This week’s most noteworthy events include a free film festival in Queens, a circus troupe featuring international performers from as far as India and Ukraine, a world premiere ballet from New York’s prestigious Latino dance company and a string of shows by the “the jazz artist for the hip hop generation.”
Film
“Invisible Beauty”
Jamaica Performing Arts Center — 153-10 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, N.Y., 11432
Sat. April 26 at 7 p.m.
This weekend’s all-free 10 Minute Film Festival features an award-winning documentary co-directed by a fashion industry trailblazer. Bethann Hardison. who started out working in the Garment District before becoming an international runway model during the 1970s, helped diversify the fashion industry as a model agency owner and activist championing change. “Invisible Beauty” features a deep dive into her life and work, with insights from her son, “A Different World” actor Kadeem Hardison, and the supermodels whose lives she touched, like Tyson Beckford, Iman and Naomi Campbell.
Free.
Theater
“tick, tick…BOOM!”
George Street Playhouse — 11 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, N.J., 08901
Through May 19. Various showtimes.
The autobiographical story of Jonathan Larson, the Tony-winning composer of “Rent,” is back onstage, this time at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.
The work, which was adapted into a 2021 film, revolves around the struggling playwright as he navigates his love life and experiences the early onset of the HIV/AIDS crisis — which served as the inspiration to his most famous work. Larson died at 35 in 1996, the day before “Rent” began previews Off-Broadway.
This David Saint-helmed production, starring Daniel Marconi, Cathryn Wake and John Yi, features a script consulted by David Auburn and vocal and orchestral arrangements by Stephen Oremus.
Tickets start at $25.
Music
José James
Blue Note Jazz Club — 131 W 3rd St, New York, N,Y., 10012
Through Sun. April 28. 8 p.m and 10:30 p.m. showtimes.
With his recently dropped album, “1978,” the New York City-based artist known as “the jazz artist for the hip hop generation” is celebrating the year of his birth.
Already proven to be a vocal virtuoso on previous projects dedicated to the musical legacies of Bill Withers, Billie Holiday and Erykah Badu (definitely worth checking out), José James gets into a new groove with sounds from the new, self-produced album at The Blue note, New York City’s enduring jazz staple. Latin conguero Pedrito Martinez, who’s featured prominently on “1978,” joins the artist for select sets.
Tickets are $35 (plus additional fees and a $20 minimum)
Dance
Ballet Hispanico
New York City Center — 131 West 56th Street New York, N.Y., 10019
Through April 28. Various showtimes.
The late Tina Ramirez‘s Latino dance organization is going strong in its 54th year with the world premieres of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa‘s “House of Mad’moiselle,” Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s “18+1” and artistic director Eduardo Vilaro‘s “Buscando a Juan.”
In Ochoa’s newest piece, Ballet Hispanico performers use fans, boas and Latin dance to take on iconic female imagery found in Latin American culture through a camp performance described as a “wild romp.”
For the “En Familia Matinee” performance, the journey of Latin American culture and traditions are explored through excerpts of the troupe’s classics, such as Pedro Ruiz’s “Club Havana,” Talley Beatty’s “Recuerdo de Campo Amor” and Geoffrey Holder’s “Danse Creole.”
Tickets start at $45, $20 for Saturday afternoon’s “En Familia Matinee.”
Family
“FL!P Circus”
Staten Island Mall — 2655 Richmond Ave, Staten Island, N.Y., 10314
Through April 30. Various showtimes.
Just a few years into creating new magic and death-defying family fun, FL!P Circus‘ 2024 tour will feature international performers from Ukraine (Anastasia & Misha), India (Hasan Ansari), Mexico (Alexa Vazquez) and Czech Republic (Pavel Valla Bertini) led by by Brazilian clown Bubi Guiner.
All the action takes place under a red and white striped, climate-controlled big top tent with 800 seats.
Tickets start at $30.00 with children, seniors, military and handicap discounts available.
Comedy
“Luenell: Live at the Apollo”
Apollo’s Historic Theater — 253 W 125th St, New York, N.Y., 10027
Fri. April 26 at 7:30 p.m.
The self-proclaimed “Original Bad Girl of Comedy” returns to the Apollo Theater for an uproarious night of comedy. Fresh off her “Town Business” Netflix special, produced by Dave Chappelle, Luenell is trekking across the country from her long-standing residency at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club Las Vegas to bring her wicked wit to Harlem.
The bleached-blond comedian has become a favorite on the stand-up scene for her saucy sense of humor about everything from her time in jail to her sexcapades and traveling ordeals.
Tickets start at $39.50.
Food
“Oyster History & Shucking Class”
Market 57 — 25 11th Ave, New York, N.Y., 10011
Fri. April 26 at 6:00 p.m.
As the height of oyster season comes to a close, may as well shuck some or learn about the mollusks from the Mother Shuckers, who are hosting a special Oyster History & Shucking Class at the James Beard Foundation‘s food hall facing the Hudson River.
Mother Shuckers owner Ben “Moody” Harney will serve as instructor, teaching shucking techniques to attendees who will also have the chance to engage with fellow oyster lovers.
Tickets are $65 per person, includes one glass of bubbly, white, or red wine.
If you have an upcoming weekend event you’d like to submit for consideration in an upcoming roundup, please email: nycevents@nydailynews.com with the details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.
