Screenshot via Noisy Company
Weekend Guide: Sounds That Move, The 233 Record Fair, and a Very Special Plant Sale
The season of festivals, fairs, and all things outside is officially underway
There’s nothing that screams “Spring is here” quite like a fair. So we’re bringing you a bunch of them this week: street fairs, book fairs, even record fairs—with a couple festivals to round things out.
In addition, we’ve got events spanning pretty much all eras; whether you intend to dance your way into the electro-driven, experimental future, or look back to the Roman Empire, the Roaring ‘20s, or the days when physical media was king. Check out the full listings in the latest edition of the Weekend Guide.
Courtesy of Signal
Thursday, May 14
This event celebrates the release of not one but three new books: Kinney’s United States of Rejection, Enjeti’s Ballot, and Walker’s How to Plant a Billion Trees. The panel will be moderated by Wendy Walters, whose own A Dead White: An Argument Against White Paint is coming out in October.
The Shirley Chisholm Way: Brooklyn’s Blueprint for Change @ Lefferts Historic House
6 p.m.
This is an opening reception for an exhibit celebrating the legacy of Brooklyn’s very own trailblazer. Whether you know everything about our famously “unbought and unbossed” icon, or are only aware of the gorgeous park named in her honor, this is the place to commemorate Chisholm and learn something while you’re at it.
The Adventures of Prince Achmed with Live Score by Morricone Youth @ Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park
7 p.m.
This 1926 silent directed by Lotte Reiniger is generally considered the oldest surviving animated feature. Except this time, it’s not silent at all: Morricone Youth will be providing a live soundtrack. The film will be preceded by a 1970 doc about Reiniger.
Archivio Records 5th Anniversary Party @ Signal
10 p.m.
Pull up to arguably the best sounding club in the city to celebrate the fifth spin for the freshly relocated and reopened label and record store, with sets from Luciio, mink, Daniel Dutts, and Archivio chief Pablo Romero.
Courtesy of Light & Sound Design
Friday, May 15
Moment Machine, Eucademix, Aanandi @ Light & Sound Design
7 p.m.
Moment Machine is the duo of synthesist/producer Jason Lindner and eDrummer Currency Audio, and they’re set to take you through their “improvisational sound journeys.” On top of that, Eucademix is the solo project of Yuka Honda, best known as the co-founder of Cibo Matto.
Stevie: A Life in the Key of Songs @ BAM, Howard Gilman Opera House
7:30 p.m.
This multi-day tribute to Stevie Wonder finds an all-star band performing different classic projects in full every show. Tonight is Innervisions and Fulfillingness’ First Finale, with a group consisting of, among many others, Corey Glover and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.
This is What We Mean By Short Films @ Green-Wood Cemetery
7:45 p.m.
Rooftop Films is kicking off its season by throwing a screening that’s not on a rooftop for once. Check out a collection of new short films, followed by a Q&A with filmmakers and an afterparty with free drinks.
Will Calhoun’s Mali Project @ The Sultan Room
8 p.m.
Speaking of Living Colour, their drummer Will Calhoun has also taken deep dives over the years into West African music. This show will feature him joined by Cheick Tidiane Seck on keyboards and vocals, Adama Bilourou on djembe/percussion and balafon, Diabate Kouyaté on guitar, and Kabine Kouyaté on lead vocals.
Courtesy of Public Records
Saturday, May 16
233 Record Fair co-hosted by Shawn Dub @ Public Records
11 a.m.
Some of the best record stores and labels in the business will be selling their wares at this free fair in the Gowanus venue’s green and concrete patio area. And, of course, many of them will be spinning vinyl to accompany your shopping.
Canna Plant Pop-Up @ GreenBurg Cafe
11 a.m.
As we’ve established by now, Spring—the season of fairs, festivals, and all things outside—is officially underway. But so is growing season, and thanks to the state’s relaxing of certain regulations around certain types of plants and their sale, you can fill your beds with more than just fruits and veggies these days. If you want to hit the soil running, pull up to this coffee shop on the Williamsburg/Greenpoint boarder and get everything you need—from seeds to dirt to fairly mature whole plants—for an elevated (or totally sober) fall harvest.
Hidden City Physical Media Fest @ Rubulad
6 p.m.
With the internet turning into an AI slop-riddled junkyard faster than you can say “Sam Altman,” physical media is more important now than ever. So make sure to go to this festival where you can load up on CDs, DVDs, vinyl, VHS tapes, cassettes, zines, and more. There will also be two stages full of live music.
Photoville: Boroughs in Focus @ Brooklyn Bridge Park
7:30 p.m.
Photoville, the giant outdoor photo exhibition, is one of our favorite annual events. It’s finally here, and you can celebrate (and check out the photos) during this opening night party. Seven photographers from each borough will be shown, giving a one-of-a-kind glimpse at lives all across NYC.
Shakespeare in Carroll Park: Julius Caesar @ Carroll Park
7:30 p.m.
A play about a powerful leader and political violence? How can that possibly be relevant to today? All jokes aside, Shakespeare’s classic is being performed outdoors and free until June 7 in one of the borough’s oldest parks. Make sure to bring your own blanket or chair, and show up early.
Courtesy of Sounds That Move
Sunday, May 17
Fabulous 5th Ave. Fair @ 5th Ave. btwn. Dean and 15th Streets
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Who doesn’t love a good street fair? This one is taking over the entirety of Park Slope’s main drag, and around 60,000 people are expected to come through.
The Coney Island Book Fair @ Coney Island USA
1 p.m.
Given the location, you’d this not to be just an ordinary book fair. And you’d be right. This one features vendors dedicated to the odd and extraordinary. You’ll also be able to attend 15-minute talks and presentations on wild topics like zombie bugs.
Brooklyn Crab’s Oyster Fest @ Brooklyn Crab
2 p.m.
For the seafood-hungry among you, this is where you’ll want to be. One ticket gets you unlimited oysters (six varieties from six different regions) AND unlimited wine, spritz, and/or margaritas.
Sounds That Move: SABA @ Brooklyn Roots Collective
8 p.m.
SABA’s show is part of the Sounds That Move Festival, which is lighting up a bunch of venues in Bushwick this weekend. You can find all the details here. In addition to performances from Wiki, Heems, Jorjiana, Sango, and many more, there will also be a spades tournament in partnership with Scary Movie 6, and a panel discussion on “The New Blog Era.”
