If you don’t like fireworks, cover your ears on Monday—and probably most of the weekend. The sound of music and the sight of celluloid are good alternatives, too.

July 4th Celebrations
The Macy’s fireworks will be relegated to the West Side (on the Hudson only) again this year, but there are plenty of ways to snag a spot and celebrate. The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum is throwing a big viewing bash with VIP viewing from the monster aircraft carrier’s flight deck. For a more private mooring join the North River Historic Ship Society for an exclusive viewing and party on the rooftop of Pier 66 Maritime, at 26th Street, featuring intimate outdoor dining, cocktails. If you prefer your boat to actually be moving, New York Water Taxi, Circle Line, Spirit Cruises and Schooner Adirondack offer fireworks cruises. For landlubbers, West Side bottle-service zone Hudson Terrace does an annual thang, too. Whether you skip town or stick around for the holiday weekend, this classic collection of 101 quick picnic dishes from NY Times Minimalist food scribe Mark Bittman will inspire your weekend feasts.

New York Asian Film Festival 2011
At the top of many a city cinephile’s favorite fest lists, North America’s leading festival of popular Asian cinema is back, this year with highlights that start with the must-see kickoff Milocrorze: A Love Story (Japan, 2011) and include top films from classic and new Asian directors from July 1-14. Find out more about the films being screened here.

The Cherry Orchard (in HD Cinema Live from National Theater London)
The Chekhov masterpiece about a deluded (and fairly deranged) family of Russian landowners facing a start-of-the-20th-century kind of mortgage crisis is brilliant and timeless. This performance is being broadcast at venues throught the world, including BAM Rose Cinemas on Friday, June 30.

Live Music Round-Up
Free Beyonce Concert at Summerstage
Beyonce. Free. Summerstage. Rumsey Playfield. Central Park. July 1,  7 - 9 a.m. Good Morning, America.

No Age, HEALTH at House of Vans Free Show
Lo-fi drum-and-guitar duo No Age and LA synth-noise quartet HEALTH are worth every penny you’ll spend on this free, all-ages show at this summer’s hot series thrown by skatewear giant Vans. The shows/”house parties” take place at 25 Franklin Street in Brooklyn, the first will be Thursday, June 30 at 7 p.m. More info and RSVP here.

“Everybody Loves the Sunshine”: Roy Ayers 70th Birthday at Summerstage
Celebrate the 70th birthday of famed jazz, funk and soul pioneer Roy Ayers with world premieres of commissioned works from
The Jazz Mafia, which has re-envisioned Ayers’ classic works.
Saturday, July 2, 7 p.m.
Central Park Mainstage
Tickets: $Free