Open House New York Weekend and Other Things To Do In New York & Roosevelt Island This Weekend - Have Fun!

Image of Open House New York Logo

Looking for things to do on Roosevelt Island or in New York City this weekend? There's really only one must thing to do this weekend and that is to attend as many Open House New York (OHNY) events that you can possibly manage. It is that good. As described by the Daily News:

Attention, voyeurs! And trespassers, too. There's an event happening soon that's tailor-made for your obsessions.

"Open House New York" presents a dream opportunity for anyone who likes to peek at places where we're normally not allowed - or at least at areas we usually can't crash for free.

Now in its sixth year, this weekend-long event (Oct. 4 and 5) throws open the doors to hundreds of city landmarks, museums, park areas and homes - many of them otherwise shuttered, obscure or simply ignored. Essentially, OHNY operates like a monster-size treasure hunt, allowing anyone to find scores of pleasurable sights throughout the five boroughs. Along the way, you can poke into places of considerable historic worth, artistic importance or, if nothing else, eccentric flair.

There will be a Roosevelt Island Walk as part of OHNY on Saturday at 4:15 beginning from the Tramway station on 2nd avenue and 60th street (maximum of 25 people), a tour of Octagon and Lighthouse Park on Saturday and Sunday as well as a viewing of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society Kiosk. Also, if you happen to be on Roosevelt Island this Saturday, check out the Roosevelt Island Kidfest and the Run For the Congo Women 5K race/walk.

For other suggestions as to what to see during OHNY check out the Bowery Boys, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle and Interior Design.

Here are 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.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night at Roosevelt Island's Smallpox Hospital

Newyorkology reports that during Open House New York the public will be allowed to tour Renwick Ruins at Southpoint Park's abandoned Smallpox Hospital on Roosevelt Island. But,
Roosevelt Island 360 comments on Newyorkology that:

I don't see where on the OHNY site they mention access to the actual Renwick Ruin Smallpox Hospital. RIOC, the State Authority entrusted with the Ruin, would never allow oraginized access to the site as it is not completely stable. The only mention I see on the OHNY site is that The Encampment tent installation will be just South of the Ruin in Southpoint Park.

Newyorkology will seek to clarify if such a tour will be permitted.

For an unauthorized visit to the Renwick Ruins take a look at this You Tube video. It shows a crew of intrepid explorers bravely investigating Renwick Ruins when...

The Encampment Public Art Project - Are the Gates Coming Next to Roosevelt Island?

A Christo Gates like public participatory arts project called the Encampment by artist Thom Sokoloski is coming to Roosevelt Island during Open House New York in partnership with the Roosevelt Island Historical Society and Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association. The project is scheduled to be presented from October 5 - 7 and will place 100 19th century expedition style tents at Southpoint Park. Throughout September the public will be encouraged to participate in the Encampment's creative process.
The Encampment is described as follows:

The Encampment is a large-scale public participatory art installation. One hundred - 19th century expedition-style
tents will be erected as a work of optical art on Roosevelt's Island Southpoint. Though the work can be seen during
the day, its experience is truly a nocturnal one. New Yorkers along both sides of the East River will be able to view the
symmetries of the interiorly lit tents all night long, while the public can experience the installations created by
volunteer creative collaborators within each of the tents from 7pm -1am, October 5-7, 2007.
Since the creation and completion of The Encampment requires the participation of the public, we invite the residents
of Roosevelt Island, as well as multi-disciplinary artists and students focused on art, design, architecture and the
performing arts to join in the creative process. Throughout September they will collaborate with the Creative Team to
research the stories, people, culture, architecture and history of Roosevelt Island. They will have the choice to design
an installation for one of the tents, take part in choreographed ceremonies, partake in a musical landscape or join the
production crew that puts it all together!

The Toronto based creators of the Encampment are also promoting a 24 hour Art Adventure to view the project which includes a private jet from Toronto and a gourmet meal. We don't know if the gourmet meal is on Roosevelt Island or not.

In this 24-hour art adventure you will travel by private jet from Toronto to New York and be chauffeured to the elegant Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, which overlooks The Encampment on Roosevelt Island. That evening you will be treated to a gourmet dinner and be a VIP guest at the premiere of the artwork. Throughout the night and following day you will experience The Encampment from a multitude of perspectives: from your hotel room above, on the East River and at the site itself. The creative team will also guide you on an exclusive tour of Castle Williams, the site of their next work The Babel Symphony, before returning by jet to Toronto.