Things To Do This Weekend In New York City & Roosevelt Island- On The Waterfront Reading, Improv Everywhere, Dance Africa & Remember Memorial Day

Memorial Day image from History.com

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

Tonight, the NY Post Hot Picks suggests:

BE A CONTENDER - Film

One really bad way of experiencing the gritty toughness of life on the docks is to pick a fight with some sailors now that Fleet Week is here. A much better alternative is to head to Hudson River Park's Pier 84 at 44th Street for wine and cheese tonight at 7:30, followed by Brooklyn's Brave New World Repertory Theatre's riverside reading of Budd Schulberg's classic story "On The Waterfront."

I've seen other productions by Brave New World including To Kill A Mockingbird staged on the streets of Victorian Flatbush Brooklyn which was excellent so expect no less from their reading of On The Waterfront.

On Saturday afternoon there is no other place to be than Roosevelt Island for the latest crazy Improv Everywhere extravaganza. According to Budget Travel:

If you're in New York City this weekend, head to Roosevelt Island for a wacky improv "mission" called MP3 Experiment Six. Here's how it works: You download this file: The MP3 Experiment Six. Wear a red, blue, yellow, or green T-shirt, with a white T-shirt under that. Get to Roosevelt Island before 4 p.m., and then precisely at 4, start the MP3 and follow instructions...

For Sunday, Free NYC suggests the Dance Africa Bazaar:

Over 250 vendors from around the world converge on the streets surrounding BAM, transforming the neighborhood into a global marketplace offering Africa, Caribbean, and African-American food, crafts, and fashion. Rain or shine!" Part of DanceAfrica

Monday is Memorial Day and the final day of Fleet Week in New York City. Celebrate at the Intrepid Air and Sea Museum.

Celebrate Fleet Week at the Intrepid Museum complex, and tour other Navy and Coast Guard ships, as they visit New York Harbor. Enjoy special performances from the cast of Wicked and Stomp. Don’t miss out as the military branches battle each other in the famous ‘Tug of War’ and ‘Stem to Stern Relay Race’. Be sure to watch Fleet Week’s most “heated” contest, as chefs from the visiting ships compete for the title of ‘Best Chow’. Visit military displays on pier 86 from all branches of the armed forces, concerts and so much more! Join us for the annual Memorial Day ceremony on the flight deck of Intrepid and the unfurling of the 100ft long American Flag

On Roosevelt Island this weekend, in addition to the MP3 Experiment, there will be a 5K Run For Children's Rights to End Child Trafficking on Saturday morning. Also, the Farmers Market is open as usual on Saturday as is Gallery RIVAA, the Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association which is exhibiting a celebration of the Queensboro Bridge Centennial. 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 Manhattan Bound Roosevelt Island F Train subway service this weekend so plan accordingly.

F Coney Island - bound trains run on the E line from Roosevelt Av to 42nd Street
Weekend, 12:01 AM Sat to 5 AM Tuesday, May 23 - 26

RIOC is not reporting any Tram advisories for the weekend.

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.

In addition to enjoying ourselves this Memorial Day weekend, let's also take a moment to remember the men and women of the United States Military who are currently serving our country and those veterans who have done so in the past. From History.com:

Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. To many people, especially the nation's thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country.

Uncover the interesting history of the holiday we now call Memorial Day. Discover little-known facts about America's Wars and stop by the Veterans Forum message boards to share your views with veterans, their loved ones and fellow history buffs.

If you know a veteran or someone currently serving tell them you appreciate their service and say Thank You. If you see a sailor on the street this weekend, say Thanks to him or her as well.