Weekend Guide: The Bushwick Block Party, Jadakiss, The Champions League Final, and More

By Shawn Setaro

With AI’s effects getting uglier and uglier every passing day, it’s no wonder that people are hungering for something, really anything, analog. To that end, we’ve got two festivals devoted to film photography and another for any crate diggers out there. In addition, there’s a chance to meet Jamel Shabazz, one of the pioneers of NYC street photography.

You’ll also have a chance for some serious IRL interaction at block parties, battle rap events, walking tours, magic shows, and lots of other events you didn’t know you needed. Check it all out in the Weekend Guide below.

Courtesy of Young Ethel’s

Thursday, May 28

FILM FOREVER@ Bogart House
2 p.m.

FILM FOREVER: the analog weekend ’26 (full schedule here) is a weekend-long celebration of all things film photography. There will be demonstrations, tours, lectures, and much, much more. This opening event is full of artist talks, panels, and a few great keynote speakers. Plus, buying a ticket for this gets you 50% off the programming for the rest of the weekend.

Ancestral Pathways: An Introduction to African Traditional Religions @ Adanne Bookshop
6:30 p.m.

Get ready for a “grounding and thought-provoking” intro to African Traditional Religions (ATRs)—what they are and what they aren’t. It will be led by curator, cultural historian, and scholar Shantrelle P. Lewis. Jacob K. Olupona’s book African Religions: A Very Short Introduction will be included. 

NYC Magic Ensemble @ Young Ethel’s 
7 p.m.

The amazing magicians and mentalists of the NYC Magic Ensemble will be pulling rabbits out of their (proverbial and possibly literal) hats in this special adults-only show. Make sure to get your tickets in advance, as shows from these guys have a tendency to sell out. 

Courtesy of The Ivory

Friday, May 29

Polaroid Presents: PolaCon NYC 2026 – Day 1 @ 26 Bridge St.
11:30 a.m.

This is the second of our two analog film fests. Day 1 (yes, there is a “Day 0” on Thursday—learn about that at the link above) has a ton of expert-led demos and workshops on all aspects of Polaroid life. There’s even extra-fun stuff like “Experimental Overexposure on Instant Film” and “Crafting Peel-Apart Film from Scratch.”

Birds and Brews @ The Blue Park House at Marsha P. Johnson State Park
6:30 p.m.

Black Birders Week 2026 has a whole ton of events (more info here). This year’s theme is “Flyways & Freedom: Advocacy, Action, and the Future,” and this event, put on by Black AF In STEM, NYC Audubon, and the NYS Parks’ New York City team, consists of a bird walk (obviously) led by NYC Bird Alliance, followed by happy hour drinks at Brooklyn Brewery. All experience levels are welcome.

A Cell Phone Movie: DIY Cinema Road (Sh*t) Show! @ Brooklyn Art Haus
7 p.m.

A Cell Phone Movie is a movie shot by struggling actor Will Sterling on, as you might have guessed, a cell phone. That movie is about a fictional version of Will who is making a movie on his cell phone. And that movie? It’s about a struggling actor making a movie on his cell phone. Got all that? Now you can see the movie, and also meet the real Sterling, as he gives a funny and inspirational post-film talk.

Jadakiss @ The Ivory on Park
10 p.m.

Mr. J-A-D-A will be appearing live at the new Bushwick club, so you can experience his raspy voice, sharp lyrics, and hopefully that iconic cackle in person. He will be joined by Power 105.1’s DJ Self, as well as DJ Stars.

Courtesy of Secret Futbol Society

Saturday, May 30

15th Annual Bushwick Collective Block Party @ Bushwick Collective
10 a.m.

Yep, it’s that time again. This year’s installment of the annual celebration is once again hosted by D-Stroy and DJ’d by Evil Dee, and features performances from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Nems, Statik Selektah (and friends), Buckshot, Tony Touch, Termanology, Lil Dee, and Honey Bxby.

Secret Futbol Club Presents: A Champions League Final Watch Party
10.30. a.m.

