Friday, April 18
Starting this evening and running weekly into July at the Museum of the Moving Image is “See It Big! Science Fiction,” a curation of some of the finest in science fiction film-making. The program kicks off with "Alien," director Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking 1979 science fiction horror flick. Long referred to as “Jaws in Space,” "Alien" was notable for featuring Sigourney Weaver as one of the first female protagonists in a sci-fi movie. 7 p.m., Museum Of Moving Image, 36-01 35 Ave. (at 37 Street), Astoria, Queens. $12 entry includes admission to the Museum's galleries, which are open until 8 p.m.
Provocative and prolific Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is being featured in a new exhibition opening at Brooklyn Museum today. “Ai Weiwei: According to What?” is showing more than 30 works spanning more than 20 years. It showcases the artist’s career as an artist and activist. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn. $15
Saturday, April 19
Record Store Day was created in 2007 in order to promote brick-and-mortar record stores — many of which struggle to survive in this era of downloadable media culture. Each year Record Store Day has gathered momentum and is used by bands, labels and distributors to showcase exclusive releases and to organize one-off in-store performances. Dozens of stores in New York City participate in the event and for many it's the busiest day of the year. New on the local scene is Rough Trade NY, the hip English retail outlet that recently opened their U.S flagship store in Williamsburg at 64 N. 9th St. After a few hiccups (their live room required additional sound-proofing) Rough Trade NY will feature dozens of bands performing live from 9 a.m. including The Rails, Nothing and Fear of Men. Click here for the full list of participating stores in New York.
What do Bada Bing’s, Pizzaland and the Muffler Man have in common? Fans of "The Sopranos" would have no hesitation answering and might be interested in heading to New Jersey to check these and 40 other locations that have been made famous by the show. The “Sopranos Sites” tour leaves at 10 a.m. from Seventh Avenue at West 36th Street, Midtown, every Saturday. $46.
Sunday, April 20
American architect Frank Lloyd Wright was a pioneer of what he called “organic architecture.” He believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and the environment. Recognized in 1991 by the American Institute of Architects as "the greatest American architect of all time,” he designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 532 works in his 91 years, including his best-known work, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on the Upper East Side. He died in 1959. Showing now at MoMA, “Frank Lloyd Wright and the City: Density vs. Dispersal,” celebrates the recent joint acquisition of Wright’s archive by MoMA and Columbia University and examines Wright’s thinking about the growing American city in the 1920s and 1930s. 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Museum Of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St. Midtown. $25.
