News

2014 Schedule Announced; Island Open 7 Days A Week

The Trust for Governors Island today announced its 2014 public season. Visitors to Governors Island will enjoy 30 new acres of extraordinary park that open for the first time. Additionally this season, visitors will enjoy more arts, cultural, recreational and educational programs than ever before. Governors Island opens to the public on Saturday, May 24 and will be open every day through September 28.

“We want every New Yorker to feel like they are personally invited to enjoy the 2014 season on Governors Island,” said Leslie Koch, President of The Trust for Governors Island. “Governors Island is the shared place for art and play for the entire City.”

The new 30 acres of park that will open for the first time on May 24 is designed by acclaimed landscape architecture firm West 8. The new park includes Liggett Terrace, a sunny, six-acre plaza with seasonal plantings, seating, and public art; Hammock Grove, a sunny ten-acre space that is home to more than 1,500 new trees, play areas and 50 red hammocks; and the Play Lawn, 14 acres for play and relaxation that includes two natural turf ball fields sized for adult softball and Little League baseball. The new park also features site-specific art by artists Mark Handforth and Susan Philipsz. These pieces are a part of Art CommissionsGI, the Island’s public art commissioning program.

Visitors to the Island will see the next phase of park, the Hills, under construction. Made of recycled fill materials, the Hills will rise 25 to 80 feet above the Island, and the summit of the tallest Hill will provide visitors with a 360-degree panoramic view of the Harbor. The Hills will be complete in 2015.

In addition to the new park, the entire Historic District will be open to the public, as will much of the promenade around the Island. The promenade will be open from just south of the new ball fields through the Historic District over to Yankee Pier. The promenade will be closed on the eastern side of the Island south of Yankee Pier to just south of the ball fields due to ongoing construction.

“The 2014 season opens a new and exciting chapter for Governors Island,” said Ronay Menschel, Chair of The Trust for Governors Island. “With triple the number of days to enjoy the Island and 30 new acres of park open for the first time, we are expanding the opportunity for all New Yorkers to spend time with art, culture and recreation in this unique part of the City.”

This season, the Island will host a diverse array of new activities and programs. GrowNYC will operate an urban farm. The farm will host field trips for children on weekdays and provide public programming on weekends, including teaching gardening techniques and the origins of plants that we eat. Earth Matter NY will host weekend educational programing for Island visitors, focusing on composting techniques. They will feature a diversity of hands-on workshops during open hours, including care of their chickens, rabbits, goats, worms and bees that will help demonstrate how we are all part of the sustainability cycle. Earth Matter also facilitates pre-arranged compost trainings for camps and school groups as well as volunteer work days every Friday.

New exhibitions and programs include The New-York Historical Society’s “Civil War and New York City” and The Rubin Museum of Art’s “Bodies in Balance: The Art of Tibetan Medicine.”

The Island will also host several new performances. Baila Baila will dance in Colonels Row and Hedgepig will produce a 15 minute version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the new Hammock Grove.

Visitors will be able to enjoy miles of biking in the Island’s Historic District and in the new park. Visitors can bring their own bikes or rent one while visiting. Free Bike Mornings allows visitors to borrow a bike for free for one hour between 10 and noon every weekday. Visitors will also once again be able to enjoy guided programs with the National Park Service, explore Castle Williams and Fort Jay and experience special youth programs.

“The National Park Service looks forward to another exciting season welcoming visitors to enjoy the Island’s stories,” said Patti Reilly, Superintendent of The Governors Island National Monument. “We look forward to visitors exploring Fort Jay and Castle Williams and learning about the Island’s important role in the history of New York City.”

Visitor favorites will also return this season. The Jazz Age Lawn Party, FIGMENT’s mini golf, and the Rite of Summer alt-classical music series will again be part of the public season. The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council will also host a series of exhibits and open artist studios throughout the season.

“We look forward to the best season yet on Governors Island,” said Susan Carey Dempsey, Executive Director of the Governors Island Alliance. “We invite everyone to come and kick off the new season by joining the Alliance at the Family Festival on Opening Day!”

