As the winter drags on and the days remain dark, cold, and snowy, one surefire way to make yourself feel good is to take Chic’s advice to heart and dance, dance, dance. With that in mind, this weekend’s listings contain a bunch of parties and concerts sure to keep you warm these next few frigid days and nights. Whether it’s disco, hip-hop, Tejano, or even emo, we’ve got the music to make your body move all weekend.
But if dancing’s not your thing, there are plenty of other choices. You can go lowbrow by watching Saturday morning cartoons while drinking — this time it’ll be in public, so you won’t have to feel guilty. Or you can go highbrow and see some opera.
Check it all out below.
Friday, Jan. 24
I AM NOT OK, A Dance Film @ Brooklyn Museum
11 a.m.
Choreographer and director Gabrielle Lasner’s short I AM NOT OK has been at the Brooklyn Museum since November, and Friday is its last showing. It’s an award-winning, powerful film that uses dance, music, poetry, and photography to portray the response of a mother and son to the killing of George Floyd and the political climate that followed in its wake.
Stereo MC’s @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
8 p.m.
Music fans of a certain age no doubt remember the Stereo MC’s, an English rap/dance group that had several massive hits (and killer remixes) in the 1990s. If you’re ready to get “connected” and want to “step it up” (now do you remember them?), this is the show to be at.
Outcall @ Brooklyn Art Haus
7 p.m.
Paeton Chavis is a young woman who really does it all: actor, director, writer, singer, artist, and she even reads tarot. Outcall is her very first full-length original play, which she wrote and is directing. In this 18+ show, a “30-something performance artist of color and escort” finds that her seemingly run-of-the-mill outcall is not quite as run-of-the-mill as she thought.
“Brooklyn Nights Vol. 9: The First of the Year” Dance Party @ Somethin’ Else
5 p.m.-1 a.m.
This no-cover dance party has even more to recommend it than its lack of a cover charge — there’s also free food from 5-7 p.m. As for music, DJ Legend will be spinning disco, Afrobeats, dancehall, house, reggae, rap, and more. It will be taking place at Somethin’ Else, a bar and club right inside DeKalb Market Hall.
Saturday, Jan. 25
Cemetery Cinema @ Sideshows by the Seashore
7:30 p.m.
What better place to see an old Vincent Price movie than at the home of a circus sideshow? Hop on the train all the way to the end of the line at Coney Island to see 1959’s The Bat, starring Price and Agnes Moorehead. While you’re there, partake of live music, free popcorn, and (of course) a scream contest.
Emo Night Brooklyn 10th Anniversary Party @ Brooklyn Paramount
9 p.m.
Emo Night Brooklyn is a long-running dance party that plays, as you might expect, emo and pop-punk. Contrary to the name, they do events all over the country, so this 10th anniversary celebration is likely your last chance to see them in Brooklyn for a while.
Aida @ BAM
Pre-screening lecture at 11:30 a.m., screening at 12:30 p.m.
It takes both guts and killer vocal abilities to step into a role made famous by the legendary Leontyne Price — and Angel Blue has both to spare. The soprano, called “one of the most admired singers of her generation,” is playing Aida in Verdi’s famous opera this season at the Met, and BAM will be screening a performance as part of their The Met: Live in HD series.
CINCO12 – A Tribute to Selena @ Barbès
10 p.m.
When a bunch of top-notch Brooklyn musicians get together to form a Selena tribute band, the results are bound to be absolutely killer. This is absolutely the case with CINCO12, as you can tell by watching even a moment of one of their performances.
Sunday, Jan. 26
JOURNEY x DJ Spinna’s Birthday Bash @ Good Room
6 p.m.
The legendary DJ Spinna, who many of you may know from his annual Stevie Wonder tribute parties, is rightfully celebrating himself this time. In addition to Spinna, DJs include Kim Lightfoot, K. Tea, Quinenette, and more. The party starts at 6 and goes all night.
Skate Like We Used To @ Xanadu
7 p.m.
Xanadu isn’t just that crazy 1980 movie about a dude who rollerskates into a wall. It’s also an actual roller skating rink — one that is having an appropriately retro-themed night with two great DJs. Make sure to either bring your own wheels or get there early, as skates are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis.
Spoons Toons & Booze @ Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg
Experience the best parts of your childhood, without the pain of having to refill your parents’ vodka bottles with water. Spoons Toons & Booze is an event that screens cartoons from the 1940s through the 2000s — and the audience chooses which ones! There’s also a sugary cereal bar, plus a cocktail menu with drinks like the “Bedrock Spritz.”
Wicked Watch Party @ 3 Dollar Bill
6 p.m.
You may have seen Wicked already, but you’ll want to hold space for this: a screening of the film at the borough’s self-proclaimed “premiere queer nightclub.” The movie is followed, of course, by a Wicked-themed drag show.
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