The last weekend of July 2016 promises a lot of action. In addition to Jason Bourne and Nerve arriving in theaters, we’ve got the Animation Block Party over at BAM. Those still in a political mood may want to head to Smack Mellon in DUMBO. The gallery’s Of the people exhibit, where you can launch your own campaign for office, is on view through Sunday. You can also take a tour aboard the T.RUMP Bus while you’re there. In the Lower East Side, Eric Andre’s ranch dispensary is spreading the Legal Ranch word and over at Governors Island, the New York City Poetry Festival invades. Other options, which you can find below, include a Lou Reed tribute, a festival organized by Kickstarter, a Harry Potter midnight release party and more.

Friday, July 29
ART: The New Important Photographers – Opening Reception
Superchief would like to introduce you photographers on the forefront in their latest group show entitled The New Important Photographers. The exhibit features work by Nadia Lee Cohen, Parker Day, William Dunleavy, Todd Fisher, Paul Kwiatkowski, Ego Maps, Pretty Puke, Rezzie Avissar – Weird Magic, Edwin De LaRosa, Shelby Sells, Tod Seelie, and Edward Zipco. Superchief always opens their shows with a bang. This evening’s reception features tunes by Lilkool, DJ Lil Bitcoin and Count Mack.
Superchief Gallery Brooklyn/Tender Trap, 66 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11222
6pm-10pm
Free

FILM: 17th Annual Tromadance Film Festival
Troma, the indie film company behind such classics as The Toxic Avenger, The Class of Nuke ‘Em High, Mother’s Day and Tromeo and Juliet, is back with another edition of its annual Tromadance Film Festival hosted by Lloyd Kaufman. Over the course of this free two-day fete, four features and 40 award winning live action and animated shorts taken from Troma’s cabinet of curiosities will air. Also in the mix are a raffle, a panel on getting your film made in the age of the P.C. police, and two troma-zing after parties, a Brooklyn Barnyard Bash with The Cowmen, Monkey Pudding Face, and MooseKnuckle on Friday, and a blowout with Alan Merrill, and Tragedy: All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees on Saturday ($15 suggested donation).
Paper Box, 17 Meadow St, Brooklyn, New York 11206
Fri 7/29 6pm-10pm, Sat 7/30 12pm-10pm
Free

FILM: Miss Sharon Jones! Q&A with Sharon Jones & Filmmaker Barbara Kopple
Sharon Jones’ struggle with a life-threatening illness is the subject of an uplifting documentary by Barbara Kopple. For the film, Kopple followed the soul singing diva over the course of a year as Jones kept it together as she underwent treatment. The resulting film is a moving portrait of one woman’s resilience.A must-see for Jones fans. For the opening weekend at IFC Center, both Kopple and Jones will be present for post-screening Q&As for screenings on Friday & Saturday.
IFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY
Q&A Fri Jul 29 & Sat Jul 30 at 7:45pm, intro Fri July 29 at 9:55pm
$15

THEATER: Ghost Quartet in the Park
Dave Malloy’s “haunted song cycle about love, death and whiskey” comes to Bushwick’s Maria Hernandez Park for a one-night-only free performance. Ghost Quartet, which its world premiere at the Bushwick Starr in 2014, blurs the line between theater and contemporary music performance. It has also been performed to sold out audiences at the McKittrick Hotel. This evening event is part of The Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment’s Off Broadway in the Boros inaugural series.
Maria Hernandez Park, Starr Street & Knickerbocker Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
8pm

FILM: Cabaret Cinema: Barbarella introduced by Genesis Breyer-P-Orridge
Jane Fonda is all those sexy sci-fi costumes, need we say more. This screening kicks off the final weekend of Genesis Breyer-P-Orridge’s Try to Altar Everything exhibit.
Rubin Museum, 150 West 17th St., New York, NY 10011
9:30pm
$10

MUSIC: Moon Duo
Head to Baby’s All Right for an post-witching hour show of droning psychedelia from Moon Duo. The band continue to tour off their critically acclaimed 2015 release Shadow of the Sun.
Baby’s All Right, 146 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY
$16-$18

Saturday, July 30
BOOKS: The 2016 Small Press Flea
Co-presented by the Brooklyn Public Library and Bomb Magazine this pop-up fair features some of Brooklyn’s best indie presses and magazines, including A Public Space, Doublecross Press, Printed Matter, Pioneer Works, Ugly Duckling Presse, Verso Books, and many more.
Brooklyn Public Library, 10 Grand Army Plz, Brooklyn, New York 11238
10am-4pm
Free

