I ART NEW YORK. All of lower Manhattan's a stage as the River to River Festival puts on more than 500 events June 1-Sept. 29 . Visual arts, concerts and site-specific performances take over South Street Seaport, Battery Park City and other venues, mixing old names -- like Arlo Guthrie playing "Alice's Restaurant" at Rockefeller Park on June 15 -- with emerging artists. The kickoff weekend (June 1-3) starts with the Unparade, including a boombox orchestra, trombonists, stilt walkers and performance artists, and concludes with Audra McDonald.
Most events are free; some require same-day tickets. Times and venues vary. About four hours from the Beltway in Manhattan. 212-835-2789,http://www.rivertorivernyc.com. --Anne McDonough
