Free classes! A Circus and a Paella Block Party! 6 Author Readings! 4 Nature Walks!
Plus: Fashion Week, 2 Runs and a Bike Tour!
Welcome back to the best Park Slope events newsletter. After a quiet Labor Day things are happening everywhere again! Links to sources are in (parentheses) after each event.
Get Involved
🎒🎒🎒Inspirational NY1 Piece on Park Slope’s Backpack Drive Hero: Pat Kiernan profiles Soni Sangha, who captained a drive to collect kids’ school supplies in July that gave 900 new backpacks to neighborhood kids. It was all run through Camp Friendship, which is on 8th Street and serves kids across the city. Camp Friendship isn’t taking new volunteers now—but you can donate to them here and follow them on IG. (NY1)
🍝🎵Benefit for Giovanni's Brooklyn Eats Restaurant on September 24th: This South Slope institution, which would often had live music serenading their block of Prospect Avenue, had a fire earlier this year and shut their doors. So naturally they’re putting on a show to crowdund their way back: Featuring Brooklyn Caravan, Sweet Tooth Jazz Band, Arnt Artnzen & His Rhythm, Tatiana Eva-Maria & the Avalon Jazz Band and other special guests. (8:00 PM, Jalopy Theater, $25-$30)
♻️Beyond Plastics In-Person Meeting on September 10th: The org “aims to end plastic pollution, everywhere. The organization pairs the wisdom and experience of environmental policy experts with the energy and creativity of grassroots advocates.” (4:00 PM, XIV Coffee)
🆘🧥🧤Winter Coat Drive Now Through November 10th: Help collect 1400 new or gently-used coats for families. Mittens/gloves, hats and scarves for all ages will also be appreciated. Drop off locations can be found here.
Worth Booking Now
We know what sells out.
🪦🔪Crime And Catastrophe Trolley Tour on September 23rd: “Murders, shipwrecks, plane crashes, gangsters: Do we have your attention yet? This nail-biting trolley tour delves deep into some of the finest true crime and disaster stories that Green-Wood has to offer.” (10:00 AM, Green-Wood Cemetery, $30)
😂🎵Varietopia with Paul F. Tompkins on October 14th: “A modern variety show, showcasing the best in contemporary comedy, music, and other forms of live entertainment, hosted by acclaimed comedian Tompkins.” Other showtimes have already sold out. (10:00 PM, The Bell House, $36)
Events
Thursday, September 7th
🧵🏳🌈dapperQ Presents Muse: “Digital queer style magazine dapperQ returns to present Muse, the eighth annual edition of the largest LGBTQIA+ fashion show during Fashion Week. Begin the night with a happy hour hosted by Henrietta Hudson, New York City’s longest-standing brick-and-mortar lesbian bar, and browse pop-up shops featuring some of the evening’s designers before the runway showcase.” (6:00 PM, Brooklyn Museum Beaux-Arts Court, 3rd Floor, $16)
🎭*77* District 40 at Lefferts Historic House: “An evening of community and culture building hosted by Che Broadnax. The event will feature seven seven-minute presentations and/or performances beginning at 7pm in the yard at Lefferts Historic House.” (7:00 PM, Prospect Park’s Lefferts Historic House)
🤓Nerd Nite NYC: “Join us for three fun-yet-informative presentations about researching dating apps, the Polyvagal Theory (by Nerd Nite hero Seth Porges), and Matt’s fan-favorite yearly review of weird world records (and we may try to break some too). And trivia is back too!” (7:00 PM, Littlefield)
🎵🎨From Canvas To Stage: A Tribute To Basquiat: “This evening of music, poetry, and visual art honors Basquiat in the Cemetery where he is laid to rest, in the borough he called home.” (8:00 PM, Green-Wood Cemetery, $45)
🎤️Pub Choir: “Endorsed by the likes of Kate Bush, Mariah Carey, and Sir Barry Gibb (actual true stories) Pub Choir is a show that needs to be seen to be believed. Be a part of the magic as regular audiences of strangers are transformed into an incredible choir for one night only, as they belt out a well-known song in 3 part harmony." (8:00 PM, The Bell House)
🥃📽Spoons, Toons & Booze Goes Back In Time: “Strap in for cartoon characters pushing the boundaries of time and space as they explore the past and the present via time machines, black holes, teleportation and magic! Over 150 cartoon series geared for adult/teen audiences from the 1940’s through the early 2000’s and you get to choose what we watch! Speciality Drinks and free all-you-can-eat cereal.” (9:15 PM, Nitehawk Cinema)
Friday, September 8th
