Events this weekend include opera diva Denyce Graves‘ final performance in “Porgy and Bess” at The Met, Roger Guenveur Smith‘s tribute to Jean-Michel Basquiat and Dorothy Parker’s wit on stage.
Plus, Martin Luther King Day celebrations in Brooklyn and the Golden Festival in Queens.
Opera
“The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess”
The Metropolitan Opera House—30 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Through Jan. 24. Various showtimes.
The Met’s newest production of the Gershwin brothers’ classic American opera “Porgy and Bess” represents the end of an era for Denyce Graves. The acclaimed mezzo soprano announced her retirement last week after putting in over four decades of work on stages across the globe.
From “Carmen” and “Samson et Dalila” to newer works like “Champion” and “The Hours,” the Washington, D.C native is “bidding adieu” to a stellar career that has made her one of the most recognizable giants of the classical music world.
“Listen, I have sung for so many years under all kinds of conditions, there’s no question, and I’ve got the technique to get through some very difficult times, but I think it’s time for the next generation to come up,” she told The Daily News.
Retiring from the stage doesn’t mean she’s giving up opera. Graves plans to work behind the scenes to bring important stories to the forefront.
“I can be much more effective on the other side of the proscenium arch by what the shape of the industry looks like,” she shared, adding that her work will determine “Who are the people making the decisions? What is the repertoire? How are we educating the musicians? How are we educating the public, what stories get told and why and how do those stories get told?”
The Grammy winner has already dipped her toes in directing — helming the world premiere of “Loving v. Virginia” at Virginia Opera last year, and “Carmen” at Minnesota Opera in 2022. She has three more works underway after she wraps “Porgy and Bess” next weekend.
“I love it,” she said about directing. “I’ve had the time of my life and it was really so much fun. I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would, it was really a beautiful experience.”
Tickets start at $25.
Cabaret
“Finding Dorothy Parker”
The Laurie Beechman Theatre—407 West 42nd St., Manhattan (Hell’s Kitchen)
Through Jan. 22. Various showtimes.
Comedic actress Jackie Hoffman joins other brash Broadway broads for a return of Douglas Carter Beane‘s tribute to early 20th century humorist Dorothy Parker.
Weeks after celebrating her 65th birthday, the Queens native joins Julie Halston (“Tootsie”), Ann Harada (“Avenue Q”) and Anika Larsen (“Beautiful”) in the uproarious theatrical anthology of the works and texts of Parker, who became renowned for her sharp wit as one of the most prominent writers of the 1920s through to the mid-century.
The Upper West Side-raised socialite was blacklisted for her outspoken views and bequeathed her entire estate to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Proceeds from Monday’s performance will benefit the NAACP.
Tickets start at $40 (plus fees).
Theater
“In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquiat”
New York Theater Workshop—79 East 4th St., Manhattan (East Village)
Through Jan. 18. Various showtimes.
Roger Guenveur Smith is back off-Broadway in another exploration of a revered yet conflicted Black icon. The beloved character actor, known for “Do The Right Thing” and “American Gangster,” tells the real life story of his close relationship with street artist Jean-Michel Basquiat who he met on a dance floor in Los Angeles during the 1980s. Back then, the future Obie Award-winning actor, playwright, and director behind “A Huey P. Newton Story” was a Yale alum rapping under the moniker “Hollywatts.” Basquiat was working out of a Venice studio, painting works for a new show.
For the 60-minute monologue, which started as an improvised homage for the artist’s retrospectives at the Brooklyn Museum and MOCA Los Angeles 20 years ago, Smith sets out to help audience members get a deeper sense of the young man behind the myth. Musician Marc Anthony Thompson (Chocolate Genius) scored the piece.
Tickets are $39.
Music
“Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed The World”
SoHo Playhouse—15 Vandam St., Manhattan (SoHo)
Through Feb. 1. Various showtimes.
The 80th birthday commemoration of Bob Marley continues during SoHo Playhouse’s 2026 International Fringe Encore Series.
Toronto based playwright and songwriter Duane Forrest uses storytelling and audience participation as he performs acoustic renditions of the late reggae music legend to explore his global impact. The award-winning artist also includes nods to Harry Belafonte, Toots and the Maytals, Bobby McFerrin and even Sting, in the award-winning, 75-minute show that took Edinburgh Fringe by storm last summer.
Tickets are $45.50 (discounts available).
Celebrate
40th Annual Zlatne Uste Golden Festival
The Marquee Astoria—25-22 Astoria Blvd,, Queens (Astoria)
Fri. Jan.16 and Sat Jan. 17. Various times.
The Golden Festival 2026, in its 40th year, is made up of all volunteers — from performers and organizers to food preparers and market vendors — all coming together to sing, dance and celebrate cultures across the Balkans and beyond.
The two-day affair kicks off with a dance workshop led by expert instructors, followed by a full evening of live music. There will be four stages with continuous live music programming, Charshiya Artisan Market for handmade crafts and complimentary appetizers from the Southeast European countries such as Greece, Albania, Serbia, Romania and Croatia.
Tickets start at $50 (discounts available).
Family
“Celebrate MLK Day”
Brooklyn Children’s Museum — 145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn (Crown Heights)
Sun. Jan. 18 and Mon. Jan. 19. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
To celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Brooklyn Children’s Museum is hosting its annual two-day festival.
With a mission “to engage children in the power of peaceful protest, imagination, and service, in the spirit of the late Civil Rights Movement leader,” this year’s activities will include a workshop where kids will make their own protest signs for a march around the venue led by musician and artist Fyütch, who will perform songs that speak to Dr. King’s values and convictions.
There will also be a puppet-making workshop and interactive shadow puppet performance created by Nehprii Amenii in collaboration with performers Emmanuel Elpenord, Amparo “Chigui” Santiago, and Marina Celander.
Tickets are $15.
Free
“40th Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House —30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn (Fort Greene)
Mon. Jan. 19. 10:30 a.m.
The Brooklyn Academy of Music celebrates MLK Day with the city’s largest and longest-running public tribute to the late civil rights leader. Presented with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, the 40th annual event will have a keynote address delivered by noted theologian Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II.
There will also be a solo dance performance by Khalia Campbell of Ronald K. Brown/ EVIDENCE, a musical program by The Fire Ensemble, under the direction of composer and creative director Troy Anthony, family focused activities (such as a letter writing workshop led by educator and advocate Dr. Vibhuti Arya Amirfar) and a screening of the Michael B. Jordan film “Just Mercy.”
Free.
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 listing details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.
