New York City events: May 2012

The UWS puts its culinary talents on display at this yearly fest, featuring blowout tastings helmed by top chefs such as John Fraser (Dovetail) and Daniel Boulud (Daniel).

The gratis ferry runs to this carless oasis from Memorial Day weekend through the start of fall (Sept 30), transporting New Yorkers to an island offering weekly bike rides, concerts and art events. This year, Cooper-Hewitt curates the exhibit “Graphic Design—Now in Production,” Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra stage a new set of Jazz Age Lawn Parties (June 16, 17, Aug 18, 19; $15), and art nonprofit Figment creates more free otherworldly installations and a minigolf course. You’ll want to keep coming back throughout the summer to see it all unfold.

More than eight decades ago, New York artists Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning propped up a few of their paintings in Washington Square Park and called it a show. A lot has changed since then: Now, more than 120 artists and artisans—including painters, sculptors, jewelers and glassblowers—exhibit their wares at the Washington Square Park Outdoor Art Exhibit.