By Joshua Encinias
Good job, you made it to the weekend.
If you’re still in town, then you may need a reprieve from the smell … or, if you’re really unlucky, the influx of creepy weirdos? Your Weekend Guide has everything you need to make summer in the city a little better.
Friday brings another brat-themed event, bratpop, at 9 Bob Note for you to soak up some brat green on the dance floor one last time. If you don’t want to break a sweat, head over to one of the many Brooklyn Olympics viewing parties before the games wrap up on Sunday.
The 19th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party promises an old-timey throwback on Governor’s Island on Saturday and Sunday. Also on Saturday, Bideawee makes finding your new furry friend very easy with a streamlined adoption process at their mobile adoption event in Albee Square.
The extremely unique Bluefin Tuna Cutting Show takes place on Sunday for their 6th year. You’ll be able to watch bluefin tuna become a Japanese delicacy right in front of you, prepared by Master Sushi Chef Kuni.
And we couldn’t help but add a Monday event to the Guide: Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott comes to Barclays Center with her Afrofuturism hip-hip show.
Have a great weekend and get ur freak on.
Friday, August 9
Final Weekend of Olympics Viewing Parties
Friday through Sunday, August 11 at various times
- Bk Backyard is the sportiest place in Williamsburg you can watch the Olympics. Catch soccer, rugby, archery and everything in between at your leisure for the next two weeks. If you happen to be watching a match from Monday to Thursday, you’ll receive 50 percent off drinks at the bar from 5 to 7 p.m. 86 N 11th Street.
- The Hull Sports Bar at Seamore’s will show every Olympic event. Visit 5 times between now and August 11 and you’ll receive a Seamore’s x Two Robbers Olympic t-shirt and a free round of drinks on your next visit! 66 Water Street.
- Or head over to Japan Village in Sunset Park where Sake’s Bar on the 1st Floor and Red Shrine on the 2nd floor will show the games. 934 3rd Avenue.
- More places to watch the Games are listed in our roundup here.
Free Improv Drop-In Classes at The Second City
Continues Friday through Sunday
Second City New York is offering a week of free improv drop-in classes. These 90-minute sessions, typically valued at $35 each, are designed to provide a fun and non-committal introduction to the world of improvised comedy. With up to 10 classes available and a capacity of 16 students per class, there are plenty of opportunities for people to jump in and experience the fun of improv. To explore the class schedule and register to participate, click here. 64 N 9th Street.
Elements Music & Arts Festival
Friday through Sunday
Elements Music & Arts Festival, the premier immersive electronic festival of the Northeast, has its roots in Brooklyn, and this year many local vendors, artists and more will make the trip to Long Pond, Pennsylvania for the annual gathering. Elements is an arena of exploration, where music, community, art, camping, and adventure coalesce in perfect unison. Lineup highlights include Chris Lake b2b Cloonee, Excision, Illenium, and Kaskade (Redux Sunset Set). You will find venue and ticketing information linked above.
The 13th annual Greenpoint Film Festival
Continues Friday through Sunday
Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Film Festival continues with its centerpiece screening, a retrospective of award-winning Spanish filmmaker Alex Lora featuring his 2024 Sundance Grand Jury winner “The Masterpiece, and Unicorns.” GFF will present a documentary double feature on Closing Night with the US Premiere of Kelly Moneymaker’s “Drum Song: The Rhythm of Life” and festival favorite “Miwene,” directed by Keith Heyward, Jennifer Berglund, Gange Anita Yeti Enomenga and Obe Beatriz Nenquimo Nihua. 191 N. 14th Street. Tickets are $15 per movie.
57 Brooklyn eateries participate in Restaurant Week
Going on now through Sunday, August 18
Restaurant Week is back for the summer and Brooklyn has 57 participating restaurants. It’s actually a month-long grub fest, so you have from now through August 18 to enjoy the “week.” There are options at different price points, including many restaurants offering two-course lunches and three-course dinners. For example, Nami Nori in Williamsburg is offering a two-course lunch special from 12 to 2:30 p.m. for $30 from Monday to Friday. See more options near you linked above.
Rogue Music Festival
Friday through Sunday, various times and locations
The DIY queer, female musician-run concert series returns for its second year at participating nightlife staples (Baby’s All Right, 3 Dollar Bill, then Starr Bar) with a diverse lineup and innovative artist payment structure. Click here for showtimes and more.
Ben Böhmer at Superior Ingredients Rooftop
4 to 10 p.m.
