As we begin the second week of July, head out for some summer fun at these rollicking event picks. Two dazzling dance options, a fabulous Frida Kahlo festival, a very vintage bus bash, and a fantastic Bastille Day celebration await you. Enjoy!
Beginning Thursday, July 9
Victory Dance
New Victory Theater
7pm
Don’t miss the first of the New Victory Theater’s “Victory Dance 2015” series. The New Vic has curated an amazing line-up of dance performances to introduce young audiences to New York City’s rich dance scene. While free performances will be offered at summer programs and schools, three ticketed evening performances on July 9, 16, and 23 at the New Victory Theater will be open to the public. This Thursday’s performance features Darrah Carr Dance, Zvidance, and the Urban Bush Women. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Tickets are $10.
Saturday, July 11
Midsummer Night Swing: LC Kids Dance
Damrosch Park
2:30pm
This Saturday, put on your dancing shoes and head to Damrosch Park for the LC Kids Dance. Part of Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing Festival, Dancing Classroom instructors will teach children dance steps to the Salsa, Swing, Tango, and Merengue. Then families can enjoy a performance from the Dancing Classrooms Youth Company. No previous dance experience required. Recommended for ages 6-10. This event is free.
Saturday, July 11-Sunday, July 12
¡Viva La Frida!
New York Botanical Garden
10am-6pm
Celebrate the life of artist Frida Kahlo this weekend at the New York Botanical Garden during ¡Viva La Frida! This two-day festival will feature a flower crown making workshop, an art procession of paper mâché butterflies by Bronx artist Lucrecia Novoa, and live dance and music performances from Calpulli Danza Mexicana and Mariachi Flor de Toloache. Plus, on Saturday, stick around for the Frida Look-Alike Contest (children and men are welcome to enter)! Free with garden admission.
Vintage Bus Bash
Governors Island
11am-4pm
The New York Transit Museum’s Vintage Bus Bash on Governors Island provides the perfect opportunity to introduce children to vintage city buses. This two-day fest will feature four of the museum’s buses from the ’40s and ’50s, including the first air-conditioned bus in the nation–bus 2969–the same model that Jackie Gleason’s character, Ralph Kramden, drove in The Honeymooners, and more. This event is free.
Sunday, July 12
Bastille Day On 60th Street
60th Street (between Fifth and Lexington Avenues)
12pm-5pm
Celebrate Bastille Day at New York City’s ultimate street fair in honor of the French Independence Day holiday, presented by the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF)! You won’t want to miss the champagne tastings, free film screenings, and a chance to win a free trip to Paris at this fun-filled Francophone afternoon. Admission is free; tickets for wine, cheese, cocktails, and beer tastings are $25.
