Highlights this weekend include a revival of one of “Moonlight” screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney‘s most beloved early works, A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham performing to live jazz music, and the first institutional exhibition of Reverend Joyce McDonald.
Also, there’s free events including performances by Uncle Jumbo, Pamela Z and The Kennedy Administration.
Theater
“The Brothers Size”
The Shed — 545 West 30th St., Manhattan (Hudson Yards)
Through Sept 28. Various showtimes.
The Shed kicked off its new fall season with a bang this year. The 20th anniversary revival of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s modern day fable, “The Brothers Size,” starring André Holland, Alani iLongwe and “Snowfall” star Malcolm Mays still resonates with audiences far and wide. Partly inspired by West African Yoruba culture, the story centers on three Louisiana natives exploring brotherhood, loyalty, freedom and mass incarceration.
In the program note, the Geffen Playhouse artistic director reflects on presenting his show nearly two decades after its premiere: “When I wrote the play, the United States had the highest level of incarceration of any ‘developed’ country in the world, and that’s still the case today.”
The writer behind the Oscar-winning film “Moonlight” and the Tony-winning play “Choir Boy” co-directs the brilliant restaging alongside Bijan Sheibani. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, he crafted a familial triptych of lyrical and mythical works called The Brother/Sister plays to great acclaim.
For this new version of the most frequently staged play in the trilogy, the Bayou-based brothers Ogun and Oshoosi Size and their childhood friend Elegba offer an intimate look at brotherly love — tender and tough, complicated and dangerous — like never before. The emotive performances displayed throughout the 90-minute drama are only enhanced by the choreography of Juel D. Lane and music by the fourth brother, percussionist Munir Zakee.
Tickets start at $79, discounts available.
Music
“Sheila E. In Concert”
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts — 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, The Bronx (Kingsbridge Heights)
Sat. Sept. 27, 8 p.m.
Pop and R&B music aficionados of the 1980s will get a chance to live the “Glamorous Life” when Sheila E brings her multitude of talents to The Bronx as part of the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts’ 45th Anniversary celebration.
The Gramm-winning percussionist and vocalist will be joined by special guests Klymaxx featuring Bernadette Cooper for a night jam-packed with Latin and R&B music.
Tickets start at $35.
Dance
A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham
Rose Theater — 10 Columbus Circle, Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Through Sept. 27, 7 p.m.
One of Lincoln Center’s favorite touring dance companies is returning with three compelling pieces as it approaches its 20-year anniversary. And it’s all set to live jazz music.
Founder Kyle Abraham‘s “2×4” is set to an electrifying experimental classical score by Shelley Washington with instrumentation performed by two baritone saxophonists. Grammy Award-winning, genre-defying musician Robert Glasper composed a reimagining of Max Roach’s “We Insist! Freedom Now Suite” for “The Gettin,’” created in collaboration with visual artist Glenn Ligon and featuring six dancers.
The final dance, a true pièce de résistance, is the 30-minute “If We Were a Love Song” set to Nina Simone’s soul stirring songs performed by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Baby Rose.
Suggested ticket price is $35, with Pay-As-You-Wish option available.
Art
“Ministry: Reverend Joyce McDonald”
The Bronx Museum— 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx (South Bronx)
Through Jan. 4. Various times.
This first institutional exhibition devoted to the work of the Brooklyn-born artist, minister and advocate features more than 75 artworks and a variety of archival materials curated by Kyle Croft.
All assembled to offer deep insight into Reverend Joyce MacDonald’s remarkable journey as a recovering heroin addict who was diagnosed with HIV in 1985, the prolific body of sculptures touches on hardship, loss and devotion with moving testimonies to themes that have shaped the life of the self-described “testimonial artist” life: hope, grace, and serenity.
“In addition to presenting McDonald’s unique vision, Ministry aims to correct the sometimes reductive summaries that foreground her hardships or frame her as an outsider artist,” Croft, who serves as executive director of the Visual AIDS organization. “Joyce McDonald has created and presented her work on her own terms for decades. As we work to rethink and expand cultural narratives of AIDS, this exhibition is particularly meaningful.”
Free.
Family
Uncle Jumbo
David Rubenstein Atrium — 1887 Broadway, Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Sat. Sept. 27, 11 a.m.
The entire family can come out to Uncle Jumbo for a late morning performance by the Grammy-nominated artist organizers said is known for “blending heartfelt lyrics with messages of positivity to inspire young minds to dream big.”
A former member of the Houston-based collective Rosewood Thievz, Uncle Jumbo has a background rooted in zydeco, hip hop and soul music. He plans to showcase songs from his acclaimed children’s music albums “Taste the Sky” and “Garden Groove” in an effort to spread his core message that “we are One Big Family.”
Free.
Outdoors
“Torkwase Dyson: Akua”
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1 – Bridge View Lawn, Brooklyn (Dumbo)
Sat. Sept. 27, 6 p.m.
Pamela Z, known for her expressive form of electronic music, will perform a special free outdoor performance within Public Art Fund’s current installation of “Torkwase Dyson: Akua.”
The large, open pavilion with an immersive multi-channel soundscape allows visitors to enter and experience recorded sounds moving across eight speakers, including layered conversations from Black archives, nature field recordings, and electronic sounds.
The acclaimed composer and performer will use her operatic voice, live electronics and gestural sound instruments for a new work created in direct response to Dyson’s sculpture.
Free.
Free
“The Village Trip presents The Kennedy Administration”
Washington Square Park — Garibaldi Plaza, Manhattan (Greenwich Village)
Sat. Sept. 27, 4 p.m.
Brooklyn-based R&B/Soul outfit The Kennedy Administration is closing out this year’s annual festival celebrating the rich culture, vibrant community, artistic legacy and activist history of Greenwich Village and East Village. The brainchild of British journalist Liz Thomson, the near 10-day long festival features dozens of events highlighting art, poetry, comedy and music at various neighborhood spots and locations.
“The Village Trip’s signature event is an annual free concert that reminds everyone that Greenwich Village is the city’s cauldron of creativity,” Thomson and co-artistic director Cliff Pearson told The Daily News on Wednesday. “It’s an opportunity for all the communities of Lower Manhattan to come together and experience great music outdoors. Each year, we engage a different headline performer who can energize the crowd and get everyone dancing.”
Led by vocalist Kennedy, The Kennedy Administration will headline the afternoon entertainment with their signature soulful, energetic sound, blending jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and pop.
Free.
If you have an upcoming weekend event you’d like to submit for consideration in an upcoming roundup, please email: nycevents@nydailynews.com with the full listing details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.