Free Movies in the Park or Free Dancing

We know you're on a budget.  We get that.  The city does too.  So if you're missing some face time, or at least are looking a bit pale, head to either Bryant, Brooklyn Bridge, or Central Park for their Summer movie series.  Grab a blanket, some sandwiches, and a bottle or two of water (or wine, but hide the wine) and grab your friends, your sweeties, or yourself and head on out.  Get there early to make sure you get the best seats of the house.

Bryant Park's HBO Summer Film Festival kicked off last night with the James Bond classic Goldfinger.  They'll continue to play every Monday at sundown until August 23rd.  Some of the classics they'll be playing include Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The French Connection, Rosemary's Baby, and Twelve Angry Men.  Also please note, if you want a seat on the lawn, be prepared to have your bags checked upon arrival. 

If classics aren't really your thing, you do have other options.  Brooklyn runs their own event at Brooklyn Bridge Park, which doesn't really kick off till the beginning of July.

Movies with a View presented by Syfy brings you a lot of the more recent pics, without the extravagant ticket price.  Some of the films on this year's list include: Monsters and Aliens in 3D, Brokeback Mountain, Dreamgirls, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  Generally they have light food available for purchase and in our opinion, is a really sweet date spot.

If you don't want to leave the city, you can always go to Central Park and catch their film festival.  The Central Park Film Festival happens every year, traditionally on Rumsey Field (E 72nd off 5th Ave) and generally happens mid August.  Unfortunately the listing of this year's films have not been added to their website, however some of last year's films included Shaft, Oceans 11, Men in Black, and Twilight.

If a sedentary lifestyle is not what you'd prefer, there's always dancing.  With the warm weather, you will find more and more people coming out to dance their behinds off.  Here are a few free parties to consider dancing the night away.

Water Taxi Beach is partnering with Dance.Here.Now to offer some great DJ events at both their Queens and South Street Seaport locations.  If you want in for free, head to their events on Sunday before 3PM and be part of the party.

If you're into something more in the swing, check out Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night's Swing.  Learn how to hustle, swing, tango, or two-step during this festival.  Although former training with their dance instructors and getting closer to the stage requires you to pay $25, the event happens in the plaza and is open to the public.  If you don't mind hanging on the sidelines, you still get an awesome party and live music.

Let us know if there are any free events going on in your neck of the woods!