“Word. Sound. Power. is more than a performance; it’s a movement, echoing the beats and bars that have shaped and been shaped by communities for decades. The program promises a 70-minute showcase followed by a 20-minute Q&A with the artists, providing insight into their creative processes and the impact of hip-hop culture across generations.” – A.A. Cristi, Broadway World

“Anyone who is coming to see the show is going to see some dynamic poets, emcees, dancers, DJs, and beatboxers,” co-curator and producer Mikal Amin Lee said. “They’re all performing their original work around themes that are associated with our in-school poetry residency program called Brooklyn Reads.” – Manali Chavan, Bklyner

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BAM (@bam_brooklyn)

Lynn Nottage’s Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine
Theatre
The Billie Holiday Theatre, 1368 Fulton Street, Bedford Stuyvesant
Shows start Thursday April 18 and run through May 19

“Fabulation,” a play by Lynn Nottage, first debuted at Playwright’s Horizons in 2004. It centers around the story of Undine, a successful African-American publicist living in Manhattan, who is forced to return to her former working-class life in Brooklyn after her husband takes her money. Now this acclaimed play is coming to Bed-Stuy.

The Billie Holiday Theatre is a premier creative campus in Bed-Stuy which elevates the voices of Black artists in the community. The theatre has an education program led by and for Black artists, which has been running for over 22 years.

“Directed by Martavius Parrish, The Billie’s production of Fabulation or, the Re-Education of Undine features award-winning actress Felicia Curry in the lead role bringing the character of Undine to life for the majority of the play’s run through May 6th. Kedren A Spencer will assume the role for the remaining two weeks of the production.” – Nina Flowers, Patch.com

“This is not the comedy of deracination it at first seems; it’s a comedy of re-racination, of discovering one’s authentic self by stripping away the disfigurements of ambition.” – Jesse Green, New York Times

“Fabulation is set in Brooklyn, and I’m beyond thrilled to be sharing the play with my hometown audience,” says Nottage in a statement. “The very first theatre I ever experienced was at the Billie Holiday, and so this is definitely a full circle moment for me.” – Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Billie Holiday Theatre (@billieholidaytheatre)

Macbeth (an undoing) @ Theatre for a New Audience
Theatre
TFANA, 262 Ashland Pl, Fort Greene
Shows April 5 through May 4
New Deal tickets available for $20 for those under 30. Use code: NEWDEALER at checkout

Playwright Zinnie Harris has adapted Shakespeare’s legendary play in a production that focuses on the perspective of Lady Macbeth and undoes the classic story we’ve come to know. After making its world premiere at The Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh last year, the same team, featuring Nicole Cooper as Lady Macbeth and Adam Best as Macbeth, is bringing the acclaimed production to Brooklyn.

“It is not so much a revival as an exhumation, one in which [Harris] dares to speculate what the playwright might have done had he been true to his own instincts.” – Mark Fisher, The Guardian

“Cooper conveys all this with a ferocious intelligence that brims with barely restrained rage amongst the everyday madness in a thrilling reimagining that lays bare the real power behind the blood- spattered throne.” – Neil Cooper, The Herald Scotland

“Zinnie Harris reinvents Lady Macbeth as a flawed feminist icon in this respectful but powerfully reimagined adaptation.” – David Pollock, The Stage

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Theatre for a New Audience (@theatreforanewa)

Silent Book Club of Death @ Greenwood Cemetery
Books, Reading, Community
Greenwood Cemetery, 500 25th St, Sunset Park
Wednesday April 17 @ 6pm

Silent Book Club of Death is for those passionate about reading on death, grief and mortality. Brooklynites are invited to bring their own book or borrow one from the Green-Wood library, for an hour-long reading session followed by an opportunity for discussion.

Silent Book Club (SBC) is a global community of readers, with over 500 communities spanning 50 countries. The organization hosts events in bars, bookstores, cafes and other locations to facilitate reading sessions of quiet camaraderie.

