Things To Do This Weekend in New York City and Roosevelt Island - Art Hopping, Mead Film Festival, Intrepid Museum & Roy Eaton Plays Piano

Image of Williamsburg art map from Raw Magazine

Looking for fun things to do on Roosevelt Island or in some other part of New York City this weekend? Here are some suggestions.

For tonight, Free NYC recommends a trip to Williamsburg for Every 2nd Friday to take in the neighborhood art galleries which are presenting new works and will stay open late.

Celebrate your existence with a glittering adventure along the streets of Williamsburg, where galleries will be keeping their doors open late into the night, with special openings, closings, and events. This Friday we'll also be celebrating the release of RAW 2009, the Williamsburg Gallery Association's guide to the art spaces of Brooklyn. Be sure to come by the afterparty for the Art Battle, special exhibition, burlesque, and other examples of utter madness

On Saturday, if you prefer your art hopping in Manhattan, the NY Times showcases galleries in Chelsea, SoHo, the Lower East Side and Upper East Side together with an interactive neighborhood gallery tour map.

For those looking to explore other cultures, this weekend the American Museum of Natural History is presenting the Margaret Mead Film and Video Festival:

... the longest-running, premiere showcase for international documentaries in the United States, encompassing a broad spectrum of work, from indigenous community media to experimental nonfiction. The Festival is distinguished by its outstanding selection of titles, which tackle diverse and challenging subjects, representing a range of issues and perspectives, and by the forums for discussion with filmmakers and speakers.

On Sunday visit the newly re-opened Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum. It is:

... one of America’s leading historic, cultural and educational institutions. Opened in 1982, the Museum has welcomed more than 10 million visitors. The Museum is centered on the aircraft carrier Intrepid (CVS-11), one of the most successful ships in US history, and now a national historic landmark and one of the most unique attractions in New York City. In 1943, Intrepid was commissioned and served proudly in World War II. She went on to serve as one of the primary recovery vessels for NASA, three tours of duty off Vietnam, and submarine surveillance in the North Atlantic during the Cold War. Today she continues her service as a premiere educational center and a monument to all who have served our nation in uniform.

The Museum features a range of interactive exhibits and events providing a snapshot of heroism, education, and excitement. Children and adults alike find themselves immersed in and inspired by the Museum’s exhibits, which range from thrilling historical re-creations such as Kamikaze: Day of Darkness, Day of Light, to new interactive displays. Visitors also can ride in the A-6 Cockpit Simulator, visit the Virtual Flight Zone, and tour the inside of the world’s fastest commercial airplane, Concorde. More than 50,000 schoolchildren participate in the Museum’s unique educational programs every year. These programs cover every age group and include special initiatives such as character and leadership development. The Museum also hosts the annual Fleet Week celebration in honor of our military personnel.

On Roosevelt Island this weekend, the Farmers Market will be open on Saturday and the Sunday Afternoon Concert series returns to the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Sunday, November 16, 2008
Roy Eaton, Piano
Music of George Gershwin, Scott Joplin and Frederic Chopin

Roosevelt Island has an art Gallery as well, Gallery RIVAA, the Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association currently showing Georgette Sinclair's Great Escapes.

Good weekend transportation news. The MTA is reporting normal Roosevelt Island F Train subway service in both directions and RIOC is not reporting any Tram advisories.

Check out some other ideas on what to do in New York City this weekend from the NY Times Urban Eye, NY Post Weekend Calendar and Newyorkology.