Weekend Guide: Bobby Shmurda, ‘Dance Dance Revolution,’ Summer Extravaganja

By Shawn Setaro

Sadly, the summer is slowly coming to an end. But the fun is nowhere near over. This week, we’ve got an absolutely wild variety of events for you. Whether you want to party at night with Bobby Shmurda or celebrate community during the day with Maino; hear literature and poetry outdoors in a garden or indoors in a museum; or dance to EDM or to reggae, we’ve got you covered. Check it all out at the Weekend Guide below.

Thursday, August 13

WORD x 61 Franklin St. Garden Reading Series @ 61 Franklin St. Garden
6 p.m.

Your favorite Greenpoint bookstore is teaming up with your favorite Greenpoint community garden to put together a special literary event featuring readings by local authors. 

The Other Magazine’s Summer Extravaganja 2026 @ The Chocolate Factory
7 p.m.

If you both enjoy some greenery from time to time and live in New York, you probably don’t need us to tell you about The Other Magazine, a “counterculture lifestyle publication” with a focus on smokeables and psychedelics, with a local twist. The mag is throwing a huge party tonight with live music, DJs, brand activations, and even some cannabis industry education for the newcomers.

Bored of Dating Apps’ Anti-Dating App Social @ Friends and Lovers
7:30 p.m.

Bored of Dating Apps has been putting on “anti-dating app socials” for years in the U.K. Now they’re bringing the events to the U.S., starting right here in Brooklyn. It’s relaxed, friendly, all-inclusive, and it has one big rule: Everyone there has to be single.

Friday, August 14

Brooklyn Shutdown Launch & Press Release Party f/ Bobby Shmurda @ Golfzon Social
6 p.m.

Media 4 The People Live Entertainment, a new live events company, is throwing a big party to celebrate its official launch. None other than Bobby Shmurda will be headlining. Also on the bill: Keen Streetz, Young Devyn, Mr. Chicken, and many more.

Molière in the Park Presents Don Juan @ Domino Park
7 p.m.

MitP is putting on a special pop-up preview of its production of one of the playwright’s most subversive works. The full production is coming to the LeFrak Center next month, but you can get a taste of it early at Domino Park. 

Brooklyn Poetry Night @ The Culture Museum of African Art
7 p.m.

Tamela J. Gordon, the author of Hood Wellness, will be hosting this open mic-slash-mixer. If you haven’t been to the CMAA yet, this is the perfect opportunity to check out the art and hear some great poetry.

Free Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) Open Play Night @ The Tiny Cupboard
8 p.m.

Still remember all the moves? Prove your mettle in front of a crowd! You can play DDR on a massive screen. While you’re waiting for your turn, there will be plenty of board games, card games, and retro video games on hand, along with Legos and even coloring books.

Saturday, August 15

BOMB’s Small Press Flea 2026 @ 316 Ten Eyck St.
12 p.m.

One of our favorite events of the year: a market devoted to independent publishers of all stripes. In addition to the unparalleled shopping, there will also be special workshops with Margaret Barry and Lucy Ives.

Brooklyn Rum Festival @ Bogart House
2 p.m.

If you like rum, there’s probably no better place on earth to be this afternoon. Rum brands from all around the world will be on hand, eager to have you taste their product and learn about how they make it. Cocktails, food, and music will abound.

pluko @ Market Hotel
7 p.m.

Electronic music producer pluko’s latest album is the appropriately titled EDM. pluko has been in the public eye since his teenage years, and he continues to surprise and delight dance music fans. Techg1rls open up.

Reggae Fest presents Masicka @ Barclays Center
8 p.m.

The dancehall star is bringing his vibes to Brooklyn tonight. If you miss that, or even if you don’t, you can trek out to the official afterparty in Queens.

Sunday, August 16

Maino Day 2026 @ Marcy Ave. between Greene Ave. and Lafayette Ave.
10 a.m.

The BK rap legend is putting on his third annual Maino Day in Bed-Stuy. There will be giveaways, food, entertainment, games, and of course music—including, we hope, a performance from the man of the hour himself. 

Intro to Storytelling with Moth StorySLAM Champ Adam Wade @ Union Hall
1:15 p.m.

Adam Wade is holding a two-part class (today and next Sunday) to teach anyone—beginners included—how to tell personal stories. You’ll get to workshop a story of your own, and receive feedback from Wade directly.

Jamala @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
7 p.m.

Whether you’re a dedicated Eurovision watcher or only know about it through that Will Ferrell movie, now’s your chance to check out an actual contest winner in the flesh. Jamala, a Ukranian singer, won in 2016 with “1944,” a song about Soviet persecution of the Crimean Tartars that is much catchier than the subject matter might indicate.

Midget-Wrestling All*Stars Live! @ Brooklyn Monarch
7:30 p.m.

Yes, really. All wrestlers under five feet. Organizers promise “No weight classes. No mercy. Just mayhem.” And to judge by the league’s Instagram page, they certainly appear to be telling the truth about the mayhem part.