1. Protect yourself at Pride Self-Defense, learn effective self-defense techniques and how to avoid and respond to violent situations. Wrap up with refreshments and community building. (Friday, Traditional Okinawan Karate, FREE)
2. Get ready for greatness at Interrobang: New Works, Title:Point’s presentation of NY artists doing their most potentially brilliant or disastrous work, featuring “Sexless Cocaine Saturday” and “Stiff Drink.” (Friday, Vital Joint, $10)
3. Laugh at the strange at Comedy By Proxy, a secret comedy show where performers are openly encouraged to do the weirdest things they can think of that may get messy or weird, but definitely unforgettable. (Friday, David Blaine’s the Snakehouse, $5)
4. Prepare to melt faces at Hot Face, an evening of drag, burlesque and variety celebrating all things nasty with a side of filth, featuring Johnny Panic, Genie Adagio, Miss Malice, and many more. (Friday, Bizarre Bar, $10)
5. Peep the performances at Marietta Magazine Launch + Performance Party, a night of experimental performance and video art as they launch the first issue of Marietta Magazine, with performances by Matthew Silver, Brian Sheffield, Thoma Fucaloro, and many more. (Friday, Analog Cinema, FREE)
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6. Get your flippers and fins ready for the 36th annual Mermaid Parade, the largest parade in the nation that showcases over 1,500 creative individuals and their amazing costumes and floats, with Queen Mermaid Amanda Palmer and King Neptune Neil Gaiman presiding. (Saturday, Coney Island USA, FREE)
7. Rummage through old possessions at the Block Wide Yard Sale which will have items put out by over 50 homes on West 11th Street between Kings Highway and Highlawn Avenue in Gravesend/Bensonhurst. (Saturday, West 11th St, FREE)
8. Podcast yourself to Gimlet Fest, where podcast fans will have the opportunity to connect with one another while checking out live tapings and special events from the teams behind some of Gimlet’s most popular shows like Crimetown and The Nod (with special guest Wyatt Cenac). (Sat-Sun, BRIC Arts, $25+)
9. What’s old is new again at Flamingo’s Vintage Pound Opening, a new thrift store that sells used, vintage and designer clothes by the pound and is opening two stores in Brooklyn, and this weekend its first location opens on DeKalb. (Saturday, Flamingo’s Vintage Pound, FREE)
10. Consider it a cheat day at the Interactive Show: Self Driving Carbs, an annual party and fundraiser that invites hackers from around the region to show off their cool interactive projects like biscuit swarms, a giant edible house, posters you can chomp on, and a gluten-free dance zone. (Saturday, NYCResistor, $15)
11. Donate to a cause at the Party to Protect, a multi-faceted event to raise funds and awareness for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense for common-sense gun laws, featuring live bands, burlesque, art, raffle prizes, flash tattoos, photo booth, raffle prizes, and more. (Saturday, Littlefield, $15)
12. Rock your summer lewks at Rude Ink. Spring/Summer 2018, a video art installation billed as a faux fashion week event with videos and paintings as well as performances by local musician Pastel Hell and dancer collaborative Fooju Dance. (Saturday, Prospect Range, $10, includes one drink)
13. Get your feet wet at Voyage: The Vessel and come early for a top deck sunset dinner with sea fare and grill with immersive experiences, art show, and special guests, and stay late for the main event with DJs, live music, speakeasy session, galleries, and more. (Saturday, The Aquatorium, $20+)
14. Dance til your mermaid tail falls off at the sixth annual Sea Creature Stomp: a Mermaid Parade after party, so keep your shells and fins on for cheap drinks, ice cream, and lounging on a roof with the Funkrust Brass Band, Batala New York, and DJ Reaganomics. (Saturday, Gemini & Scorpio, $10-20)
15. Face/Off Drinking Game and drink along to one of John Woo’s classic action films with Nicolas Cage and John Travolta switching their literal faces, which surprisingly holds up but still delivers corny lines and classic Cage goodness. (Saturday, Videology, $12)
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16. Shop for something new at the Bedstuy Flea, featuring over 30 vendors of sustainable goods, eclectic vintage, handmade items, jewelry, wellness products, arts and crafts, plus wares filled with a diverse and vibrant shopping experience from the five boroughs and beyond weekly. (Sat-Sun, The Meat Market, FREE)
17. Freak out over footie at Brazilmania: World Cup Kickoff, where they’ll show Brazil v. Switzerland on two screens, serve Brazilian food & cocktails, have live music by Brazilian Brothers Band, and be the most fun world cup watch party you’ve ever been to. (Sunday, House of Yes, FREE)
18. Learn about booze at Moonshine and Near Beer: A History of Gowanus Bootlegging where you’ll learn about how locals made illegal moonshine in paint cans right on Third Avenue during the 1920s to keep their spirits high. (Sunday, Parklife, FREE-$20)
19. Just check out Just a Show with Just stand-up, Just sketch and Just a fun time, with special guest Joe Pera and featuring Jane Harrison, Jake Marshall Head, Carolyn Busa, and more. (Sunday, Sunnyvale, $6-8)
20. Sing along with the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra, an 11-piece salsa group which plays dynamic, dura arrangements of indie rock tunes we love with an ever-evolving set list that includes songs by Arcade Fire, Spoon, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and many more. (Sunday, Brooklyn Bowl, $8-10)
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