July is heading into the home stretch. Get your last licks in or throw some cold ones back as National Ice Cream and Good Beer months are both about to come to a close. The DNC is firing things up in Philadelphia, and BAM’s series of election-themed films continues with Bulworth, Wag the Dog and more. MoMA’s Summer Thursdays series continues; this week Moon Duo will cast a spell over the museum’s garden. And speaking of gardens, a little band named Radiohead is in town to play a couple shows at Madison Square Garden. The band are currently on tour and Thom York stopped off at BBC Radio 1 over the weekend and shared a special bedtime mix, you can check it out here. On Thursday, Animation Block Party kicks off with a free screening co-presented by Rooftop Films at Brookfield Place. Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? You’ll find more cultural goodness below including a slip ’n slide party, an arty block party, and more. And, you may notice, most of our event recommendations are free.

Monday, July 25
MUSIC: SummerStage: Mass Appeal Live at the BBQ (Update: canceled due to rain)
On the urban culture tip for 20 years, Mass Appeal knows a thing or two about partying. For this feel-good-cookout-vibed soiree, which goes down in Central Park, they have tapped Nas to host alongside Hot97’s Peter Rosenberg and Laura Stylez, and have assembled a killer lineup that includes Ty Dolla $ign, Danny Brown, Black Thought, MGK, Princess Nokia and more. And if you get hungry amid the excitement, Sweet Chick will be on site vending their tasty fried chicken and BBQ.
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, New York, NY
5pm-10pm
$34.50 – $39.50

FILM: Reel Food Screening & Discussion: Fed Up
Brooklyn Historical Society is hosting a screening of Fed Up, a documentary executive produced by Katie Couric and Laurie David that looks at the role the food industry plays in the obesity epidemic. Following the film a discussion ensues led by restaurateurs and food activists George Weld and Evan Hanczor of Egg in Williamsburg. There will also be refreshments provided by Whole Foods Gowanus. That’s right, free food and a free screening.
Brooklyn Historical Society – 128 Pierrepont St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
6:30pm
Free – RSVP

FILM: Les Blank’s Burden of Dreams and Herzog Eats His Shoe (Update: canceled due to ran)
Every Monday this summer (weather permitting), Bushwick beer garden and party spot Nowadays hosts a screening series curated by Maysles Cinema. For this installment, two films by renowned documentary filmmaker Les Blank are spotlighted. Blank, who died in 2013, spent over 50 years documenting the music, food and rituals of regional micro-cultures. For tonight’s event, Blank’s documentaries about Werner Herzog are being revisited: short film Herzog Eats His Shoe, and Burden of Dreams, which follows the filmmaker during the filming of Fizcarraldo.
Nowadays, 56-06 Cooper Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Sundown
Free

Tuesday, July 26
PARTY: Slip’n Slide Splash Party
Hosted by Tom Imateacher, this wet and wild party features a slip’n slide, kiddie pools, and squirt guns. Be sure to bring your suit and a towel and expect to get soaked.
The Well, 272 Meserole Street, Brooklyn, NY
4pm
Free

BOOKS: Mary-Louise Parker with Elvis Costello in conversation with Jason Gots
The Big Think’s Jason Gots sits down with Mary-Louise Parker and Elvis Costello to discuss their latest books. For Parker, that’s Dear Mr. You, a book of letters she’s composed to men – both real and hypothetical – that have influenced her life. As for Costello, he recently released a memoir, Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink. This free event also includes a book signing.
St. Francis College, 180 Remsen St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
7pm
Free

ART: Out of Line: Narcissister
For one night only, Brooklyn-based artist Narcissister is coming to the High Line to serve up one of her video and performance extravaganzas. She is known to use humor, pop songs, and elaborate costumes to explore issues surrounding gender, racial identity, and sexuality. This performance is part of the High Line’s Out of Line series, which is a summer-long tribute to infamous Renegade Cabaret shows. The content of Narcissister’s performance is of an adult nature, so be sure to leave the kids at home, and show up early, first come, first served.
The High Line, 14th Street Passage, West 14th Street and 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10014
9pm
Free

