House of Vans hosts the Black Lips in Brooklyn.
Credit: Provided
Vans House Party
Today, 7 p.m.
House of Vans
25 Franklin St., Greenpoint
Free, 718-349-2311
www.vans.com
RSVP now and line up early ‘cause Atlanta’s craziest garage rockers the Black Lips are coming to blow the roof off the House of Vans. The 25,000-square-foot warehouse may seem big when it’s empty, but seriously people, this place fills up fast, camp out!
Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival
July 9-12, Noon
50 Kent
50 Kent Ave., Williamsburg
$5-$50, www.bkhiphopfestival.com
Celebrate hip-hop in Brooklyn, the borough that gave us some of the greatest rappers of all time. Performers include Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon the Chef, Jay Electronica, Cyhi the Prynce and more. Past years have included surprises like Kanye West joining Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip on stage, and legendary performances from Big Daddy Kane and De La Soul. We’re absolutely sure there’ll be great surprises for their 10th.
Culture
International African Arts Festival
Today-Sunday, 10 a.m.
Commodore Barry Park
Navy Street between Park and Flushing Aves., Fort Greene
Free, www.iaafestival.org
What began as a PTA-organized neighborhood street fair in 1971 has grown into a platform for African artists to make their name. This year’s acts include Third World Band, a live performance of Frederick Douglass’ Fourth of July speech by Rome Neal, and a “one-woman theatrical performance” about Harriet Tubman, plus an African marketplace, arts & crafts, a children’s play area and more.
A piece of the U.S. pavilion at the 2013 Venice Biennale is coming to NYC.
Credit: Provided
Sarah Sze: Triple Point (Planetarium)
Today-Aug. 24, 11 a.m.
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx
Free, 718-681-6000
www.bronxmuseum.org
Sarah Sze’s Triple Point (Planetarium) was one of the standout pieces created for the U.S. Pavilion at the 2013 Venice Biennale, a contemporary arts festival. And now it’s come home and on display for all to see! Incorporating several artistic elements within her sculpture, Sze explores the value we place on material objects and how they come to represent a time and place to us.
Shopping
Dances of Vice: July 4th Rockabilly Night Market
Friday, 5 p.m.
SRB Brooklyn
177 Second Ave., Gowanus
$10-$15, 718-499-1700
www.dancesofvice.com
Make like a Stray Cat and rock this town inside out this Fourth of July at a rockabilly-themed night market. Get some new gear from vendors like Lady Wray and Untitled Vintage, enjoy free cans of PBR until 6 p.m., catch some burlesque from Bettina May and hear some live music. Plus DJs, vintage cars, food and other 1950s patriotic Americana fun.
Comedy
Indie-pendence Day Festival
Friday, Noon
The Peoples Improv Theater
123 E. 24th St.
$5-$20, 212-563-7488
www.thepit-nyc.com
How much improv can you handle in one day? Test yourself at The PIT, where improv teams will be performing every hour from noon to midnight. Fortify yourself with barbecue and drink specials set to live music (which may or may not be improvised).
Doc Wassabasco is going to put more than his money where his mouth is at his July 4 show.
Credit: Provided
Wasabassco’s 4th of July Post-Fireworks Special
Friday, 11 p.m.
City Winery
155 Varick St.
$20, 212-608-0555
www.wasabassco.com
Consider it a late nightcap for your Fourth as the Wasabassco performers treat your eyes — and imagination — to an evening of erotic choreography. Performers include Amber Ray, BooBess, Doc Wasabassco and more.
Film
Rooftop Films: NY Shorts at Roosevelt Island
Friday, 8 p.m.
Southpoint Park
East Road, Roosevelt Island
Free, 718-417-7362
www.rooftopfilms.com
Catch some short films by and about New Yorkers with the best views of Manhattan and Queens. Films include “Frankenstorm: From Across the East River,” “Aaron Burr, Part 2” and “Solo Piano – NYC,” about a piano sitting on the curb and the people who randomly decide to play a tune on it. This is also a great excuse to ride the Tramway Car if you’ve never experienced it.
Food and drink
Fourth of July Pig Roast
Friday, Noon
Iron Horse
32 Cliff St.
Free, 646-546-5426
www.ironhorsenyc.com
Iron Horse is shutting down Cliff Street for a block party that really raises the bar for other Independence Day cookouts. There will be pig roasting, free burgers, dogs and the usual outdoor fare, games and more. While admission and barbecue are free, they do ask that you spare a donation for the Wounded Warrior Project – an organization that supports the wounded veterans through a variety of programs, services and events.
To Market! To Market!
Wednesday, 8 p.m.
Brooklyn Brewery
79 N. 11th St., Williamsburg
$5, 718-486-7422
www.brooklynbrewery.com
Hosted by Edible Brooklyn, the people behind some of the best-known local markets in the area will share the secrets of their success. How do they curate vendors? How do they decide on a location? Who knows, maybe you can start your own market someday. Participants include Brooklyn Night Bazaar, GrowNYC, UrbanSpace and more.
Great New York Bar-Keepers of the Nineteenth Century: The Pioneers
Wednesday, 6 p.m.
The Dead Rabbit
30 Water St.
$50, 646-422-7906
www.deadrabbitnyc.com
Join author/cocktail historian David Wondrich for a lecture bringing the golden age of cocktails alive with stories about great barkeeps of the era. Dead Rabbit’s International Bartender of the Year, Jack McGarry, will be on hand to prepare some of the old school drinks you’ll hear about. Will you be on hand to drink yourself silly like it’s 1826?
Coming up
The Total Greenpoint Immersion
July 19, 1 p.m.
Greenpoint,$20
www.brooklynbased.com
Between deep discounts and even free local beers at every bar, this all-day neighborhood crawl will be a worthy challenge for even the most committed drinker. Sponsors Brooklyn Based and Brooklyn Brewery will be doling out Monopoly-like dolla dolla bills on arrival, which you’ll be able to spend at more than a dozen Greenpoint locations – Word, In God We Trust, Old Hollywood, etc. Bars you’ll be hitting include neighborhood faves like The Diamond, Black Rabbit, Beloved and more.
