House of Yes and Earth Day at Prospect Park: 13 things to do this weekend

By Joshua Encinias

Saturday is both Earth Day and Record Store Day, and there will be bike rides, street parties, and at Brooklyn Bowl soiree to celebrate.

But first, we can’t forget Arbor Day: the Audubon Center in Prospect Park is open for a day of exploration in Brooklyn’s last remaining forest on Friday. A couple of New York’s finest graffiti artists, Al Diaz and George Ibanez, will do a book signing at City Point. Eid al-Fitr is observed at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum on Sunday with events for kids and families.

This weekend is all about nature, so grab some rays:

Friday, April 21

Visit The Museum of Failure
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Museum of Failure at Industry City shines an irreverent but hopeful light on some of history’s epic fails by some of the world’s best-known companies. Ex: Google Glass. The 130-piece collection debuted in Sweden and was conceived by psychologist and innovation researcher, Dr. Samuel West, who believes seeing these larger-than-life corporate imperfections will inspire visitors to stop being afraid of failure and lean into innovation. 900 Third Avenue. Tickets are $16.50.

Arbor Day and Earth Day at the Audubon Center
12 to 4 p.m. Friday
1o a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday 
Explore Brooklyn’s last remaining forest on Arbor Day this Friday at the Audubon Center in Prospect Park. The Prospect Park Alliance has an entire afternoon planned for exploration that will allow families and kids to interact with the park in new ways. Later in the afternoon, there are guided walks where you’ll learn about the role trees play in the park’s wildlife and how trees help fellow trees in the habitat. 101 East Drive. Free.

Word. Sound. Power. 2023: WORD—The New Storytellers
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m; also April 28
“Word. Sound. Power.” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music is celebrating hip-hop’s 50th anniversary on Friday, Saturday, and April 28. This year is programmed around the art of storytelling and highlighting hip-hop as carrying on the African oral tradition into the 21st century. Watch performances by Helixx C. Armageddon, Brooklyn MC and activist Silent Knight, hip-hop and spoken word artist Dahlak Brathwaite, and many more. 321 Ashland Place. Tickets are $25.

Disc-o-lypso with François K
Doors at 11 p.m.
The Disc-o-lypso Crew returns to Brooklyn for an ecstatic dance floor extravaganza, joined by DJ Legend François K, who started his career DJing in clubs like Studio 54. Expect a fresh and groovy blend of disco, funk, and carnival vibes with a sprinkle of electronica at Baby’s All Right on Friday. 21+. 146 Broadway. Tickets range from $25 to $35.

Saturday, April 22

Better Bedford Avenue: Ride for Change
11 a.m.
Good Co. Bike Club is promoting sustainable-commuting and safe streets for cyclists this Earth Day with “Ride for Change,” a Saturday afternoon ride advocating for a safer bike lane on Bedford Avenue. You’ll Ride eight to 10 miles from Flatbush through Bed-Stuy via Bedford Ave. RSVP so they can prep enough refreshments and prizes. Meet at Paerdegat Park.

U Street Music Fest
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
An all-ages music festival that will feature nine bands on two stages — including hardcore punk band Rebelmatic, ska group The Scofflaws, theatrical queer musicians Chico Raro — and multiple DJs, as well as activities and food from neighborhood businesses. There will be open turntables from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to encourage more music sharing. Maria Hernandez Park. Suydam Street between Irving Avenue and Knickerbocker Avenue. Free.

TALEA x Tony’s Chocolonely Beer Release
12 to 7 p.m.
Talea Beer Co. teamed up with Tony’s Chocolonely to make Berry Chocolate, a sour ale brewed with raspberry and cacao nibs, and they’re throwing a chocolate-filled party to celebrate on Saturday. Join in the chocolatey fun at Talea Williamsburg for their collaboration release with plenty of chocolate on hand to pair with your beer. Border Town will also be serving up tacos all afternoon. The event is first come, first served, so RSVP. 21+. 87 Richardson Street.

Record Store Day Afterparty at Brooklyn Bowl
Doors at 6 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
After digging through record bins during Record Store Day, music fans can hit up Brooklyn’s official Record Store After-Party at Brooklyn Bowl. Presented by Dogfish Head, folks can keep the record celebration going at Brooklyn Bowl with musical performances by Star Kitchen and Matisyahu, giveaways, and Happy Hour beer specials. You can check out Dogfish Head’s new beer, Catchy Chorus, a double dry-hopped double IPA inspired by the four “magic chords” (E, B, C#m, and A) that make up many of the world’s most popular melodies. 21+ 61 Wythe Avenue. Tickets are $20.

Graffiti artists Al Diaz and George “Crime79” Ibañez book signing
6 to 9 p.m.
Head over to City Point on Saturday evening for a book signing with renowned graffiti artists Al Diaz and George Ibanez. Along with Jean-Michel Basquiat, Díaz piqued public interest with the tag “SAMO©…” all over New York City, and was a Brooklyn boy who entered the world of subway graffiti in the late-70’s under the name Crime79, resulting in a 40-year career. There’ll be a small release of limited editions of their books “NY City of Kings” and “SAMO©… Since 1978” (Diaz) & “My Creative Journey” (Ibanez). 445 Albee Square West. Free.

Sunday, April 23

Celebrate Eid al-Fitr at Bk Children’s Museum
10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Brooklyn Children’s Museum will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Sunday with a fun-filled day of food, music, dance, and art marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting. You’ll learn the story of Eid al-Fitr, enjoy hands-on activities, and celebrate cultural traditions from across the Muslim world with Council Member Shahana Hanif and various cultural partners, artists, and performers. 145 Brooklyn Avenue. Tickets are $12 to $13 and free for kids under one.

Earth Love Fest: A House of Yes Block Party
12 p.m.
House of Yes celebrates its annual Earth Love Fest on Sunday with a day-long celebration spilling from inside the venue to the street. The 5th annual celebration is part dance party, part sustainability workshop in honor of Earth Day. Food vendors, climate experts, and a gaggle of gays will be on hand to celebrate their MOTHA, Earth. And stick around because there’s a 21+ afterparty. 2 Wyckoff Avenue. Free.

Steve Martin Presents
Doors at 5 p.m., show at 5:30 p.m.
SNL’s Andrew Dismukes and Michael Good’s long-running variety show of the city’s best comedians recently made the jump from Manhattan to Union Hall in Brooklyn, and their latest show is happening on Sunday night. But, no, Steven Martin isn’t involved. Sunday’s lineup includes Asha Ward, Patrick Hastie, Nat Towsen, Michael Hirsch, Lynn Maleh. 21+. 702 Union Street. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Frontier Queens: a drag fundraiser for Western Montana
8 p.m.
Join hosts Andrew Leonard and Temple Grandé for Frontier Queers, a pop-up fundraiser for the Western Montana LGBT+ Center. Drag, burlesque, and singing talent from across NYC will be arriving on their covered wagons to support our queer friends in the Big Sky State. Giddy up to C’mon Everybody and give! 21+. 325 Franklin Avenue. Tickets are $12.