Weekend Guide: Zack Fox, Karaoke in The Cemetery, and The Return of The Brooklyn Flea Record Fair

By Shawn Setaro

Well, we’ve made it through the 25th anniversary of 9/11, with its near-paralyzing mix of individual and collective trauma, added to by the horrific Islamophobic attacks on the mayor. So, now it’s time to put all that behind us and party (that is, when we’re not frantically looking through the newly released air quality documents).

This week, we’ve got a cyborg DJ, a trans take on Dante’s Inferno, a celebration of a TROMA film, and, of course, a chance to watch a festival of films made by children; the makings of a pretty standard and active weekend in Brooklyn, embarrassment of spoils and all.

Check it all out in the Weekend Guide, below.

Courtesy of Target Margin Theatre

Thursday, September 17

Opening Reception for “Zine* Together” @ Asia Art Archive in America
5 p.m.

Zine* Together is AAAinA’s new exhibit and accompanying research project that focuses on Asian American zines created during COVID and the pandemic’s terrifying accompanying rise in anti-Asian attacks across the country. The exhibit is organized by Claire Kim, Susanna Chang, Sarula Bao, Michelle Yee, Elizabeth Chung, Mary Y. Yang, Chen Luo, and Tasnima Tanzim.

THE NONSENSE LAB @ Target Margin Theater
7 p.m.

For the next three weeks (from tonight until October 3), you can explore innumerable ways of creating poetry and beauty through nonsense itself at The Nonsense Lab, a festival of new work at Target Margin Theater in Sunset Park. The Laboratory is anchored by three productions, led by Caroline Fermin, Adam M. Kassim, and Kathleen Kennedy Tobin, each for six performances, as well as three one-night events by Theresa Buchheister, Saskia Lane, and a TMT Community Café.

Inferno: A Transsexual Rager @ 3 Dollar Bill
7:30 p.m.

This “performance art trans-lation” of Dante’s epic promises dance, drag, sideshow, and kink. You know it’s going to be serious because they’ll be providing both sunglasses and earplugs as needed.

Childhood Delusions Film Festival @ Nitehawk Cinema Prospect Park
8:30 p.m.

We all have art we made as children that absolutely no one should see. Here, you can watch an anthology of over 40 films like that and catch a Q&A with the now-grown filmmakers.

Courtesy of Montez Press Radio

Friday, September 18

Montez Press Radio Presents: Karaoke in the Cemetery @ Green-Wood Cemetery
6 p.m.

All songs, sounds, and aural expressions of, or associated with, grief and mourning are welcome at this surprisingly fitting use of the Green-Wood Cemetery on Friday night. It’s part of the cemetery’s Mortal Matters program, a weekend-long series “exploring death through science, art, culture, and deathcare.” It’s also a great excuse to watch the sun go down from one of the best perches in the city.

Pet Sounds Music Festival Vol. III @ Rubulad
6 p.m.

Rubulad is hosting the latest edition of this biannual festival. Seven local and emerging bands will perform, and there will also be open decks for DJs who want to try their luck.

Track Notes: Lil’ Kim – Hard Core @ Adanne Bookshop
6:30 p.m.

The Track Notes series of “intentional listening sessions” continues with Kim’s debut. They’ll be discussing some of the most important questions about the Queen Bee’s music and legacy. Plus, everyone who shows up is leaving with memorabilia!

Da Sessions & The A-List Present: 4th Anniversary with Thirstin Howl The 3rd @ Secret Pour
10 p.m.

The Lo Life leader himself will be on hand to celebrate the anniversary of this fantastic showcase. Eff Yoo will also perform, and producers will share their beats throughout the evening.

Yeat Afterparty @ 1272 Broadway
11 p.m.

If you weren’t able to secure a stub for his sold-out Central Park performance (or you did, miraculously, and that wasn’t quite enough Yeat in your life), head across the bridge to this afterparty, where itsAaronSpeaking will be playing all of the rapper’s hits.

Courtesy of Brooklyn Flea Record Fair

Saturday, September 19.

Brooklyn Flea Record Fair @ Smorgasburg Williamsburg
11 a.m.

It’s back! Our favorite record fair returns, featuring vendors from all across the region. New vendors are being added all the time—check out the fair’s Instagram page for the latest.

Ntozake Shange Street Co-Naming and Historic Landmark Reveal Ceremony @ 433A Monroe St.
2 p.m.

The late playwright and poet is being commemorated by her home borough. Make sure to RSVP and show up early for this community celebration.

Zack Fox Presents: U Way @ Elsewhere
4 p.m.

Zack Fox, the comedian, rapper, and more recently (and to great success), touring DJ, is hosting a revue of sorts in the borderlands of the outer boroughs, featuring about a dozen fellow selectors who know their way around the past, present, and future of electronic music, and the giant black machines through which the genres are explored. Here we have an all-day affair, starting in the late afternoon, that could go as long and as late as you see fit (or until the venue’s legally mandated to pull the plug, around 4 a.m.).

Jungle @ Barclays Center
8 p.m.

Your favorite indefinable-but-awesome British band is coming to town (with Rio Kosta as the opener), promoting their latest album Sunshine, which arrived last month.

DRMAGDN @ Lucky 13
10 p.m.

Virtuoso drummer Charlie Zeleny normally plays in Manhattan hot spots, but Saturday night is a fantastic opportunity to see him as DRMAGDN, his “cyborg/DJ” one-man band form, blessing the heavy metal bar with a fun and unique act you won’t forget.

Courtesy of Everyday People

Sunday, September 20

Fall Sake-Con NYC 2026 @ Industry City
1 p.m.

It’s World Sake Day, and what better way to celebrate than this chance to try 150 different variants, experience curated tastings, and talk directly with their makers.

The Ornate Project: (Open-Air Event) with GRUM @ Solana Park
2 p.m.

The Scottish DJ will be headlining this all-day outdoor event. Local Dialect, Zeddski, and Sunryse are also on the bill.

Everyday People @ 99 Scott
3 p.m.

Cap and toast a New York summer like no other in the city’s history in the courtyard of 99 Scott, with five DJs (and, somehow, more than twice as many hosts), breaking the seal and setting tone on the next season.

How to Live & Make Art in These F**ked-Up Times @ Brooklyn Art Haus
3 p.m.

This experimental variety show-slash-discussion combines performances from top musicians and comics with a conversation about…well…you can probably guess. Performers include comics Negin Farsad and Calvin Cato, and musicians Tomas Rodriguez and Tanasha G. Hasina Foye and Tim Ellis host.

Family Meal: A Disco Supper Club @ C’mon Everybody
5 p.m.

Guest chef Isabella Mazzetone is leading a “Homecoming” edition of this queer supper club in Bed-Stuy with b2b sets from DJs Karim Olen Ash and Hijo Prodigo, and dinner, of course, laid out by Mazzetone & Co.

The Martin Monster Show: Class of Nuke Em High with TROMA @ Freddy’s Bar
6 p.m.

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the TROMA classic film with a special screening. The company itself will be on hand to add to the madness, and there will also be raffles, one-of-a-kind themed baked goods from Nefarious Connections, and more.