The New York City Traveler

River to River, a downtown festival that stretches from June to September with various events, is will underway.  Featuring world-class performing arts and free admission, the festival takes place in a variety of Downtown Manhattan public venues, from Chambers Street to the Battery on Manhattan’s southern tip, and includes Governors Island. 
There are a number of free events virtually everyday.  Highlights of the summer festival include:

Otis Clay and Ryan Shaw June 11  Free
Sonic Youth  July 4  Free
Folk Music Festival on Governors Island  July 26  Free
The Big River Project: The Music of Johnny Cash  July 26  Free
Seaport Music Festival  …read more

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The Sixth Annual Snapple Big Apple Barbecue Block Party comes to Madison Square Park this weekend. 
Listen to live music as you enjoy award winning food from top pitmasters.  Fourteen of the country’s top pitmasters will represent their restaurants, including John Stage from New York’s own Rack & Soul and pitmaster Chris Lilly from Big Bob Bar-B-Q in Decatur, AL. When you’re not noshing on bbq, check out the free seminars and cooking demos.    
Eat for a cause!  Proceeds from the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party support the Madison Square Park Conservancy.  Visit Big Apple BBQ for more information …read more

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Let the fiesta begin! New York’s annual Puerto Rican Day Parade will march up Fifth Avenue this Sunday.  The parade, the second largest in New York behind the West Indian-American Carnival Parade, celebrates Puerto Rican heritage and its contribution to the society of New York.
It is estimated that The Puerto Rican Day Parade has over 80,000 participants that march, over 2 million spectators, and is viewed on local and international channels, making it a truly international event.    
The parade has been marred by violence in the past.  In 2000, violence was at its height and last year, police …read more

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It may not be the Globe Theatre, but Shakespeare has returned to Central Park in one of New York City’s favorite free summer events, Shakespeare in the Park. 
This year the Public Theater is performing Shakespeare’s classic tragedies, Hamlet.  Denmark’s Prince Hamlet sets out for revenge against his Uncle Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet’s father, the King, and marries Hamlet’s mother in an attempt to take the throne.  Among the actors in Hamlet is Law & Order alum Sam Waterston.    
Free tickets are available on the day of the performance beginning at 1pm at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park. …read more

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Governors Island is what myths are made of.  Located in New York Harbor between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, most New Yorkers have never set foot on the island and most of America has never even heard of the island.  The exclusiveness of the island is for good reason: Governors Island was owned by the U.S. government and was used as a Coast Guard facility until 1995, thus prohibiting visits from civilians.  On the tourism side, Governors Island isn’t listed in most guidebooks or tourist maps, leading visitors to wonder exactly lies on the unmarked island.  The island once shrouded …read more

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For one week every year, Sailors, Marines, and Guardsmen take over Lower Manhattan. 
New York’s Fleet Week begins today with parade of ships and continues until Wednesday, May 28th with a full calendar of events. 
This is your chance to tour one of the majestic ships that will be docked in New York.  Complimentary tours on US and Canadian ships will be available on most days at the Lower Manhattan piers and on Staten Island.  There will also be Marine Corps helicopter raid demonstrations and Navy band performances. 
For a more information, a full list of events, including visitation …read more

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Children’s Day in Japan is fast approaching and New York City’s own Japan Society is inviting children and adults to celebrate this historic Japanese national holiday. 
Festivities include performances of Japan’s classic stories for children: Peach Boy (Momotaro), Golden Boy (Kintaro), Story of the Old Man Who Made Withered Trees to Blossom (Hanasaka jiisan), and The Monkey and the Crab (Saru-kani gassen). 
Following performance, visitors can enjoy traditional snacks (kashiwa mochi) and create their own samurai helmets (kabuto) and carp streamers (koinobori), traditional Children’s Day decorations. 
Location: Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street (map)
Subway:  6 to 51st Street; 4, …read more

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Visit the rainforest of Brazil without leaving the jungle of New York City.  Amazônia Brasil has a four-part exhibit that provides insight into the complex Amazon of Brazil.  Learn about how climate change is affecting the diverse ecosystem of the rainforest, visit a re-creation of an Amazon village, and meet indigenous artisans and shamans.    
Amazônia Brasil – Main Exhibit:  South Street Seaport, Pier 17
South Street Seaport has been transformed into a re-creation of the Brazilian rainforest.  In the 13,000-sq.-foot experience, visitors can see the sights and sounds of the Amazon and walk through a replica of a Amazon village.  Lending …read more

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Friday, April 25th

Catch and Release Fishing   Accompanied by adults, children can borrow the nature center’s poles with unbarbed hooks and bait and try their luck at catching fish on the shores of the Harlem Meer.  Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park, East 110th St at Fifth Avenue.  More information at 212-860-1370.  10am – 3pm.  Free
Portraits of Mom Studio  Kids can play games and snack while Mom receives a complimentary makeover.  Then the family poses for a family portrait by a professional photographer and the photos will be loaded onto an on-site computer so participants can make their own prints.  …read more

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Somebody must be smiling on New York City because New York’s own resident weatherman Sam Champion says we can expect clear skies and temperatures in the 60s for the Tribeca Drive-In, the Tribeca Film Festival’s classic outdoor screening series.  The three day event will screen three movies: a 25th anniversary celebration of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the family-friendly Meerkat Manor, and the winning film of the Fans’ Favorite Football Flick. 
Thursday, April 24th

Thriller  Filmmaker and “Thriller” video director John Landis will be on hand for a special 25th anniversary screening of Michael Jackson’s 1984 music video, plus the classic Making …read more

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