Well, we’ve made it through the first full month of 2025, and my first full month of writing the Weekend Guide. Thanks to everyone for reading, and special thanks to those of you who have gone out to any of the events I’ve highlighted.
This week, there’s something for everyone. Whether you want to see cutting-edge music, get some new clothes, celebrate the 2010s, introduce your kids to a timeless classic, or watch a vampire movie with a rapper, we’ve got you covered.
Scroll on for this week’s picks.
Friday, January 31
Night Market @ DeKalb Market Hall
4 p.m.-10 p.m.
Live music, an artisans’ market, and a chance to try food from dozens of restaurants all at once makes for a pretty unbeatable combination. Visit the basement of City Point to check out this monthly happening.
New Year, New You! A Clothing Swap and Sell! @ Pine Box Rock Shop
8:30 p.m.
Pine Box Rock Shop is a bar and venue notable for many things —not least, in this writer’s estimation, a superb vegan Bloody Marys. This event, put on by Deprenaissance Burlesque, is a clothing sale and swap, but all the clothing is goth, glam, or alt. All leftover threads will be donated to charity, so even if nobody ends up buying your gently used black vinyl whatever-it-is, it’ll still go to a good cause.
The Tumblr. Party @ Market Hotel
11 p.m.
If you’re nostalgic for the long-gone vibes of 2014, this is for you. The party is “throwing it back to the Tumblr days” by playing tunes from all the artists who ruled your 16 GB iPad Touch.
KOTU presents: The Rally with Ksuuvi, Yuke, Glosuka, Mikebrokeasf, Idkcap, and more @ The Meadows
6 p.m.
Ksuuvi first became known as part of the cutting-edge 1c (One Chance) rap collective, whose most notable artist is Xaviersobased. Other 1c members and affiliates are on the bill in addition to Ksuuvi. So if you couldn’t make it to the 1c Rally in Dallas a few weeks ago that featured many of these same acts, this is your chance to catch up on the movement.
Saturday, February 1
“Reel Talk” #7 with Pink Siifu @ Stuart Cinema & Cafe
2:45 p.m.
Reel Notes is the podcast by music critic Dylan “Cinemasai” Green. In it, Green talks to music people —primarily rappers— about their favorite films. It’s a brilliant conceit that results in wide-ranging, surprising, and thoughtful conversations (full disclosure: I once appeared on an episode). “Reel Talk” is the podcast brought to life: Green and a rapper watch a movie of the guest’s choice with a live audience, and discuss it afterward. For this iteration, Pink Siifu chose the Wesley Snipes classic Blade.
Baby Kia & SaveAJ @ Market Hotel
7 p.m.
“Crash out” pioneer Baby Kia brings his aggressive rap, most often (and rightfully) described as “unhinged,” to Market Hotel for what is sure to be a wild show. If it’s been a while since you were in a mosh pit, this is the concert to head to.
((( O ))) & Quiet Luke @ Elsewhere
7:30 p.m.
((( O ))) is an intriguing artist, starting with her unpronounceable stage name. She drops music every full moon and releases a numbered album every year on August 27 with a plan to keep the schedule up until 2032. None of this weirdness would be worth anything if the music wasn’t great. However, it’s as mysterious and evocative as everything else about her.
Exhibiting Forgiveness Screening and Talkback @ Brooklyn Museum
7:30 p.m.
Moonlight’s André Holland stars in this debut film by Titus Kaphar, both of whom will be in the building for a talkback. Appropriately for the venue, the film features Holland as a painter whose life is turned upside down by a surprise reunion with his father. You can also see Kaphar’s paintings in the semi-autobiographical flick.
Sunday, February 2
Ice Skating @ Roebling Rink
10 a.m.-10 p.m.
February 2 marks the very last day of the season for free ice skating at Roebling Rink, which features fantastic views and offers the unique opportunity of skating underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. Use the link above to sign up for your 60-minute time slot.
Alice in Wonderland @ Puppetworks
12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Alice in Wonderland is adapted into a 55-minute marionette production perfect for those kids (and adults) three and older who want to experience the wonder of Lewis Carroll’s classic. The production is running through April. We can only hope that a marionette version of The Hunting of the Snark is next.
Record Flea @ Mr. Melo
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
The crates will be clean and expertly curated at the latest installment of Mr. Melo’s reliably excellent Record Flea. This weekend’s vendors include Second Hand Records, Perennial Rhythms, 690 Woodward Garage, and a number of the city’s most trusted shops and private collectors. Pull up to dig, sip, and bite in one of the best sound rooms in town.
Classical Interludes: Aizuri Quartet and Kinan Azmeh @ Brooklyn Central Library
4 p.m.
This unique program is themed around migration. As the program explains, it treats the concept “as a physical journey and state of mind, and something that occurs both between and within countries.” The acclaimed Aizuri Quartet teams up with Syrian-born composer and clarinetist Kinan Azmeh (who lives in our fair borough and even named a composition after the lofts on Wyckoff Ave.) for this concert, which features a brand-new piece by Layale Chaker.
Josh & Aaron Do Improv (feat. D’Arcy Carden) @ The Bell House
5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson are comedians who put on semi-regular improv nights at The Bell House featuring special guests like Jinkx Monsoon and Matt Rogers. This time, they’re bringing Janet herself, D’Arcy Carden, the actress and comedian best known for playing the aforementioned angelic AI helper on The Good Place.
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