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Michael Jackson block party, see ‘Chicago’ for free and more things to do in NYC – Metro US

Michael Jackson block party, see ‘Chicago’ for free and more things to do in NYC

Michael Jackson block party, see ‘Chicago’ for free and more things to do in
Provided

FILM

Kevin & Matt Geek Out: Shark Movies

Every week is Shark Week for comedian Kevin Maher and filmmaker Matt Glasson, die-hard fans of the shark movie genre who school fellow nerds on the history of the ocean’s top predator on film, from “Jaws” (and its sequels) to “Sharknado.” If you’re interested in how media has influenced how we see these creatures in real life, and how shark movies have inspired other monster flicks, don’t miss these two sharksperts geeking out at Nitehawk Cinema. Aug. 25, 9:30 p.m., 136 Metropolitan Ave., $16

MUSIC

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival

Celebrating the innumerable contributions of saxophone legend Charlie Parker — both as one of the musicians who laid the foundations of jazz, and as a huge influence on music as we know it today — the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival returns with free concerts and, for the first time, film screenings at the New School. This weekend offers concerts in Marcus Garvey and Tompkins Square parks, like the Randy Weston African Rhythms Sextet and 11-piece ensemble Jason Lindner: Breeding Ground. Through Aug. 28, multiple locations, free

ARTS

Met Opera Summer HD Festival

For a third year, The Met Opera’s Summer HD Festival brings the art form out of the theater onto Lincoln Center Plaza, with 10 operas showing over 11 nights on a giant screen. There are over 3,000 seats each night, and they’re first come, first served — plus standing room. Operas this year include “Amadeus,” “Il Trovatore” and “The Merry Widow.” Aug. 26-Sept. 5, Metropolitan Opera, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, free

BLOCK PARTY

Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson

Spike Lee’s annual salute to the King of Pop returns to the streets of Bed-Stuy this Saturday. The star would’ve been 58 years old this month, and he would want us to keep popping and locking. Get down to Stuyvesant Avenue between Lexington Avenue and Quincy Street for a block party hosted by Lee and rapper Sway, with beats by MJ care of DJ Spinna. Aug. 27, noon-6 p.m., free

DANCING

Quiet Clubbing Festival

Head to Coney Island for the first-ever festival of silent partying with a full night of events. Multiple stages will host nine DJs competing for your ears, while fire-twirlers, face-painters, hula dancers and more entertain you. You can warm up on Friday when Quiet Events produces Lincoln Center Local’s Silent Disco on the waterfront in Long Island City — free. Aug. 27, 4 p.m.-midnight, Coney Art Walls,3050 Stillwell Ave., Brooklyn, $10-$50

ROLLER DERBY

Gotham Girls Roller Derby Championship

The inter-borough beef gets settled on the skating rink Saturday night, when the Manhattan Mayhem go head-to-head with the Brooklyn Bombshells for their season championship at the John Jay College gymnasium. The nonprofit Gotham Girls league supports amateur female athletes and competes at the national and international level, so you know these ladies take no prisoners. Tickets are $24.95 online, $30 at the door. Aug. 27, 6 p.m. John Jay College Gym, 899 10th Ave., $24.95-$30

WINE

Ribs & Rosé

Rooftop Reds puts summer’s cuisine — barbecue — and pairs it with summer’s wine — rosé — in summer’s venue — up on a roof. The Brooklyn Navy Yard wine bar is bringing up some Fletcher’s BBQ (mainly ribs) and pairing them with two pink wines ($50) or three plus two draft beers ($65) from 4-8 p.m. on Aug. 28 and Sept. 18. Check their website for exact walking directions, you’ll need ‘em.

PARTY

SKAM Artist: Sujit’s 21st Birthday Party

SKAM Artists really know how to make a guy feel special — especially if that guy is the founder of SKAM, and SVP of Epic Records, Sujit Kundu. His annual “21st” birthday party is taking place this year at Vandal on the Lower East Side, and you’re invited to join the afterparty with dozens of SKAM’s top performers. Past guests have included Lil Jon, Amber Rose, Tyson Beckford, Nick Cannon and others you won’t just run into at the club on any Monday. Aug. 29, doors at 10:45 p.m., Vandal, 199 Bowery, free

PODCAST

“Skull Juice Live” with Stephen Colbert & Tina Fey

Comedians Dino Stamatopoulos and Andy Dick are the hosts of the “Dino & Andy’s Skull Juice” podcast, and next week they’ll record it live with a few old friends — Stephen Colbert, Scott Adsit, Robert Smigel, Michael Stoyanov and Tina Fey — as a live reading of a sitcom pilot they all wrote together back in the day. The premise? A behind-the-scenes look at “Saturday Night Live.” It never took off, while a little show called “30 Rock” did. Now they’re sharing it with the world for one night only. Aug. 30, 8-10:30 p.m., City Winery, 155 Varick St., $25-$35

ARTS
“Impressionism: American Gardens on Canvas”

Missed the rare stench of the “corpse flower” earlier this summer? Make up for it by taking a trip to the New York Botanical Garden for the last weekend of its Impressionist garden show. You’ll immediately recognize many of the famous artworks inspired by our nation’s most beautiful gardens, like pieces by Childe Hassam and John Singer Sargent. Through Sept. 11, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, free with admission

CABARET
“Trans-Jester”

Lady Bunny is no magician’s sidekick or hat trick, she’s the star of the show — and that’ll be evident when she takes the stage at the historic Stonewall Inn for a month-long residency of her comedic cabaret, “Trans-Jester,” featuring musical parodies, insightful social commentary and everything in between. The show includes a two-drink minimum (which she promises to ensure you’ll need). Aug. 31-Oct. 1, 7 p.m., 53 Christopher St., $19.99

ARTS

20th Anniversary of “Chicago”

The longest-running American musical on Broadway, “Chicago” is also now celebrating 20 years of merry murderesses beating the odds. Take part in the festivities with a special concert as part of Central Park’s SummerStage series — and yes, that means it’s free to see current stars Bianca Marroquín(Roxie Hart) and LanaGordon(Velma Kelly) belt through the sizzling score along with their fellow castmates. Of course, that also means it’s first come, first-served, so be sure to get there early — and all that jazz. Aug. 31, 7-10 p.m., Central Park SummerStage, Rumsey Playfield, 69th St. at Fifth Ave., free