What's Happening This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

Nothing screams summer like massive eating contests, but you don’t have to leave them to the professional hot dog eaters. Anyone can join in on Hell Gate Social’s Labor Day BBQ and Pie Eating Contest (as long as you get there early to reserve your spot among the top 12). For those with less of a sweet tooth, get a plate of BBQ for $10 and watch the showdown, then let your stomach do its work while watching free movies al fresco.

Sun, September 4, 2pm-4am; $10 12-21 Astoria Blvd, Queens; hellgatesocial.com

DRINK

Kick off your holiday weekend and celebrate the beginning of fall by kicking back a seasonal beer by the grill. Ditmas Park favorite Sycamore is opening up their backyard garden and serving some special suds from a visiting brewery from Escondido, California for just $5. Get a free hot dog with your first beer, and enjoy other snacks hot off the grill all afternoon.

Sat, September 4, 2-8pm; $5/glass 1118 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn; sycamorebrooklyn.com

SEE

When you think “freestyling,” you probably don’t also think “unicycles.” But this weekend, NYC’s first Unicycle Festival will feature freestyle demonstrations from professional uni riders that you won’t want to miss. The festival also includes Unicycle Basketball, Unicycle Hockey, and a long-distance ride through Brooklyn. If you’re not quite on that level yet, a workshop for beginners will be running throughout the day.

Sat, September 4, noon-5pm; free Governors Island; nycunifest.com

SHOP

New York artists show off their stuff in the third annual Governors Island Art Fair. Every weekend in September, over 100 local artists present their work, from paintings to photography to sculpture to crafts. Browse through the dozens of rooms and explore your own pop-up museum, or support NYC artists by buying a piece or two. You never know who will become the next Picasso!

Sat and Sun, September 4-5, 11am-6pm; free Governors Island Building 12

PLAY

Labor Day isn’t the only day we’re celebrating this weekend. Plan a last-minute trip to Rio with the Brazilian Day festivities on Sixth Avenue, to celebrate Brazilian independence. Now in its 26th year, the festivities have become the biggest Brazilian event outside Brazil, with over 400 vendors showing off their art, crafts and food. Visiting musicians, including Brazilian superstar Carlinhos Brown, play everything from tropicalia to “Brazilian country” (a world away from Taylor Swift).

Sun, September 5, 11sm-7pm; free Sixth Ave between 43rd and 57th Sts; brazilianday.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

Where can you find mustard seeds, mushrooms and more right in New York? You don't even have to go to one of our favorite NYC farmers' markets. Just look down. Steve Brill, the “wild man” of NYC, is taking a group of intrepid city slickers foraging around the urban jungle to find what’s growing right underneath their feet. The pickings are definitely cheaper than what you’ll find at your local Whole Foods, and you won’t have to worry about choosing paper or plastic at checkout.

Sun, August 29, 11:45am-3:45pm; $15 suggested donation Meet at Dyckman St and Broadway; RSVP 24 hours in advance to 914-835-2153

DRINK

This weekend, drink for a good cause: more drinks! One of our favorite jazz bars, Puppets, is throwing a weekend fundraiser to ensure that they can keep their doors open. Have some drinks, take a look at the tasty (and all-organic) menu, enjoy some live music (with no cover charge), give whatever donation you can and help support a great Brooklyn business, plus all the musicians that depend on it!

Sat, August 28, 5pm – Sun, August 29, 4am; donations encouraged 481 5th Ave, Brooklyn; puppetsjazz.com

SEE

Take a look back at New York history in action—literally! Revolutionary war re-enactors are bringing the Battle of Brooklyn, the first major battle against the British after the Declaration of Independence was signed, back from the past. After the battle, celebrate our victory and join the parade led by the Regimental Band of the United States Merchant Marine or stroll through scenic Green-Wood cemetery and find some city history for yourself.
Sun, August 29, noon; free 500 25th St, Brooklyn; green-wood.com

SHOP

Get some of the city’s best food deals in … the world’s biggest train station? For the first time, Grand Central Market, the gourmet food emporium and a haven for NYC foodies, is offering its own dining week that ends this weekend. Specialty foods include cupcakes, cheeses, spices and more. Stock up your kitchen and check out the goods!
Sat and Sun, August 28-29 87 E 42nd St, Manhattan; grandcentralterminal.com

PLAY

NYC summer events are winding down this weekend, so take one last spin around the dance floor. Dress up in your 1920s finest (we’re picturing strings of pearls and suspenders) and hightail it down to Governors Island, where the Jazz Age Lawn Party is in full swing. Michael Arenella’s Dreamland Orchestra provides the music, St. Germain provides the liquor, and Governors Island provides the scenery. All you have to bring is your dolled-up self.

Sat and Sun, August 28-29, 11am–6pm; $10, advance $7 Governors Island; dreamlandorchestra.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

In most places outside of city limits, summer means county fair time. And county fair time means lots and lots of fried food. Whether you’re nostalgic for the fairs of your childhood, or just want to pig out for a day, join the Minnesota State Fair Day food tour around Manhattan on Sunday. Your guide will lead you to the best approximations of fair food in NYC, from milkshakes to funnel cakes.

Sun, August 22, noon; pay as you go Meet at Fat Annie’s Truck Stop, 131 W. 33rd St, Manhattan; mnstatefairday.com

DRINK

Put your taste buds (and your alcohol tolerance) to the test at the Brooklyn Wort’s Amateur Brewing Competition. 20 local contestant will be pouring from their own home-brewed concoctions, from IPAs to Belgian ales. Cast your vote for Brooklyn’s finest, and wait to hear the results by soaking up the suds with some free BBQ.

