Contemporary art lovers, it’s time to get in gear as Frieze New York is ushering in a fun-filled weekend of art activities. When you aren’t out at Randall’s Island taking in the fair’s expansive selection, perhaps you’d be up for checking out some of these alternative art offerings.

FAIRS

Moniker International Art Fair
This London-born art fair makes its New York debut. Targeted towards lovers of contemporary urban art, the fair features 27 exhibitors from around the globe. Among the artists you’ll encounter are Skewville, Icy and Sot, ASVP, and Jose Miguel Mendez, and galleries in attendance include Spoke Art, Superchief Gallery, Vertical Gallery, and Vinyl on Vinyl. Be sure to enter INSA’s immersive ‘Temporal Infinity’, a 15-foot mechanical moving zoetrope, and stop by Egle Zvirblyte’s carnival-themed bar for a Widow Jane Julep or Partida Margarita. Unlike other fairs, the atmosphere is festive and fun. Also, in conjunction with the fair, Princess Nokia is doing a special two-night performance at Elsewhere.
Saturday, May 5, 12pm-8pm, and Sunday, May 6, 12pm-6pm
Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse, 73 West Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222
$15 one-day pass

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
Four is a charm for 1-54, the transnational fair that showcases contemporary art from diverse African perspectives. For 2018, 21 galleries from 7 countries present the work of over 45 artists operating in a variety of media. The fair also plays host to the 1-54 FORUM, a series of conversations and performances that this year is curated by Omar Berrada. Among this year’s participants are musician Hatim Belyamani, artist Phoebe Boswell, and writer Emmanuel Iduma. Also for 2018, visitors can take part in a range of encounters with exhibiting artists. These include intimate conversations with the likes of Conrad Botes, SPOEK 1, and Kyle Meyer.
Saturday 5 May, 12pm-8pm, Sunday 6 May, 12pm-6pm
Pioneer Works, 159 Pioneer Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
$20

Cultural Traffic
Stop by Hester Street Fair for Cultural Traffic’s New York City edition. The print publishing art fair features independent and experimental publishers, artists and dealers of vintage books, ephemera and pop culture as well as DJs, live readings, treats, and drinks. Expect to browse over 50 exhibitors including 8-Ball, Boo-Hooray, Bushwick Print Lab, NADA, Kill Your Idols, and more.
Sunday, May 6, 11am-8pm
Hester Street Fair, 25 Essex St, New York, NY
Free

******************************

FESTIVALS

Jane’s Walk NYC
Get out and explore the city this weekend at Municipal Art Society of New York’s Jane’s Walk NYC. This festival, now in its eighth year, serves up over 200 free, citizen-led walking tours inspired by Jane Jacobs. Among tours to go on include Secret Gems of Brooklyn Heights, David Bowie’s New York, and Deco Delights in Washington Heights.
Various locations
Through Sunday, May 6
Free

******************************

FILM

Sara Driver’s ‘Boom for Real’: The Annotated Edition
This two-part film series celebrates the release of Sara Driver’s new Basquiat documentary Boom for Real. The first part of series, which is underway this weekend, features films about or involving Basquiat. Part 2 of the series, which kicks off May 17, includes guest-selected films from various participants in Boom for Real. For additional information about this series visit the Anthology Film Archives’ website.
Through May 29
Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10003
$11

******************************

ART EXHIBITS

People
Jeffrey Deitch piggybacks on the Frieze Week fray with a exhibition of figurative sculpture. Featuring the work of 29 artists, including Pawel Althamer, Tony Matelli, Vanessa Beecroft, Nick Cave, John Ahearn, and Narcissister, this show presents a diversity of styles and imagery. The exhibit is inspired by Mike Kelley’s The Uncanny (1993) and Paul McCarthy and Mike Kelley’s “Heidi House” (1992). A new configuration of the latter show will be on view in conjunction with People at Deitch’s 76 Grand Street location.
Opening Saturday, May 5, 6-8pm (and on view through June 30, 2018)
Deitch Projects, 18 Wooster Street, New York, NY
Free

RAMMΣLLZΣΣ: Racing for Thunder
As part of Red Bull Music Festival New York, Red Bull Arts New York is presenting the largest survey to date of the late great artist-prophet RAMMΣLLZΣΣ.
Through August 26, 2018, 12pm-7pm
Red Bull Arts New York, 220 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
Free

Arthur Jafa – Book Launch & Conversation
To coincide with the opening of Arthur Jafa’s Air Above Mountains, Unknown Pleasures, Gavin Brown’s Enterprise’s is hosting a book launch and conversation with Jafa, Tina Campt, Greg Tate, Osk, Hans Ulrich Obrist and Yana Peel.
Saturday, May 5 at 3pm
Gavin Brown’s Enterprise, 439 West 127th Street, New York, NY 10027
Free

One Hand Clapping
This latest group exhibition at the Guggenheim features newly commissioned works by Cao Fei, Duan Jianyu, Lin Yilin, Wong Ping, and Samson Young. For this show, they were asked to explore our changing relationship with the future. The works they have come up with are in a variety of mediums from virtual reality to painting.
Through October 21, 2018
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY

******************************

ART PARTIES

Night at the Museum: Springtober Fest
MoMA PS1 stays open late to flaunt their spring/summer shows featuring works by Fernando Palma Rodríguez, Zhang Huan and Li Binyuan, Gauri Gill and Julia Phillips. This evening event plays host to a beer garden and dj sets by DJ Black Helmet (aka Azikiwe Mohammed), and DJ SHRAF.
Saturday, May 5, 8pm-11:55pm
MoMA PS1, 2-25 Jackson Ave, Queens, NY 11101
$15, $10 for MoMA members

Michael Alan: Metamorphosis

Michael Alan, who self-describes as Egon Schiele on acid, is up to another one of his infamous living installation parties. The event runs 7 hours, visitors are welcome to come and go as they please.
Saturday, May 5, 7pm-2am
Johnson Avenue & Stewart Ave / Jefferson stop L line (location given to ticket holders)
$20

******************************

POP-UP STORE

Nevermore Pop-Up
Chicago-based artist Hebru Brantley has opened his first-ever New York City pop-up store in Soho. Browse vinyl figures, limited edition prints, zines, sticker packs, clothing, and pins inspired by his iconic characters.
Through, Sunday, May 6, 12pm-8pm
Nevermore, 393 Broadway, New York, NY 10013