Bridge and Borough August 15th Weekend

Hey Bridge and Borough readers,

I’ve found some great NYC events for this weekend. A lot of festivals, movies under the stars and outdoor activities. I'm also expanding my coverage area to include The Bronx beginning this week. See you out there!

MANHATTAN

NYC Circus Festival at Bryant Park | Saturday, August 16 | 6:00pm-9:00pm Kid Friendly Bryant Park's first-ever circus showcase features aerial artists, acrobats, clowning, and the giant Rolly apparatus. The lineup includes Sxip Shirey Sound Action Ensemble, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, ABCirque, Hybrid Movement Company, and other NYC performance troupes blending contemporary choreography with traditional showmanship. Arrive early for lawn spots—free blankets available first-come, first-served, but bring your own cotton or fleece (no plastic tarps or yoga mats). Free | Bryant Park | timeout.com/newyork/news/a-free-circus-is-coming-to-bryant-park-for-the-first-time-ever-081225

Blues BBQ Festival | Saturday, August 16 | 5:00pm Kid Friendly The 25th annual festival combines blues music from world-renowned and local artists with barbecue from top NYC restaurants. Set at Pier 76 with Hudson River views and sunset vistas. The venue features inline skating space and is dog-friendly. Arrive early for good stage views and to explore pier amenities before evening crowds. Free | Pier 76 at Hudson River Park, 408 12th Ave West | hudsonriverpark.org

HW/IMAGENATION Outdoor Film Festival | Friday, August 16 | 7:30pm-10:00pm Kid Friendly Outdoor film screening on St. Nicholas Park's Great Lawn starts with a roller-skating dance party featuring celebrity guest DJs, followed by "THE ROOFTOP" documentary about Harlem's legendary skating rink (1979-1989) where hip-hop culture was born. Features appearances by Brucie B, Teddy Riley, LL Cool J, and other hip-hop icons. Bring blankets and snacks for this celebration of Harlem's cultural legacy. Free | St. Nicholas Park, St. Nicholas Ave & 135th St | harlemweek.com

Harlem Day | Sunday, August 17 | 1:00pm-7:00pm Kid Friendly The largest Harlem Week celebration since 1974 transforms West 135th Street with three stages featuring Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel, Reggae, Soca, and Latin music from local, national, and international artists. Includes Broadway productions at Harlem Broadway Row, Harlem Health Village, and hundreds of food vendors representing the neighborhood's culinary heritage. Arrive early afternoon to explore all stages before evening peak performances. Free | West 135th Street from 5th Avenue to St. Nicholas Avenue | harlemweek.com

My Hudson Valley Events Newsletter (ad):

QUEENS

Sunset Jazz at Culture Lab LIC | Friday, August 15 | 8:00pm Free indoor jazz series featuring Bobby Spellman's Voodoo Club in an intimate gallery setting with art exhibitions and drinks. Wheelchair accessible venue in a converted industrial space. RSVP recommended as concerts often reach capacity. Check Instagram and Facebook for schedule updates. Part of ongoing Friday series through October. Free | Culture Lab LIC, 5-25 46th Avenue, Long Island City | culturelablic.org

Concert in the Park: Tribal Legacy Band | Saturday, August 16 | 7:00pm-9:00pm Kid Friendly Annual sunset concert at Eastern Queens Alliance Idlewild Environmental Center featuring Tribal Legacy band performing Soca, Reggae, Afrobeats, and Calypso music. Family-friendly evening celebrating Caribbean and African musical traditions in Idlewild Park's natural setting. Bring lawn chairs and arrive early to explore the environmental center. Registration recommended but not required. Free | Idlewild Environmental Center, 222-20 149th Avenue Springfield Gardens | nycgovparks.org/events/2025/08/16/concert-in-the-park-at-the-idlewild-environmental-center

Basic Canoeing | Saturday, August 16 | 11:00am-12:30pm Kid Friendly (Ages 8+) NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers lead guided canoe adventure on Oakland Lake's protected waters in Alley Pond Park. 90-minute program teaches basic canoeing techniques in a safe environment perfect for beginners and families. Natural escape from city life while easily accessible. Meet at Cloverdale Boulevard entrance near 46th Avenue—no registration required. Free | Oakland Lake, Alley Pond Park, 46th Avenue and Cloverdale Boulevard | nycgovparks.org

Movies Under the Stars: How to Train Your Dragon | Sunday, August 17 | 8:30pm-10:30pm Kid Friendly Outdoor screening at Bowne Park Playground of the animated adventure about Hiccup befriending Toothless, a Night Fury dragon, challenging Viking traditions. Part of NYC Parks' summer movie series across all boroughs. Movies begin at dusk—arrive early for good spots. Glass bottles and alcohol prohibited. Check website for weather cancellations. Free | Bowne Park Playground, Queens | nycgovparks.org