Sat, August 21, 2:30 pm and 5pm; $20 Sycamore, 1118 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn; 347-240-5850, brooklynwort.com

SEE

As the summer winds down, enjoy the last weekend of car-free streets and entertainment at Manhattan’s Summer Streets. All Saturday, Park Avenue and Lafayette Street will be closed to motorized vehicles for 7 miles, all the way from Tribeca to the Upper East Side. Street performers and activities are set up at rest stops along the way, the most popular of which are the open dumpster pools (they’re clean!). Put on your bathing suit and walking shoes and take back the city!

Sat, August 21, 7am-1pm; free Visit nyc.gov/summerstreets for routes and information.

SHOP

This weekend marks the last of Greenpoint’s Backyard Bazaars, our favorite shopping event turned garden party. Browse the clothing, crafts, jewelry and vintage housewares from a dozen local designers—all at a discount—while relaxing in the boutique’s garden and sipping your free mimosas (or, for the less girly-drink inclined, beers). We recommend purchasing before imbibing.

Sat, August 21, noon-6pm; free admission In God We Trust, 70 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn; greenpointbackyardbazaar.blogspot.com

PLAY

Get a team of friends together for our last Come All Race of the year! The Amazing New York Race lets you see NYC in a whole new way. Follow clues that take you through the secret gems of NY and complete crazy challenges in this event that's part obstacle course, part scavenger hunt, and all New York! The winning teams receive prizes including massages, photo tours, food, drink, jewelry and more. Make sure you bring a digital camera and an unlimited MetroCard to keep up with your team.

Sunday, August 22, 12:30p-6pm; $35 per person Meet at Dave & Busters, 234 W. 42nd St, Manhattan; theamazingnewyorkrace.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

Chinese food, Thai eats, Indian and Vietnamese cuisine have all long since gone mainstream, but what about Burmese food? Although it’s bordered by Thailand, China and India, Myanmar still has a ways to go before it becomes a staple in US kitchens. That’s not any comment on the food, however, whose deliciousness you can sample at the Myanmar Baptist Church Fun Fair this weekend. With over ten dishes to sample, mostly from $1-$5, you’ll be able to become a Burmese foodie in no time.

Sat, August 14, noon-6pm; free admission 143-55 84th Drive, Briarwood, Queens; mbcnewyork.org

DRINK

Dust off your ping pong table, bust out the moves from your college days and start training for the SummerSlam Tag Team Beer Pong Tournament. The grandfather of drinking games is going pro, with 32 teams competing to win the championship belt and the $250 prize. Players get all the free beer they want and WWE is sponsoring, so be prepared for some smackdowns and maybe a body slam or two.
Sun, August 15, 6pm; $25 per player Bar Twelve, 206 E 34th St, Manhattan; bar12.com

SEE

Recreate a classic photo and mack on several hundred strangers at the Times Square Kiss-In. Everyone’s seen the picture of the famous V-J Day kiss, celebrating the end of World War II and making girls everywhere swoon over sailors (The photo was featured in A Night in the Museum, so you know it’s a big deal). Strike a pose, get a few kisses, and remember the days when Times Square wasn’t so overrun with tourists.

Sat, August 14, 11am-2pm; free
Military Island, Broadway to Seventh Ave between 43rd and 44th Sts; timessquarenyc.org



SHOP

Get a quick taste of Mexico and get some souvenirs to bring back home on the Little Mexico Walking Tour through Jackson Heights. Dina Leor will guide you through the neighborhood’s multitude of shops that bring the products of Mexico to NYC. Stop by specialty food stores, arts and crafts shops, music sellers and even the biggest religious statuette store in town.

Sat, August 14, noon; $15 Meeting location given with RSVP; 212-780-9113

PLAY

For those looking for sun, fun, and a chance to meet and mingle with other singles, take a break from the city and join The Amazing Club Getaway Race: a vacation, scavenger hunt, Berkshire resort and social event all in one! Racers in our POGO Weekend get special rates for their entire stay, including sports lessons, mixers, meals and our special edition scavenger hunt, with prizes from Club Getaway bar books and merchandise to a free NYC race from POGO. Take a mini-vacation and join us at the Club!
Sat-Sun, August 14-15 www.theamazingnewyorkrace.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

Bastille Day was last month, but you can still indulge in the best of Paree with delicious crêpes at Môtek. The East Village crêperie offers classic fillings like Nutella and sugar to elaborate pairings like the signature Môtek: vanilla cream cheese, Halva, roasted coconut shreds, strawberr y & honey, all torched at the end like a crème brulée. And with this deal from 8coupons, you can get all that for just eight cents. We say oui to that.

Sunday, August 8, 11am-6pm; $0.08 with coupon
125 St Marks Pl, Manhattan; 8coupons.com

DRINK

Broozy brunch is a NYC weekend tradition by now, but you’re probably not used to it quite like this. At Sunday Morning Mimosas, sip your champagne while listening to the vocal stylings of drag queen hostesses Aunt Anita M. Buffem and Aunt Gina Marie Rittale as they work their way through the power-pop canon. After the drinks, you’ll feel less guilty about joining in on “California Gurls.”

