23 things to do this weekend: Luna Park opens for the season, Kim Gordon rocks Knockdown

By Joshua Encinias

You made it to Spring! So when does it get warm? Either way, springtime celebrations are happening all weekend long: Chop & Quench Special Ops bring their Fela Kuti-inspired sound to Radegast Hall & Biergarten on Friday night. After a sold-out run at The Public Theater, “Private Party” by One Whale’s Tale comes to Brooklyn for a night that turns artistic nightmares into a fun, boozy, exclusive, immersive private bash.

Coney Island’s Luna Park opens on Saturday for its 121st season. Brave the Cyclone or come back on Sunday when the coaster is blessed for the year during Luna Park’s annual egg cream christening. Three different Easter egg hunts take place on Saturday morning, and Irish rappers Kneecap come to Warsaw that night.

Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors, comes to Tailgate NYC on Sunday to help usher in spring. Be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind being dusted in bright colors. St. John’s Park Slope hosts a traditional Palm Sunday procession in the morning.

There’s also a House of Yes-style Purim party, Kim Gordon’s solo show at the Knockdown Center and Matisyahu at Brooklyn Steel, among other world-class options.

Have a great, albeit cold, spring weekend.

Friday, March 22

‘Ugly Beauties’
On view through April 24
A new public art installation by artist Curry J. Hackett Ugly Beauties features a panoramic display of AI-generated images of Black people juxtaposed with the various native and invasive plant species — so-called “weeds” — that flourish in New York City, prompting viewers to consider society’s perception of beauty and belonging. Commissioned by The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership with support from Two Trees Management Co. The Plaza at 300 Ashland. Free.

‘Fashion Forward’ at ‘B’ Dry Goods
On view through March 30
A new exhibit at “B” Dry Goods in Crown Heights presents a wide-ranging celebration of the fashion arts, featuring original paintings and drawings by designers Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Balmain, Hubert de Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Christian Lacroix, Antonio Lopez, Christian Dior and others, as well as original textiles, garments, ephemera and contemporary artworks which straddle or investigate the art and fashion worlds. The show also presents original garments and accessories worn or advertised by figures such as Josephine Baker, David Hockney, Frank Zappa, Maria Callas, Duke Ellington, Paul Newman and more. 679 Franklin Avenue, Crown Heights. Free.

Grim Reaper Gossip: The Death Doula and the Free Portrait Project
5 to 7 p.m.
A free pop-up event in Industry City with Rusty Zimmerman of the Free Portrait Project and Brooklyn’s friendly neighborhood death educator, Gabrielle Gatto. Come get comfortable with the uncomfortable over drinks and stories, and say hi to your neighbors. 900 3rd Avenue, building 8. Non-alcoholic cocktails will be served, courtesy of Curious Elixirs, and/or BYOB. Free, but RSVP is encouraged.

Second City Presents The First City Revue
Shows at 7 and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Second City has opened their new outpost in Brooklyn — their first-ever in New York — and are performing their “First City Revue” on Friday and Saturday nights. 64 N 9th Street. Ticket prices vary.

A Very, Very Black Variety Show
8 p.m.
Host Tubbs Krueger brings a roster of heavy hitters to the stage, including Regg Conquest (“Insecure,” “That Damn Michael Che”), rising comic Nnenna Onyema, world music from Jamaican-born artist Don Knock and Chantal Freeman’s operatic vocals. Littlefield, 635 Sackett Street. $15 to $20.

‘Private Party’ by One Whale’s Tale
7:30 p.m.
Private Party is a variety show and satire about putting on a show. The performance exposes things artists discuss in private but worry about sharing in public. Experience a night that does the impossible and turns artistic nightmares into a fun, boozy, exclusive, immersive private bash that’s fun for everyone who likes to party. The show was created by One Whale’s Tale founders Ellpetha Tsivicos and Camilo Quiroz-Vázquez and is back following a sold-out run at The Public Theater. 563 Johnson Avenue 2nd Floor. Tickets start at $35.

Chop & Quench Special Ops
9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Special Ops is a compact version of the renowned 15-piece band, Chop & Quench, comprising members from the cast and band of the highly acclaimed musical “FELA!” and you can see them live for yourself on Friday night at Radegast Hal & Biergarten. Members of Special Ops have collaborated with the likes of The Roots, India.Arie, Elvis Costello, Beyoncé, Femi Kuti, and Angelique Kidjo. They’re widely recognized for their renditions of classic Fela Kuti compositions, but they’ve also ventured into creating original music. 113 North 3rd Street.

Saturday, March 23

Luna Park Opening Weekend kick-off
Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Coney Island’s Luna Park opens on Saturday for its 121st season. Enjoy a day at the beach and nibble some glizzies. Come back on Sunday for Luna Park’s traditional egg cream christening of the Cyclone and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. The first 97 visitors on Sunday will receive a free ride on the historic coaster, to mark it turning 97 this year. See their spring calendar for other dates and times. 1208 Surf Avenue.

Photos with the Easter Bunny at Kings Plaza
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Easter is two weeks away and you can bring your little ones to have their picture taken with the giant bunny at Kings Plaza. Pre-booking is recommended. Visit the Bunny on Level 2. 5100 Kings Plaza.

Easter Egg Hunt with Senator Roxanne J. Persaud
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud will host a free Easter egg hunt for the families and children of the community at Canarsie Park (Seaview Avenue and East 88th Street) on Saturday morning. Hop over for games, refreshments, and giveaways — but stay for a visit from the Easter Bunny.

