By Shawn Setaro
This week marks 55 years since the first Earth Day—an occasion when more than 20 million Americans demonstrated that there was broad support for the environmental movement. This year’s Earth Day celebration occurs on Saturday, and we’ve got two separate events this weekend (plus an afterparty) for you to check out in the latest edition of the Weekend Guide.
But if Earth Day’s not your thing, there are plenty of other options. Among the most notable are new takes on old movies: a low-budget re-creation of The Matrix and a stage production of Jason’s Lyric starring the original Jason.
While you’re figuring out which ‘90s movie you’d like to adapt, check out our listings below.
Thursday, April 24
Courtesy of Brooklyn Art Haus
Oasa DuVerney’s ‘Into the Shining Dark’ Opening Reception @ Welancora Gallery
6-8 p.m.
Celebrate the opening of DuVerney’s second solo exhibition at Welancora during its opening reception. “Into the Shining Dark” is a collection of works on paper that “resurfac[es] histories of social and political rebellion that Black women have been erased from”—women such as Joan Little, Claudia Jones, Fannie Lou Hamer, Olive Morris, and Carrie Minor Johnson.
Brighton Beach Poetry Showcase @ Coney Island USA
6 p.m.
Admit it: you need more poetry in your life. One easy way to accomplish that is by heading to this (free!) reading and Q&A with three superb and established poets, all of whom have spent significant time living in Brooklyn: Sheila Maldonado, Kaur Alia Ahmed, and Miller Oberman (the last of whom, in the spirit of full disclosure, is this author’s brother-in-law).
There Is No Spoon @ Brooklyn Art Haus
7:30 p.m.
This is the aforementioned take on The Matrix. Five actors and two Foley artists/musicians attempt to remake the film shot-for-shot, in under an hour. Plan on plenty of laughs and lo-fi special effects.
Friday, April 25
Courtesy of 9 Bob Note
Arianna Rebolini: Better w/ Emily Gould @ Books Are Magic
7 p.m.
Emily Gould knows all about memoir writing. So her showing up to join Arianna Rebolini to discuss Rebolini’s own memoir Better is a sign that the book is bound to be more than worth your time. Better is, as its subtitle tells us, “a memoir about wanting to die,” so be prepared. If you can’t make it in person, you can watch the event on YouTube here.
JAZZ & GIN: Speakeasy Soirée w/Danny Jonokuchi & the Revisionists @ The Urbane Arts Club
7 p.m.
What better place to party than a former speakeasy? This event takes its location into account by including swing bands, swing DJs, burlesque, craft cocktails, and a free dance lesson. There will also be three sets by one of today’s best swing bands, Danny Jonokuchi & the Revisionists.
Shitty Mozart & Shitty Friends @ The Rat NYC
8 p.m.
Aaron Nemo plays a botched Mozart clone in this unique variety show. Expect cartoons, songs, and guest appearances from four excellent comedians: Jonathan van Halem (The Tonight Show), Pratima Mani (The Late Show), Delia Kemph (“Energizer Honeys”) and Sharif Hasan (The Tonight Show).
Soul Slam – MJ & Prince Music Tribute w/ DJ Spinna @ 9 Bob Note
10 p.m.
DJ Spinna is known for his tribute parties. Soul Slam, his annual Michael Jackson vs. Prince event, has been running for two decades. Whether you want to feel like a dancing machine or create controversy, blame it on the boogie or do the Batdance, there’s guaranteed to be a jam or twenty for you playing tonight.
Saturday, April 26
Courtesy of Public Records
Traveler’s Emporium Market @ Public Records
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Should you wake up Saturday morning with an itch for a quality coffee program, a world-class sound system, and, say, a few “worldly wares,” take a stroll down to Public Records, where you can find goods of all sorts at the Traveler’s Emporium, including records from 690 Woodward Garage. uncommon reads from Elipsis Rare Books, clothing Extra Vitamin, select furniture from Lichen, and plenty, almost overwhelmingly, more.
Jason’s Lyric Live @ Kings Theatre
3 p.m. & 8 p.m.
It’s the staged production of Jason’s Lyric that you didn’t know you needed. Allen Payne reprises his starring role in the 1994 flick as the titular Jason, and Treach of Naughty by Nature reprises his role as Jason’s brother Alonzo. The cast is rounded out by Eva Marcille, Tyrin Turner, and K. Michelle.
Key Hutchinson Presents: Exploration of Triplicities @ Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
7:30 p.m.
Key Hutchinson is a fantastic guitar player who is comfortable improvising in all sorts of musical environments. She’ll put that to the test at this gig, where she’ll be performing in two entirely different trios: set 1 with a percussionist and a “trumpeter/electronic artist”; and set two with drums and bass.
Earth Day Celebration @ Brooklyn Bridge Park
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Happy Earth Day. Celebrate the holiday by joining in the myriad of fun and educational activities at the park’s Emily Warren Roebling Plaza. You can even drop off your e-waste!
Macbeth in Stride @ BAM Strong Harvey Theater
7:30 p.m.
Macbeth in Stride writer and star Whitney White has been all over the place recently, as her recent New York Times profile, headlined “Onstage and Off, Whitney White Is Everywhere This Spring,” can attest. You can find out why for yourself in this unique stage show, where White explores Lady Macbeth through songs that span pop, rock, gospel, and R&B.
Sunday, April 27
Courtesy of Tape Fair
NYC Tape Fair @ Selva
12 p.m.
You can get your VHS and cassette fix at this event, which features a bunch of vendors selling rare, vintage, and even new tapes. The Found Footage Festival people will also be on hand, sharing their archival material. And, after you get home, you can see if that VCR you’ve still got for some reason works.
Earth Love Fest Block Party @ House of Yes
12 p.m.
Just because Earth Day is over doesn’t mean that the fun has to stop. This day-long indoor and outdoor celebration features music, dancing, film screenings, workshops, and a whole lot more. And if you want some 21+ fun afterwards, there is, of course, an afterparty.
Conway the Machine @ The Meadows
5 p.m.
Griselda’s days as a tight-knit collective may be behind them, but the Buffalo rap crew’s core members are all still making great work. Conway the Machine is as busy as ever, releasing multiple projects a year while somehow finding time to tour. You can see him for yourself tonight at this 16+ show.
We the Poets: aja monet, Dr. Mahogany Browne, Lemon Andersen + @ Roulette Intermedium
7 p.m.
This event is billed as “a bold cultural response to attacks on the 14th Amendment.” So it makes sense that the one and only aja monet is on the bill, and that Lemon Andersen is the evening’s creative director. Think of it as ‘Def Poetry Jam’ meets an NPR Tiny Desk Concert, with great politics to boot.