Sunday, August 8, noon-4pm; $13-18 (brunch prix fixe included)
40-17 30th Ave at 41st St, Queens; 347-642-4840

SEE

Heavy-duty construction tools plus music always seems like a good combination, and now there’s a whole festival dedicated to it. The Musical Saw festival brings the talents of international saw musicians to Queens, with some non-saw players joining in as a backup band. Join the Musical Saw Workshop and learn how to coax some music out of the metal, or tune in to the grand finale: all saw players jamming at once in “The Chorus of the Saws.”

Saturday, August 7th, 2pm; free
Hellenic Cultural Center, 27-09 Crescent Street, Queens; musicalsawfestival.org

SHOP

Shutterbugs, make your way to the Lomography gallery sale, where all minimal-defect and sample cameras on heavy discount, up to 50% off. No digital here: Browsing the selections takes us back to a time when film was the norm, and movies like One Hour Photo were still relevant. Pick up a vintage Canon, snap some cool shots, and own a piece of technology that is slowly becoming steampunk.

Saturday, August 7, 10:30am-9pm and Sunday, August 8, 11am-7pm.
W 8th St, Manhattan; lomography.com

PLAY

Team up in a twosome and tour the town with our Amazing New York Race: Teams of Two! Follow clues that take you through the secret gems of NY and complete crazy challenges in this event that's part obstacle course, part scavenger hunt, and all New York! The winning teams receive prizes including massages, photo tours, food, drink, jewelry and more! Make sure you bring a digital camera and an unlimited MetroCard to keep up with your team.

Sunday, August 8, 1:30p-6pm; $35 per person
The Village Pourhouse, 64 Third Ave, Manhattan; theamazingnewyorkrace.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

Lobster Fever has taken over New York this summer, but whether on a roll or poached in butter, an order of the blushing crustacean can force you to spend some serious clams. For frugal foodies, head over to the Maine Beer and Lobster Fest, where for $20 the folks at the Black Rabbit will give you a lobster roll with a side and a choice of two seasonal ales. Call to claim your seat and get some grub.

Sunday, August 1, 2-6pm; $20
The Black Rabbit, 91 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn; 718-349-1595

DRINK

Beer lovers have their choice of brewery tours, from Sixpoint to Chelsea Brewery to the classic Brooklyn Lager. Now the gin drinkers can have a chance: Brooklyn’s own Breuckelen Distilling Company is opening its doors this weekend for tours, tastings and (of course) sales of the hard stuff, straight from the source. Not only is manufactured locally, all the grains are organic and from within the state, so you can feel good about that fourth G&T.

Sunday, August 1, 12-6pm; free
77 19th Street, Brooklyn; 347-725-4985

SEE

Get a sneak peak at the biggest things in animation since Toy Story 3. The future stars of the big screen, from independent artists to local studios to students, show off their skills the Animation Block Party. Considering that you’ll see submissions from all corners of the globe at various locations around NYC, the term Block Party sounds a little misleading, until you hear the afterparty food: corn on the cob and free beers from Sixpoint (after a while, all the films will be hilarious).

Saturday and Sunday, July 31-August 1; $12
Location vary; animationblock.com

SHOP

Treat your puppy to a shopping spree at the Dog Day Afternoon Festival, where local businesses and vendors will be raffling off dozens of dog-related items; every ticket you buy benefits NYC animal shelters. If you’re not a winner, owners can still pamper their canine companions with free treats (the wine samples are for humans only) and even their own portrait, hand sketched by visiting artist. Plus, the first 50 pets to show up with their owners receive a “doggy bag” filled with loot.

Love your dog? Check out our annual Amazing New York Race: Dog Friendly Edition, a scavenger hunt designed just for NYC pups!

Saturday, July 31, 1-4pm; free
Astor Wines & Spirits, 399 Lafayette Street, Manhattan; http://blog.astorwines.com

PLAY

Are you still regretting that high school talent show performance? Then give your power pop duet or tragically failed magic act a second try at the Coney Island Talent Show this weekend! With prizes for best Circus Freak and Sideshow Geek, the acts will probably take a turn toward the eclectic and bizarre, but anyone is invited to come share their best baton-twirling performance or celebrity impersonation with the rest of New York’s talented hopefuls.

Saturday, July 31, 4-8pm; free
Coney Island Boadwalk between 10th and 12th Streets, Brooklyn; thirstygirlproductions.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

In case you missed last week’s Meatopia – the biggest celebration of meat in NYC since Katz’s Delicatessen – you can still indulge your carnivorous side at 3rd Ward’s Third Annual Pig Out. House-made sides of pickles and cole slaw will accompany the main event: a 200-pound roast pig. Take a few hours to digest while listening to local band’s paeans to pork.

Sun, July 18; 2-9pm
195 Morgan Ave, Brooklyn; 3rdward.com

DRINK

The World Cup may be over but you can still support your favorite team – through your beer selection. Get an international beer tour at the Village Pourhouse this weekend, where samples from over 50 beers from Finland to Japan will give you a chance to select and root for your favorite team. Plus, free brewery swag will be available for all participants.

Sat, July 17, 1pm; $35
64 Third Ave, Manhattan; villagepourhouse.com

SEE

Who’s the freshest kid on the block? Check out the rad display of breakdancing skills at El Musea del Barrio’s block party. Two competitors at a time will face off in a head-to-head breakdancing battle, working up to the night’s final match that will determine the Barrio’s Freshest. If you’re feeling a little too creaky to enter, you might feel more comfortable in the afternoon’s Hula Hoop contest instead, where at least you’ll keep both feet on the ground.

