This week: Eat a free burrito and then take a free swimming lesson (just wait a Mom-suggested half-hour in between); gamble for a good cause; the Tribeca Film Fest comes to town; and the Bowery still rocks out.
Te Gusta El Burrito?
Chipotle, 269 Amsterdam Ave.; (212) 580-6058
From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Chipotle’s brand-new Upper West Side locale will be giving away free burritos and soft drinks as a way of ingratiating themselves with its Upper West Side neighbors. That certainly beats bringing everybody a fruitcake. Stop by with an empty stomach and say “hola.”
Cannes shmannes
15 Laight St.; (646) 502-5296
Feature films, short films, documentaries – if it’s new and exciting and comes out of a projector, the Tribeca Film Festival will be showing it at the seventh annual convening of this downtown happening. In addition to debuting new films, the festival includes musical performances by Regina Spector, Nick Lowe and others, and conversations with Clive Owen, Harmony Korine and Amy Poehler. We love the “Tribeca Film Festival Drive-in,” which presents free movies at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The highlight is Thursday’s 25th anniversary celebration of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video, complete with Jacko look-alike contest and the “world’s largest zombie disco” party. The festival begins Wednesday and closing credits roll May 4. For complete schedule and ticket information, go to Tribecafilmfestival.org.
A Stroke of Genius
5 W. 63rd St.; (212) 875-4100
You’ll be truly ready for summer fun after attending free swimming lessons provided by the West Side YMCA. They can literally be a real life saver for those whose love of the beach outweighs their current state of buoyancy. Starting Monday and ending Friday, group classes for kids run every half-hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with adult classes taking place from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information visit ymcanyc.org.
A full house wins
The Puck Building, 295 Lafayette St.; (646) 467-4406
For one night only, from 7 to 11 p.m., the “Le Reve” casino hosts “Indulge the Dream, Play 4 Parkinson’s,” a fund-raiser for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The ’20s-style party is going to roar with live music, dancing, high-stakes poker and catering from restaurants such as Nobu, Morimoto and Del Posto. Entry is $175, while high-rollers can opt for $300 VIP tickets, which include table reservations. Info at Play4parkinsons.org.
Rock art
313 Bowery; (212) 677-2253
Yes, CBGB is now a high-end clothing store – boohoo, it’s unfair, etc., etc. – but the spirit of Bowery rock lives on at the Morrison Hotel gallery, which now occupies the former CB’s Gallery space connected to the legendary concert venue. Thursday, the gallery opens its new exhibit “Rockers,” which features 280 pieces from iconic photographer Bob Gruen’s collection including up-close-and-personal snapshots of John Lennon, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and the punk bands who once rocked the room next door, including Sid Vicious . Opening night runs from 7 to 10 and entry is free.