Africa Market, Al Gordon, and Alf Bakery: 12 things to do this weekend

By Joshua Encinias

Someone stick a fork in February because it’s over, baby. The shortest month of the year soon gives way to March. Spring weather may not be in the forecast, but you know what is? Fun.

On Friday, you can see the hilariously-titled “Geraldine Realigned Drives from Gay Place to Gay Place and You’re in the Car Too” at the Brick Theater. Comedian John Early concludes a week-long Brooklyn residency on Saturday night, and Sunday has a pop-up roller rink and Taste of Africa Market to wrap up Black History Month.

We have your weekend plans right here.

Friday, February 24

Geraldine Realigned Drives from Gay Place to Gay Place and You’re in the Car Too
7:30 p.m. start time on Friday
Get a tune-up, fill ’er up, and strap in, because Geraldine Realigned is taking you on the road to see America’s Great Gayborhoods. This staged, queer pilgrimage through America’s gay heartland (the coastal “heartland,” anyway) at the Brick Theater will leave you laughing and maybe even reflective of how American gay identities are formed by way of our various queer cities. You won’t need Uber this weekend because Geraldine is behind the wheel. 579 Metropolitan Avenue. Tickets are $20.

On Air Fest 2023
Various times on Friday and Saturday
In the streaming era, the old adage that someone has a “face for radio” doesn’t ring true when every major podcaster’s show is on YouTube and Twitch. That said! On Air Fest is happening this weekend, and you can see your favorite podcasters live and in person on Friday and Saturday. Technically, On Air isn’t a podcast festival, but a “gathering of artists and creatives” who sell their wares aurally. You can watch luminaries of the field like Kara Swisher, Krista Tippett, Mo Rocca, Talib Kweli, and John Cameron Mitchell, among dozens more at the Wythe Hotel. 80 Wythe Ave. Ticket prices vary, but single-day tickets begin at $187.

Kino Polska
Various dates and times through March 2
Polish movies may not be on everyone’s radar, but this year, the endearing story of a donkey in the movie “EO” by filmmaker Jerzy Skolimowski is one of the five nominees for the best international film at the Oscars. It’s headlining the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s biannual festival Kino Polska on Friday night. The festival’s other opening night movie is “The Silent Twins,” co-starring Letitia Wright, a.k.a. Shuri, a.k.a. the new Black Panther in “Wakanda Forever.” Many filmmakers will also appear in person for Q&As. 30 Lafayette Avenue. Tickets are $11 to $16.

Saturday, February 25

Al Gordon Brooklyn 4 Miler
8 to 11 a.m.
If you’re into doing more on a Saturday morning before most of us wake up, then we have the run for you! The New York Road Runners will host the “Al Gordon Brooklyn 4 Miler,” a four-mile race in Prospect Park. Gordan was an NYRR board member, who started running marathons in his 80s and exercised until he passed in 2009 (at age 107!). Register and lace up! Nethermead near Center Road in Prospect Park. Registration fees vary.

Children’s Film Fest
10:30 a.m. start time on Saturday
Free children’s films are playing across the five boroughs this weekend and they’re coming to Greenpoint’s Stuart Cinema & Cafe on Saturday (from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) and the Brooklyn Public Library, Macon Branch (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.) on Sunday. It’s part of NYICFF in Your Neighborhood, a project of the New York International Children’s Festival. They’re showing short movies suitable for ages 3 to 8 and they’ll screen several times in the two-hour window. The screening is free, and so are the exhibits and activities on site. Saturday at 79 West Street and Sunday at 361 Lewis Avenue. Free.

Alf Bakery brunch pop-up at Ostudio
11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Baker Amadou Ly, of the upcoming Alf Bakery in Chelsea Market, is hosting a brunch pop-up this Saturday and again on March 4 at Ostudio in Bed-Stuy. Alf will specialize in the “le pain vivant” style of baking, with minimal interaction during the breadmaking process. So if you’re fancy, come enjoy Amadou’s menu of his famous laminated baguettes, laminated brioche, pain de campagne, miche, croissants, sandwiches, savory pie, quiche, and some sweets too. The organizers recommend nabbing a reservation because this bread is hot. 366 Stockton Street.

John Early Live!
Sets at 7:30 and 10 p.m.
Brooklyn comedian and all-around silly guy John Early is performing seven shows this week, and the final two are Saturday night. Even if you don’t know Early by name, you’ve seen him on “I Think You Should Leave,” “Search Party,” “At Home with Amy Sedaris,” or dozens of projects and late-night TV appearances. It’s hosted by the Bell House but the performances will be at Roulette Intermedium — so don’t show up at the Bell House on Saturday night expecting to laugh because the joke’s gonna be on you! 21+ 509 Atlantic Avenue.

ArtBall 2023
7:30 p.m.
Amref Health Africa helps provide healthcare for over 20 million people per year across Africa, and this Saturday, they’re bringing back ArtBall to raise money for Kefeta, a partnership between Amref and the US Agency for International Development. There will be an art auction featuring dozens of pieces by Contemporary African, Pan-African, and Black Art from emerging and established artists. This year’s ball will also honor Ethiopian-American artist Julie Mehretu with the Rees Visionary Award for creating exceptional work that educates, inspires, and emboldens during trying times. Buy your ticket today before it sells out! 26 Bridge Street. Tickets are between $150 and $250.

Sunday, February 26

The Roller Wave
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Roll bounce your way to this new family-friendly pop-up skating rink at the Atlantic Terminal Mall. The Roller Wave pays homage to the aesthetics of old-school skating rinks and features live music from DJs and performers. The 9,000 square-foot rink features food and beverage offerings, an arcade, special VIP space, and family programming in addition to skating lessons and exercise events. Get your endorphins flowing this Sunday at Roller Wave. 625 Atlantic Avenue. Tickets range from $14.50 to $19.50.

Taste of Africa Pop-up Market
12 to 7 p.m.
African Restaurant Week presents a Taste of Africa Pop-up Market on Sunday at Wellness Tea Therapy. You can support Black entrepreneurs selling everything from gift items, food, beauty products, and art. And a lucky attendee who can answer the right questions during Black History Month trivia will win two tickets to the pop-up tasting events. 525 Nostrand Avenue. Entry is free and pricing for the tasting events varies.

Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra: Wagner, Barber, Schumann
2 to 4 p.m.
Wrap up Valentine’s month with The Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra’s program celebrating works of Romanticism. You’ll hear Richard Wagner’s Prelude to Act I of “Lohengrin,” which describes the Holy Grail’s descent to Earth with a shimmering string opening and slow but intense build to a grand climax. Samuel Barber’s nostalgic “Souvenirs” and Robert Schumann’s dark and dramatic Fourth Symphony will also be performed at the Brooklyn Museum. 200 Eastern Parkway. Tickets are $15 for seniors and Museum Members, $20 for non-Members, same-day tickets are $25 at the door, and free for those 16 and under.

Park Slope Singers: “Three for ‘23”
3 p.m.
The Park Slope Singers celebrate three twentieth century composers and their influence on the world of choral music this Sunday. The composers include Alice Parker, best known for her work on early-American hymns, spirituals, and folk songs. The Singers will perform Parker’s “Heavenly Hurt,” her setting of seven poems by Emily Dickinson. Work by Florence Price and Randall Thompson will also be performed at this concert presented by Art on the Corner @ Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. 7420 4th Avenue. Tickets are $15 for senior citizens and students and $20 for general admission.