Sat, July 1; 3-5pm
104th St between Fifth and Madison Aves, Manhattan; elmuseo.org

SHOP

Arts and crafts lovers know there are few better places to find unique handmade goods than on Etsy.com, where crafters around the world vend wares from custom iPad cases to embroidered toilet paper. Now’s your chance to learn their craft: Etsy artist will be teaching their skills at Yelp Summer Camp on Governors Island throughout the summer. For a true camp experience, Frisbee and picnic supplies will be provided.

Sat, July 17, 2pm; free
Governors Island; yelp.com

PLAY

Think you know a lot about Brooklyn? Want to put it to the test? Our first Brooklyn race was so much fun, we’re bringing it back to the borough! Challenge your knowledge of the County of Kings by following a series of photo clues and completing crazy challenges along the way. Winners will receive gift baskets valued at $150 – plus neighborhood bragging rights.

Sun, July 18; 1pm; $35
Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn; theamazingnewyorkrace.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

What’s more American than apple pie? How about an epic all-you-can-eat pie extravaganza? Show off your grandma’s best baking skills and submit your favorite pie to the Third Annual Great American Pie-Off. For the cooking-challenged, $20 gets you unlimited tastings from all the entries, be it pumpkin, pecan or peanut butter. Dieters can be satisfied with two helpings for just $10.

Sat, July 10, 4-7pm; $10-20
Galway Hooker, 7 E 36th St, Manhattan; newyorktheatreexperiment.org

DRINK

Ooh la la, it’s a Bastille Day fête! Celebrate the French in style with a wine and cheese tasting, courtesy of the French Institute Alliance Française. Take a trip to the south of France by sipping on the selected wines, all of which hail from the Bordeaux region. After a few glasses, you might be tempted to join the cancan dancing going on at the block party right outside.

Sun, July 11; noon-5:30pm
22 E 60th St, Manhattan; bastilledaynyc.com

SEE

The closely-followed World Cup season is coming to an end, but there still is a lot to celebrate, even if you’re not rooting for Spain or the Netherlands. Bring your game faces and cheer on Talib Kweli, the Roots and a host of other bands as they commemorate this year as the first time the World Cup has ever been held in Africa.

Sun, July 11, 5pm; free
Prospect Park Bandshell, Prospect Park West at 9th St, Brooklyn; bricartsmedia.org/cb

SHOP

Chelsea Market is a food lover’s paradise: wholesale kitchen supplies, three different cupcake shops, Jacques Torres’ amazing ice cream sandwiches and a bread factory you can watch in action (The Food Network studios are right upstairs, too!). But it’s also one of our favorite places to score great clothing and accessories for the home too. Luckily, the Chelsea Market Sample Sale is on this weekend, so you can update both your wardrobe and your apartment at 50-80% off (and pick up a cupcake on the way out!).

Sat, July 10 and Sun, July 11
75 Ninth Ave, Manhattan; chelseamarket.com

PLAY

Tour the town in a twosome with our Amazing New York Race: Teams of Two! Pair up with a friend, crush, significant other, family member or just a friendly stranger on a course that takes you through the secret gems of NY to complete crazy challenges and find city staples. The winning teams receive prizes including massages, photo tours, food, drink, jewelry and more! Make sure you bring a digital camera and an unlimited MetroCard to keep up with your team.

Sun, July 11, 1:30pm-6:30pm; $35
Starts at Dave & Busters, 234 W. 42nd Street, Manhattan; theamazingnewyorkrace.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC: Fourth of July Edition!

Check out this week's special edition weekend pics, for the best Fourth of July celebration in NYC! Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

While the professional eating champs are gorging themselves on hot dogs at Coney Island, you can match them at the Iron Horse’s Independence Day block party. Any drink purchase gives you access to free burgers and dogs all day long. It’s just like your family block party, but better – you’re not the one manning the grill.

July 4, noon-9pm; free
32 Cliff St, Manhattan; ironhorsenyc.com

DRINK

What about July 4th be without a patriotic bar crawl? Greenpointers are in luck: the Fourth on Franklin pub challenge is offering drink specials, raffles and prizes for revelers at five different bars. Get outfitted in your best red, white and blue, because PBR is free from 2 to 3 for spirited drinkers.

July 4, 2-8pm; free admission
Greenpoint, Brooklyn; tbdbrooklyn.com

CHILL

Just looking to relax for the long weekend? Head over to the picturesque Governors Island lawns and listen to indie-folk band She & Him play some tunes. A duo of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, there will probably be a crowd, but you’ll be able to listen in from afar while enjoying the views of downtown Manhattan.

July 4, 4-5pm; free
Governors Island; watertaxibeach.com/governors_island

LEARN

Although it’s easy to forget, July 4th honors the biggest, baddest names in our country’s history – and many of them lived right here in NYC for some time! Get a reminder of the Founding Fathers with the Nighttime Walking Tour of Revolutionary War New York. You’ll hear all the history behind the downtown sites and see the sun rise over Federal Hall. For more historical fun, one of two known copies is viewable now at the New York Public Library’s Stephan A. Schwarzman building!

For reservations and starting point, call 212-425-1778 or visit frauncestavernmuseum.org

GAWK

NYC fireworks are spectacular – and just as spectacularly difficult to see, given all the crowds. Our advice? Skip the bars and rooftops with pricey ticket fees and head to 12th Avenue, between 24th and 50th Streets. You’ll have a first-class view of the fireworks over the Hudson and can enjoy the outdoor breeze rather than the hyped-up scenes.

