THIS WEEKEND: There's More Going On Than All Points West

The Brooklyn-based theatre company, Woodshed Collective, presents the premiere of Caridad Svich’s Twelve Ophelias, directed by Teddy Bergman, as a free event at McCarren Park Pool.
Twelve Ophelias centers on Hamlet’s Ophelia coming back to life, out of the water, to try to overcome her history and forge a new destiny for herself. She finds herself in an Appalachian Elsinore, Denmark by way of Deliverance — where Gertrude runs a brothel, Hamlet and Horatio slum it, and nothing is what it seems. In this squarely American and gritty interpretation of the Hamlet myth, Twelve Ophelias asks how it is possible to break old cycles and start afresh when the past so completely permeates your life. Twelve Ophelias features a live and local roots/bluegrass band, The Jones Street Boys, performing new original music.

Cost: Free but tickets can be reserved here. Time: 8pm
more information at mccarrenpark.com

The Yard’s rapidly becoming the go-to venue for summer ragers — this afternoon, it plays host to a grip of live bands and DJs in celebration of BK’s neon splendor. Get your bounce on with Venezuelan booty-ravers Todosantos, check the onstage gymnastics of Purple Crush, gawk at Aussie duo Lismore’s blond-bombshell frontwoman and brooding beatsmith, and thrash to Plant Music’s digital-era rockers the Glass. Selectors Treasure Fingers, Cobra Krames, and Finger on the Pulse provide a few more opportunities to put your back into it. With giveaways from Ableton, Miller, and Local Tourist and a bike-wash benefit for the raucous DIY Showpaper kids, this tech-o-thon makes for a perfect Saturday on the Gowanus Canal.

Time: noon–9pm, Price: $15 / $10 advance
more information at the http://brooklynemf.com/.

While it’s unusual for a band to set up an impromptu performance in Bryant Park in the midst of the weekday lunch rush, alt-folk threesome Langhorne Slim have a history of popping up in unexpected places. The bluesy, freewheeling band from Brooklyn recently made appearances on NPR and Letterman in support of its new self-titled album on Kemado. Some of Langhorne’s lovelorn, banjo-laced melodies celebrate infatuation’s all-consuming effects, while others sardonically confront life’s rocky road. Whatever the mood, each song is arranged expertly while maintaining the foot-stompin’ delivery of a hoedown on Ma and Pa’s front porch. Sunday’s Pool Party hootenanny also features the Felice Brothers, and likeminded country rockers Deer Tick.

Time: 2–8pm, Price: FREE
more information at mccarrenpark.com