PARTY: Salon On Top
Susanne “Queen of New York Nightlife” Bartsch is back with another one of her crazy soirees. Going down at Le Bain, the party features Joey Arias, and Amanda Lepore, music by Tom Peters and Amber Valentine, and a show by Rica Shay.
Le Bain at The Standard, High Line, 444 W 13th St, New York, New York 10014
10pm
Free

Wednesday, July 27
MUSIC: Summer Sessions: Sinkane
DFA darling Sinkane (aks Ahmed Gallab) is going to get things popping at Brookfield Place. The Brooklyn-based, Sudanese-born artist’s sound blends free jazz, shoegaze, krautrock, pop and funk. It’s been a hot minute since his last album Mean Love was released, so perhaps he’ll have some new tunes to share at this free show.
Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10281
5pm-8pm
Free

ART: Edited at EAI: Restless Generation
Women artists who redefined performance video in the 1990s are the focus of this edition of Edited by EAI, a series that shines a light on EAI’s Editing Facility for artists. Among those featured at this evening’s event are Vanessa Beecroft, Alix Lambert, Kirsten Mosher, Alix Pearlstein, and Beverly Semmes.
Electronic Arts Intermix (EAI), 535 West 22nd Street, 5th Fl., New York, NY 10011
6:30pm
Free, RSVP: info@eai.org

FILM: SummerScreen: 10 Things I Hate About You
SummerScreen, the free weekly outdoor film and concert series that calls Brooklyn’s McCarren Park home, shines a spotlight on teen classic 10 Things I Hate About You this week. Directed by Gil Junger, the Taming of the Shrew update was released in 1999 and stars Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It also boasts an awesome soundtrack. Be sure to get there early, LA-based, Burger Records signee Cotillon opens the night.
McCarren Park, North 12th Street – Between Bedford Ave and Berry Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
6pm doors, 7pm music, sundown screening
Free

PARTY: Uptown Bounce: The Kick Off
For the third year in a row, beloved East Harlem cultural institutions The Museum of the City New York and El Museo Del Barrio are teaming up for Uptown Bounce, a series of hopping block parties that combine art, music, and local flavors. Happening four consecutive Wednesdays, the early evening festivities are free but advance registration is required. At this first event in the series, the Museum of the City of New York invites partiers to boogie down to 70s hits with Misbehaviour of Mobile Mondays!. Over at El Museo del Barrio there will be a wearable art fashion show that celebrates the work of Antonio Lopez.
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave at 103rd St, New York, New York 10029
6pm-9pm
Free

Thursday, July 28
FOOD: Good Beer
It might have “good” in the title, but we’d assign Edible Manhattan’s annual beer and food pairing event a rating of fabulous. For 2016, the summertime salute to the best brews around takes place at the Financial District and features a frothy selection of ales, lagers and ciders from crafters such as Allagash, Smuttynose, Sixpoint, KelSo, Blue Point and Tröegs. To help soak up the suds, the beverages have been paired with fine fare from food purveyors including L&W Oyster Co., Friend of a Farmer, Jimmy’s No. 43, Gramercy Tavern and more. Good Beer is no doubt be one of the buzz-iest events of the summer.
180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY
6-9pm
$45-75

PARTY: Paper Factory Hotel Summer Gala
Costumed characters, theater, burlesque, and brass bands are just some of what to expect at Paper Factory Hotel Summer Gala. The setting for the party is grand and rustic and features hidden rooms, outdoor court yards, dance clubs and a penthouse suite of wonders. The party planning crew at The JunXion are helping out with the festivities which include performances by New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, Yunior Terry, and Big Village Little City, and dj sets by Geko Jones, Dirty Looks, 2melo and more.
Paper Factory Hotel, 37-06 36th Street, Queens, NY 11101
6pm-2am
Free – RSVP

THEATER: Ubu the King by Rough House
Rough House Theater is bringing their production of French playwright Alfred Jarry’s 1896 parody of Macbeth to Cloud City for two nights only. Their production of the satire features original music and and over 70 handcrafted puppets.
Cloud City, 85 N 1st St, Brooklyn, NY
7:30pm
RSVP, $12 suggested donation at the door. Recommended for audiences 14+