July 4, 9:15pm; free
12th Avenue, Manhattan; macys.com/fireworks

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

Celebrate the ultimate comfort food this weekend: the Grits Takedown is coming to Brooklyn! 30 grits experts will offer samples of the southern staple, alongside unlimited cocktails and heaping helpings of pie for dessert. A simultaneous screening of the documentary It’s Grits will teach you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the delicious dish.

Sun, June 27, noon; $35 advance, $45 at the door
Tobacco Warehouse, 26 New Dock St, Brooklyn; nycfoodfilmfestival.com

DRINK

What could be classier than watching a polo match on the secluded grounds of Governor’s Island? Sipping champagne on the sidelines, of course! Although the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic this weekend offers exclusive tickets for their champagne brunch to an elite few, the game is free to all, and champagne is served in the outdoor bar throughout the match, along with concessions from restauranteur Danny Meyer.

Sat, June 26, 11am-5pm; free admission
Governor’s Island; vcseason.com

SEE

The jewel in the tiara of Pride Week, the annual NYC Pride March winds its way through the city streets this Sunday, bringing a heavy dose of glitter, fair wings and fun to all participants and onlookers. Get up early to snag a spot near Christopher Street, where the crowds are the largest but the people-watching unparalleled.

Sun, June 27, noon; free
Fifth Ave at 36th St to Christopher St at Greenwich St, Manhattan; nycpride.org

SHOP

In the style of Old World markets and European open-air stalls, the New Amsterdam Market is opening for the season this weekend to provide the freshest produce, straight from the farms, to the waiting mouths of New Yorkers. Held in the old Fulton Fish Market and housing butchers, bakers, grocers, mongers, and more, it is sure to be a foodie’s paradise.

Sun, June 27; free admission
South St at Beekman St, Manhattan; newamsterdammarket.org

PLAY

How much do you know about Brooklyn? Find out this weekend, with the triumphant return of The Amazing Brooklyn Race! From Brooklyn Heights to DUMBO, the scavenger hunt and obstacle course will take you to hidden spots around the borough, performing crazy challenges along the way. Get to know the neighborhood – in a whole new way!

Sun, June 27, 1pm; $35
Begins at the Prospect Park Music Pagoda, Brooklyn; bklynevents.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

It’s hot outside, but things just got hotter in Brooklyn: Brooklyn Salsa, a new BK-based company, is launching this weekend, with salsa samples, sales and live music that is spicing up this weekend. Brooklyn Brewery is throwing in $2 brews all night to cool your palates after a steamy snack.

Sat, June 19, 8pm; $2 admission
929 Broadway, Brooklyn; bksalsa.com

DRINK

New York has gotten World Cup fever, and where better to watch the games than in the drunken company of other soccer fans? That’s why Mason Dixon, the Lower East Side bar, is offering all-you-can-drink wristbands during every World Cup game; for $40 a pop, it will be paid for in no time. Plus, fans who wear the jersey of a competing team get two-for-one deals all game. Score!

Sun, June 20; $40 all-you-can-drink
133 Essex St, Manhattan (212-260-4100, masondixonnyc.com

SEE

If you miss the old days of family camping trips and summers hiking through the woods, you’ll get a big dose of nostalgia with Campire, a mysterious urban outing that includes party games, interactive art, costumes and soundscapes to evoke the sensation of sitting around the fire – all in a New York warehouse. RSVP for location details.

Sat, June 19, 10pm; $15
Location TBA; R.S.V.P. at wandbnyc.com/campfire

SHOP

The first of three summer Backyard Bazaars hits Greenpoint this weekend, with a bevy of vintage furniture, clothing, jewelry and crafts by local vendors. Everything is 10% off their original prices, but if that doesn’t induce you to drop some cash, maybe the free booze will: mimosas and beer are complimentary while you browse.

Sat, June 19; free admission
70–72 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn; greenpointbackyardbazaar.blogspot.com

PLAY

It’s Pride Week in NYC, and we’re celebrating with our annual extravaganza, The Amazing New York Race: Gay Pride Edition, co-sponsored by TheMenEvent.com. A series of gay-themed clues leads you around the city, performing physical and mental challenges including a fierce photo scavenger hunt! Prizes range from Broadway tickets to bottles of top-shelf booze. Don't miss this special edition race: You're either out or you're in!

Sat, June 19, 1:30pm; $35
Start at 10 Columbus Circle, Manhattan; theamazingnewyorkrace.com

What to Do in NYC This Weekend

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

Who said you can’t have a good old-fashioned BBQ in New York? Madison Square Park is hosting its annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party this weekend, and it’s way more than flipping a few burgers. See free cooking demos from visiting chefs and listen to live music while you chow down. At only $8 for a plate, you’ll be able to get seconds.

Sat and Sun, June 12-13, 11am-6pm; free admission, $8 plates Madison Square Park, Broadway at 23rd St, Manhattan; bigapplebbq.org

DRINK

Join top sommelier Lacey Rozinsky, from The Four Seasons, for an exclusive wine class and tasting. Taste a variety of whites and reds and learn how to identify different varietals – as well as find out which wine is right for your palate! You’ll be swirling and sipping like a pro in no time. This class is always a big hit and is limited to 15 people.

Sat, June 12, 7pm-9:30pm; $20 751 President Street, #4, Brooklyn; bklynevents.com

SEE

You might have been to a garden party, but we bet it wasn’t quite like this. Come to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s 100th “Bee Day” party this weekend in celebration of one of the borough’s most beautiful places. Enjoy themed tours of the grounds and local live music, plus learn about urban beekeeping and sample some NYC-grown honey.

