New York parties to hit before the end of summer

Bust a move at the best New York parties and outdoor shindigs before summer ends.

By Time Out editors Tue Aug 7 2012

Photograph: Matthew Hanlon

Uptown Fridays
Photograph: Filip Wolak

Mister Sunday
Photograph: Loren Wohl

MoMA PS1 Warm Up
Photograph: Scott Kowalchyk

Electric Zoo
Hot Jazz/Cool Garden
Photograph: Filip Wolak

Seaport Soul Series
Dekalb Market
Let's Play House and Bespoke Musik Boat Party
Winkel & Balktick's Laboratory Warehouse Party
Hudson River Park's MoonDance

Photograph: Matthew Hanlon

Uptown Fridays

There’s no shortage of great outdoor New York parties every summer, but as the season draws to a close, so too do these awesome bashes. Shake a tail feather at MoMA PS1’s Warm Up, Electric Zoo 2012, Mister Sunday and other end-of-summer parties.

RECOMMENDED: Guide to the end of summer in NYC

Uptown Fridays

The Studio Museum in Harlem revives its summer courtyard wingdings with live DJs and libations. But don’t spend all your time dancing and mingling, or you’ll miss the docent-led tours of “Caribbean: Crossroads of the World” (through Oct 21). This extensive survey of art from and inspired by the islands is exhibited across three venues, including El Museo del Barrio and the Queens Museum of Art. • (212-864-4500, studiomuseum.org). Aug 24 (DJ Reborn), Sept 28 (Max Carnage) 7–10pm; $20, members $15.

The Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (Seventh Ave) and Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave)

Lincoln Center Out of Doors

Each summer, the Lincoln Center Out of Doors festival blows open the cultural institution’s staid reputation with concerts featuring quirky and danceable acts. This year, organizers have saved some of the best for last: !!! plays Damrosch Park Bandshell (Thu 9 at 8:45pm), and the 29th Annual Roots of American Music Festival takes over several venues during the weekend, closing with an all-star tribute to Gil Scott-Heron featuring the Black Rock Coalition Orchestra (Sun 12 at 8:15pm). • Visit lcoutofdoors.org for more info. Free.

Locations and times vary
Through Sun 12

Hot Jazz/Cool Garden

Satchmo lived in what is today the Louis Armstrong House Museum from 1943 until his death in 1971, and you can boogie in his memory at the institution’s final Hot Jazz/Cool Garden swing-dancing party on August 18. The Lucky Dogs will take over the Japanese-inspired garden, and they’ll have you shaking your ass in no time. While you’re there, take a guided tour (included in the ticket price) of the historic home. If you can make it out to Corona earlier in the week, check out the museum’s free annual block party (Aug 16), during which Arturo O’Farrill will be tickling the ivories. • (718-478-8274, louisarmstronghouse.org). Block Party: Aug 16 at 7pm; free. Hot Jazz/Cool Garden: Aug 18 at 2pm; $15.

Louis Armstrong House Museum, 34-56 107th St between 34th and 37th Aves, Corona, Queens

Seaport Soul Series

Sure, hanging out along the East River might not be quite the same as lounging on an exotic Euro-riviera beach, but the music might be even better than you’ll get in Cannes or Rimini: This year, ¡Wepa!’s Joann Jimenez and longtime New York nightlife figure the REDness present such spinners as Antonio Ocasio, Soulgasm’s Brian Coxx, Kiss FM’s Ruben Toro and Release’s DJ Disciple dishing out house, disco, Latin rhythms and more. • (seaportsoulseries.com).Tue, Thu 6–11pm; Sun 3–8pm; free. Through Sept 30 (weather permitting).

Skipper’s Pierside Café, South Street Seaport, Pier 16, 89 South St at Fulton St.

Dekalb Market

Urban Space NYC, the folks behind this collection of shops and restaurants in shipping containers, regularly transforms the bazaar into a space for movies, dance parties and more. Drop by on Saturday 11 for Vice Lounge’s Noir Music Series (3–10pm; $5), featuring DJ CEO. There’s also the gay Bollywood wingding Desilicious Freedom Fling (Aug 18 6pm–midnight; $15, before 8pm $10), which celebrates Indian and Pakistani independence with resident DJ Ashu Rai. • (dekalbmarket.com)