Events, Student Life

10 COOL THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK THIS SUMMER

Just moved to New York?  Travelling to NYC this summer?  Or are you just disconnected from what is going on?  Well have no fear!  We’ve come up with 10 cool things to do around NYC this summer that may tickle your fancy.

1.    The 4Knots Music Festival

Where:  South Street Seaport, Pier 17, NYC

When:  July 14

The 4Knots Music Festival features emerging artists from the indie scene.  Previous acts have included The Black Angels, Titus Andronicus, and Yeasayer.  This year’s festival will feature Archers of Loaf, The Drums, the Crocodiles, Hospitality, Bleached, Nick Waterhouse, Team Spirit, Doldrums, Devin and more TBA.

Website:  http://microapp.villagevoice.com/4knots/2012/

2.    Beer Here:  Brewing New York’s History

Where:  The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, NYC

When:  Now-September 2

Beer Here is a historical exhibit at The New-York Historical Society that reviews the history of production and consumption of beer, ale, and porter in New York since the 17th century.  At the conclusion of the exhibit, get a chance to taste a selection of some of the finest New York artisanal beers.

Website:  http://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/beer-here

3.    HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival

Where:  Bryant Park, NYC

When:  Every Monday between now and August 20

Every Monday night at dusk, watch free outdoor film screenings of some of the most renowned films in U.S. cinema.  Films this year include Pyscho, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Wizard of Oz, Roman Holiday, Rebel Without a Cause, and Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Website:  http://www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/filmfestival.html

4.    The Hester Street Fair

Where:  Hester and Essex Streets, NYC

When:  Every Saturday from now until October 27

Harkening back to the days of the pushcart market held on Hester Street, The Hester Street Fair is an open-air market that offers vintage finds, artisan creations, and delicious food.

Website:  http://www.hesterstreetfair.com/

5.    Museum Mile Festival

Where:  Fifth Avenue between 82nd and 105th Streets, NYC

When:  June 12

Officially named the Museum Mile, Fifth Avenue between 82nd and 105th streets features some of the most renowned museums in the nation.  This year, the Museum of African Art, El Museo Del Barrio, the Museum of the City of New York, the Smithsonian, The National Academy Museum & School, the Guggenheim, Neue Galerie, the Goethe Institute, and the Museum of Modern Art will open their doors to the public for free.  This event also includes a block party all along the Mile with free music, street performers, and more.

Website:  http://museummilefestival.org/

6.    Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest

Where:  Surf Ave, Brooklyn

When:  July 4

The task:  eat as many hot dogs as you can in 10 minutes.  The challengers:  some of the most skilled eaters you’ve ever seen.

Website:  http://nathansfamous.com/PageFetch/getpage.php?pgid=38

7.    Northside Festival

Where:  Brooklyn

When:  June 14-21

Crowned “NYC’s largest and most accessible discovery festival,” the Northside Festival features bands, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, and innovators from around the world.  This year artists like Questlove and Of Montreal are set to play.  Along with bands, over 60 films will be screened this year, including Take This Waltz, which stars Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen.  Entrepreneurial panelists set to attend include Kellan Elliot-McCrea of Etsy, Anand Giridharads of the New York Times, GZA of the Wu-Tang Clain, and Dennis Crowley of Foursquare.

Website:  http://www.northsidefestival.com/

 8.    Prospect Park Food Truck Rally at Grand Army Plaza

Where:  Flatbush Ave and Prospect Park West at Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn

When:  Third Sunday of the Month from now until October

Like food on the go?  Then you’ll love NY’s Food Truck Rally featuring some of NY’s finest food trucks.

Website:  http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/food-truck-rally

9.    Shakespeare in the Park

Where:  Delacorte Theater, mid-park at 80th St, NYC

When:  June 5-30, July 23-August 25

One of NYC’s most beloved summertime traditions, Shakespeare in the Park will bring As You Like It and Into the Woods to the public as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of these free performances.

Website:  http://shakespeareinthepark.org/

10. Ignite the Night:  Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks

Where:  Hudson River, NYC

When:  July 4th

America’s largest 4th of July celebration, Ignite the Night features over 40,000 firework shells launched from 6 barges between West 24th and West 50th Streets.  Performers this year are Katy Perry and Kenny Chesney.

