Category: New York

Dancin’ the (summer) night away…

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Vocabulary:

To take advantage — exp., to enjoy something that’s given to you, usually at no cost.

waterfront — n. the edge of a body of water; a lake, ocean, or river shoreline.

revel — v., to enjoy something very much, to celebrate

beloved — adj., something that is deeply loved.

culture — n., a set of beliefs, values, and behaviors belonging to a group of people.

Do you like to dance? Do you like free events? Do you like taking advantage of NYC’s summer offerings?

There are many opportunities to have fun on the dance floor this summer. Here are a few:

Sunset Salsa on the river!

Sunset Salsa is a Thursday evening salsa series at Pier 76 in Hudson River Park, bringing outdoor dancing to Manhattan’s west side.

The evening starts at 6:30 PM with a beginner-friendly salsa lesson, then opens into social dancing from 7:15 PM. Talía Castro-Pozo leads and curates the series.

The waterfront setting gives the event a relaxed summer feel, with room for new dancers to jump into the lesson and experienced dancers to stay for the social. It is a strong option for anyone looking for an outdoor salsa night with Hudson River views.

For dancers who want salsa outside a studio or club, Sunset Salsa offers a lively summer gathering along the river.

Modern Dance

Modern dance in Bryant park!

Saturday mornings, 10 – 11 am through September 19th. Experience the joy of movement with dancers from the world-renowned Limón Dance Company, this free modern dance class is open to all levels and ages. Join us this summer and revel in the joy of dance!

https://bryantpark.org/activities/limon-dance

Zumba in Gotham Park!

Ger ready for Zumba under the Brooklyn Bridge! Tuesday and Wednesday evenings 5:30 – 6:15. All ages and abilities welcome! Come and dance, sweat, and have a great time with friends and fellow Zumba enthusiasts. No experience requires, just come with a positive attitude and be ready to move to the music. Dates and ticket availability below.

Register on Eventbrite

https://vinylnightsnyc.com/events

 Vinyl Nights is a beloved NYC institution – celebrating dance, music, club & DJ culture. 

Experience what it was like to party in NYC in the early 70’s to the 90’s, when DJ’s played strictly Vinyl.  Dance to the hits that shaped NYC – Disco, Funk, Soul, House, Boogie, Latin, Freestyle and 80’s & 90’s Hip Hop.  

Have fun and we hope you can sleep late the next day!

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Summer Activities 😎

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There’s something special about New York City on a summer evening. On a hot day, the air cools down in the evening, the breeze off the river feels refreshing, and parks across the city are busy with people enjoying movies, concerts, and theater under the stars. Best of all, many of these events are completely free.

If you’re looking for some fun outdoor events in NYC this summer, here are three you won’t want to miss.

Movies at Brooklyn Bridge Park 🎥 🍿

Watching a movie with the Manhattan skyline in the background is hard to beat. Brooklyn Bridge Park’s popular Movies with a View series returns to Harbor View Lawn (Pier 1) for its 26th season.

Movies are shown every Thursday evening in July and August. The lawn opens at 6:00pm, and the movie begins at sunset.

This year’s lineup includes:

  • July 16: Bend It Like Beckham
  • July 23: The Talented Mr. Ripley
  • July 30: Clueless
  • August 6: Jurassic Park
  • August 13: Do the Right Thing
  • August 20: Bridesmaids

If you’re planning to go, arrive early. Seating on the lawn fills up quickly, so getting there when it opens gives you plenty of time to grab a good spot.

link: https://brooklynbridgepark.org/event-series/movies-with-a-view/

Free Shakespeare in Central Park 🎭

To go or not to go? That shouldn’t even be a question. Go! The Delacorte Theater is welcoming audiences back for another season of Free Shakespeare in the Park, one of New York City’s favorite summer traditions.

This year’s production is The Winter’s Tale, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan.

  • The Winter’s Tale, running from July 25 – August 23

Tickets are free and are available the day of each performance. You can wait in line at Central Park, visit one of the ticket distribution locations in the five boroughs, or enter the digital lottery through the TodayTix app.

link: https://publictheater.org/free-shakespeare-in-the-park/

Art and Performances on Governors Island 🎺

Governors Island is a 172-acre island in New York Harbor, just a short ferry ride from Manhattan and Brooklyn. It’s the perfect summer escape, with scenic parks, public art, historic sites, bike paths, food vendors, and cultural events – all set against some of the city’s best skyline views.

