Friday
Dec. 5
Citizen King
Well, this seems timely. Actor Roger Guenveur Smith brings his one-man show “Rodney King” to Bric through Dec. 7. The work, which premiered to great acclaim last year, explores the life and legacy of the late Californian construction worker whose assault by police, and the subsequent acquittal of several of the officers involved, sparked the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
7:30 pm at Bric Arts Media House [647 Fulton St. at Rockwell Place in Fort Greene; (718) 683–5621, www.bricartsmedia.org]. $22 ($18 advance).
Saturday
Dec. 6
Sounds so Swede
Rocka pa! (That is Swedish for “rock on” — at least according to Google Translate). The Swedish Energies Festival returns to the Issue Project Room for its fourth incarnation Dec. 4–6, celebrating the Swedish national center for electronic music, Elektronmusikstudion. Tonight’s performers include composer Ellen Arkbro, conceptual artist Leif Elggren, and Sunn O)))) guitarist Stephen O’Malley.
6 pm at Issue Project Room [110 Livingston St. between Boerum Place and Court Street in Downtown (718) 330–0313, www.issueprojectroom.org]. Free.
Sunday
Dec. 7
Cheaters prosper
No need to hide that smart phone. Funny man John Hodgman is hosting a “Trivia Night for Cheaters” to raise money for kids creative writing organization 826NYC (you know, that place that sells superhero stuff in Park Slope). As the name implies, cheating is allowed — but it will cost you in donations to the cause. Teams must raise $1,000 to enter the contest, but you can also just come to watch.
7 pm at the Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third streets in Gowanus, (718) 643–6510, www.826nyc.org/trivianight]. $25 per competitor, $10 spectators.
MoNday
Dec. 8
No dummies
Portishead’s classic album “Dummy” is 20 years old this year, which makes us feel old and depressed. The silver lining is that musicians Dani Mari and Will Hanza (also known as folk duo Owl and Wolf) are organizing a tribute show to celebrate the anniversary, where 11 bands will perform one track off the album, plus one original tune.
7 pm at Cameo Gallery [93 N. Sixth St. between Berry Street and Wythe Avenue, (718) 302–1180, www.cameony.com]. $5.
Wedesday
Dec. 10
Dram it
Talk about a spirited discussion! Science and art lecture series ArtLab is visiting Kings County Distillery to examine the very important scientific field of whiskey distilling. The event will kick off with a tour of the facility, followed by a talk on the chemistry, biology, and artistry of creating the storied liquor.
6:30 pm at Kings County Distillery, Brooklyn Navy Yard (Enter Sand Street at Navy Street in Fort Greene, www.thisisartlab.org). $8.