Weekend Guide: Jeff Goldblum, Jamie xx and the return of Restaurant Week

By Joshua Encinias

You’re going to need another weekend to recover from this weekend.

On Friday, you can see three different concerts — French electronic band Justice, English DJ Jamie xx or actor-pianist Jeff Goldblum with his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Oh, and it’s Restaurant Week, and it’s time for the Olympics, and…

Friday also brings STAMINA: a Queer Caribbean weekend with music, dance, food, and lots of sweaty, wet fun. You can celebrate Prince’s classic album and movie “Purple Rain” at 40 with a dance party and movie screening at Brooklyn Bridge Park, or check out drag queen Thorgy Thor’s final “Drag Race” screening party and see who is crowned the newest All-Star.

Smorgasburg Williamsburg becomes the Peanut Explorers Market on Saturday with peanut-based dishes from all over the world. The African Popup Festival takes over Flatbush on Saturday and Sunday with drinks, music, art, and markets from Brooklyn’s African and Caribbean communities. Then head back over to Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday evening for “Rhapsody for This Land: The American Odyssey in Music,” a free concert featuring renowned pianist Lara Downes that’s being broadcast live on WNYC.

Bushwick restaurant Tong hosts their annual Thai hot wing contest on Sunday for those who can stomach it and Harriet’s Rooftop hosts their weekly rooftop event Sol Together to ease you into the work week with good vibes and good cocktails.

Summer’s in full swing and we have your entire weekend mapped out here.

Friday, July 26

57 Brooklyn eateries participate in Restaurant Week
Going on now through Sunday, August 18
Restaurant Week is back for the summer and Brooklyn has 57 participating restaurants. It’s actually a month-long grub fest, so you have from now through August 18 to enjoy the “week.” There are options at different price points, including many restaurants offering two-course lunches and three-course dinners. For example, Nami Nori in Williamsburg is offering a two-course lunch special from 12 to 2:30 p.m. for $30 from Monday to Friday. See more options near you linked above.

STAMINA: a Queer Caribbean weekend
Friday through Sunday at various times and locations
A three-day Queer Caribbean gathering called “STAMINA” comes to Brooklyn this weekend. This vibrant weekend will feature three unique events, highlighting Caribbean music, cuisine and immersive cultural experiences. Friday is SWEAT, a high-energy party where it’s all about the music and owning the dance floor.⁠ Saturday is WETT, a fully wet party experience complete with mini pools, beach balls, water guns and lounge chairs. And Sunday is BACKYARD FETE, an island getaway featuring Caribbean food, fresh coconuts, performances and old-school tunes. There will be special guest appearances by popular queer Caribbean personalities, including Mal from Netflix’s “The Ultimatum” and singer-songwriter MikeLyrik. See their website linked above for various ticket price levels.

The Billie Holiday Theatre Presents Sky’s The Limit: Style As Resistance
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Billie Holiday Theatre will present a new exhibition with “Style as Resistance,” a unique visual art exhibition experience exploring the concept of Black resistance through fashion and style. “Sky’s The Limit: Style as Resistance” takes a look at how style has played an integral role in the journey, survival and advancement of the African diaspora. This exhibition explores style through sculpture, painting, and photography as a form of resistance. All pieces are available for sale. 1368 Fulton Street.

MoMA PS1’s Warm Up
4 to 10 p.m.
Yes, this is technically in Queens, but close enough. MoMA PS1’s signature summer music series, Warm Up, charts local, domestic, and international origin points for innovations in electronic music. The 2024 program is anchored by an array of scenes active across New York City’s independently organized club and nightlife venues. Friday’s lineup features Uniiqu3, Easyfun, Evilslime (evilgiane + Slimesito) and African-American Sound Recordings. 22-25 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City. $20.55 in advance, $25.15 at the door.

‘Purple Rain’ 40th Anniversary Celebration
6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Dearly beloved, the Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Prince’s legendary album and movie “Purple Rain” on Friday (rain date July 27) at Pier 3 Plaza. A free dance party featuring Prince’s hits takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and the film begins at sundown. Let’s go crazy! Click here to see Pier 3 Plaza’s location on the park map.

Olympics Viewing Party at Bk Backyard Bar
Friday through Sunday, August 11 at various times
If the Olympics are on, then Bk Backyard is where you can watch. Catch soccer, rugby, archery and everything in between at your leisure for the next two weeks. If you happen to be watching a match from Monday to Thursday, you’ll receive 50% off drinks at the bar from 5 to 7 p.m. 86 N 11th Street.

Thorgy Thor’s ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ finale viewing party (part 2)
7 p.m.
RuPaul winds down “All Stars” Season 9 with a two-part finale and Bk Backyard will hold their second of two final viewing parties on Friday night. Grab your girlies, gays and theys, and head over to Bk Backyard as “Drag Race” alum Thorgy Thor hosts with special guests Miz Jade and Phaedra Phaded. 86 North 11th Street. Tickets are $13.

Green-Wood Cemetery After Hours
Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
No, it’s not spooky season yet, but you can explore Green-Wood Cemetery’s historic grounds under the cover of night on Friday and Saturday. You’ll visit the graves of fascinating figures in New York and American history in a walking tour that ends with a visit to the Catacombs, which are normally closed to the public. So, yeah, it’s kinda spooky! 500 25th Street. Tickets are $32 but members receive a discount.

Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
8 p.m.
Pianist and sometime actor Jeff Goldblum launched the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra 30 years ago. Since then, he and his band have performed for audiences throughout the United States and the world, playing contemporary arrangements of classic jazz and American songbook standards. You have the chance to see The Fly himself at The Opera House on Friday night. 288 Berry Street. Tickets start at $55.

Jamie xx plays five secret Brooklyn shows
9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday nights are your last chance to see Jamie xx play as part of his five-night residency of secret Brooklyn shows. Where will he play? Nobody knows. Buy a ticket to find out — and for the bragging rights.

Justice performs at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
10 p.m.
French electronic duo Justice plays their first New York headlining shows in 12 years at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and Friday night is your last chance to see them. Building 293, Assembly Road 11205. General admission tickets are $86.

Saturday, July 27

Smorgasburg Williamsburg becomes the Peanut Explorers Market
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and again next Saturday, August 3
The National Peanut Board and Jon Kung, a well-known Chinese American chef, have collaborated to transform Smorgasburg Williamsburg into the Peanut Explorers Market for the next two Saturdays. In a collaboration with beloved New York food festival Smorgasburg and their most popular vendors, 10 peanut-centric, global dishes will be available during the limited-time Peanut Explorers Market. Chef Jon is on a mission to show people how easy and fun it can be to try new foods, especially with familiar food like peanuts at the center. 90 Kent Avenue.

African Popup Festival
Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m.
Enjoy food and culture from across the diaspora at the African Popup Festival on Saturday and Sunday. There will be food, drinks, music, art and markets from Brooklyn’s African and Caribbean communities at this family-friendly event at Hillel Plaza in Flatbush. Listen to DJs spin the best Afrobeats, soca, Kompa, Amapiano and R&B, or check out live performances and dance from local talents. There’s also a cooking demo, an art exhibition, live painting, and much more. Nostrand and Flatbush Avenues, 11210. Entry is free, but there are various prices for sampling food.

‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ puppet show
Saturdays and Sundays through August 11 from 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Park Slope’s Puppetworks was founded in 1980, and this weekend, you can see their summer performance of “Jack & the Beanstalk” featuring an original song score and a “live” Giant. The show is suggested for ages 2 and up and lasts 55 minutes. Registration is suggested as walk-in admission is not guaranteed. Email them here. 338 Sixth Avenue (at 4th Street). Tickets are $10 for children and $11 for adults.

The Martin Monster Show
6:30 to 10 p.m.
A party, movie screening and show in Industry City to watch a to-be-announced “monster movie that breaks new ground.” Your host for the evening is Martin Monster, who comes from buried beneath the bowels of Bay Ridge and is reanimated to guide you along your path of ultimate movie enjoyment. There will be singing, movie trivia, and a few special guests and ghouls. The screening takes place at BK One Productions | Tom Kane Theater. 51 35th Street, Industry City. Tickets are $12.50

Rhapsody for This Land: The American Odyssey in Music
6 to 9 p.m.
Alison Stewart will host a live broadcast from Brooklyn Bridge Park of “Rhapsody for This Land: The American Odyssey in Music,” co-presented with St. Ann’s Warehouse. The concert will feature renowned pianist Lara Downes’ performing her new project, “Rhapsody in Blue Reimagined” (for the classic composition’s centennial), along with other special guests. WNYC will broadcast the concert live as part of its own Centennial celebration. Listen live on 93.9 FM, AM 820, and www.wnyc.org. Click here to see the venue, Emily Warren Roebling Plaza. Free.

Sunday, July 28

Brooklyn Museum Pop-up Market
10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., every Sunday through mid-November
Brooklyn Pop-up is a weekly artisan market at the Brooklyn Museum. Hosted at the museum’s front plaza, a revolving roster of 35-plus artisans, designers, and makers will be on hand selling contemporary fashion, accessories, home goods, food, beauty, jewelry and more. 200 Eastern Parkway. Free.

Blazefury’s Thai hot wing eating contest
1 to 3 p.m.
Inspired by the Kang Tai Pla fish curry eating challenges that customers at Bushwick’s Tong would hold among themselves at the restaurant, contestants will be eating hot wings that will no doubt test the limits of human spice tolerance. 321 Starr Street. Free.

Sol Together at Harriet’s Rooftop
3 p.m. to late
Meet at Harriet’s Rooftop every Sunday for an electrifying rooftop experience featuring panoramic city views and sets from world-class DJs like this Sunday’s headliner, Yung Omz. Have a cocktail, take a picture for the ‘gram, and enjoy some summer tunes. 60 Furman Street. Tickets start at $40.

Cartoon Carnival turns 15
Screenings at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tommy José Stathes is a preeminent collector of old (1920s-1950s) cartoons on 16 and 35 millimeter film. Roughly once a month for 15 years he’s held public screenings, often grouped thematically, of these reel-to-reel gems starring familiar (and less familiar) faces. This weekend he’ll be hosting the 15th anniversary celebration if his Cartoon Carnival series at Rubulad, with free cake and, for the later showing, the phenomenal ragtime piano accompaniment of Charlie Judkins. 389 Melrose Street. $15, though tickets are going fast.

Celebrity Memoir Book Club WIP
7:30 to 9 p.m.
As Celebrity Memoir Book Club prepares to take their live show all the way to Australia, join hosts Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton as they test out new games and segments at Union Hall on Sunday night for the all-new Celebrity Memoir Book Club Live. 702 Union Street. Tickets are $12.