Highlights this week include Brooklyn Public Library‘s alternative to the Met Gala for fashion-forward, everyday people, the Lower East Side Film Festival and Hempstead-born harpist Brandee Younger at Flushing Town Hall.
There’s also dancing on ice at Chelsea Piers, and “big laughs” at Joe’s Pub.
Fashion
“The People’s Ball”
Brooklyn Central Library — 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn (Prospect Heights)
Sun. May 4, 7 p.m.
Brooklyn Public Library’s answer to the Met Gala returns with its free annual celebration of fashion, personal style and individuality.
The theme of is year’s “People’s Ball — purposely held on the eve of Anna Wintour’s star-studded (and pricey) fundraising fete at the Metropolitan Museum of Art — is “Style Is a Revolution.”
Special honors will go to trailblazing Academy Award-winning costume designers Paul Tazewell and Ruth Carter, who both made Oscar history for their respective work in the blockbuster “Wicked” and “Black Panther” film franchises.
“With this year’s theme, we wanted to honor … groundbreaking figures who have revolutionized the way we value costume design,” co-curator Souleo told The Daily News. “Their iconic costumes connect us to characters who inspire us to be proud of our cultural roots, own our individuality, and express ourselves with creativity and style.”
Hundreds of everyday New Yorkers are expected to come strut their stuff the runway in their fashionable fare as DJ Fritzo spins. Actors Delissa Reynolds and Ariel Polanco are set to host and singer and songwriter Storm Marrero is scheduled to perform.
“Over the last five years, the Peoples Ball has become a statement on creativity, freedom, accessibility and dignity,” Brooklyn Public Library vice president of arts and culture László Jakab Orsós said. “A beautiful, joyous evening where truly everyone is welcome. These are the fundamental qualities on which Brooklyn Public Library was founded and will always full heartedly support.”
Free.
Theater
Jeffrey Seller: In conversation with Lin-Manuel Miranda & Thomas Kail
The Public Theater — 425 Lafayette St., Manhattan (East Village)
Sun. May 4, 7:30 p.m.
Broadway visionary Jeffrey Seller — the force behind legendary musicals “In The Heights,” “Hamilton” and “Rent” — will celebrate the release of his memoir, “Theater Kid,” with a special sit down in ‘the room where it happened.’
Award-winning artistic collaborators Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail will return to the site where “Hamilton” had its world premiere to join the show’s producer in conversation about theater.
Seller’s literary debut chronicles his rags-to-riches journey from a dysfunctional family, then working his way through the ranks in musical theater from publicist to booking agent to producer of for shows that won Best Musical at the Tonys. The Detroit-area native is also credited with inventing Broadway’s first rush ticket and lottery ticket policies, which have made pricey Broadway shows more accessible.
Tickets are $36.
Film
2025 Lower East Side Film Festival
Village East Cinema — 181 2nd Ave., Manhattan (East Village)
Through May 5. Various times.
The brainchild of East Village residents Tony Castle and Roxy Hunt, this year’s festival marks 15 years and promises 15 titles shown over “five days of cinema, culture and chaos in the Lower East Side.”
Among this year’s highlights is the New York premiere of Lola Rock’N’Rolla‘s documentary “The Big Johnson.” It centers on late New York City nightlife personality Dean Johnson, whose 2007 death remains a mystery.
Also on deck is “Transparent” star Amy Landecker’s directorial debut, “For Worse,”
“Catfish” director Nev Schulman will also make an appearance for a conversation following a screening of “True Crime, True Beginnings: The Catfish 15-Year Retrospective.”
Tickets are $21.05, including fees.
Comedy
“Big Laughs: A World Voices Festival Comedy Show”
Joe’s Pub — 425 Lafayette St., Manhattan (East Village)
Sat. May 3, 6:30 p.m.
Joe’s Pub will cap off the week-long PEN World Voices Festival with a comedy show hosted by drag king Murray Hill also known as “Mister Showbiz.”
Comedians Peter Grosz, Gastor Almonte, Molly Kearney, and Joyelle Nicole Johnson are also on the lineup for the early Saturday evening romp.
Tickets are $10.
Music
Brandee Younger Trio
Flushing Town Hall — 137-35 Northern Blvd., Queens (Flushing)
Sat. May 3, 8 p.m.
Nominated for a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition in 2022 — the first Black woman in the category’s history — Younger will deliver her genre-defying talents to a New York City audience this weekend.
Still riding the wave from last year’s “Tiny Desk Concert,” fans can expect the Hempstead-born harpist and her trio to perform popular tracks fusing classical, jazz, soul, and funk — such as the bluesy “Olivia Benson” (yes, named after Mariska Hargitay’s “Law & Order” character!). She’ll also play selections from her 2023 album “Brand New Life” and her latest release “Gadabout Season.”
Tickets are $25, discounts available.
Family
Ice Theatre of New York
Sky Rink — 61 Chelsea Piers, Manhattan (Chelsea)
Fri. May 2, Sat. May 3, 7 p.m.
Moira North‘s theatrical figure skating company, commemorating its 40th year, will perform a one-hour program of nine short ice performances leading up to its big gala event on Monday.
The works will include Frank Nowosad‘s “Alberta Biography” — a solo set to the sounds of robins sparrows, pine warblers and rare meadowlark — and Alberto Del Saz’s “Revolt des Enfants” featuring three performers interconnected by a stretchy white sheath. The world premiere of Hip Hop Hooray,” from the company’s junior ensemble choreographer Milly Wasserman will also be performed by Georgina Blackwell and Caroline Mura with music from “The Red Balloon.”
Tickets start at $25.
Family
“Celebrate Holi”
Brooklyn Children’s Museum — 145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn (Crown Heights)
Sat. May 3. 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
The celebration of the Hindu festival Holi has been extended beyond March 14 with the partnership between Brooklyn Children’s Museum and Ajna Dance Company. The high-energy day of activities features music, movement and pounds of Gulal (colored powder) to toss in the air.
A rep said attendees “are encouraged to wear white and get messy as the festival will travel to neighboring Brower Park to celebrate springtime, renewal, and joy.”
Tickets are $15.
If you have an upcoming weekend event you’d like to submit for consideration in an upcoming roundup, please email: nycevents@nydailynews.com with the full details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.
