15 things to do this week in NYC, July 31-Aug. 5

Animation Block Party
July 31-Aug. 2
Brooklyn Academy of Music,30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn
Prices vary

Big time studios and student projects all get their moment at BAMcinematek’s festival of animation, including all-time favorites like “Ghost in the Shell” and a special 35mm screening of “The Care Bears Movie.” There will also be a Year in Review of YouTube, as well as a roundup dedicated to “Sesame Street.”

Summer Streets
Aug. 1, 8, 15; 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
Park Avenue from Brooklyn Bridge to East 72nd Street
Free, RSVP for water slide

Some things we grow out of, some things we grow into, and some things never change. Waterslides always were and will be an essential part of summer, and no one does it bigger and better than Summer Streets. For three Saturdays in August, 7 miles of Park Avenue will be shut down to traffic, though the human-powered wheel kind is welcome. Find all 270 feet of slip-and-slide joy at Foley Square at Centre and Lafayette streets. Bring your pooch to test out an agility course, mug in a photo booth and more four-legged fun at Astor Place. The 165-foot zipline is back, this time on Leonard Street between Lafayette and Centre streets. Plus free fitness classes, free live performances, free bike rentals… you get the picture.

PotterCon
Aug. 1, 2-8 p.m.
The Bell House,149 Seventh St., Brooklyn
$8

You always knew you were going to have a chance to whip out that wand you bought at Wizarding World, and PotterCon is your moment. Join your fellow muggles for Harry Potter trivia, a costume contest, day-drinking Butterbeer and generally nerding out. While tickets are sold out in advance, a limited number will be available at the door.

Full Moon Festival
Aug. 1, 3 p.m.-5 a.m.
Brooklyn Mirage, Scott Ave. and Randolph St.
$70+

The day-into-night music festival modeled after parties in Thailand is in its fifth year, this time at the summer pop-up warehouse-rooftop-courtyard-jungle venue Brooklyn Mirage. Come for non-stop music by over 20 acts, food by vendors like Tacombi and one of summer’s classic dance fests.

Pop-Up:Sancho’s Backdoor
Aug. 1-2
Threes Brewing,333 Douglass St., Gowanus

Besides great pizza, Roberta’s has a great bakery and a great patio on which great drinks are served. But they refuse to stop short of world domination, which continues this weekend with a pop-up, Sancho’s Backdoor, serving a small Tex-Mex menu with the standard “sauces” (we’re curious about Pedro’s Dirty Queso) and four entrees, plus a couple pizzas.

Meatpacking MTK
Aug. 1, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Ninth Avenue between14th and 18th sts.
Free

Pop Up New York is testing the waters for several one-day “modern street fairs” this fall with Meatpacking MTK. There will be restaurants like Might Quinn’s and Alchemy Creamery, while Pounds and Ounces is bringing a full biergarten, plus local vendors selling handcrafted goods, and live performances.

Taylor Mac
Aug.1, 7:30 p.m.
Prospect Park Bandshell,62 West Drive, Brooklyn
Free

Make your weekend about 10 times more fabulous by attending “Taylor Mac: The 20th Century Abridged,” a cabaret show taking place as part of Celebrate Brooklyn! Mac’s show offers glitter and glam in hearty doses along with a breathtakingly ambitious aim to cover 240 years of American music all in one show, from Tin Pan Alley jingles to show tunes and Top 40. His guests include the Brooklyn United Marching Band and other NYC burlesque stars. Entry is free, and doors open one hour before the show.

Grown-Up Sleepover at the Museum
Aug. 1, Oct. 2, Dec. 19, 7 p.m.-9 a.m.
American Museum of Natural History
$350

After the massive success of giving adults run of the museum all night long last summer, the museum has added three more sleepovers for even more people to live out their childhood fantasies. Each night will host about 200 people, with events including a Champagne reception, access to all permanent exhibits, flashlight tours and special presentations, with dinner and breakfast provided. A jazz band will keep a party atmosphere, the night owls will have their own space, and you’ll have bragging rights for months.

Books Beneaththe Bridge
Aug. 3, 7 p.m.
Pier 1’s Granite Prospect, Brooklyn Bridge Parkat Fulton and Furman sts.
Free

If you’re a fan of the fantasy genre or just good books ingeneral, you already knowNaomi Novik’s “Uprooted,” the Grimm-style fairy tale of a young woman and a dark wizard that’s already on many Books of the Year lists.Novik will read from her novel as part of Books Beneath the Bridge, along with “The Skull Throne” author Peter V. Brett, followed by a meet-and-greet and signing.

Humanform Letterform
Aug.3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cooper Union Rose Auditorium,41 Cooper Square
Free

As we progress from handwriting to typing, the significance of letters and their shapes is beginning to fade. But did you know that seven of them were directly inspired by the human body? Learn more about the feelings behind the type at Type@Cooper’s Herb Lubalin Lecture Series; on Aug. 3, typeface specialist Summer Stone will discuss the human side of letters, including how we use our bodies to create them and our minds to absorb them as communication.

‘An Evening with Laura Osnes’
Aug. 3, 7 p.m.
Birdland Jazz Club,315 W. 44th St.
$40

Broadway darling and Tony-nominated title star of both “Cinderella” and “Bonnie & Clyde,” Laura Osnes is headlining her own show next week at the Birdland Jazz Club – marking the soprano’s debut at the historic venue. She’ll be singing from her repertoire of show tunes, her two solo albums and other surprises, all accompanied by Fred Lassen. Tickets are just $40, but there’s an additional $10 food and drink minimum for table seating (or, alternately, a complimentary drink if you sit at the bar).

Christine McDowell: ‘After Perfect’
Aug. 3, 7 p.m.
BookCourt,163 Court St., Brooklyn
Free

Losing the life of lies that you once considered “perfect” would be hard for any teenager. But surviving the fallout in the public eye makes Christina McDowell’s tale all the more powerful. The daughter of the infamous “Wolf of Wall Street” scandal, McDowell finally tells her side of the story in “After Perfect.” She’ll be reading from the book and signing copies at BookCourt on Monday – as well as discussing the role that the Oscar-winning movie played in her anti-fairy tale.

Duran Duran at Rock the Docks
Aug. 4, 4:30-10:30 p.m.
South Street Seaport,Pier 16, 89 South St.
$55-$950

The original boy band, Duran Duran, is back with a new album, “Paper Gods,” and touring the globe ahead of its September release. See them as the headliners of Rock the Docks, a concert to support the Seaport Museum. Wyclef Jean will also perform.

‘Mallrats’ with Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes
Aug. 4 5-11 p.m.
Nitehawk Cinema,50 Kent Ave., Brooklyn
Free

Relive your teenage angst with Jay and Silent Bob, who are hosting a special 20th anniversary screening of “Mallrats.” The event includes a talk with Silent Bob’s alter ego, Kevin Smith, who directed the film. Line up early to get a spot; beer, wine and snacks will be for sale – cash only.

Algonquin Cat Celebration
Aug. 5, 5-7:30 p.m.
The Algonquin Hotel,59 W. 44th St.
$30

Each year, the Algonquin fetes its resident feline, Matilda III, with a gala to benefit for local animal welfare agencies. Famous cats get famous birthday parties, so be among the lucky humans who share her company.