FILM
If you need a reminder of another way other nations are better than America, look no further than Japan Cuts. Now in its 11th year, the annual series surveys the country’s new cinema, all of it more thrilling and daring and wild than our own. Take Sion Sono’s “Antiporno.” At first it looks like some lesbian softcore, aimed at male horndogs. Then it’s revealed we’re watching a film set. From there, the movie keeps shape-shifting, pulling untold rugs out from under us, revealing a blunt and angry feminist tract against a patriarchal society that turns its women against each other. It’s one of many discoveries worth the adventure, from the LGBT saga “The Extremist’s Opera” to the teen drama “Yamato (California)” to the 1985 music doc “The Ondekoza.” July 13-23, Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., $11-$14, japansociety.org
MUSIC
Indie-folk singer/songwriter Julia Weldon returns with a second album based on her own harrowing true story. Complications from gender-affirming surgery pitched the artist into an unexpected coma. Upon waking, the music started flowing that became “Comatose Hope.” That album — and life, with all of its mysteries — is being celebrated with a release party and concert at Rockwood Music Hall. July 13, 8 p.m., Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2, 196 Allen St., $12, rockwoodmusichall.com
SCIENCE
All ages can explore the magic of the universe while surrounded by some of the most inspiring tools of the trade — starting with an actual space shuttle — at the Intrepid Museum. For four nights this summer, families can take part in free workshops with astronomers and educators discussing themes like robotic gloves and drone helicopters. Bring binoculars or peer through high-powered telescopes to study the stars and dream about all the possibilities hidden within the night sky. July 14, July 28, Aug. 4, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m., Intrepid Air, Sea, and Space Museum, Pier 86 (46th St. at 12th Ave.), Free, intrepidmuseum.org
COMEDY
Surely you’ve on Yelp wondering about who takes the time to write those crazy reviews. At “Self Yelp,” a new comedy by Helene Ellford and Emily Thomas, you finally get to meet those people. Based on real reviews, the show starts at the Strawberry One-Act Festival before moving to the Midtown International Theatre Festival, for a total of eight performances in the next two weeks. July 14-Aug. 1, various times and locations, $25-$35, therianttheatre.com
ARTS
Theater Mitu’s “Death of a Salesman”
This is not your average “Death of a Salesman.” Forget what you ever learned about Arthur Miller’s theatrical realism and get ready to explore his masterpiece about the slow defeat of American exceptionalism through Theater Mitu. Actors use masks, dynamic staging and inhuman movements to convey their inner life and journey through the classic story of one family’s downfall. It stars Justin Nestor and is directed by Ruben Polendo, with voicework by Bryce Dallas Howard. July 14-23, BAM Fisher, 321 Ashland Pl., Brooklyn, $25, bam.org
SUMMER
Sometimes we all need to take a moment and remember that this sprawling, towering metropolis is surrounded by water (unless Mother Nature has recently taken the opportunity to remind us). The Waterfront Alliance honors our unique ecosystem with City of Water Day, which celebrates its 10th anniversary Saturday. It includes free boat rides, kayaking, hands-on expos and more at parks and piers across the New York Harbor, and with a Family Activity Fair on Governors Island. July 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., multiple locations, free, waterfrontalliance.org
MUSIC
New York Loves Whitney Houston
We will always love you, Whitney, and that’s why tribute nights to the singer will always be packed, especially when they’re as chock-full of talent as New York Loves Whitney Houston at Le Poisson Rouge. Led by Storm Marrero, the night includes talent like Ali Caldwell (“The Voice”), Kennedy and Suzy Q performing Houston’s hits. Surrounding live acts, partiers in their ‘80s and ‘90s attire can break it down with DJs spinning the likes of Destiny’s Child and Michael Jackson. July 15, 8 p.m., Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St., $18-$30, lpr.com
FOOD
Skip Smorgasburg and its ilk for one weekend and get your food market feasting with a side of brain freeze at the Artisanal Ice Cream Blizzard this Sunday. After its wildly successful debut last summer, the ice cream fair returns to the Upper West Side. Vendors include Taiyaki NYC, Dolce Brooklyn, Sam’s Fried Ice Cream, Likety Split and more. It’s part of the neighborhood’s weekly Grand Bazaar, a nonprofit that continues on Sunday with snacks and shopping until 5:30 p.m. July 16, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Grand Bazaar NYC, 100 W. 77th St., Free, grandbazaarnyc.org
TV
Season 2 of HBO’s “Insecure” premieres on July 23, but fans get a preview of the first episode this Sunday at an exclusive brunch for those in the know (which now includes you). It all goes down at Bushwick’s House of Yes, where the event includes light bites, two complimentary cocktails and fun extras like temporary tattoos and nail art by Paintbox — all while listening to DJ Kitty Cash. You can RSVP for free access online, though seating is first-come, first-served. July 16, Noon, House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Ave., Brooklyn, free with RSVP, hboinsecurepresentshellabrunch.splashthat.com
HOT TICKET
You think you know what you like in beer and where to get it, but if you ever wanted to challenge what you thought you knew, the place to shake up your taste buds is Good Beer. The event lets you wander for three hours and sample everything from a hearty lager from KelSo Beer Company to a breezy rose from Wolffer Estate Vineyard. And don’t let the name fool you — there’s more than beer, wine, and cider to be had. There’s also food from the likes of Harlem Shake, Prohibition Bakery and L&W Oyster Co. to help soak up your suds. July 20, 6-9 p.m., 28 Liberty, 28 Liberty St. $65-$75, ediblemanhattan.com
