We have a super exciting weekend ahead of us! First of all, let me remind you of several events I’ve mentioned already– on Thursday  The Raspberry Brothers are having a special early roasting of Garden State and Discovery is playing at Public Assembly. There are also various ongoing events like the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival; New York Classical Theatre’s wandering production of King Lear in Central Park, which I just reviewed and The NYC Food Film Festival (discussed in this post).

That said, please prepare yourself for difficult decisions.

Also on Thursday Schmami is the special guest DJ at Studio B’s Sunset Disco Rooftop BBQ with People Don’t Dance No More; get out there and prove them wrong!

Friday is a very special holiday in Sweden- Midsummer, a traditionally pagan holiday linked to the summer solstice and fertility rituals. So where should you celebrate your Swedish heritage, (or celebrate with some hot Swedes)? Party with the Swedish Consulate of course! They’re having a traditional Swedish Midsummer Celebration in Battery Park City:

Adults and children of all ages are welcome to help decorate the midsummer pole, make flower wreaths, play traditional games and dance to authentic fiddle music. Food stands will offer traditional delicacies from New York’s finest Swedish restaurants and food purveyors.

Keep your ears open for news of the equally traditional riotous afterparty!

Also on Friday you can help support Ground UP Productions and have a drink under the stars at their Rooftop Rendezvous! The posh event will be held on the Scholastic Center Rooftop Terrace and in the adjacent Greenhouse, both of which have enviable views of Soho. Get discount tickets HERE.

BAMcinemaFest is kicking off with screenings of new films at the BAM Rose Cinema. The New York Times wrote a blurb with their recommendations; I personally am quite intrigued by this trailer:

Saturday is the biggest event of the summer (at least if you’re a mermaid)- The Coney Island Mermaid Parade!! Words fail to describe the brilliance of this event, so here are some photos from past parades:

That is exactly the kind of madness that defines NYC!

Should you be looking for something more literally tasty there are also two amazing food-centric events happening on Saturday. First, you can witness a competition of gelatinous proportions at the Gowanus Studio Space; the great Jello-O Mold Competition will be judged on creativity, aesthetics, structural/sculptural ingenuity and  edibility/culinary appeal. Can we achieve the jell-o art of times past?

If Jello-O isn’t hearty enough for you head over to 513 Henry St at Sackett in Carroll Gardens, where the Greenhorns are presenting the Goat Spit Summer Throwdown:

Join the Reverend Billy and the Greenhorns — a group of especially ambitious (and young!) farmers — in the previously abandoned Vermont Market & Pharmacy in Carroll Gardens for an afternoon of delectable treats and plenty of sustainable tips. Goat gets roasted on a bike-powered spit; you can fill up on greens, burgers, pickles, beer, and espresso, too. A rooftop gardening workshop coaxes your own latent green thumb, while a documentary on the Greenhorns also screens, perhaps serving as inspiration.

Sounds delicious!

On Sunday Central Park Summer Stage is embracing francophilia with a line-up that showcases the diversity of French contemporary music. I am particularly excited about Coralie Clément; watch this adorable music video and you will be too!

Also on Sunday you finally have another chance to check out Dare Dukes, who I called sexy ugly in a post ages ago. He’s also an excellent musician and songwriter and his show at The Living Room is certain to be the perfect way to wrap up your weekend!

Stay tuned for addtions!