Time Out NY 101 Things to do in Spring

Last summer I found the 101 things to do in NYC.  It was fabulous.  There were so many ideas of what to do during the summer, and most events were not very expensive.  Time Out has come out with their newest list to start off spring.  Below is what I would like to do this spring.  Click here to see the whole list.

101 things to do in NYC in spring 2012

By admin

Created 02/28/2012 - 12:27

Issue: 

849

Shop and eat outside at Hester Street Fair- This pretty, tree-lined Lower East Side market packs in shoppers every weekend with a killer combination of stylish vintage wares—retro jewelry, antique decor and old-fashioned hats—and one of the best collections of food vendors in Manhattan. Delicious new stalls include Williamsburg darling Pies 'n' Thighs [1], artisanal ice cream parlorAmple Hills Creamery [2] and boozy cupcakery Prohibition Bakery. Look out for surprising booths, like Compass Yoga who will assess your posture and align in you a suitable pose for $1 on opening day. Hester St at Essex St (hesterstreetfair.com [3]). Sat 10am–6pm. Opens Apr 28.

Drink on rooftops- Take advantage of New York’s enviable views by getting buzzed at a rooftop bar. Among Manhattan’s wealth of hotel toppers, we recommend Upstairs on the 31st floor of the Kimberly. The urbane setting, with ivy-covered walls and nary a cabana in sight, is best experienced at night, when the canopy of lightbulbs strung above the terrace sets off the sight of the Chrysler Building. For more great vistas, check out our guide to rooftop bars in New York [4]. 145 E 50th St between Lexington and Third Aves (212-888-1220, upstairsnyc.com [5]). Mon–Wed 5pm–1am; Thu, Fri 5pm–2am; Sat 11:30am–3:30pm, 6pm–2am; Sun 11:30am–11pm. 

Be a kid again-It’s been five years since Pillow Fight NYC went global, and we still haven’t grown up. The seventh annual International Pillow Fight Day is the cornerstone of the Urban Playground Movement, not to mention the one time a year when it’s okay to beat a stranger over the head. Last year’s event drew 5,000 cushion-wielding New Yorkers to Union Square in a friendly free-for-all. Since it’s happening the day before Easter, this year is the Bunny Edition. Wear your floppy ears and your PJs, and let off some steam slumber-party-style. But please, no feathers—they’re a nightmare to clean up. Location TBA, R.S.V.P. at newmindspace.com [10]. Apr 7 at 3pm; free.

See the work of a shape-shifting artist- By now, Cindy Sherman has become part of a coterie of artists whose works are instantly recognizable by nearly everyone. Starting in the mid-1970s, she hit upon a formula in which the simple child’s game of dressing up became a way of interrogating everything from feminism to Hollywood and aging. The results have been some of the most important and influential works of art created in the past 40 years. Sherman is currently the subject of a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art [11] (11 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves; 212-708-9400, moma.org [12]; $25, seniors $18, students $14, children under 16 free; through June 11). On view are such iconic series as Sherman’s “Untitled Film Stills,” as well as her self-portraits as subjects from Old Master paintings. The director-photographer-model also offers a new set of works at Metro Pictures [13](519 W 24th St between Tenth and Eleventh Aves; 212-206-7100, metropicturesgallery.com [14]; Tue–Sat 10am–6pm; free; Apr 26–June 9), in which she dons garments from the Chanel archive against landscape backdrops.

Party on Saint Paddy’s- The arrival of spring heralds a new season of parades in New York City. For starters, this year marks the 251st year since Gotham’s first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade [24](nycstpatricksparade.org [25]; Mar 17 11am–5pm; free). Starting at 44th Street, this celebration of the city’s rich Irish heritage marches up Fifth Avenue past Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and the Irish American Historical Society, finishing at 79th Street. Later, join burlesque impresario Doc Wasabassco for Saint Patrick’s Day for Sinners (The Bell House [26], 149 7th St between Second and Third Aves, Gowanus, Brooklyn; 718-643-6510, thebellhouseny.com [27]; Mar 17 8–11pm; $10, redheads free), for a redheaded revue with music, magic and his finest ecdysiasts.