🏫🎵Community Music School Back To School Open House: “Come meet our expert faculty and learn what it's like to be a student at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. Sign up for a Trial Lesson or Class, enjoy performances by our Bluegrass and Klezmer Programs, and sing songs with our Early Childhood Team.” (3:00 PM, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music)
🎪Bread & Puppet Theater: The Heart of the Matter Circus: “This brand new show builds on the tradition of the iconic Bread & Puppet Circuses that began at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont in 1970. As usual, the show will draw on traditional circus tropes and familiar Bread and Puppet iconography to draw attention to the urgent issues of the day. Stilt dancers, paper maché beasts of all sizes and a riotous brass band make a raucous, colorful spectacle of protest and celebration.” (4:00 PM, Old Stone House, $10-$25)
🛼Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco: “A themed, dress up, immersive roller skating experience that will transport you into a retro roller disco dreamland. This week's theme is Shimmer Disco.” (7:00 PM, Prospect Park, Lefrak Center)
🖼Opening Reception for ‘And There Was Nowhere Left to Run.’ “Established Gallery is pleased to present the first exhibition of our 2023 Fall season, a solo exhibition by Xavier Petromelis.” (7:00 PM, Established Gallery, 75 6th Avenue)
😂Hack City Comedy with Mic Nguyen and Jenny Arimoto: “If having an Asian guy on a comedy show is unusual, then having two is just overkill.” (7:30 PM, Union Hall, $19)
🕺Not My Wedding Party Dance Party: “Because who doesn’t love a wedding reception without all the FUSS?! Leave the fine china and shitty family expectations at the door, because we’re here to boogie and let loose with other hot people on the dance floor.” (8:00 PM, Littlefield, $8)
🍿🎸🥃A Drinking Game NYC presents ‘School of Rock.’ “Talented actors perform cult classics for a live audience. Each movie comes with a list of buzzwords and phrases–when you hear one, a bell rings and everybody drinks!” (8:00 PM, The Bell House, $25)
😂Fumi and Friends: "Stand-Up Comedian Fumi Abe is coming to New York to use humor as a rhetorical tool to inform and persuade mass audiences with friends!” (10:00 PM, Union Hall, SOLD OUT)
Saturday, September 9th
🚶🏃15th Annual Brooklyn T.E.A.L.® Walk/Run Celebration: “5K in support of The T.E.A.L.® Walk/Run™ Program, which celebrates the courage of ovarian cancer survivors and the strength of the families who’ve been touched by the disease.” (9:00 AM, Prospect Park)
🚲Brooklyn Bike Jumble: "Gear up for commuting season, test out a new ride, and buy your children an early holiday Check out new and old finds and replacement parts.” (10:00 AM, Old Stone House)
🕺💪Upbeat Pop! Dance Fitness at the Boathouse: “Join Prospect Park Alliance and Shape-up NYC for a 45-minute dance fitness class! Come prepared to shake, roll, grapevine, and clap to your favorite upbeat pop songs. We will use this time to cultivate joy and silliness while getting a great workout and reaping the benefits of cardiovascular fitness.” (10:00 AM, Prospect Park, The Boathouse)
🏷Block Stoop Sale on 23rd Street: "Multiple Houses selling clothing, macrame plant holders, art, kitchen and bedroom things, jewelry, vintage stuff, and kids.” (10:00 AM, 23rd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue)
🧘Outdoor Yoga on the Stoop: “Meet us on the plaza steps for a morning of yoga and meditation, open to all levels and led by local instructors. Open your hips and your heart in this gentle flow class, followed by a guided meditation to start off your weekend.” (10:00 AM, Brooklyn Museum, $16)
🏫💃🎈BAX Open House and Block Party: “Join us as we kick off our 2023/2024 season with free sample youth classes in the BAX Building (for ages 2-18) and fun collaborative activities for the whole family outdoors on 5th Avenue!” (11:00 AM, BAX)
🌳🧹🇺🇸Park Pitch In: 9/11 National Service Weekend: “Devoted to remembrance through charitable service. Join Prospect Park Alliance as we support this effort in a volunteer cleanup day. Volunteers will help remove invasive and unwanted wild plants from the 9/11 Grove on the North end of the Long Meadow.” (11:00 AM, Prospect Park, Long Meadow North)
🏷Block Stoop Sale on 27th Street: “Multiple Houses selling clothing furniture, jewelry, home goods, games, toys, baby stuff.” (11:00 AM, 27th Street)
