Weekend Guide: A roller disco, a roller derby and the Brooklyn Rum Fest

By Joshua Encinias

Bounce, rock, skate, roll and … body-check your way through the weekend: Gotham Roller Derby’s 20th anniversary borough showdown gets underway this weekend. And if you’re more of a lover than a fighter, you can strap wheels on your heels for Taylor Swift-themed roller disco. Not a Swiftie? There’s also a country-music roller hoedown at Xanadu, Brooklyn’s newest rink, this weekend.

Maybe you’d prefer to be outdoors Coney Island’s annual sand sculpture competition is back this weekend. And if you want an early taste of spooky season, head over to Green-Wood Cemetery for a late-night screening of “Look Into My Eyes,” a documentary about New York psychics.

The Brooklyn Rum Festival returns on Saturday with over 70 different samplings of the ole demon water for you to try. Also on Saturday, The Rockaway Film Festival kicks off with an eclectic mix of screenings and events, and the Afro Carnival weaves together Afro-Caribbean traditions with a family-friendly event at Industry City.

The cast of Broadway’s “The Notebook” comes to The Ripped Bodice on Sunday morning for a panel and Q&A about their show. Plus, you can prep for the week at the Tompkins Avenue Open Streets Vendor Market.

New York Public Schools resume classes on September 5 so enjoy the summer while you still can!

Friday, August 16

House Fest on Governors Island
Friday through Sunday
Hop on a ferry: Gov­er­nors Island Arts will bring togeth­er more than two dozen cul­tur­al part­ners for a week­end-long cre­ative cel­e­bra­tion in and around the his­toric for­mer mil­i­tary hous­es of Nolan Park and Colonels Row on the Island, fea­tur­ing free dance and music per­for­mances, out­door instal­la­tions, inter­ac­tive work­shops, open stu­dios, pan­el dis­cus­sions and more. While you’re there, check out FAD Market’s pop-up to get your fix of fashion, art, and design from more than 40 makers, designers, artists and small businesses.

Alamo Drafthouse reopens 
Various times
After a few months of renovations, the bigger and better Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Brooklyn is fully reopened with a major upgrade and expansion. Guests can now enjoy all-new recliner seats, five new auditoriums, upgraded projection and additional restrooms. 445 Albee Square West.

The final weekend for Restaurant Week
Going on now through Sunday, August 18
This is your last chance to take advantage of Restaurant Week deals. Brooklyn has 57 restaurants that have been participating in month-long grub fest, but now you only have through August 18 to enjoy them. 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 noon to 2:30 p.m. for $30 from Monday to Friday. See more options near you linked above.

‘Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100’
Going on now through July 20, 2025
With Brooklyn legend Shirley Chisholm back in the news, we want to re-up The Museum of the City of New York’s exhibit “Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100.” As the first major museum presentation dedicated to Brooklyn’s Shirley Chisholm, it delves into the life and legacy of the trailblazing legislator, the first Black woman elected to Congress whose contributions to our nation’s public policy endure today. She represented New York’s 12th congressional district in Bedford–Stuyvesant, and she served for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. The exhibit is presented in collaboration with the Shirley Chisholm Project on Brooklyn Women’s Activism at Brooklyn College. 1220 Fifth Ave at 103rd Street in Manhattan.

Cinema, Restored at BAM
Runs Friday through Thursday, August 22
The Brooklyn Academy of Music celebrates the best recent restorations of classic works of cinema — from Terrence Malick’s Texas farmland to Edward Yang’s modern Taipei and beyond — this series brings some of the greatest films ever made to the massive screen at the Harvey, BAM’s recently restored movie palace. The festival opens with the premiere of a new restoration of “The Spook Who Sat by the Door,” Ivan Dixon’s legendary and long-unavailable masterwork of American cinema. 651 Fulton Street. Tickets are $20.

The Final Myrtle Avenue Summer Nights
5 to 8 p.m.
Myrtle Avenue Summer Nights wraps up their monthly soirée series on Friday night. Join local business owners and artisans along the avenue for free activities for kids and adults. Myrtle Avenue Plaza is your hub for most events including crafts, games, caricature drawing, tarot card reading, wine tastings, raffles, and a DJ playing your favorite hits from every decade. Myrtle Plaza and along Myrtle Avenue. Free.

The Roast of Williamsburg
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Some of the city’s best comics (featured on Comedy Central, Late Night, and more) will gather to roast everyone’s favorite (or favorite-to-hate) Brooklyn neighborhood. “From Bedford to Bushwick, no dog walker or yoga studio is safe,” organizers promise, so get your tix and take your licks. Cafe Balearica. 44 Berry Street. $23.18

Boobie Trap Sketch Presents: Period
7 p.m.
Travel through time with Boobie Trap via their variety show of menstrual-themed, uh, period-piece sketches. Head over to the Brooklyn Comedy Collective on Friday night for a bloody good time. 167 Graham Avenue. Tickets are $13.70.

Dreamland Roller Disco: Taylor Swift
7 to 10 p.m.
Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco continues their summer series as part of the Lakeside Roller Dance Night Series. This week’s theme is Taylor Swift, so gather your Swifites, and dress as Taylor from your favorite era for this immersive retro roller skating experience. 171 East Drive. Tickets are $28.45.

‘Look Into My Eyes’ screening at Green-Wood Cemetery
Doors open at 7:45 p.m., movie begins at 9 p.m.
On Friday night, Rooftop Films and Green-Wood Cemetery present A24’s “Look Into My Eyes,” a documentary about a group of New York City psychics who conduct deeply intimate readings for their clients, revealing a kaleidoscope of loneliness, connection and healing. Stick around after the movie for Q&A with filmmaker Lana Wilson and the doc’s featured psychics, followed by an afterparty, sponsored by Ketel One Family Made Vodka. 500 25th Street. Tickets are $20.05.

