1. Honor the legacy of urban activist Jane Jacobs by taking a Jane’s Walk: there are 200+ on offer, from “Hipsters & History in Greenpoint” to “The Brownsville Experience” to “Go Dutch in Flatlands.” (Friday through Sunday, FREE)
2. Find the light at Tunnel Odyssey, an immersive dance-theatre production combining the Odyssey and The Oregon Trail, with folk music by the Oshy Annas. (Friday through Sunday, Grand Army Plaza, FREE)
3. See some tunes at the NYC Soundpainting Festival, three days of multidisciplinary live-composing performances and workshops. (Friday through Sunday, Firehouse Space, $10)
4. Clap your hands and stomp your feet at Bayou n’ Brooklyn, a weekend-long Cajun & zydeco festival with dozens of bands, workshops, and dance halls. (Friday through Sunday, Jalopy Theater, $25/$35)
5. Dance it out at I Know You Got Soul, with DJs Amir, Pat, Jae Trevor, Ben the Beyonder spinning ’60s soul stompers and “space-age funk.” (Friday, Freddy’s, FREE)
6. Stir up some laughs at Bitches’ Brew, a night of comedy from Shakir Standley, Mike Albanese, Matty Litwack, Alison Leiby, and Aimee Rose Ranger, plus music by Madonna Refugia. (Friday, Halyards, FREE)
7. Get drenched in glittery sounds at Lights & Music’s Candi Pop dance party, with tunes inspired by Spice Girls, Katy Perry, Britney, Miley, and all the best bubblegum pop. (Friday, Brooklyn Bowl, $12)
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8. Have a spirited wander through the NYCxDESIGN Design Walk, a “pop-up experience” that will transform Atlantic Avenue into a series of rooms, workshops, and showcases for interior design, 3D printing, wine making, jewelry, and more. (Saturday, Atlantic Ave, FREE)
9. Try not to break anything at the UrbanGlass Open Studios, with live glassmaking, glassblowing, and glass fusing, plus a Weird Science Fair. (Saturday, UrbanGlass, FREE)
10. Put on a fancy hat and drink a bunch of mint juleps — it’s time for the 142nd Kentucky Derby. There’s a host of parties across the borough, including at Berg’n, Bell House, Mable’s Smokehouse, Union Hall, Humboldt & Jackson, and Pete’s Candy Store. (Saturday, varies)
11. See a slew of art at the opening of group exhibition Erased Waste; there will also be open studios, video installations, readings, live music, and DJs. (Saturday, Hot Wood Arts, FREE)
12. Get global at Brooklyn Museum First Saturday, with pop-up performances, music by Jojo Abot and DJ Tunez, readings of African folktales and myths, a ball hosted by AFRICA’SOUT! and more. (Saturday, Brooklyn Museum, FREE)
13. Enjoy some multiculturalism at East New York in Motion, an evening of dance performances from Caribbean to salsa to belly dance presented by arts org Purelements. (Saturday, St. Paul Community Church, FREE)
14. Keep right on celebrating Prince at Dance Music Sex Romance, a video tribute party by Music Video Time Machine. (Saturday, Rough Trade, $5)
15. Get on down at the return of Jonathan Toubin’s Soul Clap & Dance-Off, with rock & roll from Chain & the Gang, the Mystery Lights, and Roya, then dancing late into the night. (Saturday, Market Hotel, $10)
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16. Show your mama some love with a Mother’s Day at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden — isn’t a stroll through lilacs, tulips, wisteria, azaleas, and Spanish bluebells better than a measly bouquet? (Sunday, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, $12)
17. Have your fill of culture at Pioneer Works’ Second Sunday, with artists’ and scientists’ open studios, exhibitions, food, and music by Chia’s Dance Party and Grupo Chonta. (Sunday, Pioneer Works, FREE)
18. Hear a whole bunch of music, from neo-soul to indie to jazz, at the RMI Records Showcase. (Sunday, ShapeShifter Lab, $10)
19. Laugh the night away at Comedy Dreamz, an evening of stand-up, short plays, video, music, and dance. (Sunday, Silent Barn, $8)
20. Get your pantomime on at the Brooklyn Air Guitar Qualifier — winners will move on to the semifinals in Boston. (Sunday, Saint Vitus, $10)
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