A heatwave? For spring? Groundbreaking.
Temperatures hit the low 90s this week, with the National Weather Service issuing a heat advisory on Tuesday and Wednesday. Memorial Day weekend is expected to be rainy with chilly spring temps. If your beach and picnic plans get rained out, never fear — BKLYN LIVE has got you covered!
This weekend, there are tons of rainy day activities to indulge in before summer weather is here to stay. Visit a new gallery exhibition, pop into a film screening or visit the library and read a new book from a Brooklyn author. The weather may be unpredictable, but there’s always something to do in the borough.
—Mandie-Beth Chau
Do you have an upcoming event in Brooklyn? Email [email protected] to have your event highlighted in BKLYN LIVE.
Arts and culture news:
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that for the first time, all three of the city’s library systems will have baseline funding locked into the city budget. Learn what this big change means for libraries.
The Corleone crime family makes a comeback in a new “Godfather” book released next year by Random House, this time from a woman’s perspective.
Who invented face paint? A Bay Ridge playwright tells his family’s story of invention and fun in a new play, “Snazzy.”
Events:
The 33rd annual New York African Film Festival will take place alongside BAM’s DanceAfrica from May 22 through May 28 with a special screening of “Mississippi Masala,” a film by Mayor Mamdani’s mother, Mira Nair.
130 films will be screened at the 29th annual Brooklyn Film Festival, which will take place at locations in Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Downtown Brooklyn. See the full lineup and get tickets here.
The fourth annual Polacon takes place next weekend, May 28 through May 31, with four days of workshops, demonstrations, photo walks intentionally designed for analog fanatics.
651 Arts revives its “Song Salons” this month, with performances from African diasporic artists on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater offers a free community workshop on Saturday, May 30.
Jimmy Tucker, a Manhattan-based artist with disabilities, debuts his first solo exhibition at Summertime Gallery in Williamsburg. Inspired by 90s cartoons, “Delores Nita Felicia” is on view through June 13.
It’s never too early to plan your Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks viewing.
Photo: BAM
In March, Tamara McCaw was named the new president of BAM after serving as interim president since June 2025. Seasoned in the nonprofit arts and culture sector, the BAM board voted McCaw into her new role unanimously.
“It’s great to know that the board is excited and backs me, but I think it’s also like, I’m known. I’ve worked at BAM for 17 years. I was the fourth or fifth employee at The Shed. I build things,” McCaw said. “Since the mid-90s, I have been deeply, madly in love with BAM and believe in its mission, the power of art and always — this is probably most important — the extraordinary potential of BAM.”
McCaw’s leadership skills are rooted in her passion for community-building. At The Shed, McCaw said shaping its future based on its history led to engaging its current community, leading to groundbreaking programming and institutional success. McCaw also credited her work in community organizations like the Fulton Area Business Alliance, business improvement districts and community boards.
McCaw spoke with the Brooklyn Eagle about her community-focused vision for BAM, the organization’s resilience and its 2026 BAM Ball. Read all about it!
At Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a site-specific exhibition, “Ancestral Ecologies,” is on view from Saturday, May 23, through October, along with a behind-the-scenes exhibition running through the summer at BBG’s Conservatory Gallery.
As part of BBG’s inaugural Heidi Nitze Art and Environment Fellowship, artist Olalekan Jeyifous and environmental art and architecture practice AD–WO explore a variety of perspectives on nature, ecology and stewardship. Sculptures are strategically placed throughout the park, with each sculpture reflecting an aspect of BBG’s microecosystems.
Photo: Moira Weinstein
Craig Thomas, co-creator of the Emmy-winning television series “How I Met Your Mother,” took to The BookMarke Shoppe in Bay Ridge on Thursday, May 7, to sign copies of his book, “That’s Not How it Happened.”
Thomas’s debut novel brings together his notorious sense of humor while exploring the complex perspective of a family of mixed abilities. The book is inspired by the author’s personal experiences with his son, Elliot, who was diagnosed with Jacobsen Syndrome. Thomas uses his platform to fund research and raise awareness for the disability.
At the signing, Thomas met fans, advocated for the disabled community and spoke about the importance of publishing his novel now. Read more about how Thomas’s experiences shaped his novel.
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This newsletter is written by Mandie-Beth Chau. Email [email protected] with any questions or comments.