By Tracy Zwick
Labor Day is almost upon us, and there’s no time to waste: The countdown to the end of summer is in its final moments. So three … two … one … let’s weekend!
August 29nd to September 1st
U.S. Open: through September 7th at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens; tickets here
This weekend the US Open hits its sweet spot: the main draw’s third round and its round of 16 unfold, alongside men’s and women’s doubles, and boys and girls singles and doubles. By now, half the men and women who started last Sunday have been sent home. Those who remain are locked in and chasing the $5 million prize that’s only a few wins away. Tickets for the main draw aren’t cheap, but grounds passes, which allow you to watch world-class juniors and doubles, are more affordable. While you’re there, grab a seat in the plaza outside of the Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch the court action on the giant screens.
Check out WSR’s Guide to the US Open and follow WSR to learn more about the Open, ways to experience it and how UWSers are working, volunteering at and competing on tennis’s biggest stage.
Shaping the Future Through Tradition: American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily; tickets here (pay what you wish for NY residents
I’ve had this multimedia exhibition on my to-see list since it opened in June. Featuring 12 works, it’s a small show that explores how seven contemporary indigenous artists ground their creative work in their heritage – but using modern modes of expression, including film. It’s in the museum’s Northwest Coast Hall, which reopened in 2022 after a big renovation and reinterpretation in consultation with indigenous communities from the Pacific Northwest Coast.
The Met’s Summer HD Festival: Plaza in front of the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 7:30; Monday at 1 and 8 p.m.; free
Puccini, Rossini and Daniel Catán are on the schedule this weekend – you can see operas like “Tosca” and “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” outdoors, on the big screen and for free at the 16th annual Summer HD Festival. This year’s iteration features 10 performances from the company’s “Live in HD” series of cinematic transmissions. More than 2,000 seats are set up in front of the opera house in Lincoln Center’s plaza. First-come, first-served. No advance tickets or reservations are required.
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Jaws is screening at the AMC.
Ghostbusters will be screening at the Paris on Labor Day.
Last I looked even grounds passes to the US Open are now a fortune for this weekend – I think several hundred dollars a ticket. Even weekday grounds passes aren’t cheap. It has gotten out of control. I respect their ability to charge what the market will bear but have the people are there to drink Honey Deuces and take selfies and not to watch tennis – most of them wouldn’t know Serena Williams from Billie Jean King.
Look on seat geek, stub hub, or other resale sites for last minute seats to matches. The price drops as the match time approaches. Often, the nosebleed seats are cheaper than grounds passes, even though the seats include the grounds.