Roy Ayers … and a goth rave: 13 things to do this weekend

By Joshua Encinias

This first weekend of March has a mix of hot, cold, and wet weather, but don’t let that stop you from ringing in spring early across the borough. For starters, you can get your taste of life in the sunshine with Roy Ayers at Elsewhere on Saturday.

If octogenarian funk isn’t your bag, Brooklyn’s best and brightest drag queens and in-betweens perform “Absolutely: Rite of Spring” on Friday at House of Yes and singer Weyes Blood plays Brooklyn Steel on both Friday and Saturday nights. The New York Family Fun Day & Camp Fair preview summer camps on Saturday. And on Sunday, celebrate Purim early at PurimFest. Alternately, you catch an early preview of “Demon Slayer” season three at the Alamo Drafthouse.

All this, plus puppets. And, sigh, the Brooklyn Nets.

Friday, March 3

Black Southern Migration Exhibit at the Bk Museum
March 3 through June 25
“A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration” opens at the Brooklyn Museum on Friday. For the exhibit, contemporary artists and writers reflect on America’s Great Migration between 1915 and 1970 through newly commissioned works ranging from large-scale installation, immersive film, and tapestry to photography, painting, and mixed media. “Legacies of the Great Migration” shows the Black Americans who left the south for Brooklyn, an important migration destination and introduces people who stayed or returned to the South during this era of American life. 200 Eastern Parkway. Ticket prices vary.

Absolutely: Rite Of Spring
Doors at 6:30 p.m., show from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Do you need a night of drag, glamour, brilliance, and uncanny joy? Of course, you do! On Friday, The House of Yes presents, “Absolutely: Rite Of Spring,” a dark, glittering spiral of drag told in three acts. The night features Brooklyn’s best and brightest queens, kings, and in-betweens: Darlinda Just Darlinda, Iodine, MTHR TRSA, and Untitled Queen. You won’t want to miss this big kickoff to spring. 21+. 2 Wyckoff Avenue. Tickets are $18.

Weyes Blood at Brooklyn Steel
Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
“Weyes” is pronounced “wise,” and no, she’s not a Flannery O’Connor tribute act. Weyes Blood’s “In Holy Flux Tour” comes to Brooklyn Steel on Friday and Saturday nights. The artist was inspired by O’Connor’s book “Wise Blood” during her own journey away from fundamentalist Pentecostalism as a child. A red flag about Pentecostal theology for Weyes was the idea that The Kids in the Hall’s Scott Thompson — the comedy troupe’s lone gay member — would go to hell. That didn’t sit right with her, so she began a spiritual journey that led her into music, and to perform with the likes of Kacey Musgraves and Lana Del Rey. Molly Lewis opens. 16+. 319 Frost Street.

Nevermore: Goth Rave
10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Jenna Ortega’s “Wednesday” viral dance sensation inspired Friday night’s “Nevermore: Goth Rave.” Hosted by Vampirefreaks & GBH Events, the rave boasts a playlist of The Cramps, The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, and a little Lady Gaga to spice things up. There’s an Absolut Vodka $12 drink special all night, which sounds kinda gross, but to each their own. Come rave the night away with your favorite ghouls this Friday night at Schimankski. 21+. 54 North 11th Street. Tickets are $18.

Saturday, March 4

Holi In The City: Festival of Colors Day Party
11 a.m.
Holi, or The Festival of Colors, is an ancient Hindu tradition, and in Brooklyn, that’s reason enough to throw a big party. The bar Tailgate and DesiSaturdays are hosting Holi festivities on Saturday and Sunday to usher in Spring … but presumably not to celebrate the eternal and divine love of god Radha Krishna, as the festival originated. Radha Krishna worshippers or not, everyone is invited! 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 are $39.

