Highlights this weekend in New York City include the theatrical release of Dawn Porter‘s Luther Vandross documentary and a timely play about a son who turns his father in for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Plus, Cirque Kalabanté brings its deft-defying, Afrocentric wonderment to Queens, and the Day of the Dead is celebrated at a famous cemetery in Brooklyn.
Film
“Luther: Never Too Much”
Stuart Cinema and Cafe — 79 West St., Brooklyn (Greenpoint)
Various times.
Ahead of its CNN premiere early next year, Dawn Porter‘s documentary on Luther Vandross is available on the big screen this weekend.
The film, which won rave reviews at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, chronicles the Grammy-winning singer’s life — from his early years singing at the Apollo Theater to his 2005 death at age 54.
Despite success as a platinum-selling solo artist, the Manhattan native endured many struggles with his health as well as his personal and professional life before a debilitating stroke sidelined him in 2003.
“Never Too Much” offers diehard fans a treasure trove of rare archival footage, exclusive interviews and new revelations about the singer, songwriter and producer.
Tickets are $16 with discounts available for seniors and children. Free coffee, tea and whiskey served at select screenings.
Theater
“Fatherland”
New York City Center Stage II —131 West 55th St., Manhattan (Midtown)
Through Nov. 10. Various times.
Stephen Sachs strikes a chord with his timely new play turns the prickly father-son relationship dynamic on its head.
“Fatherland” is based on a true crime story of an 18-year-old who turned his dad into the FBI for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Public statements, case evidence and official court transcripts were culled to craft the gripping narrative conceived and directed by Sachs.
Following a successful run in Los Angeles last spring, Ron Bottitta, Patrick Keleher, Anna Khaja and Larry Poindexter reprises their roles in the piece based on Guy Reffitt — a MAGA loyalist from North Texas who became the first insurgent convicted for his role in the U.S. Capitol attack — and his brokenhearted, whistleblower son.
Tickets start at $45.
Dance
“Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque”
Colden Auditorium — 153-49 Reeves Ave., Queens (Flushing)
Sun. Nov. 3, 3 p.m.
Cirque Kalabanté is everything you’d imagine when a former Cirque du Soleil performer creates his own circus arts company rooted in his African culture.
Guinean artist Yamoussa Bangoura‘s combination of acrobatics with the sounds of live Afro-Jazz and traditional African percussion will be served up for Afrique en Cirque — described as “a high-energy performance that highlights the resilience and vibrancy of young Africans.”
Tickets are $35.
Music
“Amber Martin & John Cameron Mitchell: Cassette Roulette”
Joe’s Pub — 425 Lafayette St., Manhattan (East Village)
Through Nov. 2. Various times.
The Tony-winning mastermind behind “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” has teamed up with powerhouse cabaret star Amber Martin for the third run of their inventive and improvisational showcase of songs, stories and characters chosen by audience members from the “cassette roulette.”
“Stereophonic” music director Justin Craig serves up his skill alongside a killer band.
Tickets start at $65. (food/drink minimum)
Family
10th Annual Diwali Festival
Flushing Town Hall—137-35 Northern Blvd.Queens (Flushing)
Sat. Nov. 2, 12 noon to 4 p.m.
New York City’s first official observance of Diwali as a public school holiday will be celebrated with cultural performances, a dance party, henna art, Hindi calligraphy and workshops.
Also known as Deepavali and the Hindu “Festival of Lights,” this year’s event will feature workshops such as block printing with Alka Mukerji, rangoli making with Joshua Roychowdhury and Indian cooking demonstrations by Chef Nupur Arora of Queens Curry Kitchen.
London-born DJ Rekha, known for merging Bhangra with global dance beats, will rock the turntables.
Tickets start at $20 for adults, free for all children.
Outdoors
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Old Bethpage Village Restoration—1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage (Long Island)
Through Nov. 3. 6 p.m – 9 p.m.
Halloween may be over but there’s still time to bear witness to the artistic extravagance of more than 7,000 pumpkins hand-carved into unique jack o’lanterns on a 209-acre living history museum with buildings dating back to the 19th century.
A tribute to the Day of the Dead and a Ferris wheel are among the new displays this year.
There’s also intricate gourd sculptures of famous Long Islanders like Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Joel, Joan Jett and Dr. J.
Tickets start at $43 for adult and are $10 for children.
Free
Día de los Muertos Family Celebration
Green-Wood Cemetery—500 25th St. (at 5th Ave.) Brooklyn (South Slope)
Fri. Nov. 1, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
There’s no more appropriate place to celebrate the Day of the Dead than a historic cemetery!
The Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos will be commemorated with a joyful event for families and friends to honor their deceased loved ones during an afternoon filled with crafts, music, dance performances and cuisine.
Highlights this year include performances by Mariachi Huella Mexicana, Folklore Hispano Guadalupano and Cetiliztli Nauhcampa, plus interactive craft stations for paper marigold-making, candle decorating, face painting and ofrendas (a homemade altar) for participants’ late humans and pets.
Free but registration is recommended.
If you have an upcoming weekend event you’d like to submit for consideration in an upcoming roundup, please email: [email protected] with the details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.