Visit the High Line- Spring is the best time to visit the elevated park: Lush plants and flora (such as Aurora dogwood, Allegheny serviceberry and Young Lady smoke tree) come to life after winter dormancy, and you can relax sans puffy coat on the verdant lawn at 23rd Street. The park’s programming also blooms, with the return of Stargazing on the High Line(various locations, call 212-206-9922 or follow @highlinenyc [34] for updates; Tue dusk–9:30pm, weather permitting; free; begins Apr 3), held by the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York (aaa.org [35]) and using its high-powered telescopes. Guided walking tours also return in May (meet at the 14th Street Passage, Tenth Ave at 14th St; Tue 6:30pm; free; begins May 8). We also can’t wait to see the work by darkly comic Scottish artist David Shrigley that will adorn the billboard at West 18th Street (starting Apr 1). From Gansevoort St at Washington St to Tenth Ave at 30th St (thehighline.org [36]). Daily 7am–7pm.

Watch a piece being painted at 5Pointz-Since February, small tours of the Queens graffiti epicenter have been running every two weeks. We recommend booking tickets now to be one of eight people to be shown around by curator and artist Meres One. He’ll point out the best pieces among the myriad murals that adorn the walls of the disused warehouse, then lead you up to the roof for a stunning view of Manhattan, before giving a live painting demonstration. 45-46 Davis St at Jackson Ave, Long Island City, Queens (sidetour.com [37]). Every two weeks, Sun 2–3:30pm; $35

Imbibe atop the Metropolitan Museum of Art- Enjoy a glorious view of Central Park from the top of the Met at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden, where you can relax with a cocktail and gaze at the green expanse below. This year’s installation is “Cloud City” by Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno, a series of interconnected, room-size pods that visitors can explore. 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St (212-535-7710, metmuseum.org [40]). Tue–Thu, Sun 9:30am–5:30pm; Fri, Sat 9:30am–9pm. Suggested donation $25, seniors $17, students $12, members and children under 12 free. May 1–Nov 4.

Praise the sun god- Early risers got to enjoy a Manhattanhenge sunrise—in which the sun aligns exactly with the isle’s cross streets—in January, but on May 30, you’ll be able to sleep in and still catch the natural phenomenon at sunset. Grab yourself a perch before 8pm anywhere above 14th Street, and ready your camera: At 8:16pm, the city will be spectacularly illuminated, and buildings on both sides of you will sparkle with the sun’s rays. Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium (and the guy who popularized the event), recommends setting up on 34th or 42nd Street, so the Empire State Building or Chrysler Building, respectively, enhances the scene.

Try chef Andy Ricker’s wings- In January, food bloggers breathlessly chronicled the New York opening of Pok Pok Wing [41], the Southeast Asian takeout joint from Portland’s Andy Ricker. In April, the James Beard Award–winning toque will launch a full-fledged outpost of his Oregon flagship. Look for signature dishes like Da Chom’s larb muang (Northern Thai minced pork salad) and khao soi (Northern Thai yellow curry soup). Check out more of spring’s hot restaurant openings [42]. 127 Columbia St between DeGraw and Kane Sts, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (pokpokpdx.com [43]). April.

Ride your steed0- Each year, the Parks Department, Transportation Alternatives, and several biking businesses and nonprofits collaborate to make May Bike Month, the most cycling-friendly time of year. The celebration starts with the New Amsterdam Bike Show (Apr 28, 29) and continues with pedal-powered events like the Brooklyn Bike Jumble (May 19), theTD Five Boro Bike Tour [47] (May 6) and the Bike Brooklyn Beer Blitz (date TBA). On the latter, a history-focused tour features a stop at a Williamsburg bar mid-jaunt.Locations and times vary; visit bikemonthnyc.org [48] for details.

Root for the home teams- Head to the ballpark for the season’s opening games, where a cold brew and a hot dog are waiting for you. Consider calling in sick for the Yankees’ home opener against the formidable Los Angeles Angels, who snagged the off-season’s highest-profile free agent in Albert Pujols. Fans eager to see a game can visit Citi Field eight days earlier for the Mets’ first game, against the Atlanta Braves. The Amazin’s didn’t make many off-season moves, but the team may benefit from one change: the new, smaller dimensions of the stadium’s outfield, which will ideally send a few more home runs into the stands. Yankee Stadium [49], 1 E 161st St between Jerome and River Aves, Bronx (newyork.yankees.mlb.com [50]). Opening day: Apr 13 at 1:05pm; $15–$300 • Citi Field [51], Roosevelt Ave at 126th St, Flushing, Queens (mets.com [52]). Opening day: Apr 5 at 1:10pm; $30–$320

