NYC - May Free / Cheap Events Calendar in New York City

Dance Parade: Dance down Broadway
Saturday, May 21 beginning at 1:00 pm
Beginning around 21st-22nd Streets and on down to Tompkins Square Park
Featuring 10,000 Dancers in honor of the Japan Earthquake Victims.
"On Saturday May 21, 2011 over 10,000 dancers will converge on the streets of New York City showcasing 74 forms of dance in a free outdoor dance parade and festival!
In honor of the earthquake victims, the parade will kick off with a Japanese Group. We will then progress in the history of dance order and boogie our way down Broadway-- Hula, swing and samba our way past Union Square and into University Place. At Eighth Street we will Salsa, Tango and Waltz East into Saint Marks Place and our Grandstand in between 3rd and 4th Aves. Our House, Techno and Disco floats will have afternoon shoppers wigglin as they watch us get down in the heart of the East Village. A straight shot from there brings us to DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park. At DanceFest we will come together and watch free dance performances on stage and at specific sites throughout the park--Free dance lessons are offered or you can enjoy a Dance Party." Visit the official site.

Flax and Fleece Fest in Brooklyn
Saturday, May 21 & Sunday, May 22 at 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Visit the Zoo and watch sheep as they are sheared.  Then come to Lefferts Historic House to see how sheared fleece becomes yarn.  Help them wash, hang, card, and spin wool.  Also, plant flax for the next harvest or join in a weaving workshop. 
Taking place at the Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park (Flatbush Avenue at Empire Boulevard)
For More Information: (718) 789-2822

IT'S MY PARK! DAY
Saturday, May 21
taking place at various locales, parks and more.

That's right! Here's everyone's chance to volunteer and help create a more environmentally friendly situation in and for our city of New York. This particular day of events exists in many parks city-wide throughout the five boroughs.

Japan Day at Central Park
Sunday, May 22 at 11:00 am
The Japan Day Run will take place earlier on May 14 at 8:00 am
Rumsey Playfield & Bandshell area

In light of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Japan Day @ Central Park has changed the theme of this year’s event to “GANBARE! JAPAN!” GANBARE! is a Japanese word used to inspire and uplift people’s spirits. This year’s Japan Day @ Central Park is intended to bring together New Yorkers in solidarity with the people and nation of Japan as they strive to recover from this disaster.

Some guest performers will include Circus, Senri Oe, DMC, AISHA, Keiko Matsui, Mai Fukui, Yuka Takara, Lainie Sakakura and TEN-YOU, who is also their Official Artist for this year’s event.

Since the first event in 2007, Japan Day @ Central Park has had three goals: 1) to build bridges of cultural understanding between the people of Japan and the U.S., 2) to say "Thank you, New York!" for providing such a nurturing home to America's largest Japanese community, and 3) to facilitate stronger grassroots connections within the local Japanese community.

Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival and Shad Fest at Inwood Hill Park
Sunday, May 22
11:00 am - 6:00 pm, rain or shine!

FREE ADMISSION!
Lotus Music and Dance will present the eighth annual DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON: A NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL and SHAD FEST on May 22, 2011 in collaboration with The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, The Hudson River Foundation and Washington Heights-Inwood Development Corporation, from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm, rain or shine. A multi cultural family-oriented festival, DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON includes exhibitions of world dance and drumming traditions as well as Native American crafts and international cuisines. The festival combines a celebration of Native American heritage, culture, and art with the diversity of New York City itself.

Annual Mamapalooza Outdoor Extravaganza
at Pier 1, 70th Street within Riverside Park
Sunday, May 22 from 12:00 - 5:00 pm

Featuring mom bands, performances, arts & crafts for kids, tot rock, food and fun.  Weather permitting. 
Visit the official Mampalooza Page

Fourth Annual NYC Global Youth Media & Arts Festival
May 26, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

On May 26, from 6-9 pm at the NYU Commons Gallery in the East Village, World Savvy will present the 4th Annual Global Youth Media & Arts Festival. Approximately 200 educators, students, family and community members will gather to see, hear and celebrate original artwork and performance by over 1,300 students from eight schools citywide. This festival will be the culmination of seven months of artistic exploration by students in World Savvy's Media & Arts Program, which lets schools use their local communities as classrooms in which to explore global themes through workshops, field trips, and collaborations with local artists. Admission is free. Learn more here...

¡Si Cuba!
Ongoing through June
From March to June, fourteen New York institutions convene to celebrate the rich artistic vitality of Cuba, presenting ¡Si Cuba!, a festival showcasing the diversity of Cuban culture from the traditional to the modern. Join them for screenings of award-winning films; lively concerts of son, rumba, hip-hop, and more by musical legends and rising stars; intimate discussions with Cuban writers, musicians, and thinkers; dance performances, from the classical to contemporary; compelling visual art exhibitions; and more as all discover the creative spirit of Cuba in forms both old and new.

