By Tracy Zwick
If you haven’t made it to the new Davis Center in Central Park, take the weekend to check it out, or make it a stop on your walk across the park for Sunday’s Israel Day Parade. Observe the night sky on West 145th Street this evening with the help of knowledgeable astronomers, or take in some live blues music Sunday in Riverside Park. If it’s rainy, use your indoor time to register for one of Wild Bird Fund’s terrific Central Park bird walks. Let’s Weekend!
May 16th to 18th, 2025
Free Stargazing on the West 145th Street Lawn: Friday, May 16th from 8 to 10 p.m., weather permitting
The Amateur Astronomers Association, founded in 1927 and dedicated to the study and public awareness of the cosmos, will provide telescopes and pointers so you can view and appreciate the night sky. Take the No. 1 Train to West 145th Street and head toward Riverside Drive. Enter the park through the Riverbank State Park entrance and take the stairs behind the carousel down to the West 145th Street Lawn.
Israel Day Parade, Sunday, May 18th on Fifth Avenue between West 57th and 74th streets from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Organizers call this Sunday’s “Israel Day on Fifth” (IDOF) celebration the world’s largest gathering in support of Israel, and it happens annually just across Central Park on Fifth Avenue. Tens of thousands of participants, musical performers, bands, and floats will progress up Fifth Avenue from around 57th Street to East 74th Street, showcasing their love and support for the people and culture of Israel. This year’s theme is “Hatikvah – The Hope.”
Register for a Wild Bird Fund Spring Bird Walk: Dates and times at this link; meeting point is West 77th Street and Central Park West; $25 members / $30 non-members; advance registration required.
A friend invited me to join one of these marvelous walks last spring and I enjoyed it so much I’ve signed up for another one this migration season. Join WBF’s expert birders for an easy walk through parts of Central Park where all kinds of birds are known to visit as they journey north. Last year we saw warblers, wrens, swifts, thrushes, swallows, a downy woodpecker, grackles, catbirds and a hawk. Ask ahead about borrowing binoculars if you don’t have your own pair!
Catch Blues Hall of Fame Band French Cookin’ Blues in Riverside Park: Sunday, May 18th from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; 116th Street Overlook in Riverside Park; Free
Part of Riverside Park Conservancy’s “Summer on the Hudson” program, this free concert features French Cookin’ Blues, a New York-based band that mixes traditional blues and original tunes in a variety of styles including Swing, Delta, Chicago, New Orleans, Texas, Country and Boogie.
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West Harlem Street Festival every Thursday through end of October. 12th Avenue and W130th Street.
I was hoping French Cookin’ Blues would come back… they were SO good last year. Really special to hear this for free w/ great views
The French Cookin’ Blues band is spectacular! Them boys can COOK! Definitely a good time will be had by all.