See the work of an iconic New York artist- Keith Haring’s energetic street art was a ubiquitous fixture in late-’70s–early-’80s New York, cropping up in subway stations and on buildings in Soho and the East Village. He went on to art-world fame and fortune before his untimely death from AIDS in 1990. “Keith Haring: 1978–1982,” [53] a new exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum [54] (200 Eastern Pkwy at Washington Ave, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn; 718-638-5000, brooklynmuseum.org [55]; Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun 11am–6pm; Thu 11am–10pm; suggested donation $12, seniors and students $8, members and children under 12 free; Mar 16–July *), recalls the artist’s early career with works on paper, rare videos and archival objects. To see even more work by Haring, head to the LGBT Center [56]: During most of March, the space will host Keith Haring Unveiled [57] (208 W 13th St between Greenwich and Seventh Aves; 212-620-7310; times vary; free; through Mar 31), a series of programs dedicated to the artist’s life and work. Don’t miss a Haring homage at the Center’s Dance:208 Garage Classics party on March 10. You can also see a mural titled Once Upon a Time inside one of the Center’s former restrooms, which has since been turned into a meeting space (Mar 7–31).

Get high and watch a film- Now in its 16th year, the Rooftop Films alfresco series will bring more than 200 films to locations throughout the city. Besides curating smart indie docs, shorts and features, Rooftop’s organizers have a talent for procuring unique venues—past screenings have taken place on the roofs of Brooklyn Grange [58] and Brooklyn Technical High School. To top it off, performances by buzzworthy music acts (Hospitality and Janka Nabay appeared in 2011) precede the feature. Locations, times and prices vary; visitrooftopfilms.com [59] for more information. Begins May 11.

Drink on the waterfront- You don’t have to schlep to the shore to feel the sand beneath your toes: The Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club [60] in South Street Seaport is slated to reopen on April 12, providing a convenient waterfront hang with 300 pounds of sand to make castles out of. Grab some friends and lounge on the white couches with an Ommegang Witte ($7), play a free game of pool, Ping-Pong or foosball (tables are first-come, first-served), or gather round the fire pit when the night turns chilly. Keep an eye on its website for announcements about weekend beach parties in spring and live music from nationally known acts on Wednesdays (beginning late May). North side of Pier 17, Beekman St at South St (212-896-4600, beekmanonthewater.com [61]). Daily noon–3am. Opening April 12, check the website or follow @BeekmanBGBC [62] for updates.

Pig out on Cinco de Mayo- If Mexican troops hadn’t triumphed over their French invaders, we might all be eating onion soup on what would be called Le Cinquième de Mai, which doesn’t really sound as fun as tacos. Take your pick from one (or more, we won’t judge) of NYC’s 26 best tacos, such as the carne asada variety at Dos Toros [63] (137 Fourth Ave between 13th and 14th Sts; 212-677-7300; $4.50, with guacamole $5). Tender cubes of rich flap steak, seasoned with a secret spice blend and grilled to a gorgeously pink medium-rare, come cradled in corn tortillas lined with Jack cheese and topped with bright guac, fresh pico and a squirt of fiery habanero sauce.

Treat yo self- Say goodbye to the winter doldrums and indulge yourself to a treatment or two during Spa Week: Spring 2012, during which hundreds of spas, salons and fitness centers around the city offer signature treatments or class packages for just $50 a pop. Among this edition’s deals are facial peels with cell-stimulating botanicals and five-packs of core fusion classes at four of Exhale’s Manhattan locations, as well as appointments with participants such as Fresh and Lia Schorr Day Spa. Locations vary, visitspaweek.com [66] for more info. Apr 16–22. Booking services begins Mar 12.

Admire the blooms in Central Park- The skinfest in the Sheep Meadow isn’t the only thing worth eyeballing in Central Park come spring. The Conservatory Garden [67](east side between 104th and 106th Sts; enter at Fifth Ave and 105th St; 212-310-6600, centralparknyc.org [8]) is a flowering paradise, with some varietals like the Lenten rose blooming as early as mid-March. For a more extensive tour, download the Central Park Conservancy’s Bloom Guide from its website (available in April) and rent a bike from Bike & Roll (Merchants Gate, W 59th Street at Columbus Circle • Tavern on the Green [68], Central Park West between 66th and 67th Sts • bikeandroll.com [69]; times and prices vary; opens Mar 17) or the Loeb Boathouse (East 72nd St at Park Dr North; times and prices vary; opens April).

Dock at Fleet Week New York- Hello, sailors! Members of the Navy, Marines and Coast Guards will congregate in the city during this celebration of the sea services, giving plenty of New Yorkers the opportunity to gawk at ladies and gents in uniform. Locations vary; visit fleetweeknewyork.com [70] for details. May 23–30.

