Gothamist Summer Guide: 16 Very Fun Things To Do In June - Photo Gallery

<br/><br/>We've made it, dear readers. Welcome to summer. New York City in June is sizzling with great things to do, including can't-miss outdoor concerts, wild art galas, parades, special film screenings, and much more. Whether you're looking to get wild at the Mermaid Parade or party in the MoMA garden, there's something for everyone in this guide, so open up your calendar apps and start punching in some plans. Here are the best things happening across town this month.

<br/><br/>What better way to celebrate summer than pounding a few beers and looking at weird old buried stuff. You can do all that, and actually learn something, at <strong><a href="http://www.cityreliquary.org/closetarch/">The City Reliquary's Closet Archaeology</a></strong>, an unorthodox art show that features the discoveries of elementary school kids who dug up a closet in their East Village classroom two years ago. Their bit of improvised archeology <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/26/nyregion/young-treasure-hunters-dig-up-history-lessons-in-a-classrooms-closet.html?smid=pl-share">drew the attention of the paper of record</a>, and ever since, the class's teacher has been chronicling the finds <a href="https://www.instagram.com/closetarchaeology/">via an Instagram account</a>. <br/><br/>But the City Reliquary show will be the first time the objects have been properly displayed, and at an opening reception a group of students will be on hand to speak about their discoveries. Beer will be provided by Brooklyn Brewery, and if you can't make it to the opening, don't worry: all this unearthed stuff will remain on display until the end of August. <br/><br/><em>Opening Reception Saturday, June 3rd, 2 p.m. // <a href="http://www.cityreliquary.org/">The City Reliquary</a>, 370 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn // <a href="http://www.cityreliquary.org/closetarch/">Admission $5</a></em>

<br/><br/>Over 150 artists, designers, and performers will jam together inside a Times Square skyscraper at the <strong><a href="http://www.chashama.org/gala2017">Chashama Gala</a></strong>, a yearly art party that'll feature something for everyone, from bondage to bonsai (we're hoping). The party features a circus theme, and is being headed by set and lighting designer <a href="http://www.ctrujillodesign.com/lighting.html">Christopher Trujillo</a>, so rest assured it'll be like no space you've seen before. Tickets are not cheap, but this is a serious fundraiser, after all, with proceeds going to fund art projects across the city, and best of all a special "after-party" ticket is available for only $50. Running from 9 p.m. until midnight, the after-party will include access to all installations and performances.<br/><br/><em>Thursday, June 8th, 6 p.m. - midnight // <a href="http://www.durst.org/properties/4-times-square">4 Times Square</a>, 22nd Floor // <a href="https://www.chashama.org/gala_tickets">Tickets $50 and up</a></em>

<br/><br/>We've long <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/05/23/inside_momas_annual_garden_party_fe.php#photo-1">maintained</a> that the after party of <a href="https://www.moma.org/calendar/events/3074">MoMA's annual Party in the Garden</a> is one of the year's best soirees: You get a three hour top shelf open bar in a beloved sculpture garden, along with an intimate concert from some iconic performer you'd never otherwise see so close. After hosting Robyn in 2016, MoMA has tapped James Blake this year, for the "debut [of] his highly anticipated solo piano show." There's also a benefit dinner before the after party, but, unless you're a <a href="http://observer.com/2016/06/momas-annual-party-in-the-garden-draws-celebs-half-the-rockefeller-fam/">celebrity or literally have a MoMA wing named after your family</a>, you probably can't afford it. <em>(Jake Offenhartz)</em><br/><br/> <em>Monday, June 5th, 9 p.m. // <a href="moma.org">Museum of Modern Art</a>, 11 West 53rd Street, Manhattan // <a href="https://www.moma.org/calendar/events/3074">Tickets</a> start at $250 </em>

<br/><br/>It's all about Bed-Stuy in Metrograph's newest film series, which compiles some of the best-known and oft-overlooked movies that showcase the quintessential Brooklyn neighborhood. <strong><a href="http://metrograph.com/series/series/90/making-rent-in-bed-stuy">Making Rent In Bed-Stuy</a></strong> will feature the Spike Lee classics <em>Crooklyn</em> and Joe's <em>Bed-Stuy Barbershop</em>, as well as Daniel Bishop's <em>Bed-Stuy Do Or Die</em> and Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed, which looks at the groundbreaking presidential campaign of local resident and Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. The series is timed to coincide with author Brandon Harris's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Making-Rent-Bed-Stuy-Memoir-Trying/dp/0062415646">debut memoir of the same name</a>. Harris himself will be around signing copies of his new work. For fans of local politics, black cinema, and Brooklyn history, this one's not to be missed. <br/><br/><em>Series runs June 9-12th; <a href="http://metrograph.com/series/series/90/making-rent-in-bed-stuy">showtimes vary</a> // <a href="http://metrograph.com/">Metrograph</a>, 7 Ludlow Street, Manhattan // <a href="http://metrograph.com/series/series/90/making-rent-in-bed-stuy">Tickets here</a></em>

