Got the Summer Blues? Here’s What To Do About It

We have hit the home stretch, the end of summer. I get the same feeling every August. With each passing end to a long summer day, when night falls around us wrapped in a warm breeze, that feeling gets closer: the summer blues.

Around this time, I get anxious, worried over all that I might get to miss. I go into summer fun overdrive, cramming in any and all last minute summer activities. Here’s a list of what is left to do in New York City.

“Let’s go to the beach, beach. Let’s go get away.”—“Starships” by Nicki Minaj

For New York City’s loyal commuters, go to Rockaway Beach. Located in Far Rockaway, this beach is the closest and easiest to travel to. The A train takes you directly there, but you can turn to Google Maps for more specific directions. If you are one of those rare New Yorkers who owns a car, go to either Long Beach or take a trip to Fire Island. Fire Island is great because it’s remote enough to feel like a getaway yet relatively close to the city.

Outdoor Films

There are tons of venues that offer free outdoor screenings of both classics and popular hits. Nothing is better than relaxing under the starless NYC sky watching a movie within some of city’s most beautiful settings. There is film for almost every day of the week.

Mondays
HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
August 6: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
August 13: All About Eve (1950)
August 20: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Wednesdays
Summerscreen at McCarren Park

August 1: The Princess Bride (1987)

August 8: Top Gun (1986)
August 15: Audience Pick

August 22: Raising Arizona (1987)

Outdoor Cinema at Socrates Sculpture Park
August 1: Senna (2010)
August 8: Summer Wars (2009)
August 15: Certified Copy (2010)
August 22: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring (2003)

Hudson River Park’s RiverFlicks for Grown-Ups at Pier 63
August 1: Limitless (2011)
August 8: Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
August 15: Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
August 22: Horrible Bosses (2011)

Thursdays
Brooklyn Bridge Park Syfy Movies with a View
August 2: Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
August 9: Barefoot in the Park (1967)
August 16: The Big Chill (1983)
August 23: Unforgiven (1992)
August 30: Audience Pick

Fridays
Intrepid Summer Movie Series
August 3: Jurassic Park (1993)
August 17: The Goonies (1985)

Hudson River Park’s RiverFlicks for Kids at Pier 46
August 3: Puss in Boots (2011)
August 10: Rango (2011)
August 17: Back to the Future (1985)
August 24: The Smurfs (2011)

Sundays
Movies Under the Stars at Habana Outpost
August 5: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
August 12: The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
August 19: St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)
August 26: Billy Elliot (2000)

Central Park Conservancy Film Festival
Tuesday, August 21: Do the Right Thing (1989)
Wednesday, August 22: Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
Thursday, August 23: The Big Lebowski (1998)
Friday, August 24: Animal House (1978)
Saturday, August 25: Viewers’ Choice: Coming to America (1988) or Clerks (1994)

Festivals

Festivals are great for fun, food and entertainment. Check out these two:

–The Dragon Boat Festival is held on Saturday, August 4^th, and Sunday, August 5^th, in Meadow Lake, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. Enjoy the dragon boat racing championships, dragon dances and other unique cultural performances.

–The Harlem Week Festival takes place throughout August. It is an annual celebration that features performances, vendors, and tributes at various venues.

Students of the New School can find many more events, concerts and classes listed on MyNewSchool.

*Images were taken from flicker.com.