Large crowds will convene on 60th St. for annual Bastille Day celebration
60th St. between Fifth & Lexington Aves.
Sunday, July 11, free, 12 noon – 6:00 pm
www.bastilledaynyc.com
www.fiaf.org
One of the most highly anticipated street fairs of the year, the annual Bastille Day celebration along East 60th St. is always a fun-filled day of French food and music, sponsored by the French Institute Alliance Française. The festivities honor the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, paving the way for the French Revolution. Among the live performers appearing on the main stage will be Michèle Voltaire Marcelin telling Haitian stories in krik-krak style, Pierre de Gaillande singing George Brassens tunes in English, and Gay Marshall channeling Edith Piaf in addition to concerts by Malika Zarra and Les Sans Culottes. There will also be stationary Tour de France bike races, the annual Garçons de Café race with waiters holding serving trays making their way down the street, a Citroën Car Show, mimes, an accordion player, and other events combining for an entertaining mix of both cool and strange. If it gets too hot outside, you can head into the FIAF gallery for ticketed wine and cheese tastings or beer and cheese pairings in the lobby ($8-$15).