New York Family Fun Day & Camp Fair
12 to 3 p.m.
It’s not even spring, but you can still microdose summer! The Central Library is hosting a summer camp fair with everything your kids need for a classic summer vacation. New York Family Fun Day & Camp Fair is a free day of fun for the whole family, where kids can play and preview the activities available to them this summer. Parents can meet camp exhibitors for Day, Sleepaway, and Specialty camps. Make your plans early, because slots filled up quickly last year. 10 Grand Army Plaza. Free

“Brooklyn Bound” graffiti exhibition at City Point
4 to 6 p.m.
A new exhibition highlighting old school graffiti artists and the next generation of bombers, offering collectible works using mediums including subway and street signs, maps, and toy train cars. Curated by Collect With Lulu x Silvertuna Studios, featured artists include AL DIAZ, BG183, COPE2, CHRIS RWK, EASY, ERIC ORR, KIT17, SKEME, T-KID, WANE COD, ZIMAD. City Point Brooklyn, 445 Albee Square West. Reservations required. Email here.

“Thirst Trap” by Colin J Radcliffe
6 to 9 p.m.
“Thirst Trap,” a solo exhibit by Colin J. Radcliffe at The Java Project, has an opening reception on Saturday evening. Radcliffe’s ceramic sculptures and intimate photographs reflect our need and desire for love, lust, and companionship. The artist writes, “On the surface, a thirst trap suggests a need for validation and affirmation, but a more empathetic perspective reveals a very genuine, very human desire for connection and intimacy.” His figures take playful nude forms with cartoonish faces and vibrant child-like colors. Come enjoy this reframing of the thirst trap, and maybe you’ll walk away quenched. On view March 4 to 31. 252 Java Street.

Vibe to the jazz funk stylings of Roy Ayers
6:30 p.m. doors, 7:30 p.m. show
Roy Ayers brings his legendarily funky fusion to Elsewhere on Saturday night. Ayers’ 40-plus years in the music industry is thanks to timeless songs like “My Life in the Sunshine” and “Searching,” not to mention the generation of hip hop artists who have sampled them. Some of his famous admirers include Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, 50 Cent, A Tribe Called Quest, Tupac, and Ice Cube. Check him out for yourself Saturday night with Ayers and openers Yaya Bey and dreamcastmoe. 599 Johnson Ave #1. Tickets are $58.

Sunday, March 5

PurimFest@Senesh
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Celebrate Purim early on Sunday with PurimFest@Senesh! The Hannah Senesh Community Day School is hosting a free morning of reading and puppet shows about the story of Esther for families with children 2 to 10. They’ll also have a singalong, Purim-inspired crafts and snacks, and a photo booth. Costumes are encouraged for your little one but aren’t required. RSVP to reserve your family’s free tickets to the fest! Ages 2 to 10 with guardian. 342 Smith Street Brooklyn. Free.

“Cinderella” puppet show
12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Puppetworks hosts their spring marionette show “Cinderella” on Saturdays and Sundays through April 16. Come and enjoy the classic adapted for marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Reservations are strongly suggested and performances last 55 minutes. Suggested for ages 3 and up. 338 Sixth Avenue (at 4th Street). Tickets are $10 for children and $11 for adults.

“Demon Slayer: To the Swordsmith Village” (Dubbed)
3:30 p.m.
On Sunday, The Alamo Drafthouse in Downtown Brooklyn will screen the last two episodes of “Demon Slayer” season two and the first episode of the upcoming third season. And don’t forget, the Drafthouse also programs brilliant pre-show videos that shouldn’t be missed. Fans clamoring for season three of the popular anime series can grab a ticket for this Sunday screening while tickets last. 445 Albee Square West. Tickets are $18.99.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Charlotte Hornets
6 p.m.
The bad blood between Kyrie Irving and the Nets may be behind them, but the Nets still aren’t having a great season. They’re currently sixth in the Eastern Conference, and to say the Knicks beat ‘em to a pulp (142 – 118) on Wednesday is putting it lightly. Come support the home team at Barclays Center on Sunday. They need all the help they can get. 620 Atlantic Avenue. Ticket prices vary.