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Best Things To Do In NYC This Weekend

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This weekend you can celebrate your favorite mom (yes, we know Mother's Day was last weekend), try a new beer or three, or attend an African film festival. Read on for details, and rejoice—spring is finally, finally here! By Jessica Allen.

2016-NYAFF
credit: New York African Film Festival

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The New York African Film Festival has three primary goals: to increase opportunities for African cinema in the United States, to develop a non-African audience for African movies, and to promote African culture in all its manifestations. The festival, now in its 23rd year, features Q&As, panel discussions, and, of course, lots and lots of screenings, including full-length features and shorts. Wednesday, May 4, through Monday, May 30, see schedule for details, tickets required.

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Celebrating hops in the city, the third annual Queens Beer Week offers tours of breweries, tasting events, brewing demonstrations, "meet the maker" talks, tap takeovers, and lots, lots more across 70-odd venues. Participants include LIC Beer Project, Rockaway Brewing Co., Bridge and Tunnel Brewing, and Barrier Brewing Co. Sure, it runs for more than a week, but that just means more time to try something—or meet someone—new. Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 22, see schedule for details.

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credit: Columbia University Film Festival

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For 29 years, students in Columbia's prestigious School of the Arts Film Program have screened their stuff to an academic community and public hungry to espy the next generation of Maliks, Kaels, Feys, and Spielbergs. The festival includes readings of screenplays and teleplays, panels, and talks about the state of the industry. Can't decide? Head to the Student Selects program, curated by students in the MFA program. Friday, May 13, through Tuesday, May 17, see schedule for details, tickets required.

PinelandPuppets
credit: Pineland Puppets / Facebook

While we don't usually cover events outside of the five boroughs, this one was too cool to skip. The Steampunk World's Fair offers attendees such events as the Mad Hattress Aerial interactive Tea-Ster class, story-building games, a talk on social media for steampunk creators/authors, Pineland Puppets, and an intro to contact juggling. Contact juggling! Rain or shine. Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 15, see schedule for details, $80 for the whole weekend, tickets required.

Mamapalooza
credit: Mamapalooza

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Sure, Mother's Day was technically last week, but there's no reason you can't celebrate mamas again this weekend (or any weekend or even weekday, frankly.) The annual Mamapalooza Festival recognizes "mothers and the people who love them" with live music from Vered and the Babes, j and the 9s, and others, wellness vendors, art activities, and more. This year's theme is "rock hard and THRIVE," all caps most definitely theirs. Sunday, May 15, 12 to 5 pm, free.

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