NJMasti, I keep up primarily with Queens happenings–not sure if that’s too much of a treck for you but I put some suggestions down below.
But first, do you like opera? The Met does a free concert series in the major city parks during the summer, and I really love it. Bring a blanket, citronella candles, and a picnic dinner and even if you’re not really into opera or classical it’s really nice to lie out in the park on a summer evening and listen:
Central Park SummerStage
Monday, July 13, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Paulo Szot, baritone
Lisette Oropesa, soprano
Alek Shrader, tenor
Vlad Iftinca, pianist
Crotona Park (Bronx)
Friday, July 17, 2009 at 7 p.m.
John Moore, baritone
Ashley Emerson, soprano
Vlad Iftinca, pianist
Damon Gupton, host
Queensbridge Park (Queens)
Friday, July 24, 2009 at 7 p.m.
John Moore, baritone
Ashley Emerson, soprano
Vlad Iftinca, pianist
Damon Gupton, host
East River Park (Manhattan)
Friday, July 31, 2009 at 7 p.m.
Joyce El-Khoury, soprano
Keith Miller, bass
Vlad Iftinca, pianist
Tappan Park (Staten Island)
Friday, August 7, 2009 at 7 p.m.
Joyce El-Khoury, soprano
Keith Miller, bass
Vlad Iftinca, pianist
Damon Gupton, host
Coffey Park (Brooklyn)
Friday, August 14, 2009 at 7 p.m.
Joyce El-Khoury, soprano
Keith Miller, bass
Vlad Iftinca, pianist
Damon Gupton, host
Also visit Socrates Sculpture Park Outdoor Cinema 2009: Celebrating the Cultural Diversity of Queens Information (NY Metro Parents Magazine) for info on Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, Queens. They host free outdoor movie nights throughout the summer, and also have free yoga, capoirea, tai chi, and more throughout the summer. It’s really great!
I can’t find any info on it yet, but the Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Park also hosts international-themed nights throughout the summer where you can watch an outdoor movie and sample food from different international restaurants in Queens. They should have a schedule up soon.