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Gothamist Summer Guide: 16 Fun Things To Do In July

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Summer is here, bringing with it a fire hydrant blast of cultural and culinary activities in NYC. There's so much going on, it can be tough to choose between a concert in the park or theater in the parking lot; a rooftop film screening or all night dance party; a block party or food festival or art gallery or something else entirely. To help make plans, we've done our best to separate the summer wheat from the bummer chaff. Click through the above gallery for the very best of New York in July.

(Scott Lynch / Gothamist)

The annual <a href="http://www.olmcfeast.com/">Giglio Feast</a>, the city's oldest and best event in which a hundred or so brawny Italian men hoist a towering four-ton statue through the streets of Williamsburg, kicked off 12 days of festivities on Wednesday. The popular religious festival, now in its 130th (!) year, commemorates a 5th-century Italian martyr, while also serving as a reminder of the rich history of Brooklyn's Neapolitan immigrant community. Expect a delectable feast of sausage and zeppole, music and dancing in the streets, as well as a variety of kid-friendly games. And of course, the aforementioned lifting of the statue of San Paolino, led by the honorable "Capo" of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Check out this year's schedule <a href="http://www.olmcfeast.com/this-years-feast">here</a>, and see below if you're somehow not yet sold on the Giglio. July 5th to July 16th // 275 North 8th Street, Williamsburg // Free <center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-71CHTJb1gY" width="640"></iframe></center>

(Sai Mokhtari / Gothamist)

It's been four decades since the summer of 1977 pushed New York City to the brink of collapse, and Film Forum is commemorating the anniversary with a new series called <a href="http://filmforum.org/series/new-york-in-the-70s-series">Ford to City: Drop Dead-New York in the '70s</a>. Throughout the month, the nonprofit theater will screen 44 films that helped to capture and define this grim era in our city. The throwback series includes obvious staples of New York cinema (The Warriors, Serpico, The Taking Of Pelham One Two Threeâalong with some extra goodies, like a handful of two-for-one double features and a Q&A with The Panic In Needle Park) director Jerry Schawzberg. Film Forum veteran <a href="http://gothamist.com/2005/02/25/bruce_goldstein_film_forum.php">Bruce Goldstein</a> curated the lineup, which can be found <a href="http://filmforum.org/series/new-york-in-the-70s-series">here.</a> July 5th through July 27th // Film Forum, 209 W. Houston Street // Tickets: $8 member, $14 regular

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"All the world's a stage," including a municipal parking lot tucked behind a Puerto Rican cultural center in the Lower East Side. That's where the Drilling Company's <a href="http://www.shakespeareintheparkinglot.com/">Shakespeare in the Parking Lot</a>, a self-described "plucky New York cultural attraction," will stage its 23rd annual two-play festival. First up, running from July 6th through July 22nd, is the group's inaugural production of All's Well That Ends Well, directed by Karla Hendrick and set in a WWII-era French town grappling with fascism. That's followed by a present-day reimagining of Henry VI Part 3 (July 27 to August 12) which aims to offer "insight into our current polarized politics." Limited seating is available for those who show up early, and everyone else is encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Unlike the other Shakespeare In The Park, the lot version has "never turned anyone away." Thursday - Saturday, July 6th - July 22nd, July 27-August 12 // 114 Norfolk Street, Manhattan // <a href="http://www.shakespeareintheparkinglot.com/">Free</a>

Lee Wexler (via Shakespeare in the Parking Lot)