<br/><br/>Don't pretend like you've never gotten weird in Queens. Indie art collective Flux Factory is kicking off the summer with their second-annual <strong><a href="http://flux-a-thon.com/">Flux-a-Thon party</a></strong>, a night that blends dinner, dancing, competitive art showdowns, and parade marching into one big rager. Costumed Flux staff will be leading attendees on a walkathon from their brick-and-mortar home base to the Smiling Hogshead Ranch community garden, where a panel of celebrity judges will be doling out prizes for best costumes. Later on you can bank on strong drinks, great food, weird-as-hell performances, special installations, DJs and more. All the proceeds go to help support Flux Factory's always-excellent free public exhibitions (and hopefully pay for more <a href="http://gothamist.com/2016/03/17/fung_wah_field_trip.php">insane road trips</a>).<br/><br/><em>Saturday June 10th (Parade at 4 p.m., afterparty at 5) // <a href="http://www.fluxfactory.org/">Flux Factory</a>, 39-31 29th Street, Long Island City, Queens // <a href="http://flux-a-thon.com/tickets/">Tickets $25-30</a></em>

<br/><br/>After a couple successful years in Los Angeles, the Vegan Street Fair will celebrate its <a href="http://laist.com/2016/03/15/vegan_street_food_fair_preview.php">New York launch</a> at the Grand Bazaar with a packed day of cruelty-free eats from across the city. The vendor list isn't available yet, but the (very active) Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/478318599225784/?active_tab=about">page</a> has so far promised battered vegan mozzarella from Three Girls Vegan Creamery, vegan ice cream from NadaMoo!, and vegan donuts from Lael Cakes. Best of all, entrance is free and all bite sizes portions are under $4. Two levels of VIP passes are also <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vip-passes-vegan-street-fair-ny-2017-tickets-34628755540">available</a> for Very Important Plant-eaters. <em>(Jake Offenhartz)</em><br/><br/><em> Saturday, June 10th, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. // <a href="https://www.grandbazaarnyc.org/">Grand Bazaar NYC</a>, 100 West 77th Street, Manhattan // <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/478318599225784/">Free entrance</a></em>

<br/><br/>It's simple, really: some very hot coals, giant slabs of meat, and plenty of sauce. The <strong><a href="http://bigapplebbq.org/">Big Apple BBQ</a></strong> will once again return this month, giving you the chance to make a total mess of yourself as you down ribs, brisket, and wings in Flatiron. This year 15 pitmasters from across the country will be serving up their local specialties and live bands will deliver a perfect summer soundtrack, from <a href="http://bigapplebbq.org/profile/dead-horses/">Milwaukee folk</a> to <a href="https://antibalas.com/">Brooklyn-born afrobeat</a>. As always, admission is free, but if you're serious about getting a taste of the nation's best BBQ, we recommend <a href="http://bigapplebbq.org/tickets/">getting a FastPass</a>. The lines are going to get intense. <br/><br/><em>Saturday and Sunday, June 10-11th, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. // <a href="https://www.madisonsquarepark.org/">Madison Square Park</a>, Manhattan // Free admission, <a href="http://bigapplebbq.org/tickets/">VIP tickets $150 and up</a></em>