Governors Island is also a part of the River to River Festival. During the festival, the Island will host several site-specific dance performances. River to River is produced by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

“Governors Island is one of New York City’s great waterfront treasures,” said Roland Lewis, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. “We can’t wait to get everyone out on the water for City of Water Day and hope more New Yorkers than ever will enjoy the Harbor and waterfront views from the Island during the 2014 season.”

“Starting at the end of May, New Yorkers will be able to enjoy 30 acres of new parkland in the middle of New York Harbor,” said Tupper Thomas, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Parks. “We hope New Yorkers from all corners of the city will come enjoy this unique public space.”

Below is the current calendar of events as well as general information about the Island’s public access season. Events will be updated throughout the next several months. The calendar will be updated on www.govisland.com.

CALENDAR

ISLAND SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

Saturday, May 24, Opening Day Family Festival, Colonels Row and Liggett Terrace, 1 PM-4 PM
Join the Governors Island Alliance in Nolan Park for arts and crafts, musical and theatrical performances, and harbor-education activities for kids. Sponsored by the Governors Island Alliance. For more information, visit governorsislandalliance.org.

Saturday, May 24, LMCC’s Open Studios, Building 110, 12 PM to 5 PM
LMCC is proud to be a part of the Season of Cambodia Festival, a city-wide initiative of Cambodian Living Arts celebrating the arts and culture of Cambodia. Join LMCC in the Gallery at Building 110 and meet the six Cambodian artists who have been in residence since April 2013.

Saturday and Sunday, May 24-25, Saturday, May 31, Saturday, June 7, Saturday, August 16, Saturday, August 30, Vintage Baseball, Parade Ground, 11 AM
Visit the Parade Ground and enjoy America’s pastime the way it used to be played!

Saturday, May 31, Rite of Summer presents Dawn of Midi, Colonels Row, 1 PM and 3 PM
Dawn of Midi, an electronica influenced all acoustic trio, will perform original music under the shade of Colonels Row. It is the first Rite of Summer concert on the Island this season. www.riteofsummer.com.

Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, FIGMENT NYC, Island-wide, 10 AM to 6 PM
FIGMENT is a free, inclusive, participatory arts event held in multiple cities and drawing tens of thousands of participants each year. At FIGMENT visitors will find works in every imaginable medium including sculpture, installation, performance, music, workshops, games, social experiments, and heart-stopping technological innovations that change the way we see the world… and visitors are invited to bring something, too!

Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15 and Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17
Jazz Age Lawn Party, Colonels Row, 11 AM to 5 PM

Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra invite you to the beloved Jazz Age Lawn Party — a dream of the 1920s nestled right in the heart of New York Harbor! Under a canopy of century trees, caressed by fresh sea air, a delightful array of offerings abound throughout the day including: live music and dance performances, dance instruction for the hottest dance steps of the time, games for all ages and a wide variety of 1920’s inspired refreshments and gourmet food for purchase. Tickets are required for this event and can be purchased at www.jazzagelawnparty.com. If space is available, tickets will be sold at the door.

Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15, Hedgepig Presents 15 Minute Hamlet, Hammock Grove, 1 PM
The Hedgepig Ensemble Theater will perform a 15 minute version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet amid the trees and hammocks of Hammock Grove, in the Island’s new park.

Friday, June 20, Baila Baila, Colonels Row, 1 PM
Site specific dance comes to Colonels Row.

Thursday, June 19 – Sunday, June 29, River to River Festival, LMCC’s Art Center on Governors Island
The annual arts festival of Lower Manhattan, River to River, has several performances on Governors Island scheduled this year. See the River to River events below.

Friday, June 20 and Sunday, June 22, Eiko presents Two Women, LMCC’s Art Center, 2 PM
Eiko experiments to create and present a duet with Japanese dancer Tomoe Aihara. Two Women is an experimental performance that focuses on their age difference and explores how two bodies sometimes mirror each other in parts or collide into one.

Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21, Vanessa Anspaugh presents What Was Wasn’t Here, Building 10a, Nolan Park, 20 at 3 PM, 21 at 1 & 3 PM
Inspired by Rebecca Solnit’s The Far Away Nearby and the process of developing this work on Governors Island, Vanessa Anspaugh explores the illusions of separation, relationships and space, and asks how bodies share and lose one another.

Wednesday and Thursday, June 25 and June 26, Reggie Wilson presents …Moses(es), St. Cornelius Chapel, 25 at 2:45 PM, 26 at 1:45 and 3 PM
In …Moses(es) Wilson asks: how do we lead and why do we follow? He examines the multiple iterations of Moses as represented in religious texts, and his place in the mythical, canonical and ethnographic imaginations, exploring questions and expectations in our relationship to leaders and leadership.

Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and June 29, Okwui Okpokwasili presents Bronx Gothic: The Oval, LMCC’s Arts Center, 3 PM
Bronx Gothic reveals an impassioned story of coming of age as notes are surreptitiously passed between two school girls at the tender age of 11. Enacted as a solo, Okpokwasili casts a gripping performance that sheds light on harrowing issues of self-esteem, body image and sex amid a susceptible moment in a young girl’s life.

Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and June 29, Open Studios with LMCC’s Artists in Residence, LMCC’s Arts Center, 12 PM to 5 PM.
Join LMCC for Open Studios with Process Space artists-in-residence at Governors Island! Visit with visual and performing artists and writers who have been working at LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island since March. The weekend will feature behindthe-scenes access to 20 multi-disciplinary artists’ studios.

Saturday, June 28, RECESS Badminton, Colonels Row, 12 PM to 5 PM
Dust off those badminton rackets and birdies as RECESS returns to Colonels Row for their infamous outdoor badminton challenge featuring 32 creative organizations battling for the title of New York City’s supreme shuttle cockers! Festivities include free bike rides, food vendors, a beer/wine tent and guest deejays, plus a few public courts. Visit http://www.recessnewyork.com for more information.

Saturday, July 12, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance presents The City of Water Day Festival, 10 AM to 4 PM
A day of entertainment, education and adventure celebrating our waterfront and its potential. Enjoy free boat tours, children’s activities, fishing, the Waterfront Activity Fair, and more! For more information, visit www.cityofwaterday.org.

Sunday, July 13, Rite of Summer presents New York Harbor to the World, Colonels Row, 1 PM and 3 PM
Rite of Summer collaborates with New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers program, in presenting an exhilarating afternoon of world premieres inspired by New York City and its multicultural, multifarious history. Featuring renowned ensembles ETHEL and Iktus Percussion performing seven brand new compositions by children from the Philharmonic’s VYC program, two world premieres by NY Philharmonic teaching artist-composers Justin Hines and Angélica Negrón, and a few other musical surprises along the way.

Saturday, July 19, Come Out & Play Field Day and Family Day at the Parade Ground as part of the River To River Festival, 11 AM to 5 PM
City-sized fun for kids and adults, Field Day and Family Day events turn Governors Island into a giant playground for all. New games, new experiences, and new takes on old favorites, Field Day and Family Day give participants the opportunity to rediscover each other and the city they call home through joyful interactive play.

Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20, 26-27, projectLIMB, Colonels Row
projectLIMB is a non-profit site specific dance company dedicated to bringing dance to public spaces. They are intent on embodying the potential that is alive in every space by reinventing our relationships with people, animals, plants, stones, water – with the world as a whole. www.projectlimb.net

Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27, New York City Poetry Festival, 11 AM to 5 PM
The Poetry Society of New York will once again invite New Yorkers to come together for this two day festival to celebrate NYC’s vibrant poetry community. The event will include over 60 poetry organizations and 250 poets on its three stages; a Vendor’s Village where local booksellers, artists and craft makers will sell their wares; a beer garden sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery; healthy and delicious food options; poetic installation art throughout, the Ring of Daisies open mic; and last but not least, the Children’s Poetry Festival, complete with writing games and its own fourth, all-kids stage.

