NYC Best: Father’s Day, Brooklyn Beer, Bloomsday, Banging
Spend a minute alone in a universe of twinkling lights, water, mirrors and reflections created by reclusive Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who prefers the comfort of a mental hospital.
The spellbinding installation, “Fireflies on the Water,” can be found behind a nondescript door on the ground floor at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
The work is up in advance of the artist’s career retrospective opening next month.
At 945 Madison Ave. Information: +1-212-570-3600; http://whitney.org.
Saturday Afternoon
Poetry’s serious side gets a hearing when survivors of the March 11, 2011 earthquake in Japan read their poems in the tanka form, similar to haiku.
Haruo Shirane, professor of Japanese literature at Columbia University, puts the work in context.
“Voices from Japan” is at Poets House, 10 River Terrace in Battery Park City from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Information: +1-212- 431-7920; http://www.poetshouse.org.
Saturday Evening
James Joyce fans and other inspired oddballs can gather for their yearly “Ulysses” fix at “Bloomsday on Broadway,” which samples chapters from the epic set on June 16, 1904.
This year focuses on the novel’s musical treats, from popular song and opera to the verbal fugue of the “Sirens” episode.
David Margulies performs the role of Leopold Bloom and in the long finale Fionnula Flanagan loosens her stays for Molly’s soliloquy.
At Symphony Space, Broadway and 95th Street, from 7 p.m. to past midnight. Information: +1-212-864-5400; http://www.symphonyspace.org.
Father’s Day
Calling all sporting gents and dandies! Take a spin in the rumble-seat of a genuine 1920s motor car, pull for the winning side in a game of tug o’ war and learn to dance the Charleston with your favorite flapper.
The family-friendly Jazz Age Lawn Party is back on Governors Island with music by Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra with a performance by the 10-girl Dreamland Follies.
Tasty fare and refreshing beverages like fresh-squeezed lemonade, Brooklyn beer and St-Germain Cocktails are served.
Cash only, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free ferry service takes you to the island. Information: http://www.eventbee.com/v/lawnparty.
Father’s Day Lunch
Thomas Keller, the only American chef with two sets of three Michelin stars, charges $52 for his four-course fried chicken dinner at Ad Hoc in California’s Napa Valley.
This Father’s Day, he brings all that great grease to his Bouchon Bakery in New York’s Time Warner Center, at a bit of a discount: $38 per person for a slightly shorter menu.
Diners feast on asparagus salad with poached hen egg, fried chicken with leek bread pudding and blueberry pie with buttermilk ice cream for dessert.
Walk-ins only from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. At 10 Columbus Circle. Information: +1-212-823-9366; http://www.bouchonbakery.com/time-warner-center.
Sunday Evening
Clever music group Bang on a Can celebrates its 25th Anniversary Sunday at the Winter Garden.
Beginning at noon with Lois V Vierk, the free festival continues to midnight, and includes Pauline Oliveros and the Deep Listening Band, Dither, Heavy Hands and Talujon.
At 220 Vesey St. Information: +1-718-852-7755; http://bangonacan.org.
(Catherine Smith writes for Muse, the arts and culture section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are her own.)
Muse highlights include a Lewis Lapham podcast and movie reviews.
To contact the writer on the story: Catherine Smith in New York c.smith@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
'Fireflies on the Water'
Yayoi Kusama/Robert Miller Gallery via Bloomberg
"Fireflies on the Water," (2002) by Yayoi Kusama. The work, made from 150 lights and water, is on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.
"Fireflies on the Water," (2002) by Yayoi Kusama. The work, made from 150 lights and water, is on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Photographer: Yayoi Kusama/Robert Miller Gallery via Bloomberg
"Bloomsday on Broadway"
Symphony Space via Bloomberg
"Bloomsday on Broadway" is at Symphony Space in New York City. The event celebrates James Joyce's Ulysses and is in its 31st year.
"Bloomsday on Broadway" is at Symphony Space in New York City. The event celebrates James Joyce's Ulysses and is in its 31st year. Source: Symphony Space via Bloomberg
Jazz Age Lawn Party
Rosalie Knox via Bloomberg
The 2011 Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island. This year's party will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Tasty fare and refreshing beverages like fresh-squeezed lemonade, Brooklyn beer and St-Germain Cocktails will be served.
The 2011 Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island. This year's party will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Tasty fare and refreshing beverages like fresh-squeezed lemonade, Brooklyn beer and St-Germain Cocktails will be served. Photographer: Rosalie Knox via Bloomberg
"Bang on a Can"
Peter Serling/Bang On A Can via Bloomberg
"Bang on a Can" artistic directors Michael Gordon, David Lang and Julia Wolfe. The musical group is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Sunday at the Winter Garden in Battery Park City.
"Bang on a Can" artistic directors Michael Gordon, David Lang and Julia Wolfe. The musical group is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Sunday at the Winter Garden in Battery Park City. Photographer: Peter Serling/Bang On A Can via Bloomberg
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