Weekend Arts Planner: Free things to do in NYC this August

There's a long list of free things to do in New York City this August. In this week's edition of our Weekend Arts Planner, WNYC's Culture and Arts Editor Steve Smith joins Weekend Edition host David Furst to help us take full advantage of the options. Steve's list of "25 free things to do in NYC this August" is out this week on Gothamist.

STEVE'S PICKS:

1. Don't forget about Shakespeare

Some of the recommendations on the new list are things we've mentioned before... for example, Free Shakespeare in the Park with its new production of "Hamlet," directed by Kenny Leon and starring Ato Blankson-Wood. That production ends on Aug. 6. But then on Aug. 27, we can welcome Prospero, Miranda, Caliban and the rest in a Public Works presentation of "The Tempest," a musical adaptation by Benjamin Velez directed by Laurie Woolery. That's going to run through Sept. 3 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

2. The Beach Sessions Dance Series

I'd urge everyone to think about making Saturday, Aug. 26 a beach day and head to Rockaway for The Beach Sessions Dance Series, which presents world-class modern dance events literally on the sand. This year includes a new version of an especially appropriate 1991 Merce Cunningham dance called "Beach Birds," as well as a new piece created by choreographer Sarah Michelson in response to the Cunningham work. The event happens just once... show up at Beach 108th Street at 5:45 p.m. and look for the costumes and crowd.

3. Live After Dark at Bryant Park

The Bryant Park Picnic Performances series and film series continue through August, but there's also a new addition starting on Tuesday, Aug. 1. Jazz bassist Endea Owens and her band The Cookout will inaugurate Live After Dark, a new weekly series of more intimate sessions staged at what's known as the L'OR Porch, near the fountain on the park's south side.

As in their other events, Bryant Park is partnering with other cultural institutions; Greenwich House Music School is presenting Endea Owens on Tuesday. If you can't see her now, you'll have another chance to hear her on Thursday, Aug. 31 in another free concert: this one smack dab in the heart of Times Square, presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center.

4. But wait, there's more

There's a lot more music on the August Free Events list, including classical music, opera, salsa, reggae and soca, as well as several concerts specifically tied to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.