Along with beautiful views, bike paths, and plenty of green space, the island hosts a variety of events as part of the River To River Festival. Presented by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), the festival features public art, live performances, and interactive exhibits throughout the summer.

Upcoming events:

  • The Unintended Blues is a new exhibition by Leslie Wayne featuring paintings and multimedia works that explore rising sea levels, melting Arctic ice, and the impact of climate change on the natural world. – Friday, July 24 – Sunday, September 27
  • Esperanza Spalding: In Concert – August 8 at 7:00 pm

River To River Festival link: https://lmcc.net/river-to-river-2026/

Governors Island link: https://www.govisland.com/

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Hands writing notes in a lined journal with a pen on a wooden table

Grow as a Writer at University Settlement

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Do you enjoy writing? Do you want to get better and feel more confident? The Advanced Writing Class at University Settlement is a welcoming place for you. It is open to anyone who loves writing and wants to improve. In this class, people learn together, share ideas, and support each other as writers.

The class is taught by a professor from New York University (NYU). NYU is a respected university with a strong writing program. This means students can learn from an experienced teacher who can help them grow, improve their skills, and try new ways of writing.

At the end of the year, students have the special chance to see their work published in a collection of writing. This is a proud moment for many writers. It is also a wonderful way to celebrate each person’s hard work, progress, and voice.

If you or someone you know may be interested, please reach out to the Adult Literacy office at the beginning of the school year. We would love to welcome new writers into our community. Whether you have been writing for years or are just starting again, this class is a place to learn, connect, and grow.

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4th of July 🎉 🎇 🥳

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vocabulary

  • Independence – freedom from another country’s rule
  • Colony – land controlled by another country
  • Fireworks – colorful explosions in the sky
  • Parade – a public celebration with marching bands and floats
  • Patriotic – Showing love, pride, and support for your country
  • Semiquincentennial – 250 year celebration

The 4th of July ( Independence Day ) is a national holiday in the United States. It marks the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted, on July 4, 1776, when the 13 colonies officially broke away from Great Britain.

These days, people celebrate it in all kinds of ways. Families and friends have barbecues or picnics, head to parades, spend the day at the beach or a park, or go to The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island.

Cities and neighborhoods decorate their neighborhoods in red, white, and blue, and people dress in patriotic colors. One of the biggest traditions is watching fireworks at night. For a lot of people, the Fourth feels like the start of summer! 

This year, the United States is also celebrating its 250th birthday, the Semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since we gained our independence.

In New York City, this year’s celebration is especially large, with events honoring both the 250th anniversary and the 50th Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular. Fireworks are planned to launch from the Brooklyn Bridge, the Lower East River, and the Lower Hudson River, starting around 9:25pm.

Some 4th of July Activities in NYC 

  • Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular (around 9:25pm): Featuring over 85,000 fireworks and a new laser show from the Brooklyn Bridge.
  • Sail4th 250 (July 3rd to 8th): A massive maritime procession of over 70 tall ships and naval vessels in New York Harbor.
  • Times Square Ball Drop (July 3rd): For the first time, the New Year’s Eve ball will drop eight times to mark midnight in all US time zones, celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
  • Homecoming of Heroes Parade (July 6th): A parade in Midtown honoring veterans and first responders.

Fireworks Viewing Locations

  • Manhattan: Public viewing areas along the FDR Drive.
  • Brooklyn Bridge Park: Prime viewing for bridge-centered effects, requiring a free ticket issued by the city.
  • South Street Seaport: A prime spot for lower East River views.
  • Jersey City Waterfront: Exchange Place offers a full-day festival with views of the Hudson River show.
  • Rooftop Events: Special events are available at venues like Lost in Paradise Rooftop (Long Island City), Virgin Hotels NYC (Midtown), and Edge NYC.

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End of Year Party for Weekend Classes 🎉 🥳 🎈

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The 2025 – 2026 school year has come to an end!

Our W1, W101, W2, and W3 classes came together this past Sunday to celebrate the end of a tremendous year. We are incredibly proud of everything our students have achieved and grateful for the enthusiasm, hard work, and support that made this year such a success.

