I just returned from risking my life to view (and photograph) Manhattanhenge from the middle of 42nd Street.

It was a spectacular sight, but none of my photographs seem to do Manhattanhenge justice (maybe it was because I had to try to shoot around moving traffic).

If you got great photos of Manhattanhenge and would like to share them with About.com readers, send me an email.

This weekend, we've got plenty of outdoor concerts and festivals plus a pub crawl to drink to Michael Jackson and that biannual light show by Mother Nature known as Manhattanhenge. Here are our picks for the weekenf of July 10-12, 2009:

• Midsummer Night Swing -- Learn to rumba on Friday night and then mambo Saturday night away at Midsummer Night Swing.



• Central Park SummerStage -- Check out free concerts in Central Park this weekend. On Saturday, enjoy a program featuring Puerto Rico's urban-alternative Grammy Winners, Calle 13. On Sunday, it's Family Day with kids' music from DJ Lance Rock and Brobee from Yo Gabba Gabba! and a Sleeping Beauty puppet show.



• King of Pop Pub Crawl -- Raise a glass to the King of Pop on this Saturday pub crawl in memory of Michael Jackson. It starts at 11AM at Village Pourhouse and each bar will feature different drinks specials and a different Michael Jackson album for drinking music. Dress in tribute to Michael and prepare for a choreographed Thriller dance scene at the final pub crawl stop.



• High Line Street Festival -- On Sunday, there's a major party on the High Line. Check out New York City's newest and most unusual green space and enjoy musical entertainment, free lemonade, and a giant balloon sculpture. See photos of the High Line. And check out our listings of other street fairs and festivals in New York City this weekend.



• Bastille Day on 60th Street -- On Sunday, start celebrating Bastille Day (July 14th) early with a full day of French culture and entertainment at this outdoor festival on 60th Street between Fifth Avenue and Lexington Avenue. Sample French delicacies, dance in the streets, and enter to win a trip to Paris.



• Manhattanhenge -- Don't miss the biannual thrill of Manhattanhenge. On Sunday, the setting sun will perfectly align with the east-west streets of Manhattan and produce a spectacular light effect. For the best views, position yourself on the east side of 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, or 57th Street at around 8:20. See photos of Manhattanhenge on Flickr and check back here on Monday for pictures of Sunday's light show.



• The Amazing New York Race -- You don't have to leave New York City to run The Amazing Race. Join the race this Sunday and compete to finish road blocks and detours for valuable prizes. Read about my experience on The New York Amazing Race for a preview of what it's all about.

On Thursday, July 9 from noon to 2:00pm, NYC & Company will kick off NYC Restaurant Week Summer 2009 with the Coca-Cola® Great Tastes of Summer event at the Shops at Columbus Circle in Time Warner Center.

This Restaurant Week pre-party will offer an opportunity to sample gourmet tastings from five of the City’s top restaurants and meet the famous chefs behind their menus, including Daniel Boulud from db Bistro Moderne, Stéphane Motir from Tribeca Grill, and Anthony Ricco and Ellie Rodriguez from Spice Market.

Cast members from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Hair will take the stage at 12:45pm to serenade the crowd with love songs to reflect the "Love NYC Restaurant Week" theme.

NYC Summer Restaurant Week officially begins on Sunday, July 12th. Make your reservations now to enjoy $24.05 lunches and $30 dinners at New York's best restaurants this month.

I love Midsummer Night Swing because it always makes me feel like I've stumbled upon a Broadway musical number in the middle of New York City -- and have been invited to join in (kind of like what I thought New York would be like when I was 7 and watched West Side Story for the first time).

At Midsummer Night Swing, you can kick up your heels and admire the moves of some of New York City's finest dancers. You can even take free dancing lessons to loosen up and learn the steps before strutting your stuff on the dance floor.

Tuesday, July 7th is the first of 15 swinging midsummer nights, so put on your dancing shoes and boogie on over to Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park.

Up first is a night of New Orleans jazz and small band swing featuring the stylings of Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers. Dance lessons begin at 6:30 pm and the live music starts at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15.

Get the full 2009 Midsummer Night Swing schedule of performances.