12 things to do this weekend: Easter, Passover, death and comedy

By Brooklyn Magazine

It’s Easter weekend, the forecast is looking fabulous, and the better borough’s rich slate of weekend events will allow you to enjoy both (or neither) however you see fit.

From a peaceful Passover Seder in Dumbo, to family-friendly nature events in Prospect Park, to … a number of plays engaging with the (seasonally-appropriate) themes of death and rebirth, there are plenty of events to pencil into your calendar.

Here’s the rundown of goings on for the weekend starting April 15:

Friday, April 15

Unearth Vintage Pop-Up Shop
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Does your springtime wardrobe need some work? Fret not, Unearth Vintage’s Pop-Up Shop will feature hundreds of garments for both men and women, with pieces dating from the 1940s through the early 2000s. Stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., located at 231 Smith Street.

Hurray for the Riff Raff
6 p.m.
While primarily known as a New Orleans band—Hurray for the Riff Raff’s sound is richly folky, a touch melancholic, and undeniably soul-stirring—lead singer-songwriter Alynda Segarra is actually a New Yorker, born in the Bronx. That makes this show something of a homecoming. Doors open at Elsewhere in Bushwick at 6 p.m., with tickets starting at $30.

Immanuel Wilkins Quartet
8 p.m.
Juilliard-trained saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Immanuel Wilkins is a rising star in the jazz scene. His debut, “Omega,” released August 2020, was a critical darling. But what makes his music special is his understanding of, and respect for, the history of the genre, which gives his performances a powerful emotional depth. Tickets for Friday’s show at the Roulette on Atlantic Avenue start at $20, and doors open at 8 p.m.

Passover with Chabad at Dumbo
Friday at 8 p.m.
Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
Celebrate the start of Passover with the first of two Seder dinners hosted this weekend at the Chabad of Dumbo, located at 205 Plymouth Street in Brooklyn. Friday’s dinner begins at 8 p.m., and Saturday’s at 8:30 p.m. The Chabad House is asking that guests please RSVP, and a donation of $36 per person is recommended. Come hungry.

All The Mournful Voices: A Play
8 to 9:30 p.m.
Set on Easter Sunday in 1865, during the weekend of Lincoln’s assassination, this timely play by Matthew Gasda will investigate the legacy of Honest Abe’s death, and how this still-startling event is embedded in the very fabric of our culture. The play’s conceit? It’s all set in a tavern. Catch the show at Forgotten Works, with tickets starting at $26 (and if Friday tickets sell out, there will be another performance on Saturday night).

Saturday, April 16th

Easter Saturday Celebration
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Even though it’s a day early, one of the weekend’s best family-friendly Easter events will be going down at Time Out Market in Dumbo. For the kids: Easter goodie bags, an “egg-cellent” Easter egg hunt, and a chance to snap a photo with the bunny of the moment. For the adults: A glorious range of food options, which are always on-hand at Time Out markets. Tickets cost $25, which will also get you a ride on Jane’s Carousel in nearby Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Nature Weekend Explorations
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Enjoy this weekend’s (hopefully) gorgeous weather in the great outdoors of Prospect Park. The Prospect Park Alliance is hosting several family-friendly events from the late morning to early afternoon, including a backpacking adventure, an “Animal Encounter” event with the Audubon Center, and litter-removal get-together called “Nature’s Helpers.” Free to attend, with events taking place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Brownstone Jazz Fest
6:30 to 8:15 p.m.
Bed-Stuy was a jazz epicenter in the genre’s heyday, when the likes of Ella Fitzgerald graced local venues. This Saturday, BrownstoneJAZZ is keeping the tradition alive at 107 Macon Street, with an intimate, indoor concert set in a restored 19th Century Victorian Brownstone. Guests are encouraged to “dress to impress.” 21+ tickets start at $35, and doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Comedians You Should Know
9 to 11 p.m.
This recurring event features a bunch of comedians who, well, you should know. It happens every Saturday night, from 9 to 11 p.m., so there are plenty of opportunities to acquaint yourself with some of the funniest voices in Brooklyn. The venue is The Gutter, the bowling alley and bar on North 14th Street.

Sunday, April 17th

Brooklyn Pop-Up Market
10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Spring means the return of the Brooklyn Pop-Up market to the Brooklyn Museum’s front steps. A curated storefront and outdoor retail event with a revolving group of artisans and vendors, the pop-up host contemporary fashion, accessories, home goods, beauty and jewelry vendors as well as artists and artisanal distillers. Free to browse and enjoy the mellow-like-Sunday afternoon DJ set.

Easter Extravaganza Skate Party
2 to 6 p.m.
This family-focused Easter event at Da Dome Skating Rink provides a great opportunity for tired parents to let their kids burn off their Easter Sunday sugar rush: with roller skates. The event will also feature face painting, a bouncy house, and an egg hunt. General admission tickets are going for $25, and the event will run from 2 to 6 p.m.

Acedia: An Apocalypse Trilogy
5:30 p.m.
The dictionary definition of “acedia” is “spiritual or mental sloth; apathy.” Sound relatable? This Sunday, this ennui-adjacent feeling will be thematically explored in a trifecta of award-winning plays over the course of the day, which are set in the moments before, during and after the apocalypse. Fun! Tickets start at $75, and the performances kick off at 5:30 p.m.