An unique, fun & social experience awaits you this winter and all year round: Dodgeball League!

Downtown Dodgeball helps bring teams of New Yorkers together for weekly games and social outings. You can join as an individual or small group and be placed on a team, or join as a full team.

Games are held Tuesday nights between 6:30 and 9:30 in the East Village. The winter 2010 coed dodgeball season begins January 19th and runs for 7 weeks with an 8th week of playoffs.
Registration deadline: 12/31/2009. For more info: visit their website

Watch this nicely made video to get a sense of what to expect

Free to watch, $60 to play:
* A full season of dodgeball officiated by Downtown Dodgeball refs
* The opportunity to network with cool ladies and gents in a fun atmosphere
* Access to exclusive drink specials at the league bar
* A Downtown Dodgeball team t-shirt
* And much, much more!

UPDATE: 2010 Events available for April | May | June | July | August | September. Summer event schedules are being finalized and will be updated as soon as they’re available. Please follow @UniqNYC on twitter or facebook.com/UniqNYC for updates.

[−] August Events

➪ Rumble on the River – Outdoor Boxing
➪ Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
➪ Blue’s BBQ – Hudson River Park
➪ Dominican Day Parade

Summer Events Starting in August
➪ US OPEN Tennis
➪ Met Opera Summer HD Festival

Ongoing Events
➪ Street Fairs in August
➪ Williamsburg Pool Parties
➪ SummerStage Central Park & More
➪ Celebrate Brooklyn! In Prospect Park
➪ Movies With A View – Brooklyn Bridge Park
➪ PS1 Warm Up
➪ Socrates Sculpture Park Outdoor Cinema
➪ Lincoln Center Out of Doors
➪ Broadway in Bryant Park
➪ Summer Screen at McCarren Park
➪ Hudson River Flicks
➪ Hudson River Flicks Kids
➪ Hudson River MoonDance
➪ Hudson River Rocks Concerts
➪ Summer in the Square at Union Square
➪ Shakespeare in the Park at Central Park
➪ River to River Festival
➪ Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
➪ Water Taxi Beach
➪ BKLYN Yard Summer Events
➪ Luna Park Amusement Park
➪ Good Morning America Summer Concert Series
➪ DUMBO First Thursdays Gallery Walk
➪ NBC Rockefeller Plaza Concerts
➪ Rooftop Films Summer Series
➪ Big Bambú at the Met Rooftop
➪ Red Hook Ballfields Food Trucks

Ongoing NYC Things To Do

Through the summer
Top 10 Rooftop & Garden Bars in NYC
Through the summer
Latest Broadway and Off-Broadway Deals and Discount Codes
Through the summer
Walk Through the Heart of Central Park
Through the summer
Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge

I will add new things to do to this list as I find out about them. Be the first to be notified by following me on twitter or facebook

The theater may be dark over the summer, but you can still experience extraordinary Met Opera performances, in Lincoln Center, thanks to a brand-new initiative. Starting August 29, the Met will present its first-ever Summer HD Festival, featuring screenings of ten productions from the company’s Peabody and Emmy Award-winning Live in HD series.

The HD productions will be shown in Lincoln Center Plaza on consecutive nights. The screenings are free with no tickets required; 2800 seats will be available each night on a first-come, first served basis. There are no rain dates.

Full Performance Schedule

La Fille du Régiment – August 29 at 8 pm
Donizetti’s comic opera La Fille du Régiment stars Natalie Dessay as Marie, Juan Diego Flórez as Tonio, Felicity Palmer as the Marquise of Berkenfield, Alessandro Corbelli as Sulpice, Donald Maxwell as Hortensius, and Marian Seldes in the spoken role of the Duchess of Krakenthorp. Marco Armiliato conducts. Approximate running time: 140 minutes.

Roméo et Juliette – August 30 at 7:30 pm
Plácido Domingo conducts Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, starring Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna as the star-crossed lovers, Isabel Leonard as Stéphano, Nathan Gunn as Mercutio, and Robert Lloyd as Frère Laurent. Approximate running time: 175 minutes.

