I know, I know, you probably still smell like liquor and grilled meat after the Memorial Day Holiday, and you've sworn that you'll take it easy this weekend. But like a politician wooing swing state votes, you didn't really mean it.
The Rangers are in full swing this weekend, looking to advance to the finals and capture the Stanley Cup. It would be great for the Rangers and good for New York City, as sports playoffs always yield a payday for bars, restaurants, bookies and bums... people are way more generous when their team wins! It's also the closing weekend of the Redbull Music Academy's takeover of NYC, which means a bunch of really cool, live music happenings.
It's the unofficial start of summer, and you should make it your business to soak up some of Brooklyn. You complained all winter about the cold, so now that the weather has switched gears, you should be out, repping BK to the fullest.
Now for some events. I have a shorter list for this weekend, so you have a few less to consider from my picks, but they're all quality.
FRIDAY
These are both double day events, Friday and Saturday, at BAM in Fort Greene. You can't really go wrong with either one.
GROOVE COLLECTIVE: The Groove Collective situation is a flashback to the Red Hot + Stolen Compilation from 1994. Red Hot was a great compilation series, which featured tons of dope bands, all recording and performing to raise money for the fight against AIDS. My man Nappy G is an original member of the band, so if you go, make sure you shout him out! Oh, these shows are F R E E! Check for more info by clicking Here
MIXMASTER: RED HOT + ARTHUR RUSSELL: He was the ultimate dude in a few music genres starting in the 70's and his influences and what he influenced ranged from the experimental NYC theater hub, The Kitchen, to David Bowie, to his own group (with The Talking Heads David Byrne) Dinosaur L, whose classic house anthem Go Bang, will still gets burn on dance floors, somewhere, this weekend. He also was the guy behind Loose Joints! From the cornfields of Iowa came this amazing musician with an ear for music that's surpassed by few. GO CHECK THIS SHOW..Check this link for event deets, because it's a bunch of people performing to commemorate the Red Hot + Arthur Russell compilation. Click Here
SATURDAY
GOOD ROOM, 98 Meserole Street, 10pm, $20 (Greenpoint)
So yeah, Arthur Russell, the dude who's getting the retrospective of his career and the Red Hot + Arthur Russell, at BAM this weekend...well, he's also one of the three dudes behind Sleeping Bag Records. I would tell you about Sleeping Bag, but why not use some of your data plan and Google it? Seminal record label and Redbull Music Academy, which has completely taken over NYC in May, is doing a party for it. They even have Mantronix performing, coming over, live and direct from England. This is another event I highly recommend. Click Here for more info, for the event at Good Room.
Lot 45, 411 Troutman Street, 2pm-8pm, Free (Bushwick)
Good day party that is now in Bushwick. It has a West Coast feel to it and is a sunny, fun time. It's the season opener for Makossa, and to get more information from their Facebook page, click Here.
All over Wallabout, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Bed-Stuy, Free, 12pm-6pm
This is a Saturday and Sunday event and sure to be a hit with art lovers in the County of Kings. It's a bunch of open studios and gallery situations for you to check out.
Bring a new friend and by the end of the walk, y'all maybe won't be old friends, but you'll know how they feel about art.
Be sure to visit the neighborhood food and beverage spots, to refuel during your art walk. You can get more information, including a map of the walking tour at their website, by clicking Here
SUNDAY
Brooklyn Bridge Park, 2pm-7pm, Free, (DUMBO)
The Redbulls play the Seattle Sounders and you can watch it on a big screen at Brooklyn Bridge Park. They'll be all kinds of activities for young and old, including trick shot demonstrations/exhibitions, a photo booth and food and beverages for sale. If you want to see the game and can't get to the stadium, this is an excellent alternative. You can get more information by clicking Here to go to the Redbulls website.
Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Avenue, 7:30pm, $Expensive, (Fort Greene)
You didn't know that Ed was rocking this Sunday at Barclays? Well, now you know. Tickets are sold out, but if you hit the secondary market online, or go old school and hit up a human scalper outside of the venue, you an still score some ducats. Just don't turn it into that episode of What's Happening, when re-run and them went to the Doobie Brother's concert....Yeah, Google that one as well.