Weekend Guide: Josh Gondelman, FunkyFrogBait, Another Porch Party

By Shawn Setaro

One of the activities on the menu this weekend is a screening of Ken Russell’s film version of The Who’s Tommy. But the story of a would-be messiah who plays a mean pinball is only one of a wide variety of things to see, feel, and touch this weekend. From a celebration of Japan to wild takes on games, from death metal to dance, we’ve got it all. And that includes one event, the first on our list, where pretty much anything goes—as long as you can do it in seven minutes. Check it all out in the latest edition of the Weekend Guide.

Thursday, August 27

*7 7* @ 333 Lounge & Restaurant
7 p.m.

*7 7* (pronounced “seven-seven”) is a true community event in the best sense of the word. People in Prospect Lefferts Gardens get together three times a month (on the 7th, 17th, and 27th) to watch seven people perform for seven minutes each. What will the performances be? Aside from the time, there’s no limit. Moth-style storytelling, a musical performance, a lecture on local trees: It could be (and usually is) anything. Show up just to watch, or sign up yourself.

Josh Gondelman: What’s New? @ Union Hall
7:30 p.m.

Gondelman will by trying out some new material at one of his favorite places, and that alone makes it worth showing up. He will also be joined by some to-be-announced-but-undoubtedly-amazing special guests. 

Richie’s Mafia Game @ Littlefield
8 p.m.

The parlor game Mafia was invented in the 1980s, but similar guess-the-killer party activities have been going on for decades. Stephen Sondheim, for one, was an aficionado who played versions of the murder game as early as the 1950s, designed his own variation, and even co-wrote a movie inspired by it, The Last of Sheila. Of course, the most popular version of this type of game today is The Traitors, and that is the immediate inspiration for this “live comedy game show.”

Friday, August 28

Brooklyn Skyline Harvest Fair @ Brooklyn Grange at Sunset Park
9 a.m.

We don’t have that much more time in the season for outdoor fairs, so get them in while you can. This one is focused on “elevated sustainable practices and artisan goods.” It goes on all weekend, Friday through Sunday.

Thætas Record Release Show @ The Broadway
7 p.m.

These local death metal heroes are celebrating the release of their new album, The Irredeemable Age, the band’s first project since 2020. Show up and rock out to tracks like “Summers of Hate” and “For the Hope Devoid.” Vomit Fist, Aphelion Entity, and Sploot open.

FunkyFrogBait Presents: Internet Kid (The Comedy Tour) @ The Bell House
7:30 p.m.

Kal McRaven, aka FunkyFrogBait, is a popular YouTuber who used their background in theater and improv to create sketches that have earned them millions of followers in short order. Now they’re taking their act to the stage, in their first-ever comedy tour, which promises a night of “irreverent brainrot, cringe-inducing childhood memories & unnecessary musical numbers.” 

Karachi Community Radio: 9 years w/ Bianca Oblivion, Asad Khan + more @ Elsewhere
10:30 p.m.

Karachi Community Radio is celebrating its anniversary by taking over all of Elsewhere with artists from all over the world. The Main Hall, The Loft, and Zone One will all have separate lineups focusing on different aspects of the international electronic dance sounds that have been KCR’s stock in trade from the beginning.

Saturday, August 29

Tommy @ Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park
11 a.m.

While you’re waiting breathlessly for the re-release of Ken Russell’s classic and oft-banned The Devils to hit screens in October, you can check out a better-known, but equally bizarre, work of his on the big screen today. Russell’s take on The Who’s classic concept album began the director’s relationship with Roger Daltrey, a relationship that would lead shortly thereafter to the inimitable Lisztomania (currently streaming on The Criterion Channel as part of their aptly named “Rock Biopics That Don’t Suck” collection).

The Ornate Project: Armen Miran, Jeny Michelle b2b Jlu, Mayte (Open-Air) @ Solana Park
2 p.m.

Solana Park is an industrial lot in Brooklyn that this summer has turned into a must-visit outdoor dance venue with top-tier DJs. Today, Armen Miran headlines, with Jeny Michelle B2B JLU and Mayte also on the bill. 

Japan Village Summer Festival @ Japan Village, Industry City
1 p.m.

The annual festival is back for its sixth summer—only one more before they catch up with Jay-Z. Japanese dancing, food, games, live entertainment, and more await. And, if you’re lucky, you could even win a round-trip flight to Japan.

Brooklyn Vegan Presents: Swervedriver raise at 35 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
8 p.m.

The English shoegaze champions are back to celebrate the anniversary of their classic debut LP. Slow Fiction and The Still Out open up.

Sunday, August 30

Back-to-School Tip-Off @ Brooklyn Basketball
12 p.m.

New York’s public schools may be starting classes later than usual this year, but it’s time to stock up on supplies and sharpen that jumper. Today, Brooklyn Basketball is holding a back-to-school event that will allow kids to do both.

The Chatagories Launch Celebration @ Crystal Lake Brooklyn
2 p.m.

Chatagories is a long-in-progress party game where players respond to thoughtful, conversation-starting prompts—think Cards Against Humanity, but in therapy. The game is finally celebrating its official launch with food, drinks, and the chance to be first on your block to actually own it.

Another Porch Party @ Hatch
4 p.m.

The first iteration of this party for “Black Sapphics & Queers” went so well that they had to throw another one. Behind the decks will be Grey and DJ Tropicks.

Dungeon Crawl: A D&D Monster Drag Show @ C’mon Everybody
8 p.m.

Yes, it’s a drag show inspired by your favorite tabletop role-playing game. It’s put on by Crystal Sword Games, which is a queer-owned TTRPG events company. Money raised at the show will go to the company’s Community Seat program, which provides free tickets to their events.

Wayne Tucker: Listening Session @ Ernest Records
8 p.m.

Trumpeter Wayne Tucker is hosting an intimate listening session for his new project. It takes place at Ernest Records, an amazing creative hub in Bed-Stuy. Tucker not only releases albums under his own name, he’s also toured or recorded with your favorites, from Elvis Costello to Taylor Swift to Ne-Yo.