FESTIVAL: The Bells: A Daylong Celebration of Lou Reed
For Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Laurie Anderson and producer Hal Willner have curated a day of poetry, pop music, experimental composition, and more dedicated to Lou Reed. Taking place at various Lincoln Center venues, the festival features a Tai Chi lesson; musical performances by the likes of Lee Ranaldo, David Johansen, Anohni, Doveman, and Emily Haines; readings by Steve Buscemi, Kim Cattrall, Willem Dafoe, and Julian Schnabel; screenings of A Night with Lou Reed, Red Shirley and Lou Reed’s Berlin, and more.
Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023
10:15am
Free

PARTY: Outdoor Show with Oneida, Guerilla toss, Honey, Invisible Circle, Mourning [A] BLKstar
Pay your last respects to Secret Project Robot’s current home at this day-into-night outdoor concert headlined by psych/noise/kraut rockers Oneida. Also on the bill are art rockers Guerilla toss, Brooklyn’s own Honey, Invisible Circle, and the soulful cosmic stylings of Mourning [A] BLKstar.
Secret Project Robot Art Experiment, 389 Melrose St, Brooklyn, New York 11237
3pm
$12 at the door

FILM: Spike Lee Book Signing for Limited Edition Moleskine Notebook celebrating 30th Anniversary of She’s Gotta Have It
Here’s your chance to meet Spike Lee and pick up a snazzy keepsake. The filmmaker will be signing limited edition She’s Gotta Have It-themed Moleskine notebooks in honor of the 30th anniversary and re-release of his beloved debut feature. Lee helped design the book and there are only 3,000 in existence. Each goes for $24.95.
Moleskine Store, 456 West Broadway, New York, NY 10012
3pm-5pm

FESTIVAL: Kickstarter Summer Festival 2016
If a life-sized game of Exploding Kittens isn’t enough of an enticement, this evening event organized by Kickstarter also features food by The Cinnamon Snail and La Sonrisa Empanadas, art installations by Boneyard Pets and L3D Cube, performances by House of Yes, Will Scott and Fashawn, a candle making workshop, and more.
Fort Greene Park, Washington Park & St Edward St, Brooklyn, NY 11205
5pm-10pm
Free

MUSIC: Unknown Mortal Orchestra / Empress Of / Klaus Johann Grobe
Among the best free indie rock shows of the summer, Unknown Mortal Orchestra land in Rumsey Field this weekend. The musical project of Kiwi multi-instrumentalist Ruban Nielson, UMO continue to tour off their 2015 release Multi-Love. The album finds the band continuing their exploration into the many facets psychedelia. Earlier this month they released a stand alone single “First World Problem” along with a video. You can watch it here. Lorely Rodriguez’s Empress Of and Swiss sensation Klaus Johann Grobe are also on the bill.
Rumsey Playfield, New York, NY
6pm-10pm
Free

PARTY: Disco Duke-Out
Right hooks and 70s style booty bumping come together at this soiree hosted by expert party planners Dances of Vice in a boxing gym. Expect underground boxing mixed with burlesque, booze and disco boogie. PBR and Beam Suntory are sponsors.
Church Street Boxing, 25 Park Place,New York, NY, 10007
10:30pm
$25.75

BOOKS: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Midnight Release Party
Word, Villain and Hypable.com are joining forces for this Harry Potter and the Cursed Child midnight release party for adult wizards and witches. In addition to getting your hands on a copy of the long-awaited book, revelers can purchase Butterbeer‬ and other HP-themed alcoholic beverages, snack on Harry’s birthday cake and nibble on other sugary goodies.
Villain, 50 N 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11249-3925
9:30pm
$29.99 gets you a book & entry to the party

Sunday, July 31
Rockaway Beach Sideshow and Strongman Festival
Head to the beach for a good old fashioned strongman show complete with a sideshow acts, a pin-up girl contest and Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum.
Low Tide Concession, Beach 97th and the Boardwalk
5pm
Free

PARTY: Bon Voyage to The Grand Victory and Stalkers w/ Host Michael T, DJs Dontlikeyou & Sophie Thunder and More Surprise Performances
Another Williamsburg venue is biting the dust. Bid farewell to The Grand Victory tonight at this show which features the final performance by Brooklyn garage rockers Stalkers. Glam torch bearer Michael T will also be hosting a dance party featuring DJ sets by Dontlikeyou & Sophie Thunder and more surprises.
The Grand Victory, 245 Grand St, Brooklyn, New York 11211
9pm
$12