New Museum Block Party—If you're an art lover, you won't want to miss this annual day of art activities and performances in the Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Come out and enjoy an impressive range of interactive projects with artists and educators, as well as programs related to the neighborhood and the New Museum. You'll even get a complementary guest pass to the museum on the day of the event!
Saturday, July 24, noon-5p.m., park directly behind the New Museum, 235 Bowery (between Stanton and Rivington streets), 212-219-1222, Free
Life During Wartime—"Mommy, I ran out of klonopin, can I have some of yours?" An excerpt from this new film from acclaimed director Todd Solondz stars Ally Sheedy and Rich Pecci in a tale of dysfunctional friends, family, and lovers struggling to find meaning in a war-torn world. This weekend, you can meet the stars in person at opening screenings of the film.
Friday, July 23-Saturday, July 24, various times. Check listingshttp://www.ifcfilms.com/films/life-during-wartime-2
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The East Village's Marble Cemeteries —If you're fascinated by cemeteries or even just interested in learning more about the beloved East Village, you have the chance to join the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation this weekend for a tour of the New York Marble Cemetery and the New York City Marble Cemetery.
Sunday, July 25, 1p.m.-3p.m., 42 1/2 Second Avenue (between 2nd and 3rd streets), reservations required at rsvp@gvshp.org, 212-475-9585 ext. 35.
Chronicles of Old New York—From the morbid secret history of Washington Square Park to the home of the first Real World, discover the hidden pass of Lower Manhattan on this free walking tour with author of Chronicles of Old New York, James Roman. You'll even be able to score a free book along the way!
Saturday, July 24, 2p.m., The Hangman's Elm at Washington Square Park, corner of Macdougal Street and Waverly Place, RSVP here.
Matisse: Radical Invention 1913-1917—120 paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures by celebrated French artist Matisse are now on display at MoMa, and they're certainly more provocative than the brightly colored still lifes and dancers that made him famous. It's not a massive retrospective, but three of his masterpieces are present, including Bathers By The River.
Now through Monday, October 11, 11 West 53rd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 212-708-9400, MoMA, Tickets are $20 in advance here
M.I.A.—Hailed as hip-hop's most un-darling of darlings, the HARD festival series is bringing M.I.A. to the Governor's Island stage this weekend. And if that's not enough to get you to hop on a ferry, South African rappers Die Antwoord, Rye Rye, Sleigh Bells, and Ninjasonik plan on making an appearance, too. Buy your tickets now!
Saturday, July 24, 4p.m., South Island Field at Governor's Island, Ferries depart from the Battery Maritime Building, 10 South Street (at Broad Street), 212-253-272, tickets are $60 here.
Free Mango Whiskey Iced Tea—Jerry's Cafe is helping us beat the heat by giving away free drinks (rum punch!) to match dishes from their eclectic bar and dinner menu (sadly, not free).
Friday, July 23-Saturday, July 24, 7p.m.-8p.m., 90 Chambers Street (between Broadway and Church Streets), 212-608-1700.
Game Play Festival at the Brick Theater —If you're a theater buff and you need to nerd-out a bit, you might want to check out Theater of the Arcade: Five Classic Video Games Adapted for the Stage, which merges video game plots and characters with modernist drama.
Friday, July 23, 9p.m., and Sunday, July 25, 2p.m., 575 Metropolitan Avenue (at Lorimer Street), Williamburg, $15 here.