Skate brunches and supply drives: 11 things to do this weekend

By Ethan Jakob Craft

Another weekend awaits—and all signs point to a warmer one in the borough. Whether you’re into granola farmers markets, hedonistic dance parties, drinking mimosas on roller skates, or just doing some good for folks in need halfway around the world, there’s likely to be at least one activity in this round-up that catches your eye.

Here’s your weekend to-do list, Brooklyn. Don’t forget to check out Nitehawk Cinema’s short film festival, too. Have fun!

Friday, March 4

Send aid to Ukrainians in need
Times vary
People around the world have been rallying in support of Ukraine this week after the country was invaded by Russian forces, and if you’re able to lend your support, art school Private Picassos has teamed up with Meest-America to host a supply drive in Park Slope this weekend to gather medical supplies, diapers, tampons and more to send to civilians living on the front lines. Drop-off locations include Winemake’Her wine bar, Yardsale Cafe and That Bar on 5th Avenue; check out Private Picasso’s social media for additional details.

Get naked!
6 p.m.
At “Paint & Strip,” you’re invited to do just that, indulging in art and drinks at this pop-up painting class-slash-burlesque, drag and go-go dance show. “Think ‘Drink & Draw’ meets ‘Paint & Sip’ meets Burlesque Show,” says the event’s online listing, which also advises that the painting portion of the evening is optional. It’s happening Friday night at the Satellite Art Club in Clinton Hill; tickets range from $10 to $50, depending on your admission tier and what supplies you’d like included.

Embark on an odyssey of funk
10 p.m.
Every “Space Cowboy” and “Cosmic Girl” in Brooklyn, listen up: “Canned Heat: A Jamiroquai Party” is coming to town on Friday night, bringing with it a groovy setlist of decades worth of disco and funk’s best tracks. Featuring DJs Cryostatik and Tom GBH, this 21-and-over event will have you boogieing until the wee hours of Saturday morning at Schimanski night club in Williamsburg. Advance tickets are $15 each.

Saturday, March 5

Keep the kids busy at an indoor block party
11 a.m.
Well, not just any indoor block party—this weekend marks the fourth annual Bklyn Indoor Block Party at City Point Shopping Center in downtown Brooklyn. This family-friendly, weatherproof event will feature a range of complimentary activities for children between the ages of 1 and 10 years old, including a bouncy castle, Lego building area, arts and crafts, soccer games, live music and more. The free celebration, which runs until 3 p.m., will also host a summer camp fair for interested families.

Beautify your community—and drink
4 p.m.
Join volunteers from the Clean Bushwick Initiative for a two-hour street clean-up as they work their way from Loom Yoga, near the intersection of Flushing and Knickerbocker avenues, to Maria Hernandez Park a few blocks away. It’s free to attend, and after pitching to help clean up the streets of Brooklyn, all registered participants will be rewarded with a free drink at nearby coffee shop and bar Nook.

Puff, puff, pass at Freaky Dog’s anniversary bash
8 p.m.
Freaky Dog, a Brooklyn smoke shop located in the heart of Sunset Park, is celebrating its first full year in business with an all-out celebration featuring a live DJ, classic arcade games, “exclusive gadgets we have to keep you elevated,” and a raffle to win any number of pot-related accessories. The party goes until midnight at its Third Avenue storefront; tickets are $40 for general admission or $70 for VIP entry, the latter of which includes a goodie bag.

Laugh about art
8:30 p.m.
You don’t need to pretend like you truly get each and every work in the MoMA at “Modern Whitney,” a stand-up show about art where a panel of comedians (and armchair critics) give their first impressions about a famous painting, sculpture or other piece in New York’s premier art museum—only for an art expert to explain what the work and its cultural impact actually means. The show at the Pine Box Rock Shop bar in East Williamsburg is free to attend.

Harness your energy on the dance floor
10 p.m.
Enjoy a respite from Saturday’s chilly forecast, if only briefly, at House of Yes’ “House of Paradise” island-themed party, which invites you to find love on the dance floor and indulge your “island beach party instincts.” The event will feature music by Bogtrotter, Murkury and more, not to mention the aerial art installations and tarot card readings, until the early hours of Sunday; limited priority entry tickets are still available for $40 each, or half that if you’re cool with entering after 1:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 6

Check out a farmers’ market
10 a.m.
The annual McGlorick Park Spring Farmers’ Market is back in Brooklyn earlier than ever this year, taking advantage of the balmy Sunday weather to invite local food, produce and plant vendors to showcase their wares at this leafy Greenpoint park. It’s free to stop by, and will be running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday from this weekend through May 8.

Celebrate Women’s History Month… on skates
2 p.m.
The Roller Wave NYC, the city’s “premier roller skating experience,” is coming back to Brooklyn this month to mark Women’s History Month with a brunch event featuring an all-female line-up of DJ and live music performances. Hosted at a massive warehouse space at 99 Scott Avenue in East Williamsburg, this skating and dance party goes until late and costs $25 to attend (or $35 if you require rental skates), but if you arrive before 4 p.m., there will be a free mimosa waiting for you.

Take in a concert
Times vary
Two years after the onset of Covid-19 in the U.S., Brooklyn’s finally starting to feel a bit more like its old self, not the least bit thanks to the roaring return of live music. If you’re in the mood for a concert this weekend, there’s no shortage of acts that you can enjoy without having to leave the borough: on Sunday alone, pop star Elle King continues a multi-night gig at Brooklyn Steel; Quebécois rock group Suuns is playing Brooklyn Made; and thrashers Lich King are bringing the house down at Saint Vitus Bar in Greenpoint.