<br/><br/>New York City is the kind of town where you can strip naked and march through the streets with a bunch of strangers, and that's exactly why you moved here in the first place. The free-swinging folks at LightSource are hosting a <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1259933680721956/?active_tab=discussion&amp;__xt__=33.%7B%22logging_data%22%3A%7B%22profile_id%22%3A1259933680721956%2C%22event_type%22%3A%22clicked_view_event_posts%22%2C%22impression_info%22%3A%22eyJmIjp7Iml0ZW1fY291bnQiOiIwIn19%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22www_events_permalink%22%2C%22interacted_story_type%22%3A%22236412393365972%22%2C%22session_id%22%3A%2276f876904094eaea69d06dc25baec13e%22%7D%7D">Body Positivity Parade</a></strong> later this month, which welcomes attendees to gather in Washington Square Park for sign/body painting, live music, and "casual nudity." You're encouraged to be courageous, extravagant, and proud as you disrobe and march. Who knows, maybe <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/07/10/thong_guy_speaks.php">a certain local celebrity</a> will show up to lead the charge.<br/><br/><em>Sunday, June 11th, 12 p.m. // <a href="https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/washington-square-park/">Washington Square Park</a>, Manhattan // <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1259933680721956/?active_tab=discussion&amp;__xt__=33.%7B%22logging_data%22%3A%7B%22profile_id%22%3A1259933680721956%2C%22event_type%22%3A%22clicked_view_event_posts%22%2C%22impression_info%22%3A%22eyJmIjp7Iml0ZW1fY291bnQiOiIwIn19%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22www_events_permalink%22%2C%22interacted_story_type%22%3A%22236412393365972%22%2C%22session_id%22%3A%2276f876904094eaea69d06dc25baec13e%22%7D%7D">Free</a></em>

<br/><br/>Your favorite rapper lives in fear of <strong><a href="http://highlineballroom.com/show/2017/06/12/freddie-gibbs-2/">Freddie Gibbs</a></strong>. The Gary, Indiana-born MC has come roaring back after <a href="https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/in-the-therapist-freddie-gibbs-discusses-facing-complicated-legal-trouble-in-austria">an unexpected hiatus</a> with his latest project, <em><a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23057-you-only-live-2wice/">You Only Live 2wice</a></em>. It's a record packed with top-shelf beats that bridge the gap between jagged trap and soulfully-looped hip-hop, and all of it comes seasoned with Gibbs's dizzying rhyme structures and flows. There are turned-up bangers to be sure, but Gibbs's latest material features plenty of meditative, even vulnerable moments, and betrays an emotional depth you won't find beneath <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvZqHgFz51I">Future's mask</a>. Freddie will perform at the Highline Ballroom this month, and it'll be one of your best shots at seeing one of rap's top five this summer.<br/><br/><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MBXY2rJWeHc?ecver=1" width="640"></iframe><br/><br/><em>Monday, June 12th, 7 p.m. // <a href="http://highlineballroom.com/">Highline Ballroom</a>, 431 West 16th Street, Manhattan // <a href="http://highlineballroom.com/show/2017/06/12/freddie-gibbs-2/">Tickets $25-30</a></em>

<br/><br/>From the Appalachian country eats at Montana's Trail House to the Michelin-starred pasta served at Faro's warehouse, Bushwick is chock-full of destination worthy meals that you won't find anywhere else in the city. <strong><a href="http://www.thebushwickstarr.org/TasteofBushwick">Taste of Bushwick</a></strong>, hosted in the Boar's Head distribution plant, will showcase those and forty more restaurants that represent the best of the neighborhood's vibrant culinary scene. Now in its fourth year, the fest includes dishes from Sally Roots, Chef One, and Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermonos, best washed down with beers from the Kings County Brewers Collective or Braven Brewing Company. "Hungry Bird" tickets are available for $45, with all proceeds going to OBIE-award-winning nonprofit theatre Bushwick Starr. <em>(Jake Offenhartz)</em><br/><br/><em>Tuesday, June 13th, 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. // 24 Rock Street, Brooklyn // <a href="http://www.thebushwickstarr.org/TasteofBushwick.html">$45 before June 6th, $55 after</a> </em>

<br/><br/><em><a href="http://mosesjacobsopera.com/">A Marvelous Order</a></em> pits local supervillain Robert Moses against activist Jane Jacobs in a multimedia opera by Joshua Frankel, Judd Greenstein, Will Rawls and Tracy K. Smith. It's guaranteed to make housing policy wonks lose their minds, but casual observers will enjoy it as well, thanks to 360-degree video screens displaying animations while singers and musicians perform live inside the Fulton transit hub. The performances run for three nights this month, and is part of the <a href="http://sacksco.com/pr/river_to_river_festival.html">River to River</a> festival, which features a wide array of top-notch performances across the city (all of which are free!). <br/><br/><em>June 15th, 17th, and 18th, at 7 p.m. // <a href="https://www.westfield.com/westfieldworldtradecenter/stores/all-stores/fulton-center">Fulton Center</a> retail and transit hub, Manhattan // <a href="http://sacksco.com/pr/river_to_river_festival.html">Free</a></em>

