement by Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol, Def Jam record label co-founder and impresario Russell Simmons, and award winning actor and The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 co-star Luis Guzmán.
The announcement took place in McCarren Park along Bedford Avenue, where a Summer Streets event, Williamsburg Walks, is currently taking place and where free summer movies are screened at the ball fields in the park.
“Today, we want to let New Yorkers from across the City know about some of the great things you can do in the City this summer without spending a dime,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “The Summer Streets initiative was such a success – for both businesses and the public with 50,000 visitors – that today I’m proud to announce that we are bringing it back. This year, we’ve expanded the Summer Streets program to bring the fun to all five boroughs. And we’ve put together a comprehensive list of more than 1,500 free summer events and activities throughout the City, so families can still enjoy what New York City has to offer during these difficult economic times.”
“This is only its second year, but Summer Streets is already a New York tradition,” said Commissioner Sadik-Khan. “Last year, some 50,000 people enjoyed all the free fun that the original Summer Streets route had to offer and this year we’re bringing that open invitation for everyone across all five boroughs to enjoy the streets in their own neighborhoods in a brand-new way.”
“New York City’s public parks have long been synonymous with free summertime fun and, thanks to our many partnerships, this year is no different,” said Commissioner Benepe. “Whether you are attending a performance or sports clinic organized by the City Parks Foundation, enjoying world-class concerts from the New York Philharmonic or Metropolitan Opera, attending a film screening under the stars, kayaking the NYC Water Trail, or playing in the citywide volleyball tournament at Coney Island, the abundance of events and activities in our parks make New York City a great stay-cation destination.”
“New York City's cultural organizations offer free and low-cost programs all year long, in all five boroughs, for audiences of all ages,” said Commissioner Levin. “This summer is a great time to explore what makes this City one of the world's capitals of culture: our theaters, museums, galleries, botanical gardens, zoos, historic homes and more are ready to welcome you.”
“New York City is offering unprecedented value and savings this year, and this summer is no exception,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “Now is the time to enjoy the energy and vibrancy of the five boroughs without breaking the bank.”
“Summer Streets are a great opportunity for New Yorkers to get out, be active and see the City from a different perspective,” said Assemblyman Lentol.
The largest Summer Streets location will be a reprise of last year’s Manhattan event where 50,000 people enjoyed the traffic-free environment. On Saturday, August 8th, 15th and 22nd from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Manhattan route will run for 6.9 miles from the Brooklyn Bridge via Lafayette/Centre Streets, 4th Avenue and Park Avenue up to 72nd street, while key cross-town streets will remain open to vehicles crossing the route. The City has partnered with local community organizations to bring similar, car-free street events to 13 additional neighborhoods in all five boroughs, ranging from one to seven blocks long. Some of the events have already begun. Summer Streets is made possible in part through the generous support of Crunch Fitness – providing fitness classes ranging from pilates to cardio kick-boxing to yoga – and from LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. This spring LVMH sponsored the “Bike in Style Challenge,” which asked student designers from the Fashion Institute of Technology to create stylish, practical and affordable bike clothing and gear in support of the Mayor's bicycling promotion initiatives. The winning prototypes will be presented in conjunction with the launch of this year's Summer Streets.
The more than 1,500 free events, ranging from free concerts and outdoor movie screenings to sandcastle building contests and free ballroom dancing lessons, are available in locations throughout the five boroughs. Free summer events can be easily located and reviewed on an event calendar on www.nyc.gov or to view an edited list with the top free events picks of NYC & Company go to www.nycgo.com/free.
NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide. For information on visiting and experiencing New York City, visit www.nycgo.com or the Official NYC Information Center at 810 Seventh Avenue, between 52nd and 53rd Streets in Midtown Manhattan.
Free Event Listings
Listed below is a sampling of the more than 1,500 free available this summer. For more information on any event, visit www.nyc.gov.
City-Wide
Waterpod on the City’s Waterfront
See what the future might look like on the Waterpod, a new 30-by-100 foot self-sustaining eco-barge, docking in all five boroughs this summer.
Everyone Into the Pool!
Our 54 outdoor pools will open on Saturday, June 27th.
Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series
This year, residents of all five boroughs can enjoy the beautiful tenors and baritones of the Metropolitan Opera. A summer recital series travels to parks across the City.
Art on Governor's Island
Explore 20 exciting works of art commissioned by Creative Time on Governor’s Island,
Paddle the NYC Water Trail
The NYC Water Trail connects 160 square miles of rivers, bays, creeks, inlets and ocean in the five boroughs suitable for kayaks, canoes, and openwater rowing craft. Novice and experience paddlers alike can enjoy skyline panoramas, riverside parks, bird sanctuaries, tidal marshlands, and boundless vistas of one of the world‘s premier harbors, all from a prime sea-level vantage.
Bronx
14th Annual Fordham Road Renaissance Festival
The Fordham Road Renaissance Festival is the Bronx’s largest and most popular street festival, attracting over 10,000 people per hour.
Volunteer/Community Rowing with Rocking the Boat
Rocking the Boat invites you to come rowing in hand made wooden rowboats. Rocking the Boat operates free rowing and environmental programs for the general public.
Climb Aboard the Bronx Culture Trolley
See what Bronx artists have to offer when you board the Bronx Culture Trolley, providing free travel to the borough’s diverse galleries, museums, restaurants and entertainment venues.
O.B. Fit! at Orchard Beach
Saturday morning fitness program at Section 9 of Orchard Beach featuring a variety of workouts for all levels.
Soul Legends with Cody Childs
Pop/jazz vocalist Cody Childs performs the music of Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, and Luther Vandross, with biographical notes on the singers’ lives.
