Things To Do In Elizabeth

From unicyclists and silly dances to futuristic light suits, this week’s list of things to do is high on whimsy, low on adult responsibilities. Enjoy these five excuses to put off your chores, and as always, check Groupon for more great things to do in New York City. NYC Unicycle Festival Governors Island | Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31 Circus performers, inventors, and other fans of mono-wheeled transport roll over to Governors Island for this whimsical two-day celebration of all things unicycle. Visitors can test their skills in relay races and rounds of unicycle basketball, hockey, and sumo wrestling, or watch world-class performers’ daredevil moves. If you’re not used to balancing on one wheel, no worries—lessons for first-timers will be available throughout the day. (Noon to early evening; free) Silly Dance Contest Rockaways | Saturday, August 30 Goofily costumed revelers shake off self-consciousness during the Silly Dance Contest, a Rockaway Beach Surf Club–hosted competition that rewards guests’ arm-flailing-est, booty-shaking-est moves. After three 20- to 30-minute rounds and a climactic final dance-off, the winner gets a $50 bar tab, second place gets a $25 bar tab, and everyone else gets that feeling of lightness that comes with not taking yourself too seriously. (302 Beach 87th St., Queens; sign-up at 6 p.m., dancing at 6:30 p.m.; $5 cover) The Williamsburg Spelling Bee Williamsburg | Monday, September 1 New York’s only adult spelling bee brings word-lovers to Pete’s Candy Store once a month to test their word-ly knowledge. Sign-up begins at 7 p.m., and the first 15 get to play; spectators toast correct spellings of “autochthonous” with beer and other grownup beverages. Bee founder Bobbyblue and comedian Jen Dziura host. (709 Lorimer St., Brooklyn; 7:30 p.m.; free) DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist – Renegades of Rhythm Union Square | Thursday, September 4, and Friday, September 5 Turntablists DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist celebrate the legacy of hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa as only music nerds know how—by rooting through his vinyl collection. Their show at Irving Plaza will set Bambaataa’s favorite records spinning on six turntables; light and video effects add visual interest as the two DJs mix and meld their sounds. (17 Irving Place; $47–$101.50; buy tickets for Thursday here and Friday here) iLuminate: Artist of Light Midtown | Through January 4, 2015 The best dance show in the city might be one that takes place in total darkness. After blowing away judges on America’s Got Talent, the dancers of iLuminate don their high-tech light suits again for this performance at New World Stages. As dancers perform moves in styles from Latin dance to hip-hop, the LEDs embedded in their all-black clothing transform them into fanciful creatures, from friendly robots to multi-limbed spiders. (340 W. 50th St.; shows daily except Tuesdays; tickets $45 through GrouponLive) Photo of NYC Unicycle Festival courtesy of Keith Nelson. Photo of Williamsburg Spelling Bee by Deneka Peniston.

