20 best cheap things to do this weekend, risqué history edition

Strut your stuff at Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical (#3). Photo by Jeremy Amar, courtesy of Piper Theater

[Ed note: Reminder, we now have a separate roundup for activism-focused events, which we encourage you to check out here.]

1. Show your support for one of our borough’s best DIY venues at the Silent Barn Benefit, featuring Fits, Peaer, Crosslegged, and a public Q&A with the Barn’s financial manager. (Friday, Brooklyn Bazaar, $10)

2. Rock out with your… uh, imaginary instrument out at the 2017 US Air Guitar Championships, featuring your friends and neighbors pantomiming their little hearts out. (Friday, Knitting Factory, $15)

3. Feel absolutely fabulous at Piper Theater’s Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical, opening this weekend and continuing through the month. (All weekend, Old Stone House, FREE)

4. Laugh witchily at Bitches Brew Comedy, starring Katie Hannigan, Shane Torres, Tom Cowell, Shalewa Sharpe, and Lance Weiss. (Friday, Halyard’s, FREE)

5. Be a high-roller at Casino Royale, with three gambling rooms, aerialists and magicians, Elvis impersonators, strip poker, and music from Croatia Squad, David Kiss, and Ameme. (Friday, House of Yes, FREE w/RSVP before 11pm)

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Rock the day away with Olor a Muerte (#10). Photo via Facebook

6. Do a day of exploration at Bklyn Quest, a choose-your-own-adventure team competition with eating, drinking, and tomfoolery contests across the borough. (Saturday, Maria Hernandez Park, $10)

7. Eat globally at the second annual Akwaaba Picnic, with foods from all corners of Africa and the diaspora, plus games, dancing, singing, and more. (Saturday, Fort Greene Park, by donation)

8. Read tons of tiny literature at the seventh annual Pete’s Mini Zine Fest, with 20+ zine makers hawking their adorable wares. (Saturday, Pete’s Candy Store, FREE)

9. Do an old-timey chortle at That Slapstick Show, honoring Charley Chase, one of the comedy masterminds of the silent-film era. (Saturday, City Reliquary, $10)

10. Commemorate an entire year of ABC No Rio in exile at ABC Fest, a whole day of bands including Huasipungo, Lady Bizness, Olor a Muerte, and None Above All. (Saturday, Silent Barn, $10)

11. Fill up on art at Catch 74, a “hydra-headed, multidisciplinary, rough-and-ready” performance series featuring Kate Benson, Chris DeVita, Ilana Harris-Babou, Patti Harrison, and many more. (Saturday, Invisible Dog, $15)

12. Have a PG-rated giggle at Parental Approval, where a panel of parents pick their fave comedian of the night; jokesters include Patti Harrison, Julio Torres, Rob HaZe, and Brett Davis. (Saturday, Legion, FREE)

13. See some surreal skin at The Persistence of Nudity, a burlesque tribute to Salvador Dalí starring Clara Coquette, Gemini Blitz, Mia Julep, Wae Messed, and more. (Saturday, Coney Island, $15)

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Learn some risqué history with Gin Minsky (#20). Photo via Facebook

14. Celebrate culture at the 11th annual Bay Ridge Arab American Bazaar, with live musical performances, food vendors, henna artists, calligraphists, vendors, fashion, and activities. (Sunday, Shore Road Park, FREE)

15. Come together at the One Crown Heights Festival, with games, arts & crafts, food, and performances including Harmony Music Makers Steel Pan Band, Brooklyn United Marching Band, and the Double Dutch Masters. (Sunday, Brower Park, FREE)

16. Belt it out at Bloody Maria Callas, live brunchtime performances by Opera on Tap in a lovely Ditmas Park garden. (Sunday, Sycamore, FREE)

17. Immerse yourself in art at Pioneer Works Second Sunday, with art installations, open studios, music from Unlocking the Truth, a bizarre bazaar, stargazing, and more. (Sunday, Pioneer Works, FREE)

18. Delight in verse at the return of The Highwaymen NYC, featuring poetry from Joe Pan, Julia Guez, Camilloa Dimaria, and Barbara Schwartz. (Sunday, Bessie’s Brooklyn, FREE)

19. Reimagine the circus at DreamCycle, an immersive adventure featuring jugglers, acrobats, and trapeze artists. (Sunday, The Muse, $18)

20. Be titillated while you learn at Atlas Obscura’s History of Burlesque Lecture & Cabaret, with a talk by Dr. Lucky and performances from Gin Minsky, Corvette Le Face, Ms. Tickles, and more. (Sunday, Littlefield, $20)

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