1. Get your culture on at the 45th annual International African Arts Festival, a four-day extravaganza with music, dance, symposia, workshops, a food and craft marketplace, and on and on. (Friday through Monday, Commodore Barry Park, $5)
2, Immerse yourself in “a light and sound environment” at Sight Unseen, an experimental musical work by Lee Ranaldo and Leah Singer. (Friday & Saturday, Issue Project Room, $15)
3. See some great moves at the SummerStage presentation of Maimouna Keita Dance Company, which is dedicated to preserving and sharing African culture and history. (Friday, Herbert Von King Park, FREE)
4. Yuck it up at Crunk City, with comedians Aparna Nancherla, Christian Polanco, Ashley Brooke Roberts, and Dustin Sherman. (Friday, Industry City, FREE)
5. Revel in DIY culture at the grand opening of new space The Glove, with music by The Trains, The Spook Fish, Cornflower, and Dean Cercone. (Friday, The Glove, $7)
6. Hear a raucous mix of punk and brass from Stumblebum Brass Band, with additional performances by Skulk the Hulking, comedy duo John & Mike, Reign the Magician, and more. (Friday, Unit J, $20 suggested)
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7. Just try to stay normal at Might Get Weird, featuring sounds by Dash Speaks, Lucas Walters, Kristos, NSR, and more. (Saturday, Sugarhill Disco, $20)
8. Heal thyself at an Herbal Medicine Workshop, where you’ll DIY a first-aid kit for summer maladies. (Saturday, Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum, $8)
9. Shake your hips to the Latin boogaloo sounds of Joe Bataan at Summer Thunder. (Saturday, Union Pool, FREE)
10. Groove in the daylight at Romy & Michele’s Afternoon Tea Dance to celebrate the release of Bright Light Bright Light’s new album Choreography. (Saturday, C’mon Everybody, FREE)
11. Get political at Fundamental Theater Project’s Raucous Caucus, which they’re billing as “karaoke party meets Congress.” (Saturday, Gemini & Scorpio, $5)
12. Queer it up at the first-ever Brooklyn edition of the all-inclusive dance party Break the Chains, featuring Taina Asili y La Banda Rebelde, Evan Greer, and more. (Saturday, Silent Barn, $10)
13. Rock steady at Reggae Retro, featuring DJ Jase, DJ Silence, and Hypeman Guidance. (Saturday, Littlefield, $15)
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14. Dance your face off at the Freesome Block Party, with tunes by DJs Taela Naomi, Tekitizi, Added Rankz and Ernz World, plus BBQ, booze, double-dutch, and water guns. (Sunday, Secret BK location, $15)
15. Watch some holiday-appropriate movies at Hi/Low’s 4th of July Double-Feature: Men in Black and All the President’s Men. (Sunday, Syndicated, $3 ea)
16. Rock hard at Lucky 13’s Independence Day BBQ to benefit veterans, with bands like Banged Up, Pus, Baby Sandwiches, and Vengents. (Sunday, Lucky 13 Saloon, $10)
17. Cheer real loud at Wasabassco Burlesque’s sixth annual America F*ck Yeah, with Qualms Galore, Sapphire Jones, Penny Wren, Sydni Deveraux, Medianoche, Mr. Gorgeous, Poison Ivory, and Ivory Fox. (Sunday, Bell House, $20)
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18. Have some serious fun in the sun at Get Summered, presented by Brokelyn and QNS.com, with live music, good food, pop-up shops, hula hoops and tunes curated by the Get Summered DJs. (Monday, Riis Beach, FREE)
19. Watch Lady Liberty face the extraterrestrials over and over, all day long at Independence Day on a loop Update: It’s been changed to Top Gun on a loop. (Monday, Videology, FREE)
20. Swim a little closer to home at the third Annual 4th of July Pool Party, with BBQ, cheap shots and beer, and, of course, a big-ass pool. (Monday, Montana’s Trail House, FREE)
21. Celebrate gluttony at the 2016 Hot Dog Eating Contest on the 100th anniversary of Nathan’s Famous. (Monday, Nathan’s Famous, FREE)
22. Get all-American at The Star-Spangled Banger, with activities all day and fireworks at night. (Monday, Coney Island Brewery, FREE)
23. Spend the whole day partying at the YES 4th of July Extravaganza: 12 straight hours of grilled meat and serious dancing. (Monday, House of Yes, FREE)
24. Shake it on down at Beats & BBQ’s Star-Spangled Boogie, with tunes by DJs Jose G, Ali Coleman, Bobby Morales, Ruby Red, and more. (Monday, LP n Harmony, FREE)
25. Keep America great right now at The Roast of Donald J. Trump, featuring Coby Chafets, Jack Johnston, Mo Fathelbab, and many more funny angry Brooklynites. (Monday, The Experiment, FREE)
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