Sat, June 12, 11am-6pm; free Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn; bbh.org

SHOP

Need some new tunes before your next summer roadtrip? Stop by the ARChive of Contemporary Music for its Summer Record and CD sale. There’ll be over 20,000 albums to choose from, all at amazing prices – plus, you’ll be supporting the dying record-shop culture. You won’t have to download any more MP3s for quite a while.

Sat, June 12 through June 20, 11am-6pm. 54 White Street, Manhattan. arcmusic.org

PLAY

There’s still a week until Gay Pride hits Manhattan, but if you just can’t wait any longer, head over to Brooklyn for Pride Day 2010! With a fun run to benefit local organizations in the morning, a Pride Parade in the evening, and four (count ‘em) official after-parties, you’ll be celebrating all day long. Stop by and see us at the Pride Day Multicultural Festival from 11am-6pm!

Sat, June 12, events begin at 8am Prospect Park at Bartel-Pritchard Circle, 15th Street and Prospect Park West; brooklynpride.org

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

Play ball and eat pancakes! Brooklyn’s famed High School of Sports brings local sports legends back together for their Champion’ Brunch this weekend. Honorees include Ruth Lovelace, first woman coach to win the Men's PSAL Basketball Championship. Work off the calories by rooting for your favorite celebs at the following Charity Celebrity Softball Game! All proceeds go to scholarships for the school.

Sat, June 5, 10am; $30
Brooklyn Baseball Gallery at MCU Park, 1904 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn; bklynevents.com

DRINK

Maybe you’ve taken up the “eating locally” craze, but what about drinking locally? Luckily it’s easy in Brooklyn this week, because the Fermented NY festival is offering a beer tour of Williamsburg. You’ll taste offerings from four different Brooklyn breweries and over a dozen beers. You’ll never go out of the city for a beer again.

Sat, June 5, 12:30-3:30pm; $55
Meet at Mugs Ale House, 125 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn; urbanoyster.com

SEE

Manhattan’s scenic neighbor, Governor’s Island, is open once again for the summer, this time with a free music series to boot. The opening evening features a set from hipster band Yeasayer, and openers Keepaway and Delicate Steve. When you’re done dancing, take a rest and soak in stellar views of Manhattan (and Jersey, if you’re into that).

Sat, June 5, doors at 6pm, show at 8pm; free
Governor’s Island; brooklynvegan.com/archives/2010/05/gone_to_governo.html

SHOP

Don’t just shop at this mega-gathering of local craft vendors: make some collectible tsotchkes of your own! Besides an amazing crop of milliners, indie jewelers, brick-a-brac collectors and artists, you’ll find DIY workshops on stamping, sewing, printing and more. Take all your finds home in a drawstring bag that you helped make!

Sat and Sun, June 5 + 6, 11am – 7pm; free
McCarren Park, 780 Lorimer St, Brooklyn; renegadecraft.com

PLAY

Team up in a twosome and tour the town with our Amazing New York Race: Teams of Two! Follow clues that take you through the secret gems of NY and complete crazy challenges in this event that's part obstacle course, part scavenger hunt, and all New York! The winning teams receive prizes including massages, photo tours, food, drink, jewelry and more! Make sure you bring a digital camera and an unlimited MetroCard to keep up with your team.

Sun, June 6, 1:30pm-6:30pm; $35
Starts at The Village Pourhouse, 64 Third Ave, Manhattan
www.theamazingnewyorkrace.com


Do you have a tip for next weekend's list? Email nicole@pogoevents.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Happy Memorial Day weekend! Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

New York’s annual celebration of Taiwanese culture, Passport to Taiwan, has a lot of things going for it: multiple musical performances, traditional dance, costume making and more. But we think it will be difficult to pull ourselves away from the food! Enjoy traditional specialties like bamboo tamales, kumquat juice, fish cakes, with some shave ice for a refreshing dessert.

Sun, May 30, noon-5pm; free
Union Sq West and E 17th St, Manhattan; www.p2tw.org

DRINK

A prohibition-era party doesn’t seem like the place to knock back a few drinks, but the Roaring ‘20s are known for getting creative with drink recipes. Sample some period-appropriate cocktails at the First Annual Dreamland Beach Party, which also features live music from Michael Aranella’s Dreamland Orchestra and a scenic outdoor bar setting. We hope bathtub gin makes an appearance on the menu.

Sun, May 30, noon-5pm; $18 in advance, $25 at the door
2-03 Borden Ave, Queens; dreamlandorchestra.com

SEE

What could be a better way to spend the long weekend by a relaxing evening at the park? Getting free music to accompany your lounging! Enjoy New York Philharmonic’s free Memorial Day concert in Morningside Heights, with selections from Copland, Haydn and Schubert. Get updown early, though, because seats on the lawn can be hard to come by!

Mon, May 31; 8pm; free
Cathedral of St. John the Devine; 1047 Amsterdam Ave, Manhattan; stjohndivine.org

SHOP

You’ve done your spring cleaning by now, right? Take all those old clothes to BKLYN Yard for their Score! Pop-Up Swap this Saturday. It costs only $3-5 with your clothing donation to enter a world of gently-used clothes and accessories. Plus, a full bar will be open while you swap.

