Things To Do This Weekend In New York City & Roosevelt Island - Free Classical Music, LES Rooftop Films, Leonard Cohen & Roosevelt Island Walking Tour

You Tube Video of Leonard Cohen Performing Hallelujah In Dublin 2008

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 2009 Rosemarie & Robin Russell Family Concert Series will be held tonight, 8PM at Roosevelt Island's Chapel of the Good Shepherd (543 Main Steet) with a free classical music program of Bach, Mozart & Brahms. The musicians performing are:

• Ralph Allen, violin
• Geoffrey Duce, piano

If the weather cooperates on Saturday night, NY Times Urban Eye recommends:

...the Rooftop Films season officially begins Friday night. Head to the top of New Design High on the Lower East Side for a screening of short films, music from Cymbals Eat Pandas and an afterparty (with free beer!) at Fontana’s. If you want it enough, summer will eventually come.

On Sunday afternoon, take a historical walking tour of Roosevelt Island with Bernie. According to Cititour:

ROOSEVELT ISLAND
Walking Tours
History
May 17
2:00pm to 4:00pm
$15

Tour this unusual Island Once called Blackwells Island, Welfare Island. A Place were the city's Undesirables were sent.

One of my all time favorites, Leonard Cohen, is performing Saturday and Sunday night and is a NY Post Hot Pick:

COHEN HEAD

He was here in February, but hallelujah, he's back. Legendary singer, songwriter and Renaissance man Leonard Cohen, who turns 75 in September, will perform at Radio City Music Hall tomorrow and Sunday at 8 p.m. It's part of his first American tour in 15 years. Tickets are $69.50 to $254.50 at radiocity.com; Sixth Avenue at 50th Street, 212-247-4777

Click here for some You Tube videos of Leonard Cohen performing First We Take Manhattan, Hallelujah, Democracy and others great songs.

On Roosevelt Island this weekend, in addition to tonight's classical music concert, the Roosevelt Island Health and Fitness Day will take place on Saturday. Also, the Farmers Market is open as usual on Saturday as is Gallery RIVAA, the Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association which is exhibiting the final weekend of Art From The Heart featuring the works of Coler-Goldwater Hospital patients. Another suggestion - 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.

The MTA is reporting no Queens Bound Roosevelt Island F Train subway service this weekend so plan accordingly.

F 179 St-bound trains run on the from 47-50 Sts to Roosevelt Av
Weekend, 12:01 AM Sat to 5 AM Mon, May 16 - 18

RIOC is not reporting any Tram Advisories for this weekend although there is a bike rack advisory for 2 - 5 AM.

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