Brooklyn
Jasmine Murrell: Provocative Insights Exhibition
A mixed media retrospective exhibition of Jasmine Murrell’s soul rendering images from several series.
BAM Rhythm & Blues Festival at Metrotech
This free outdoor concert series features the legends and rising stars of R&B and world music.
Celebrate Brooklyn
Join 250,000 of music lovers all summer long at the Prospect Park Bandshell for Celebrate Brooklyn, an annual outdoor performing arts festival featuring local and international artists and ensembles.
SummerScreen Series
Free summer movies at the ballfields in McCarren Park.
The Gowanus Canal: Brooklyn in Transition
A photographic essay by Jose Gaytan of the Gowanus Canal and its surrounding neighborhoods, focusing on architecture, the shore line, bridges, found objects and sunsets.
Manhattan
Central Park SummerStage
Free performing arts festival including music, dance, spoken word, film, and comedy.
Free Music and Dance at Lincoln Center Out of Doors
Lincoln Center Out of Doors brings music and dance to the streets, featuring performers from around the corner, and around the world.
Free Performances at the Annual River to River Festival
From June through August, experience dynamic dance and music at venues across lower Manhattan, from the Hudson to the East River.
Wind-Up Your Work Week at the Whitney
This summer, the Whitney Museum presents Whitney Live, a Friday night concert series showcasing cutting-edge performers including punk-pop artists.
The Public Theater Presents Shakespeare in the Park
Performances of “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare and “The Bacchae” by Euripides.
Queens
Outdoor Cinema 2009 at Socrates Sculpture Park
Come for a sunset picnic on the grass while enjoying performances from local artists. After dusk, view exceptional international films on a large-format screen – all set against the spectacular backdrop of the Manhattan skyline.
Free Performances at Queens Theater in the Park with the Chase Latino Cultural Festival
Poetry readings, documentary films, and theatrical dance performances.
The Rockaways’ Annual Sandcastle Contest
Kids and adults can build sandcastles on Rockaway beach during this 14th annual contest with prizes.
Ballroom Dancing with Jing Chen
Lessons in ballroom basics for beginners and training for more advanced students.
Flushing Town Hall’s Free Summer Concerts Series
A summer concert series featuring a wide variety of performers, from classical to jazz.
Staten Island
Staten Island Modern
A new event for choreographers show their work in collaboration with other art forms. A portable dance floor will be set up on the front lawn for dance performances.
History Comes to Life with the Noble Maritime Collection
Climb aboard the Half Moon, a fully operational replica of the ship Henry Hudson used to explore New York Harbor in 1609, with free tours of historical ships, food, drinks and live performances at the Atlantic Salt Company dock.
Evening Nature Walk at Conference House Park
Nature walks through Conference House Park where visitors can learn about the efforts taken to protect and improve the ecosystem at this southernmost point of New York State.
CityParks Kids: Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz
Saxophone player Hayes Greenfield and his trio take you on an interactive journey through jazz that includes scat singing, call and response, rhythmic exploration, and improvisation.
“Inside Out” at the Alice Austen House
Come see the images of mixed media artist Pat Basirico and fine art photographer Roberta C. Scott.
Summer Streets Events in all Five Boroughs
Bronx
Bronx Summer Walks – 167th Street between Gerard and Cromwell Avenues, Saturday June 20th, 27th and July 11th, 12 p.m.- 4 p.m., Sponsored by Local Development Corporation of the Bronx.
Brooklyn
Williamsburg Walks – Bedford Avenue between North 4th and North 9th Streets, Saturday June 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th and July 4th and 11th, 12 p.m.- 9 p.m., Sponsored by Neighbors Allied for Good Growth, L Magazine.
Summer Streets on Vanderbilt – Vanderbilt Avenue between Dean Street and Park Place, Sundays in June, 12 p.m.- 5 p.m., Sponsored by Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Coalition.
Summer Plazas, 5th Avenue – 5th Avenue between 48th and 52nd Streets, Sunday July 19th, 26th and August 2nd, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sponsored by Sunset Park BID.
The Sunday Scene on Knickerbocker – Knickerbocker Avenue between Suydam and Starr Streets, Sunday July 19th, 26th and August 2nd, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sponsored by Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council.
Pitkin Saturday Plazas – Pitkin Avenue between Strauss and Thomas Boyland Streets, Saturday September 12th, 19th, and 26th, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sponsored by Pitkin Avenue BID.
Move About Myrtle – Myrtle Avenue between Clinton Street and Emerson Place, Sunday September 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m., Sponsored by Myrtle Ave Partnership.
Montague Summer Space – Montague Street between Hicks and Clinton Streets, Sunday September 13th, 20th, and 27th, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sponsored by Montague BID.
Manhattan
Meet the Street – East 4th Street between Bowery and 2nd Avenue, Saturdays in June, 3 p.m.-8 p.m., Sponsored by Fourth Arts Block.
Stanton Street Summer Sundays – Stanton Street between Allen and Orchard Streets, Sunday August 23rd and 30th and September 6th and 13th, 1 p.m.- 6:30 p.m., Sponsored by Lower East Side BID.
Queens
46th Street Weekend Walks – 46th Street between Queens Boulevard and Greenpoint Avenue, Saturdays in August, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m., Sponsored by Sunnyside Shines BID.
Astoria Water Walk – Shore Boulevard between Astoria Park South and Ditmars Boulevard, Sunday August 9th, 16th, and 23rd, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Sponsored by Astoria Park Alliance.
Staten Island
Van Duzer Days – Van Duzer Street between Wright and Beach Streets, Saturday August 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd, 12 p.m.- 8 p.m., Sponsored by Downtown SI Council.
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