In Carroll Gardens, Cathouse Proper celebrates its fifth anniversary with “FUNeral in Cathouse Proper: Life to Art to Life” running through June 2. The name is appropriate as the gallery originated in 2013 in an East Williamsburg funeral parlor. Founding director David Dixon moved the gallery to its current locale in 2016. The exhibition includes two massive plaster fresco paintings interpretations of the Cathouse logo, which includes “harvestings” or work cut from gallery walls. 524 Court Street. Open 12-6pm, Friday-Sunday.
In Chelsea’s The Kitchen, the long-running nonprofit hosts the indie-rock icon Stephen Malkmus. It’s an intriguing place well worth the ride to the city. “Groove Denied” is Malkmus’ latest album which makes a glorious use of software sequencers and distorters without losing lyrical complexity. It’s a more lo-fi turn away from Pavement, the band Malkmus fronted through the ‘90s. Purists will cringe. Music lovers will rejoice. 512 West 19th Street. Shows at 7:30 and 10pm. GA is $35.
NARS Foundation launches two new exhibitions for May. “Chromatic Reveries” features four genre-defying artists hailing from “foreign” countries: Audrée Anid, Nicholas Cueva, Vincent Dermody, and Darryl Westly. Curated by Michael Fleming, Olivia Swider, and Rachel Tretter, “Chromatic Reveries” plays and complicates surfaces to imbricated memory. The other exhibition, “Asymmetry,” features the Korean-American artist Tai Hwa Goh’s explorations into the tensions between opposites. 201 46th St. Open 10am-6pm, Monday-Friday.
Peninsula Art Space closes its “Viel Feind, viel Ehr” exhibition today. Our reporter Christien Shangraw liked reviewing it last month, concluding, “When you get there, remember to look up. You’ll see, as I did at the show’s opening, two bright parrots (of latex on polyurethane resin and epoxy with steel hardware), one purplish and one lemonish, overseeing the gallery from their perches near the ceiling. They’re by Jerry Blackman.” 352 Van Brunt St. Open 12-7pm, Saturday and Sunday.
And speaking of Peninsula Art Space, the gallery welcomes the artist Anton Zolotov for a two-month run. “Playing with Fire” looks at Kurt Cobain’s influence on isolation and teenage age and yes, it’s contagious. 352 Van Brunt St. Open 12-7pm, Saturday and Sunday.
The equally loved and loathed Frieze Art Fair ends after a three-day romp around Randall’s Island.
As part of New York Opera Fest, Regina Opera Company in Sunset Park stages several weekend performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s classic “Il Trovartore” (“The Troubador”). Set during a civil war between territories in 15th century Spain, it’s the story of war, love, and revenge
Conducted by Gregory Ortega and staged by Linda Lehr, this performance is in Italian with English supertitles. May 6, the company offers a free “sneak peek” at 730pm. GA for other performances is $25 and $5 for teens.
25 years after the Rwandan genocide, MoCADA (Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts) presents “Rwanda Retold,” a reckoning with the genocide as well as a glimpse into modern Rwanda. Curated by the artist collective Envision Rwanda, this exhibition features emerging artists from Rwanda, including Iddy Basengo, Seleman, Fabrice Girihirwe, Bruno Iradukunda, Crista Uwase, Paul Mugisha, Franck Mabano, Angelo Kwizera, Karan Wiseman, Celine Uwineza, and Remy Iradukunda. The exhibition ends May 22. Artery Galleries at 80 Hanson Place. See website for various hours.
Ground Floor kicks off Earth Day with a solo show by Angelica Bergamini. “From the City to the Cosmos” creates objects entirely with recycled paper. 10% of proceeds for unframed works will go to 350.org, a global warming fighting organization that supports renewable energy. 343 5th St. Reception May 17, 5-9pm.
Starting May 10, Pioneer Works hosts a weekend summit on art and cryptocurrency. The “Ethereal Summit” will discuss the ethics, functions, and future applications of blockchain. 159 Pioneer St. GA starts at $185.
Ortega y Gasset Projects presents a two-person show by Norm Paris and Mark Shetabi. “Ghosts” looks at spectral phenomena through large-scale drawings and sculptures. Lauren Whearty curated. 363 3rd Ave. Opening reception May 11 6-9pm.
Today, Brooklyn Waterfront Artist Coalition (BWAC) launches its first exhibition of the year with “Spring! Coiled & Ready!” The show features work of art made through recycled materials. The opening reception is May 18, 1-6pm. BWAC also features an affordable art pop-up show. 499 Van Brunt St. Open weekends 1-6pm.
The Waterfront Barge and Museum launches its first theater production of the season with “I Migration,” an original play by the theater company Falconworks. 290 Conover St. GA is $25.
The innovative sound artist Holly Herndon performs at Pioneer Works. 159 Pioneer St. GA is $25.
FiveMyles celebrates 20 years with a benefit exhibition. Tickets to the benefit event include one piece of art donated to the gallery from over 80 artists, including Carol Salmonson and A.V. Ryan. Reception April 27, 6-8pm.
It’s the last day to see the plein air artist Susan Greenstein at 440 Gallery. Her show, “In a New Light,” features new works on paper from travels around Italy, Mexico, and (of course) New York. 440 6th Ave. Open Thursday-Friday 4-7pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am-7pm.
May 31 – June 1
Red Hook Fest this year plans on being the biggest ever. Now in its 26th year, this year’s dance groups include The Dance Cartel, Ballet Hispánico, Its Showtime, and Batalá. In line with previous years, Red Hook residents can take advantage of free barbecue, scavenger hunts, readings, and kayaking around Louis Valentino Park and Pier. The major cookout is on May 31. Most performances are on June 1. Ferris St & Coffey St.