Green Meadows Farm Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Did you know there’s a farm in Brooklyn? Green Meadows hosts their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday and Sunday. The whole family is invited to search for colorful eggs, explore the Bunny House, and discover the farm playground. Your ticket also includes a picture with the Easter bunny, a hayride, and visits with tons of animals like alpacas and ponies. 3159 Flatbush Avenue. Tickets are $14 per person, two and above.

Brooklyn Kura Brewery Tour
12 and 12:30 p.m.
Take a tour of Brooklyn Kura’s state-of-the-art sake brewery in Industry City on Saturday. You will learn how they turn rice and water into delicious craft sake. Led by their brewery staff, the tour will walk you through their production facility and concludes in their taproom. 34 34th Street. Tickets are $15.

Kim Gordon: The Collective Tour
7 p.m.
Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon headlines Knockdown Center to celebrate her new solo album, “The Collective,” joined by a cast of some of the avant garde’s most exciting artists: Kelsey Lu and L’Rain join her in the Atrium, while Circuit des Yeux & frequent collaborator Bill Nace play a special duo performance, alongside FULL SIZE, and mat krefting in the smaller side room. 52-19 Flushing Avenue, Queens. $46.10

Matisyahu: Hold the Fire Tour
8 p.m.
Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and alternative reggae rock musician Matisyahu’s latest release, “Hold the Fire,” draws from Jewish philosophy and personal experiences such as being a father, husband or the ups and downs of life. Brooklyn Steel, 319 Frost Street. Tickets start at $51.98

Cocktail Magique
8 p.m.
On Saturday, an evening of circus, cocktails, and burlesque awaits you at Company XIV. Cocktail Magique is a mixological adventure where every guest receives petite cocktails and small bites while burlesque stars pour cocktails from the speakeasy bar. Thematically evocative of 19th-century Paris, the Magique show is inspired by the Belle Époque, where you’ll experience acts on stage, in the audience and even overhead. 21+. 17 Wyckoff Avenue. Ticket prices vary.

‘Dreams & Journeys’ by the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra
8 p.m.
The Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra presents “Dreams and Journeys: Tamburri, KOE and Dvořák” on Saturday evening at St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church. The program offers a collection of compositions inspired by the immigrant experience in New York by New York composer Emilia Tamburri and BCO principal flute Eva Ding. 157 Montague Street. Student tickets are $20 and general admission is $40.

Kneecap at Warsaw
8 p.m.
Kneecap is a rap group from Belfast, Ireland that fuses Irish with English, satire with socially conscious lyrics, and reality with absurdity. You can see them at Warsaw on Saturday night. “Better Way to Live” gives you a good taste of their sound and message. 261 Driggs Ave. Tickets start at $90.

Purim at the Onyx Room
10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Come to the new speakeasy dance space by House of Yes and wear a costume. Try to be original (that cheap Mario outfit from Amazon isn’t going to impress anyone). You can wear anything, or something related to the Purim story, or drag, as has been a custom throughout history on Purim. No one will judge you (except for the judges during the contest). Best costume wins a prize! Dance and partake in the experiences on offer … including a “bris station.” 8 Wyckoff Avenue. Tickets start at $34.94

Sunday, March 24

Spring at Brooklyn Botanical Garden
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seasonal highlights tour at 1 p.m.
The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is tracking the progress of the latest cherry blossoms on the Cherrywatch section of its website, and on Sunday, you can see them in person. Meet at the Garden’s Magnolia Plaza at 1 p.m. for a tour of the plants in peak bloom, led by a garden guide. Entrances at 150 Eastern Parkway, 990 Washington Avenue, and 455 Flatbush Avenue. Tickets range from $12 to $18, and children 12 and under get in free.

Palm Sunday at St. John’s Park Slope
10 a.m.
St. John’s Episcopal Church in Park Slope invites the community to meet in the church courtyard at 10 a.m. for a Palm Sunday processional with trumpets and palms. There’s a service and coffee hour following the procession. 139 St Johns Place.

Holi In The City
11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Holi, or The Festival of Colors, is an ancient Hindu tradition, and a reason to throw a big party. The bar Tailgate and DesiSaturdays host a Holi party on Sunday to usher in spring. Wear a white shirt because at this party you’ll be splashed with a dazzling array of reds, yellows, greens and pinks. Food and drink specials will be available. 21+. 86 North 11th Street. Tickets begin at $45.

Brooklyn’s longest-running drag brunch
1 to 4 p.m.
Brooklyn’s longest-running drag brunch happens on Sunday, hosted by Nancy Nogood and Emi Grate. Join the queens at Dromedary Bar for an afternoon of food, tiki cocktails, and of course, drag. Have one of Dromedary’s succulent Banna Heel Peels for us! 266 Irving Avenue. Free entry.

Country Westerns and Prison
4 to 7 p.m.
Country Westerns is a three-piece rock band from Nashville that sounds nothing like its name. Members include drummer Brian Kotzur (Trash Humpers, Silver Jews) and singer-songwriter-guitarist Joseph Plunket (The Weight, Gentleman Jesse). Prison are a loose collective of NYC musicians — including Endless Boogie‘s Paul Major, Mike Fellows (Rites of Spring, Silver Jews) and the late Sam Jayne — who’d been playing together since the mid-2010s who have up until this point been a live-only situation, all about gritty, bluesy, garagey jams. Mama Tried. 787 Third Avenue Avenue. Free.