fireworks (more by Chris La Putt)

The 35th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks returns to the West Side to delight New Yorkers and the nation with an awe-inspiring display of patriotic firepower. This year's extravaganza, "Gift of Freedom," will feature more than 40,000 fireworks expertly synchronized to a dynamic 25-minute score that includes a mix of American standards and the hottest pop favorites!

Not in New York? Check out our entertainment
special on NBC, July 4th at 9 pm EST.

"The Fireworks can be viewed from any area with an unobstructed view of the sky above the Hudson River. For the best views, head to 12th Avenue below 59th Street at the following access points along 11th Avenue." Note that: The Westside Highway will be closed from 22nd Street to 59th Street beginning at 4:00 pm. You can also watch from NJ. I wouldn't recommend trying to see them from Brooklyn, though it may be possible if you get up high enough somewhere. One option for watching the fireworks is aboard a Rocks Off ship.

Unfortunately there will NOT be a free concert in Battery Park this year, not that last year's was anything special (for people over 5 years old anyway). There will not be a free show on Governors Island this year either. Last year they had a free She & Him show and a Rosanne Cash show too. This year the beach on Governors will be occupied by a not-free Pacha-presented dance party (part of the four-day Dance.Here.Now. Festival).

4th of July NYC show options are pretty slim in general this year, though Shea Stadium is hosting Summerjam III with Extreme Animals, Sightings, Liturgy, PC Worship, Hubble, La Otracina, Fuckton, In Buenos Aires, Dubknowdub, Black Ribbons, Future Shuttle, and more. Zebulon, Brooklyn Bowl and Barbes are all also open that day.

July 4th is a Monday though, and it's a Monday you probably have off of work (like Bowery Presents does -- all their clubs are closed that day). That means you can stay up late Sunday, July 3rd which is when Panda Bear plays Music Hall of Williamsburg, Tinsel Teeth are at Death By Audio, The Hairs play a free afternoon show at the South Street Seaport Fulton Market, Jaga Jazzist play Le Poisson Rouge, and the Feelies play their third of three Maxwell's shows.

What else?

photos by Natasha Ryan, words by Rachel Kowal

Though the forecast last night called for possible thunderstorms, luckily there was no lightening in sight to prompt the cancellation of the show (or compromise safety), and a modest crowd gathered on Pier 54 to see the last show of the summer in the Hudson River Park's RiverRocks series. The smell of sea water, rain, and cigarettes permeated the air and helped set the mood for Real Estate's nostalgia-inducing music.

After some introductory words (guitarist Matt Mondanile said 'hi' to his mom), Real Estate began their set with a slower tune. In both their music and their attitudes, the Jersey-based four-piece seem both carefree and sincere. In between songs, they each contribute to the stage banter by playing off what another member said. After the first song, lead singer and guitarist Martin Courtney tried to bridge the divide between the crowd and the stage by inviting people to jump the barrier, but the restrictions remained in place. The crowd, did listen to bassist Alex Bleeker's suggestion to "jump around a little bit," when the band broke into "Beach Comber," however.

They may not have the loftiest lyrics (a new song contained the lines: "Water's not for me. Head downtown. People walking around"), but even when they're singing the same line about Budweiser and Sprite on repeat ("Suburban Beverage"), the music and melodies will get stuck in your head. Real Estate just released their debut album last year, but they played three new songs during their set, two of which are slated to be on an upcoming 7". Like their old material, the new tunes also seem to be inspired by the beach and suburban living.

In between the two sets, the volume of the background music increased noticeably in preparation for Deerhunter's set, and Real Estate's sunnier treble-heavy music was replaced by a heavier mix that prominently featured the bass line (sadly at the cost of the vox).

After a glowing endorsement by one of the event organizers, the members of Deerhunter assembled themselves on stage [to play to those not over on Governors Island or in East River Park checking out White Rabbits]. "How's everyone doing tonight? We're so happy you guys came out tonight, and I'm glad it's not pouring [...] There's a lot of stuff going on tonight, so it means a lot that you spent it with us," said Deerhunter front man Bradford Cox by way of introduction.

Cox may have talked a lot immediately preceding the set (partly to stall while bassist Joshua Fauver got ready), but in an uncharacteristically mum move, he stopped just once (and then only after the fourth song), and said only the obligatory, "Thank you very much." Maybe Cox was hoping to power through the set before the weather worsened or maybe he was simply trying to squeeze in the most songs possible, but often, the band transitioned from one song to the next without even stopping for applause, which made it hard to tell when songs finished and began. Their set list consisted of both material from their upcoming release, Halcyon Digest, and crowd pleasers like "Hazel St." and "Never Stops."