Saturday, August 9, Rite of Summer presents Pam Goldberg, Esther Noh, Caitlin Sullivan & Allison Charney, Colonels Row, 1 PM and 3 PM
American and Argentine Sounds from Ives to Piazzolla featuring ROS Co-Founder & pianist Pam Goldberg, violinist Esther Noh, cellist Caitlin Sullivan and soprano Allison Charney. www.riteofsummer.com

Saturday, August 23, RECESS Bocce, Colonels Row, 12 PM to 5 PM
Itchy for bocce anyone? Join RECESS for a day of outdoor fun in the sun as 32 creative organizations put their lawn skills to the test, rolling and knocking off each other’s bocce balls on the makeshift grass courts on Colonel’s Row. Festivities include free bike rides, food vendors, a beer/wine tent and guest deejays. A few courts will also be open to the public. Visit http://www.recessnewyork.com for more information.

Sunday, August 24, The NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jnycunifest.comam, Colonels Row, 10 AM
The Traffic Jam is a spectator-judged vintage Volkswagen car show and picnic. With great views behind a vibrant line-up of nearly 100 Beetles, buses, dune buggies, Things, and other original VW’s circa 1950’s – 1970’s, this car show is a one-of-a-kind event for both the casual spectator and classic VW enthusiast. Because show cars ride a ferry to get to the event, registration is mandatory to secure a spot at the show. Registration opens June 30th. Registration will be first-come, first-served. Car Registration $20.00 and spectators attend for free. Visit www.vwtrafficjam.com.

Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and August 31, NYC Unicycle Festival, 12 PM
The New York City Unicycle Festival brings together recreational riders, world-class performers, mountain and off-road unicycle enthusiasts, mono-wheel vehicle inventors, along with circus enthusiasts, extreme sports viewers, and anyone seeking an unusual sight–even for NYC! You will witness unicycle basketball, hockey and sumo. Learn to unicycle in the learn-to-ride area. Produced by Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts. For more information visit nycunifest.com.

Saturday, September 6, Rite of Summer presents Grand Band, Colonels Row, 1 PM and 3 PM
New York’s piano sextet Grand Band presents A Bigger Picture – performed by ROS Co-Founder & pianist Blair McMillen, Vicky Chow, David Friend, Paul Kerekes, Lisa Moore and Isabelle O’Connell. The New York Times calls Grand Band “the Traveling Wilburys of the city’s new music piano scene.” They will present a program of recent works by Philip Glass, Kate Moore, Steve Reich and two New York premieres by Michael Gordon and Paul Kerekes. www.riteofsummer.com

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PROGRAMS

Offered Wednesdays through Sundays all season (unless otherwise noted). For more information call 212-825-3045 or visit www.nps.gov/gois

Explore Castle Williams, 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Tours of the roof every half hour, 11 AM till 5 PM.. Get some history in the round at the best-preserved circular fortification in the nation. Fantastic views available from the roof. Free tickets required for tours. About 30 minutes long. Last roof tour on Thursday at 1:30 PM.

For Kids! From Drills to Drums: Civil War Life on Governors Island, Wednesday through Friday 10:20 AM and 11:20 AM, Soissons Landing
Take a step into the past and meet Island residents from hundreds of years ago. Kids and grownups will see first-hand the lives of soldiers, civilians and prisoners on the island in the 19th century. No tickets required, but large groups please call ahead – 212-825-3045.

Nolan Park: A Commanding Presence, 11 AM, Commanding Officers Quarters
Take a stroll through the genteel neighborhood that played home to generations of the highest-ranking officers stationed on Governors Island.

Visit the Arsenal, 1 PM, Soissons Landing
Did you know that for decades, Governors Island housed not one, but two military bases? Explore Governors Island’s very own “heat-packing district” where the US Army managed munitions and arms during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Hike through History, Wednesday and Friday – Saturday, 2 PM, Soissons Landing
See the whole history of the island in one go. Our most comprehensive program takes you to nearly every highlight in the historic district. Walking tour of 1.5 miles for a total of 90 minutes.

