WNET member pick: The Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Members receive $1 off admission per person up to four people
The CMoM was so popular this past year that it has expanded its hours for playtime and educational discovery. The museum is now open on Monday, and Saturday hours have extended to 7 pm. Exhibits run the gamut from Curious George’s adventures to water’s role in the environment. There are organized art workshops each day and independent play areas as well.
Ai Weiwei, outside Tompkins Square Park, 1986. Courtesy of the Asia Society and Museum
Ai WeiWei: New York Photographs 1983-1993
Asia Society and Museum
Starts Wed, June 29
Chinese artist, dissident and political activist Ai WeiWei was released from prison in China last Wednesday, June 22, 2011, after two-and-a-half months of detention. This timely exhibition, featuring 227 photographs he took while living in NYC from 1983–1993, captures the history, culture and atmosphere of New York from his unique perspective.
Raging Bull
Tompkins Square Park
Thurs, June 30
This film kicks off the free movie screenings in Tompkins Square Park on Thursdays through September 1. Robert De Niro doesn’t pull any punches in this 1980 biopic about middleweight boxing champ Jake La Motta. Under the direction of Martin Scorsese, the actor gained 60 pounds in order to play a character that is both despicable and sympathetic. Rated R. 1980, 129 mins.
Courtesy of Soho Think Tank
Word for Word: Michael Showalter with Jenny Slate
Bryant Park Reading Room
Wed, June 29
Laugh along as Mr. Funny Pants himself, Michael Showalter, enlightens us on everything from the do’s and don’ts of dating, to the in’s and out’s of writing this quasi-memoir, Mr. Funny Pants. Actress and comedian Jenny Slate interviews Showalter, the multi-talented star of the shows The State and Stella.
Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival
Governors Island
Starts Sat, July 2
The first ever classical/contemporary music festival to be held on Governors Island inaugurates its season with three free dates of outdoor concerts. This Saturday, hear Terry Riley’s In C led by keyboardist/conductor/musical impresario Jed Distler, featuring nearly 40 of New York’s top musicians, including members of the American Modern Ensemble, Newspeak, the Momenta Quartet, The Asphalt Orchestra and others.
Photo: Brett W. Messenger
Warm Up
MoMA PS1
Sat, July 2–Sat, Sept 3
This weekly outdoor series celebrates its 12th year with 10 consecutive summer Saturdays of experimental bands, performances and DJs. This weekend’s Warm Up features Chicago’s DJ Pierre, a progenitor of acid house music, and others.
