Cultivating Culture
As the temperature rises, some of the city's finest cultural institutions take vacation in the park, while others kick off summer seasons.
| The Metropolitan Opera | Friday, June 20, 8 pm During the off-season, the Met takes to Prospect Park with a free night of operatic highlights from Verdi, Puccini, and more. www.metoperafamily.org. |
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| The New York City Ballet | Through June 29 This season, the NYC Ballet highlights the achievements and musical influences of founder Jerome Robbins. Student rush tickets are just $12. Visit www.nycballet.com for details. |
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| New York Philharmonic | July 8-15 Free concerts in parks around the city. Schedule at www.nyphil.org. June 25 - July 4 Summertime Classics concerts take place at Avery Fisher Hall. Student rush tickets are sometimes available for Philharmonic events at www.nyphil.org/studentrush in advance or at the box office on the day of the performance. |
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| Shakespeare in the Park | May 27 - June 29 and July 22 - Aug 17 The Public Theater presents Hamlet and Hair - two classics that share a soliloquy. At the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Tickets are free and only available beginning at 1 pm on the day of the performance at selected locations or via online lottery. Lines can be long, but thousands of theater-goers agree the shows are worth it! More information at www.publictheater.org |
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| Shakespeare in the Parking Lot | July 3 - 19 and July 25 - August 10 The Drilling CompaNY's barebones approach brings free Shakespeare ( Midsummernight's Dream and Henry V) to the lot at the corner of Ludlow and Broome Streets. No lines. No waiting. No stage. No joke. www.drillingcompany.org for details. |
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| River to River Festival | Over 500 summer events in Lower Manhattan including performances, art installations, crafts, walking tours, lectures and events for kids. Hot musicians from Sonic Youth to Kode9 will play or spin. www.rivertorivernyc.com. | |
| Celebrate Brooklyn! | Free music, dance, spoken word, and film in Prospect Park. ($3 suggested donation) This year's slate includes Isaac Hayes, Salif Keita, and Beth Orton. www.briconline.org. | |
| Bryant Park Film Festival | June 16- August 11 Monday night movies including Arsenic and Old Lace, Bride of Frankenstein and Superman. Park opens at 5 for picnicking, films start around 8 pm. Full schedule at www.bryantpark.org. |
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| Socrates Sculpture Park Outdoor Cinema | Weekly films in the park that's also a museum. Schedule TBA, visit www.socratessculpturepark.org for details. | |
| Riverflicks | Free popcorn and free films at Pier 54. Wednesdays for grown-ups, Fridays for the whole family. Seating is limited, so arrive early. Go to www.hudsonriverpark.org for more information. | |
| TKTS Booths | Offers discount tickets to Broadway and off-Broadway shows daily. Booths are located at Times Square and South Street Seaport. For more information, check out www.tdf.org/tkts. | |
| Stock up on movie passes and tickets for other events by visiting NYU Ticket Central throughout the summer. |