EAT
Great American Foodie Fest The biggest food-truck carnival in town has a new name and a new location this year at the Rio, but you can still expect to fill up on favorites like White Castle, Truck U Barbeque and funnel cakes, along with out-of-town treasures like Jogasaki Sushi Burrito. April 30-May 3, times vary, $8 single day; $11 multi-day; $75 VIP, greatamericanfoodiefest.com.
HEAR
Mastodon & Clutch What’s better than one stoner-metal behemoth headlining the House of Blues? Two, with Atlanta’s Mastodon and Maryland’s Clutch teaming up for this stop on The Missing Link tour. Bonus: Swedish badasses Graveyard open the show. May 1, 6 p.m., $40.
Mariachi El Bronx Consider this your Quatro de Mayo option. Which is to say a venue in another city offered Mariachi El Bronx—the Latin-influenced side project of LA punk/rawk act The Bronx—more to play the actual holiday. It’s still a good excuse to witness MEB’s vigorous, genuine take on traditional Mexican folk music. With Tijuana Panthers, Pounded by the Surf. May 4, 8 p.m., $22, Brooklyn Bowl.
SEE
Mindscape Adam Caldwell’s evocative paintings—abstraction meets classical figurative style—come to Brett Wesley Gallery, combining social issues, pop culture, gender and identity in extraordinary works. Through April 30.
GO
Wacky World of Sports While coordination and good health still factor into these goofy variations on team-sport classics—including mud volleyball and human versions of foosball and derby races—the only requirements that truly matter are that participants have a sense of humor and be at least 18 (though anyone can watch for free). May 2, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., $100+ per team, Sunset Park.
Smokin' in Mesquite BBQ Championship Roll out into the desert for Casablanca Resort’s seventh annual barbecue fest, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. More than 20 teams will throw their best chicken, ribs, pork and brisket into the fire, and you get to help pick the People’s Choice award. May 2 & 3, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., mesquitebbqchampionship.com.