🍿🍅🐦⬛🐦⬛’The Birds’ @ Nitehawk: “Hitchcock manages to take some of nature's most innocuous creatures and turn them into objects of relentless horror.” 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. (12:00 PM, Nitehawk Cinema)
🍰Bento Cake Experience by UniqueWorkshop: “For 2-2.5 hours, a skilled instructor will walk you through the process, providing step-by-step guidance in assembling and designing your bento cake, which you’ll take with you when you leave.” (12:00 PM, Industry City, Brooklyn Living Room $85)
📖🐕🦺Read with a Therapy Dog: “Utilizing a registered therapy animal and their human teammate in a calm and relaxing atmosphere, this program helps improve children’s reading, communication, and social skills.” (2:00 PM, Central Library)
🪘Jalikunda Home of Griots: Traditional Music Workshop + Performance: “Learn about West African musical instruments and enjoy a performance by virtuosos.” (2:00 PM, Prospect Park - Lefferts Historic House)
🥘🎉Bar Crudo Paella Block Party: “Giant paellas, cocktails, flamenco and more.” [Editor’s note: Look at the size of this paella pan.] (3:00 PM, Bar Crudo)
🛼Gotham Roller Derby: "Doubleheader: Brooklyn vs Bronx, Queens vs Manhattan.” (5:30 PM, Prospect Park, Lefrak Center)
🍿Movie Night at the Prez! “Classic Cartoons!” (7:30 PM, Greenspace at President Street)
😂🏳🌈Solomon Georgio: “Georgio is a comedian, actor, and writer who burst out of the Seattle comedy scene with his own brand of indignant irreverence. He flawlessly intertwines biting social commentary with stories of his life as an openly gay African immigrant." (7:30 PM, Union Hall, $25)
🏳🌈💅👠🛟Sandy Jack's Presents: Defend Us: “A night of drag and celebration to support ACLU New York LGBTQIA+ Defense Fund.” (9:00 PM, Sandy Jack's)
😂👠🏳🌈👑Ian Lockwood's Girlfriend Pageant: “15 all-star contestants compete to be pop-star-comedian Ian Lockwood's heterosexual girlfriend! With 4 rounds -- Gown & Age, Talent, Verisimilitude, and Emotional Support -- any of these beautiful women could be crowned Ian's Girlfriend.” (9:30 PM, Union Hall,$12)
😂Jordan Temple & Opps: “Jordan Temple is a comedian and TV writer also on strike. He is an Emmy-nominated writer for that show about teachers in Philadelphia and that other show about a trio of friends in Atlanta and that other show about a Jewish woman pursuing comedy in 1960’s New York.” (10:00 PM, The Bell House, $20)
😂🍿’Kung Fu Panda’ @ Nitehawk: Jack Black stars is a kung fu-kicking fluff ball. (11;00 AM, Nitehawk Cinema)
🖼🍷Opening Reception for Two Exhibitions: “Join us for the opening reception of Fred Bendheim’s solo exhibition, ‘Elements’ and our new project space show, ‘The Repeated Image.’” (4:00 PM, 440 Gallery)
Sunday, September 10th
🚴NYC Half Century Bike Tour + Finish Line Festival: “The NYC Half Century is a cycling event of 1,000+ riders spanning picturesque routes (10-, 35-, and 50- miles) across the city of New York. Celebrate a victorious finish at the Finish Line Festival with music, food and drink specials from Industry City vendors, two free drinks, sponsor booths with giveaways, a VIP picnic lawn, photo moments with victory medals, and more.” (7:00 AM, Industry City, Bandshell Courtyard 1/2, $90)
🐦👁Introduction to Birdwatching Outings: “Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory outing is for you! Every Saturday, join Prospect Park Alliance and a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club on an introductory walk to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons.” (10:00 AM, Prospect Park Audubon Center)
🚶🏃Step Up for Brooklyn Walk and Run: “Come walk or run alongside fellow Brooklynites, all while supporting our beloved community! Every dollar raised goes directly towards Brooklyn Community Services programs that provide vital hygiene, housing, and education resources to Brooklynites and asylum seekers who need it most, ” (10:00 AM, Prospect Park, Bartel Pritchard Square)
🛍Brooklyn Pop-Up Market: “One-of-a-kind, handmade items from local artisans. This weekly event features more than twenty vendors offering artwork, jewelry, fashion, home and apothecary goods, and more.” (10:30 AM, Brooklyn Museum)
🐞🐝🪦Bugging Out!: "At least 950 species—and counting—of insects and spiders have been sighted in Green-Wood. Join Matthew Wills for an afternoon of insect watching! In the same spirit as bird watching, we’ll observe those tiny invertebrates that your favorite birds eat and that pollinate the flowers around us. ” (10:30 AM, Green-Wood Cemetery, $25)