German producer Ben Böhmer — hot off a collab with indie pop dream Lykke Li and a new album announcement — will be playing two shows in one day on Friday. He’ll be performing on the rooftop of Superior Ingredients in Brooklyn by day and taking to Manhattan’s Musica NYC club that night. Take a Summer Friday and see Böhmer live afternoon. 74 Wythe Avenue. Tickets are $32.45.
Shabbat Supper Club w/ Old Jewish Men
6 p.m.
Influencers Old Jewish Men will be swinging by Gertie’s on Friday night for the restaurant’s lovely Shabbat Supper Club. Gertie After Dark’s Shabbat Supper Club is a Friday evening dinner party series combining traditional Shabbat dinners with the format of classic Midwestern Supper Clubs. In the spirit of bringing people together over a meal, their supper club will play host to cuisines and guests of all denominations and heritage. The menu for this week’s hosts is inspired by grumpy Lower East Side fish mongers, with a pinch of tarragon. 357 Grand Street. $75 per ticket.
Juvenile’s Back that Azz Up 25th Anniversary Tour
Doors at 6 p.m., show at 8
June 11 marked the 25th anniversary of the release of Juvenile’s seminal “Back That Azz Up,” and to celebrate the occasion, he’s embarked on a massive North American tour. This Friday that tour lands at Brooklyn Bowl with Mannie Fresh and the 400 Degreez Band. 61 Wythe Avenue. $90.45.
PBR New York Maverick Days
7:45 p.m., Friday and Saturday
Professional Bull Riders will bring bull riding to Barclays Center for the first time when the inaugural homestand for the New York Mavericks comes to Brooklyn on August 9 and 10. The New York Mavericks join the PBR Teams league as it expands from eight to 10 teams competing in five-on-five bull riding games in the 12-event 2024 PBR Camping World Team Series season. Yeehaw! 620 Atlantic Avenue. Tickets start at $56.20.
GNDRFCK at House of Yes’s Onyx Room
10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Meet your queer summer crush on the dance floor of GNDRFCK MXR, brought to you by MESH & BearXFifi. This flirty, queer, gender-bending dance party is hosted at The Onyx Room, House of Yes’s speakeasy, and features spicy draglesque, pole dancers, rope artists and flash tattoos. 8 Wyckoff Avenue. Tickets start at $30.
bratpop at 9 Bob Note
10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Get ready for bratpop, the ultimate dance party inspired by the legendary Brat Fest and Brat Bash! They’re bringing you a mix of rebellious energy and pop perfection, spotlighting all things pop with a focus on Charli xcx. Brat Summer isn’t over until it’s ritualistically sacrificed at the Democratic Convention later this month, so get your brat in while you still can. 260 Meserole Street. Early bird tickets are $15 and they go up to $25 the day of show.
Saturday, August 10
The 19th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party
Saturday and Sunday
Take a trip back in time this weekend: The Jazz Age Lawn Party, now celebrating its 19th year, is the world’s original and most authentic Prohibition-era-inspired gathering. Jazz Age Lawn Party attracts thousands of time travelers to Governor’s Island each year, who come together to discover the music and zeitgeist of the 1920s. Founded and hosted by Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, it offers an interactive opportunity to relive one of the most colorful and formative epochs in American history. See the different pricing tiers on their website.
Free Movies at Stuart Cinema & Cafe
Saturday and Sunday
Independent theater and community center, Stuart Cinema & Cafe will host free movies on Saturday and Sunday, courtesy of Pluto TV. They will offer several free showings of “Deadpool & Wolverine” on both days. Tickets for the free movie weekend can be found here. 79 West Street.
FAD Market: Summer Pop-up
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
This summer, FAD Market curates a monthly pop-up at Dumbo’s Empire Stores from June to August. Discover over 30 talented makers, artisans and small business owners who live and create in the borough and beyond. Check out a curated selection of Dumbo’s best goods including handmade jewelry, apparel, body and skincare, tableware and artisanal packaged food. 55 Water Street.
Bideawee Mobile Adoption
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is partnering with Bideawee to bring adorable, adoptable pups to Albee Square in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. Bideawee has been finding loving homes for rescued animals since 1903. Come visit their mobile adoption van and meet your new best friend. There will be free treats for your feline or canine companions (while supplies last). If you come to the neighborhood to shop, eat, and stroll may find a new best friend through Bideawee’s mobile adoption van on Saturday. Albee Square W & Fulton Street, 11201.
