Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
but seating is limited, so show up earlier if you don't want to stand. In case of rain, the concerts move indoors to
the Agnes Gund Garden Lobby.
11 W. 53rd St., btw. Fifth and Sixth aves.
212/708-9400.
www.moma.org
. Subway: E/M to Fifth Ave./53rd St.
SummerStage
Words like “summer” and “music” and “free” conjure an idyllic picture, especially in the
context of Central Park. SummerStage is a crack outfit that brings big-name performers to a stage just of the
Rumsey Playfield. To get a seat in the bleachers, better show up a couple of hours before start time. If you're not
that patient, you can just wander in at any time, and you should be able to find a spot to stand and/or dance.
Since no tickets are required, it's easy to come and go freely unless it's a superpopular show. Acts as varied as
James Brown, Sonic Youth, and Hugh Masekela have taken the stage, and recent years have seen film, readings,
theater, and comedy added to the mix. Several of the shows are pricey benefits, with tickets retailing for $50 or so,
but they're there to keep the free part going. Further supporting the series, donations are solicited as you enter,
but no contribution is required.
Central Park, at the Rumsey Playfield, near E. 72nd St.
212/360-2777.
www.summerstage.org
.
Subway: 6 to
68th or 77th sts.; B/C to 72nd St.
Vans House Parties
This series of shows in a massive Greenpoint warehouse is actually indoors, although
there's a huge courtyard for open-air mingling. The legendary checkerboard sneaker does the hosting, with a
serious sound system making the most of punk-inflected bands. The shows are free and open to all ages, with
five billings spread across July and August. It can get pretty sweaty inside, although the crowd is limited by an
RSVP system (you'll need to print your confirmation after you sign up online).
House of Vans, 25 Franklin St., btw. Meserole
Ave. and Quay St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
www.vans.com
.
Subway: G to Nassau Ave.
Washington Square Music Festival
One of the city's oldest festivals brings classical music (and a little
jazz and folk) to the heart of the Village. Usually four pieces are played Tuesday nights in July and early August
from 8 to 10pm. The last Tuesday of the month is often set aside for jazz, salsa, or world music. The festival is a
mix of inside and out. Alfresco gigs play in the northwest corner of Washington Square Park, in front of the Al-
exander Lyman Holley Monument. Limited seating is available. Indoor and rainy night dates are at the Church
of St. Joseph (371 Sixth Ave., btw. Washington and Waverly places).
Near Washington Sq. N., btw. Fifth Ave. and Washington Sq. W.
212/252-3621.
www.washingtonsquaremusicfestival.org
. Subway: A/B/C/D/E/F/M to W. 4th St./Washington Sq.
2 The Reel Cheap World
The film industry loves New York. Blithely ignoring our existing congestion, productions flock to the city to steal
our parking spaces and tie up our sidewalks. Gotham-themed films line the video store shelves. Is it because
we're a convenient symbol of urban glamour? Or is it simply because New York is the greatest city in the his-
tory of the world? Either way, NYC has a lot of cinematic pride, which allows New Yorkers to be extorted with
$13 movie tickets, a dearth of cheap afternoon matinees, and new releases sold out by 4pm even on gorgeous
sunny days. Fortunately, in New York there are always alternatives. Our libraries are stocked with DVDs, our
bars screen in their backrooms, and in the summer we get spectacular film alfresco. Most events are on the house,
and those that aren't won't break the bank.
Indies, Cult Classics & More
African Diaspora Ciné-Club
The “global Black experience” is the focus of this monthly screening. Films
from as far afield as Rwanda, Haiti, and Chad make the cut and help viewers expand their perspective beyond
the paltry range of mainstream African and African-American fare. The actual directors often make the post-flick
Q&As, and refreshments are served. Screening locations at Teachers College vary, usually Room 263 Macy; films
are shown the last Friday of every month at 6pm.
Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 W. 120th St., btw. Broadway and Amsterdam
Ave.
212/864-1760.
www.nyadf.org
.
Subway: 1 to 116th St.; A/B/C/D to 125th St.
Cabaret Cinema
Beneath the Rubin Museum of Art's sparkling galleries is an intimate candlelit screening room.
Friday evenings see projections of a terrific lineup of films. When the
HolyMadness
exhibit was up, the museum
screened related reels that ranged from
Siddhartha
to
MontyPython'sLifeofBrian.
Shows come with related com-
mentary from a big-time introducer, like Wallace Shawn answering questions about
MyDinnerwithAndre.
The
movies roll at 9:30pm. There's a $7 bar minimum (purchase a drink or snack upstairs and ask the bartender for