Country Skate: Roll on with DJ’s Moonshine & Prison Rodeo
8 p.m.
Roll over to Xanadu on Friday night for a Boot Scootin’ Boogie with DJ’s Moonshine and Prison Rodeo. Two-step and line skating is encouraged while the DJ’s spin country gold. 262 Starr Street. Tickets are $28.84.

Saturday, August 17

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Presents: CURLFEST and Lila Iké
Various times
CURLFEST is coming to BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. for a jam-packed day of celebrations for beauty, culture, and togetherness. This is your space to commune, make memories, meet new friends and leave refilled with the magic of our collective community along with a stack of beauty goodies to have your curls, kinks, and beards shining all summer long. Lena Horne Bandshell. 141 Prospect Park W. Tickets begin at $51.50. And that’s not all BRIC has in store on Saturday. They’re hosting a pop-up event at The Lawn at Brower Park from 5 to 10 p.m. featuring a screening of the movie “Bob Marley: One Love” and performances by Lila Iké, Laila!, and DJ Sweet V. Mark’s Avenue and Park Place between Brooklyn Avenue. and Kingston Avenue. Free.

Rockaway Film Festival 2024
Saturday through Sunday, August 25
The Rockaway Film Festival is a moving-image celebration that brings affordable, inclusive, and enriching cinema and cultural programs to the Rockaway peninsula. Highlights include Zia Anger’s “My First Film,” featuring a Q&A with star Odessa Young and a post-screening DJ set by Andrew Vanwyngarden of MGMT. Screenings and events will be held at Averne Cinema and other local sites. 72-02 Gouverneur Avenue. While some events are free, you can buy a festival pass offering unlimited access to all events for $75.

32nd Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Competition
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Get ready to hit the beach on Saturday to show off your sandy skills at the 32nd Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Competition. This free event is open to all ages in the following categories: Solo Artist, Adult group, and Family group. Winners in each category can win up to $500. Riegelmann Boardwalk at West 12th Street

Wyckoff Museum’s Farmhouse Family Day
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Family and friends are invited to show off your artistic side and capture the summer sun in paper stained at Wyckoff Museum’s Farmhouse Family Day on Saturday. Stick around to check out their historic farmhouse, visit the farm stand, drop off food scraps for compost, and enjoy colonial-era toys and games. 5816 Clarendon Road. Free.

Brooklyn Rum Festival
12 to 5 p.m.
The Brooklyn Rum Festival is back for a third pour. This year it’s bringing 75 rum distilleries from around the world and serving complimentary cocktails in your festival tasting cup. There’ll be food vendors and music, and if you buy a VIP ticket, you’ll receive a souvenir glass and a premium cigar. 230 Bogart Street. Tickets begin at $68.

Afro Carnival 2024
2 to 10 p.m.
Afro Carnival weaves together Afro-Caribbean traditions with the aim of unifying people of the diaspora through music and culture. Patrons from all walks of life are welcome to come to Industry City for music, food, and cultural expression from around the world. The DJ line-up includes DJ Tunez, Maleek Berry, and Denise Belfon. Plus, ticket holders are invited to the festival’s one-hour open bar sponsored by Hennessy with complimentary small bites from Brooklyn Suya. 220 36th Street Courtyard 1/2. Tickets are $17.85.

Gotham Roller Derby
5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Gotham Roller Derby is celebrating its 20th year with a season of hard-hitting games featuring the league’s four home teams: the Manhattan Mayhem, the Queens of Pain, the Brooklyn Bombshells and the Bronx Gridlock. The derby takes place just one Saturday night each month (August 17, September 21 and October 19) at Lefrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park, so roll on over this weekend. Manhattan plays the Bronx at 5:30 p.m. and Brooklyn takes on Queens at 7:30. 171 East Drive. Tickets start at $40.

Cocktail Magique
8 p.m.
An evening of circus, cocktails and burlesque awaits you at Company XIV on Saturday. 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. 17 Wyckoff Avenue. Ticket prices vary.

Sunday, August 18

Broadway’s ‘The Notebook’ cast at The Ripped Bodice
10 a.m.
Cast members from “The Notebook: The Musical” will participate in a panel at The Ripped Bodice romance bookstore on Sunday morning to discuss the musical. Moderated by Katherine Zofrea, guests include Maryann Plunkett (Older Allie), Jordan Tyson (Younger Allie), Andréa Burns (Mother/Nurse Lori) and Dorcas Leung (Georgie/Others). 218 5th Avenue. Tickets are $15.

Tompkins Avenue Open Streets Vendor Market
12 to 6 p.m., every Sunday through October 6
The Tompkins Avenue Open Streets Vendor Market is run by vendors, for vendors. Their outdoor market in Bed-Stuy maximizes exposure and profits for creators, so everything you buy has a bigger impact on their bottom line. On Sundays, they will host a mix of food, retail and makers selling goods you won’t find anywhere else. Tompkins Avenue between Gates and Monroe Avenues.

Lady Bunny’s Birthday Tea Dance
4 p.m.
The bitch is back in Brooklyn for her birthday … and she’s doing an early show because she’s old as hell. Come out to see New York icon Lady Bunny play her favorite disco tracks at this classic Tea Dance. And for a taste of Bunny’s humor, check out our conversation. Grab your gays, gals and theys, and hit the dance floor at C’mon Everybody. 21+. 325 Franklin Avenue. Tickets are $17.