May Day Events: Books, Bikes and Bizarre Family Scenes

On May 1, join New York’s radical environmental organization Time’s Up! as they lead a bike ride from Union Square South to Brooklyn Museum’s free monthly party (both the ride and party happen the first Saturday of every month; the party includes music, dancing, film screenings, and free entrance to all exhibits). This month’s “First Saturday” ride, setting off at 6:30 pm, commemorates Miami cyclist Christophe Le Canne, who was tragically killed in a hit-and-run this past January.

The Bushwick gallery SUGAR is exhibiting “A Sense of Humor” through May 8. Nearly all photographs on display date from the 19th or 20th century, reflecting the “elegant documentary” style typified by Robert Doisneau and Elliott Erwitt, both with works on display. Humor is rare in documentary photography, and the results here are winning with topics like nudity, animals and bizarre family scenes. On May 2, art appraiser John Adam Staszyn discusses the photographs’ unique humor.

The New York chapter of Books Through Bars (BTB) recently relocated to the basement of Freebird Books & Goods, an excellent bookstore in Red Hook. On May 8, BTB hosts an inaugural book drive and BBQ in their backyard. Preferred: books on history, radical politics; dictionaries/thesauruses, language instruction; poetry. The event is free; monetary donations are welcome (proceeds cover postage).

DETAILS:
“A Sense of Humor”
through May 8, discussion May 2,
SUGAR,
449 Troutman Street, Bushwick,
sugarbushwick.com, 718-417-1180

Time’s Up! Miami Solidarity Ride:
May 1, 6:30 pm, Union Square South;
times-up.org/calendar

Books Through Bars book drive:
May 8, 2-6 pm,
Freebird Books
123 Columbia Street, Red Hook
freebirdbooks.com, 718-643-8484