Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

Summer has arrived with fun events stretching from the city to the Hamptons. Whether you’re strolling down Fifth Avenue for the Museum Mile Festival, soaking in Shakespeare under the stars in Central Park, or catching a powerful film preview in Southampton, there’s no shortage of entertainment. From historic revivals to fresh additions—like The Frick Collection’s new café or the renovated Sagaponack General Store—this season offers something for every curious explorer. And our Long Island reporter has a Father’s Day gift suggestion from the heart.

 Shakespeare in the Park is Back!

The season just kicked off in Central Park with one of Shakespeare’s most overlooked comedies with them. All’s Well That Ends Well.  Catch free performances Tuesday–Sunday at 7:00 p.m. June 3–22 | Central Park | 103rd & CPW. As always, tickets are free, with multiple distribution methods across NYC’s five boroughs. GET THE DETAILS.

June 10. Museum Mile Festival

Head to Fifth Avenue from 6 to 9 PM for the 47^th annual celebration, where museums along Fifth Avenue, including The Met and Guggenheim, open their doors for free to the public. It’s a lively atmosphere with street musicians, art-related activities for children, and food vendors. Featured exhibitions include “Urban Stomp: Dreams & Defiance on the Dance Floor” and “Above Ground: Art from the Martin Wong Graffiti Collection” at the Museum of the City of New York.

Participating museums include The Met, Guggenheim, Cooper Hewitt, The Jewish Museum, El Museo del Barrio, and The Africa Center, among others. Plus, several neighborhood partners like Asia Society, NYC Kids Project, and the AKC Museum of the Dog will join the festivities. GET ALL THE DETAILS.

June 26. A Powerful Film Premiere in Southampton

Head to the Avram Theater, Stony Brook Southampton, for the premiere of “The Weight of Memory: I Am Bernie Furshpan.” The film follows Dr. Bernie Furshpan, son of Holocaust survivor Moshe Furshpan, as he travels the country educating younger generations. Through a powerful blend of historical fact and personal testimony, Bernie shares his family’s story to inspire action against hatred and its devastating consequences. Bernie delivers a powerful message for new generations to stand against intolerance with a sense of urgency.  GET TICKETS HERE.

Thursday, June 26 | 5:00 pm at the Avram Theater, Stony Brook Southampton

Tickets: $20
80-minute film – Q&A following screening
Directed by Christiane Arbesu (Terrebonne Productions)

Spotlight on Long Island:  A Father’s Day Gift Idea

Our Long Island reporter, Andrea Peponakis, is also a successful children’s book author. After months of writing and pouring her heart into every page, she has just released two new children’s that are just perfect for Father’s Day gifts. These latest books are part of a beautiful series of children’s books. GET THE DETAILS.

 The Frick’s First-Ever Café Opens

The newly renovated Frick Collection has just opened its first-ever café, Westmoreland, located on the second floor. Designed by Bryan O’Sullivan Studio, it features a bespoke mural by Darren Waterston. The American menu features seasonal ingredients, including pastries, soups, salads, and entrées like poached trout and tagliatelle pomodoro. The beverage selection includes local coffee, teas, European and American wines, and cocktails inspired by the museum’s Cocktails with a Curator series. The café is exclusively for museum ticket holders and members and operates during regular museum hours. Same-day reservations can be made onsite. GET THE DETAILS.

 Roving in Sagaponanck

Our roving photographer Nicole Freezer Rubens writes:

What’s old is new again. The Sagaponack General Store on the East End of Long Island, originally opened in 1878 when horse-drawn carriages delivered goods from the Sag Harbor shores, has just reopened. After closing in 2020 and being purchased by new owner Mindy Gray, who masterminded a lengthy, detailed renovation, it is a modern-day twist on simpler times. Gray’s goal was to respect the history of what was once the center of a small town. Notably, it includes a post office that is still being meticulously restored and will reopen soon as a working post office, including 1500 stunning original wood and brass PO boxes.

Upon entering the refurbished barn building, every detail is a nod to the past and celebrates the local community. The colorful penny candy section is cleverly displayed in retrofitted vintage mailboxes. There is a frozen yogurt counter, a coffee and pastry bar, gorgeous fresh produce, and a nice selection of grab-and-go salads and sandwiches, all displayed amidst historic vintage signs from the area. No market in the Hamptons is complete without locally sourced specialty goods and, of course, some well-thought-out merch, which the Sagaponack General Store proudly offers.

The best part of my visit was eating a delicious lunch on a bench in the beautifully landscaped backyard. The colors and the vibe were so serene, it could have been 1878 again. That said, I recommend going during the week, as with any new Hamptons hot spot, it’s wall to wall people on the weekends, most of them filling their baskets while wearing their brand new Sagaponack General baseball hats!