Artillery Thursday! Thursdays, 2 PM Eastern Entrance of Fort Jay
Ready for the big boom? Learn about the life of a 19th-century artillerist and the ammunition and weaponry they used. Loud, fiery cannon demonstration. Then travel to Fort Jay and look at the big 5 and 7 ton Civil War cannons.

Beachfront No More, Colonels Row, 3 PM
Get to know the island’s “dividing line” where officers meet enlisted men, natural turf meets artificial soil, and old meets new.

Experience Fort Jay: An Island Star! Weekends, 12 to 4 PM every hour, Eastern Entrance
Fortify your mind! Tour one of the best examples of classic star-shaped fort design anywhere in the country, including the oldest structure on the island.

National Park Service Special Programs

Army Heritage Day, Saturday, June 1, 11 AM to 6 PM
Living historians from all aspect of the U.S. Army’s past, along with small displays, bring back a sense of Governors Island’s 200 year long history as an Army post.

Civil War Heritage Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, August 9 and 10, 11 AM to 6PM
Civil War living historians from the region offer a glimpse of Civil War life as a soldier with camp, musket and cannon firing demonstrations.

ONGOING PROGRAMS

Free Bike Mornings: May 24-September 28 (Every weekday)
Borrow a bike for free for up to one hour from Blazing Saddles on Colonels Row. Free bikes are offered every weekday morning from 10 AM to noon.

What’s Happening on Governors Island: May 24-September 28 (Every day), Building 110
Visit the interactive exhibit in Building 110 to learn more about Governors Island’s new park and public spaces and The Hills as they are under construction. Visitors are invited to use Post It notes, markers and stamps to provide their feedback about what’s happening on the Island.

Empire Historic Arts Fund presents: “Tattered and Torn (On The Road To Deaccession): May 24-September 28, Building 20A in Nolan Park (Weekends), Building 20A in Nolan Park
An installation of costume de-accessioned from various museums due to condition issues that make them undesirable for exhibit in the upper echelon museum world. Empire Historic Arts believes their inherent beauty and value is easily recognizable and that they are a great resource for those interested in the design and construction of late 18th and 19th century garments.

Children’s Museum of the Arts Free Art Island Outpost Program: May 24-September 28 (Weekends, 11 AM to 3 PM), outside of Building 14, Nolan Park
Join CMA’s Teaching Artists for free hands on art-making each weekend. Collaborate with other visitors on a variety of themed art workshops including painting, sound design, sculpture, animation, podcasting, and more!! For more information visit cmany.org.

Earth Matter Compost Learning Center: Saturdays and Sundays, 12-4 PM, Fridays by pre-registration, Enter at the Park Oval
Earth matter hosts visitor open hours every Saturday and Sunday. The Center’s schedule is:
12-1 pm Animals-in the-compost cycle and care for animals.
1-1:30pm Instructional “how to” compost
2:00-2:30pm “featured” activity focus.
3-4 pm “what to compost”.
Come for a tour of our variety of composting methods and devices. Families welcome.

Sculptors Guild presents “Transformation”: May 24-September 28, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 AM to 5 PM, Building 19 in Nolan Park
This exhibition encompasses six separately themed shows as well as outdoor work.

Brooklyn Public Library presents The Uni Project: May 24-August 30, Weekends 12 – 5 PM, Library Lawn outside of Building 114
For the second year in a row, the Uni Project will partner with the Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Library, and The New York Public Library to offer an open-air, public reading room on Governors Island. The Library Lawn will have shade and stunning views of New York Harbor. Visitors will be able to borrow books for use on the island, register for library cards, sign up for Summer Reading, and learn what’s happening in the three New York City public library systems. BPL has also planned a series of Saturday programs at 1pm that include storytelling, performances, and music workshops.