Eugene Onegin – August 31 at 7:45 pm
Valery Gergiev conducts Tchaikovsky’s most beloved opera, Eugene Onegin, with Russian baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky in the title role opposite Renée Fleming as the heartbroken Tatiana, with tenor Ramón Vargas as Lenski. Approximate running time: 160 minutes.

Macbeth – September 1 at 8 pm
Met Music Director James Levine conducts Verdi’s Macbeth, featuring Maria Guleghina as Lady Macbeth, Željko Lučić as Macbeth, Dimitri Pittas as Macduff, and John Relyea as Banquo. Approximate running time: 145 minutes.

Il Barbiere di Siviglia – September 2 at 7:45 pm
Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, in a production by Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher, features Joyce DiDonato as Rosina, Juan Diego Flórez as Count Almaviva, Peter Mattei as Figaro, John Del Carlo as Dr. Bartolo, John Relyea as Don Basilio, and Claudia Waite as Berta. Maurizio Benini conducts. Approximate running time: 165 minutes.

Peter Grimes – September 3 at 7:45 pm
Anthony Dean Griffey sings the title role of Britten’s Peter Grimes, with Patricia Racette as Ellen Orford and Anthony Michaels-Moore as Balstrode. Donald Runnicles conducts. Approximate running time: 150 minutes.

La Bohème – September 4 at 8 pm
Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Puccini’s La Bohème features Angela Gheorghiu as Mimì, Ramón Vargas as Rodolfo Ainhoa Arteta as Musetta, Ludovic Tézier as Marcello, Quinn Kelsey as Schaunard, Oren Gradus as Colline, and Paul Plishka in the dual roles of Benoit and Alcindoro. Nicola Luisotti conducts. Approximate running time: 130 minutes.

Orfeo ed Euridice – September 5 at 8 pm
Mark Morris’s production of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice stars Stephanie Blythe as Orfeo, with Danielle de Niese as Euridice. Heidi Grant Murphy is Amor. James Levine conducts. Approximate running time: 100 minutes.

Il Trittico – September 6 at 7:30pm
James Levine conducts Tony Award-winning director Jack O’Brien’s production of Puccini’s Il Trittico, which consists of three one-act operas: Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica, and Gianni Schicchi. In Il Tabarro, the three principal characters caught in a deadly love triangle are portrayed by Maria Guleghina, Salvatore Licitra and Juan Pons. Barbara Frittoli is the young nun Angelica, with Stephanie Blythe as the Princess in Suor Angelica, and the comedy Gianni Schicchi features Alessandro Corbelli in the title role. Approximate running time: 170 minutes.

Madama Butterfly – September 7 at 8:00 pm
Academy Award-winning film director Anthony Minghella’s production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly stars Patricia Racette as Cio-Cio-San, Marcello Giordani as Pinkerton, Dwayne Croft as Sharpless, and Maria Zifchak as Suzuki. Patrick Summers conducts. Approximate running time: 145 minutes

Hudson River Park runs along the west side of Manhattan offering greens for sunbathing, free concerts, and hundreds of outdoor activities.

The 850-foot long Pier 45 in Greenwich Village (cross at Christopher St) is NYC’s most picturesque pier for sunbathing and free activities. Amenities include shade structures, seating areas, wood decking and a stretch of grass lawn that has become a favorite spot for sunbathers. Nearby you can grab food and refreshments at the Regatta Cafe or catch the NYC Water Taxi to the Beach. Pier 46 also has free fishing for all ages with Big City Fishing, as well as educational programs. Heat up, then cool down using Pier 45′s super interactive water feature -enjoy a spritz of fresh water right when you need it. The Hudson River Park Trust also sponsors free events on Pier 45 in the summer. Here is what’s going on this summer at Pier 45, 46 (as well as other piers up to 96):

10th Annual Blues BBQ

Location: Pier 54 at 14th St.
When: Sunday, August 23, 2PM – 9PM
Back for the 10th year, Hudson River Park’s annual Blues BBQ Festival brings the best Blues bands from across the country together with the finest New York City BBQ restaurants for a fantastic summer day on the river. This feast for your senses brings you the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a true southern BBQ experience!