You may have noticed from our mayor’s recent activities that the World Cup’s imminent arrival is, yes, important, but not nearly the only thing sending locals into frenzied fandom. This weekend, Arsenal returns to the Champions League final for the first time in two decades, squaring up with Paris Saint-Germaine for the title. And the borough’s own clandestine futbol society is throwing one of the best watch parties in the city for this historic occasion. Doors open nice and early at 10:30 a.m. for the kickoff at noon, and there will be music, food, merch galore, and the match beamed up on TVs and projector screens of many sizes. The event is free but requires RSVP. Sign up today.

Red Hook Regatta 2026 @ Valentino Pier
1 p.m.

This event offers two unique boat races: one is for 3D-printed boats, the other for DIY boats. Winners are awarded for competently maneuvering around an obstacle course or having the vessel with the best design. If you’re not competing, just bring a blanket, post up, and watch it all go down, or take part in community science and art activities.

Record Fair @ Moondog HiFi
3 p.m.

Keeping with the analog bend to this week’s edition, we have yet another record fair coming to Kings County. Not quite to colossus that VinylCon is promising to be, but this one, at the Bushwick HiFi sound room, will reportedly have “crates from some of the best selectors and shops around, stacked with everything from rare finds to essential classics and left-field gems.” And best of all, an afterparty is built in, with Inés, Latas, and Dero taking over the decks at night.

iBattleTV: HIGHTIDE – ALLEGIANCE @ 10415 Glenwood Rd.
5 p.m.

Battle rap comes to Canarsie. This card is headlined by Nakim The Prophet going up against Danny Myers. Other battles include Deth The Kid vs. Jay R, Febou vs. King Yoshimitsu, Chase vs. Chilly, and more.

Bad Movie Night Brooklyn’s 1-Year Anniversary @ Wild East Brewing Co.
5 p.m.

Bad Movie Night in Brooklyn is celebrating its first anniversary with two so-bad-they’re-good action ‘90s flicks. First is Billy Blanks’ virtual reality-filled Expect No Mercy. That will be followed by an iconic film from the same year, the original Mortal Kombat adaptation. 

Berbere: Eritrean Independence Day Celebration @ Lovejoys
6 p.m.

Toast to 35 years of Eritrean independence on the Bushwick/East Williamsburg border with DJs Gobez and Shiro, spinning Eritrean classics, as well as hip-hop, R&B, and Afrobeats, all night long.

Courtesy of Signal

Sunday, May 31

Healing Through Art in the Park @ Lefferts Historic House
2 p.m.

Jamel Shabazz is one of the most important names in photography of the last half-century. His photos of NYC have immortalized early hip-hop culture and fashion. He just recently published Prospect Park: Photographs of a Brooklyn Oasis, 1980 to 2025, containing 45 years of photographs at the borough’s most famous park. Shabazz himself will be in attendance speaking to longtime friend and community leader Richard Green. Attendees will have a chance to buy a copy of the book and get it signed.

Toribio, Rich Medina, and FLORA @ Signal
4 p.m.

Cap the weekend with some of the best selectors in one of the city’s hottest clubs. Music starts at 4 p.m., but keeps going right up until midnight.

3rd Annual Kush & Sour Awards Show @ The Ornate Studio
5 p.m.

The author of this column has long since given up kush, sour, and all other strains of this particular plant. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want you to have fun. This awards show will have a “triple blind” competition. But there will also be tastings, educational elements, and a killer lineup of DJs. 

The 2026 Kahn Humanities Series Presents Professor Angela Y. Davis @ Brooklyn Central Library
7 p.m.

Davis will team up with Jelani Cobb to do something a little different than usual for this lecture. They promise a “close, even forensic reading” of the Declaration of Independence. Coming as it does as we’re heading into a very Trumpian America 250 psyop celebration, this is probably just the antidote we all need. 

Girl, Euphoria: Finale Screening @ C’mon Everybody
7 p.m.

Yes, we’re all sad that our favorite show featuring teenagers-played-by-actors-pushing-30 is finally ending. So why not go out the way God (or at least Rue) intended: with a dance party and some drag shows?