It's that part of summer where lavish roof-top parties along with the funky odor of dead fish begin to work their strange, strange spell. So to help keep things real, we've put together a list of great stuff to make this weekend feel like it’s part of an unrealistic feel-good novel, and not the Great Gatsby.
L’Amour Fou: Picassao and Marie-Thérèse @ GagosianWhat: A pellucid look at Picasso and his steamy relationship with muse/lover Marie-ThérèseWhy: It’s heavy on the risqué, light on the blasé, (it’s maybe even a little outré) and it has all of us saying “ouais! ouais!”When: Friday and Saturday 10AM-6PMWhere: 522 W 21st St.; 212-741-1717
Mermaid Parade @ Coney IslandWhat: It's a NYC institution--freaks, hot girls, and freaky hot girls (and guys) all come out to show off the insane Mermaid Costumes they've been constructing since December.Why: It's Brooklyn at its best: good old, mildly trashy exuberance. Plus, the mermaids in Brooklyn like wearing pasties. When: Saturday, 2PM--5:30ish. Rain or shine.Where: Coney Island. (Take the D, F, N or Q subway to Stillwell Avenue; map of route)
Governor's Ball @ Governor’s IslandWhat: It's basically a giant barbecue, except the music comes from live bands like "Girl Talk" and "Big Boi," and not that crappy boom-box.Why: Volleyball, beer, 12 hours of live (awesome) music, food carts, and lovely Governor's Island.When: Saturday, 11:15 AM--11 PMWhere: Governor's Island. (see here about the ferry)
Gay Pride RallyWhat: Pride Week kicks off--Support the gays. See great bands. Listen to cool people talk. (Free!)Why: It won’t be the thrilling procession of bikinis, leather, and feathers like you’ll find at the Parade, but the awesome OH LAND is headlining, and there’s motivating speakers to boot. When: Saturday, 3 PM--6 PM Where: 72nd St. & 5th Ave. @ Rumsey Playfield Central Park
Bang on a Can MarathonWhat: 13 hours of live music that hops wildly from electronica to world-music to indie-rockWhy: It’s free, live, genre-bending, mind-bending, music. Mkay?When: Sunday, 11 AM--12 Midnight.Where: World Financial Center, Winter Garden; 220 Vesey St.; 212-417-7000
And don't forget Sunday is Father's Day! Check this out for some ideas.