This year’s performers will include:
Eden Brent
Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater
Diunna Greenleaf
the Homemade Jamz Blues Band
Michael Burks

Film: RiverFlicks for Grown Ups

Location: Pier 54 at 14th St.
When: Wednesdays, movies begin at dusk (generally around 8:30 PM) Seating is available. Free popcorn. Beverages and Snacks are for sale. Closed Captioning available.
Movie Theme: I Know What You Saw Last Summer! Watch all of your favorite blockbusters from 2008 on the big screen, again! This time around, they’re all FREE and out under the stars. From superheroes to gossiping gals, Hudson River Park’s RiverFlicks has all of last years favorite summer hits!

July 8 – Iron Man (PG13)
July 15 – Vicky Cristina Barcelona (PG13)
July 22 – The Dark Knight (PG13)
July 29 – Hancock (PG13)
August 5 – Tropic Thunder (R)
August 12 – Sex and the City: The Movie (R)
August 19 – Pineapple Express (R)

RiverFlicks for Kids

Location: Pier 46 at Charles St.
When: Fridays, movies begin at dusk (generally around 8:30pm.) Free popcorn. Beverages and Snacks are for sale. Closed Captioning available.
What: Join us at Hudson River Park’s Pier 46 as we screen new and classic films for the whole family!

July 10 – Wizard of Oz (G)
July 17 – Kung Fu Panda (PG)
July 24 – Ghostbusters (PG)
July 31 – Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG)
August 7 – Muppet Movie (G)
August 14 – Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (PG)
August 21 – Curious George (G)

Hudson River Park’s MoonDance

Location: Pier 54 at W. 14th St.
When: Sundays. Free dance lessons begin at 6:30pm courtesy of Dance Manhattan. Live bands go on at 7pm.
What: Whether you’ve been dancing for years, or want to learn how to boogie like a pro, Hudson River Park’s MoonDance is your chance to strut your stuff under the stars! No experience necessary. Featured styles include swing, tango and salsa.

July 12 – George Gee Big Band
July 19 – Hector Del Curto’s Eternal Tango Orchestra
July 26 – Los Hermanos Colon
August 2 – Nu Guajiro
August 9 – David Berger Jazz Orchestra

Hudson River Park’s RiverRocks

Location: Pier 54 at W. 14th St.
When: 3 Thursdays at 6 PM.
What: All concerts are free!

July 9 – Matt and Kim featuring Flosstradamus and Team Robespierre
July 23 – Ted Leo and the Pharmacists featuring Extra Golden and Radio 4
August 13 – Yeasayer featuring Amazing Baby

Hudson River Park’s Stars of Tomorrow

Location: Pier 45 at Christopher St.
When: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm
What: Enjoy music from Bach to BeBop on Tuesday nights, as students from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and Mannes College The New School for Music perform on one of Hudson River Park’s most beautiful piers. Performances begin on June 2nd.

June 2 Sarah Charles Quartet- Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
June 9 Samuel Mortellaro Trio- Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
June 16 Classical Brass Trio – MANNES COLLEGE THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC
June 23 Classical Woodwind Trio – MANNES COLLEGE THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC
July 7 Classical Brass Triofrom THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
July 14 Shrimrit Shoshan Trio- Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
July 21 Darrell Smith Trio – Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
July 28 Classical Woodwind Trio – MANNES COLLEGE THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC
Aug 4 Amanda Ruzza Trio- Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Aug 11 Erika Kapin Trio- Jazz from THE NEW SCHOOL FOR JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Aug 18 Classical Brass Trio – MANNES COLLEGE THE NEW SCHOOL FOR MUSIC

Sunset on the Hudson

Location: Pier 45 at Christopher St.
When: Fridays at 7:00 pm

Every Friday from June 5th through August 21st (except July 3rd), enjoy the gorgeous sunset and mellow sounds of New York’s acclaimed Guitar Man David Ippolito from this spectacular grass covered pier that stretches 900 feet into the majestic Hudson River.