At some point midset, a strange mosh pit of sorts broke out, and people flocked to the front to get in on the action. It started out as a concentrated mass in the middle of the crowd, but soon, people started shuffling back and forth (to the extreme left and then back to the right), as if the movements were choreographed.

Since there was no 'last song' warning, the band's departure was rather abrupt, but the music continued on loop after the stage was empty. Still without uttering a word, Cox launched into a couple of recognizable songs for the encore, as if rewarding those who stuck it out in the rain. Deerhunter may have only played two songs (I think), but those songs unfolded for an impressive 25 minutes thanks to a long detour into drone territory before Cox tied it up a bit at the end when the guitar melody returned more distinctly.

"Thanks so much for getting wet for us. I hope you guys have a great safe rest of the night" Cox said as the music slowly faded out.

Though the crowd may have been smaller due to the weather (and due to the concurrent Grizzly Bear show), people were in good spirits - even after the rain picked up again at the end of Deerhunter's set. There was almost an extra note of camaraderie brought on by the rain - a 'we're in this together' kind of feeling. I can only bet that both sweat and satisfaction were high for those who made it out to Glasslands to see Deerhunter's DJ set and a show by Ducktails (which features Real Estate guitarist Matt Mondanile).

If you missed last night's show, you'll have another chance. Bradford Cox announced that Deerhunter and Real Estate will be touring together this fall. Tickets for the Webster Hall show are on sale.

Partial setlists from both bands, and more pictures from the show, below...

Continue reading "Deerhunter & Real Estate played in the rain @ Pier 54 in NYC (pics & setlists) "

the Rooftop Films opening on May 15th (more by Ryan Muir)

Rooftop Films is off and running with its summer series. But that's hardly the only outdoor movie series in NYC, though it might be the only one that costs money.

Hudson River Park's Take Me to the River '09 will present RiverFlicks, which shows movies for "adults" on Wednesdays starting on July 8th and films for kids on Fridays starting July 10th. That film series accompanies the park's RiverRocks shows. Bands appearing at RiverRocks include Yeasayer, Ted Leo, Matt & Kim, Radio 4 and Extra Golden.

The SummerScreen series, which ran last year in McCarren Park Pool, returns this year, but in the McCarren Park ball fields. Those films run Wednesdays starting July 8th. Movies include Fame, Reality Bites, and Evil Dead 2.

Bryant Park Summer Film Festival screens films on Mondays starting June 15th. Brooklyn Bridge Park's Movies With A View series kicks off July 9th and runs every Thursday through August.

All the above-mentioned events (barring Rooftop Films) are free and open to the public. All lineups and locations below...

Continue reading "mostly free outdoor movies in NYC - 2009 schedules "

photos by Tim Griffin

Passion Pit's last-minute, one-off NYC show on a boat was the fastest selling Rocks Off Concert Cruise in history (according to one of the promoters I talked to). It sold out in less than two days. Bad Brains took five. The show (last night) was timed to coincide with the release of the band's new album, Manners, out today (5/19) via Frenchkiss. As anyone who likes the band can probably imagine, the boat show was a super good time.

As the cruise, which departs from 41st on the west side, sailed up and down the Hudson River, there was lots of dancing, high-pitched singing, and birthday cake (Happy Birthday Michael). I think MTV was there filming too. More rehearsed than they were at SXSW in March (which is where I last caught them), the band seemed more confident playing the new songs. The audience, not surprisingly, went most nuts for the "old" (EP) stuff (like the song "Sleepyhead", which they actually also put on the new full length). More pictures from the show below...

Continue reading "Passion Pit on a NYC boat (Rocks Off concert cruise) - pics "

"NEW YORK (AP) -- A US Airways plane has crashed into the Hudson River, sending passengers fleeing for safety in the frigid waters. New York City firefighters are responding to the crash. It was not immediately clear if there were injuries. Witness Barbara Sambriski, a researcher at The Associated Press, said, "I just thought, 'Why is it so low?' And, splash, it hit the water." [Associated Press]

"Eyewitness News has learned a plane has crashed into the Hudson River. The plane is a US Airways flight 1549 from LaGuardia to Charlotte. There were 146 passengers on board the flight, along with 5 crew members. There is no report on their conditions. The plane went down near 57th street. The plane took off from LaGuardia at 3:11 p.m. Ferries are rescuing passengers, some who are seen standing on the wings of the plane." [ABC News]

NY1 is saying it went down near 50th street, near the Intrepid. The plane is still intact and floating downstream. It may have hit birds, and seemed to be more of an emergency, and "smooth", landing... They said a witness said all passengers survived.

CNN is reporting from the rescue area. Said people are in good shape, but freezing and shivering in blankets. A witness said he thinks everyone got off the almost-full plane. The pilot reported a "double bird strike".

The West Side Highway is closed at 34th St...

The water is 40 degrees. Circle Line boats are helping with the rescue.