The Poetry Society of New York presents The Typewriter Project: May 24-September 28, Historic District
The Typewriter Project is a series of site-specific literary installations which encourage users to go analog. The project’s pilot vessel is New York City’s tiniest writing den–just big enough for a seat, a desk, a typewriter, and you! The typewriter booth allows both seasoned scribes and first time typists to come inside and join in a citywide lyrical conversation. Every written entry will be collected, stored, and posted online for users to read, share, and comment upon. Look for the rustic, wooden booth situated on Governors Island with a commanding view of the Statue of Liberty.

Civil War & NYC, presented by the New-York Historical Society, Saturdays and Sundays, June 15-September 2, 10 AM to 6:30 PM, Building 18 in Nolan Park
An exhibition about life during the Civil War in New York City.

Better Than Jam Handmade Gift Shop, May 24-September 28, Mondays, Fridays, Weekends, Building 16 in Nolan Park
The Brooklyn shop of all locally handmade products will be taking the ferry ride over, and bringing with it the creations of New York City’s most talented designers, artists and crafters. The cute yellow house will be filled with the work of talented people, who have created some amazing and original products, just for the island shop. With the help of the Etsy New York Street Team, the shop will also host family-friendly demonstrations and workshops on Saturdays 2-4, to show and teach visitors some of their skills. For more information visit www.betterthanjamnyc.com/governorsisland

Mü-Math: The Mobile Unit to Promote Mathematical Thinking, Saturdays, Sundays, Memorial Day and Labor Day, 1 PM to 6 PM, Building 20, Nolan Park
Mü-Math, the Mobile Unit to promote Mathematical Thinking, returns to Governors Island for its third year in a row. Featuring a dozen different mathematics investigations ranging from algebra to topology, the exhibit is appropriate for the math curious beginning with age 7 and ending with those who consider themselves “ageless.” We’ll be open Saturday, Sundays and holiday Mondays from 1 – 6 pm in Building 20, Nolan Park. You can read more about Mü-Math, as well as our weekday “Street Math Investigations” programs at www.smi-ny.com.

FIGMENT 2014 Summer-Long Installations, June 7-September 21, Every day, Parade Ground
This summer, FIGMENT’s acclaimed interactive Sculpture Garden, artist-designed Minigolf Course and City of Dreams Pavilion, welcomes visitors to the Parade Ground to play with, dance around, contemplate on, and experience these wonderfully imaginative installations. This year’s Minigolf Course is based on the theme “New New York City.” For more information, visit http://newyork.figmentproject.org/

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Presents LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island, 11 AM-6 PM, Building 110
LCMM’s Arts Center inspires visitors to the Island by connecting them to artists, new ideas and perspectives, and other art-lovers to demonstrate the role that artists play in creating vibrant, sustainable communities. Building 110, located on the Northern coast of Governors Island, is home to LMCC’s Arts Center where key concepts and topics of the moment are explored, year round, in studios during artist residencies, and through curated gallery exhibits during the public access season for visitors to the Island. For events see below.

Trisha Brown Dance Company Presents Embodied Practice and Site Specificity Gallery Exhibition, Fridays and Sundays 12 PM to 5 PM, Saturdays 10 AM to 5 PM and holiday Mondays 12 PM to 5 PM, LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Islan
Embodied Practice and Site-Specificity looks closely at Trisha Brown’s early work, collaborative practice and relationship to New York City, showing the transformative effect of her performances on audiences and her significant influence on a new generation of artists. The exhibition will also be open June 20–29:
Monday–Friday 12–5pm,
Saturdays 10am–5pm,
Sundays 12–5pm for the River to River Festival.

LMCC Presents Open Studios with Process Space Artists-in-Residence, May 24 and 25, and June 28 and 29, 12:00 PM to 5 PM LMCC Arts Center at
Governors Island
Visit the LMCC artist in residence in their studio during the opening weekend of Governors Island.

Surprise House, August 16 – September 14, Building 6B
Imagine strolling through the green hills of Governors Island and coming to a stop before a mysterious house. What lies within? The Surprise House is designed by Surprise Industries, a company that uses the science of surprise to help individuals and organizations embrace the uncertain and engineer the unexpected. Guests will have an opportunity to play, connect, stretch their comfort zones, and get inspired to explore the unknown in everyday life.

