Celebrate Lunar New Year: 12 things to do this weekend

By Joshua Encinias

If you thought the Twelve Days of Christmas were long, wait until you see what Brooklyn has in store this weekend for the 15 days of Lunar New year celebrations.

On Friday, take the kiddos to see Disney on Ice 1) because they’ll love it and 2) can you imagine attempting to ice skate with a giant mask on? Saturday is the official start to the Year of the Rabbit and you can celebrate with a beading party at Dauphinette in Dumbo and a Japanese Taiko “Thunder Drum” workshop in South Williamsburg. Then you can get loud on Sunday with a Bluegrass Jam (free for kids!) and flip through some vinyl at Bar Meridian while DJs spin some of their favorite tunes.

There’s no shortage of fun times across the borough this weekend. See what’s in store:

Friday, January 20

Disney on Ice Presents “Into The Magic”
11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
It’s the dead of winter and your kids’ Christmas presents are all broken, so how do you entertain them? The Walt Disney Company swings through town this weekend with a quick fix: Disney on Ice Presents “Into the Magic” at the Barclays Center. Performances are at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday and various times through the weekend, so you have plenty of chances to wow your kids with characters from “Moana,” “Frozen,” “Coco” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Tickets are required for kids 2+. 620 Atlantic Avenue. Tickets are $20 and up.

Industry City Ice Rink
4 to 8 p.m., every Friday thru Sunday until March 10
The IC Ice Rink in Industry City is in full swing for the season and they’re fully equipped with a heating system to keep you toasty. Complete with an outdoor bar serving hot drinks and snacks, the rink is open from now until March 10. All tickets are available for a single entry at any time, on the day of your choice, and will grant you access to the rink for one session between 1.5 hours to 2 hours. Industry City Courtyard 5/6 at 51 35th Street. Tickets are $10 to $25.

Slaughter Beach, Dog, and Whitmer Thomas in concert
Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m.
So before we jump into things, Slaughter Beach, Dog is the name of one band, not two. Now that’s cleared up: the aforementioned band comes to the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Friday night. Their opening act is comedian, musician, and silly guy Whitmer Thomas, who, we think, is performing his music, not his comedy. They’re kinda both one-in-the-same. Either way it should be a fun, vibey, very white night in Williamsburg (but that’s every night in Williamsburg, you say, and yes, you’re right). 16+. 66 North 6th Street. Ticket prices vary.

Restaurant week hits Brooklyn
Various times and locations
Restaurant week is here and you can find deals on the best Brooklyn restaurants from Greenpoint to Gravesend. Among the 49 restaurants participating this winter are Silk in Gravesend, Esme in Greenpoint, Barbalu Bklyn in Carrol Gardens, and Wi Cafe & Wine Bar in Crown Heights. Check out the full list of restaurants that we shared earlier this week. Put away the Ramen Noodles and let one of our lovely local restaurants cook for you this weekend.

Saturday, January 21

Dauphinette’s Lunar New Year Party in Dumbo
12 to 6 p.m.
Kick-off the 15-day Lunar New Year celebration in Dumbo. Dauphinette will host a sparkling beading party to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, where you can choose from an array of Lunar New Year jade beads, porcelain zodiac animal pendants, plus a Dauphinette preserved botanical pendant of your choice. Light hors d’oeuvre and drinks will be served, and while you’re there, peruse a collection of 200 vintage pieces at the soft launch for Dauphinette’s new concept store, Meyfleur. 53 Bridge Street. Ticket prices vary.

Lunar New Year Plants Tour
1 to 2 p.m.
The Brooklyn Botanical Garden hosts a serene tour of Asian fruits and plants associated with the Lunar New Year on Saturday afternoon. In the garden’s Steinhardt Conservatory, you’ll explore citrus, bamboo, and flowering quince. And the best part is it’s free with your garden admission. The tour will be presented in Cantonese and English. 150 Eastern Parkway. Ticket prices vary.

Japanese Taiko “Thunder Drum” Workshop, Demo, & Jam Session
2:15 to 3:30 p.m.
The Lunar New Year’s beat goes on at this Japanese Taiko “Thunder Drum” Workshop on Saturday. Taiko Masala Dojo, a Brooklyn-based dojo dedicated to the art of Taiko (traditional Japanese drumming and martial arts-inspired movement), will teach a brief history of the Japanese art of Taiko, followed by a one-hour lesson and jam session. You’ll be fully immersed in everything from 8-inch hand-held drums and the giant 250-pound O-daiko. 781 Kent Avenue. Tickets are $40.

Disco Tea with Lady Bunny’s DJ set
5 p.m.
The bitch is back in Brooklyn … 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 with her last fall. Grab your gays, gals, and theys, and hit the dance floor at C’mon Everybody. 21+. 325 Franklin Avenue. Tickets are $17.

Sunday, January 22

Bluegrass Jam!
10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Mozart for Munchkins hosts a morning bluegrass jam on Sunday for kids and their parents at the Old Stone House. Kids can dance, sing, and clap along to guitar, banjo, five-string violin, baritone violin, and (not-very-bluegrassy) saxophone at this raucous, but family-friendly, affair. You’ll also hear performers from recent Taylor Swift records at this delightful immersion in Americana. Children will need a guardian with them. 336 3rd Street. The jam is free for kids and it’s $37 for parents.

Record Flea at Bar Meridian
12 to 4 p.m.
The second coming is here and you don’t want to be left behind. No, we’re not talking about the plot of a bad Evangelical movie, this is the second edition of Bar Meridian’s record flea. Flip through a menagerie of vinyl records, vintage duds, and books you won’t give away on your stoop. Come for the flea market and stay for the drink specials. 406 Prospect Place.

“Star 80” at Alamo Drafthouse
3 p.m.
Director Bob Fosse (“All That Jazz”) tells the story of Dorothy Stratten, who was plucked out of obscurity from behind a Vancouver Dairy Queen counter and became an object of desire on the silver screen. Searing and unrelenting, “Star 80” shows the exploitative and emotionally tumultuous world of entertainment through the tragedy of Stratten’s life and early death. 445 Albee Square West. Tickets are $21.50.

Cocktail Magique
8 p.m.
An evening of circus, cocktails, and burlesque awaits you at Company XIV on Sunday. Cocktail Magique is a mixological adventure where every guest receives petite cocktails and small bites while burlesque stars pour cocktails from the speakeasy bar. Themed to 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. 21+. 17 Wyckoff Avenue. Ticket prices vary.