Chow down and shop in Hell’s Kitchen- The Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market [79] welcomes a mini fleet of mobile eateries back for the Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar. The lineup has yet to be confirmed, but city staples like Calexico, the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck and the Treats Truck have all parked there in the past. We advise arriving early to make a first pass at the secondhand wares and avoid missing out on the limited quantities of grub. Check the website later in the spring for announcements on more special events. W 39th St between Ninth and Tenth Aves (212-243-5343, hellskitchenfleamarket.com [80]). Sat, Sun 9am–6pm. Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar: Every second Sun Apr–Oct 11am–5pm; free.

Ramble around Manhattan- Your shoes were made for walking, so take in the city at a leisurely pace on the Shorewalkers 27th annual Great Saunter, a rewarding, if punishing, 32-mile, 12-hour amble around Manhattan’s waterline. You’ll enjoy views of all four outer boroughs and out-of-the-way spots like the Little Red Lighthouse from the eponymous children’s book, while chatting to fellow wayfarers. You don’t have to tackle the whole course to take part (we recommend the final leg, leaving Carl Schurz Park at 4pm, so you can finish by sinking a cold one at the Heartland Brewery). Starts and ends at Heartland Brewery [81], 93 South St at Fulton St (shorewalkers.org [82]). May 5 at 7:30am; $20, advance $15, members free.

Capture that elusive hole in one- At the southern end of Hudson River Park, you’ll find glorious views of the river, the Jersey City waterfront and an 18-hole professional-grade miniature-golf course. Decked out with a cave, two waterfalls, footbridges and a pond, it’s a great place to perfect your putt while taking in the splendid vista. For more options, try these places to play minigolf in NYC [83]. Pier 25 [84], Hudson River at North Moore St (manhattanyouth.org [85]). Hours vary, see website for details; $5, children under 14 $4.

Soak up suds and sun at the Frying Pan [91] and Pier 66- This “lightship”—a floating lighthouse once used by the Coast Guard—sank and spent three years underwater before she was salvaged and converted into a floating bar. Now docked near Chelsea Piers, this nautical beer garden attracts formidable weeknight and weekend throngs of would-be revelers. Starting in April (on weekends and days the weather is forecast to reach 60 to 65 degrees or higher) and officially after May 1, you can drink on deck—that is, if you can find room on the beer-soaked boat, jetty or the prime real estate: the jetty roof. If you’re fortunate enough to nab a seat, order a burger. Pier 66A, West Side Hwy at 26th St (212-989-6363, pier66maritime.com [93]). Noon–midnight. Opens April; check the website or follow @Pier66Maritime [94] for updates.

Roller-skate in Central Park - In the heart of the park under a grove of blossoming cherry trees, you’ll find the Central Park Dance Skater Association’s skate circle. Bring your own quads and bust a move with people of all ages to disco classics, contemporary hits and throwback R&B, house and dance music spun by a rotating roster of local DJs. If you’re not a skater, there’s space to dance without colliding with those on wheels or just watch the old hands do their thing. Make sure to scan the crowd as well—you may spot singer-songwriter M. Ward, who told TONY that watching the skaters is one of his favorite things to do in NYC [102]. Skate circle at midpark, enter at Central Park West and W 72nd St or Fifth Ave and E 72nd St (cpdsa.org [103]). Sat, Sun 2:45–6:45pm; free. Beginning in early April, weather permitting.

Buy some booze, then watch a film- Now in its second year, the LES Film Festival screens independent, low-budget shorts and feature films; hosts Q&As with filmmakers; and throws in a couple of parties for good measure. Most screenings are programmed thematically—comedy, gay, experimental, docs, animation, nerds(!), to name but a few—and all are BYOB, so there’s no need to smuggle in your hip flask. A judging panel that includes Susan Sarandon and Justin Vivian Bond will pick the best in six categories, and the winners will be screened at Landmark’s Sunshine Cinema [116] (143 E Houston St between First and Second Aves; landmarktheatres.com [117]). Locations and times vary; seelesfilmfestival.com [118] for details. Mar 6–18; $10.

Marvel at “The Orchid Show: Patrick Blanc’s Vertical Gardens” -The New York Botanical Garden celebrates the tenth anniversary of its annual exotic-flower showcase with an installation by French artist Patrick Blanc, who (along with garden staff) will build living floral walls in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. New York Botanical Garden [125], 2900 Southern Blvd between Bedford Park Blvd and Mosholu Pkwy, Bronx (718-817-8700, nybg.org [126]). Mar 3–Apr 22; $8–$20.



