Black Oak Nights – New York

Let's get it…

New York City Summer Fun: Do These Before the Season’s Over

Posted by Black Oak On August - 5 - 2009

One of the things about being in New York City is that there is so much to do that one can truly convince themselves that there is nothing to do at all. It is like the government’s approach to healthcare reform, where there has been so much to do for so long, but instead of fixing healthcare, officials have just passed it off as being too big of a task to tackle for the past 50 years.

Well, pass off your summer fun no longer, New Yorkers. Like the budding healthcare reform going on now in our nation’s capital, you just need a little “change” to get you up and out of your apartment. Here are a few things you probably haven’t tried out that can reinvigorate your City-venturing spirit.

Latin Tunes at Fort Tryon Park
In the Upper West Side, go to Fort Tryon Park at midnight on a particular Saturday, and you will truly be reminded as to why this is called the city that never sleeps. At a time when every other city in America is calling it a night, Robert Ferreira, and his drumming group called “Astrolabio”, take over an area of the park and play percussion-laden, Latin beats for anyone and everyone who cares to listen. From the beating of congas to the thumping of African drums, the rhythms play well into Sunday morning, as gatherers and passersby clap, dance, smoke and drink the night—and the semi-morning—away.

Trapeze School New York at Pier 40
Are you afraid of heights? Do you want something to do after work besides happy hour? Or are you just looking for something thrilling to do? Well, why not just jump from a trapeze from 23-feet high in the air and fall into a net? Does that sound like something you might be interested in? That’s the opportunity being offered at Pier 40, where you can stretch your imagination, and your yoga-flexed limbs, as you swing and do back flips off a trapeze, all the while achieving your goal of a catharsis and/or an adrenaline rush. No matter what your reason is, taking part in this Summer-long event is a New York tradition, and if you’re going to be living in the city for years to come, you will eventually do this—whether you like it or not.

Turntables on the Hudson
Turntables on the Hudson (TOTH) is an organization that has been providing New Yorkers with late night musical events since 1998, and this Summer is no different. “From parking garages, lofts & boats to residencies at renowned NY clubs and venues like The Frying Pan, Opaline, Shelter, The Brooklyn Loft, Cielo, Element, Hiro Ballroom, SOB’s and Spiegelworld,” TOTH is bringing house, soul, funk and hip-hop music to the city via outdoor events like no one else in the city does it. This summer, they will be performing at Governors Island on several different occasions, including July 24th, August 23rd, and September 6th. So, at some point this summer, come out and enjoy the soulful grooves of TOTH at Governors Island. It’s free of charge and is sure to be a very good time—and I know, because I went to their last event!