Weekend Guide: The Saint James Joy Block Party, Rich Medina, and a Record Fair Under The BQE

By Shawn Setaro

While the weather has lately been whiplashing between beautiful, summer-adjacent sunny days and uncomfortably cold and wet ones, at least one thing in our borough remains consistent: there are always amazing, unique things to do.

And this week is no different. From a rare film about Godard to jazz and burlesque in a speakeasy to a Shakespearean hip-hop tribute in a park to a record fair under the BQE, and all the block parties in between—almost anything you can think of, and even some things you probably can’t, are awaiting in the latest edition of the Weekend Guide. Check it all out below.

Courtesy of Nowadays

Thursday, April 23

A screening of FILM CATASTROPHE @ Rollin Studios
7 p.m.

Film Catastrophe is a documentary by Jean-Luc Godard’s nephew, Paul Grivas. Grivas worked with his uncle on the 2010 doc Film Socialisme. This film is itself a reflection on that experience, and on the unexpected metaphoric weight it gathered when the cruise ship on which it was shot itself underwent a tragic accident several years later, resulting in 32 deaths. Grivas’ film was screened once in NYC in 2019, and has been very difficult to see since then. It’s a must for any Godard fan.

Stand Up For Abortion @ Littlefield
7:30 p.m.

A Is For is an organization that supports art and artists working to end the stigma against abortion. The org also provides financial assistance to abortion providers. If you think any of that is a good idea, and you like to laugh, you should be at this comedy show. It’s hosted by Emily Flake and features Janelle Draper, Fabrizio Guido, Alison Leiby, Kenice Mobley, Sean Patton, and Natasha Vaynblat.

Hippie Sabotage @ Elsewhere
8 p.m.

The chillwave duo is bringing their famously raucous live show to town. There’s sure to be plenty of mosh pits and crowd surfing (and that’s just from the performers!) Kembe X opens.

House Party: A Fundraiser for The East Brooklyn Liberation Center @ Nowadays
8 p.m.

The East New York Community Land Trust is joining forces with a number of orgs, voices, and musicians Thursday night to raise money for the purchase of a historic Jamaica Avenue building they hope to transform into a community center and organizing hub. Music starts at 8 p.m., but between sets, make sure to catch some of the local speakers, like City Council member Sandy Nurse, State Senator Julia Salazar, and State Assembly candidates Eon Huntley and Christian Celeste Tate.

Courtesy of Jade

Friday, April 24

JAZZ & GIN: A Speakeasy Soirée (One-Year Anniversary) @ Urbane Arts Club
7 p.m.

It’s been a year since swing bands, burlesque, and dancing came back to a former speakeasy in Ditmas Park. Celebrate with jazz from Danny Jonokuchi & Revisionists, burlesque from Lilin, DJ Andrius spinning, and a free swing dance lesson.

Melanie Charles and Nikara Warren reinterpreting Brandy’s Never Say Never @ Public Records
7 p.m.

If you’ve ever wondered how a modern jazz trio might reimagine an r&b masterwork of the late ’90s, we might just have the perfect path for your Friday night. Charles (on vocals and flute), Warren (on vibes), and upright bassist Liany Mateo will be conducting precisely that thought experiment live in the Gowanus sound complex, following a cover-to-cover playback of Brandy’s Darkchild-produced classic.

Word. Sound. Power @ BAM Fisher
7:30 p.m.

This celebration of women in hip-hop culture features an incredible lineup of emcees, spoken-word artists, and DJs, including Aneesa Folds, Kaya Kulu, and Stephanie Pacheco, and it’s hosted by Eisa Davis.

Scar Lip NYC 4/20 Concert w/Sukihana @ LK Lounge
8 p.m.

Scar Lip has been a fixture on the radar of rap fans ever since going viral a few years back, and she’s continued making her mark as one of the city’s most exciting young artists in the years since. She’ll be joined at this show by reality TV star and rapper Sukihana.

Miss Bashful: The Glamour Snobby US Tour @ Brooklyn Steel
8:30 p.m.

Miss Bashful is a techno artist who has been waving the banner for what she calls “slut tech,” the name of which gives a hint to her intentionally over-the-top style and promise to spread the “slut gospel” everywhere she goes. She’ll be doing exactly that here in Brooklyn, while promoting her latest album Glamour Snobby. Miss Madeline & Luca Eck open up.

Rich Medina All Night @ Bar Milagro
10 p.m.