🌮🍔🥙🍜🍦Smorgasburg: It's never too early to start storing calories for winter. (11:00 AM, Prospect Park - Breeze Hill)
🦆🍂Nature Walks with Bradley Klein: Autumn Bird Migration: “In September, the autumn bird migration is well underway, with over 100 species passing through New York’s parks and gardens on their way to their wintering grounds. Join naturalist Bradley Klein to learn identification tips for fall, a time that poses special challenges to birders.” (11:00 AM, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Free with garden admission)
🍿🥋Sundays On Fire: Secret Hong Kong 35mm Feature @ Nitehawk: “Hong Kong’s equivalent of Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. A massive, mighty Vietnam War movie by one of Hong Kong’s greatest directors, we’re not revealing the title until it appears onscreen, but this flick is a heavy hitter, starring a trio of Hong Kong’s best actors, and this is a rare chance to catch it in 35mm, in its original language. ” (12:00 PM, Nitehawk Cinema)
📖Storytime: ‘Who I Am’ with Author Susan Verde: “Sunday Storytime with New York Times bestselling author Susan Verde and her new book, a heartfelt collection of positive affirmations.” (1:00 PM, Industry City, Powerhouse, Building)
🌿⚕️Iviva Olenick and Danielle Moore: Plant Dye, Food and Medicine Workshop: “Join herbalist Danielle Moore and local artist, Iviva Olenick for a deep dive into local plants that make food, medicine and dye. After learning about traditional medicine and food, we will dye fabrics and threads. Materials provided.” (3:00 PM, Old Stone House)
😂💔Sami Bronowski: The Fakest Love of My Life: "What do you do when the love of your life has been lying to you... about everything? You slowly change your entire value system. Or you make a one man show about it. Or you do both." (5:30 PM, Union Hall, $12)
🛸💬The eX-Files: Celebrating 30 Years of The X-Files: “Join Jenny Owen Youngs, Kristin Russo, and special guests for their live podcast recording of The eX-Files, in celebration of the iconic television show's 30th Anniversary!” (7:30 PM, The Bell House, $35)
Monday, Sept. 11th
💬📕Author Talk: Felice Belle. “Whimsically masterful, moving, and profound, Viscera is a collection that captivates with every poem. Belle delves into the raw heart of magic and memory, pop culture and physics.” (10:00 AM, Central Library)
😂Phoebe & Calise Thot They Were Gonna Be Hella Famous By Now: “Phoebe Robinson & Calise Hawkins bring along some of their fav comics and friends for this workout show where we all try out new material. Gonna be messy AF! Yay!” (7:30 PM, Union Hall, $19)
🗣The Moth StorySLAM: “Prepare a five-minute story about something that propelled you forward. Accelerating cars or burning desire, obsession, ambition or escape. Tell us about what keeps the gears spinning. Must. Get. To. Finish. Line.” (8:00 PM, The Bell House, $20)
🍿👹’The House of the Devil’ @Nitehawk. “A college student's babysitting gig coincides with a lunar eclipse that brings forth the devil and possess the kid she's watching. This sounds like 98% of all babysitter experiences.” (9:15 PM, Nitehawk Cinema)
Tuesday, Sept. 12th
🚶🧓Free Fitness Walks in Prospect Park for Adults Ages 60+: “Free fitness group walks in Prospect Park for adults ages 60 and over. Matt Abrams, Director of the Park Slope Center for Successful Aging, will join members of the community to explore the park while discussing the importance of exercise and movement for adults over 60.” (10:00 AM,Prospect Park)
🎤️👏🎵Stomp, Clap and Sing with Isabel: “Get up and dance with this interactive bilingual concert for families. Contagiously energetic, the Baila Baila program introduces kids to Spanish using music and movement.” (10:30 AM, Central Library)
⚰️☕️Death Cafe @ Green-Wood: “The Death Cafe is a simple concept. Bring strangers together to discuss one of the great universal truths: death. Taking place in the Cemetery’s Modern Chapel, Gabrielle Gatto, Green-Wood’s coordinator of public programs and a death doula who holds a certificate in thanatology, invites you to share their thoughts, anxieties, hopes, and questions about death. It’s an opportunity for safe and open exchanges—along with tea and pastries!” (6:30 PM, Green-Wood Cemetery)
🧑🎨️Life Drawing @ OSH: “Artists of all skill levels (including beginners) are welcome to join us in the Great Room on the 2nd floor of the Old Stone House for this evening session with a professional life model." (7:00 PM, Old Stone House)
