This Saturday, America will set the skies ablaze in honor of its 239th birthday. Admittedly, fireworks never look quite as spectacular as they do on the 4th of July, especially over New York City’s iconic skyline. But we feel for some New Yorkers who might have grown tired, over the years, of watching the same old show over the Hudson River (now East River, thanks to Mayor de Blasio’s firm stance on New York fireworks strictly for New York). Here are a few ways we found to enjoy the holiday with a new twist.
1. The Hermione at South Street Seaport
Pier 15 at the South Street Seaport will host a replica of The Hermione, the ship that brought Marquis de Lafayette, a 19-year old volunteer soldier who became the youngest general in George Washington’s army, to America. The frigate, built by hand from the plans of the original ship, will stay at Pier 15 for most of the week, hosting a number of public tours and parties, and will join the Lafayette Parade of Ships past the Statue of Liberty on July 4th. Find more information here.
2. The Lafayette Parade of Ships
The key event of The Hermione‘s arrival in Hudson Harbor is the Lafayette Parade of Ships, which will take place on the 4th of July. Participating vessels will follow The Hermione into the harbor past the Statue of Liberty, recalling the original ship’s arrival in New York more than two centuries ago. Lafayette eventually proved integral to securing the American victory in the Revolutionary War. The Parade will begin south of the Verrazano Bridge and continue up the island until it reaches the Intrepid Museum. Make sure to watch the view from the William Wall, a floating clubhouse anchored in the harbor near Ellis Island.
3. Warm Up 2015 at MoMA PS1
MoMA PS1 is a non-profit art institution that as of 2000 is formally partnered with Midtown’s Museum of Modern Art. Every Saturday for most of the summer, it hosts Warm Up 2015, an exhibition of up and coming experimental musicians spanning a multitude of genres in its Long Island City courtyard. You may not recognize most of the names that are part of the special July 4th lineup, but it’s worth a listen if you’re into a raucous good time in an art gallery courtyard. Find more information here.
4. Independence Day at Historic Richmond Town
Leap through time into Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island, originally founded in 1856 as the Staten Island historical Society. Technically speaking, it’s a museum dedicated to an authentic portrayal of colonial America through the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. A fascinating feature of Historic Richmond Town is its many preserved government buildings and farm houses, some of which were relocated from other parts of Staten Island. Independence Day at Historic Richmond is an afternoon event open to all, featuring old-fashioned pie and ice cream-making demonstrations, museum tours, appearances from historical figures, and a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence. For all those with young kids in need of a proper Independence Day education. Find more information here.
5. Smorgasburg 2015 in Williamsburg
Smorgasburg 2015 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn typically happens every Saturday but is pulling out all the stops this for this coming weekend, featuring an eclectic selection foods from around the world. This week at Smorgasburg will feature the fair’s largest gathering of food vendors, around 75-100 situated on the Williamsburg waterfront. Some favorites of the day-long event will include Asiadogs, hotdogs with toppings inspired by Asian cuisine, the healthy, Indian-styled Bombay Sandwich Co., and the Brooklyn-famous Ramen Burger (that’s a burger with two buns made of toasted ramen noodles). Find more information here.
6. Dr. K’s Motown Revue in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center
It’s all about swing this Saturday in Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, where Dr. K’s Motown Revue, a disco-R&B band will ring in America’s birthday with the Motown sound. The event includes a swing dance lesson for the daring, starting earlier in the evening, with live music arriving at 7:30. Find more information here.
7. The Tempest At Harlem’s Richard Rodgers Amphitheater
The Classical Theatre of Harlem puts an interesting cultural twist on the Shakespearean classic, The Tempest. The production sets Prospero’s fabled lost island on Hispaniola, home to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, speaking to some very real and modern interpretations of freedom and captivity, the play’s central themes and sources of conflict. The 4th of July show of the production’s July run at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater at Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park is technically the preview, free to all and preceded by a Jazzmobile concert at 7. Curtain call is at 8. Find more information here.
8. The Festival of Independence at South Street Seaport
The South Street Seaport is a historic shipping district situated where the Financial District’s Fulton Street meets the East River. Its first pier appeared in 1625 and saw the Dutch occupation of what would later become Manhattan. It contains some of the oldest architecture in the city, and most every 4th of July hosts The Festival of Independence, a food and music fair culminating in a world-class view of the Macy’s fireworks. The full day event features two stages this year on Fulton Street and the corner of Peck Slip and features a genre-spanning set of bands and artists. Find more information here.
9. The Freedom Festival at the Intrepid Museum
The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum on Pier 86 is hosting its first annual Freedom Festival, featuring the likes of Queen Latifah, country singer Will Hoge, and Rachel Platten, whose soaring pop hit ‘Fight Song’ peaked at #1 on the charts last week. The event will take place on Pier 86 and is being held to benefit the Intrepid Museum and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which has raised over $150 million in support of troops and their families. Find more information here.
10. Indie-Fest at the People’s Improv Theater
The People’s Improv Theater near Kip’s Bay is celebrating the 4th with 12 hours of comedy. The fifth annual Indie-Fest is a day-long exhibition of comics and improv troupes from around New York and from all over the country. Find more information here.
Next, see vintage photos of NYC’s 4th of July celebrations through the years. Get in touch with the author @jinwoochong.