About as dependable of a cut chemist as you’ll find, the mighty Rich Medina will be holding court at the corner bar tucked under the Williamsburg Bridge on Friday night, starting at 10 p.m. and running well into the following morning.

Worst Beat Contest @ Jade
10 p.m.

In search of a judgment-free space to publicly test some of your latest DAW creations? Well, the good folks at Jade are welcoming your most “authentic, degenerate, fun” beats and instrumentals at this pass-the-aux event on the northeastern border of Bed-Stuy and Bushwick.

Basement’s 7th Anniversary Party @ Basement
10:30 p.m.

The club, recently referred to as the “Berghain of Bushwick” by a certain comedian and internet darling (despite being squarely located in Ridgewood), is raising glasses and core temperatures across two consecutive vibe-checked-at-the-door nights in two separate rooms this weekend in celebration of their seventh anniversary. Pull up to see what all the fuss is about.

Courtesy of Saint James Joy

Saturday, April 25

Spring In Bloom Community Fashion Show @ Brooklyn Sports Club
12:30 p.m.

Throw on your best best and support a great organization on Saturday morning with fashion show and fundraiser for The Opportunity Hub, an org that supports folks in Starrett City. Music will be provided by DJ Starks, and there’s a meet-and-greet after the show with the participating designers. 

Final Girls Theater Co. Presents: In the Next Room (or: the Vibrator Play) @ The Vino Theater
1 p.m.

Sarah Ruhl’s Tony-nominated play is indeed about, as its title says, how the vibrator came to be. Appropriately, this production is put on by the city’s brand-new women-led theater company, Final Girls. Brooke Hall directs.

Shakespeare’s Earth: A Mid-Spring Celebration @ South Long Meadow, Prospect Park
1 and 3 p.m.

Now that it’s finally warm out, you can celebrate spring the way the Bard intended: by listening to nature-themed Shakespeare excerpts while sitting in the city’s most beautiful park. It’s free, but donations are encouraged. They go not only to support the performers, but also to help the New York Restoration Project.

Saint James Joy’s Block Party @ on St. James Place between Greene and Gates Avenues
1:30 p.m.

The father/son DJ duo is returning to the corner of St. James Place and Greene Avenue in Clinton Hill to celebrate their sixth year of throwing one of the borough’s most reliably righteous block parties of the season. Music starts at 1:30 and runs until 7, but don’t be surprised if the festivities carry on somewhere more enclosed nearby once the noise ordinance restrictions kick in.

The Craft Presents: A Tribute to Mr. Complex with Beanie Sigel, Grafh, & More @ Littlefield
6 p.m.

Mr. Complex was a huge part of the NYC underground scene until his death earlier this year. To celebrate his legacy, a great lineup of artists is coming together, headlined by a true legend, Beanie Sigel. Grafh, journalist and rapper Mecc Rashawn, Tiye Phoenix, and DJ Spinna fill out the bill.

Courtesy of Brooklyn Flea Record Fair

Sunday, April 26

The Brooklyn Half Marathon After Party! @ The Dram Shop Bar
9 a.m.

If you’re running the half this weekend, here’s what to do after finishing up in Prospect Park. Starting at 9 a.m., brunch is served. Happy hour starts at 11:30 and runs (pun intended) until 3.

Brooklyn Flea Record Fair @ BQ Flea
10 a.m.

Over 40 vendors will be bringing their crates of mostly vinyl (but also CDs, tapes, and assorted physical media formats) for you to sort through. It’s free, all-ages, and DJs will be spinning throughout to give you the perfect shopping vibe (and perhaps provide some inspiration for your buying choices).

Earth Love Fest Block Party @ House of Yes
12 p.m.

Earth Love Fest comes back for its seventh year. It’s both indoors and outside, and free with RSVP. You’ll have a blast taking in all of the artists, performers, activists, designers, and more.

Songs of Resistance with Brooklyn Ethical voices @ Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture
2:30 p.m.

Minneapolis provided lots of political inspiration with its ongoing fight against ICE’s invasion. Out of that fight came some musical inspiration as well. At this event, singer/songwriter Joshua Blaine will lead those attending in learning songs popularized by the anti-ICE movement, as well as other protest songs. You’re not rehearsing for any kind of performance—you’ll just be singing in community, something we all could use a lot more of these days.

The Block Association Presents: The Golden Era with Kaos and Legend @ Aura Cocina
4 p.m.

Toast another weekend in the bag with New Jack, Boom Bap, Backpack raps, and some nods to 90s Dancehall and Reggae, courtesy of DJs Kaos and Legend at this day party in East Williamsburg.