This Weekend’s Top Events to Catch

American Baptist minister and civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968) holds a press conference at the Savoy Hotel in London, UK, September 1964.
American Baptist minister and civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 – 1968) holds a press conference at the Savoy Hotel in London, UK, September 1964. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

This weekend, the city comes alive with an array of engaging and inspiring events. From cultural deep dives to family-friendly activities, the lineup is both dynamic and inclusive. Explore the options and plan a weekend infused with the city’s boundless spirit.

African Resistance From Congo to California

Date: Friday, January 17th

Time: 4:00 PM-6:30 PM

Location: 581 Mother Gaston Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11212 (Brownsville Heritage House Inc)

Price: Free

The program pays tribute to Patrice Lumumba, Bunchy Carter, and John Huggins, three visionaries whose lives were tragically cut short on January 17th. Through education and reflection, it will explore their enduring impact on the global fight for liberation, connecting the Congo’s struggles with shared resistance movements in the United States. By addressing the intersections of colonialism and inequality, the event seeks to inspire a deeper commitment to justice. Bridging history with action, it calls on attendees to carry forward the legacy of solidarity and change.

Best Of ADIFF 2024

Date: Friday, January 17th

Time: 7:00 PM-8:30 PM

Location: 525 West 120th Street New York, NY 10027 (Teachers College Columbia University)

Price: $71.21

The African Diaspora International Film Festival 2024 presents a sweeping showcase of narratives that delve into history, identity, and the resilience of communities worldwide. Among the highlights is Legacy: The Decolonized History of South Africa, an unflinching documentary that reexamines Apartheid as both ideology and tool of oppression. The festival opens on January 17 with Death of a Whistleblower, a taut political thriller exposing corruption through the eyes of a fearless journalist. Other standouts include Walter Rodney: What They Don’t Want You to Know, a piercing investigation into colonialism’s enduring legacy, and The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos, a stirring story of courage in the face of systemic greed. This year’s festival promises to leave an indelible mark with its inspiring and provocative lineup.

Well, Then Presents: SHH! BLACK WOMEN ARE SPEAKING LOL!!

Date: Saturday, January 18th

Time: 8:30 PM-9:30 PM

Location: 144 Boerum Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206 (The BCC Pig Pen)

Price: $11.88-$16.88

Kick off 2025 with a night of sharp wit and infectious laughter at Brooklyn Comedy Collective’s Pig Pen with Well, Then Presents: SHH! BLACK WOMEN ARE SPEAKING LOL!!. This vibrant stand-up showcase spotlights Black women comedians who’ve shaped the cultural conversation with humor and heart over the past year. Featuring Maya Luna Ferguson, Stephanie O Comedy, Amanda Maryanna Gordon, Shatara Curry, and Tiara Grace Starks, the lineup promises a night to remember. With just 35 seats available and standing room after, early arrival is essential. Tickets are final sale, but transfers to future shows can be arranged with prior notice.

Honoring MLK and the Movement of the People (hybrid)

Date: Sunday, January 19th

Time: 12:30 PM-2:00 PM

Location: 269 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture)

Price: Free

Olivia S. Taylor spent her life fighting for her community while raising a family with her late husband, Abe Taylor, who passed away in 2014. A teacher, activist, writer, and historian, she founded an alternative school in Brownsville, offering local children the education they deserved without leaving their neighborhood. Throughout her activism, Taylor advocated for civil rights and the fair treatment of those long marginalized. As a storyteller and co-author of Dream Catcher’s Song, she also volunteered with organizations like Heritage House and Safety Net Hospital, pushing for equitable healthcare. Her work was deeply influenced by mentors like Ella Baker and Dr. John Henrik Clarke, all while she remained a dedicated mother and grandmother.

Against Gravity: Flying Afrikans + Other Urban Legends

Date: Sunday, January 19th

Time: 2:00 PM-3:00 PM

Location: 10 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Price: $17.85-$28.52

651 ARTS proudly presents the world premiere of Against Gravity: Flying Afrikans + Other Urban Legends, an evocative new work by acclaimed choreographer André M. Zachery. Blending history, memory, and poetry, Zachery’s choreography offers a deeply personal reflection on Black masculinity, co-written with producing director Ayinde Jean-Baptiste. With original music by Chicago Poet Laureate avery r. young and multimedia artistry from Renegade Performance Group, the piece traces Zachery’s formative years in 1980s and ’90s Chicago. Inspired by the legacies of Fred Hampton, Benji Wilson, and Harold Washington, and guided by the poetic echoes of Gwendolyn Brooks, Zachery examines how their lives and mythologies shaped the city’s youth. Against Gravity is both a tribute and a reckoning, capturing the weight of history and the resilience of those who carry it forward.