Sat, noon-6pm; $3 in advance, $5 at the door
400 Carroll St, Brooklyn; bklynyard.com

PLAY

Whether you love the old Day of the Dead films or prefer the newer Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, you’ll feel right at home in this weekend’s NYC Zombie Crawl. Get your best tattered clothing and fake blood to join hundreds of other zombie fans for events around Brooklyn, including a dance party featuring any zombie’s favorite jam, “Thriller.”

Sun, May 30, 3pm; free
Meet at the Charleston, 174 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn; www.nyczombiecrawl.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

Embrace your southern roots and get on down to the crawfish boil at Sycamore. Just $15 scores you a whopping bucketful of the little snappers and a beer to wash ‘em down. Ask locals for their eating technique; there’s a skill to getting all the meat!

Sun, May 23, 2pm
Sycamore, 1118 Cortelyou Road, Brooklyn

DRINK

Two of our favorite things – books and booze – join forces on Saturday night at Books Through Bars, which collects donated books to send reading material to prisoners. Donate a paperback dictionary and get a free drink, plus other prizes.

Sat, May 22, 10pm
Enid’s, 560 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn

SEE

Bring your overalls and flannel shirts to Brooklyn’s folk fest, bringing together a variety of musical styles under one down-home roof. From folk bands to jug bands, you’ll enjoy great tunes and get down on the dance floor with a square dance.

Sat and Sun, May 22-23
The Jalopy Theater, 315 Columbia Street, Brooklyn

SHOP

We love Williamsburg boutique Catbird, but it does take a toll on our bank account. Not this weekend! Their sidewalk sale brings all the merch down to a price we can afford – almost everything is under $20, and they’ll throw in some free chocolate too!

Sat and Sun, May 22-23
Catbird, 219 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn

PLAY

Take an early summer vacation and get to the beach! POGO Events is taking our popular races to Long Beach for a scavenger hunt and obstacle course around the sunny city! Local bars will be hosting challengers and offering specials for the racers all day. Plus, the winners receive $500, so you’ll be able to take a real vacation later on!

Sat, May 22, 11:30am
Long Beach Boardwalk at New York Ave, Long Beach, NY

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

Take a culinary tour around the world without leaving Hell’s Kitchen in the annual Ninth Avenue International Food Festival. Sample local vendors’ offerings from Spain, India, Thailand, and the Caribbean – and, of course, the US will be represented as well, with good ol’ apple pie from the Little Pie Company.

Sat and Sun, May 15-16, 9:30am-6:30pm; pay as you go
Ninth Ave, from 42nd-57th Streets, Manhattan
www.hellskitchen.bz

DRINK

For a night of mystery, suspense and a healthy dose of booze, head to the Soviet-themed bar Pravda on Sunday for the launch of Moscow Noir, NYC’s latest niche literary journal. Contributors will read their Russian crime fiction while bartenders freely dole out the obligatory shots of vodka, for a truly Russian evening.

Sun, May 16, 7pm; free
281 Lafayette St, Manhattan
212-226-4944; pravdany.com

SEE

You’re more likely to see a show in Times Square than be in one, but now you can do both! Perhaps the smallest theater to grace the Great White Way, Theatre for One in Times Square is a box just big enough to fit two people: you and the artist. You’ll be so up close and personal to the performance that it’ll be hard to tell where to draw the line between actor and audience.

Sat and Sun, May 15-26; 1-3pm, 4-6pm, 7-9pm
Duffy Square (at Broadway and 47th Street), Manhattan
www.theatreforone.com

SHOP

For those who wonder exactly what Greenpointers do all day, now’s your chance to find out! Get a taste of all Greenpoint has to offer at the Total Franklin Street Immersion Event, where local shops will be offering deals all day long. From vinyl at Permanent Records to quirky décor at Kill Devil Hill to books at the welcoming WORD, you’ll find many reasons to return to the ‘hood.

Sat, May 15, noon-7pm; free
Franklin Ave, Brooklyn
www.brooklynbased.com

PLAY

Singles, get ready to mingle at this weekend’s Amazing New York Race! Follow clues that take you through the secret gems of NY, complete crazy challenges, and meet other single fun New Yorkers in this event that's part obstacle course, part scavenger hunt, and all New York! Make sure you bring a digital camera and an unlimited MetroCard to keep up with your team.

Sun, May 16, 1:30pm-6:30pm; $35
Starts at The Village Pourhouse, 64 Third Ave, Manhattan
www.theamazingnewyorkrace.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

It’s official ice cream weather in NYC, so eat it up and walk it off in an Ice Cream and Cookies tour of the West Side. Try gourmet flavors like ginger creme brulee, or pair a scoop with some cookies for DIY ice cream sandwiches. Plus, your $5 donation will go toward helping the hungry.

Sun, May 9, 11am; $5 suggested donation
Meet at 50 W. 8th St, Manhattan

DRINK

Mothers’ Day is a great time to spend with the family, show your care … and get great deals on booze. Restaurants all over the city are offering drink specials when you bring your mom in tow. You can find complimentary glasses of champagne, free bottles of wine and more on this very thorough list.

Sun, May 9; various locations

SEE

Need something that will impress the family for Mothers’ Day? Take them on a guided tour of the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens! A trained host will show you the highlights of the celebrated garden grounds just in time for spring. Plus, at just $5 a ticket, you can treat the whole family for a good cause; a portion of proceeds to back to the maintenance of the gardens.