This week’s list of reasons to leave the house include a whimsical animated Japanese movie, gallery openings in Chelsea, and a two-day outdoor poetry festival. If that still doesn’t fill your calendar, remember that you can always check Groupon for more great things to do in New York City. Summer Restaurant Week July 21–August 15 The summer edition of restaurant week brings three-course prix fixe menus to eateries such as Red Rooster Harlem, Café Boulud, Bann Restaurant, and Tertulia (pictured above). Luckily, the “week” actually runs for three-and-a-half weeks, so there’s still plenty of time to make reservations at crowded spots ahead of time. ($25 lunch, $38 dinner; see a full list of participants) Neutral Milk Hotel at Prospect Park Bandshell Prospect Park | Tuesday, July 22, and Wednesday, July 23, 7 p.m. It may have been 15 years since their last tour, but Neutral Milk Hotel haven’t lost the idiosyncratic touch that made 1998’s In the Aeroplane over the Sea an indie classic. Join a packed crowd in Prospect Park to hear frontman Jeff Mangum weave together his eccentric, Anne Frank–inspired lyrics with horn-centric melodies. ($39.50 in advance, $45 day of; buy tickets here for Wednesday’s show) A Letter to Momo West Village | Wednesday, July 23–Tuesday, July 29 A fanciful, hand-drawn tale in a similar vein to Spirited Away, 2011’s A Letter to Momo tells the story of a Japanese teenager, Momo, whose only relic of her lost father is a letter to her he never finished. Momo comes to terms with her loss with the help of three mischievous goblins who have taken up residence in her mother’s attic. (IFC Center, 323 Avenue of the Americas; $14 adults, $10 children and seniors, $9 IFC members; buy tickets here) Chelsea Art Walk Chelsea | Thursday, July 24, 5 p.m.–8 p.m. More than 100 participating galleries in Chelsea stay open late for a free public viewing of their summer exhibitions, as well as artist talks, openings, and other events. (free; see a full list of participating galleries) New York City Poetry Festival Governors Island | Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. The fourth annual event brings literati to Governors Island for a weekend of readings and performances by more than 250 poets, including Mark Doty, Joyelle McSweeney, Matthea Harvey, and Paul Muldoon. In between sets, browse indie crafts and booksellers’ wares, fuel up with snacks from food vendors including Morris Grilled Cheese and Mud Coffee, or quaff pints in a beer garden sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery. (free; register here) Photo of Tertulia by Jen Davis

This week’s list of things to do includes an ‘80s classic coming-of-age film, an IRL appearance by Daily Show writers, and a 70-minute spectacle that has dancers flying in the air. Enjoy yourself, and as always, check Groupon for other great things to do in New York City. Hudson River Park Blues BBQ Midtown | Saturday, August 23 Tender, saucy barbecue from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Delaney Barbecue, and Mighty Quinn's Barbecue flavors this family-friendly festival, which has brought blues and roots musicians to Pier 84 for 15 years. It’s okay to eat your weight in brisket—just give yourself time to digest before the high-energy funk of headliners Big Sam’s Funky Nation calls up your best dance moves. The BBQ also kicks off the Hudson River Park 550 (#HRP550) fundraising initiative: visit the campaign page for more info. (Off W. 44th St.; 2 p.m.; free) Left Bank Picture Show: Stand by Me West Village | Sunday, August 24 Rob Reiner’s classic 1986 coming-of-age tale is the second-to-last to be screened in West Village tavern Left Bank’s summer film series. Guests nibble on themed sips and bites as a very young Wil Wheaton, Cory Feldman, and River Phoenix bond over their quest to locate a missing child in the woods near their small town. A baby-faced Kiefer Sutherland co-stars. (117 N. Perry St.; 8:15 p.m.; free) Widowspeak Midtown | Thursday, August 28 Moody, Western-tinged rock will fill MoMA’s Sculpture Garden as Brooklyn duo Widowspeak takes the stage for the last MoMA Nights event of the summer. Lead singer Molly Hamilton weaves her haunting, Mazzy Star–esque vocals in with Robert Earl Thomas’s ‘70s-psych influenced guitar. (11 W. 53rd St.; 6:30 p.m.; free with museum admission) Improv by Daily Show Writers Chelsea | Thursday, August 28 The men and women responsible for crafting Jon Stewart’s nightly quips venture out from their writers’ room for one precious night onstage at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. When they’re done blinking, naked-mole-rat-like, at the unfamiliar light of the sun, the jokesters perform an improv show based on audience suggestions. (307 W. 26th St.; 9:30 p.m.; $5; make reservations here) Fuerza Bruta: Wayra Union Square | Through January 4, 2015 Forget straining your eyes to see dancers onstage. In fact, forget stages at all. Fuerza Bruta: Wayra’s immersive 70-minute spectacle explodes the fourth wall, raising performers above audiences’ heads as they tumble through the air, climb suspended walls of fabric, or slip around a transparent water-filled pool. (101 E. 15th St.; $49–$59 with Groupon; buy tickets through GrouponLive here)