Get a sneak peek at future movie hits- Indie-film fans, rejoice! Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Film Festival [140] returns to downtown Manhattan for its tenth year, drawing cineastes to its screenings, panels, talks and other events. This year’s lineup has yet to be released, but expect the quality to be high: Last year’s program included some of our favorite films of 2011, such as The Trip, Higher Ground and The Guard. Before heading to this year’s activities, check out our handy roundup of the best places to eat and drink nearby [141]. Locations, times and prices vary; visit tribecafilm.com/festival [142] for details. Apr 18–29.

Booze at a beer garden- It’s never too early in the season to start thinking about beer gardens: Greenpoint’s Berry Park [150] and Astoria’s Bohemian Hall [151] are perennial favorites, while in Long Island City, Studio Square [152] provides plenty of affordable options for hops-heads. But great outdoor spaces aren’t limited to the outer boroughs: Manhattan’s best open-air venues include Hallo Berlin [153] in midtown, Eataly’s La Birreria [154] (which sports a retractable roof) in Flatiron and the Standard Biergarten [155] in the Meatpacking District. Peruse all of your options with our list of the 20 best beer gardens in NYC [156].

Walk through a rain forest in Herald Square- For more than 60 years, the Macy’s Flower Show has showcased the nation’s most renowned floral designers while celebrating the diversity of plant life the world over. This year the event moves to a 150-foot-long tent in Broadway Plaza at Herald Square while the interior of the 34th Street flagship store undergoes major renovation. But not to worry, flora lovers: This does not mean the expo will be any less over-the-top than in the past. This year’s theme is Brasil: Gardens in Paradise, so expect rain-forest perennials, Carnival-inspired designs and a ten-foot-tall topiary toucan. Broadway Plaza at 34th St (212-494-4495, macys.com/flowershow [158]). Mar 25-Apr 7; free.

Practice yoga in a tranquil garden- Spend some time getting reacquainted with the green stuff (that’s grass and trees, in case you’ve forgotten) at an outdoor yoga class (Sun 10–11:15am, weather permitting; $20, members $15; begins May 6) in the bucolic grounds of Wave Hill [161]. Each session is taught by Neem Dewji, who is certified in both hatha and therapeutic yoga by the Integral Yoga Institute. Once you’ve made it through a few sun salutations, wander around the grounds of the 28-acre garden, which was once a private estate. Look for spring wildflowers, such as Virginia bluebells or celandine poppies, or simply take in the views of the Hudson River from the comfort of an Adirondack chair. Independence Ave at 249th St, Bronx (718-549-3200, wavehill.org [162]). Through Mar 14 Tue–Sun 9am–4:30pm; after Mar 15 Tue–Sun 9am–5:30pm. $8, seniors and students $4.

Meet a new generation of filmmakers- Want to see tomorrow’s Spielbergs and Almodóvars today? Both were once unknown filmmakers whose work appeared in the New Directors/New Films festival, a joint effort of the Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. This 41st edition screens 41 features and shorts by emerging talents from 28 different countries, and for the first time, screens a movie by a cinematic titan: Stanley Kubrick’s first full-length effort, Fear and Desire, made when he was a precocious 24-year-old. MoMA [11], 11 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves • The Film Society of Lincoln Center [180], 165 W 65th St between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave • (newdirectors.org [181]) Mar 21–Apr 1; tickets on sale Mar 11.

Commune with nature in Battery Park- Avoid the crowds in Central and Prospect Parks during spring’s first few balmy days by taking a stroll through Manhattan’s verdant southernmost tip. The green space is home to two gardens: The seven-year-old Bosque, which covers three acres and features 140 London plane trees; and the Gardens of Remembrance, where you can see more than 100 different types of perennials. Stop for a bite at one of the food kiosks dotted throughout the park: An outpost of Zak Pelaccio’s Asian-inflected BBQ joint Fatty ’Cue opened there in 2011, along with Fatty Snack, which offers treats like shaved ice ($3), cookies ($3) and milkshakes ($5). Enter at State and Whitehall Sts (212 344-3491, thebattery.org

Pitch in- Perform a good deed and sign up for New York Cares Day Spring (formerly Hands on New York Day), a benefit to raise money for the year’s programming. Approximately 5,000 good souls will get their hands dirty beautifying ten miles of shoreline and 80 parks in all five boroughs by gardening, painting, repairing fences, fixing nature trails and, yes, pay for the privilage. If you want a chance to choose where you work, gather some friends and sign up as a team by Mar 23, otherwise you’ll be assigned to a project in the borough of your choice. Register online at newyorkcaresday.org [188] by Apr 13. Apr 21 9:30am–3pm; $20

