[Ed note: Reminder, we now have a separate roundup for activism-focused events, which we encourage you to check out here.]
1. Don’t stay up too late for Not Quite Midnight, a talk show featuring comedy and conversation with Emmy Blotnick, Brad Howe, Ana Fabrega, Julia Solomon, and Jake Head. (Friday, Pine Box Rock Shop, FREE)
2. Marvel at the night sky at Stargazing with the Amateur Astronomers, who will bring high-powered telescopes and instructions for finding the coolest celestial wonders. (Friday, Evergreens Cemetery, FREE)
3. Have a high-energy time at King Pizza Records Cinco de Mayo, featuring “nasty rock ‘n roll” from The Mad Doctors, Rye Pines, Top Nachos, and The Unders. (Friday, Pet Rescue, $5)
4. Tie yourself in a knot at A Length of Rope, starring Ariel Schmidtke on trapeze, “one-man cabaret riot” Strangely, and aerial dancers Ed Toney and Chriselle Tidrick. (Friday, The Muse, $10–$25)
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5. Explore hidden corners of the city on Obscura Day 2017, with events across NYC including an experimental beer bunker, a neon studio, and plenty more strangeness. (Saturday, varies)
6. Buy some beautiful baubles at the Bust Spring Craftacular, with local and indie vendors, DIY screenprinting, BYO skateboarding, manicures, tarot readings, and on and on. (Saturday & Sunday, Greenpoint Terminal Market, FREE)
7. See splendid art at the eighth annual Invisible Dog Open Studios, where you can check out the inner-workings of 27 diverse artists. (Saturday & Sunday, Invisible Dog, FREE)
8. Listen to a whole lotta tunes at the 30th annual Bang on a Can Marathon, eight hours of music from steel pan to Hindustani raga to Moroccan grooves. (Saturday, Brooklyn Museum, FREE)
9. Have a fabulous fête at The People’s Garden Kickoff Fiesta, with live music, bellydancing, karaoke, salsa, burlesque, and ice sculpting, all to keep the community garden going. (Saturday, The People’s Garden, FREE)
10. Sip a mint julep (or four) at one of the many Kentucky Derby parties across the borough: try Bell House, Berg’n, Sunny’s, Northern Territory, or Fawkner. (Saturday, varies)
11. May the force be with you at Cantina at the End of the Universe, an “intergalactic creature dance party” featuring BIG NAZO, plus DJs Illexandra and Stylus providing nerdy beats all night. (Saturday, Gemini & Scorpio, $20)
12. Have a tough laugh at The Hard Times Comedy Showcase, with Emily Winter, Sam Rose, Tony Zaret, Albert Kirchner, and Matt Leary. (Saturday, Tender Trap, $5)
13. Melt down at Rubulad’s Free Form Freakout, with music by the YeahTones, Funkrust Brass Band, and K Pasa USA, plus DJs, a light circus, a nonstop film fest, and lots more. (Saturday, Rubulad, $10 before 9pm)
14. Dance yourself immortal at Kingdom of the Gods, with tunes from Tasha Blank, Playsuit, Ryan Clover, and Fabi Jugo, plus a Dionysus wine bar, shrines, altars, rituals, and rites. (Saturday, House of Yes, $20)
15. Drag yourself out to Yas Mama, a Latina queer dance party with shows by Lady Quesa”dilla, music from Horrorchata and Hannah Lit, and plenty of surprises. (Saturday, C’mon Everybody, $5)
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16. Dance the day away at Red Bull Music Academy’s Bed-Stuy Function, a celebration of NYC club culture with Juliana Huxtable, Tygapaw, BEARCAT, PAPI JUICE, FXWRK, and stud1nt. (Sunday, Sugar Hill Disco, $10)
17. Go on a musical journey at You Have a Voice, a benefit featuring ensembles from Braata Folk Singers to the Stonewall Chorale to New Camarata Opera. (Sunday, First Unitarian, $15)
18. Laugh for a good cause at the 4th annual Grist Comedy Extravaganza, starring Eugene Mirman, Aparna Nancherla, David Cross, and more. (Sunday, Bell House, $25)
19. Spin a yarn at Big Irv’s Storytelling Roadshow, with Jaime Brickhouse, Harmon Leon, Rob Penty, Christopher Ryan, and more. (Sunday, Big Irv’s, FREE)
20. Rave unto the joy fantastic at the Prince Tribute Skate, with the Purple One’s greatest hits all night long for your skating pleasure. (Sunday, Brooklyn Bridge Park Roller Skating, $9)
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