NYC SPRING / SUMMER CONCERTS Be sure to visit New Yorkled's Free/Cheap Concerts page for updates on what's headed out way this season. There'll be plenty of items for everyone! From Brooklyn to the Bronx, from the East Side to the West Side.

Downtown River to River Festival Details regarding the 2011 Downtown NYC River to River Festival are up and running! That's right! So hold on to your hats for the ride of the Summer! From happenings at Battery Park, City Hall Park, South Street Seaport, WFC and other locales to major and minor street festivals. It'll all be here. So take a look and see what's happening at our Downtown Manhattan Events Schedule Page with yet many more updates to come.

Annual NYC Fleet Week May 25 - June 1 A time to celebrate the American Spirit and witness the great colors of our Flag as ships are paraded along our New York Harbor. One will get to meet troops from around the world and we'll all get to see them proudly display their professionalism, their expertise, their know-how. Military demonstrations as well as athletic crew competitions will be taking place. And guess what? It'll all be free! New Yorkled can't wait to be there and snap pics and witness all that's to come!...can you? Visit the following for additional information: - New Yorkled's 2009 Fleet Week Prep Page And of course there'll be the great collection of photos to come from this year's Fleet Week Celebration.

Big Apple Circus in Queens
May 21 - June 5, 2011

At Cunningham Park (Intersection of Francis Lewis Blvd & Union Tpke) in Queens will be this extraordinary troupe's 28th season featuring so many great performers, acrobats and so very much more!
We've seen them perform at various outdoor events in New York City so here's your chance to enjoy it yourself. Unfortunately it's not free but the price of the ticket may very well be worth all the fun you'll have!
Visit the official site to learn more about purchasing tickets.

Past Events

New York City Crop Hunger Walk
Sunday, May 1, 2011

An ecumenical and interfaith event –sponsored by some 20 congregations and organizations to combat hunger locally and globally. The 2-mile walk, down 5th Avenue, begins across from Central Park at Church of the Heavenly Rest (5th Ave. & 90th St.) Ends at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Join The NYC Crop Hunger Walk! No Registration Fee!
For additional information regarding this and other Race/Walks visit the New Yorkled Racing Page

People can register ahead by contacting Mel Lehman, the walk coordinator, or registering the day of the walk along with a donation.  No entry fee.

Cherry Blossom Walk on Roosevelt Island
Sunday, May 1, at 11:00 am

Take a 75-minute tour of the beautiful cherry trees on Roosevelt Island and rejoice in the abundant color of the cherry trees in full bloom.
The tour, led by Judith Berdy, President of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, offers close-ups on the Island's flowering trees for photographers and flower-lovers alike. This is the second in a series of two walks offering botanical and historical observations about Roosevelt Island.
For reservations, please contact rooseveltislandhistory@usa.com or 212-688-4836. A donation of $5 to the RIHS is requested.
Directions: Take the Tram at 59th Street and Second Avenue. Meet at the Visitor Center Kiosk at the Tram Plaza.
The Roosevelt Island Historical Society promotes awareness of our Island’s unique story and pursues preservation of its landmarks and artifacts. For more information, please visit www.rihs.us.

32nd Annual Antique Auto Show at the Queens County Farm Museum
Sunday, May 1 From 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Members of the New York Antique Auto Club will exhibit their cars on the farmhouse grounds. Automobile memorabilia, historic house tours, hayrides, and food will be available.
Admission:  Adults $5.00; Chiildren $2.00 (Ages 4 And Under)

8th Annual Golf Fest Saturday, April 30, 2011 12:00pm - 6:00 pm Sunday, May 1, 2011 12:00pm - 5:00 pm Join more than 1,000 golf enthusiasts for the 8th Annual Golf Fest! Saturday, April 30 DEMO DAY Adult admission is $15, children $10. Come test the latest golf equipment and gear from the biggest names in the business, including Cleveland, Srixon, Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist and more. Enjoy complimentary hitting and swing tips from our top pros. Sunday, May 1 ACADEMY OPEN HOUSE No admission fee (ball cards available for purchase). Book a complimentary 15-minute lesson with one of our golf professionals, come check out the Golf Academy’s latest teaching tools, and attend a Scoring Clinic courtesy of Cleveland Golf. You can also enter to win rounds of golf at local courses, learn about great travel deals and take advantage of specials for that day.

The 12th Annual Bruce Bowyer Memorial Chess Tournaments
April 30 & May 1, 2011
At the Hotel New Yorker, 8th Avenue & 34th St, New York, NY (212) 971-0101
For more information, please call: (516) 641-4521
e-mail: pbowyer@bbowyer.org web: www.bbowyer.org
Please note: Bring clocks and sets, none will be provided
Payment must be received by Wednesday, April 27th at the latest.