💬📕Franklin Foer presents: ‘The Last Politician’ with Jodi Kantor: "Franklin Foer tells the definitive insider story of the first two years of the Biden presidency, with exclusive access to Biden’s longtime team of advisers, and presents a gripping portrait of a president during this momentous time in our nation’s history." (7:30 PM, Congregation Beth Elohim, $10)
🍿👭’Secret Ceremony’ @ Nitehawk: “Mia Farrow and Elizabeth Taylor are diggin' each other until creepy Robert Mitchum ruins everything.” (7:30 PM, Nitehawk Cinema)
😂🔪🏝Jo Firestone: ‘Murder on Sex Island.’ "Firestone is a comedian who hasn't worked in many months, so she wrote a murder mystery novel called Murder on Sex Island.” (7:30 PM, The Bell House)
💬📕Naomi Klein on Doppelganger with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor: “With Greenlight Bookstore, BPL Presents welcomes author Naomi Klein to the library to discuss her new book, Doppelganger.” (8:00 PM, Central Library)
😂🏳🌈Gay Shame Ft. Janeane Garofalo, Sabrina Wu And More!: “Gay Pride Is One Month A Year, But Gay Shame Is All Year Round, Baby! Join Us For This Monthly Queer Stand Up Comedy Show, hosted By Comics Sheria Mattis (Netflix Is A Joke, Semi-Woke Podcast) And Ely Kreimendahl. This Week's Guests Are Janeane Garofalo, Sabrina Wu And More.” (8:00 pm, Littlefield, $10-$15)
Wednesday, Sept. 13th
🐦🥾Birding in Peace: "Before our gates open to the general public, birding expert Rob Jett leads these peaceful early morning walking tours to discover the many birds that make Green-Wood their home—at least temporarily." (6:30 AM, Green-Wood Cemetery, $20)
💬📕Susan Lee ‘The Name Drop’ Book Launch @ The Ripped Bodice: “Susan Lee, author of ‘The Name Drop’, will be here in conversation with authors Adrianna Herrera, Alexis Daria, and Brian D. Kennedy. Book signing to follow.” (7:00 PM, The Ripped Bodice)
💬👖👠💄Blank Check presents Congratulations: "Long running cinema podcast, Blank Check, cordially invites you to the premiere of the 2024 collection of Congratulations, the clothing and lifestyle brand created by the show’s producer Ben Hosley. This event will feature performances, videos, models walking the runway, and the debut of Buried Jeans." (8:00 PM, The Bell House, $25)
😂🍿Fear of a Black Hat: “This mock documentary follows sociologist Nina Blackburn (Kasi Lemmons) during the year she spends studying hip-hop artists Ice Cold (Rusty Cundieff), Tasty-Taste (Larry B. Scott), Tone Def (Mark Christopher Lawrence) and a series of disappearing white managers. Every rap cliché is on display: sex, sexism, violent imagery and paint-peeling profanity — all of it, the group insists, with a deeper political meaning — plus the inevitable rivalry with other rappers and ultimately themselves.” (9:00 PM, Nitehawk Cinema)
Thursday, Sept. 14th
📚💼Brooklyn Public Library Job Fair: “Brooklyn Public Library is hiring! We're hosting a job fair so you can learn more about the benefits of working for the Library, our open positions, and how to apply. Bring your resume or just stop by to chat with us—see you there!” (10:00 AM, Central Library)
🧑🏫️University Open Air in Prospect Park: “University Open Air provides immigrant scholars an opportunity to share their knowledge with the public by welcoming students to enjoy free classes under the trees at Prospect Park. Classes today include, Training our Body, Autumn Tang Poetry, Yoga, Eco Printing, Abstract Painting, Art and Our Environment, Halal and Haram in the US.” (10:00 AM, Prospect Park - Boathouse area) ,
🌹Rose Tour: “September is a wonderful time to revisit BBG’s roses. Did you know that many of the modern roses have a robust autumn reblooming?” ( 11:00 AM, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Free with garden admission)
😂🎂Shit Show hosted by Jordan Klepper: One-Year Anniversary: "The Daily Show’s Jordan Klepper hosts Brooklyn’s finest panel comedy show about the shit show we colloquially call ‘the news.’ Comedians, late-night writers, and news media personalities dive into the maelstrom as Klepper spits out the stories that matter and some that definitely do not. The panel chews them up in a variety of games and bits and we pray for a drunken moment of levity in these chaotic times. Know more, laugh more - it’s a shit show out there." (8:00 PM,The Bell House, $25)
😂🍿’Step Brothers’ @ Nitehawk: It's the Catalina Wine Mixer. (9:00 PM, Nitehawk Cinema)
Let us know what you’re doing in the comments!