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Soon We Celebrate Our Independence Day!
Encore’s all-day guide to July 4
Ring of fireworks (Photo: Kent Miller Studios/Macy’s, Inc.)
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2 A.M., WALKING TOUR OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR NEW YORK: If you really love this country, you won’t complain about waking up at 1 a.m. Why that early? Well, an hour later is when the Fraunces Tavern Museum and tour guide James S. Kaplan will be holding their Eighth Annual Nighttime Walking Tour of Revolutionary War New York. And yes, it’s from 2-6 a.m. You know what they say: History comes alive at night/mid-morning. Or maybe that was just Night at the Museum. Either way, learn something about NYC and our war for independence from the evil Brits. Tickets cost $20/$15 for members.
NOON, NATHAN’S HOT DOG EATING CONTEST: After fulfilling your need for history, head to Coney Island for some good ol’ gluttony. Although former-champion Takeru Kobayashi isn’t competing this year, Nathan’s Famous July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Contest (1310 Surf Ave.) continues on. Does Kobayashi’s exit mean Joey “Jaws” Chestnut’s won the contest before it even starts? In a word: Yes. Last year, there were 19 competitors, and while Nathan’s hasn’t announced who will appear in 2010′s competition, it doesn’t really matter. Chestnut is king. ESPN will air the contest live from 12-1 p.m.
1 P.M. LOUIS ARMSTRONG’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: Although jazz legend Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, 1901, he celebrated his birthday on July 4 (Armstrong believed he was born on Independence Day, but 12 years after his death, it was discovered that he was actually a Leo). The tradition lives on at the Louis Armstrong House Museum (3456 107th St.) in Flushing, Queens, with a free concert by Gwyn Jay Allen and his band in the museum garden. And because it’s a birthday, his 109th to be exact, there will be cake.
2 P.M. BIG ONION’S WALKING TOUR: If you didn’t wake up in time for the 2 a.m. tour, you didn’t miss your chance for some history. After all, considering Independence Day is about, well, our independence, we should probably learn something about our country. The Big Onion hosts a walking tour of Lower Manhattan called “Revolutionary New York,” with stops at Fraunces Tavern (where George Washington gave his farewell address to the Continental Army), Federal Hall, and the graves of Alexander Hamilton and General Richard Montgomery. The tour costs $15.
2 P.M. BROADWAY2BATTERY: Dan Zanes was the lead singer of the Del Fuegoes, a group Rolling Stone called 1984′s “Best New Band.” A few years later, after releasing Smoking in the Fields, the band broke up and Zanes dedicated his life to making children’s music. On July 4, the “Dan Zanes and Friends Jam & Jubilee” will play Battery Park as part of the River to River Festival, with special appearances by Tony-nominee Stew from Passing Strange and La Cumbiamba eNeYe, among many others. The event’s free and first-come, first-serve.
2 P.M. ROSANNE CASH: It can’t be easy being the daughter of Johnny Cash, but you wouldn’t know it by the career of Rosanne. She’s won a Grammy, has 11 #1 country hit singles and two gold albums, Seven Year Ache and Rhythm & Romance. On Sunday, she’s playing a free show on Governors Island in support of her latest album, The List.
4 P.M. SHE & HIM: Encore already told you about She & Him’s free performance on the Beach at Governors Island, but we’ll tell you again: Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward are playing a free show on the Beach at Governors Island. That’s where I’ll be at 4 p.m., so if you see a tall, long-haired white guy who’s in love with Zooey, that’s me. I’m sure I’ll be the only one who matches that description.
4 P.M. SHEA STADIUM BROOKLYN’S SUMMER JAM II: The fantastically named Shea Stadium Brooklyn is a musician-friendly recording space, and this weekend, they’re celebrating both our country’s 234th birthday and the one-year anniversary of their current home: 20 Meadow Street. As part of Shea’s “Summer Jam II,” Future Island and CSC Funk, among others, will be performing. Plus, a barbecue! The festivities begin at 4 p.m. and tickets cost $10—just don’t mention Citi Field.
All Day SHAKE SHACK CORNDOGS: From Friday to Monday, the Upper West Side location of Shake Shack (366 Columbus Ave.) will be selling their special corndogs, “an all beef hot dog with a jalapeno cornmeal batter and Rick’s Picks Corn Relish.” If only it were July 4th weekend every weekend.
Or you could just stay home and watch Independence Day over and over again.
Click here for Encore‘s list of places to see fireworks.