Things To Do This Labor Day Weekend In New York City & Roosevelt Island - Ethan Lipton Concert, Governors Island Outdoor Movie, Tugboat Race & More

You Tube Video of Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra

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 ideas:

Tonight, take the Ferry out to Governors Island Beach for Rooftop Films Outdoor Movie Presentation of The End Of The Line. According to the Beach At Governors Island:

The End of the Line is the first major feature documentary film revealing the impact of overfishing on our oceans. In the film we see firsthand the effects of our global love affair with fish as food. It examines the imminent extinction of bluefin tuna, brought on by increasing western demand for sushi; the impact on marine life resulting in huge overpopulation of jellyfish; and the profound implications of a future world with no fish that would bring certain mass starvation...

There will also be live music from the Red Hook Ramblers.

On Saturday, Roosevelt Live will be presenting Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra as the final concert this year in their excellent Roosevelt Island Summer Concert Series.

New York Magazine’s Best Lounge Act of 2009", Ethan Lipton & his Orchestra plays a brand of jazz folk country blues that's been compared to the music of Leon Redbone, Randy Newman and Tom Waits. With sharp wit and a cockeyed worldview, singer-songwriter Lipton and his bandmates (guitarist Eben Levy, standup-bass player Ian Riggs and saxophonist Vito Dieterle) deliver their uniquely American music with mixed-message sincerity and soul.

Also appearing will be:

Cynthia Hopkins and Gloria Deluxe - In the spring of 1999, Cynthia Hopkins formed a band in order to record some songs and make an album. The album and the band were both called Gloria Deluxe. The album was released that September and since then, Gloria Deluxe has played at the Bowery Ballroom (opening for David Byrne), the 2001 Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival, Pete’s Candy Store, Tonic, and Joe’s Pub, among numerous other venues,..

The weather is expected to be very nice so come on out to Roosevelt Island and enjoy the concert.

On Sunday, check out the Great North River Tugboat races on the Hudson River. According to the NY Post Weekend Hot Picks:

It's unlikely Sunday's tugboat races will break any air and sea records for speed, but these little engines that could aren't about flash. Go see the 17th annual Great North River Tugboat Race on the Hudson River, which gets under way at 9:30 a.m. when participating ships parade one nautical mile from Pier 84 to the 79th Street Boat Basin before turning around and racing back to where they started at about 10:30 a.m. After the race, boats partake in nose-to-nose pushing competitions before winding up the day with a 1 p.m. awards ceremony. Those wishing to ride aboard a tugboat can do so tomorrow at 10 a.m., thanks to the North River Historic Ship Society, at Pier 84 at 12th Avenue and 44th Street; 212-222-3535, NRHSS.org

On Monday, Labor Day, check out the Metropolitan Opera's free HD Screening of Madam Butterfly at Lincoln Center Plaza.

Monday is also the annual West Indian American Day Parade on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn.

Also on Roosevelt Island this weekend, in addition to the Ethan Lipton Concert from Roosevelt Live on Saturday, the Farmers Market is open as usual as is Gallery RIVAA, the Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association which is exhibiting the final weekend of a show titled Real People Realizing Potential.

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. There will also be Light Jazz performed outside of The Trellis restaurant on Friday and Saturday evening, weather permitting.

The MTA is reporting no Roosevelt Island F Train subway advisories this weekend and neither is RIOC with Tram advisories.

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