If you're looking to play hooky next Friday, may we suggest heading to the Rockaways? Non-profit arts organization Creative Time will be hosting an inaugural sandcastle competition at Rockaway Beach on August 17th and has gathered an impressive roster of artists to participate.  Dustin Yellin, Ricci Albenda, Jen Catron & Paul Outlaw, Jen DeNike, William Lamson, Marie Lorenz, Mary Mattingly, Ryan McNamara, Kenya (Robinson), Shelter Serra, Snarkitecture and Laura Wasserson & Amit Greenberg will grab their beach tools and head out to the Queens boardwalk (via the Rockabus, we hope) where their creations will be judged by a panel of art folk and special prizes will be awarded (unfortunately at press time we couldn't confirm what said 'special prizes' would be -- we're crossing our fingers they'll include oversized novelty trophies and Dave and Busters gift cards).  There'll be food from Rockaway Beach standbys like Rippers, Big Banana, City Sticks, Di Cosmo's Italian Ice, Shore Fruit and Steve's Ice Cream to keep everyone happy and, following the competition, artists and spectators can move on to Ripper's for an after party featuring tunes by DJ iDEATH.

Details:

Friday, August 17th
Sandcastle competition 3-6pm
After Party 6-9pm
Rockaway Beach at 86th St.

Artists Ryan McNamara, Kenya (Robinson) and Dustin Yellin "pictured" above