Courtesy the Other Art Fair
Sound Mind Festival, the Other Art Fair, Touch-a-Truck: 14 things to do this weekend
It's a great weekend to be in Brooklyn if you're into Japanese food, Norwegian culture, swamp boogie, fire-cooked meats and more
A Cajun and creole music festival brings the best of the swamp into Red Hook, and if touching trucks and/or alpacas is on your bucket list then this your weekend.
Elsewhere in the borough, a Bushwick music festival prioritizes healing and mental health. Don’t worry, Langhorne Slim and Iron & Wine will be playing music too. Between that and The Other Art Fair’s 110 artists and their immersive installations and workshops, we’re going to end this weekend smarter and healthier than we started it.
Find these and much more below. And happy Japan Month!
Friday, May 19
Crown Heights Job Fair
1 to 6 p.m.
Do you live in Crown Heights or Central Brooklyn? This fair is targeting your neighborhoods. Bring proof of residence and pick from 40 to 50 employers ranging from health and educational services to construction and non-profits. Start the weekend off responsibly then spend your future paycheck on some of the fun events on this list. 708mFranklin Avenue, between Park Place and Prospect Place.
Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition
3 to 7 p.m.
The Brooklyn Ceramic Arts tour makes its way to the BWAC. Demonstrations and exhibits all weekend long. The exhibit “Fired Up!” showcases members of the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition and their clay based works highlighting the challenges and diversity of this delicate medium. 481 Van Brunt St., Door 7A.
The Other Art Fair
4 to 10 p.m. Friday
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
The Other Art Fair is definitely not like every other art fair. The focus here is immersive installations. This year, over 110 artists will inundate your senses with visuals including murals, DJ performances, installations, tattoos, tintype portraits and so much more. Novices and expert collectors alike can enhance their gallery walls with works starting at $100. Brooklyn Navy Yard, Agger Fish, 63 Flushing Avenue, Building 269. Tickets range from $14.13 to $58.85.
Brooklyn Made grand opening party
5 to 9 p.m.
The Brooklyn Made Store will launch its first ever permanent home, courtesy of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, at Industry City’s Building 5 with a party featuring a DJ, food and drink specials, and a first look at the new store. Brooklyn Made aims to represent the rich diversity of “Brooklyn,” as represented by products and brands that have been conceived and made here. Free with RSVP. 35th Street between Second and Third Avenues.
Swamp in the City: A Cajun & Creole Music Festival
May 18 to 21, hours vary
Various businesses along the Red Hook waterfront will host the very best of Southeast Louisiana food and music. Cajun and Creole inspired food trucks will fuel you though hours of Louisiana dancehall bands, cooking demos, musical workshops and more. Strong Rope Brewery: Red Hook, 185 Van Dyke Street. $25 to $209.19
Saturday May 20
Touch-a-Truck
11 a.m to 5 p.m
After a three year hiatus, PS 295 and the Studio School of Arts & Culture brings back a fun-for-the-whole-family street fair featuring specialty vehicles your little ones have always wanted to climb inside. Now they can! Dump trucks, fuel trucks, moving trucks, ambulances and more. Hop in and honk the neighbors to insanity! And of course, food provided will be provided by — what else? — food trucks. 19th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. General admission starts at $9.
Bklyn Kids Block Party
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brooklyn Bridge Parents will bring the party to Downtown Brooklyn at both City Point (indoors) and Albee Square (outdoors) with Downtown Brooklyn Partnership with free, fun activities for families with kids, ages 1 to 12. There will be a giant ball pit, Lego building, arts and crafts, live music, soccer games, nerf modding range, coding, slime making and more at Albee Square outside and City Point inside. Free with reservation.
FAD
11 a.m to 6 p.m
That’s Fashion, Art and Design, in case you were wondering. And they deliver on all three. The pop up marketplace curates more than 50 independent vendors, makers and designers. And keep an eye out for free workshops and activities like shibori dyeing and patchwork for your crumbling denim. All ages. Admission is free. The Invisible Dog Art Center, 51 Bergen Street.
Sound Mind Festival
12 p.m to 7 p.m
A music festival for mental health and it’s free? Sounds like the absolute antithesis of Coachella. Sound Mind headliners include Iron & Wine, Langhorne Slim, Hiss Golden Messenger and others, and House of Yes will seal the deal for dance enthusiasts. Foodies will enjoy the partnership with Smorgasburg. Zen seekers can unplug from the music and plug right into wellness programs such as yoga, meditation and sound baths. 2 Wyckoff Avenue.
Dance Africa 2023
1 p.m.
Saturday will be the Community Day kickoff event for the nation’s largest African dance and music fest. This year, Dance Africa celebrates The Billie Holiday Theater and Restoration’s 26th year participating in DanceAfrica. Head on down and check out performances by students of the Youth Arts academy and special surprise guests. Did we mention it’s free? Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton Street.
Sunday, May 21
Japan Fes
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
May is Japan Month! Immerse yourselves in Japanese culture with culinary staples such as ramen, takoyaki, matcha sweet and tons more. Menus will be curated specifically for this event by Japan Fes. The average food offerings will be priced at around $12. Good luck not trying every delicious item. Fifth Avenue between Ninth and Tenth Streets.
Green Meadows Baby Farm Animals
11 a.m to 5 p.m.
Animal therapy! Take your pick and pet some sheep, goats, alpacas, ponies and even milk a cow. Once your arm is tired take a break on one of 10 different tractors and go on a happy hayride. This is definitely an all ages family friendly event. Aviator Sports and Events Center.
Floyd Bennett Field, 3159 Flatbush Avenue. $14.
Norwegian Day Parade
1 p.m.
May 17 is Constitution Day in Norway. Pretend you already knew this when you celebrate the Norwegian culture and traditions on display during this parade that winds its way through the Bay Ridge neighborhood. Following the parade, there will be a Scandinavian buffet dinner at Zion Lutheran Church in Staten Island that starts at 4 p.m. Buffet reservations can be made through Christine Thorsen at 718-442-1881. Parade starts at Third Avenue from 80th Street and winds up to Fifth Avenue concluding at Leif Ericson Park.
Heritage Fire Festival
4 to 7 p.m.
Billed as an outdoor culinary experience, Heritage Fire invites a diverse range of chefs to literally fire up their best dishes. With flames. Guests will not only sample all the foods, but also vote and crown a champion. Your ticket includes unlimited food, beer and cocktails and live entertainment. Brooklyn Navy Yard 141 Flushing Avenue. $125 for all you can eat. $175 for VIP passes.
