NYC summer calendar

JULY

P.S. 1 Warm Up

July 1-6

Public Enemies
Johnny Depp’s not a pirate, Christian Bale’s not Batman, and director Michael Mann’s not making something jaunty like The Sting with this tough tale of Depression-era crime. Local theaters; opens July 1.

Thursday Night Twilight Tours at Prospect Park Wine! Cheese! Bats? Head to the Boathouse on selected Thursdays this summer for a light reception, followed by boat tours on the park’s Lullwater and an Audubon-led bat walk. Prospect Park (718-287-3400, prospectpark.org/calendar/event/twilight). July 2, 9, 30, Aug 6, 13, 20 6:30pm; $30.

Warm Up
What bands are playing? Which DJs are spinning? As of press time, we have no clue—but who cares, the beats will be banging and P.S.1’s courtyard will be packed. P.S.1 (718-784-2084, www.ps1.org/warmup). July 4, $TBA.

International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Nathan’s Famous
FREE What better way to celebrate freedom than watching dudes try to eat more than 59 hot dogs (the number last year’s winner finished off) in ten minutes?Nathan’s Famous Coney Island (nathansfamous.com). July 4.

Williamsburg Walks
FREE Five blocks of Bedford Avenue go carless as local vendors and organizations flood the streets with activities and performances like urban gardening and acoustic shows.Bedford Avenue (billburg.com/walks). July 4, 11 Noon.

“Journey To the Stars”
The latest space show at the American Museum of Natural History has Whoopi Goldberg talking you the birth of the stars in our night sky and death of our Sun in about 5 billion years.American Museum of Natural History (212-769-5200, amnh.org). Opening July 4. $TBA.

10 Things I Hate About You, Warehouse 13 premieres
Pick a number, any number: 10 Things I Hate About You is a spin-off of the Heath Ledger teen flick (itself a reworking of The Taming of the Shrew). Larry Miller returns as the fearful father of two bickering daughters (the Christopher Guest-films alum was the highlight of the film anyway). Meanwhile, on the newly christened Syfy, Warehouse 13 does a goofy take on The X-Files, as two Secret Service agents attempt to guard a facility that’s pretty much the warehouse at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark. July 7. 10 Things I Hate About You at 8pm on ABC Family; Warehouse 13 at 9pm on Syfy.

July 7-13

“Politics and Fashion”
No, this isn’t an ode to Michelle Obama. FIT’s exhibition covers 200 years of politics and cultural movements as they’ve influenced the way we like to look. Museum at FIT, (212-217-4530, fitnyc.edu/museum). July 7–Nov. 7.

Summerscreen
FREE The L Magazine is hosting weekly outdoor movie screenings at the baseball fields in McCarren Park. Come for the movie, but leave your dog and picnic at home.
•Reality Bites, July 8
•Evil Dead 2, July 15
•24 Hour Party People, July 22
•Wild at Heart, July 29
•Fame, August 5
•Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, August 12
McCarren Park (Bedford Ave at N 12 St, summerscreen.org). July 8-Aug 15.

ThrillerFest 2009
What is more exciting than books about SWAT teams, international jewel thieves and Russian assassins? Meeting the authors who come up with the stuff! Learn how to write and pitch a thriller, or geek out at signings or the on-site bookstore.Grand Hyatt (212-883-1234, thrillerwriters.org/thrillerfest/). July 8-15 at various times. $125-$1,080.

"The John J. Harvey Fireboat"
Hear from members of the fireboat crew who pumped water to firefighters during 9/11 and the aftermath aboard the Waterfront Museum. This is part of the Red Hook Summer Speaker Series, happening through August 27. Waterfront Museum, (waterfrontmuseum.org/speaker). July 9. $5 donation suggested.

July 14-20

Jonathan Ames, The Double Life Is Twice as Good
He’s self-humiliating and gross in the best way possible, because he makes you laugh and because there’s a glorious enthusiasm in his prose, even when he’s writing about getting beat up. This collection of fiction and nonfiction finds him at the top of his game.July 14

Twitter for Career Success
There’s no way Oprah has a Twitter account for fun. Learn the basics of professional Twittering at this seminar hosted Sarah Milstein. 92Ytribeca, (212-601-1000, 92y.org/92yTribeca/). July 15. $20.

“Henry Hudson and His River”
Speaker Jack Putnam takes you on Henry Hudson’s third voyage and walks you through the history of river for the next four centuries. This is part of a ten-week series, happening through August 27. South Street Seaport Museum.(waterfrontmuseum.org/speaker). July 16. $5 donation suggested.

Roadtrip 8
The eighth annual beach-party weekend in Asbury Park, New Jersey, gives you a great reason to flee the city. (roadtripasburypark.com). July 17–19.

July 21-31

Life and Fate
How can a director—even a colossus such as Russia’s Lev Dodin—condense Vasily Grossman’s 880-page doorstop into a play? We can’t wait to find out. Gerald W. Lynch Theater (lincolncenterfestival.com). July 21–26, $35–$75

Plans for Atlantic Basin and the Oil Tanker Mary A. Whalen
If you missed the opera this vessel hosted a while back, fear not. The folks at Portside New York are planning a wide range of performances and exhibits for this 1930’s oil tanker. Learn all about it with director Carolina Salguero. This is part of the Red Hook Summer Speaker Series, happening through August 27.(portsidenewyork.com). July 23. $5 donation suggested.

The Films of Nick Ray
Film Forum devotes two weeks to the bigger-than-life director who turned Joan Crawford into a pistol-packin’ mama, Bogie into a psychotic and James Dean into an icon. Film Forum (212-727-8110). July 24–Aug 7; $11, seniors (Mon–Fri before 5pm) and members $6.

Kingsboro Arm Wrestling Championships
FREE The city’s best arm wranglers will converge on Coney Island to compete for the title of “Strongest Arm in Brooklyn.” Don’t feel up to the task? There’s also a sand-sculpting contest. July 25 Coney Island Beach (nycarms.com). 1pm.

Louis C.K.
Louis C.K. is an American treasure. His ability to name our collective stupidities without making us feel stupid—unless you’re a vapid teenager or whiny plane traveler—has made him one of the most beloved stand-ups working today, by fans and fellow comics alike. And he keeps getting better each year. Carolines on Broadway (212-757-4100, carolines.com). July 30–Aug 2 at various times, $46–$49.

JCPenney
FREE We’re sad to see the food court (and the city’s only Arby’s) go, but it’s about time we got a Penney—they have everything! We’re especially excited to get our hands on Charlotte Ronson’s lower-priced “I Heart Ronson” line. Manhattan Mall (jcpenney.com). July 31.