Weekend Arts Planner: The New York Jewish Film Festival in full swing and globalFEST at Lincoln Center

There are always so many arts events happening in New York City, it's impossible to take it all in. But WNYC's Culture and Arts Editor, Steve Smith is always game for another try. He joins Weekend Edition host David Furst for a preview of some noteworthy upcoming events.

1. The New York Jewish Film Festival

The New York Jewish Film Festival is underway at Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater, jointly presented by the Jewish Museum and Film at Lincoln Center. As always, the festival covers a broad range of topics and concerns, with a special emphasis on films relating to Ukraine. But there's another film that stands out in this year's slate: "This is National Wake."

The film tells the amazing story of the South African band, National Wake, a group of young Jewish and Black musicians who dared to start a band against the rupture and racism of South Africa's apartheid regime. "This is National Wake" is the feature-length directorial debut of journalist Mirissa Neff, and it's filled with Super 8 films of performances, rehearsals and everyday life under apartheid, among a rebellious band whose members dared to resist. It's screening Saturday night, Jan. 14, at 9:15. The festival continues through January 23.

2. globalFEST

On Sunday, Jan. 15, globalFEST returns for its 20th anniversary -- and this year's event is emblematic of how this once grassroots initiative has grown into one of the music world's premier showcases for sounds from around the planet. This event used to take place on three stages inside Webster Hall -- now, this year, it's taking over Lincoln Center's beautifully refurbished David Geffen Hall, which also offers three spaces for a continuous flow of music.

This year's lineup is characteristically diverse and appealing. Dengue Fever is a California band inspired by the Cambodian pop sounds that nearly disappeared when the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia during the late '70s. Other performers include the New York Arabic Orchestra, flamenco singer Maria José Llergo, Tamasheq desert-blues group Tamikrest, and Mexican garage punk band Son Rompe Pera. You can see a complete line-up at globalFEST.

3. MLK - Blueprint for the Culture

There are celebrations and commemorations all over town connected with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but we definitely want to tell everyone about a program WNYC is presenting with the Apollo Theater. This 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration is called "MLK–Blueprint for the Culture," and it's happening Sunday, Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. Notes from America host Kai Wright hosts the first hour, featuring conversation with activist Chelsea Miller. Then WQXR's Terrance McKnight hosts the second half of the program, featuring music with the Harlem Chamber Players and other guests. The show is SOLD OUT, but you can watch it streaming LIVE at 3 o'clock tomorrow on WNYC.