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Some Suggestions For Your Labor Day Weekend In NYC
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 31, 2018
Modified Aug 31, 2018
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By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 31, 2018
Modified Aug 31, 2018
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Are you sitting out the Labor Day exodus and enjoying the empty-ish city on the "last" weekend of the summer? Here are some options for when you're not at the beach or the park or in your perfectly air-conditioned content cave binge-watching all the stories.
Electric Zoo on Randall's Island
Break out the beads, the big EDM festival is here for three days, starting Friday. Tens of thousands will be heading to Randalls Island so they can bounce and bang their heads to dozens of acts. There are still tickets available as of now.
Electric Zoo is at Randall's Island Park; Friday, August 31, Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2; doors open at 3 p.m. on Friday and at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; tickets.
Yayoi Kusama's "Narcissus Garden" at Fort Tilden
This is your last chance to see Yayoi Kusama’s stunning site-specific installation "Narcissus Garden" in the Rockaways. The work features 1,500 mirrored stainless steel spheres on the floor of an old train garage at Fort Tilden, a former active U.S. military base. MoMA PS1 explained, "The mirrored metal surfaces reflect the industrial surroundings of the now-abandoned building, drawing attention to Fort Tilden’s history as well as the devastating damage inflicted on many buildings in the area by Hurricane Sandy in 2012."
"Narcissus Garden" is free and open to the public Friday, August 31, through Monday, September 3, 12:00-6:00 p.m., in Fort Tilden.
Bronx Speaks Day Party at the Bronx Museum of Arts
The Bronx Museum of Arts is celebrating the end of summer (😢) with their "Bronx Speaks Day Party," an "Ode to Hip Hop and Bronx culture." Presented by Bronx Narratives and Funknvibes, the gathering will include live performances (spoken word from Citoblank and drum set by Anthony Anderson, vocals by Iniko), guest DJs (like gem., BSTN, JOMERO, and SCAR), games, music, merchandise, food, and more.
Bronx Speaks Day Party at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx; Saturday, September 1, 5-10 p.m.; RSVP
"Sneak peek" of Jeila Gueramian's work at the Governors Island Art Fair (Governors Island / Instagram)
11th Annual Governors Island Art Fair
If you haven't made it to Governors Island this summer, then head over for the start of the Governors Island Art Fair, presented by 4Heads. Dozens of artists show their works, which are placed around the lawns as well as inside old homes and other buildings. Here's our guide to the Island, for further exploring.
Governors Island Art Fair on Governors Island; opening Saturday, September 1, (it will be open Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.); free admission, except for the cost of taking the ferry to Governors Island
Wigstock! at the Pier 17 Rooftop
The most fabulous party of the weekend may be Wigstock. The legendary drag festival is back, after a long absence, on Saturday at the South Street Seaport's new Pier 17 Rooftop. Neil Patrick Harris and his husband David Burtka spearheaded its return, involving the festival co-creator Lady Bunny; performers include Harris and Lady Bunny, along with Alaska, Amanda Lepore, Basil, Bianca Del Rio, Bob the Drag Queen, Candis Cayne, Darnelle XV, Dina Martina, Dita Von Teese, Heklina, Jackie Beat, Joey Arias, Justin Vivian Bond, Kevin Aviance, Latrice Royale, Lypsinka, Murray Hill, Peaches Christ, Peppermint, Raven O, Sherry Vine, Taylor Mac, and many more! Tickets are still available (there's a 50% promo code for general admission tickets, WIGS), but note they are pricey.
Wigstock! is at Pier 17 Rooftop; Saturday, September 1, 2 p.m. until "late"; (tickets)
Hester Street Fair's Lobster and Beer
Hester Street is surf and suds on Saturday. Vendors, like DownEast Lobstah, Lobster Joint, and Oyster Party, will be selling lobster rolls and other seafood options (lobster hush puppy, anyone?), while beers and mixed drinks will also be on hand from Round K, Hokkaido Brewing, and Old Blue Last. Landlubbers can try out dishes from Manju, Whammees, Stax, and Rosey Jamaican.
Hester Street Fair, corner of Hester and Essex Streets on the Lower East Side; Saturday, September 1, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; RSVP (open through Friday, August 31)
(Scott Lynch / Gothamist)
West Indian American Day Parade
The city's most colorful and joyous celebration of Caribbean culture takes over Crown Heights on Monday, as hundreds of dancers, performers, and colorful floats energize the hundreds of thousands (or million!) revelers. There are actually a whole series of events—Brass Fest on Saturday, Junior parade on Saturday— leading up to the parade's 11 a.m. start time on Labor Day. Of course, people will also be celebrating J'Ouvert starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, with the year-old NYPD rules still in place.
West Indian American Day Parade in Crown Heights; Monday, September 3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; route begins at Schenectady Ave along Eastern Parkway, with the grand finale at Empire Boulvard
Screening of "Madama Butterfly" outside the Metropolitan Opera
Want to end the weekend with beautiful tragedy? The Met's outdoor series ends on Monday with a screening of Anthony Minghella's 2016 production of the Puccini opera.
Lincoln Center Plaza, between West 62nd and 65th Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues; Monday, September 3, at 8 p.m.; free
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events
labor day weekend
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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