The best things to do in NYC this weekend
TGIF! There are some incredible things to do in NYC this weekend including some of the best things to do to in winter. Aside from all the concerts, comedy shows and parties you'll find on this list, make sure to check out what's to come later this month by clicking on our NYC events in February page.
RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in NYC
Things to do in NYC this weekend
Tessa Skara: High Notes
Tessa Skara takes leave of her duties as intergalactic hard rock superstar and rockets down to Brooklyn for this banging queer variety show. Blast off to life-affirming musical comedy from Skara's well-curated assembly of stars. This month's lineup is about as high-impact as it gets, with Marcia Belsky, Mila Myles, Zach Zimmerman, Fareeha Khan and DJ Open Relationship tearing up the stage. Geronimo!
Dollylujah
Come bask in the glory of one of country music's all-time greats at this Friday night tribute concert featuring rip-roaring Dolly Parton cover band Doll Parts and Washington singer-songwriter Karl Blau. Count on singing along to hits like "Jolene" and "Here You Come Again"—hopefully better than one pop star who will remain nameless—and be sure to bring some hairspray for the road.
Black Women of Black History
Lifestyle brand America Hates Us hosts this Saturday afternoon event featuring a performance from poet Roya Marsh and coversations with cultural commentator Jameer Pond, Nubian Shorties founder Tiffany Dames and literary artist Dr. Angela Hooks. Show up to celebrate black women, make new connections and pay the good vibes forward: you can pick one of three charities—We Have Stories, Planned Parenthood or the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault—to receive a portion of your ticket purchase.
The Black Women in Comedy Festival
Head to Bed-Stuy to see a fierce lineup of comedians bring it over four days of endless shows, held at Brooklyn House of Comedy, Inkwell Jazz and Cafe, Tilly's, Joloff and The Corners. It's the perfect way to end Black History Month—or start Women's History Month—in NYC.
Black in Brooklyn
Take a trolley tour through Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, where notables like Susan Smith McKinney Steward, the first female black doctor in New York State, Jeremiah Hamilton, New York City’s first black millionaire, and Brooklyn-born artist Jean-Michel Basquiat have been laid to rest.
Wasabassco's House of Deveraux: Sin on Heels
Sydni Deveraux invites her burlesque besties to spin, split and strip at this epic revue. Show up, grab a cocktail and let Qualms Galore, Delysia La Chatte, Novaczar, Vivien Gabor, Foxworth Vorn, Odette Coquette, Pearls Daily, and LouLou D’Vil dazzle you in pumps.
Black History Month at the Museum of the Moving Image
MoMI celebrates Black History Month with a weekly film screening curated by museum vice chairman and Black Filmmaker Foundation president Warrington Hudlin. The series includes a conversation with actress-turned-filmmaker Karyn Parsons (Feb 8), the world premiere of And I Danced (Feb 22) and much more.
KONG
The joyously mad Dr. Wang Newton and Washington D.C.'s Bombalicious host this drag king revue featuring top performers from around the country. The star-studded lineup includes Spikey van Dykey, Ennis FW, Maximum Capacity, Alexander Cameron, Stefon Royce, Goldie Peacock and Maxxx Pleasur, plus a burlesque performance from Calamity Chang. And not only does it promise to be an outrageously good time, it's also for a good cause: a portion of proceeds go to drag kings Max Ryder and Hugh Johnson, who were injured in a car crash last November.
Jacob Banks
You may be surprised that Nigerian-born and England-based musician Jacob Banks is only 27-years-old. His age certainly doesn't match the impeccable sound of his soulful and mature voice. Immerse yourself in his poetic crooning as Banks performs his latest album, Village, at Brooklyn Steel this February. Encompassing the artist’s familiar foot-stomping, percussion-heavy style, you can bet that his show is going to be a smash.
I'd Like to Thank the Academy: An Oscars Watch Party
Indulge in the glamor, spectacle and myriad controversies of Hollywood's biggest awards show with the help of comedians, performers and drag queens. The event features live commentary, performances and celebrity impressions during the commercial breaks, a drinking game and a chance to take home a golden statue of your own. Host Jenny Gorelick assembles a panel including Ms. Golden Delicious, Gabe Gonzalez, Joe Castle Baker and Allie Carieri, along with performances by Amanda Shechtman, Delicious, Kuhoo Verma, Becky Chicoine and Mark Vigeant; and impressions by John Trowbridge, Yoni Lotan, Chris Cafero, Jesse Vandenbergh and Rollie Williams.
Reeve Carney
After originating the web-singing title role in Broadway's ill-fated Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Carney has gone on to star as Dorian Gray in Penny Dreadful. In November, he'll play Orpheus in the London premiere of Hadestown. First, though, he returns to the Green Room 42 with a solo show that focuses on original songs from his 2016 album, Youth Is Wasted.
Empress Of
Floating electronic beats, meticulously layered samples and dream-pop melodies—sounds like a common synth-pop formula these days, but as Empress Of, singer-songwriter Lorely Rodriguez sounds nothing short of singular. The artist follows her stellar 2015 debut, Me, with another stunner, Us. From the lush groove of "Love for Me" to the moody funk of "When I'm With Him," Rodriguez excercises restraint, leaving ample space in her arrangements to highlight her strong vocals. Across ten expertly deployed tracks, she finds a new softness without losing her music's danceable pulse for a sound that's well matched to her intimate, bilingual missives on romance, friendship and fitting in.
Larry's Musical Breakdown
Though Larry Owens intends to musically break down some of your favorite ballads and bangers, it's likely he'll lose his mind giving you life at this totally lit stage bonanza. Along with guests Liza Treyger, Marie Faustin, Pooja Reddy, Marcia Belsky, Kiko and Tuna, and the band Heroine, the high-drama, unstoppable stage presence serves diva worship, dancing and wicked arrangements for his own entertainment. Owens could wake the dead with his god-given talent; he's certain to make a lifelong fan of you within seconds.
James Blake
If 2016's The Colour in Anything, was a star-studded release in name—Bon Iver, Frank Ocean and Rick Rubin—his newest Assume Form takes the pop sentiment to heart. He doubles down on the use of features—Rosalia, Travis Scott, and Andre 3000 among others—and augments his lush, textured production with an upbeat sensibility. The dubstepper cum electro-soul crooner has fully stepped into the latter role of those two roles.
Lola Star's Dreamland Roller Disco
Channel your best Donna Summer or Bee Gees look and shake your groove thing to sexy hits like “I Feel Love” while attempting to do the hustle on four wheels at this roller rink shindig. Skating (and dancing) queen Lola Star brings a new theme to her Industry City every weekend. Check dreamlandrollerink.com for additional getdowns on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
More things to do in NYC this weekend
Things to do on Friday
Your weekend starts here! Head out to some of these awesome NYC events.
Things to do on Saturday
The best parties, bars and concerts in NYC for the ultimate Saturday night
Things to do on Sunday
Whether you want to chill out or keep going, here are the best ways to spend your Sunday
The best comedy shows in NYC this month
Find all the best stand-up, improv, storytelling and sketch-comedy shows in NYC over the next few weeks
This weekend’s best movies
Check out these new movie reviews and showtimes
