Your Week Untapped: Best NYC Events for May 27-June 2

MONDAY, MAY 27: Opening of The Civil War and American Art. This major loan exhibition considers how American artists responded to the Civil War and its aftermath. Landscapes and genre scenes—more than traditional history paintings—captured the war’s impact on the American psyche. 9:30am-5:30pm at the Met, 1000 Fifth Avenue. Suggested donation $25. Also check out our Top 10 Ways to Spend Memorial Day in NYC.

TUESDAY, MAY 28: Manhattanhenge returns! Twice a year the sun falls into exact alignment with the Manhattan street grid, offering incredible sunsets that fully illuminate the cross-streets. 8:16pm. The best places to view the spectacle are on the wide streets, near the East River. Last year, we photographed Manhattanhenge at Tudor City, in the shadow of the Chrysler Building. FREE. It will also occur on Wednesday at 8:15pm and on June 12 and 13.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29: Artist Lecture by Thomas Hirschhorn, part of ICP’s Triennial, A Different Kind of Order. Thomas Hirschhorn is an installation artist who has exhibited extensively internationally, with works in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate in London. 7pm at HBO Auditorium, 1100 Avenue of the Americas. FREE. Register here. Read our review of the Triennial here.

THURSDAY, MAY 30: Get Up and Ride’s Classic bike tour of Brooklyn, NYC takes all the best parts of the borough’s waterfront neighborhoods and fits it all into a 4.5 hour bike ride! Designed to have our guests feel like they’re riding with a friend, the tour showcases the authentic, off-the-beaten path sites that only the locals know. 11am-3:30pm at McCarren Park, Brooklyn. $85. Buy tickets here.

FRIDAY, MAY 31: New York’s most unique Shabbat dinner featuring Katz’s Deli classics and items prepared by some of New York’s hottest chefs will celebrate Katz’s 125th anniversary, with all proceeds benefiting Henry Street Settlement. 7-10pm at Katz’s Deli, 205 East Houston Street. $125-$500. Buy tickets here.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1: Andrews/LeFevre Studios, a NYC-based public art studio will lead a tour and discussion of Library Way, a series of 96 illustrated bronze panels installed along two blocks in the sidewalks of 41st Street between Park and Fifth Avenue leading to the New York Public Library. 2-4pm at the NY Public Library, Steven A. Schwartzman Building, 11 West 40th Street. FREE. RSVP amanda.faraone@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2: The Sing for Hope Pianos return to our city streets. In one of New York City’s most vibrant public art installations, 88 artist-designed pianos (one for each key on a piano) are placed in parks and public spaces throughout the 5 boroughs for anyone and everyone to enjoy. All day. Check out their map of the pianos’ locations. FREE.