Highlights this week include vocal powerhouse Ledisi bringing her new tour to NJPAC — fresh off wowing Super Bowl LIX, Puerto Rican comedian Gabe González headlining FUERZAfest‘s free comedy night and toy elephants falling from the sky for the annual “Dumbo Drop.”
There’s also the world premiere of Nazareth Hassan‘s daring queer hip hop love story, and Van Gogh‘s Flowers illuminating the New York Botanical Garden.
Music
“Ledisi: Love You Too, The Tour”
NJPAC — 1 Center St, New Jersey (Newark)
Sun. June 1, 7 p.m.
Still reveling in the high of performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at Super Bowl LIX on the world’s biggest stage, Ledisi brings her latest tour to the New York City area this weekend, alongside special guest Marsha Ambrosius.
The Grammy Award-winning vocal powerhouse, who released her 12th studio opus “The Crown” last month, promises this new jaunt will be “a memorable experience” as she takes the Betty Wold Johnson Stage in Prudential Hall.
“The energy around this tour feels different in the best way possible — it’s full of joy, focus, and excitement,” she told the Daily News on Wednesday afternoon during rehearsals.
“There’s nothing like sharing live music with people who genuinely appreciate it,” Ledisi continued. “I’m also excited to perform songs from ‘The Crown’ for the first time on stage. This album is a mix of everything that makes me, me — R&B, jazz, gospel, groove, soul. It’s a feel-good experience from beginning to end.”
Of her special guest star, she described the former Floetry frontwoman as a “vibe all her own.”
“Marsha and I have been fans of each other for years,” the “Pieces of Me” singer shared. “Her voice, her writing—she’s just brilliant. I wanted this tour to feel soulful, honest, and elevated… together, we’re bringing a powerful experience to the stage. It will be a night of grown, emotional, beautifully crafted music.”
Tickets start at $48.
Comedy
FUERZAfest: Gabe Ortiz
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center — 208 West 13th St., Manhattan (Greenwich Village)
Fri. May 30, 7:30 p.m.
The 10th anniversary edition of the nation’s first and only LGBTQ+ Latine multidisciplinary arts festival is going out with a bang by way of a comedy event produced and headlined by Puerto Rican comedian Gabe González.
The Brooklyn-based Brown University alum — whose credits include “The Last O.G.” and MTV’s “Decoded” — tells the Daily News he couldn’t be more excited about his “biggest lineup yet” featuring “stand-ups, character actors, drag performers and musicians bringing some amazing acts.”
He added: “there are so many queer Latine comedians and drag performers doing amazing work in NYC — and hopefully this little sampler plate of our favorites leaves you hungry for more year-round.”
Tickets are free.
Theater
“Bowl EP”
Vineyard Theater — 108 East 15th St., Manhattan (Union Square)
Through June 15. Various times.
Three of New York City’s great Off-Broadway institutions — Vineyard Theatre, National Black Theatre and The New Group — teamed up to bring the world premiere of Nazareth Hassan‘s daring new play to the stage.
For his latest work, the award-winning interdisciplinary artist tells a tale of two free-wheeling, young, amateur rappers who discover a romantic connection while trying to find a name for their hip hop group. Essence Lotus and Oghenero Gbajge star as Kelly K Klarkson and Quentavius da Quitter in the imaginative, 80-minute show — also featuring “Into the Woods” standout Felicia Curry as the pangender “patron demon of the intimate” that goes by the name of Lemon Pepper Wings. She delivers a performance to die for — literally.
Hassan, who identifies as non-binary, directs the four-part production where skate culture intersects with rap experimentation. Original music by Judah “Free Fool” Girvan and live skateboarding inside of a sunken, in-the-round, 360-degree skatepark set designed by Adam Rigg & Anton Volovsek makes “Bowl EP” another show not to be missed this spring.
Tickets start at $37.80.
Film
Newfest Pride Series
SVA Theatre— 333 West 23rd St,, Manhattan (Chelsea)
Through June 2. Various times.
NewFest is ushering in Pride Month 2025 with its fifth annual summer film series, featuring in-person screenings, Q&A sessions, social events and virtual programming (available nationwide).
“In a moment when LGBTQ+ rights are under renewed attack, telling our stories boldly and unapologetically is an act of both defiance and hope,” the LGBTQ+ film and media organization’s executive director David Hatkoff said.
Fresh off debuting at Sundance earlier this year, Australian auteur Sophie Hyde’s semi-autobiographical family drama “Jimpa” is a NewFest highlight. Starring Oscar winner Olivia Colman and Tony, Emmy and Olivier Award winner John Lithgow, the multigenerational drama centers on a mother journeying to Amsterdam with her husband and their nonbinary teenage child to visit her gay father (affectionately known as “Jjimpa”). Other noteworthy films include Rashaad Newsome and Johnny Symons’ stunning documentary “Assembly,” and Carmen Emmi’s award-winning romantic thriller “Plainclothes.”
Tickets start at $19.50 for general admission, other packages and discounts available.
Art
“Van Gogh’s Flowers”
New York for Botanical Garden — 2900 Southern Blvd., the Bronx (Bedford Park)
Through Oct. 26. Various times.
The New York Botanical Garden’s latest larger than life exhibit is truly a work of art — celebrating the legendary Dutch painter’s connection to the natural world.
Visitors are to be enchanted with large-scale floral installations from Graphic Rewilding, the artist duo Catherine Borowski and Lee Baker and a pyramid of sunflowers, surrounded by real sunflowers and other plant sculptures created by French artist Cyril Lancelin.
Other floral artistry include 3D sculptures by Amie Jacobsen, and a recreated version of the garden at the hospital in Arles, France — where Vincent van Gogh spent his last days. “Starry Nights” is a special attraction for the nightcrawlers featuring live music, food, drinks and a Van Gogh-themed drone show (on select evenings).
Tickets are $35, discounts available.
Outdoors
“Dumbo Drop”
Washington St. between Front St. and Water St., Brooklyn (Dumbo)
Fri. May 30, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
In its annual (and much anticipated) fundraising effort to support Dumbo’s Title 1 public schools, PS307 Elementary and The Dock Street Middle School, Team Dumbo/The Dumbo Business Improvement District will have thousands of toy elephants parachute from the rooftops of buildings on its most famed block.
Revelers with tickets will get a souvenir toy elephant, a guaranteed spot to view the main event, special themed photo op, live music by The Jelly, an interactive dance party and an entry into a sweepstakes with a chance to win family gym memberships and other prizes courtesy of local businesses.
Just before the first drop, a Dumbo Archway Party for all ages — equipped with a Kids Zone and a beer garden — will take place beginning at 4 p.m. Food will also be available for sale at the Taste of Dumbo Restaurant Row.
Tickets start at $15.
Free
First Queer History Walking Tour
The Whitney Museum of American Art — 99 Gansevoort St., Manhattan (Meatpacking District)
Sat. June 1, 4 p.m.
The Whitney kicks off its Pride Month programming slate with the first of its ongoing walking tour series, where educator teach attendees about the history of the Meatpacking District and the impact and of the queer community around the neighborhood.
Historical sites such as Hudson River piers to the neighborhood nightclubs that defined a groundbreaking era so long ago will be highlighted.
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 details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.
