New York City pulses with a slate of events and community gatherings this weekend. Whether you’re drawn to the bustle or seeking a quieter escape, the city delivers a range of options for residents and visitors alike. Its relentless momentum pulls people into the fray. WBLS spotlights these occasions, capturing how New Yorkers forge ties and engage. Opportunities to tap into the urban rhythm abound.
IN FULL BLOOM: A BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION THROUGH ART
Date: Friday, February 28th
Time: 6:00 PM-10:00 PM
Location: 72 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (WALLS & HALLS GALLERY (Brooklyn Pop-Up))
Price: Free
The Walls & Halls Gallery is breaking out of its four walls, hitting the streets with the All City Tour, starting in Brooklyn. This isn’t just a gallery show—it’s an attempt to thread art into the city’s gritty tapestry, one borough at a time. Their opener, IN FULL BLOOM, lands on February 27, 2025, for a one-night Black History Month tribute, pulled together by @cityoftalents with a lineup that doesn’t mess around. Artists like @ani_izuchukwu_val, @damilare_jamiu_kanyin, and @dankyimensah bring pieces that hit hard on resilience and identity, no fluff needed.
ADIFF New York Presents: The Black History Month Film Series
Date: Friday, February 28th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: 525 West 120th Street New York, NY 10027 (Teachers College Columbia University)
Price: $71.21
For Black History Month, a compelling film series will illuminate the triumphs, struggles, and cultural richness of the Black diaspora. From February 28 to March 2, 2025, Teachers College at Columbia University will host this event, showcasing cinematic works that explore overlooked histories, defiant activism, and iconic trailblazers who reshaped society. The lineup spans documentaries and dramas, including tales of Congolese exploitation, the Attica prison revolt, and the erased vibrancy of Manhattan’s San Juan Hill. Each film offers a lens into the systemic challenges faced and the indelible marks left by Black individuals across continents.
Black Women in Comedy Festival Laff Fest Presents – “S.W.I.” = Sistas Who Improv!
Date: Saturday, March 1st
Time: 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
Location: 21 A Clinton Street New York, NY 10002 (Caveat)
Price: $24.41
The Black Women in Comedy Festival Laff Fest debuts its inaugural all-Black women improv showcase, S.W.I. SISTAS Who Improv. The performance highlights the festival’s mission to amplify Black women’s voices in comedy through unscripted, collaborative storytelling. This groundbreaking event brings together a dynamic lineup of comedians to celebrate humor, sisterhood, and the art of improvisation. Held under the festival’s banner, the show marks a pivotal moment in creating more space for Black women in the improv world.
Sounds of Hope: A Concert Celebrating Black Composers & Classical Favorites
Date: Saturday, March 1st
Time: 2:00 PM-3:30 PM
Location: 129 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10027 (Aaron Davis Hall, City College)
Price: Free
The Sounds of Hope concert brings together the Shared Voices Cohort from the Denyce Graves Foundation for a stirring tribute to Black composers whose works have shaped classical music. Hosted in partnership with The Harlem Chamber Players, New Heritage Theatre Group, and City College Center for the Arts, the program blends underrecognized compositions by Margaret Bonds, Roland Carter, and H.T. Burleigh with timeless selections from Puccini, Gershwin, and Strauss. The performance highlights the enduring impact of Black artists whose contributions have often been sidelined in the classical canon. With music as a unifying force, the concert uplifts marginalized voices and honors the power of art to foster inclusion. This special afternoon invites audiences to experience a powerful intersection of history, artistry, and hope.
MoMA Write in Response Collective
Date: Saturday, March 2nd
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: 11 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019 (The Museum of Modern Art)
Price: $7.27
MoMA Write in Response invites writers to channel their creativity through art-inspired freewriting sessions at the Museum of Modern Art. The collective meets monthly, using selected artworks as a springboard for timed writing exercises that encourage individual reflection and communal dialogue. Participants engage with both their own chosen pieces and those selected by others, fostering a layered conversation between art and language. The sessions culminate in group discussions, where members share their interpretations and explore the varied ways art resonates. The resulting works are presented to MoMA and the artists, offering a window into how visual art sparks new forms of expression.
We hope you enjoy this weekend’s events!