Signature exhibits and public art open on Governors Island
May 31st to October 5th: In Site presented by the Sculptors Guild
The Sculptors Guild is honored to present this exhibition marking a 70 year celebration for the Guild, in its city of origin. To see images of In Site, click here.
Every weekend: PAINTING GOVERNORS ISLAND. In historic "Building 408," eight painters exhibit their watercolors and oil paintings made on- site, on Governors Island.
May 31st to October 5th: Emergence by Figment
Figment transforms "Building 14" (c.1900) on Governors Island into an interactive, three-dimensional living exhibit, featuring contributions from more than 30 artists/art collectives working in a diverse range of media, including sculpture, installation art, aerial kinetic sculpture, photography, sound art, and interactive multimedia. Using the theme, "Creative Pioneers in Uncharted Territory," exhibitors will use the context, history, and recent steps towards revitalization, or "emergence," of Governors Island as the source of inspiration and departure for the creation of participatory art exploring the human condition. For more information, visit www.figmentnyc.org.
June 26th to October 13th: The New York City Waterfalls by Olafur Eliasson.
For images of the waterfall’s construction, please click here.
May - October
A list of activities and events is as follows. Please check back for additional programs that may be added.
Saturday, May 31st: Opening Day Family Festival, noon
Join us for arts and crafts, musical and theatrical performances for kids and MORE! Sponsored by the Governors Island Alliance.
Saturday June 7th and Sunday June 8th: Michael Aranella and the Dreamland Orchestra, 1:30 PM
A delightful afternoon rendezvous of live music and dance, instruction in period dances, picnicking, traditional games, a “best pie-recipe” contest, vintage clothing events, a 1920s automobile exhibit, and more!
Saturday June 21st and Sunday June 22nd: Army Heritage Weekend, 11 AM to 4 PM
Join NPS staff for special programs and tours highlighting the military history on Governors Island.
Saturday June 28th and Sunday June 29th: Figment Festival, 1:30 PM
FIGMENT is a three day festival featuring exhibits and interactive performances. For more information, to submit a project, or volunteer, please visit www.figmentnyc.org.
Saturdays in July: Trinity Wall Street and the Governors Island Alliance sponsor Folks on the Island! Concert Series, 1:30 PM
- Janis Ian - July 5th, 1:30 PM
A veteran folk-pop singer/songwriter, Janice Ian’s music features satiric wit, edgy humor, and 1960s inspired passion. In her 40-year history, this Grammy award-winning performer’s music continues to reflect and transcend the challenges of our times.
- Slaid Cleaves - July 12th, 1:30 PM
Award-winning singer/songwriter Slaid Cleaves blurs the lines between singer and song, producing music that is the perfect blend of country, folk, and rock—pure Americana.
- Bearfoot - July 19,, 1:30 PM
Bearfoot, an Alaska-based acoustic ensemble, brings a fresh and vibrant approach to bluegrass. Their youthful sound has been described as jazz stomp meets Appalachian breakdown, tempered with back-alley southern blues—all infused with a bluegrass passion.
- Eric Bibb - July 26, 1:30 PM
Son of legendary folk and musical theater singer Leon Bibb, Eric Bibb is an original talent whose singing and versatile guitar playing fuse a variety of genres to create a “New World blues.” Performing with his daughter, Yana, this concert will be a pan-generational foray into the blues.
Saturday, July 5th: New York Philharmonic Performs on Governors Island, 6:30 PM
Free outdoor evening concert with New York City’s premier orchestra.
Saturday, July 26th: City of Water Day, all day. On 2008, paddlers, sailors, mariners and landlubbers from all over are converging on Governors Island for a celebration of our harbor and waterways! Come to the island by free ferry, kayak, boat or canoe and enjoy fishing, walking tours, music, historic boats and harbor tours, free paddling, free sailing, and food. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance (http://www.waterfrontalliance.org/).
Folks on the Island presents Ronny Cox – August 2, 1:30 PM
Actor and singer Ronny Cox first caught America’s attention with his famous “Dueling Banjos” performance in the movie Deliverance. Since then he has acted in numerous films, yet he continues to chronicle his life experiences musically through an eclectic mix of genres and styles from folk to western to jazzy-blues.
Saturday, August 9th and Sunday August 10th: African Film Festival, 1:30 PM
Have you ever wanted to experience the sights and sounds of Africa? Now you can! Join the African Film Festival on Governors Island and welcome world class music, drumming and song in an all-day festival.
Saturday, August 9th and Sunday August 10th: Civil War History Weekend, 11 AM to 4 PM
Join the National Park Service and experience a day in the life of a Civil War garrison.
Saturday August 16th Sunday August 17th: Battery Dance Company, 1:30 PM
Battery Dance Company's acclaimed Downtown Dance Festival will cross the harbor to Governors’ Island. Enjoy free performances with dance companies performing back-to-back shows.
Friday, August 29th, Saturday August 30th and Sunday August 31st: Pulse Theatre Presents Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” 2 PM
Join this ensemble theatre as they perform on of Shakespeare’s classic and timeless plays.
Every weekend: In Site presented by the Sculptors Guild
The Sculptors Guild is honored to present this exhibition marking a 70 year celebration for the Guild, in its city of origin.
June 26th to October 13th: The New York City Waterfalls by Olafur Eliasson
Every weekend, CUNY lecture series, 12:30 PM, Pershing Hall. More information is as follows:
- July 12th: Greening the Big Apple: a Natural History of the New York Megalopolis
Betsy McCully, Kingsboro Community College
- July 19th: Water: The Integral Design Element for Green Infrastructure in the City of New York.
Paul Mankiewicz, The GAIA Institute
- July 26th: Fuel from Algae
Juergen Polle, Brooklyn College
- August 2nd: Curbing Catastrophic Waste in your Home, Condo, Coop, or Multifamily Building
Andy Padian, Steven Winter Associates
- August 9th: PlaNYC: Toward a Greener, Greater New York
Ariella Rosenberg-Maron, Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability
- August 16th: Water Efficiency in New York: Why It's Important and How to Achieve It
Warren Liebold, New York City Department of Environmental Protection
- August 23rd: The Queensbridge Wind Power project
Andrea Polli, Hunter College
August 30th:Sustainable Cities Town Hall: An open forum for New Yorkers
Moderated by Bill Solecki, Director CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities
Saturday, September 27th: Imrpov Everywhere presentsThe Mp3 Experiment
Improv Everywhere will be bringing their fifth installment of their much-loved Mp3 Experiment project to Governors Island. Participants download an Mp3 from the group's website, load it onto their iPods, and then arrive to press play simultaneously at the pre-appointed time. Last year's event in Battery Park City had over 800 people participating. This year's event promises to be even grander in scale. Learn more about Improv Everywhere on their site: http://www.improveverywhere.com.
Every weekend: In Site presented by the Sculptors Guild
The Sculptors Guild is honored to present this exhibition marking a 70 year celebration for the Guild, in its city of origin.
June 26th to October 13th: The New York City Waterfalls by Olafur Eliasson
Please click here to visit the Governors Island Preservation and Education (GIPEC) web site.