UPDATE: 2010 Events available for April | May | June | July | August | September. Summer event schedules are being finalized and will be updated as soon as they’re available. Please follow @UniqNYC on twitter or facebook.com/UniqNYC for updates.

[−] July Events

➪ Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival
➪ New York Philharmonic Summer Concerts
➪ Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
➪ City of Water Day
➪ Jamaica Underwear Run
➪ New York City Nautica Triathlon
➪ The Siren Music Festival
➪ Bastille Day on 60th Street
➪ Cool Japan Festival
➪ Met Opera in the Parks – Summer Recital Series
➪ Washington Square Music Festival

Summer Events Starting in July
➪ Movies With A View – Brooklyn Bridge Park
➪ PS1 Warm Up
➪ Socrates Sculpture Park Outdoor Cinema
➪ Lincoln Center Out of Doors
➪ Broadway in Bryant Park
➪ Summer Screen at McCarren Park
➪ Hudson River Flicks
➪ Hudson River Flicks Kids
➪ Hudson River MoonDance
➪ Hudson River Rocks Concerts

Ongoing Events
➪ Street Fairs in July
➪ Williamsburg Pool Parties
➪ SummerStage Central Park & More
➪ Celebrate Brooklyn! In Prospect Park
➪ Summer in the Square at Union Square
➪ Shakespeare in the Park at Central Park
➪ River to River Festival
➪ Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
➪ Midsummer Night Swing
➪ Water Taxi Beach
➪ BKLYN Yard Summer Events
➪ Luna Park Amusement Park
➪ Good Morning America Summer Concert Series
➪ DUMBO First Thursdays Gallery Walk
➪ NBC Rockefeller Plaza Concerts
➪ Rooftop Films Summer Series
➪ Big Bambú at the Met Rooftop
➪ Red Hook Ballfields Food Trucks

Jump to June Events | July Events | August Events

I will add new things to do to this list as I find out about them. Be the first to be notified by following me on twitter or facebook

The High Line was originally constructed in the 1930s, to lift dangerous freight trains off Manhattan’s streets. Section 1 of the High Line is now open as a public park! When all sections are complete, the High Line will be a mile-and-a-half-long elevated park, running through the West Side neighborhoods of the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen. It features an integrated landscape, designed by landscape architects James Corner Field Operations, with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, combining meandering concrete pathways with naturalistic plantings. Fixed and movable seating, lighting, and special features are also included in the park.

See images of the architects’ vision for High Line Park: Design Gallery

Summer Events

July 12th – High Line Street Festival with Target
July 15th – Design Talk: Lecture with the Designers
Throughout the summer – Walking Tours of High Line
Throughout the summer – Family Events
Full schedule of events

The High Line is open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. Access to the High Line is possible via any of these access points: Gansevoort, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th Streets. Dogs are currently not allowed on the High Line due to the limited area of the pathways and the fragility of the new plantings.

New York City is in no shortage of amazing rooftops for public gatherings. Though I’ve never come across one as unique as this: X-Initiative presents the premiere of Pool Noodle Roof by Jeffrey Inaba’s Los Angeles-based practice, INABA. The rooftop space, which will be used for film screenings and special events, will be open to the public daily during selected visiting hours throughout the summer.

Four separate seating areas have been specially designed to cluster around an ‘X’ shaped carpet that covers the entire rooftop surface. The furniture, which is also X-shaped in plan, has been constructed from pool noodles – the long and cylindrical, foam water floatation toys commonly found in suburban backyard pools. The pool noodles have been cut and bunched vertically into chaise lounge and ottoman units of varying heights that accommodate up to 150 people. When viewed from above, the arrangement of vibrant colored buoyant seating material spells out the word, ‘bububluooopppp’ (the sound of something rising or sinking). Pretty clever!

