We aren’t done celebrating in the city, even if we gave it our all last weekend! While the season wraps us up in heat the city is opening like an oyster with enough pearls to go around. We’ve got fireworks to see! There are festivals, shows, concerts, art exhibits, and food fests to partake in. Grab an rsvp to a cultural parade like the Arab American Festival and embrace diversity through education and solidarity. If you’re a food enthusiast eat your way to unity at the Forest Hills Food Crawl. There is a way to support and enjoy for everyone!
Friday, July 12th
Harlem Renaissance Rebirth Exhibition (23 Warren Street, Manhattan @ 1 PM)
The Harlem Renaissance is marked by notable poets, artists, and writers. The movement redefined and introduced America to African American identity. It left behind contributions such as jazz poetry and marked the repositioning of African Americans and their works in mainstream culture. In an ode to the creatives behind the movement and key figures, this exhibition will showcase artwork inspired by and dedicated to the Harlem Renaissance from retired bobsledder Mark Anthony Hill.
Schimanski Hosts The K-Pop Party (54 N 11th St, Brooklyn @10 PM)
Schimanski in Williamsburg will host a night dedicated to K-Pop this Friday, July 12th beginning at 10 pm. Join the party and dance to the best of BTS, BIGBANG, SHINee, BLACKPINK, 4Minute, Boa, 2NE1 and more. Bring your friends to the best K-Pop Party in Brooklyn. This event is 21+ and more information can be found by visiting their site!
Coney Island Firework Show (1000 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn @ 9:30)
If you missed out on a prime view of fireworks, you’re in luck. The landmark that is Coney Island will host another night of their season-long Summer Fireworks show. Pull up to the boardwalk with chairs and refreshments or spend the day in the water before making your way on to the boardwalk. The show is colorful, loud, large and ceremonious. You don’t need any specific reason to enjoy such a celebration so treat yourself!
Afro-Latino Festival (10 City Point, Brooklyn @ 12 PM)
The entire city is in need of tropical TLC. Thankfully, the opening night of Afro-Latino Festival is scheduled to take place this Friday. The festivities will include traditional music, dance, and performances from Afro Latin regions of the Central Americas fueled by their Carribean roots. Their initiative to educate, affirm and celebrate encourages everyone to enjoy the vendors, activities, and authenticity of the line-up offers.
Saturday, July 13th
Forest Hills Feast (113-30 Queens Boulevard, Queens @ 11 AM)
Queens has been considered the most diverse borough in NYC. The mixture of cuisines and cultures is easily noticeable from a quick ride on the 7 train as it passes through different neighborhoods. Queens Bully Event Hall is harnessing this reputation and throwing what they’re calling the largest food crawl. Foodies can expect to taste a huge array of dishes from top restauranteurs, giveaways, ska from hot 97 providing ambiance and local breweries providing tastings!
Cultural Cousins: LatinX & FilipinX Art (320 West 23rd Street, Manhattan @ 10 AM)
During their rule in the Americas and Philippine Archipelago, the Spanish brought with them their heritage. The effects of this colonial and imperial dominance seeped into the art music and other creative outlets colonized peoples used to express themselves. This show is all about highlighting the connections between these groups and their identity, what aspects of their art was shared and how it explored their experience.
SoulFest NYC (163 West 125th Street, Manhattan @ 9 AM)
The entirety of Soulfest NYC’s day-long event is focused on wellness. The lineup is facilitating physical activities around the clock from many seasoned yogis of different styles. Guests can expect to get sweaty, feel revitalized and find a network of like-minded individuals that’ll transcend the scheduled programming. There is also hope from the organizers that attendees can orchestrate their bodies with enough flow to break the Guinness Book of World Record for most bodies in Warrior One Pose.
Sunday, July 14th
IPA FEST: Brooklyn (72 Noble Street, Brooklyn @ different sessions)
Brooklyn is welcoming IPA Fest, a collective of different breweries and their best blends. There are over 200 beers available for sample from hoppy beers to the bitter and smooth. There will be 2 sessions that include 50 different breweries servings up tastings of their seasonal and year-long types. Attendees can also expect to run into tasty comfort food vendors on location that will be selling bites while supplies last.
13th Annual Arab American Bazaar (Shore Road Park, Brooklyn @ 12 PM)
This year’s Arab American Bazaar is marking their 13th year. They’re bringing back their authentic celebration of culture and welcoming the public to join them. There will be traditional music and food vendors present. A special appearance and performance from the Freedom Dabka Group is one of the programming highlights many are looking forward to.
Cafe OLED (386 W Broadway, Manhattan @ 11 AM)
Let your senses blend together. Be delighted by splashes of vibrant colors from the Pantone Color Institute Palette in this project merging taste and sight. Cafe OLED is decorating itself in different eye-catching shades and displays alongside a menu. They claim to provide not only a visually stunning experience but one which allows you to taste the colors with specialty pastries and imaginative lattes.