Website:  http://social.macys.com/fireworks/?cm_mmc=VanityUrl-_-fireworks-_-n-_-n

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Events, Student Life

10 Cool Things to do in Massachusetts this Summer

While there are a ton of things to do in Massachusetts (Boston alone has everything you could ever need), we’ve put together a list of cool things to do that are either major attractions you just HAVE to see or are things that may be slightly “off the beaten path.”

1.    Food Truck Festival of New England     

Where:  Boston, Charlestown, Worcester, Brighton, Falmouth, Lowell, East Boston, Hingham, Framingham

When:  Jun 10, 16, Jul 14, 28, Aug 25, Sept 8, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 20

This isn’t that dinky little ice cream truck that used to drive around your neighborhood.  This is eating in style, but just with wheels.  This year, the Food Truck Festival will travel throughout Massachusetts to various locations, and will feature over 50 different food trucks from across the northeast.

Website:  http://foodtruckfestivalsofne.com/

2.    Chowderfest                                                                                    

Where:  City Hall Plaza, Boston

When:  July 1

Also know by the locals as “Chowdahfest,” it is one of the main events of Boston Harborfest and features chowder from various restaurants across Boston.  Get a chance to sample each kind, and vote on your favorite.

Website:  http://www.bostonharborfest.com/chowderfest.html

3.    JawsFest:  The Tribute                                                                  

Where:  Martha’s Vineyard

When:  August 9-12

A little strange, we know, but actually sounds kind of awesome at the same time.  JawsFest in Martha’s Vineyard includes discussions about the making of JAWS, live scene re-enactments, a museum-quality display of JAWS memorabilia, JAWS trivia, and learn about the real predators behind the film.

Website:  http://www.jawstribute.com/

4.    Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular                                         

Where:  The Esplanade in Boston

When:  July 4

Watch the Boston Pops Play along with a huge fireworks display on the nation’s independence day.

Website:  http://www.july4th.org/

5.    SoWa Open Market                                    

Where:  500 Harrison Ave, Boston

When:   Every Sunday May 6-October 28

The SoWa Open Market is a trendy open market featuring original art, food trucks, indie designer clothing, ceramics, glass, photography, jewelry, handbags, house wares, baked goods, and local produce.

Website:  http://www.sowaopenmarket.com/

6.    Freedom Crawl Pub Crawl                                                                      

Where:  Fanueil Hall, Boston

When:  July 21

A huge pub crawl that loosely follows the Freedom Trail in Boston to 11 or 12 different renowned bars and pubs in the Fanueil Hall area.

Website:  http://freedomcrawl.com/

7.    Phantom Gourmet BBQ Beach Party                                          

Where:  City Hall Plaza, Boston

When:  June 22

One of the premiere rib fests in the U.S., the Phantom Gourmet BBQ Beach Party features barbecue teams from around the world.  The event also features beer gardens, sand, music, and even a Ferris wheel!

Website:  http://bbq.phantomgourmet.com/

8.    Samuel Adam Brewery

Where:  30 Germania Street, Boston

When:  Monday-Thursday 10 am -3 pm

Ever wondered how they do it?  Well wonder no more!  All you 21+s can take a tour of one of America’s most famous breweries and get a chance to taste some of what they make.

Website:  http://www.samueladams.com/share-passion/tours.aspx

9.    Skywalk Observatory

Where: 800 Boylston Street, Boston

When:  Every day 10 am – 10 pm

Get a bird’s eye of all of Boston from atop the Prudential Building.  This is probably one of the most expansive views in the entire city.

Website:  http://www.prudentialcenter.com/shop/shop_detail.php?id=64

10. Institute of Contemporary Art

Where:  100 Northern Ave, Boston

When:  Tuesday and Wednesday 10 am-5pm, Thursday and Friday 10 am – 9 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 5pm

Situated in one of probably the coolest buildings in Boston, the Institute of Contemporary Art features some of the most significant national and international pieces.  The exhibits highlight all types of media, including visual art, music, film, video, and performance art.

