In our inaugural edition of Summer Fridays, allow us to curate your weekend plans by offering a wonderful palette of screenings, concerts, live events, on-going film series and free movies. Living in NYC can be daunting at times. Amid sky-high rents, the treachery of the subway, and long outer borough commutes, arranging for relaxation time even on the weekends can be daunting, especially in one of the cultural capitals of the world (that's not a clich it's a well known fact) where there are an almost overwhelming number of choices.
Let us make your life easier at least as far as your weekend-planning process goes. In our new Summer Friday feature, we'll narrow down a plethora of options by recommending NYC events, both film and non-film related, to enjoy on your upcoming weekend.
Because living in Gotham city is not cheap and many of you are on a budget, our intern Freddie will offer his two-cents on the best free activities happening in the city each weekend.
Friday, June 7: Instrument
MoMi at 7:00PM
Ticket: Free with price of museum admission
Directed by Jem Cohen, this documentary follows the life of the band Fugazi over the span of eleven years from 1987 to 1998. With concert footage, interviews and audience reactions, the film is an incredibly intimate portrayal of the hardcore band. Guitarist/vocalist Guy Picciotto will attend in person for a live performance after the screening.
First Frightdays Presents Surveillance
Videology at 7:00PM
Ticket: Free
The first Friday of every month at Videology is dedicated to bringing you the best and worst of the horror genre. Kicking off June is Surveillance, written and directed by Jennifer Cambers Lynch and starring Bill Pullman and Julia Ormand. It's been described as the Rashomon of the 21st Century. Doesn't that peak your interest?
Bad Movie Night - Jaws: The Revenge
92YTribeca at 8:00PM
Ticket: $12
The boys of the beloved podcast The Flop House are back for one last round at 92YTribeca before the downtown institute closes its doors later this month. There's no better way to welcome in summer than with booze and colorful commentary as you watch Michael Caine's remains being chewed by a shark.
Saturday, June 8: The Sound of Silent Film Festival
Anthology Film Archives at 7PM
Ticket: $30 at door, $20 online, $10 students & seniors
See the amazing silent shorts of such filmmakers as Martin Scorsese, Gus Van Sant, and Alexander Payne shown with live music. Native New Yorker, the TFF 2006 prizewinner for Best Documentary Short, will also be screened.
Better than Jaws Weekend: The Last Shark
Spectacle at 12:00AM
Ticket: $5
Jaws is one of the few films having the distinction of spawning a whole sub-genre of movies pitting man against a ferocious natural enemy. Enzo G. Castellari's The Last Shark is so similar to Jaws that it was pulled out of theaters and slapped with a lawsuit from Universal Pictures. Starring Vic Morrow and one terrifying animatronic shark, the film has been unavailable on video in the U.S for decades.
True Romance
Landmark Cinema at 12:00AM
Ticket: $10
If you gave me a million years to ponder, I would never have guessed that true romance and Detroit would ever go together. If you haven't seen True Romance on the big screen, just do it already. Written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott, the film follows two young lovers (Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette) as they flee across country with an accidentally stolen suitcase full of drugs pursued by both sides of the law.
Sunday, June 9: Park Slope Dog Dash
Park Slope Brooklyn at 11:45AM-2PM
Ticket: $20
Love your dog? Participate in a family (and dog) friendly scavenger in Park Slope Brooklyn to benefit Foster Dogs NYC. Learn about fostering an animal and donate to this great local organization.
Ben Kenney (of Incubus)
Bellhouse at 8:30PM (Doors at 7:30PM)
Ticket: $15
The bassist for the famed band Incubus is back on the east coast to perform solo. For a preview of what's to come, you can download his music from his official website.
TV Night
Videology at 9PM
Ticket: Free
The gang at Videology curates their favorite television shows for their beloved patrons. Check their facebook page for the complete line-up.
Freddies Free Pick 3: Doin It In The Park: Pick-Up Basketball
Free Outdoor Screening
The Monsignor Kett Playground
Friday, June 7 at 9PM
First of all, who doesn't love an outdoor screening in the summer. Second, as a red blooded NYC male, basketball is something I always wish I was good at. I am more of the stand in the corner pleading not to get a pass type of player. This movie is a very cool, grass roots exploration of the true Mecca of basketball and highlights everyday players like you and me. Definitely worth a look.
You Can Do Stand-Up
Gotham Comedy Club
Sunday, June 9 at 12:30PM
I am not funny. I wish I was and I try so hard to be, but it just never seems to work out. For the rest of you non-funny people out there (odds are even if you think you are, you aren't), what better chance to learn for free than with The Manhattan Comedy School at the Gotham Comedy Club. You get to practice routines and learn from pros at the cost of listening to a few bad jokes. Nuff said.
3) Park Slope Dog Dash
Park Slope Brooklyn
Sunday, June 9 at 11:45AM
Now, this is cheating a bit because the event is not free. It requires a $20 donation, but that money goes straight to little puppies in Brooklyn. Plus you get free drinks and other fun treats (pun totally intended) along the way through the hunt. AND if you have a dog, you don't have to burn a favor or pay a dog walker.
If you have any suggestions, recommendations, or comments, feel free to send them to freddietheintern@gmail.com.
On-Going Film Series: Harris Savides: Visual Poet at Moma
The entire film co