<br/><br/>Once again, it's time for the glorious <a href="http://www.coneyisland.com/programs/mermaid-parade">Mermaid Parade</a>. You know the drill. If you miss it, you might as well be living in Ohio. Dress up, go to the <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/atlantis-mermaid-parade-after-party-tickets-34632305157">House of Yes</a> afterparty, and thank us later.<br/><br/><em>Saturday, June 17th, 1 p.m. // Surf Avenue, Brooklyn // <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/395976630782313/">Free</a></em>

<br/><br/>Beauty will be melded with even more soul-fulfilling beauty when <strong><a href="http://foresthillsstadium.com/event/sigur-ros/">Forest Hills Stadium opens its doors to Sigur Ros</a></strong> for a special outdoor performance. The former tennis arena-turned-concert venue should be the perfect place to take in the Icelandic trio's brand of sprawling post-rock. You'll cry, you'll smile, you'll find joyful respite from the trials of our alienating modern existence. And then you'll take the long F train ride home.<br/><br/><em>Saturday, June 17th, 5:30 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show // <a href="http://foresthillsstadium.com/">Forest Hills Stadium</a>, 1 Tennis Place, Queens // <a href="http://foresthillsstadium.com/event/sigur-ros/">Tickets $49.50-99.50</a></em>

<br/><br/>This could be the sleeper show of the entire summer. Yeasayer is bringing their deep catalog of infectious indie-dance-rock to Prospect Park for <strong><a href="https://www.bricartsmedia.org/events-performances/bric-celebrate-brooklyn-festival/yeasayer-poli%C3%A7a-cymbals-eat-guitars">a free Celebrate Brooklyn show</a></strong> presented by BRIC with support from wispy Minneapolis synthpop quartet <a href="http://www.thisispolica.com/">Polica</a> and Staten Island rockers <a href="http://cymbalseatguitars.com/">Cymbals Eat Guitars</a>. Yeasayer has fallen off the throne of the college radio kingdom they once lorded over, but their recent LP, <em>Amen and Goodbye</em>, is a tour de force, and definitely worth your time. All this means you're going to want to get there early and secure yourself ample blanket space/dancing room, because once <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m1O5i6oUTI">"O.N.E."</a> drops the park's going to lose its mind. <br/><br/><em>Thursday, June 22nd, 6 p.m. // <a href="https://www.bricartsmedia.org/events-performances/bric-celebrate-brooklyn-festival">Prospect Park Bandshel</a>l, Brooklyn // <a href="https://www.bricartsmedia.org/events-performances/bric-celebrate-brooklyn-festival/yeasayer-poli%C3%A7a-cymbals-eat-guitars">Free</a></em>

<br/><br/>The Beacon Theatre gets a solid split bill of singer-songwriter fare later this month when the <strong><a href="http://www.bowerypresents.com/event/1432863-jason-isbell-400-unit-new-york">Mountain Goats open for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit</a></strong>, presented by WFUV. Isbell and company do "lyrics-first country-roots music," <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/jason-isbell-talks-summer-tour-playing-with-willie-nelson-w482432">according</a> to Rolling Stone, while the Mountain Goats traffic in lyrics-first folk-ish music and <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/09/28/gothamist_house_presents_the_mounta.php">came to our roof</a> once. Jason Isbell is set to release a new album just one week before the show, and the Mountain Goats put out an excellent record called <a href="https://themountaingoats.bandcamp.com/album/goths">Goths</a> in May. <em>(Jake Offenhartz)</em><br/><br/><em>Friday, June 23rd, 8 p.m. // <a href="http://www.beacontheatre.com/">Beacon Theatre</a>, 2124 Broadway, Manhattan // <a href="http://www.bowerypresents.com/event/1432863-jason-isbell-400-unit-new-york">Tickets start at $39.50</a></em>

<br/><br/>America's LGBTQ+ Pride Parades remain a flashpoint of political activism and inclusion across identities, and t<a href="https://www.nycpride.org/events/the-march/">his year will prove no different</a>. Beginning at 36th Street and Fifth Avenue and extending all the way down to Christopher Street, NYC's Pride parade will feature thousands of people from all over the globe, celebrating their human rights at the peak of summer. Over 350 groups will be participating in the parade itself, but the spectators make Pride what it is, and so whether you're queer or straight, put on something special and take it to the streets.<br/><br/><em>Sunday, June 25th, noon // Fifth Avenue, Manhattan // <a href="https://www.nycpride.org/events/the-march/">Free</a> </em>