Annual Hippo Playground Spring Fair in Manhattan
Sunday, May 1 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm 

PLEASE NOTE: This is for the kiddies and their parents. 
This is the Hippo Playground’s 28th Annual Spring Fair.  Come help them celebrate! Help raise essential funds for Hippo Playground maintenance and programs.  Activities for children will include Rides for Children, a jumping castle, pony rides, petting zoo, a maze, face painting, games, prizes and more!.  If you are interested in volunteering to help with this event, please send an email to "hippoplayground@yahoo.com" 
Taking place at the Hippo Playground (91st Street) along Riverside Park
For More Information: Phone number: (212) 870-3070

10th Annual NYC Irish Dance Festival
Sunday, May 1 from 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Rain Or Shine

Pier I at 70th Street, Riverside Park South, Manhattan (food and drink available)
Featuring performances by stars of the Irish dance world and NY area dance schools. Join in on the fun with live music, workshops in traditional Irish dance for all skill levels, a singer’s circle, Irish language classes, face-painting, children’s craft table and more!
Learn more about other events taking place at Riverside Park this coming season.

Annual Five Boro Bike Tour (Bike New York)
Sunday, May 1, 2011

Here is the annual event which will not only traverse 42 miles in all five boroughs but will also attract tens of thousands of cyclists from all around the city and beyond.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Flushing Meadows
Date to come...yet if it IS taking place this year then most likely it'll be May 1

Live entertainment, music, game, food and fun for the entire family abound at this annual favorite.

Taking place at the Festival Site, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens

Eighth Annual Swing a Ring Day in Manhattan
Saturday, May 7 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Traveling rings have been a popular attraction in Santa Monica, CA since the 1930s, and Riverside Park has the only set of rings outside of California.

Visit www.swingaring.com for details.
Taking place at Hudson Beach (105th Street on the lower level)

The 32nd Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival
Sunday, May 8, 2011, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
at Union Square Park (14th Street and Broadway + Park Avenue

Join the Coalition of Asian Pacific American (CAPA) at one of the largest Pan-Asian outdoor events on the East Coast to celebrate APA Heritage Month. Organized by CAPA, the day will be filled with live music and dance, film screenings, children’s activities, arts and crafts and over a hundred participating organizations. Visit the official site to learn more.

2011 Pink & Black Tie Gala Benefit for the American Cancer Society
May 12, 2011
Stage 6 at Steiner Studios
15 Washington Ave. Brooklyn, NY
Tickets from $300 on up

Lexington School  & Center for the Deaf
Saturday, May 14
Doors at 7:00 pm, curtains at 8:00 pm 
A Movement of the Soul, a new play in two acts, centers around Laurent Clerc, the Deaf French teacher who started the first school for the Deaf in America with Reverend Thomas Gallaudet and the tumult caused by Clerc’s engagement to his Deaf students, Eliza Boardman 
Ralph & Ricky Lauren Center for the Performing Arts
Lexington School & Center for the Deaf
30th Ave & 75th St, Jackson Heights, NY 11370

All Stars Harlem Talent Show
Ben Vereen, legendary entertainer, to attend
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Show begins 3:00 pm, doors open at 2:30 pm
Bread and Roses High School 
100 inner-city youth to perform in Hip-Hop Show

BayFest 2011 in Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay
Sunday, May 15
BayFest 2011, now in its 20th year, kicks off Brooklyn’s summer outdoor music scene early with 25 bands, dance troupes, and entertainers on ta main stage and ten piers of the Sheepshead Bay waterfront.

2011 New York City Lymphomathon on the west side
Sunday, May 15
At Pier 46 along Hudson River Park (Charles Street & West Street)
Raising awareness of the Lymphoma Research Foundation!
The Lymphomathon is non-competitive 5K walk where survivors, family, friends, community and corporate teams walk in honor and in memory of those whose lives have been touched by lymphoma.

The Als Association Greater New York Chapter To Host
4th Annual Walk To Defeat ALS In Manhattan
Saturday, May 14th
Check-In Begins at 9:30 am
Walk Begins at 11:00 am
Walk starts at Hudson River Park’s Pier 46, Charles Street and the West Side Highway
Walk ends at Clinton Cove at Pier 96,
57th Street and the West Side Highway

Farm Fest at the Queens County Farm Museum
Sunday, May 15 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Celebrate the return of spring with a visit to the farm! Sheep shearing demonstrations, Dutch crafts and cultural exhibits and spring plant sale. Country Western Band, Hayrides, historic house and greenhouse tours, food, pony rides and petting zoo.
Admission:  $3.00 per person