Wondering what to do during the last few warm days? Many around town are taking advantage of the beautiful crisp fall weather and organizing outdoors events. Here’s a great list:
- Festa D’Italia & Motori D’italia – One Weekend 2 Great Events
The family-oriented Festa D’Italia event will feature music and live entertainment, Italian specialty foods and pastries, wine tasting, art exhibits, culinary demonstrations, games, rides, crafts, fun-fulfilled all-you-can-eat contests and more.
In speaking of Festa D’Italia, John Caltabiano, chairman of the festival says: “We hope to make this year’s event the most spectacular ever due to the fact that we’re combining the exotic car show and Festa D’Italia, which was never done before.”
The event is set for this weekend on the sprawling lawns of the picturesque hilltop mansion, Casa Belvedere. A showcase of alluring vehicles will appear throughout the weekend. On display will be Alfa Romeos, Ferraris, Fiats, Lomborghinis, Lancias, Maseratis, Vespas and Ducatis.
For additional information about these events, the Italian Cultural Foundation may be reached at 718-273-7660.
When: Friday, 5PM – 9PM, Saturday, 11AM – 8PM, and Sunday from 11AM – 7PM , September 21,22,23.
Location: Casa Belvedere, 79 Howard Ave
Tickets: Adults $10/ Children 12 and under are free - Autumn Awakening: A new season for Zoo Babies
The Staten Island zoo babies are ready for their debut! Visit to see how they are being cared for and raised. Some of the babies being introduced include a Fennec Fox, Groundhog, and Scops Owls! Stop by and welcome these critters to the Staten Island Zoo family.
When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 1PM-3PM
Location: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway
Tickets: Free with regular admission - Orchestra of St. Luke’s Subway Series & Food Drive
St. Luke’s offers a free, one-hour community concert featuring two chamber works. St. Luke’s will donate $5 to City Harvest for every CD purchased. First come first served seating.
When: Saturday, Sept. 22, doors open at 12 noon
Location: Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Avenue
Tickets: Admission is free; attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for City Harvest. - The Isadora Duncan Dance Company performs at Clear Comfort
It is has become a wonderful tradition.
The dance company, the Beliloveables, and guest dancers will perform solos and group works from the Duncan repertory centered around the theme of nature, a subject Duncan shared with Austen.
Bring your friends and a picnic: it promises to be a memorable evening.
When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 6PM – 7PM
Location: Alice Austen House, 2 Hylan Blvd at Edgewater St.
Tickets: Admission is free; although they ask for a $3 donation that goes towards preserving the house - Guided Meditation with Thupten Phuntsok
Meet for a morning meditation class with Ven. Thupten Phuntsok.
When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 11:30AM – 12:30PM
Location: Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, 338 Lighthouse Avenue
Tickets: Admission is $12/ $10 for members - The 5th Annual Westerleigh Folk Festival
This year’s event will feature 15 musical acts, an art exhibit by the South Shore Artists Group as well as handicrafts from local craftspeople. There will be free children’s activities such as face painting, balloons and pony rides.
When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 11AM – 7PM
Location: Westerleigh Park, corner of Neal Dow & Maine Ave. off Jewett Ave
Tickets: Admission is free - Swamp Stories
Sit by the swamp for a spell and enjoy a story about the critters that live nearby. Suitable for ages 3-6 with adult. Registration required. For more information or to register please call 718-351-3450.
When: Saturday, Sept. 22, 11AM – 12PM
Location: High Rock Park, Meet in the Nevada Avenue parking lot (Nevada Avenue off Rockland Avenue)
Tickets: Admission is free - Conference House Tours
Tours of the Conference House. There is a charge for group tours which are booked separately. Please visit here or call 718-984-6046 for more information.
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1p.m. to 4 p.m
Location: The Conference House, 298 Satterlee St.
Tickets: Admission is free - Healthy Family Nature Hike
Join the Greenbelt Educators on this introductory nature hike through the Nature Center trail. Learn about the animals and plants that live here and how they make their homes on Staten Island. This easy, interpretative hike will be approximately one hour long. Registration highly recommended.
When: Sunday, September 23, 1PM – 3Pm
Location: Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Avenue at Brielle Avenue
Tickets: Free - Concert Music of Autumn
Stop by for a Shakuhachi Flute concert by Gerald Starlight, accompanied by Andrew Newcomb on synthesizer. The program of music includes, “Under the Sky”, “Autumn Returning”, “Yellow Leaves”, “In Late Afternoon”, and “The Crying of Cranes”
When: Sunday, Sept. 23, at 3PM
Location: Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, 338 Lighthouse Avenue
Tickets: Admission is $20/ $15 for students and seniors - Haunted Houses By Corinne May Botz
For more than ten years, the Corinne May Botz searched for ghost stories in buildings across the United States. She ventured into these haunted places with both camera and tape recorder in hand; her photographs, accompanied by first-person narratives, reveal a rare glimpse into American interiors, both physical and psychological.
When: Sunday, Sept. 23, 2PM – 5PM
Location: Alice Austen House, 2 Hylan Blvd at Edgewater St.
Tickets: Admission is free; although they ask for a $3 donation that goes towards preserving the house - 3rd Annual Sneak Peak at Freshkills Park
Sneak Peak is a once-a-year opportunity to preview the future Freshkills Park. Enjoy nature walks, kayaking, biking, kite flying, artwork, composting workshops, and much more, all in the breathtaking beauty of Freshkills. See images from last year’s Annual Sneak Peak at Freshkills Park
The hills and creeks of the closed 2,200-acre Fresh Kills Landfill are beginning their transformation into NYC’s biggest and most fascinating new park, on Staten Island’s west shore. Visit the third annual preview of what the park will have to offer!
When: Sunday, Sept. 23, 11AM-4PM
Location: Freshkills Park, Wild and Beresford Avenues
Tickets: Free and open to the public - Village Flea Market
Come get your holiday shopping out of the way earlier than all your friends at this antiques, crafts and collectibles market. Search the tables for that one perfect and unique gift.
When: Sunday, Sept. 23, 11AM-4PM
Location: Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Avenue
Tickets: $5 per person, kids under 12 are FREE - Greenmarkets across Staten Island
This weekend don’t forget to visit one of the three or all greenmarkets on Staten Island for farm-fresh produce! Get delicious, locally grown fruits and veggies.
When: Saturday, September 22nd
Locations:- St. George Greenmarket, corner of Hyatt St. & St. Marks Place, 8MA – 2PM
Set on a hill overlooking New York Harbor and the downtown Manhattan skyline, this market draws a dedicated following of neighborhood shoppers who line up each Saturday to get first dibs on the freshest seasonal fruit, produce, cheese, meat, seafood and baked goods.
- Staten Island Mall Greenmarket, 2655 Richmond Ave, parking lot, 9AM – 4PM
- Decker Farm, 435 Richmond Hill Rd, 9AM – 1PM
The farm stand is open for business, stocking its shelves with organic fruits and vegetables harvested each day from its 11-acre field. This historic family farm has been operating since 1810. It is a unique and special part of Historic Richmond Town where centuries of American life are preserved and presented every day.
Enjoy your island and have a Fantastic Weekend!
- St. George Greenmarket, corner of Hyatt St. & St. Marks Place, 8MA – 2PM