I love it when interaction with public art installations is encouraged. When I tried to pet Jeff Koons’ balloon dog at the Met Rooftop, I received a much different reaction!

Islandwoo Tip: X has not disclosed their summer schedule yet but has promised to email Islandwoo. So follow me on Twitter to be the first to be notified.
Location: 548 West 22nd Street between 10th & 11th Aves. Be sure to also visit the newly opened High Line Park (Manhattan’s elevated park) nearby

Summers in NYC would not be complete without visiting one of the city’s many rooftop bars and outdoor gardens. For many locals, this is a great escape from our tiny studio-side apartments with windows 3 feet away from the next building. Uh huh!

The Hudson’s New Sky Terrace
356 W. 58th Street; 212-554-6000
Located on the 15th floor of the Hudson Hotel, Sky Terrace is now open to the public! A large hammock-lined landscaped terrace with sweeping city and Hudson River views. Try the mango ginger margarita.

Salon de Ning
Peninsula Hotel, 700 5th Avenue, at 55th Street; daily 4:00PM – 1:00AM
Themes based on the tale of Shanghainese socialite Madame Ning and her travels. Expensive drinks, but the views and decor are worth it!

230 Fifth Rooftop Garden
230 5th Ave (& 27th St.), 20th floor; Open everyday 4:00PM – 4:00AM
Expensive drinks and a little cheesy, but 230 Fifth offers the city’s largest rooftop bar and best views of the Empire State Building

Cantor Rooftop Garden at Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Avenue, at 82nd Street; 212-570-3820
This Art filled museum rooftop garden offers amazing views of Central Park and 5th Ave. Currently exhibiting Roxy Paine on the Roof. Past exhibits include amazing balloon sculptures by Jeff Koons.

A60 (Above 60) Rooftop
60 Thompson Street, between Spring and Broome Streets; Open everyday 6:00PM – 12:30AM
Hotel guests and members-only rooftop bar with stunning views of downtown Manhattan. Another Thompson hotel rooftop that is open to the public…
Above Allen Rooftop
190 Allen Street btw Houston and Stanton
This new rooftop has the usual expensive drinks but also has great music, great views of midtown & a popular Wednesday night.

Bohemian Hall Beer Garden
29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria; 718-274-4925
This Astoria Queens Beer Garden is the oldest and biggest for outdoor beer drinking, with $14 pitchers and picnic chairs and weekly Jazz and Comedy.

Plunge
Hotel Gansevoort, 18 Ninth Avenue, at 13th Street; 877-426-7386
Usually horribly crowded and cheesy, but if you are in the Meatpacking District, in need of a rooftop, and can’t get into the members-only SoHo House, this is it.
If this is not your style, you can always try
The Garden of Ono
The hotel’s ground level restaurant has a bamboo-filled outdoor garden and four cabanas. Call ahead for reservations at 212-660-6766.

Rise at the Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park
2 W. Street, 14th fl, 917-790-2626
Located on the 14th floor of the Ritz-Carlton in Battery Park, this award-winning and aptly named bar boasts one of the most dramatic views in the city, perfect for July 4th fireworks!

The Park – Garden & Penthouse
118 Tenth Avenue, between 17th and 18th Street; 212-352-3313
Steps away from the elevated High Line Park, The Park features a lower level garden with Japanese maple trees and atop level Penthouse. This place has something for everyone!

Highbar Rooftop Lounge
251 West 48th Street; 212-229-0010
The breezy sixteen stories Highbar terrace is sprinkled with sprawling day beds, plush love seats as well as a UFO chair. Try the Drunken Watermelon: a scooped out melon rind, filled with the liquor of your choice.

