5 things to do this weekend, including the August Moon Festival and a drag exhibit

A number of the events taking place this weekend ask us to reflect and think about who we are as humans. From an exhibit spotlighting the artistry of drag performers to a production about the experience of social discomfort and how it affects the ways we grow into ourselves, these happenings encourage us to ponder our identities. Find more opportunities for exploration below.

Artisans Asylum is presenting a two-person exhibit at Gallery A2 in Boston that celebrates drag artists Throb Zombie and Rusty Hammer, on view through Oct. 12. Attendees will see 10 original drag costumes and a collection of “400 pieces of ephemera,” according to a press release, from wigs, to prosthetics and costume sketches, watercolor designs, and other behind-the-scenes shots from past shows. During this opening reception, the artists will headline a dynamic drag performance, with their signature styles: Throb Zombie emphasizes “monster drag” with a dark aesthetic, while Rusty Hammer embodies a “classic 20th-century leading man.” The opening reception is free. Tickets for the performance following the reception are $22.07, which includes a service fee.

Visit Riverside Theatre Works in Hyde Park to see a performance of Human Movement Project’s “Contradictions + Casual Self Loathing.” The production explores the themes of shame and discomfort as experienced in the lives of women, trans women, and nonbinary individuals. Narratives told through the show come from stories shared in interviews, as well as from community members and the performers themselves. In this dance and theater-based piece, 10 vintage projectors and materials like bubble wrap and Saran wrap are woven as symbols into the work. Tickets start at $27.

Co-creators Yo-EL Cassell and Mark Stanley have produced a solo work starring Cassell called “HumanINmotion,” a journey through movement and light. Held at Arrow Street Arts in Harvard Square, this performance examines the way that humans are constantly active and use the body as a way of conveying expression, memories and feelings. It features different art forms, including clowning, dance and character embodiment, with no dialogue. Music from a variety of sources, including Duke Ellington, Charlie Chaplin, Tito Puente and Leonard Bernstein, provides a sonic backdrop. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door on the day of the performance.

Now in its 23rd year, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival founders Floyd Rance and Stephanie Tavares-Rance are promising another bold lineup, with shorts like “The Last Dance” about what an East London bar, a “cornerstone of Caribbean life,” meant to community members (screening on Friday). On Saturday, catch “Ayanna Pressley: She Dared to Dream,” a documentary about the challenging path to success that the Massachusetts political leader faced. You’ll also have a chance to watch “Jean & I,” about a 10-year-old survivor of Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, as well as “Patrick Kelly: The American in Paris,” which pays tribute to a gifted Black fashion designer. In the past, the festival has received noteworthy appearances from the Obamas, Cory Booker, Spike Lee, Jennifer Hudson, and others. Michelle Obama returns with a live taping of her podcast “IMO,” hosted with her brother Craig Robinson on Saturday. Ticket prices for individual events vary. [Check out our summer arts guide for more film festival recommendations.]

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The August Moon Festival, also known as the Harvest Festival, is a joyful time in Chinese culture. Revelers give thanks for good crops, gather with friends and loved ones, and offer each other moon cakes. The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England honors this holiday with day-long festivities in the heart of Boston’s Chinatown. There will be lion dancing, Chinese opera, vendors selling food and gifts, and plenty of entertainment. Kids will love the free games, popcorn and cotton candy, while others may enjoy the folk dancing, Chinese calligraphy, martial arts performances and traditional Chinese music. The gathering will take place on Harrison Avenue and Beach, Tyler and Hudson streets, and the Rose Kennedy Greenway around the Auntie Kay and Uncle Frank Chin Park area.