Appleton for NewsThe River to River fest draws acts from all over to lower Manhattan.
Corkery/NewsSummer-style weather caughtthe Big Apple pleasantly by surprise last weekend as balmy temperatures lured winter-weary New Yorkers outside. The great news: There's more where that came from! The city's free and supercheap spring and summer outdoor events start now — and there are movie fests, concerts and tasty treats all over town.
CHOW DOWNTheRed HookBall Fields open this Saturday with Latin vendors dishing out goodies. Sink your teeth into soft tacos and huaraches piled high with savory meats, chilies and sour cream, or try the grilled ears of corn sprinkled with chili powder; you'll also find ceviche, lemonades and more. (8 a.m.-sundown, Court St. at Bay St.; call 311 or visitwww.nycgovparks.org)
PEDAL PUSHERSProspect Park's pedal boats hit the lake this weekend ($15 an hour, with a $10 refundable deposit.) TheBrooklynhaven also boasts ball fields, a Greenmarket and a carousel, nature trails and picnic grounds, not to mention the zoo andMacy'sannual fishing contest in July. (www.prospectpark.org)
SURF'S UP!Bathing beauties are already sunning themselves on the city's 14 miles of sandy shores, but come Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 23, specifically) the lifeguards go on duty daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., so you can safely hit the surf through Labor Day. (Free;www.nycgovparks.org)
POOL TIMESwimmers can skip the sand and splash in one of the city's 54 outdoor public pools. Beginning June 27, most are open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. through Labor Day, although bonus features vary. Asser Levy (23rd St. and FDR Drive) is open until 9 p.m., whileAstoria's Olympic-size pool (23rd Drive and 19th St.) boasts skyline views and Art Deco mushroom fountains. (Free;www.nycgovparks.org)
FRESH-AIR FLICKSScores of free movies are hitting outdoor screens.Brooklyn BridgePark's Movies With a View opens July 9 with "RaisingArizona" (www.brooklynbridgepark.org), and the Socrates Sculpture Park inQueensscreens international flicks beginning July 15 (www.socratessculpturepark.org).Hudson River Park's RiverFlicks for Grownups begins July 8 with "Iron Man," while their kid-friendly features start July 10 with "The Wizard of Oz" (www.hudsonriverpark.org.) Watch for schedules online forBryant Park's films (www.bryantpark.org), Films in Tompkins (www.filmsintomp
kins.com) and Rooftop Films (www.rooftopfilms.com).
FREE BARDThe star-studdedShakespearein the Park is an annual must.Anne Hathawayhits theDelacorte Theaterthis year withRaul Esparzain "Twelfth Night" from June 10-July 12. Or sample the ancients withEuripides' "The Bacchae," with music byPhilip Glass, from Aug. 11-30. (www.publictheater.org)
HEARHARLEMIndulge in free jazz, gospel, Latin and world music with theHarlem MeerPerformance Festival running Sundays from June 21 through Sept. 6 atCentral Park'sCharles A. Dana Discovery Center. On tap this season areOrlando Marin,Alex Blakeand more. (Free, Sundays from 2-4 p.m., 110th St., between Fifth and Lenox Aves; 212-860-1370)
BEACH VOLLEYBALLThe AVP Brooklyn Open hitsConey IslandJuly 3-5 with a tourney on the beach, where fans can rub elbows with all-stars (and Olympic champions) such asMisty May-TreanorandPhil Dalhausserwhile enjoying music, food and freebies. (Checkwww.avp.comfor schedules and tickets.)
