Highlights this week include a real-life Vogue ball at the Museum of the City of New York, a musical tribute to Alice Coltrane at Carnegie Hall and the 50th anniversary of “Cooley High” hosted by Sherri Shepherd.
There’s also the annual falconry demonstration in The Bronx and “Harlem Mouse/Country Mouse” at the Apollo.
Art
“Royal Bloom Vogue Ball”
Museum of the City of New York — 1220 5th Ave, Manhattan (Upper East Side)
Fri. May 16, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
The category is: social dance. To celebrate its recently-opened “Urban Stomp: Dreams and Defiance on the Dance Floor” exhibition, the Museum of the City of New York is collaborating with the Royal House of LaBeija for a series of ballroom catwalk competitions where contestants — adorned in fierce floral-inspired drag — strut their stuff and compete in various categories. DJ and producer Byrell the Great is providing the sounds for the evening.
“Urban Stomp” curator Derrick León Washington tells the Daily News that the event will be “a joyful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, centering queer and trans voices through the art of fashion, competition, and of course, voguing.”
Visitors dressed in their best, bold looks could even get in on the action and win a trophy in the spectator category.
The exhibit itself — on display until Feb. 2026 — chronicles more than 200 years of social dance in the city, highlighting dances that were either invented, reinvented or made famous in the five boroughs.
Tickets are $30.
Outdoors
“Wings Over Wave Hill“
Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center — 4900 Independence Ave, Bronx (Riverdale)
Sun. May 18, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
The weather should improve in time to see New York native birds make their return to the gardens and the woodland trail around Wave Hill Public Garden in the northwestern Bronx.
Festivities during the full day of bird encounters include an introductory course in birding with naturalists and birders Gabriel Willow and Ryan Mandelbaum guiding visitors through the grounds for a half-hour plus walk. There will also be presentations about hawks, owls, falcons and other fine-feathered friends, alongside hands-on activities for all ages.
Tickets are $10, discounts available.
Family
“Harlem Mouse/Country Mouse”
Apollo Theater — 253 West 125th St., Manhattan (Harlem)
Sun, May 18, 3 p.m.
The retelling of Aesop’s fable “City Mouse and Country Mouse” was conceived by Dance Theatre of Harlem’s artistic director Robert Garland and school director Tai Jimenez. The 90-minute story-ballet returns for the second year for a special family matinee performance at the Apollo Theater.
Starring company artist Alexandra Hutchinson and students Valentina Fernandez and Jacqueline Urena, with costumes by Katy Freeman, the show will feature a mix of music from folk to R&B as the backdrop to the tale of what transpires when the rich traditions of the Black South come together with modern-day life in Harlem.
Tickets start at $25.
Film
“Changing Minds Young Filmmaker Festival”
Village East by Angelika — 181-189 2nd Ave., Manhattan (East Village)
Sat. May 17, 7 p.m.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the festival — presented by NYC-based mental health and advocacy nonprofit Community Access — will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a special screening of 10 short films from young filmmakers — all under age 25.
The selected works, such as Lucrèce Wecxsteen‘s “Ascendant” about toxic relationships and Teo Nalani‘s animated short “Heads Full of Life,” all explore timely mental health themes, including depression and anxiety, gender identity, and more.
The screenings will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers moderated by Denise Chan, who won the 2019 Changing Minds festival competition.
Tickets are $10.
Music
“Cosmic Music: An Alice Coltrane Celebration”
Carnegie Hall — 57th St. & Seventh Ave., Manhattan (Midtown)
Fri. May 16, 8 p.m.
The enduring influence and legacy of late jazz virtuoso Alice Coltrane will be celebrated as a highlight of “The Year of Alice” – a yearlong tribute to her musical and spiritual impact through concerts, art exhibitions, album reissues and newly found live recordings.
The evening of music, featuring vocalist Michelle Coltrane and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, will pay homage to her seminal 1968 “Cosmic Music” performance at Carnegie Hall. Hempstead-born harpist Brandee Younger, drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts and pianist David Virelles will also be on hand playing new arrangements of Coltrane’s compositions.
Producer Denny Melnick tells the News: “this concert will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the glory and depth of Alice Coltrane’s artistry and life.”
Tickets start at $37.50.
Celebrate
“50th Anniversary of Cooley High Celebration”
AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9 — 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Manhattan (Harlem)
Sat. May 17, 7 p.m.
Musa Jackson a.k.a “The Harlem Ambassador” is excited about producing this Harlem Cultural Festival Foundation event celebrating the golden anniversary of one of the most beloved movies to come out of the Blaxploitation era.
Directed by Michael Schultz, “Cooley High” stars Glynn Turman, Corin Rogers and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as high schoolers in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green neighborhood during 1964. The coming of age story served as a touchstone for filmmakers like Spike Lee, John Singleton and Robert Townsend (who was an extra in the film).
“Our newly-launched classic film series is a way to preserve and honor the movies we grew up on and love,” Jackson tells the News. ”
The event will include a conversation with Hilton-Jacobs and Emmy Award-winning Chicago native Sherri Shepherd.
Tickets are $50.
Free
“11th Annual Teens Take the Met”
The Metropolitan Museum of Art —1000 5th Ave, Manhattan (Upper East Side)
Fri. May 16. 5 p.m.
Open to all middle and high school students 13 and older, ‘Teens Take The Met!’ will offer more than 70 programs throughout the galleries, ranging from artmaking to a silent dance party on the roof and a magnet design challenge with New York Hall of Science. All museum exhibits are open to the teens, including the newly launched and must-see “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” — focusing on Black menswear and suiting.
There will also be an African-inspired music performance with Jazz House Kids, collage making, custom poems, and pop-up podcasts. The Susan E. Wagner High School Marching Band will close out the event with a performance hosted on the steps where the Met Gala takes place.
Free. RSVP required to stella.kim@metmuseum.org.
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.
