A four-legged cute-a-thon, outdoor sleepover, and delectable soup tasting are enough reasons to be outside for the weekend's beautiful fall weather here in New York. Make sure to check out the events happening in the city below:
Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade
Where: Tompkins Square Park, East 9th Street between Avenues A and B
When: Saturday, 12PM
Price: Free
Halloween arrives a week early for the city's most adorable canines. Join dog owners and admirers alike for the 21st annual dog parade in the East Village and spot your favorite costumes. Winners are announced every half hour and will receive plenty of prizes. Check out our slideshow from last year below!
Parents for Occupy Wall Street Sleepover
Where: Zuccotti Park
When: Friday-Saturday, 4PM-11AM
Price: Free
Great weather for an outdoor sleepover! Occupy Wall Street parents are hosting a family sleepover in order to "stand up for (their) families and our children's rights." The event will provide a play area, toys, and snacks for tots to enjoy while mom and dad speak up for the little ones. Yoga mats and strollers are encouraged.
Smith Street Soup Festival
Where: Smith Street between Atlantic Avenue and Carroll Street, Brooklyn
When: Sunday, 1PM-4PM
Price: $5 a person, $10 for family
There's nothing more autumnal than a soup tasting and Brooklyn has got your taste buds covered with over 20 different kinds of soup from local restaurants and purveyors including Verde, Lunetta, and Bar Tabac. The festival adds a dose of friendly competition for the best in show in three different categories: consomme, veloute, and peasant-style. Bon appetit!
Brooklyn Vegan CMJ Showcase
Where: Music Hall of Williamsburg
When: Friday, 7PM
Price: $15
Too busy during the work week to catch a CMJ show? Fear not, Brooklyn Vegan is hosting a CMJ showcase with music by Blue Hawaii, Pepper Rabbit, Active Child, Braids, and Weekend. If you're in the mood for something heavier, the folks at Brooklyn Vegan are also hosting a second showcase and aboard the Jewel boat for a "raging blackened thrash band" party.
Alexander Calder Exhibit
Where: The Pace Gallery, 32 East 57th Street
When: Starts Friday-December 23, 2011
Price: Free
The Pace Gallery opens its doors on Friday for a new exhibit focusing on Alexander Calder's work from 1941, a year that proved to be a grand culmination of his 1930's experiments and invention of the mobile. The show will also feature his famous Boomerang and Vertical Foliage works.
Russell Simmons at Barnes & Nobles
Where: Barnes & Nobles, Union Square, 33 East 17th Street; (212) 253-0810
When: Friday, 7PM
Price: Free
When he's not too busy down making appearances at Occupy Wall Street with pal Kanye West, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons proves to be a bit of a historian. On Friday evening, Simmons celebrates Def Jam Records, "last great record label," as he chronicles 25 years of highlights from the record label that produced such prolific acts as LL Cool J and Public Enemy.
Huckleberry Mac-Off
Where: Huckleberry Bar, 588 Grand Street, Brooklyn; (718) 218-8555
When: Sunday, 5PM-8PM
Price: $10 to judge and eat
Mixologist and classic drink haven, Huckleberry Bar, will be hosting its second annual Mac-Off this Sunday where $10 gets you a taste and chance to judge the very best in cheesy noodles. They'll also be offering drink specials for the special event. Proceeds will go to The Claque.