Now in its fifth year, the <a href="https://www.afrolatinofestnyc.com/">Afro-Latino Festival</a> celebrates the African diaspora across the Caribbean, Central, and South America through culinary presentations, spoken word readings, film screenings, and plenty of live music. But while it's largely an educational event, keep a lookout for the spirited dance party blasting salsa, merengue, funk, and reggae from the blue tent. And this year's festival will pay tribute to "Women of the Diaspora," so expect a female dominated music lineup featuring Milly Quezada, Alison Hinds, Amara La Negra, Zuzuka Poderosa. "This year we're celebrating women specifically and honoring their contributions to the afro-latino community," festival co-organizer <a href="http://gothamist.com/2017/04/14/afro_latino_fest_2017.php">Amilcar Priestley told Gothamist</a> back in April. "But we're also looking to broaden the conversation and talk not just about identity but also social awareness and political engagement, how culture can be used to both amplify, identity and engage people's social consciousness." The wide-ranging events are spread throughout the city over three days, with the bulk of the action happening in Bed Stuy. Friday, July 7th to Sunday, July, 9th, 7 p.m. - 4 a.m. // Various locations // <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afro-latino-fest-nyc-2017-a-tribute-to-women-of-the-diaspora-tickets-34534565816">Tickets</a> $15 - $165

Gothamist

Celebrate Independence Day again but this time for the French. <a href="http://bastilledayny.org/">Bastille Day</a> takes over New York on July 9th this year (it's technically July 14th, but we celebrate on the Sunday before), with a boatload of parties and street fairs and wine-tastings all centered around Frenchness. The liveliest and most authentic of these fetes is thrown by the French Institute Alliance Francaise [<a href="http://www.fiaf.org/#">FIAF</a>] and stretches from Fifth Ave. to Lexington on 60th Street. From noon to 5 p.m., that three block stretch will be packed with booths serving up savory crepes and sweet <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financier_(cake)">financiers</a>, as well as live music, shopping, and a $5 raffle that could land you a three-day trip to Paris. For an extra $25, FIAF is offering a private wine-tasting featuring the best of Bordeaux. Sunday, July 9th, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. // 60th Street, from Fifth Avenue to Lexington Avenue // Free to attend, <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-in-the-south-of-france-tasting-at-fiafs-2017-bastille-day-celebration-tickets-35393208038">Tickets</a> $25

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It's probably harder to get a ticket to Dear Evan Hansen than to get into Harvard this summer, but musical fans can see a few more offbeat offerings at this year's <a href="http://www.nymf.org/">New York Musical Festival</a>, which runs from July 10th to August 6th. The annual festival showcases several dozen new musicals at theaters all over town, with this year's productions including the comedy Matthew McConaughey vs. The Devil: An American Myth, the Holmesian My Dear Watson, Peace, Love, and Cupcakes: The Musical, and a musical version of <a href="http://www.nymf.org/festival/2017-events/dorian-gray/">The Picture of Dorian Grey</a>. You can purchase festival passes and individual tickets <a href="http://www.nymf.org/festival/tickets/">online</a>. (Rebecca Fishbein) July 10th through August 6th // Various theaters //NYMF PASS: $119, Individual <a href="http://www.nymf.org/festival/tickets#NYMF PASS">ticket prices</a> vary

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Add some literary flavor to your Monday with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy's beloved reading series <a href="http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/event-series/books-beneath-the-bridge">Books Beneath the Bridge</a>. Each week, a different independent book club will bring a distinguished writer to the park, where they'll deliver a water-adjacent reading before taking questions from the audience and signing copies of their books. Previous participants include Patti Smith and Colson Whitehead, and this year's line up is once again formidable: Be sure to check out Hannah Tinti, author of The Good Thief, appearing with the deeply funny essayist Sarah Gerard on <a href="http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/events/powerhouse-arena">July 17th</a>, and don't miss "Literary Brat Pack" alum Jill Eisenstadt reading from her new Rockaway-inspired novel Swell on <a href="http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/events/community-bookstore-park-slope">August 7th</a>. Monday evenings at 7 p.m., July 10th through August 12st // Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park // Free

(christiNYCa/Flickr)

Perhaps you've noticed this: there is a lot of water in and around New York City. Hell, four of the five boroughs that make up our great city are surrounded by water. Possibly in an attempt to appease the wrathful Poseidon, God of the Sea, possibly in an attempt to teach people to be good stewards of their local environment, the Waterfront Alliance holds a number of water-centric activities on <a href="http://waterfrontalliance.org/what-we-do/city-of-water-day/#">City of Water Day</a>.On Governors Island, you can enjoy taking in a cardboard kayak race and meet a variety of environmental activists working to keep the city's waterways clean. There are also boat tours you can go on which shove off from a number of piers around the city, and <a href="http://waterfrontalliance.org/what-we-do/city-of-water-day/about/">tons of events</a> including the chance to learn about local waterways and efforts to clean up shorelines around the city. (Dave Colon) Saturday, July 15th, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. // Governors Island and various locations // <a href="http://waterfrontalliance.org/what-we-do/city-of-water-day/#">Free</a>

