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Weekend Agenda

Events to check out this weekend, May 5–8.


Dizzee Rascal   

1. Happy Cinco de Mayo. After indulging in these food and drink deals, if you feel the need to dance, Lavo is hosting a Cinco de Mayo party. At TBA Brooklyn, you’ll find a “ChIco de Mayo” party, complete with live art and tacos. For rooftop action, 230 Fifth has you covered with drink specials, and at 42 West the festivities begin at 4:30 for its Tequila vs. Everybody party. Entry is free.

2. But if you’re going to be dancing, might we suggest heading to Brooklyn Bowl, where Questlove presents a night of Prince, beginning with a screening of a March 1985 concert, followed by a showing of Purple Rain, and ending with a funky dance party of Prince hits and deep cuts that’ll run late into the night.

3. Oiiiii! This Friday, producer and rapper Dizzee Rascal performs his debut album, Boy in Da Corner, the album that defined the U.K. grime genre, at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, presented by the Red Bull Music Academy.

4. While on Saturday at 88 Palace in Chinatown, Win Butler from Arcade Fire spins some Afro-disco with live percussionists under the moniker DJ Windows 98. Conveniently, 88 Palace is also a dim-sum restaurant, should you get hungry.

5. At Randalls Island, the sprawling Frieze New York turns 25 and celebrates with the opposite of a pickpocket (he puts miniature sculptures in your pocket).

6. And through Sunday, the inaugural Context NY art fair joins the established Art New York, showcasing contemporary and modern art at Pier 94. Both are exports of Art Miami.

7. Other satellite fairs running through Sunday include the emerging-artists showcase Portal, the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) fair, Collective Design, and Flux. It’s enough to be immersed all weekend.

8. How about sports? The Kentucky Derby takes place Saturday, and along with it viewing parties at Saxon and Parole ($90 for unlimited booze and food, plus a julep station), American Whiskey (free, with cornhole, bluegrass, and an ice luge), Brother Jimmy’s ($40 for Champagne, mini-burgers, an apron, and a book), Hotel Chantelle ($20 with DJs), and the Regal in Brooklyn (free). The James Beard Award–winning Maison Premiere hosts its annual free, first-come-first-served shindig, and if you’re more of a beer fan than a julep fan, Berg’n has you covered. May the best horse—and hat—win.

9. On Saturday and Sunday, New York hosts the America’s Cup for the first time since 1920. Find a good spot downtown—Battery Park City is your best bet—to watch all the sailing action go down. The free Event Village at Brookfield Place will also be screening the event beginning at 11 a.m. on both days, with live performances, signings, and more.

10. At the Café Carlyle, Smash’s Megan Hilty does Rosemary Clooney in her new show, but she may also bring out a few old ­favorites, like her poignant, downtempo take on Don Henley’s “The Heart of the Matter.”

11. While on Saturday at City Winery, folks like Richard Hell, Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan, Debbie Harry, Thurston Moore, and Matthew Sweet come together in support of Ivan Julian, a founding member of Richard Hell and the Voidoids who is battling cancer.

12. Last but not least, don’t forget Mom on Sunday! Check out our Mother’s Day guide for ideas for what to eat, do, and buy. And if all else fails, take her bowling. Happy weekend!