Yes Chef Food Fest
Saturday and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.
In what’s being billed as “a foodie’s dream festival,” New York’s top restaurants will all be in Williamsburg for this two-day inaugural event. Your ticket comes with access to food vendors you’d otherwise wait hours in line for (see full lineup below) and a bevy of FREE items, including surprise flavors and custom menu items. Participating restaurants include Taqueria Ramirez, Mimi Cheng’s, Mama’s Too, Gotham Burger, Soothr, Arthur & Sons, Milano Market and more. BK Backyard Bar, 86 N 11th Street.Tickets are going fast. Remaining slots start at $45.
‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ puppet show
The final shows are on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Park Slope’s Puppetworks was founded in 1980, and this weekend you can see their summer performance of “Jack & the Beanstalk” featuring an original song score and a “live” Giant. The show is suggested for ages 2 and up and lasts 55 minutes. Registration is suggested as walk-in admission is not guaranteed. Email them here. 338 Sixth Avenue (at 4th Street). Tickets are $10 for children and $11 for adults.
Hindu Lamp Ceremony
3 to 7:30 p.m.
The 12th annual Hindu Lamp Ceremony happens at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday. Dance artist and educator Aeilushi Mistry will perform the traditional Hindu Aarti ceremony at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pebble Beach. Free.
Celebrate World Steelpan Day
3 to 8 p.m.
Experience the sounds and tastes of Caribbean culture on World Steelpan Day. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen and dance to the sounds of steel pan bands in competition. The Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C) will host performances, workshops and activities in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy at Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn. Map to Pier 1. Free.
Red Bull BC One Cypher New York
4 p.m.
The world’s premier one-on-one breaking competition, Red Bull BC One, returns to New York at Brooklyn’s new rollerskating venue Xanadu on Saturday. The event will host the best breakers in New York battling it out to crown a new city champion. The top two b-boys and b-girls will advance to the regional cypher on the road to the National Cypher in Los Angeles later this year.
Lana Del Rave
10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
It’s time to celebrate our collective Summertime Sadness with the ultimate party for Brooklyn Babies and West Coast dreamers. Expect the full spectrum of Lana from “Video Games” straight through to “Born to Die” with every remixed deep cut in between. Real Lanatics will wear Blue jeans, floral crowns and heart-shaped rave glasses. 270 Meserole Street. Tickets are $20.
Sunday, August 11
Bluefin Tuna Cutting Show
3 to 8 p.m.
The 6th annual Bluefin Tuna Cutting Show is on Sunday afternoon. Bluefin tuna is one of the most highly prized fish used in Japanese raw fish dishes, and it’s not every day you can watch an expert sushi chef slicing up a 300+ pound bluefin right in front of your eyes. But on Sunday you can! Master Sushi Chef Kuni will demonstrate knife skills that only a select few possess. The giant tuna will be separated into sections of differing grades and prepared into delicious sushi/sashimi dishes. Tickets include unlimited drinks (sake, beer, soft drinks) and authentic Japanese dishes. 250 Varet Street. Tickets are $170.
Fuzed Festival
4 to 11:30 p.m.
Experience Afro-Caribbean vibes on Sunday at the Fuzed Festival in Industry City. This isn’t just a party, it’s a full-on festival celebrating everything the organizers love about African and Caribbean culture. Come have some jerk chicken and jollof rice while sipping on enough Don Julio then hit the dance floor. 220 36th Street. Tickets are $33.85.
WBLS 50th Anniversary: Jon B and Funk Flex
5 p.m.
WBLS has been holding it down as the center of soul and R&B in New York City for decades. For their 50th anniversary throwback jam in Coney Island, they’ve assembled a collection of R&B stars from the late ‘80s and ‘90s, hosted by the legendary radio DJ Funk Flex. Jon B headlines the concert with Vivian Green, Meli’sa Morgan, Horace Brown, and Jeff Redd. 3052 West 21 Street. Free.
Monday, August 12
Missy Elliott’s Out of This World Experience
7 p.m.
Missy Elliott invites you to Get Ur Freak On at Barclays Center on Monday night. Elliott’s Out of This World Experience brings the Afrofuturist hip-hop legend to Brooklyn with Ciara and Busta Rhymes and special guest Timbaland. The Experience boasts a giant, 3-D stage with eye-popping visuals. You shouldn’t miss it! 620 Atlantic Avenue. Tickets start at $93.