My Real Estate Investing Newsletter (ad):

BROOKLYN

51st Annual Feast of Santa Rosalia | Wednesday, August 14 - Saturday, August 24 | Daily hours vary Kid Friendly Bensonhurst's 51st annual Italian feast celebrating the patron saint of Palermo, Sicily with 10 days of food, rides, music, and community events. Grand marshal Danielle Caminiti, attorney and cookbook author. Highlights include cannoli eating contest sponsored by Il Colosseo, Robert Defalco Realty, and Villabate Alba Bakery, plus musical performances August 15. Concludes August 24 with religious procession at 2pm and mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Free admission | 18th Avenue between 68th Street and Bay Ridge Parkway | brooklynreporter.com

BKRUMFEST - National Rum Day Celebration | Saturday, August 16 | 2pm - 6pm Brooklyn's premier rum festival celebrating National Rum Day with rum tastings, education on production and aging techniques, plus cocktails, food, and music reflecting rum-producing countries' cultures. Features top rum brands, food vendors, and cultural programming as part of the first-ever NYC Rum Week. Educational components alongside tastings for both enthusiasts and newcomers. Tickets required | 153 26th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232 | bkrumfest.com/home

Prospect Park Tours with Turnstile Tours | Saturday, August 16 | 10:30am Kid Friendly 2-hour guided walking tour of Brooklyn's 585-acre park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Stops include Long Meadow, arched passageways, Brooklyn's largest forest, and watercourse and lake. Learn natural and human history, from flora and geology to architectural eras and recreation evolution. Tours cover 2 miles and proceed rain or shine. Advance tickets required. Tours start at Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza. $12.50-25 | Brooklyn Public Library Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza | prospectpark.org

My Hudson Valley Events Newsletter (ad):

THE BRONX

Yankees vs. Houston Astros Weekend Series | Friday 7:05pm, Saturday 2:05pm, Sunday 1:35pm | Kid Friendly |Three-game series at Yankee Stadium including special Old-Timers' Day Saturday game. The 47,309-seat stadium features the New York Yankees Museum on the lower level with World Series trophies, championship rings, and baseball history displays. Saturday's game includes Old-Timers' festivities beforehand. Various ticket levels $15-$59 | Yankee Stadium, 1 East 161st Street | yankees.com

Dinosaur Safari at Bronx Zoo | Daily through November 2 | Kid Friendly Get up close with 60+ life-sized, animatronic dinosaurs and pterosaurs on this walking trail through a prehistoric jungle. Features 11 new dinosaurs with cutting-edge technology, plus climb a giant fossil, walk through a massive ribcage, and dig up fossils at the interactive site. New for 2025: Ultimate T. rex experience with 360° VR and motion chairs created by Academy Award-winning producers. Free for Zoo members; included with general admission | Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard | bronxzoo.com

Yankees Old-Timers' Day | Saturday, August 9 | Kid Friendly 12:00pm introductions, 2:05pm game The 77th Old-Timers' Day commemorates the 25th anniversary of the 2000 World Series championship team. Features the first alumni baseball game since 2019 with Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera and Joe Torre, plus first-time Old-Timers Roger Clemens, Alfonso Soriano, and David Justice. Introductions by Michael Kay start at noon, followed by alumni game and Yankees vs. Houston Astros at 2:05pm. Tickets required | Yankee Stadium, 1 East 161st Street | yankees.com

Van Gogh's Flowers at New York Botanical Garden | Daily through October 26 | Kid Friendly Multiple pricing options NYBG showcases botanical displays and large-scale art inspired by Van Gogh's iconic paintings, including monumental sunflowers and recreations made of living flowers. Weekend programming includes plein-air painting sessions and Van Gogh dress-up day. Friday and Saturday evenings feature "Starry Nights" with live music, cocktails, and Van Gogh-themed drone show recreating "The Starry Night" in the sky. Multiple ticket options | New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard | nybg.org

Arthur Avenue Retail Market | Daily 8:00am-8:00pm (Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm) Kid Friendly NYC's organized Italian market in the heart of Bronx Little Italy, created by Mayor LaGuardia as a covered bazaar. Features nine restaurants, five pastry shops, four butchers, two pasta-makers, six bread stores, three pork stores, five gourmet delis, two fish markets, three coffee shops, and one wine shop. Perfect for weekend food exploration and sampling authentic Italian specialties. Free entry | Arthur Avenue Retail Market, 2344 Arthur Avenue | arthuravenuebronx.com

— Bridge and Borough