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Grab your <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUitxzgnT88">new pep-pep</a>, put on your official <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7u9hP4r1S8">Cinco-branded HELMET TOUCH helmet</a> and get ready for a really weird night of comedy from Tim Heidecker and Eric Warheim. <a href="http://thetownhall.org/event/timanderic">Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job</a> is celebrating 10 years since the show appeared on Adult Swim and started weirding people out with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwxqfEMiO0g">body horror comedy</a> and songs like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63cX1xNXwK8">"I Think My Sister's Cute."</a> The live tour (and the promise of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lhOPV0CzVM">being pelted by fresh Papa John's</a>) was so popular in New York that two shows at Town Hall have sold out, but tickets are still available for a third show on July 16th. So grab a ticket now, take your <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbr7B1OVa0g">Waitmate</a>, and show up to the venue feeling refreshed. (Dave Colon) Sunday, July 16th, 8 p.m. // Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, Manhattan // <a href="http://www.timanderic.com/calendar.php">Tickets</a>: $42-$48

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Feels like just yesterday I attempted (and failed) to get in to see <a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/08/25/goodbye_mccarren_ool_arties_hello_p.php#photo-1">Yo La Tengo at the McCarren Park Pool</a>, but it appears this summer I'll get another chance. The group from Hoboken (now with the return of original lead guitarist Dave Schramm) will play a <a href="http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/event/yo-la-tengo-ultimate-paintin">free show in Central Park</a> as part of this year's SummerStage series, with UK group Ultimate Painting listed as the openers. Be prepared to line up EARLY, and BYO blanket. (Rebecca Fishbein) Monday, July 17th, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. // Central Park SummerStage // <a href="http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/event/yo-la-tengo-ultimate-painting/">Free</a>

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It's hard to believe that New York has never had its own major festival dedicated to the art form that is tacos. But that's the claim made by the "first ever" <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/314663205630549/">Taco Festival</a>, which comes to Pier 25 in Tribeca later this month. The pop-up taqueria features 30 local taco purveyors, along with a tequila sampling expo, margarita beach bar, and serenading mariachi bands. For competitive foodies, there will also be a taco-eating contest and Lucha Libre wrestling match. Admission is free, with each taco sold individually for $3. Should you find yourself craving tacos between now and then, consult our mouth-watering round-up of the best the <a href="http://gothamist.com/2015/07/30/the_best_tacos_in_nyc_1.php">city has to offer</a>. Saturday, July 22nd, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. // Pier 25, West Street & N. Moore Street // Free

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The days of catching an unannounced Regina Spektor set in the back room of an East Village cafe may be gone, but the Bronx-raised songstress definitely still knows how to please the hometown crowd. On July 27th, Spektor will take the <a href="http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1454294?utm_medium=460163">Central Park SummerStage</a>, the second NYC stop on her nationwide tour in support of the very good <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42V4hiPVN58">Remember Us To Life</a>. If the initial Radio City Music Hall date is any indication, expect an expectation-surpassing set of fan favorites from one of the best balladeers in the business. The $55 ticket isn't cheap, but the prospect of a sunset rendition of "Summer in the City" is worth every penny. Thursday, July 27th, 7 p.m. // Central Park SummerStage // <a href="http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1454294?utm_medium=460163">Tickets</a>: $55 <center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NIs6qv4mU1Q" width="640"></iframe></center>

