Great GoogaMooga
Prospect Park; 5/17–5/19; Flatbush Ave. at Eastern Pkwy., Brooklyn
Looking for a place to stuff yourself with food and tunes? The three-day outdoor music and food extravaganza is back, this time pulling out all the stops with 85 food stands and over twenty musical performances, including the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Flaming Lips headlining Friday night (tickets extra). See all the goodies in store on their website.
Manhattan Cocktail Classic
Various Venues; 5/17–5/21
Booze until you can booze no more at this annual celebration of cocktails and the people who love them. Events range from Friday’s fancy opening gala at the New York Public Library (the dress code is “salty black tie”) to a dinner hosted by Eric Ripert to a look inside the awesome technologies behind the concoctions at Booker and Dax. You may need to detox for weeks after this one, but it’ll be worth it.
Red Bull Music Academy
Various Locations; Through 5/31
Have you noticed a bunch of cool music events popping up in the ‘hood that turned out to be sponsored by Red Bull, of all people? Through the end of the month, in addition to funding a private summer camp, the energy drink’s Music Academy also caters to the unwashed masses, with an eclectic group of free or cheap events. Hit up a $5 conversation with James Murphy, head to Santos Party House to sweat with to Big Freedia and Afrika Bambaata, or celebrate twelve years of DFA with a roster of their D.J.’s. The website has all the details. Gives you wings, indeed.
The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival
Founders Hall Theater and Maroney Theater, St. Francis College, Brooklyn; Tuohy Hall Auditorium, St. Joseph’s College, Brooklyn; 5/15-5/19
For the third year, you can explore the Kings County film scene through the works of folks that were born and raised there, or now live and work there. A festival pass will only run you $50, and you know it’s official because Marty Markowitz is really excited about it.
The Taste of Tribeca
Duane St. (btw. Greenwich and Hudson); 5/18, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Outdoor culinary festival Taste of Tribeca returns to Duane Street, serving up the area’s top bites and booze. Get fed by nabe favorites like Kutsher’s Tribeca and Bubby’s, as well as newcomers like Aamanns-Copenhagen. The event’s proceeds benefit arts programs at P.S. 150 and P.S. 234.
The Electric Daisy Carnival
Citi Field ; 5/17 and 5/18; Roosevelt Ave. at 126th St., Flushing; 718-507-6387
It’s the second year for the New York installment of the multi-sensory EDM-a-thon, with two days and five stages of beats to make her dance. Also, it’s at Citi Field, so you know the food options won’t disappoint.
The Big Sur Brooklyn Bridge
The City Reliquary; 5/13–5/18.; 370 Metropolitan Ave., at Havemeyer St., Williamsburg; 718-782-4842
Henry Miller lived in Big Sur and spent almost a decade in Williamsburg. He’s celebrated in this week of music, film, and poetry, culminating in a concert by Philip Glass, Van Dyke Parks, and Real Estate at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. See the website for details.