ISLAND TIMESGovernors Islandopens on May 30 for another summer of concerts, free Friday bike rentals and walking tours of the historic forts and parks. Plus, the free ferry features breathtaking views of lowerManhattanand theStatue of Liberty. (www.govisland.com)
CARNIVAL TIMEThe Victorian Gardens amusement park takes over Central Park'sWollman Rinkbeginning May 28 with rides and games, carnival snacks, face painting and more. Pay as you go ($2 per ride or $3 per game) or plunk down $12-$14 for unlimited rides. ($6.50 admission and $12 unlimited rides weekdays, $7.50 admission and $14 unlimited rides weekends, 59th St. and Sixth Ave.;www.victoriangardensnyc.com)
P.S. DE RESISTANCEThe P.S. 1Contemporary Art Center's critically acclaimed music series "Warm Up" in Queens invites you to jam to grooves from international deejays and ensembles. Combined with the architecture and surrounding exhibits, "Warm Up" makes for a unique sensory experience for families and fans alike. ($10 admission includes access to all exhibits, Saturdays from 2-9 p.m.;www.ps1.org)
TOTALLY CONEYCheck out the Coney Island Circus Sideshow (weekends until after Memorial Day, when it runs Fridays, too; $5-$7.50) with favorite freaks like Serpentina andDonny Vomit, or start picking out your sequined pasties for the Mermaid Parade on June 20. And even without Astroland, visitors can still ride the Cyclone, which runs weekends now and opens daily starting June 15. (www.coneyisland.com)
GET GROWINGFamilies can dig Community Planting Day this Sunday, helping beautify lower Manhattan with annuals and perennials. Even if you don't have a green thumb, experts will be on hand with planting tools and assistance for volunteers. (Free, Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.,Wall St.between Front and South Sts.;www.downtownny.com/GoingGreen)
TANGO TIMEKick up your heels with free tango lessons every Sunday at 8:30 p.m. starting May 31 at South Street Seaport, or every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. starting June 6 in Central Park. Veterans and novices are welcome, and you don't even need a partner! The rest of the time is spent dancing up a summer storm. (Free, 6-9 p.m.;www.NewYorkTango.com
SUMMER SWINGLincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing heats up in July, offering a blend of salsa, soul, tango, rockabilly and swing with the likes ofChubby Checker, the New Swing Sextet and the Big 3Palladium Orchestra. TheDamrosch Parkdance floor offers room for everyone from beginners to experts, but leave your bags at home, or you'll have to check them for $3. ($15 per night or $80 for a six-night pass, July 7-July 25, W. 62nd St. & Amsterdam Ave.;www.lincolncenter.org)
CELEBRATE DOWNTOWNThe River to River Festival floods lower Manhattan with free events almost every day from May 31 through September. This year's highlights include Broadway leading manBrian Stokes Mitchell, Indian composerKarsh Kale, singer-songwriterArlo Guthrieand the New York City Opera. It starts with theBang on a Can Marathon, a genre-defying 12-hour concert. (www.rivertorivernyc.org)
'Today's' SHOWSGetting a good view of the"Today" show's free summer concerts requires getting up pretty early. After you've packed some coffee and donned some comfortable shoes, hitRockefeller Plazaon Fridays for performances includingNo Doubt, tomorrow;Fall Out Boy, theDave Matthews Band,Jennifer Hudson,Katy PerryandFlo Ridaare on deck. (Free, 7 a.m., 49th St. and Rockefeller Plaza;www.msnbc.com)
WILD FOR ASIAEnjoy the warm breeze in your hair at the WildAsiaMonorail ride, opening this Saturday and running through October at theBronx Zoo. A guided tour spots animals from rhinos to elephants along the way. Bring binoculars to zoom in on the animals during the 20-minute tour. ($4 plus $11-$15 admission; Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Southern Blvd. and 183rd St.;www.bronxzoo.org)
ORCHESTRAL MANEUVERS IN THE PARKTheNew York Philharmonichosts its annual series of free outdoor concerts — but this summer, there's a changing of the guard with new music directorAlan Gilbertconducting the summer shows. EnjoyMozartand Beethoven at Prospect Park, Van Cortlandt Park and, of course, Central Park. (www.nyphil.org)
CONCERT CENTRALNothing says summer likeCentral Park's SummerStage, with concerts from emerging and established acts likeTV on the Radio(June 5), theIndigo Girls(June 16) and Q-Tip (July 18). (Free;www.summerstage.org)
RISING FUNCentral Park'sEast Meadowbecomes a Japanese village forJapanDay on May 31. Enjoy origami, calligraphy and mini-robot battles, sample Japanese cuisine and watch karate demos and entertainers fromNew Yorkand Japan. (Free, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 97th St. and Fifth Ave.,www.japandaynyc.org)
SUMMER IN THE SQUAREUnion Square hosts a day of free activities for kids and adults every Thursday from June 18 to Aug. 13. "Fitness in the Square" starts the morning right at 8 a.m. with yoga and Pilates. At noon, "Kids in the Square" offers music, dance and face painting. The day wraps with "Music in the Square" at 6, with everything from jazz to pop-rock.
(8 a.m.-7 p.m., 14th St. and Broadway,www.unionsquarenyc.org)
CLINTON COVE CONCERTSThis free series beginning June 8 pairs hour-long sets with Hudson River Park views. Bring a blanket, and enjoy bluegrass group NYCity Slickers and country-blues ensembleRoosevelt Dime, to name a couple. (Free, Mondays at 6 p.m., Pier 84 at Clinton Cove Park;www.fohrp.org)
Amy Eisinger and Nicole Lyn Pesce