Experience the rich flavors and deep rhythms of Jamaica and celebrate the island's 50th year of independence at the 2nd annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival in Queens. The day-long, family friendly festival will highlight the spicy jerk seasonings from a variety of NYC-based eateries, like Miss Lily's and Spur Tree, with some special guest chefs also arriving from out of town. Succulent jerk pork and chicken from Boston Jerk will satisfy the carnivores and vegetarians can enjoy the jerk tofu and jerk corn in addition to other Caribbean food options.
Besides the culinary demonstrations, singing sensation Tarrus Riley will present his reggae stylings alongside other Jamaican artists, and local gospel groups will also perform a lively set. Watch as Domino masters compete for the tile title or bust a gut with comedians Ity & Fancy Cat. Festival gates open Sunday at 12 p.m. and close at 8 p.m., giving you plenty of time to celebrate this vibrant culture. Purchase your $25 ticket in advance via the festival's webpage (day of tickets go for $35) and enjoy a free copy of Reggae Gold 2012.
Also this weekend:
There's a new 35mm print of Annie Hall showing at Film Forum. Marvel at what New York City was like in Woody Allen's classic bittersweet 1977 film while secretly pondering what "Kafkaesque" sex is like.
Space, the final frontier...Watch J.J. Abrams take on the origin of Kirk and Spock with a screening of his Star Trek aboard the Intrepid on Friday night. The film begins at 7:30 p.m. on the flight deck, giving you plenty of time to explore the newly-installed Space Shuttle Enterprise (see what they did there?) before the show.
Cher Horowitz will remain 16 forever, but the movie (Clueless) that made her a legend is already turning 17. Here's the 411 on the celebration: the Bellhouse in Brooklyn is hosting a Party like it's 1999: Clueless in July Edition this Saturday, July 21, and it's way free. The party starts at 10 p.m. and will feature the movie's ragin' soundtrack among other '90s selections. Best of all, if you're a virgin who can't drive, the venue is only a few blocks from the 4th and 9th street F stop.
Join the String Orchestra of Brooklyn and the Fort Green Park Conservancy for the 3rd annual free outdoor concert at monument plaza in Ft. Greene Park on Saturday at 6 p.m. Students and faculty from the Noel Pointer School of Music in Bed-Stuy will preform Noel Pointer’s Roots Suite and will be followed by the main performance of Fela Sowande's African Suite for Strings and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.
Newsletter contributions by Nell Casey, Carrie Dennis and Jen Chung.
