This weekend, New York City is alive with a wide range of events, from cultural showcases to family-friendly activities. Whether you’re looking to explore or unwind, the city’s lineup has plenty to offer. Dive in and make the most of its ever-present energy.
Exhibition – Voices and Votes: Democracy in America
Date: Friday, January 31st
Time: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
Location: 1331 Bay Street, Staten Island, NY 10305
Price: Free
The Alice Austen House is hosting Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, a Smithsonian traveling exhibition, at St. John’s Eccleston Hall through January 2026. Part of the Museum Association of New York’s A New Agora for New York initiative, the showcase features historical artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays exploring the evolution of U.S. democracy. This marks another step in AAH’s mission to engage the community in cultural and historical dialogue.
Date: Friday, January 31st
Time: 10:30 PM-11:59 PM
Location: 242 East 14th Street, New York, NY 10003
Price: $11.64-$16.79
UCBLK shines a spotlight on New York City’s top Black comedians, delivering a fresh mix of stand-up, sketch, and improv every month. Hosted by Justin Catchens, Shem Pennant, and Dominique Kaplowitz, the show has featured talent from SNL, The Daily Show, and more. This month’s lineup includes Alex English, Sydney Duncan, and other rising stars. Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 at the door) or $10 to stream for a week.
Haven’t You Heard? Harlem’s on My Mind – Exhibition Opening
Date: Saturday, February 1st
Time: 3:00 PM-7:00 PM
Location: 246 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10027 (HomeToHarlem)
Price: Free
This February, Harlem artist Robert L. Newman III debuts Haven’t You Heard? Harlem’s on My Mind, a solo exhibition at Artfullwalls Fine Art Gallery. Drawing from his Southern roots and inspired by Romare Bearden, Newman reinterprets the Harlem Renaissance through bold collages, vivid paintings, and interactive installations. The show explores themes of migration, identity, and community, blending history with modern perspectives. Alongside the exhibit, Newman will host workshops, talks, and panels, inviting the community to engage with Harlem’s past and present. A celebration of resilience and creativity, the exhibition honors Harlem’s enduring cultural legacy.
Hands-on Black History: Oysters!
Date: Saturday, February 1st
Time: 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Location: 150-03 Jamaica Avenue, Queens, NY 11432 (King Manor Museum)
Price: Free
Discover the legacy of Thomas Downing, New York’s 19th-century “Oyster King,” and the untold stories of Black oystermen who shaped the city’s history. Dive into hands-on activities like oyster filtration, habitat exploration, and even crafting crowns fit for a trailblazing entrepreneur. Learn how the Billion Oyster Project is working to restore one billion oysters to New York Harbor by 2035, reviving the ecosystem and reconnecting the city to its waterfront roots. This free event, open to all, takes place February 1st from 1 to 4 PM—don’t miss it!
Preservation Celebration of Mama Joy’s Abolitionist Home
Date: Sunday, February 2nd
Time: 12:15 PM-2:30 PM
Location: 190 Duffield Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (The Oratory Church of St. Boniface)
Price: Free
After a 17-year fight, Mama Joy saved her home at 227 Duffield Street from seizure, securing a landmark victory on February 2, 2021. Her triumph ignited a movement to reclaim Downtown Brooklyn’s erased Black history. Join us at St. Boniface Church, where Mama Joy prayed, to hear her daughter Shawné Lee and historian Raul Rothblatt share her story and uncover a century of civil rights legacy. This is more than history—it’s a testament to resilience and community.
We hope you enjoy this weekend’s events!