Pick of the Week – Things to do in and around town and at home
With Phase 4 reopening, Pick of the Week is now Things to do in and around town and at home. This is the last post for now. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Week of August 10:
Skyline Drive-In NYC
is a unique drive-in cinema experience, at 1 Oak Street. Our location, situated on the East River with killer views of the Manhattan Skyline, may seem familiar to you. Perhaps you’ve seen it on SNL? Or in a Fendi or Converse ad? That’s because Skyline Drive-In is not just for showing movies—it’s for making them too, as a photo and filming location.
Week of August 3:
The easiest way to get away! Governors Island is a 172 acre island in the heart of New York Harbor. It’s only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan, and even closer to Brooklyn. It is a world unto itself, unique and full of promise.
Visitors must reserve tickets in advance through a new ticket reservation system. Tickets are available now: reserve here.
Week of July 27:
New York City Zoos are open to members on July 20 and open to the public on July 24.
The Bronx Zoo
New York Aquarium
Prospect Park Wildlife Center
Central Park Wildlife Center & Tisch Children’s Zoo
Queens Wildlife Center
Staten Island Zoo
Week of July 20:
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council presents River To River 2020: Four Voices featuring artists who explore social practice to create new works for New Yorkers as we navigate these uncharted waters together.
Public artworks are on view in open spaces including Westfield World Trade Center, Belvedere Plaza in Battery Park City, Winter Garden at Brookfield Place, and throughout the Seaport District through August 30.
Week of July 13:
9 Virtual Party Ideas to Turn Any Night Into a Celebration
Thrillist has compiled a list of options of inside social gatherings like cocktail hours, karaoke night, game night, jam sessions and more!
Week of July 6:
94 Fun Things You Can Do at Home, Anytime (And Often for Free)
Tips from Apartment Therapy including freshening up your decor, ideas for getting creative or making time for self-improvement like making a life goal list or coming up with a family or household statement of purpose. Let’s be honest, how many of us have ever even thought of that?
Week of June 29:
Volunteers Needed: NYC Census 2020 Phonebank
Many New York City neighborhoods of color are under-represented in Congress because they are historically under-counted in the US Census. You can help remedy this disparity by joining an NYC Census phonebank. You will be provided training and call scripts for helping fellow New Yorkers access the Census. Visit NYC’s Census 2020 website for more information.
Please see the NYC Census phonebank schedule and NYC’s census 2020 website for more information.
Week of June 22:
Take a virtual tour of the night sky and beyond!
Check the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York calendar for weekly Astrovis Livestream programming.
Week of June 15:
Each weekend this summer, SummerStage Anywhere will be presenting exclusive digital performances that you can watch from anywhere including pop artist MAX, LAMC Latin Pride Celebration on June 13, Juneteenth Day of Dance on June 19 and global star Angélique Kidjo on June 26.
Following June, stay tuned for more one-of-a-kind digital content highlighting distinctly New York genres — hip hop, salsa, jazz, global, indie, contemporary dance.
Week of June 8:
Keep Moving!
From our friends who have brought us our fun-filled Field Days, please visit the Asphalt Green blog for ideas for staying connected to activities that bring you joy.
As you continue new routines, remember to take care of yourself—physically and mentally. Here you will find ways to be a part of the sports and fitness community from home.
Fun for Kids and Resources for Adults including home fitness ideas like the like the 20 Minute Core Workout and Socially Distanced Approved Activities to Kick Off Summer.
Anti-Racism Resources are also available.
Also, Virtual Group Exercise Classes (Fee based)
Week of June 1:
To make the most of your time indoors, check the New York Times Event Hub calendar for a calendar of New York Times events, live at home.
Week of May 25:
Brookfield Place At Home #BFPLatHome
Brookfield Place is back online with digital programming every day to bring BFPL to you. Here’s what to expect every week of #BFPLatHome:
- Munchie Mondays
- Trivia Tuesdays
- Wellness Wednesdays
- Friday Features
- Saturday Morning Show
- Self-Care Sundays
Detailed schedule below. You can access this online content on @BFPLNY’s Instagram page.
Week of May 18:
During the coronavirus shutdown, GrowNYC‘s Education programs are providing weekly activities and lessons that can be accessed by children and adults from home.
Learn how to make tie-dye from natural dyes from food scraps, make pasta with Eataly, conduct virtual field trips and more!
Think you have to be outside to garden? Guess again. GrowNYC can help you make world’s best windowsill salad. We also know that our current circumstances dictate that we want to make food last as long as possible, we can help you with that.
