Continuing: Midsummer at McBride/Dillman

Taking its title from the spirit of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this show brings together artists whose work moves between reality and imagination, intimacy and myth, instability and transformation: thestrange, fertile energy of the season itself: a brief period when the world feels suspended between what is and what might be.

Across painting and sculpture, the artists engage states of flux, ambiguity, and reinvention. Attuned as much to the dream logic of Shakespeare’s midsummer world as to the mood of New York right now—overheated, overcommitted, and unexpectedly optimistic—the exhibition lingers in a space where ordinary structures loosen and other possibilities come into view.

Through August 14 at McBride/Dillman, 195 Henry Street, New York, NY Info

Thursday, July 23, 2026, 6:00pm-9pm: Uptown Bounce at El Museo

Presented in partnership with Brooklyn Book Bodega, Uptown Bouncebrings together music, dancing, art, and community to celebrate the diverse sounds that shape dance floors in New York City and around the world.  This free summer block party featuring top DJs, a live band, special guests, salsa and hip-hop dancing and dance lessons is presented by The Salsa Project, with hands-on art activities for all ages, a community photo booth, food vendors, a kids play area, children's book giveaways by Brooklyn Book Bodega, and after-hours access to Double Exposures, the first museum survey dedicated to pioneering photographer Sophie Rivera. This year's event is sponsored by The Legal Aid Society and celebrates the organization's 150th anniversary, honoring its enduring commitment to immigrants, workers, and New Yorkers across the five boroughs. Ths event is free and open to the public.

El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY Info

Friday, July 24, 5:30-8:30pm: Stargazing at Wave Hll

Take in breathtaking views of the evening sky overlooking the Hudson River at Summer Starry Skies, an exclusive after-hours evening program at Wave Hill for stargazing, telescope viewing, and taking in the summer sky above. Presented with the Amateur Astronomers Association, the evening begins indoors in Armor Hall with an introduction to the summer night sky—what to look for, how to find it, and which stars, planets, and galaxies may be visible above Wave Hill. 

Then, head outside to the Great Lawn, where telescopes will be set up for guided viewing of constellations and celestial objects. Whether you are a longtime sky watcher or just curious about what is overhead, this late-night program offers a memorable way to experience Wave Hill after sunset. Rain date: Friday, July 31. Registration is encouraged

Wave Hill,4900 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY Directions

Tuesday, July 28, 8:15-10 pm: Stargazing on the High Line

Immerse yourself in the wonders of the night sky every Tuesday on the High Line! The friendly team from the Amateur Astronomers Association be there, as always, with high-powered telescopes, ready to reveal the secrets of the cosmos. No experience is necessary and telescopes will be provided between sunset and park closure. This High Line program is free and open to visitors of all ages. Stargazing is subject to cancellation due of inclement weather or overcast conditions; please check webpage for updates 

High Line at 13th Street under The Standard, New York, NY. Info

Saturday, July 25, 10am-4pm: City of Water Day on Roosevelt Island

Now in its 19th year, City of Water Day is a region-wide celebration to champion a climate-resilient New York and New Jersey harbor by inviting communities to experience their local waterways through free, family friendly activities. Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park, on Roosevelt Island, will host the following activities and performances on Saturday, July 25:

1:00 pm ShakunDaviDance

ensemble dance performance

3:00 pm Fogo Azul NYC

NYC’s own women-led samba reggae drumline

Throughout the day, family-friendly events will take place o the park’s lawns and playgrounds.

City of Water Day 2026 celebrates what it means to live with water: being on it, near it, and connected to it.. By getting people out on the water via kayaking, boating, learning, and exploring, we build deeper connections to the waterways that shape our region and bring communities together.

This year’s theme highlights water as a source of joy, belonging, and resilience, welcoming new communities to experience and care for their local waterways. City of Water Day 2026 will prioritize on-water and near-water activities, educational experiences that engage directly with water, and opportunities to connect and volunteer with partners advancing waterfront access across the region.

For events across the region, visit City of Water webpage here

Wednesday, July 29, noon, Curators talk:  Peter Hujar | Contact Sheets, Online
Join Joel Smith, Curator and Department Head of Photography, Marcelo Gabriel Yáñez, and Olivia McCall for a close look at the contact sheets of photographer Peter Hujar. Printed in small grids, the artist’s contact sheets offer glimpses into his creative process, reading as intimate pictorial narratives and bearing editing marks that reveal his thinking about cropping and printing. This online discussion explores the ways in which Hujar’s contact sheets offer insights into the exposures he ultimately decided to enlarge. Free; with required advance registration here Get the book [above] here