Weekend Art Events: June 30-July 2 (Big Band, Opera, Reggae & More)
July is here! School’s out for the summer and Independence Day is fast approaching.
If you’re not headed to the beach or a barbecue, you can check out the International African Arts Festival—it’s happening all weekend long at Commodore Barry Park until the 4th.
See what else is happening this weekend down below.
Brooklyn Historical Society DUMBO Free Summer Fridays
When: Fridays from June 30 through September 1, 6pm to 9pm
Where: Brooklyn Historical Society DUMBO, Empire Stores, 55 Water Street, DUMBO
What: Check out the Brooklyn Historical Society’s new DUMBO satellite and catch the inaugural exhibit, Shifting Perspectives: Photographs of Brooklyn’s Waterfront featuring the work of two dozen photographers capturing the Brooklyn shoreline—from Newtown Creek to Jamaica Bay. There’s also a great gift shop offering books and cool souvenirs crafted by Brooklyn artisans.
How Much: Free
I Stand Alone
When: Friday, June 30 and Sunday, July 2 at 8pm
Where: Vertical Player Repertory, Behind the Door, 219 Court Street, Cobble Hill
What: A part of the New York Opera Fest, three monodramas created for the female voice: Knoxville, Summer of 1915 by Samuel Barber; Tesla’s Pigeon by Melissa Dunphy; and Phaedra by Benjamin Britten, performed by three different opera singers. Each work addresses a yearning for something that cannot be attained.
How Much: Tickets $20
Steven Riley Designs at the Artisan Market
When: Saturday, July 1, 9am to 5pm
Where: Fort Greene Park, DeKalb Avenue by Washington Park (next to the Greenmarket), Fort Greene
What: Handmade art, crafts, and designs by local, independent artists will be for sale including pieces by Steven Riley Designs created in the artist’s Red Hook studio using new and recycled materials.
International African Arts Festival
When: Saturday, July 1 through Tuesday, July 4, 10am to 9pm
Where: Commodore Barry Park, Flushing Avenue and Park Avenue (between Navy Street & N. Elliot Place), Fort Greene
What: The 46th annual festival transforms the park into an “outdoor African cultural oasis” featuring live music, dance, food, arts and crafts, and a marketplace. Each day presents a different musical theme: Saturday-Afrobeat; Sunday-Latin Music; Monday-Reggae; Tuesday-Funk and Soul.
How Much: $5 adults, $2 children
Target First Saturdays
When: Saturday, July 1, 5pm to 11pm
Where: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights
What: Check out exhibitions Georgia O’Keeffe: Living Modern in its final weeks as well as We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965-85, then dance to the music of Tamara Renée, Billy Dean Thomas, and DJ Reborn.
How Much: Free
Swing Out America!
When: Saturday, July 1, 8pm
Where: On Stage at Kingsborough, 2001 Oriental Boulevard, Manhattan Beach
What: As part of the Hot Summer Nights! Free Outdoor Concert Series, the Rob Stoneback Big Band and guest vocalists Kathy Jenkins and Rob Kevlin celebrate big band jazz with patriotic tunes including The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, God Bless America, as well as classics like Mack the Knife.
How Much: Free
Reggae Retro 1st Saturdays Party
When: Saturday, July 1 at 11pm
Where: littlefield, 635 Sackett Street, Gowanus
What: Since its start in 2002, this monthly retro reggae event has been considered “the dance party that is in the forefront of the keeping roots and culture music in the dancehalls.”
How Much: Tickets $15 – $20
Free Tai Chi in Fort Green Park
When: Sundays from July 2 to August 13, 10am to 11:15am
Where: Fort Greene Park, meet by the lawn between the Visitor’s Center and the Monument, Fort Greene
What: Instructors Leon Chung and Marilyn Fleming will lead classes in movement, meditation, and deep breathing to promote better health, strength, concentration, and self-awareness. Wear comfy clothing and sneakers. No class if it rains.
Wasabassco’s Seventh Annual America F*ck Yeah!
When: Sunday, July 2, 8pm
Where: The Bell House, 149 7th Street, Gowanus
What: Celebrate your independence, freedom, love, and joy with beer and burlesque at this seventh annual party hosted by Nasty Canasta and Doc Wasabassco, featuring loads of performers and DJ Stormageddon.
How Much: Tickets $20 general admission; $25 reserved seating; $35 VIP
Sam Messer BRIDGES
When: On view from Thursday, June 29 through Sunday, August 6
Where: BRIC, 647 Fulton Street, Fort Greene
What: A solo exhibition by Brooklyn-based artist Sam Messer featuring large-scale paintings of the iconic bridges of New York City and portrait drawings. Also on view is Years of the Cock, a collection of animated videos comprised of one video made each day during Trump’s first 100 days in office.