Looking for things to do in NYC this week? There’s no shortage of options for entertainment in the City that Never Sleeps. As a Brooklyn-based moving company, we here at Metropolis Movers have a pulse on New York City and have gathered our top five picks for the week, including opera, museum activities, comedy acts, and more.
1. Catch a Free Opera Show: August 26 – September 8
If you’re musically-inclined, on a budget, and looking for things to do in NYC this week, now’s the time to soak up your favorite shows. The Metropolitan Opera is setting up 2,800 seats in front of the Lincoln Center and offering up free video viewings of some of its most popular shows of all time. Most shows are in the evening, with start times ranging from about 7:30 pm on, but a few have additional showtimes in the afternoon. Shows and dates are listed below to give you an idea of what’s available, but you’ll want to head over to the Met’s website to get full details on the 2018 Summer HD Festival.
- Norma (August 26)
- Elektra (August 27)
- Il Barbiere di Siviglia (August 28)
- Lulu (August 29)
- Rusalka (August 30)
- L’Elisir d’Amore (August 31)
- Un Ballo in Maschera (September 1)
- Der Rosenkavalier (September 2)
- Madama Butterfly (September 3 and 8)
2. See and Vote on Rising Talent: August 29
Amateur Night at the Apollo is a mainstay in Harlem—operating for more than 80 years. Think of it like America’s Got Talent or American Idol, but you’re the judge. Your cheers or boos will decide who the winner is and give them a shot at a $20,000 prize. “We offer them what no one else offers them — the power of the boo,” Amateur Night producer Marion J. Caffey told Rolling Stone Magazine in an interview. “When you watch little old ladies, Eurocentric ladies and African ladies and Asian ladies, man, power up their boo? And they’ve never booed a person in their lives? And the freedom that comes over them, when it’s like, ‘Is it OK?’ To watch that transformation in the audience where, by the last person or second-to-the-last person, they feel like, ‘Hmmm… I’m gonna try this! Booo!’ And it’s a timid boo! Yet, it is a boo from deep within.” While we don’t necessarily suggest you go there with the express intent to “boo,” the theater promises it’s “The best fun you can have in this town for under $30.” The season kicks off this Wednesday August 29, but shows run every Wednesday through the end of the year. Head over to the Apollo Theater’s website for more details or to purchase tickets.
3. Immerse Yourself in Color: Now – September 30
Initially created as a month-long exhibition in San Francisco, the Color Factory has gone Big Apple. It’s a collaborative and interactive museum of sorts put on with the help of some local artists, writers, and musicians, with some proceeds going to local charities too. Once inside the 20,000-square-foot space, visitors will be treated to 16 rooms full of whimsical and colorful exhibits, such as giant blue ball pit to play in and a disco dancefloor. Museum of Manhattan even has its own space dedicated to oddities and visitors can pick up free stuff from some of the event sponsors, including candy, ice cream, and cosmetics. Purchasing tickets online in advance is required, so head over to the Color Factory’s site to learn more and grab your tickets before they sell out.
4. Check Out a Vaudeville-Style Magic Show: August 27 & September 3
If you’ve always been dazzled by magicians, you can get your fix at Monday Night Magic—New York’s longest-running Off-Broadway magic show. It’s hosted at the Players Theatre and features one headliner as well as two or three supporting acts, which generally means shows go on for two hours or more. To be clear, these aren’t just magic acts, but rather more full entertainment, with acts incorporating comedy and more into their performances. Shows are geared toward adults but are kid-friendly, though you should be aware they do frequently pull people from the audience to participate. Show dates and performers are outlined below. If you miss this Monday, there’s another show the following Monday, but otherwise you’ll have to wait until the end of September to catch it. For full details, go to MondayNightMagic.com. Monday August 27
- Michael Karas (Amazing & Unique Juggling Artist)
- David Corsaro (He’s Seen a Million Faces and Amazed Them All!)
- Chris Capehart (The Master Magician)
Monday September 3
- David Corsaro (He’s Seen a Million Faces and Amazed Them All!)
- Carl Mercurio (Spreading Magic and Love Worldwide)
- Harrison Greenbaum (Award-Winning Comedian and Conjuror)
5. Get Some Laughs In
No joke, if laughing is on your list of things to do in NYC this week, you have a bounty of comedy shows to choose from. Monday August 27
- OutCasts: A Comedy Show About Outcasts at Union Hall (Awkward NYC comedians share their experiences; featuring Ike Ufomadu, Moss Perricone, Rachel Sennott, Jon Wan, and more.)
Tuesday August 28
- So Many Problems at Union Hall (Comedians discuss flaws, fears, and issues; lineup includes Becca Beberaggi, Sydnee Washington, Bobby Hankinson, Molly Austin, Doug Smith, Usama Siddiquee, Melissa Rocha.)
Wednesday August 29
- Hot Box Comedy at et al. (Sydnee Washington, Marie Faustin, and friends doing stand-up.)
- Jenny’s Birthday Variety Show at Union Hall (Comedian Jenny Gorelick with real-life bestie Addie Weyrich, plus Mary Kate Doherty, Sam Taggart, DJ @rlos Charlie, Community Dance Corps, Dewayne Perkins, Clare O’Kane, Sydnee Washington, and Shantira Jackson)
- Alyssa Limperis: No Bad Days at the Tank (Stand-up and podcaster Alyssa Limperis uses humor and Zumba to explore the process of saying goodbye to her terminally ill father.)
Thursday August 30
- It’s a Guy Thing at Industry City (All-female trio Mitra Jouhari, Patti Harrison, and Catherine Cohen get schooled on guy stuff they don’t understand by a group of comedians.)
Is Moving on Your List of Things to Do in NYC This Week?
Sure, it may not be quite like attending a comedy show, and you probably wouldn’t want it to be like one anyway, but we can certainly help make your NYC move much more enjoyable. Our perfect five-star rating guarantees cheers, rather than boos, and our speed will help make sure you’ve got plenty of time to explore all New York City has to offer too. We specialize in both residential and commercial moves, plus can get you relocated anywhere here in the Big Apple or long-distance as well. Grab your free moving quote online or call us at (718) 710-4520 to begin planning today.
