Weekly Events Calendar: Jan. 17 to Jan. 23
The Indypendent’s events calendar comes out every Wednesday online and once a month in print. Sign-up for our regular e-newsletter and you won’t miss a thing. If there is an event you want others to learn about, let us know.
THRU TUES JAN 22
Times vary • $13–$16
FILM: What is Democracy?
A philosophical journey grounded in Astra Taylor’s quest to better understand the paradoxes, pleasures and problems of democracy around the world. By interweaving contemporary examples of democratic struggle and conversations with leading political theorists, the film reveals and investigates timeless themes, while linking the past and the present to provoke and inspire.
IFC Center
323 6th Ave., Mnhtn
THRU–FEB 1
MON–SAT, 1PM–6:30PM • FREE
EXHIBITION: Rosa Luxemburg: A Thousand More Things
This show offers a full portrait of a complex persona who was both a talented political theorist and an avid collector of plants. Between 1913 and 1918, including her years in prison, Rosa Luxemburg produced a herbarium — an annotated collection of plant specimens — spanning 17 notebooks. The pages, pastings and notes of the herbarium demonstrate her way of engaging the world, with care and attention for its small, seemingly insignificant aspects. Opening reception Tuesday, January 15 at 7 p.m.
Goethe-Institut New York
30 Irving Pl, Mnhtn
THURS JAN 17
8PM • FREE
SCIENCE: Secret Science Club presents Evolutionary Biologist Evon Hekkala
Evon Hekkala has searched for man-eating crocodiles in Madagascar, mined museum collections for DNA locked in ancient animal mummies, and discovered “extinct” creatures surviving right under our noses. Her goal? Uncovering the mysteries of evolution, and finding rare, cryptic, and lost species and saving them from oblivion. Before, during and after: groove to untamable tunes, sink your teeth into the Q&A and sample the Death Roll, a mean-and-green cocktail with a twist!
The Bell House
149 7th St., Bklyn
JAN 18–JAN 19
FRI 12PM–8PM, SAT 10AM–7:30PM • FREE
FESTIVAL: Schomburg Center’s 7th Annual Black Comic Book Festival
Schomburg’s Black Comic Book Festival brings creators, illustrators, writers and independent publishers together with thousands of collectors, blerds and nerds for two days of programming and activities. The highly-anticipated community event includes interactive panel discussions, a vendor marketplace featuring exclusive titles by Black creators, a cosplay show and more.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
515 Malcolm X Blvd, Mnhtn
JAN 18–JAN 19
FRI 7PM–12:30AM, SAT 5:30PM–2AM • $35–$80
FESTIVAL: Zlatne Uste Golden Festival
Golden Festival has been called a once-in-a-lifetime experience that happens every year. Crowds join hands and dance, shop for folk arts, nibble feta, sausage, and desserts, and share midwinter cheer. It’s a pop-up community where young and old, the folklorist, music professional and party animal come together in two nights of joy. Anchored in Balkan traditions (roughly Romania to Greece, Croatia to Turkey), and venturing generously beyond, the programming spans the ancient and the experimental, the oud and the synthesizer.
The Grand Prospect Hall
263 Prospect Ave., Bklyn
SAT JAN 19
10AM • FREE
PROTEST: Women’s Unity Rally
This gathering will highlight the leadership of Black women, immigrant women and women of color as part of the national #WomensWave and in response to the Trump Administration’s continued assault on immigrant communities and communities of color.
Foley Square
111 Worth St., Mnhtn
SAT JAN 19
11AM • FREE
PROTEST: Women’s March on NYC
Enter either on 72nd and Columbus or 72nd and Central Park. Disabled and ASL may enter on 61st and Broadway.
SAT JAN 19
2PM–4PM • FREE
PROTEST: Non-March For Disabled Women
The NMDW was formed out of the need to highlight the concerns of disabled women, trans and non-binary folk. This event is in solidarity and sisterhood with the Women’s Unity Rally
Grand Central Station
89 E. 42nd St., Mnhtn
JAN 19–JAN 20
SAT 2PM & 7PM, SUN 2PM & 6PM • $20–$30
THEATER: Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom
The true story of Lynda Blackmon, the youngest person to walk all the way from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama on the Voting Rights March in 1965. Jailed nine times before her 15th birthday, Lowery fought alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to secure the right to vote for African Americans. Ally Sheedy (The Breakfast Club, High Art, Psych) adapted the award-winning memoir by Lynda Blackmon Lowery, as told to Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckley (Dial Press, 2016) into a one-person show with the powerful young actress, Damaras Obi.
The Riverside Theatre
91 Claremont Ave., Mnhtn
SUN JAN 20
10AM–8PM • FREE
CONFERENCE: Yiddish Anarchism: New Scholarship on a Forgotten Tradition
Despite the importance of Yiddish anarchism to the histories of both the U.S. left and the Jewish community, it has been largely forgotten. This conference, the first of its kind, brings together an interdisciplinary group of scholars whose multilingual research examines the origin, evolution and contributions of Jewish anarchism in New York City and beyond.
YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
15 W. 16th St., Mnhtn
SUN JAN 20
4PM–8PM • FREE
CONFERENCE: The Anti-Capitalist Feminist Convergence
After the Women’s March, this event will showcase the activist work feminists are doing around gender justice in New York City, including passing the NY Health Act, reproductive justice, defending abortion clinics, anti-fascist organizing and international solidarity with other feminist movements. Childcare will be provided.
Verso Books
20 Jay St., Suite 1010, Bklyn
MON JAN 21
12PM–2PM • FREE
MUSIC: Peace, Love, & Understanding. Third Street Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King
A free community celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring a drum circle, a sing-along, a bagel lunch and more. Space is limited so RSVP. All ages welcome.
Third Street Music School Settlement
235 E.ast 11th St., Mnhtn
MON JAN 21
12PM–4PM • FREE
PARTY: Brooklyn Japanese New Year Festival 2019
The Year of the Boar is here! Come celebrate with the Brooklyn Japanese American Family Association. Taiko Drums will shake your body & soul awake and a delicious selection of Japanese food by BentOn will nourish you inside out.
509 Atlantic Ave., Bklyn
JAN 21–JAN 23
MON–WED, 8PM & 10:30PM • $20–$35
MUSIC: Keyon Harrold: Jazz for Reflection, Protest, Justice & Unity
Cited by Wynton Marsalis as the “future of the trumpet,” this St. Louis native is known for pushing musical boundaries through his compositions and improvisational style.
Blue Note Jazz Club
131 W. 3rd St., Mnhtn
TUES JAN 22
6PM • FREE
DRINKS: Marxist Feminist Happy Hour
Network and plot with other Marxist feminists.
Starr Bar
214 Starr St., Bklyn
TUES JAN 22
6:30PM–9PM • $10
TALK: Defending Roe: The Future of Reproductive Rights in America
Join the Intercept and the Center for Reproductive Rights on the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade for a conversation about the future of reproductive rights in the United States — with a focus on abortion access and maternal health across racial, regional and economic lines. Note: For security reasons, tickets must be purchased by Jan. 19.
NYU Richard L. Rosenthal Pavilion
60 Washington Square South, 10th Fl., Mnhtn
Photo (top): Keyon Harrold performs at Blue Note Monday through Wednesday. Source: keyonharrold.com.