Click here to sign up for updates from our education programs, including new distance learning resources.
Week of May 11:
Focus on Families
(More) Music and Dance Trivia!
As part of the Third Street Music School Community Series, everyone is welcome for our next family-friendly music and dance trivia night! Create a team or take on the zoom room yourself for the chance to win music and dance trivia bragging rights! Featuring a Surprise Guest Host! More info and RSVP for Zoom link.
Locally owned and operated Freshmade is offering Home Virtual Cooking Classes. Sign up here for family friendly classes for all ages (kids and adults). Freshman’s mission is to help kids develop a better relationship to food and cooking, encourage healthier eating and increase kids’ confidence, skills and joy in the kitchen. More info.
Union Square Play Online brings play to families everywhere
One family activity, a one kids’ video, and one event for parents—brought to you online. Every. Single. Day.
To sign up for the daily newsletter, please visit unionsquareplay.com for Virtual Birthday ideas, DIY haircut tutorials and more.
New Moms, New Tribe
Is isolation making you go stir crazy? We got you, mama. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. But at Union Square Play, it takes a tribe to get parents through that process.
Week of May 4:
Home Office Heroes: New York Home
If you missed our New or Renew Your New York Living last fall, we want to let you know that Diane Lowy of New York Home also offers working from home tips including recommendations on small adjustments to enjoy your home office even more especially in this time when you may be managing how to best harmonize your work and home under one roof.
If you want help talking through a tricky space or issue you’re facing with your home, Diane is offering free 30-minute sessions. Please email newyorkerathome@gmail.com for more information. You can also email her to sign up for regular newsletters or check out their website, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Week of April 27:
NYU Skirball Virtual Book Club
Join select book clubs online. Join via Zoom on May 1, May 15 & May 29 for Virtual Book Club.
There are novels, short stories, essays, poetry, and memoir. It’s a fun, informal way to find a new favorite book, meet people, and get your brain into gear for the show – even if you haven’t had a chance to read the book yet.
Upcoming books: How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones (May 1), Home Fire by Kamila Shamise (May 15) and The Book of Delights by Ross Gay (May 29)
Week of April 20:
Museum of Chinese in America Online:
Basics of Chinese Classical Dance Workshop with New York Chinese Cultural Center
Wednesday, April 22, 4-5 pm
MOCA teams up with long-time partner, New York Chinese Cultural Center, for a live virtual workshop on the basics of Chinese Classical Dance!
The workshop hosted via Zoom on Wednesday, April 22 at 4:00 pm provides an interactive introduction to Chinese Classical Dance, rooted in the elegant ritual dances of the ancient courts. You’ll learn how to combine intricate hand gestures and body alignment to create a diverse vocabulary of movements, all from the comfort of your own home! So, jump into something comfy and get ready for an hour of dance, dance, dance!
Recommended for children ages 2-12, but all are welcome! No special equipment necessary but loose, comfortable clothing is recommended. Please note that the workshop will be recorded via Zoom.
Visit the MOCA website to learn how to join.
Week of April 13:
If you’re looking for a quick pick me up, here is a charming video rendition of “Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella” (Irving Kahal, Francis Wheeler and Sammy Fain, 1927) featuring jazz vocalist Molly Ryan and jazz frontman Dan Levinson on clarinet who performed with us last year as part of Make Music New York.
Visit these links for more info about Molly Ryan and Dan Levinson.
Week of April 6:
Yoga From the Ground Up with Amy Coombs
Tuesday 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Free. Password may be required.
Join by Zoom link, Zoom app (Meeting ID: 520-545-8765) or Zoom number (phone): 1-646-558-8656 (Meeting ID: 520-545-8765)
Our favorite instructor has gone virtual! Roll out your mat and get centered with Amy Coombs.
Amy’s beginner-level vinyasa-style class is perfect for newcomers to yoga. Those without any prior experience will have the chance to explore the fundamental postures of yoga, ask questions, and receive thorough explanation and demonstration. As each individual practitioner grows — and as the class as a whole grows — more challenging poses and sequences will be introduced. Students are encouraged to modify or return to the previous levels of poses depending on their needs. There will never be any pressure to “keep up” or impress, only to grow at your own pace. This class can also be beneficial for those practicing at the intermediate level who wish to get back in touch with the basics, deepen and refine the foundational poses, and ease into their evenings with a gentler flow.