The party also featured fantastic performances from each of our classes. 🎶 🎤

Allis’s W1 class performed a creative version of the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” as a spoken-word piece written by her class. Lynne’s W101 class performed the karaoke favorite “Stand by Me.” Erica’s W2 class performed an original poem co-written by her students. And finally, Gabe’s W3 class performed the timeless Sinatra classic “My Way.”

Check out the tremendous performances from our weekend classes! 🎶 🤩

We enjoyed food from all over the world: sandwiches, pasta, cakes, pies, sushi, dumplings, cheesecake, and salads – there was something for everyone! 🥙 🫔 🎂 🍩 🥟

And of course, no party is complete without dancing! Our W1 class ended the day with a wonderful Turkish dance performance. 💃 🕺

Congratulations to all our W1, W101, W2, and W3 students! Have a safe and happy summer – we look forward to seeing you again in September! 😀

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May the best team win!

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VOCABULARY:

Competition — n., a contest to see which participant is the best

Host nation — n., the country where the event will be held

Stadiums — n., a large field surrounded by many seats for a large audience

Championship — n., the final game where the winner receives the trophy

Minimal — adj., the smallest amount possible

The FIFA World Cup is starting this month! This international football (soccer) competition occurs every four years. Teams from all over the world compete to win the World Cup Trophy. Only the best teams in the world can be part of this competition.

There is also a competition for the host nation, the country where the games will take place. Many countries want to host the matches because millions of people watch them. Some are in the stadiums to watch in person, but most watch on television. More people watch the World Cup matches than watch the Olympics!

The FIFA World Cup is being played in 16 different cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 48 teams will play 104 matches, and the championship game will be played in New Jersey, just a short distance from New York City!

Many people also love to play soccer. Equipment is minimal — all that’s needed is a ball and some feet! No wonder football is played all over the world.

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The Secret Gardens of Manhattan

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VOCABULARY:

Pavement, n. – the sidewalk

Oasis, n. – some place that provides refreshing relief

Tranquility, n. – peacefulness, calm

Maintain, v. – to take care of

Stumble, v. – to trip or to find something unexpectedly

Distinctive, adj. – something which stands out from its surroundings

Flora, n. – plant life

Contemplation, n. – deep thought or meditation

Drown out the noise, expression – to cover up noise

New York City has plenty of pavement, but did you know there are also little pockets of green space? Nature turns up in unexpected places and we’re providing a list of secret gardens that will be fun to explore this summer.

First up, the Creative Little Garden, “an oasis of tranquility in New York’s East Village.”

Located at 530 East Sixth Street, between Avenues A & B, the Creative Little Garden has been a “community backyard,” maintained by volunteers from the neighborhood since 1978. You can sit and relax, have your lunch, or just enjoy the landscaping.

Check the website for visiting hours: https://www.creativelittlegarden.com

Heading north and west, we stumble into the Jefferson Market Garden, now celebrating 50 years in Greenwich Village. This garden welcomes everyone, and drinks are permitted, but not food. They have a “blooming guide” on their website, https://www.jeffersonmarketgarden.org/bloom-guide so you can plan to visit your favorite flowers. Open from April to October, this garden is located on Greenwich Avenue, between 6th Avenue & West 10th Street.

Check https://www.jeffersonmarketgarden.org/ for visiting hours.

The gardens at St. Luke-in-the-Fields are special and extensive. You are welcome to visit “some of the most distinctive and admired gardens in New York City, comprising more than two-thirds of an acre of walks, lawns, and a fine collection of garden standards…and native American flora.” These gardens are open for quiet contemplation; cell phone use, smoking, and pets are not allowed.

https://stlukeinthefields.org/about/gardens

Another lovely urban green space can be found on the east side of Manhattan, at Tudor City (between First and Second Avenues, just south of 42nd street). Tudor City Greens is open to the public daily between 7 am and 10 pm. They also host events, from Halloween parades to Afternoon Teas.

https://www.tudorcitygreens.org

Finally, we recommend a visit to Greenacre Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With plenty of seating to enjoy the sound of the waterfall (and drown out the noise of the city!) this beautifully landscaped pocket park is at 217 East 51st Street, between Second and Third Avenues.

https://greenacrepark.org

Enjoy the secret gardens of Manhattan and have a lovely summer!

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