Dancing to music only you (and everyone else with headphones) can hear

Summertime in New York City means two things: Hot, sticky weather (particularly if you’re stuck underground, waiting for a subway) and an obscene assortment of free dance opportunities. Okay, so summertime in NYC is more than just those two things, but these definitely make the top five.

Beginning Wednesday, August 19, Lincoln Center will offer five evenings of under-the-stars, outdoor dancing—one in each borough of NY. It’s all part of the organization’s commitment to bringing the arts to absolutely every neighborhood of the city. Each evening begins with a dance lesson, too, so there’s no need to hang back if you (or your partner) don’t have major dance floor skills.

Best of all? Each event is actually a silent disco—meaning you and hundreds of other people get the DJ’s dance tunes broadcasted directly to your headphones. You’ll get to dance to disco, salsa, top 40 stuff and swing. (A wireless headset is part of the free deal.)

Here are the dates and locations:

• Wednesday, August 19: Manhattan, at El Museo del Barrio (1230 Fifth Avenue, at 104th Street). The dance floor opens at 6 pm, with a dance lesson at 6:30. Ends at 10 pm.
• Monday, August 24: Brooklyn, at Coney Island beach and boardwalk (West 10th Street at the boardwalk). Dance floor opens at 1 pm, with a lesson at 1:30. Goes till 5 pm.
• Friday, August 28: Staten Island, at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (1000 Richmond Terrace, at the Tuscan Garden adjacent to Building P). Dance floor opens at 6 pm and goes till 10.
• Sunday, August 30: The Bronx, at Woodlawn Cemetery (Fairview Lawn at the Jerome Avenue Entrance). Dance floor at 4 pm, goes till 8.
• Thursday, September 3: Queens, at Hunter’s Point Park South (Long Island City—South Waterfront Park is accessed by the 7 subway, at the Vernon Blvd.-Jackson Ave. stop). Dance floor at 6 pm, goes till 10.

Photos by Kevin Yatarola, courtesy of Lincoln Center