Brooklyn Artery, All Season, Nolan Park Building 10B
Brooklyn ARTery offers one-of-a kind, affordable and fine quality handmade gifts from artisans from throughout the world. Stop by for beautiful handbags, jewelry, artisanal food, housewares, scarves, beauty products and more! Each Saturday from 2-4pm they offer a free DIY arts dropin class. Sundays from 2-4 stop by for delectable tastings of local artisanal cookies, candies and other sweet and savory snacks. www.brooklynartery.net or 347-425-7770

Third Rail Artist Residency, Open Studios, Outdoor Rehearsals, Performances and Workshops, select weekends and times, Building 17
Third Rail Projects invites the public to have a window into their creative process of their touring project Roadside Attraction, a mobile site-specific dance/theater work for 6 performers and a 1970’s Coleman pop-up camper. Third Rail Projects will host open outdoor rehearsals, open studios, public workshops, and performances throughout the summer. Open studios on 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/29, 12-5pm; Open Studios: 7/5, 8/2, 8/22, 9/13, 1-5pm; 9/16, 9/17, 10–noon; Workshops: 7/23, 8/2, 1-5pm; Performances: 7/6, 2pm & 4pm; Invited Showing: 9/18 through 9/21, noon – 6pm. For more information visit www.thirdrailprojects.com.

Spontaneous Interventions: Design Actions for the Common Good, May 24-September 28, Colonels Row Building 403
Spontaneous Interventions is an award-winning exhibition that celebrates innovative citizeninitiated actions to improve the public realm. The show originated as the official U.S. representation at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale (2012). This summer S.I. takes up residency on Governors Island, presenting a condensed version of the
11 original exhibition, an “outdoor living room” designed by the Rockwell Group, and free programs all summer. Visit spontaneousinterventions.org for more information.

4 Heads Art Fair, weekends in September, 11 AM – 6 PM
The 4 Heads Art Fair will take over dozens of rooms in historic buildings on Governors Island. For more information, visit 4heads.org.

ArtShare for HeartShare, Weekends in September, 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM
This exhibition showcases the talents and creative abilities of artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and neurological impairment.

General Information about Governors Island’s 2014 Public Season

Operating Hours

Governors Island is open every day from May 24 through September 28. On weekdays, the Island is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. On weekends, Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Island is open from 10 AM to 7 PM. The Island will be open on July 4th from 10 AM to 6 PM and is not open for fireworks viewing.

Ferries
Governors Island, in 2014, will be open seven days a week for the first time. Ferries will run from Lower Manhattan all seven days and will also run from Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6 on Saturdays, Sundays, Memorial Day and Labor Day. All weekday and weekend afternoon ferries from Brooklyn and Manhattan are $2 round trip for adults. Children under 12 ride for free at all times and senior citizens’ fares are half price. Morning ferries (10 AM and 11 AM) on Saturdays and Sundays are free for all. There is no surcharge for bicycles.

Visitors will be able to purchase ferry tickets at the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan or at Pier 6 in Brooklyn. Tickets will also be available for purchase online in advance.

A season pass will also be available for purchase online. More information about the season pass and the purchase of advanced tickets will be provided in coming weeks.

A full ferry schedule is available at http://www.govisland.com.

Visitors can also take the East River Ferry service to Governors Island for $6. For a full schedule visit http://www.eastriverferry.com/.

Biking

Every day, visitors can bring their own bikes, or rent one while vising. Free Bike Mornings, a new program this year, allows visitors to borrow a bike for free for up to one hour every weekday between 10 AM and noon.

Kevin C. Fitzpatrick has written and edited seven books with ties to New York history, including "The Governors Island Explorer's Guide" and "World War I New York: A Guide to the City’s Enduring Ties to the Great War." Kevin is a licensed sightseeing guide and has been leading walking tours since 1999. He resides in Manhattan.