Notable Mentions

B-Bar & Grill – 40 E 4th Street
The Delancey – 168 Delancey Street, at Clinton Street
Local West – 1 Penn Place, Eighth Avenue at 33rd Street
Studio B – 259 Banker Street
AVA Penthouse Garden – 210 W 55th Street
Brass Monkey – 530 W. 27th Street
Empire Hotel Rooftop – 44 West 63rd Street

UPDATE: 2010 Events available for April | May | June | July | August | September. Summer event schedules are being finalized and will be updated as soon as they’re available. Please follow @UniqNYC on twitter or facebook.com/UniqNYC for updates.

[−] June Events

➪ Bubble Battle Times Square
➪ Museum Mile
➪ Figment NYC
➪ World Naked Bike Ride NYC
➪ Japan Day Festival
➪ Heritage of Pride (LGBT) March & Pridefest
➪ Big Apple BBQ Block Party
➪ Puerto Rican Day Parade
➪ Mermaid Parade
➪ Belmont Stakes
➪ NYC Food Film Festival
➪ NYC Jazz Festival

Summer Events Starting in June
➪ Williamsburg Pool Parties
➪ SummerStage Central Park & More
➪ Celebrate Brooklyn! In Prospect Park
➪ Summer in the Square at Union Square
➪ Shakespeare in the Park at Central Park
➪ River to River Festival
➪ Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
➪ Midsummer Night Swing

Ongoing Events
➪ Street Fairs in June
➪ Water Taxi Beach
➪ BKLYN Yard Summer Events
➪ Luna Park Amusement Park
➪ Good Morning America Summer Concert Series
➪ DUMBO First Thursdays Gallery Walk
➪ NBC Rockefeller Plaza Concerts
➪ Rooftop Films Summer Series
➪ Big Bambú at the Met Rooftop
➪ Red Hook Ballfields Food Trucks

Jump to June Events | July Events | August Events

I will add new things to do to this list as I find out about them. Be the first to be notified by following me on twitter or facebook

Watch Wimbledon tennis LIVE on a big screen and play tennis on a real grass court!
Date: Monday, June 22 to Friday, June 26, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Rockefeller Center Plaza – 5th Ave & 50th/51st Streets

Islandwoo Tip: Play on Manhattan’s only grass court! Wear white and call 212-525-4331 to reserve your complimentary court time.
Question of the Tournament: Will Roger Federer make tennis history at Wimbledon this year in Rafa Nadal’s absence?? Please comment below

Daily Events

Watch Wimbledon LIVE daily on the big screen – Catch exciting match play daily on a giant screen TV from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by classic tournament footage until 7:00 p.m. ESPN is providing the live feed so we can catch the magic of Wimbledon as it happens. Tennis fans can enjoy their lunch or take a break while watching the action from a special seating area.

Complimentary Strawberries and Cream – Stop by HSBC carts for a traditional Wimbledon treat distributed between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily.

Picture with the Wimbledon Trophy – Through green screen technology fans can pose with the Wimbledon trophy and walk away with a photo via the direct print station in the plaza daily.

Play “Grand Slam Tennis” – Throughout the week, try out the new video game, “EA SportsTM Grand Slam® Tennis.”

Special Events

Monday 6/22 at Noon – Jim Courier and Jennifer Capriati in a live tennis exhibition – See Jim Courier and Jennifer Capriati in a live tennis exhibition with emcee Luke Jensen. These former number 1 ranked tennis greats will face off on Monday 6/22 at noon.

Tuesday to Friday – Come out and improve your game – Prince tennis pros will give fun tennis coaching and let you have a go with Prince’s latest rackets.
Tues & Wed from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Thurs & Fri from 1:00 – 2:30 PM and 4:00 – 5:30 PM.
Spaces limited!

Tuesday 6/23 at 3:30 PM – Watch a kids tennis clinic hosted by Jim Courier – Jim Courier will host a tennis clinic for children from the City Parks Foundation, taking them through tennis skills and drills and a Q&A session with the tennis champ.

Wimbledon week at Rockefeller Center is sponsored by HSBC, the world’s local bank. The weeklong celebration has activities for every tennis fan.