The Bucket List • August 2017 • NYC Edition
Alex Aronson
August is packed with a wide variety of events throughout the city, allowing New Yorkers to get the most out of the final weeks of the summer season. This month is another big one for music as Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar and Coldplay all hit the stage. Get ready to spend an evening with Lin-Manuel Miranda or laugh with Dave Chappelle as he makes Radio City Music Hall his home for the month of August, and he’s bringing a lineup of all-star guests. Of course, it wouldn’t be summertime without putting your toes in the sand, so be sure to take the trip to Taste on the Beach for dinner and a show. Whatever you’re looking for, The Bucket List has you covered.
SummerStage at Central Park | July 1 – Sept. 22
Every Summer Central Park transforms into the perfect outdoor concert venue. Highlights this month include performances by Dashboard Confessional, The All-American Rejects (Aug. 3), A Bronz Tale (Aug. 3), Stevie B, Ted Smooth (Aug. 4), Jadakiss (Aug. 6), The Revivalists, White Denim (Aug. 10) and Khalid (Aug. 12).
Warm Up Festival at MoMA PS1 | July 1 – Sept. 2
Now are the final weekends to enjoy the Museum of Modern Art’s outdoor summer music series. Listen to an array of live music from a lineup of contemporary artists every Saturday from noon to nine. MoMA members get a special discount.
NYC Restaurant Week | July 24 – Aug. 18
Treat your taste buds at the 25th anniversary of NYC Restaurant Week. Enjoy three-course lunches for just $29 and dinners for $42. Hot tip: be sure to sign up for the email alerts to learn of the latest open reservations and to make the best of your restaurant week.
Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center | July 25 – Aug. 20
The annual celebration of one of music’s greatest composers returns to the Lincoln Center for the 51st year. The event opens with “The Singing Heart,” and also features guest conductor Edward Gardner interpreting the composer’s vast and complex portfolio.
Blondie w/ Garbage at Beacon Theatre | Aug. 1
The iconic rock and roll band, Blondie, hits the Beacon Theatre for Blondie & Garbage: The Rage and Rapture Tour at Beacon Theatre. The tour comes on the heels of their 11th studio album, “Pollinator,” which dropped in May.
Coldplay at MetLife Stadium | Aug. 1
Named after their seventh studio album, which dropped back in the winter of 2015, Coldplay hits the MetLife stadium for their “A Head Full of Dreams” tour. Special guests include AlunaGeorge and Izzy Bizu.
Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall | Aug. 1 – Aug. 24
The critically acclaimed comedian, Dave Chappelle, calls Radio City Music Hall his home for the month of August. This month long residency comes after the premiere of his two Netflix original stand-up specials. Chappelle is joined by various performers including The Roots (Aug. 1 – Aug. 4), Chris Rock (Aug. 5 – Aug. 6), Chance The Rapper (Aug. 17), Childish Gambino (Aug. 19), Lauryn Hill (Aug. 20), Yasiln Bey, Mos Def, Talib Kweli (Aug. 23), and John Mayer, Ali Wong and Lil Jon (Aug. 24).
Broadway in Bryant Park | Aug. 3 – Aug. 10
Experience the best that Broadway has to offer outdoors. The biggest shows on and off Broadway perform their biggest hits from shows including “STOMP,” “Groundhog Day,” “Wicked,” “Phantom of the Opera” and more. Be sure to check the schedule as the daily routine switches up performances.
Taste on the Beach at Beachfront on National Blvd. | Aug. 4
As summer comes to a close, what better to do than to enjoy some delicious dishes on the Long Beach shore. While you dine, enjoy live musical performances and special screenings from the “Shorts on the Beach” film series. Be sure to arrive early if you want to grab a good seat for the show.
The Tribeca Drive-In Series at Oculus Plaza | Aug. 4
Enjoy the iconic musical, “West Side Story” on the big screen once again. The outdoor summer screening is an ideal way to spend a cool August night. Sip on some beer and wine from nearby Beer Table and Pure Liquid Wine & Spirits. Don’t forget to pass the popcorn.
TV Noir “Let There Be Dark” Screenings at the Paley Center for Media | Aug. 5 – Sept. 3
Travel back in time to enjoy screenings of some of television’s most bizarre and mysterious shows. Screenings include episodes from “Veronica Mars” and “Hannibal” (Aug. 3, Aug. 5), “Dragnet” and “Moonlighting” (Aug. 5, Aug. 13, Aug. 20), “The Twilight Zone,” “Twin Peaks,” and “The X-Files” (Aug. 6, Aug. 27, Sept. 3).
Elements NYC Music & Arts Festival | Aug. 12 + Aug. 13
BangOn!NYC presents the annual Elements Music and Arts Festival. Held at a secret NYC industrial waterfront location, the venue features five stages for musical performances, craft and food venues, interactive art installations, circus performers, a slide, and much more.
“Wet Hot American Summer” + S’mores Roast at Videology | Aug. 20
Before you catch Netflix’s new season of “Wet Hot American Summer,” watch the original film that started it all while you snack on a summer camp favorite. The comedy cult-classic from 2001 stars Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, and a ton of other A-List stars.
Brooklyn Comedy Festival | Aug. 21 – Aug. 27
Bring on the laughs with a lineup of hilarious comedians, films, music, and improvisation shows at the Brooklyn Comedy Festival. Special events include a screening of “Village People” followed by a director Q+A, and Bob the Drag Queen’s newest stand-up special.
Kendrick Lamar at Prudential Center | Aug. 25
Enjoy seven-time Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar on The DAMN tour. The tour follows the release of his critically acclaimed fourth studio album “DAMN,” which has accumulated over 340 million streams. Lamar is joined by YG and D.R.A.M.
The Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival at The Metropolitan Opera House | Aug. 25 – Sept. 4
View the Met’s “Live in HD” series as well as a special screening of “The Magic Flute.” The ninth annual Summer HD Festival takes place right outside the Metropolitan Opera House but also includes an additional standing room around Lincoln Center Plaza. Shows include “Rigoletto” (Aug. 26), “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” (Aug. 27), “La Traviata” (Sept. 4), and others.
Afropunk Brooklyn at Commodore Barry Park | Aug. 26 + Aug. 27
The global festival hits Brooklyn for a two-night event that includes merchandise vendors, live music, food, and drinks. The lineup includes performances by Gary Clark Jr., Michael Kiwanuka, Dizzee Rascal, Sampha, Thundercat, Macy Gray, The Cool Kids, Anderson Paak, and Kaytranada. Get ready to party.
Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra Presents The 12th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party at Governors Island | Aug. 26 + Aug. 27
Travel back in time for this prohibition era inspired gathering, hosted and created by Michael Arenella. The event is a small gathering of about 50 people and attempts to bring back the old time tradition of lawn parties made for every fop and flapper.
Lady Gaga at Citi Field | Aug. 28 + Aug. 29
If you didn’t get to catch the Grammy and Golden Globe winning performer at Coachella this year, now is your chance. Catch the singer, who performed at this year’s Superbowl half-time show, on her Joanne World Tour named after her latest chart-topping album.
An Evening with Lin-Manuel Miranda at The Public Theater | Aug. 29
Reserve your seats fast for an exciting evening honoring Lin-Manuel Miranda with the Anthony Quinn Foundation Award. The event also features musical performances and delicious seasonal dishes by Chef Andrew Carmellini. Miranda has recently shot to fame starring in the hit Broadway musical, “Hamilton.”