Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Your Guide To Governors Island's Summer 2012 Art, Music, Food And More!
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published May 12, 2012
Modified May 12, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published May 12, 2012
Modified May 12, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
It might not feel like it, but summer's almost here, and with it comes another season of sunning, strolling and biking on Governors Island! The Trust for Governors Island recently revealed its line-up for 2012, and while ongoing construction has cut down on big concerts and closed off public access on Fridays, there will still be plenty of events and activities to keep you sunburned and satisfied. Take a look at the full schedule here; and check out some of our favorites below.
ARTS
Mark di Suvero Sculpture on Governors Island
Presented by Storm King Art Center, Mark di Suvero's popular outdoor exhibition is back for a second season. Pieces from last year's collection will be scattered throughout the Island, in addition to a new piece that has yet to be on public view.
May 26th through September 30th, ongoing throughout the Island daily, free
FIGMENT Terrace 2012: Sculpture Garden & Minigolf Course
This free interactive arts event makes its return to the Island this summer, featuring an "Arcade"-theme minigolf course, where putters can rescue princesses and stop asteroids from destroying the earth while scoring well below par. Also worth checking out is FIGMENT's Sculpture Garden, where you can play in a recycled TreeHouse or stare at the Statue of Liberty's disembodied head.
June 9th through September 23rd, ongoing daily at the Parade Grounds, free
Graphic Design—Now in Production
Cooper-Hewitt and the Walker Art Center present a series of graphic design work from the past decade, including books, magazines, posters, typography and film and television graphics.
May 26th through September 3rd, ongoing daily in Building 110, free
CRAFTS
Better Than Jam: Handmade Gifts Pop Up Shop
Back again for the summer season, this Bushwick-based collective will be selling local handcrafted jewelry and other souvenirs out of its pop-up shop in in the Governors Galleries. You can also check out demonstrations and workshops held by the Etsy New York team on Saturdays.
May 26th through September 3rd, Governor's Galleries, hours to be determined
EVENTS
Jazz Age Lawn Party
Channel your inner F. Scott Fitzgerald with a day of 1920s-themed dancing, drinking, games and picnicking. Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra will be providing period-appropriate music all weekend long, and costumes are encouraged.
Saturday and Sunday June 16-17, August 18-19 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., tickets $15 in advance
The City of Water Day Festival
Presented by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance in celebration of the city's waterfront, the Island will be hosting free guided boat tours, fishing, tango dancing, kayaking and other H2O-related activities for most of the day.
Saturday, July 14 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free, for more information visit here
Civil War Weekend
Time travel back to 1863 and join the National Parks Service for this Civil War-themed weekend, with living historians, weapons and cannon demonstrations, old timey music and other 19th century-friendly programming.
Saturday and Sunday August 11-12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free
MUSIC
Make Music New York's Punk Island
Make Music New York's five-borough musical festival returns to the Island with scores of free punk performances throughout the day.
Sunday, June 24 11 a.m.-5 p.m., throughout the Island, free
Rite of Summer Classical Music Festival
This free classical music series returns with three new and innovative outdoor performances, presented by NYC-based pianists Pam Goldberg and Blair McMillen. This summer's featured performers are Ljova and the Kontraband, the Jack Quartet, and Todd Reynolds.
Saturday, July 7 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday, August 4 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Monday, September 3, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Colonel's Row, free
FOOD
A number of food vendors selling snacks, sandwiches and salads will be scattered throughout the Island as usual, with booze and other aliments being sold at Water Taxi Beach and Picnic Point. You can also bring your own picnic, or check out the season-opening 5 Boro PicNYC, a two day foodfest rife with craft beer, gourmet goodies and live music, Saturday May 26 and Sunday May 27, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., tickets available here.
TRANSPORTATION
Ferry
You can catch a free ferry from the Battery Maritime Building in Manhattan every half hour on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays; from Brooklyn, ferries launch out of Brooklyn Bridge's Pier 6 continuously between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends. Ferry schedules are available here.
Tagged
art
events
figment
governors island
guide
summer
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Ever wish you could get paid to walk through a stranger’s house? ‘The Scout’ is for you.
A new film focuses on the strange career of a location scout in New York City.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Sep 26, 2026
There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.
See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.
See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.
By
Hannah Frishberg
A massive MTA archive ended up in a Virginia warehouse. A Brooklyn man brought it home.
By
Hannah Frishberg
How a Harry Styles pop-up in the East Village led to a nearby bookstore owner's arrest
By
Sonia Rao
NYC’s creative workers are increasingly self-employed, report says
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .