Bwog scheduler Stephanie Quan is back with your agenda for the week. As usual, * denotes free.


jkjMonday, July 16th

The Decemberists, Grizzly Bear, Land of Talk – Green screen challenge anyone? This Central Park Summerstage concert is not free. However, it is free to sit outside the concert area and listen while picnicking. Central Park Summerstage, 6:30pm, $35

Ben Jelen- His version of wicked little town is wicked good. Bowery Ballroom, 7pm, $15

*Makoto Nakura – touring the world with his Marimba. Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University, 7:30pm

*Lap Swimming – to promote adult swim, the city department of parks and recreation is opening up pools for free. Bonus: if you swim 25+ miles by the end of the summer, you get a t-shirt. Locations, M-F 7-8:30am 7-8:30pm

Tuesday, July 17th

*NY Philharmonic Concert in the Parks: Central Park- This time they’re bringing fireworks! Be sure to get there early. Great Lawn, 8pm.

*Marc Ribot: Musical Portraits- the three sides of this guitar virtuoso. World Financial Center Plaza, 7pm

*Breakdancing- free classes with Harlem One Stop. Highbridge Recreation Center, 6pm

*Beatrix Ost and Robert Thurman discussion- “Beatrix Ost will discuss her first book, My Father’s House: A Childhood in Wartime Bavaria with her friend Robert Thurman, President of Tibet House, Professor at Columbia University”
The Strand, 7pm

Wednesday, July 18th

Ani Difranco – Some good finger-picking guitar. Part of Celebrate Brooklyn! This folk artist returns to New York for her annual summer benefit concert. Prospect Park Bandshell, 7:30pm, $37

*Toumani Diabate’s Symmetric Orchestra – this guy will rock the kora like you have never seen before. Rockefeller Park, 7pm  

They Might Be Giants- This is sold out, but you may be able to craiglist it. They are also performing next Wednesday. That show is not sold out yet. Bowery Ballroom, 8pm , $25

Thursday, July 19th

Happy Moon Landing Day!

Moon Landing Party- celebrate our first steps on the moon 38 years ago. BBQ, swimming pools, bocce, wiffleball, music. costume optional. Revson Plaza (that plaza over Amsterdam), 9pm

*MoMA@Nite- A concert in the sculpture garden by Las Rubias Del Norte. The website describes them as “a reinvention, a nostalgic throwback to a mostly imagined time and place where Peruvian waltzes, Andean huaynos, and Cuban Guajiras mix with French opera, Cowboy tunes, and Bollywood classics”. We’ll leave the rest up to your imagination.
MoMA Sculpture Garden, 5:30pm

*Avenue Q | The Drowsy Chaperone | The Phantom of the Opera | Rent– actors perform songs from probably the four most popular musicals right now, presented by New York’s 106.7 fm. Bryant Park, 12:30pm–1:30pm

*Billy Ocean, Air Supply – the ones that you love. Asser Levy Park, 7:30pm

*Ruben Studdard- seriously. Part of 98.7 KISS-FM Summer Soul Nights. South Street Seaport, 7pm

*Vanessa Carlton – this must be like pop music night. Bowery Ballroom, 7:30pm, $20

Friday July 20th

HP midnight release parties- see here ß link to other article.

*Hairspray the movie – You’ve see the posters of Amanda Bynes all over New York, watch the cast perform on today. Rockefeller Plaza, 7am

*John Mayer – more free concerts for morning shows, presented by Good Morning America.
Bryant Park, 7am

Neko Case, Eric Bachmann –Another benefit concert. Another picnicking opportunity. Central Park Summerstage, 7pm

*Toolbox Ballet, Dancing for Mr. B – two ballet movies. Ottendorfer Branch (135 Second Avenue). (212) 674-0947, 3pm

Saturday, July 21st

HP comes out! The book goes on sale all over the city. Run!

*Birding – rise and shine to listen to the birds around New York. Gerritsen Creek, 8am

*Casym Steel Orchestra (Calypso)- fantastic performers put a new spin to your favorite songs. Dana Discovery Center, 4pm

*30th Annual Asian American International Film Festival– a few Columbians’ work on body image will be presented. Asia Society (70
th St. and Park Ave), 12pm

*Sidewalk Surprises- tour Lincoln Square and learn why it is the gateway to the Upper West Side. Inside Columbus Circle (59th St.), 11am

*Drawing in the Park- drop by, pick up some free supplies, sketch away the late morning. Battery Park (South Cove), 10:30 to noon



Sunday, July 22nd

*Summergarden – MoMA presents their Julliard Concert II- Music for String Quartets. A nice relaxing way to end a weekend. MoMA Sculpture Garden, 8pm

*Moondance – well it’s a marvelous night, with the stars up above in your eyes. NU GUAJIRO performs salsa music. Pier 54, dance lessons at 6:30pm, bands begin at 7pm

*Brazilian Girls, Cat Empire, HIMALAYAS conducted by Kenny Wollesen & Jonathon Haffner – two bands and an avante-garde marching band. Central Park Summerstage, 3pm

*Ice Skating – a great way to cool off, although you do have to pay for skate rentals. Chelsea Piers
Sky Rink,

*Bringing Up Baby – classic 1938 Hepburn movie about paleontology. Riverside Park (Promenade at 103rd St.), 9pm

Tip of the week- you can learn trapeze right here in New York. See www.trapezeschool.com or visit them between Pier 26 and 34.