Things To Do This Weekend In New York City & Roosevelt Island - Working Waterfront, Ebbets Field, Water Day Concert & RI Russian Soprano

You Tube Video of Ebbets Field Being Demolished

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

The third Friday of every month is free at the South Street Seaport Museum. On the program tonight is:

MEET THE WORKING WATERFRONT
Friday, March 21, 2009
5-8pm
Meet tugboat and ferry captains, a harbor pilot, shipping managers, and other New York waterfront workers to hear their stories. Children will also enjoy building simple model boats and playing with them on a harbor play mat. RSVPs are appreciated to ensure adequate seating: 212-748-8786 or reservations@southstseaport.org.

On Saturday afternoon, the Brooklyn Historical Society is presenting a new history of Walter O'Malley and the decision of the Dodgers to leave Brooklyn and Ebbets Field for Los Angeles.

Join Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael D'Antonio with Peter O'Malley, president of the Los Angeles Dodgers 1970 - 1998, and Richard Sandomir, Sports Broadcasting Reporter for the New York Times, as they discuss the true story of Walter O'Malley and the Dodgers of Brooklyn and Los Angeles on the occasion of the launch of a new book Forever Blue.

On Sunday, Free NYC suggests the World Water Day Concert:

"As a part of CUNY’s commitment to promoting a culture for sustainability, the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College presents their free classical music series Great Music for a Great City Water Our Most Precious Resource: A Celebration of World Water Day... This narrated concert will call attention to our international water crisis. The program will feature musical works that celebrate water, including works by Schubert, Copland, Brahms, spirituals & world music. Speakers include John Jay College President Jeremy Travis and President of the Water Keeper Alliance Steve Fleischli. Featuring Eli Wallach, narrator, with Mayim Water music by Israeli Ensemble Rafi Malkiel; the Harlem Vocal Arts Ensemble; and Metropolitan Opera soloists Camellia Johnson, soprano, Terry Cook, bass baritone, and Sirena Huang, violin."

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 a new group show titled Vernissage 8. On Sunday afternoon, The Church of the Good Shepherd is holding it's Sunday Concert series:

... with Russian soprano, Irina Mozyleva, and pianist, Louis Menendez performing a program of Russian songs and arias titled “Russian Souvenirs” - an inspired presentation of timeless Russian romances and songs by Rachmaninov, Dunaevsky, Dargomyzhsky, Glinka and Arensky with select pieces by American composers of Russian descent.

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.

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 and Spare Times, NY Post Weekend Calendar, and Newyorkology.