“These silent but social gatherings are booming. Of more than 950 official chapters of Silent Book Club (SBC) worldwide, almost 400 have registered since January. Recent additions hail from Abu Dhabi and Marietta, Ga., proving that a hatred of small talk is universal.” – Dawn Fallik, The Washington Post

“It’s just the most amazing thing to see the introvert revolution literally remaking the way we organize society — this time, the world of book clubs.” – Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

The Grand Finale – The Werk Room @ Arlo Williamsburg
Drag, Music, Dance
Arlo Williamsburg, 96 Wythe Ave, Williamsburg
Friday April 19 @ 6:30pm – party goes until 4am / Ages 21+

Arlo Hotels, Luis Fernando and HouseofLove present the grand finale of NYC’s premier drag race viewing party, in the grand ballroom of Arlo Williamsburg. The night features performances from two of the top three stars from “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Season 16, Sapphira Cristál and Plane Jane, and performances from numerous other drag stars.

The evening will consist of a viewing and dance party, performances from the stars, a meet-and-greet at 11:30pm and additional performances until 1 am.

“Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race rejoice. Arlo Williamsburg is hosting 1,200+ person watch parties every Friday night from 7-10pm so you can experience this season the way it was meant to be experienced — around hundreds of screaming Drag Race fans.” – Time Out NY

“Seamlessly change the vibe of your night by slipping between Arlo Williamsburg’s avant-garde Grand Ballroom and the intimate, semi-secret Mirror Bar as you experience Rupaul’s Drag Race like never before!” – PIX11

YMCA Healthy Kids Day
Games, Fitness, Arts & Crafts, Kids
225 Atlantic Avenue, Cobble Hill and other YMCA locations throughout Brooklyn
Saturday April 20 @ 10am

Numerous YMCA locations throughout Brooklyn are offering a day of family games, crafts, activities and giveaways on Saturday, April 20. The event is also an opportunity to learn more about youth YMCA summer camps and meet the camp directors.

Those who register before April 20 get an early-bird discount. Visit YMCA.org to find which locations near you are hosting this event.

“Kids, ages 2-12 can enjoy face painting, a bounce house, scavenger hunt, arts & crafts, balloon animals, photobooth, a reptile show at 11 am, and much more! Adults can participate in a boxing demo, dance their way through a zumba class at 11 am, take on a fitness challenge, meet with a personal trainer, and learn more about Fitness Center Essentials.” – Greenpoint YMCA Instagram

“Healthy Kids Day was made to explain to children and their families that being healthy in a variety of different aspects, is integral to living a happy and healthy life. During the day, participants will learn about healthy eating, nutrition and physical activity, mental and emotional well-being, and how to develop and continue healthy habits.” – Spencer Kristensen, KOAA News 5 Colorado

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Greenpoint YMCA (@greenpointymca)

Artland: Artcycling Workshops @ Brooklyn Museum
Art, Arts & Crafts
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy, Prospect Heights
Saturday April 20 @ 1 to 3pm

Artland is a colorful clay installation at the Brooklyn Museum, created by South Korean artist Do Ho Suh and his two young daughters. As it travels the globe, children and visitors are invited to contribute to the piece with their own figures and structures.

This event is for all ages, and focuses on how to use alternative materials like plastic bottles and cups to add to this art project.

“What is unique about this exhibition, is that it was developed with his children, whom he credits as being the artists for the sculptural art installations, besides inviting participation from visiting children, young people and families.” – Sukanya Deb, Stir World

“It could easily be an alien civilization: Its citizens have no gender, no organized religion, no formal government. They inhabit a lush ecosystem of candy-colored vegetation, where plants can grow infinitely tall … In some ways, the installation symbolizes the new center, which aims to help visitors find their own pathways into art.” – Laurel Graeber, New York Times

---

Related Articles

What they’re saying: live arts in Brooklyn this week, April 25

April 25 | Evan Rosen

Popular Open Stages music festival hits streets May 11

April 24 | Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Wake up, sleeping beauties. It’s almost Met Gala time

April 23 | Associated Press

As surely as spring blooms, Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition brightens Red Hook in April

April 22 | Wayne Daren Schneiderman