Weekday Fun: The Best Events January 19-21

Looking for something fun to do in the neighborhood this week? From a talk about evolution to an art opening, from a free screening of A Raisin in the Sun to storytellers sharing tales about sports, we’ve got a lot of interesting events coming up. Details on those, and more:

Tropical Vortex Monday
When: Monday, January 19, 9:30pm
Where: Barbes, 376 9th Street
What: Counteract the January chill with tropical rhythms at Barbes. This week, it’s all about “reviving and renewing boogaloo, the sound that sprang from the street of 1960s Spanish Harlem,” as Spanglish Fly takes the stage.
How much: $10 strongly suggested donation.

Art Reception: Light And Dark, This And That
When: Tuesday, January 20, 6pm
Where: Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street
What: Artist Andrew Benincasa presents a collection of illuminated paper-cut works — they’re really detailed and incredibly beautiful, though you might feel a tinge of carpal tunnel just looking at them. It’ll pay to arrive early — the first 10 people there will receive a screenprint of his work.
How much: Free!

First Time, Long Time
When: Tuesday, January 20, 8pm
Where: Union Hall, 702 Union Street
What: Because this is the time of year when even non-sports fans have some vague idea that sports exist, storytellers David Crabb, Angel Yau, Nisse Greenberg, Aaron Wolfe bring tales of sports, which we’d bet with a Vegas bookie are more amusing than most of the Super Bowl commercials you’ll see.
How much: $8, tickets available in advance.

Secret Science Club: Human Evolution & Origins
When: Tuesday, January 20, 8pm
Where: The Bell House, 149 7th Street
What: Paleoanthropologist Shara Bailey delves into the the history of human evolution, introducing our long-lost cousins the Neandertals, Homo floresiensis (the “Hobbit”), Australopithecus, and more. Grab a “Paleo Riot” cocktail and think about how far we’ve come.
How much: Free!

Shape-Up NYC Presents Glutes In Gear: Cardio & Toning
When: Wednesday, January 21, 6pm
Where: Audubon Center, Prospect Park
What: Made a new year’s resolution to get in shape? Check out this free series at the park. This round will focus on your lower half with a “belly-busting, booty shaping” class that combines cardio with exercises on a workout mat (bring your own!).
How much: Free!

Movie Screening: A Raisin In The Sun
When: Wednesday, January 21, 7pm
Where: Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: See a family’s struggle against generations of prejudice in an attempt to achieve their piece of the American Dream in this 1961 film directed by Daniel Petrie and starring Claudia McNeil and Sidney Poitier.
How much: Free!