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Mark Flood could be a visionary disruptor or an overhyped agitator, a <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/jm59g8/mark-flood-is-trolling-the-art-world-with-4chan-filth-and-disgusting-memes-111">4chan Troll</a> or the <a href="http://observer.com/2016/01/is-mark-flood-secretly-the-robin-hood-of-the-art-world/">art world's secret Robin Hood</a>. Reasonable people can disagree, though anyone who's ever crossed paths with the Texas-based multimedia artist would admit he's not boring. If you haven't already, you'll want to check out his Greenwich Village-based solo show <a href="http://maccarone.net/exhibitions/3669-2/">GOOGLE MURDER-SUICIDE</a> before it closes later this month. Presented by Maccarone Gallery, the exhibition features a variety of new paintings, alongside ominous inkjet prints and spray painted logos, that further delve into Flood's obsession with digital culture. The space also includes plenty of beat-up sofas (a throwback to his last NYC project, the very hip artist-run show space <a href="http://markfloodresents.tumblr.com/">Mark Flood Resents</a>) inviting you to get comfy and soak in the dystopia. Runs through July 28th // Maccarone Gallery, 630 Greenwich Street, Manhattan // Free

via Maccarone

Ever committed to partying in strange spaces, House of Yes raised the bar on their reliably raunchy Summer of Love series this year by moving all five parties to the historic Onderdonk House in Ridgewood (we can confirm that the July 4th BBQ Extravaganza was a delight). The Onderdonk-hosted HOY blowouts continue later this month with the arrival of <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-of-love-x-distrikt-tickets-35528817650">DISTRIKT</a>, a nonprofit collective of electronic musicians and other "makers" associated with Burning Man. Expect heavy doses of electro-funk grooves, plus face painting, glitter stations, food trucks, and something called an Open Circus Jam (the platonic ideal of a Burning Man/House of Yes mashup, probably). Before you go, read up on the story of the Onderdonk property's <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/09/28/arbitration_rock.php?gallery0Pic=6#photo-1">Arbitration Rock</a>, the centuries-old boundary separating Queens from Brooklyn. Saturday, July 29th, Doors: 2:00 p.m. // Onderdonk House 1820 Flushing Ave, Ridgewood // <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-of-love-x-distrikt-tickets-35528817650">Tickets</a> $20

via House of Yes

Capitalizing on the word of the moment, <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/met-live-arts/theater-of-the-resist">Theater of the Resist</a> is the MetLiveArts' eight week summer series focused on "edgy, timely, and pointedly political performances and films." Every Friday and Saturday night through August 12th, the Met Breuer will display a new work of art, dance, music or film that breaks with convention, either politically, artistically, or otherwise. Highlights include a spoken word performance from NYC-based poetry trio <a href="http://www.themightythirdrail.com/">The Mighty Third Rail</a> (July 7th), a short film screening and Q&A with <a href="https://fieldofvision.org/staff">Lauren Poitras</a> (July 22nd), and an unspecified presentation from Das Racist alum <a href="http://gothamist.com/2015/03/10/heems_himanshu_das_racist.php">Heems</a> (July 28th). All performances are free with museum admission, but advanced registration is recommended. Fridays and Saturdays, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.; through September 3rd // The Met Breuer, Floor 5, 945 Madison Ave, Manhattan // <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/met-live-arts/theater-of-the-resist">Free</a> with museum admission

via Met Museum

From Pixar's ambitious children's movies to Rick & Morty's bawdier cartoon fare, there's been no shortage of boundary-pushing animation on the big and small screen lately. Regardless of your level of animation appreciation, you're sure to find something worthwhile at BAM's 14th annual<a href="http://www.animationblock.com/#intro-section"> Animation Block Party</a>. Among the many highlights of the four-day festival: the NYC premiere of acclaimed dystopian short film Birdboy, a 35mm screening of Raggedy Ann and Andy, and a special showcase of Netflix's Bojack Horseman featuring a Q&A with supremely talented production designer Lisa Hanawalt. There's also panel discussions, after-parties, and one-night only event co-presented by Rooftop Films. Festival runs July 27 - July 30; <a href="http://www.animationblock.com/summerfest2017">showtimes</a> vary // BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn // <a href="https://www.seetickets.us/event/Animation-Block-Party-2017/348332">Weekend pass</a>: $100; Individual prices vary

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