Dance to the Jazz Age, a witchy party, Big Apple Barbecue and more things to do in NYC

POP CULTURE

One Crazy Summer Video Dance Party
June 10, 11 p.m.
Littlefield, 622 Degraw St., Brooklyn
$5

The summer of 1986 changed the pop culture lexicon with movies like “Top Gun,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Labyrinth” and so many others that Music Video Time Machine decided to throw a video dance party to celebrate them all. Dance to the best of ‘80s music videos and movie trailers, and come dressed as your favorite character for the In-Character Lip Sync Challenge.

BOOKS

“What Is A Witch” Book Party
June 10, 7:30-11 p.m.
Catland Books,987 Flushing Ave., Brooklyn
$28

Haunting and lyrical, “What Is A Witch” isn’t your usual comic book—so you can’t expect a typical book launch party. Especially not when the Obscura Society is hosting the event, in partnership with Catland Books, to celebrating the release of the latest work by illustrator Pam Grossman (“Phantamaphile”). Expect witchy spiked punches, an enchanting harpist, tarot card readers and sensuous dances from the Desert Sin Dance Theater Co. Grossman will also be in attendance to talk about how her manuscript warns of the many guises of witches but also illuminates the inherent power of the feminine mystique.

MUSIC

Jazz Age Lawn Party
June 11-12, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Colonels Row,Governors Island
$55-$235

You know summer’s officially in full swing when the Jazz Age Lawn Party returns to Governors Island. This Saturday and Sunday, toss on your best 1920s-inspired outfit and make a day of listening to Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra, aping routines by Roddy Caravella and The Canarsie Warblers and enjoying gorgeous views of Manhattan. For refreshments, there are food trucks onsite and curated cocktails featuring St-Germain. There are also vendors, vintage portraits, a motorcar show and more.

FOOD

Big Apple Barbecue Block Party
June 11-12, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Madison Square Park
Free-$275

Pitmasters from Texas, Missouri, Tennessee and beyond will open shop in the heart of Manhattan for another weekend barbecue tour of the country. The event, a benefit for the Madison Square Park Conservancy, will also have special drinks and desserts (fried pie, anyone?) Entry is free, and each heaping plate costs $10, cash or credit. Or spring for a fastpass ($125), which gets you and a +1 priority access; VIPs ($275) get access to an open bar. Both passes include a $100 food and drink credit.

DRINKS

The Cucumber Festival of Wonder
June 11-12, 4-10 p.m.
Pier 97, Hudson River Park at 55th Street
Free with RSVP, must be 21+

If gin is your thing, lock down your two-hour visit to the Cucumber Festival of Wonder. Hendrick’s brings its steampunk-inspired aesthetic to Pier 97 for “a cucumber-inspired cavalcade” with events like carnival-inspired attractions, a penny farthing cycling concourse, cocktails made in roving machines and paired bites made by chef Harold Dieterle — and, of course, Hendrick’s gin cocktails.

ARTS

Makers Market
June 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Metropolitan Pavilion,123 W. 18th St. 2nd Floor
Free

What’s the future of jewelry making, interior design, graphic media? Ask graduates from the School of Visual Arts, who will soon be innovating and driving these arts industries. That’s not figurative, either—you can actually ask them, and check out some of the creative pieces they’ve conceived and debuted commercially, at the Makers Market. Part showroom, part bazaar, the Makers Market brings together over 50 vendors at the Metropolitan Pavilion this Saturday—and it’s free to come check it out and shop.

FESTIVAL

OutdoorFest
June 11-19
Multiple locations
Free-$65

OutdoorFest brings together 40 partners for 10 days of over 80 activities that get you out of your apartment to enjoy NYC from a new perspective. That includes everything from urban mountain biking and oyster restoration. This weekend features a group campout on Staten Island (with live music, survival training, yoga classes, stargazing and campfire games). Plenty of events are free, and there’s something for every experience level in all five boroughs. It closes with a film fest and party on June 19.

LUAU

Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge
June 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Hudson River Park’s Pier 26
Free

This Saturday is gearing up to be one of those perfect-weather days, and you can spend it along the Hudson River watching the Hawaiian Airlines Liberty Challenge. Now in its 20th year, this event involves 550 athletes racing a 15-mile outrigger course between the World Trade Center area and the Statue of Liberty. While spectating from Hudson River Park’s Pier 26, you’ll enjoy traditional Polynesian music and dance performances, plus food trucks and a beer garden. A Hawaiian luau kicks off just before

BOOKS

“Homegoing” author appearances
June 13, 7:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Public Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn
Free
June 14, 7 p.m.
Barnes and Noble, 2289 Broadway, Manhattan
Free

Spanning seas and generations, “Homegoing” sheds light on the history of colonization in Africa and what it left in its wake. The author of this summer’s buzzy book, Yaa Gyasi, will be in conversation first with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith at the Brooklyn Public Library and then with her editor Jordan Pavlin at Barnes & Noble, with signings afterward.

FOOD

Taste of Bushwick
June 14, 6-9:30 p.m.
Boar’s Head Warehouse,24 Rock St. at Bogart St.
$50, thebushwickstarr.org

Get a great overview of the incredible things taking place on Bushwick’s culinary scene at the third annual Taste of Bushwick, which doubles as a cultural touchstone for the local food community and a fundraiser for nonprofit theater the Bushwick Starr. Participants include Faro, BK JANI, Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos, Brooklyn Whiskers and more.

COMEDY

Bad Date Theater
June 15, 7:30 p.m.
The Underground,123 E. 24th St.
$5, www.thepit-nyc.com

We’ve all been there, but one brave comedy troupe is willing to revisit some of their worst dates — and some universal bad date tropes — and take them just one step further to show you how bad a date can actually go. Part storytelling, part improv, Bad Date Theater is your $5 therapy session. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll ultimately realize that your single shenanigans haven’t been so awful after all — so maybe it’s time to wade back into the dating pool. Or at least reinstall Tinder.

MEDITATION

Sex & Meditation, Sake & Chocolate
June 15, 7 p.m.
210 Lafayette St.,Penthouse 2B
$70, www.thepath.com

You don’t need to be a member of The Path to participate in their June Social, but it’s the perfect time to check out an event. In addition to guided meditation on a stunning rooftop on SoHo, there will be a talk by Ziva Meditation’s Emily Fletcher on how the practice can arouse our bodies and improve our sex lives. Chef Ysanne Spevack will serve raw chocolate and premium sake, both of which have aphrodisiac benefits. Guests will have the opportunity to network and socialize as the sun sets over Manhattan.

PROTEST

F*ck Rape Culture
June 15, 7-10 p.m.
Holyrad Studio,35 Meadow St. #104, Brooklyn
Free, www.holyradstudio.com

At this free social justice party, guests will write letters in favor of unseating Judge Aaron Persky, the man who gave convicted rapist Brock Turner just six months in jail for assaulting the woman whose court testimony went viral on Buzzfeed last week. Stamped envelopes will be provided, plus music and booze (yes, you must be 21).

MUSIC

Elizabeth Cook
June 15, 7:30 p.m.
Joe’s Pub,425 Lafayette St.
$20, www.joespub.com

Ahead of her album release on June 17, singer-songwriter Elizabeth Cook visits Joe’s Pub with a preview of her latest songs, along with old favorites including hits from her most recent 2010 album, “Welder.” A Grand Ole Opry constant, Cook’s performed at the storied venue more than 400 times. Joe’s Pub may not be quite as historic, but it does give New Yorkers an intimate look at new works from this spitfire, and she’s returning with more dates in June once she drops the highly anticipated “Exodus of Venus.”