Website:  http://www.icaboston.org/

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Events, Student Life

10 Cool Things to do in Rhode Island this Summer

Just moved to RI, or just have no clue what there is to do when you don’t have to go to class?  Here’s a list of 10 suggestions (in no particular order) of things that you might enjoy this summer:

1.    Providence Waterfire              

Where:    Downtown Providence

When:  Jun 9 & 23, Jul 21, Aug 18, Sept 15, and 29th

Waterfire is probably one of coolest events Providence has to offer. If you’ve haven’t seen it yet, it’s quite an unusual sight.  Ever year since 1994, bonfires (in the water) are lit all the way down the Providence River.  It’s quite an attraction, and pretty cool to see, especially when you get to the basin.   This is definitely something worth seeing.

Website:  http://www.waterfire.org/

2.    Newport Folk Festival 

Where:    Fort Adams State Park, Newport

When:  July 28 and 29

It was this festival that saw Bob Dylan go electric for the first time, the national debut of Joan Baez and Kris Krisofferson, and the first time the Pixies went acoustic.  Since 1959, the Newport Folk Festival has been marked in musical history as one of the most influential festivals in U.S. history.  This year’s event at Fort Adams State Park in Newport boasts acts like My Morning Jacket, Iron & Wine, Dawes, Deer Tick, Jackson Brown, and Tom Morello’s solo project, the Nightwatchman.

Website:  www.newportfolkfest.net

3.    Charlestown Seafood Festival                                                      

Where:  Ninigret Park, Charlestown

When:  August 3-5

If you like seafood, look no further.  The Charlestown Seafood Festival features Rhode Island’s best seafood including lobsters, steamers, chowder, fish and chips, clam cakes, corn on the cob, and a raw bar.  The event includes other attractions (other than the food) like arts and crafts, amusement rides, a rock-climbing wall, a car show, a kite exhibition, bungee jumping, a petting zoo, and more!

http://www.charlestownrichamber.com/seafoodfestival.html for more info.

4.    Rhode Island International Film Festival                                  

Where:  All Around RI

When:  August 7-12

Like indie films?  Then you’ll like the RI International Film Festival (RIIFF).  Filmmakers from around the world are given a chance to feature their independent films, from a wide array of genres to the public.  Last year’s event saw over 204 works!

Website:  http://www.film-festival.org/

5.    South County Hot Air Balloon Festival                                     

Where:  URI Athletic Fields, Kingston

When:  July 20-22

Well, you can obviously guess that there will be balloons at this event.  But along with a ton of balloons, this event hosts a wide array of other attractions including a BBQ Competition, a carnival, kite flying, fireworks, and a performance by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band.

Website:  http://www.southcountyballoonfest.com/festivalinfo

6.    Newport Jazz Festival                                                                    

Where:  Fort Adams State Park, Newport

When:  August 3-5

It was the first annual jazz festival in the United States and has hosted legendary performers like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis.  This year’s Festival will also host a wide array of historical acts like Dr. John & The Lower 911, The Jack DeJohnette All-Starts, and Kurt Elling.

Website:  http://newportjazzfest.net/

7.    Urban Dare Providence                                                                            

Where:  Ri Ra Irish Pub, Providence

When:  July 7

Ever want to be on Amazing Race?  Well, this is just the shortened version!  It’s a one-day event that includes a bit of running, a bit of answering questions, and a bit of just finding your way around Providence.

Website:  http://www.urbandare.com/

8.    Design the Night                  

Where:  RISD Museum, Providence

When:  every third Thursday in June, July and August

This is an event that includes just a little bit of everything.  RISD’s Design the Night features live music, films, hands-on art making, artist demonstrations, discussions, and all of the best RI food trucks.

Website:  http://risdmuseum.org/uploadedFiles/Museum_of_Art/About/Press_Releases/RISD_Museum-Design_the_Night_press_release.pdf

9.    Newport Blues and BBQ Festival                                             

Where:  Newport Yachting Center

When:  August 18

This year marks the first EVER Newport Blues and BBQ Festival features local and national blues acts like John Lee Hooker, Jr., and Marcia Ball.  The menu includes a variety of specialty BBQ and a full bar with cold brews and cocktails. Website:  http://www.newportwaterfrontevents.com/newport-waterfront-blues-bbq-festival/

10. Rhode Island Local Food Fest                                                     

Where:  Castle Hill Inn, Newport

When:  August 7

Like eating locally grown foods?  The RI Local Food Fest will feature 2 dozen local farmers and producers with restaurants from across the state.  The event will include local wines, beers, live music, and a silent auction.

Website:  http://www.farmfreshri.org/about/localfoodfest.php

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