As we enter the first week of September this Labor Day weekend, we’ve picked some of the best alternative ways to wave goodbye to summer. This week in New York City, check out our selection of unique Labor events, attend a fascinating talk, see a free outdoor performance and more:
Friday, August 30th
See a free performance of of Shakespeare’s Othello in Bryant Park. As part of the park’s Picnic Performances, this show runs from 7:00pm until 9:00pm through September 1st. The play is performed by The Drilling Company, known for their Shakespeare in the Parking Lot series.
Saturday, August 31st
Delve into the depths of the New York City subway’s underground system on an expert led tour from Untapped Cities. Secrets from Below, one of our signature tours, will reveal art installations hidden in plain sight, boarded up entrances, little-known histories and the famous City Hall Station. Guests will ride through the now decommissioned station under City Hall Park where the entire network began.
Check out our guide to unique ways to celebrate the three-day Labor Day weekend this year. Take part in a unicycle ride through Central Park, see new outdoor art installations on Governors Island, watch a tugboat race and more!
Sunday, September 1st
See a performance by the Nego Gato Afro Brazilian Music and Dance Ensemble at the New York Botanical Garden. The elaborately costumed troupe led by Company Director and Salvador da Bahia native Jose Sena reflects 500 years of African-Brazilian music and dance. Presented alongside the Garden’s largest exhibition ever, Brazilian Modern: The Living Art of Roberto Burle Marx this performance in the Conservatory Plaza will be held on Sunday and Monday.
Monday, September 2nd
Celebrate Labor Day in Prospect Park with a full day of family friendly programming. Hear a selection of wise and witty stories from the Caribbean inside the historic Lefferts Homestead, help clean up the Vale of Cashmere and Rose Garden, go birdwatching and more! Most programs are free and some ask for a small suggested donation.
Wednesday, September 4th
Learn how to research your family history at the New-York Historical Society. The Historical Society and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society invite you to attend a joint program that explores some of New York’s historical documents and teaches techniques for family history research. You will start the program inside the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library where you will conduct research with the aid of  an experienced reference librarian, then you will learn 10 essential steps to discover your family’s story from a New York Genealogical and Biographical Society expert. Advance registration required.
Thursday, September 5th
Look into the future at Brookfield Place a special talk, Intelligencer Live: Our Warmer Future, presented in partnership with New York magazine. This event is the first in a three-part series that will “bring to life New York’s signature voice.” At this talk, which begins at 6:30pm, you will explore how climate will that change the way we live in the future and what kinds of technology will we use to help mitigate and prevent its causes and effects.
Discover how a tennis champion and a collector amassed the world’s largest collection of Alphonse Mucha posters at a talk inside the new Poster House. In conjunction with Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau/Nouvelle Femme, the Poster House’s premiere exhibition, Collecting Mucha: An Evening with Jack Rennert will reveal how he and Ivan Lendl put together the largest and most-complete Mucha collection over the span of twenty years. The only two posters missing one where the only known copy is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and one where there are no extant copies.
See our full list of upcoming public tours and Insider events!