Power through the water on the Hudson- Every weekend starting in May, the New York Outrigger Club offers up to three free training sessions for the six-man Polynesian canoe. The lesson begins on land, where you’ll familiarize yourself with the boat and its history, learning stroke work, safety protocols, and calls and commands; then you’ll get 30 to 45 minutes of practice on the water with three expert shipmates who’ll steer you in the right direction. Sessions are limited to six people each, so e-mail ahead to book your space. The club provides everything you need—boats, paddles and life vests—but it’s up to you to bring drinking water, sunscreen and a lock for the provided locker. Grass skirts optional. Boathouse at Pier 66, W 26th St at the Hudson River (newyorkoutrigger.org [194]). Sat 10:30, 11:15am, noon; Sun 12:30, 1:15, 2pm. Free. May–September, start date TBA. Reservations required, e-mail novice@newyorkoutrigger.org

Satisfy your comic cravings- The MoCCA Festival, a celebration of cartoons and comic art, turns ten this year, but shows no sign of growing out of graphic art (thank goodness), filling the Lexington Avenue Armory with the latest mainstream, indie and super-rare comics. The gathering doesn’t tend to stray into costume-wearing territory, instead it offers stimulating panels and the MoCCA Live Strip Show, in which actors and comedians performed live versions of comic strips (geddit?). 68 Lexington Ave between 25th and 26th Sts (212-254-3511, moccany.com [203]) Apr 28, 29 11am–6pm; $TBD.

See comedians wing it at the NYC Improv Fest
Given the Peoples Improv Theater’s dramatic new Gramercy digs—including two performance spaces and a welcoming bar—it follows that the staff would want to invite improvisers from around the country to take part in a few days of performances, workshops and panels. This inaugural festival has plenty of New Yorkers on the bill, including a reunion of improv troupe Neutrino, along with appearances from Chicago star Jet Eveleth and Toronto’s vaunted 2-Man No-Show. Peoples Improv Theater [206], 123 E 24th St between Park and Lexington Aves (212-563-7488, thepit-nyc.com [207]). Times and prices vary. Mar 21–24.

Take your taste buds globe-trotting- Street-fair season is upon us, but the two-day Ninth Avenue International Food Festival, now in its 39th year, puts the tube-sock-touting minifests in the shade. Shop for crafts, clothes and jewelry at more than 200 stalls, and check out food carts from local restos like BBQ joint Southern Hospitality and biergarten Hallo Berlin Express. Once you’ve finished consuming, take in international music and dance performances at the 55th Street stage. Ninth Ave from 42nd to 57th Sts (ninthavenuefoodfestival.com [222]). May 19, 20 noon–5pm; free.

Check in at Internet Week New York- It used to be that you weren’t a real New Yorker until you were mugged. With the explosion of New York’s tech scene, we’re inching closer to the day when you don’t belong here unless you’ve worked at a start-up. If you’re a noob, step into that world at this annual festival. A pass gets you access to the hub at event space 82Mercer [227] (82 Mercer St between Broome and Spring Sts), which offers art and tech installations to play with and a Creators’ Project speakers series. Alternatively, just have fun at the Girls Who Rock concert at Gramercy Theatre [228] (127 E 23rd St between Park Ave South and Lexington Ave; thegramercytheatre.com; date, time and price TBA). The gig benefits She’s the First, a not-for-profit that sponsors girls’ education, and JoJo and Nina Sky headlined last year’s ladycentric lineup. Locations, times and prices vary; seeinternetweekny.com [229] for details. May 14–21.

Check out work by young contemporary artists- The second edition of the New Museum Triennial, “The Ungovernables,” [233] features a crop of emerging artists born after the mid-1970s whose work deals with globalism and the continuing cultural fallout from the ’60s. The roster comprises 34 artists, groups and temporary collectives, totaling 50 participants in all. Although there’s nothing unruly or envelope-pushing about any of the works here, a few standout pieces—such as a video by Egyptian artist Hassan Khan, set to the propulsive strains of traditional Cairo street music, and a stairwell installation by American artist Abigail DeVille—are worth the price of admission. 235 Bowery at Prince St (212-219-1222,newmuseum.org [234]). Wed, Fri–Sun 11am–6pm; Thu 11am–9pm. $12, seniors $10, students with ID $8, children under 18 free. Through Apr 22.