Things To Do This Weekend In New York City & Roosevelt Island- Inflatable Sculpture, Chinese New Year Tour, MOMA Political Movies & RI Photo Exhibit

Image of Inflatable Sculptures from 3rd Ward

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

On Friday night take a trip to Brooklyn's 3rd Ward to view their current exhibition of Inflatable Sculptures. According to Free NYC:

A one-night exhibition of towering sculptures that by morning will fit into the pocket of even your skinniest jeans. Featuring the work of students from 3rd Ward's Inflatable Sculpture Class, Instructor Partick Flibotte, his former students from University of Miami, and Billie Grace Lynn. Live Music from DJ Tanner, Complimentary Drinks & a Crash Course in Inflatable Sculpture Building.

On Saturday afternoon, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is conducting a Preparing for the New Year Walking Tour. According to MOCA:

Witness how Chinatown transforms itself in preparation for the New Year. Learn about the traditions and customs observed by Chinese households and discover the significance of red envelopes and New Year foods and decorations. Enjoy the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of Chinatown as MOCA’s experienced docents take you on the most festive tour of the year! This seasonal tour will now include a shopping and tasting portion of Manhattan’s Chinatown!

On Sunday the Museum of Modern Art is showing a cinematic double feature on Abraham Lincoln as part of MOMA's week long American Politics series. The two Lincoln films are:

Abraham Lincoln. 1930. USA. Directed by D. W. Griffit. Screenplay by Stephen Vincent Benet. With Walter Huston, Una Merkel, Ian Keith. A respectful and poetic account of Lincoln's entry into politics, Griffith's first sound film is a sincere, passionate, and moving portrait of a remarkable man. 97 min.

and

Young Mr. Lincoln. 1939. USA. Directed by John Ford. Screenplay by Lamar Trotti. With Henry Fonda, Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver. In this fictionalized account, a young Abraham Lincoln moves from Kentucky to small-town Springfield, Ohio, where he begins to practice law. 100 min.

On Roosevelt Island this weekend, the Farmers Market will be open as usual on Saturday as is Gallery RIVAA, the Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association which is exhibiting the Winter of Change group show. Also, RIOC has produced a great self guided tour map (PDF File) of Roosevelt Island for any visitor or resident looking to stroll the Island and learn something more about it.

Roosevelt Island will also host 2 events this weekend. On Sunday The Roosevelt Island Historical Society is presenting a photo exhibit on the Effler Family's Life on Roosevelt Island in the early 20th Century. The second event on Sunday afternoon is a concert by the ZigZag Quarted hosted by the Church of the Good Shepherd. The ZigZag quartet:

brings innovative programs with a wide variety of musical styles, including their own arrangements of the classics, spanning three centuries: from the Baroque to jazz and Latin American to premiered works written for the quartet. A mix of solos, duos and trios showcase the artists and the instruments.

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 service advisories either.

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.