Sat, May 8, 9:45 am; $5
Meet at Eastern Parkway and Washington Ave, Brooklyn
www.bklynevents.com

SHOP

When I moved to the city, I blew all my NYC apartment money on rent alone – forget about decorating. This shopping event is for people like us. Housing Works’ Design on a Dime presents 50 different model rooms curated by local design big-shots, so you can get some inspiration for your next renovating project. And if you want to get started right away, all the items in the show will be at least 50% off, so you can save the cash for next month’s rent check.

Sat, May 8, 10am-6pm; free
Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W 18th St, Manhattan
347-473-745;, housingworks.org/dime

PLAY

Become a misunderstood genius for a day at Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, a downtown drawing competition that pays tribute to Kenny Scharf, a legend in the East Village art scene. He’ll be judging, so impress him with the extraterrestrial pop art he was known for, or dream up your own wacky style!

Sat, May 8, 4pm; $15
The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard St Manhattan
212-253-7246, slipperroom.com

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

New York’s legendary food trucks converge in Hell’s Kitchen for a mobile feast of epic proportions this Sunday in the Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar. Chow down on Calexico’s tacos, fries from Frites ‘n Meats, and the ultimate sundae: Big Gay Ice Cream Truck and Treats Truck’s butterscotch-pecan brownie, vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, crushed pretzels and whipped cream. Two words: food coma.

Sun, May 2, 11am-4pm. Pay as you go.
W 39th St at Ninth Ave, Manhattan

DRINK

The Kentucky Derby famously combines big hats, loud parties and lots of mint juleps. Pete’s Candy Store conveniently offers all three this weekend in a southern-inspired soiree that includes hat-making stands, BBQ and drinks to sip while you discuss the challengers or (more likely) ignore the race entirely.

Sat, May 1, 3:30pm-7pm. Free.
709 Lorimer St, Brooklyn

SEE

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who love the ubiquitous Twilight series, and those who love to mock it. This screening is for those in the latter camp. Comedic trio The Raspberry Brothers welcomes hecklers to their screening of New Moon, where they’ll be mercilessly tearing apart the film on behalf of haters everywhere. Edward and Bella fans need not attend.

Sun, May 2, 7pm. Free.
The Knitting Factory, 361 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn
http://ny.knittingfactory.com

SHOP

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s … a day of free comic books? Apparently the first Saturday of May is the annual Free Comic Book Day, where stores around the country hand out books like candy (and sometimes with candy). Local shops including St. Mark’s Comics, Forbidden Planet and Brooklyn’s Rocket Ship are all in on the fun, so stop by for the most action-packed shopping you’ll have all weekend.

Sat, May 1. Various locations. See www.freecomicbookday.com for the store nearest you.

PLAY

Celebrate May Day with the Brooklyn Museum’s free First Saturday extravaganza! Programs include live music by North Indian-inspired band Red Baraat, film screenings, hands-on art projects, dance performances by Brooklyn-based LAVA, book discussions with author Zora O'Neill, and an after-hours dance party with in-house salsa lessons. Who could ask for anything more?

Sat, May 1, 5pm-11pm. Free.
200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
www.brooklynmuseum.org

What to Do This Weekend in NYC

Every weekend, we're bringing you five of our top events picks from around NYC. Check back next week for more ways you can eat, drink, see, shop and play around the city!

EAT

You probably love cupcakes – who doesn’t? – but you might be surprised just how many of these sweet treats people can scarf down at the Ivy bakery Cupcake-Eating Contest this weekend. Celebrating the bakery’s third anniversary, ten competitors will try to take home the title by downing as many double chocolate cupcakes as possible (Milk is provided). The spots are filled, but you can grab a free snack while you’re watching, and leave without the stomachache.

Sat, 2pm; free
Ivy Bakery, 278 87th St, Brooklyn, NY 11209

DRINK

Can’t afford the trip out to Napa? Take a mini-vacation with the Little Wine Bus and discover the wineries in your own backyard! The bus tour will take you through tastings along the Hudson River, offering tours of three different wineries. Breakfast and lunch are also provided along the way. We think it’s worth the splurge – and will save you the six hour trip to California!

Sat, 9:30am-6:45pm; $125
Meet at the Morgan Stanley Building, 1585 Broadway
RSVP at www.thelittlewinebus.com

SEE

Tired of the same old mainstream films at your local theater? The Tribeca Film Festival is in full swing this weekend, with hundreds of indie films for cheaper than the $12 most big theaters are charging you these days. Free lectures and classic movie screenings are on hand for those who don’t want to shell out the cash. Follow the fest on Twitter for some special deals!

Sat and Sun; prices, times and locations vary
www.tribecafilm.com

SHOP

Earth Day may have already passed, but you can keep celebrating by buying green this weekend at Buffalo Exchange. One of our favorite vintage stores, Buffalo is teaming up with the Humane Society for their Don’t Trash Wildlife campaign. Get second-hand and vintage clothes for just $1 per item; your money will go to the animals, and you’ll be recycling clothes at the same time!

Sat, 11am-8pm; $1 per item
504 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn; 332 E 11th St, Manhattan
buffaloexchange.com

PLAY

Who doesn’t want to revisit the Roaring Twenties? Swing dancing, hot music, flapper dresses and speakeasies: it’s the decade that had it all. Get a taste at the Swing House party this weekend at the Green Building. It’s a dress-up affair, so make sure you sport your finest period attire. Otherwise, you might find yourself in the cold with nothing but a bottle of moonshine.

Sat, 9pm; $10-20
450 Union St at Bond St, Gowanus, Brooklyn