Friday, May 2
The circus is in town — and this one’s as global as the borough in which it’s setting up its tent. The cast of the traveling UniverSoul Circus is stopping in Queens from now through May 18th. The circus features talented performers from all over the world, with a Trinidadian magician, Cuban strongmen, Chinese flying trapeze artists and a Polish acrobatic duo among them. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Roy Wilkins Park (at Merrick Boulevard and Baisley Boulevard), Jamaica, Queens. Tickets start at $16. Children younger than 12 months get in free.
Saturday, May 3
The Lower East Side’s Henry Street Settlement invites you to “Party like it’s 1899 “ at what could be your first block party of the season. Lillian Wald, Henry Street’s founder, would be turning 147 this year and the Settlement invites you to celebrate with a day of music and dancing, kids’ art activities, a birthday cake contest and more. Cakes will be judged by Tara Bench, Ed Litvak, Traven Rice and DNAinfo's own Serena Solomon. To register for the contest, email slarosa@henrystreet.org. The event takes place at 265 Henry Street from noon to 3p.m. Admission is free.
Head up to Midtown East’s Dag Hammerskjold Plaza for the city’s 4th Annual Holi Hai. Holi, originally an ancient Hindu religious festival, honors friendship and the coming of spring. Prepare to get colorful — celebrants will dance to live music while coating themselves and their friends with generous quantities of colorful powder. Indian food and handicrafts will also be available. Admission is free; all ages welcome. Registration is required. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, Midtown East.
For those who’d like a more refined Saturday afternoon, New York Botanical Wine Festival offers another prismatic display without the festive chaos. Enjoy a variety of New York State wines while touring the spring splendors of the Native Plant Garden at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. Wine tastings and workshops will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Azalea garden tours will depart at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30 for adults and $14 for children ages 2-12. Admission is free for members and children under 2.
This is your one chance this month to enjoy Target First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum, featuring free art projects, live music and discounted access to the traveling exhibition Ai Weiwei: According to What? Magnetic North & Tayo Na will start playing hip hop at 5 p.m., Lou Sagar will discuss digital activism at 6 p.m. and a flower arrangement workshop will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Additional events are also scheduled; check here for details.
Sunday, May 4
Today’s your second day to drink in the Spring Wine Festival at the New York Botanical Garden. Or you could head to Snug Harbor, on Staten Island, for “Snug Harbor in Bloom,” a spring festival that offers live dance, a plant sale, and the chance to linger in Snug Harbor’s blossoming gardens. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1000 Richmond Terrace. More information is available here.
