Weekend What-To-Do: Participate in a Parade, Dance at Gov Ball and Catch a Movie Too

June 22nd, 2012

TGIF(N)

It’s hot, hot, hot outside. So, chillax tonight in a spacious air-conditioned movie theater. Go see Merida (voice by Kelly Macdonald), Pixar’s first female lead, in Brave. Be your own judge as to whether Merida’s bountiful red ringlets, independent mindset and Pixar’s animation are worth the buzz. While the verdict may be out on the former, based on Pixar’s track record, you will most likely fall in love with a new animated short character pre-feature film.

Satur-Day

Yes, today is the 30^th Coney Island Mermaid Parade. Commencing at 2 p.m. at West 21^st Street and Surf Avenue, mermaids and mermen will be strutting their oceanic attired as they ride on sparkly sea-inspired floats and walk the parade route, which will head west down the boardwalk and end at 15^th Street. Who knows, in addition to last year’s King and Queen, Ariel might make an appearance.

Saturday Night

The sea-labration doesn’t stop when the parade ends. Come 7 p.m. the Mermaid Parade Ball, the official after party, kicks off at the New York Aquarium on Coney Island. Get your general admission or V.I.P. tickets today because come tomorrow, the opportunity will be gone. Visit coneyisland.com for details.

Sunday Funday

As if the Mermaid Parade wasn’t enough, today is New York’s Gay Pride Parade. Parade goers will march from 36^th Street and Fifth Avenue down to Christopher and Greenwich Streets, beginning at noon. Stake out a spot on the street to watch and support gay rights.

Sunday Night

If you’re a coffee addict and lover of cocktails, then the Second Annual Coffee-Cocktail Mash-Up and Fundraiser at Weather Up TriBeCa is calling your name. Bartenders and baristas from some of New York’s favorite spots teamed up a month ago to concoct coffee cocktails, and on Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. they will present their drinks for a panel of judges. Twenty dollars gets you admission into the throw down. To check out the team line-up, judges and buy tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

All Weekend Day Long

In its second year, with relocation to Randalls Island Park and an extra day added, Governors Ball music fest is finally back. Did it ever really end though? It seems some New York twenty-somethings haven’t stopped talking about it since last year’s inaugural day. Single-day tickets are still available on the festival’s website, so throw on your funky garb (we’ve got his and her recs)—don’t forget the staple rad sunnies—and find your way to Randalls Island in the sun where you’ll be alongside a sea of party people, music lovers and some pretty sweet musicians, including Beck, Fiona Apple, Passion Pit, Modest Mouse and Kid Cudi.

All Weekend Night Long

School’s out for summer. So of course, Dazed and Confused—one of my all-time favorite films—is playing both Saturday and Sunday nights, presented by BBQ Films (Windmill Studios NYC in Williamsburg). For $22 and the 21+ crowd only, “Party at the Moon Tower” includes the film screening at 9 p.m. (doors open at 8 p.m.), a Sixpoint Craft, popcorn and other movie-munching necessities, giveaways and more. For details visit bbqfilms.com.