PsychoBarn at The Met

Every summer, The Met has a different rooftop exhibit - you know this, because I've mentioned it before. Here's what's up there this year...

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The project’s full name is “Transitional Object: (PsychoBarn)” and it's done by the artist Cornelia Parker. It is assembled at two-thirds of the scale of a real house and with only two finished sides, just like the film set of the 1960 Hitchcock film “Psycho” that gave Ms. Parker part of her inspiration.

The back of the project — which Ms. Parker doesn’t hide, but rather emphasizes — reveals it as fake, supported by metal scaffolding and tamped down with large black water tanks, providing ballast so it won’t blow over in a strong wind.

It'll stay up there until October 31st. Gotta go see this!

Things To Do In July in NYC

There are always so many "What To Do In July" posts that always have the same, summery suggestions that I see every year (go to the beach, have a picnic in the park, see the fireworks, blah blah blah). So I thought I'd write a list of stuff that I'd actually like to do (and most of it I will do! Not all, 'cause of budgetary restraints, but most). Off we go.

Wednesday July 1st (Canada Day) - What better way to spend the holiday than by watching Alive, which arrives on (American) Netflix today?! (Okay, there are probably tons of better ways to celebrate the day - but I really can't wait to watch this movie again. I only saw it once when I was a kid and I feel like it might be a good time?) But if that's not up your alley, I recommend getting a poutine from Mile End to celebrate the day.

Wednesday July 1st - Today also marks the re-opening of the Guggenheim Museum's Kandinsky collection, which has been closed since April 1st and features some of the most important woodcuts and paintings in the artist's entire body of work. The exhibit re-opens today at 10am at the Guggenheim Museum, 1071 5th Ave, Manhattan, admission is $25 (or you can wait until any Saturday to go since it's Pay-What-You-Wish from 5:45pm - 7:15pm on Saturdays).

Saturday July 4th - Astoria Greenmarket has re-opened for the season, so I'll definitely be heading over here for the best goddam corn-on-the-cob OF LIFE. Open from 8am - 4pm.

Monday July 6th - Saturday July 11th - Lincoln Center Presents: Danny Elfman's Music From the Films of Tim Burton (!) - I know the tickets for this are a little steep since it's at Lincoln Center ($90+), but there's a sale right now where they're $49/per person over at Goldstar. 

Tuesday July 7th - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is having a book signing & reading at Barnes & Noble (555 Fifth Avenue store) to promote his new book, A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety. You can arrive at 9am to purchase the book and receive a wristband for the 12pm event. 

Tuesday July 7th, Tuesday July 14th, Tuesday July 21st, Tuesday July 28th - Stargazing on the High Line - There are telescopes set up and anyone can join in for free. From dusk until 11pm at West 14th Street.

Sunday July 12th - Bastille Day in NYC - Held on three avenue blocks closed to traffic, the day offers French classics like crêpes, cheeses, macarons & more as well as musicians and other French-centric activities. East 60th Street between Fifth Avenue and Lexington Avenue, 12pm - 5pm.

Tuesday July 14th - Astoria Bookshop is celebrating the release of one of 2015’s most anticipated books, Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee, with a Southern-inspired cocktail hour from 5pm - 7pm.

Sunday July 19th - Barkfest - It's basically a dog block party of sorts. Kind of sounds amazing or terrifying, I can't decide. Runs from 2pm - 9pm.