Friday, June 18
See a site-specific photo exhibit in Prospect Park: Timed to coincide with the celebration of Juneteenth, photographer Jamel Shabazz’s photo exhibit “Prospect Park: My Oasis in Brooklyn” will open in Brooklyn’s Backyard this weekend. The photos of Brooklynites in Prospect Park from the 1980’s through the present day will be displayed on the construction fence surrounding the Lefferts Historic House while it undergoes a restoration, and will be on view to the public through Dec. 1. Shabazz is well known for his photographs of New Yorkers through the 1980s and his work is included in the collections of the Whitney Museum and the Studio Museum in Harlem. 452 Flatbush Avenue, opening Friday June 18.
Catch an outdoor film series to commemorate Juneteenth: To mark Juneteenth, the arts group 651 arts will host an outdoor and online film festival all weekend long, showing films that touch on the theme of futurism in the spirit of moving forward, both in the pursuit of justice and the recovery from the pandemic. Among the films shown will be the British short film WATA, and the screenings will feature dance performances and DJ sets as well. June 18-19 at 300 Ashland Place, free tickets here.
Saturday, June 19
Celebrate Juneteenth in Williamsburg: Domino Park in Williamsburg will host Freefest, a festival celebrating Juneteenth in the waterfront greenspace hosted by the production company ffflypaper. Programming will include a marching band, voters rights fair, rolling skating, an opera performance and more. Saturday, June 19 4–10 pm in Domino Park.
Cycle through Black history in Brooklyn: Join the Good Company Bike Club outside Brooklyn Museum where, following remarks from community leaders the club will lead a ‘Freedom Ride’ — a day long tour of significant Black history sites and landmarks in Kings County. Outside Brooklyn Museum later that evening, stop by for live music and food provided by the Black Chef Movement. 11 am and 6-8 pm at the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway in Prospect Heights.
Sift through local crafts at Industry City: Kicking off June 19 and 20, the Artists and Fleas Summer Market will return to the waterfront complex every weekend through the end of the season. The market will feature a rotating selection of merchants each week, and the opportunity to explore the wares of Industry City’s permanent craftspeople and eateries. The market emphasizes local makers, such as clothing maker Four Rabbit and jeweler Brooklyn Charm. June 19 and 20 from 12-6 pm at Industry City, 233 37th St., courtyard 1/2 in Sunset Park.
Sunday, June 20
Celebrate Fathers Day with tunes in Victorian Flatbush: To celebrate Fathers Day, the Cortyelyou Merchants Association and Operation Gig are taking advantage of Ditmas Park’s ample porch space by staging a series of porch concerts throughout the neighborhood all day. Eight different houses will play host to eight unique jam sessions, with Latin Jazz, Alt Folk, Classic Rock, Americana, and R&B jam sessions all planned. June 20 from 3-5 pm at various locations in Ditmas Park. See flyer for addresses.
Spineless creatures of the deep!: Stop by the New York aquarium in Coney Island to check out its ‘Spineless’ exhibit, a look at the weird world of deep sea invertebrates. Utilize the light of the moon jellies lighting up the exhibit to gaze upon the giant Pacific octopus, and learn about Japanese spider crabs and Pacific sea nettles.
