Shop! Dance w/Fiddles Down Flatbush! Celebrate NYE on 12/28! Shop more!
Plus: A Country Christmas Singalong! Japanese Holiday Market!
Welcome back to your Park Slope events newsletter. As always, links to sources are in (parentheses) after each event. Follow our IG for updates as events change.
Scroll to the Bottom for Shopping Inspiration
It’s too late to order online. Lucky for you, you live in Park Slope, one of the best neighborhoods for IRL shopping in the city. But it’s easy to forget how many great options are right outside your door, so we included a Last-Minute Shopping Inspiration Scroll-a-thon at the bottom of this week’s email.
Book New Year’s Eve Now
For the full rundown of New Year’s Eve events, see our Park Slope Winter Holiday Guide.
🍾🤣Best Year Ever: “Celebrate the end of 2023 and the beginning of what is going to be THE BEST YEAR EVER (fingers crossed) with some of NYC's best comedians presenting their BEST BITS of 2023 at Union Hall this New Year's Eve. With your host Jenny Gorelick and DJ Ilana Rubin.” (7:00 PM, Union Hall)
🍾🗣New Year's Eve Time Machine: “Drink and dance your way to the future with New Years Eve Time Machine at Union Hall! Music on both floors from DJ Nina Vicious, playing throwback jams and all the best new songs!” (8:00 PM, Union Hall)
🍾Y2K NYE at The Bell House: “Three unique spaces, with throwback DJs, NYC's finest drag queens, pop-up 2000's cover band, surprise guests & more -- all under one roof.” (9:00 PM, The Bell House $20)
🍾🗣The Smiths Tribute NYC: New Year’s Eve With The Smiths: “Featuring an opening set by the Screamin’ Rebel Angels, followed by a set of Smiths and Morrissey solo classics and deep cuts with The Smiths Tribute NYC.” (10:00 PM, Littlefield $25)
Events
Thursday, 12/21
🎄Lightscape at BBG: “The after-dark, illuminated trail returns to Brooklyn with brand new works of art and promises an even more immersive and magical experience for visitors of all ages. Explore the beauty of the Garden under moonlight while enjoying seasonal treats and festive music. There is no better way to celebrate winter and the holiday season with friends and family!” (4:30 PM, Brooklyln Botanic Garden)
🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟Feast of the Seven Fishes @ Cafe Mars: “To close out 2023, we will be offering a 5-course tour of the sea, with way more than 7 kinds of seafood, and a festive assortment of our own sweets and holiday digestivos. As always here at Café Mars, our take on Seven Fishes will be inspired by tradition and presented through a modern lens. The menu will be comprised entirely of new dishes.” (6PM, Café Mars)
🎻🎻Flatfoot Flatbush!: “Brooklyn’s first-ever flatfooting parade, turns TEN! For the tenth year, the North Flatbush Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) teams up with Make Music New York and Porch Stomp to bring you another exciting year of music and dancing to celebrate community and the winter solstice. During Flatfoot Flatbush, dancers, fiddlers and pickers parade down the sidewalks of the ever-busy Flatbush Avenue in Park Slope/ Prospect Heights (Dean Street to Sterling Place) playing old-time tunes while flatfooting, a form of percussive dancing from Appalachia.” (6:30 PM, Flatbush Avenue, Dean Street to Sterling Place)
🇫🇷French Night @ Winemak'Her Bar: “On the menu, we present delightful marinière mussels served with French fries. As we gather in this intimate setting, let's celebrate the life of Simone Veil through the film that bears her name. A poignant exploration of her journey, accomplishments, and enduring legacy, "Simone" promises to be an enriching experience for all.” (7:30 PM, Winemak'her Bar $35)
🤣🪒Derrick Brown's A Close Shave With Heaven album release party: “Holiday Comedy Chortles Galore! Celebrate the release of Derrick Brown's comedy album A Close Shave With Heaven! Hosted by David Cross and Amber Tamblyn. Featuring performances from Janeane Garofalo, David Cross, Amber Tamblyn, Eugene Mirman and Derrick Brown. Poetry and comedy and holiday horn-doggin! Vinyl for sale! Last minute gifts from Pretty Good Friends! VIP early entrance and vinyl package too!” (7:30 PM, Union Hall $15 and up)
🍿🍺An Entirely From Memory Christmas: “back at littlefield for their next installment of the Entirely From Memory series! Performers will attempt (and most likely fail) to recreate “A Christmas Carol” and “Die Hard”, without the aid of scripts, rehearsals, or sobriety. All they will have will be their memory, a recent viewing of the films, and a lot of wigs. How certain are we that they’ll succeed? So certain that we’re making it harder for them.” (8:00 PM, Littlefield $10)
😂Clare O'Kane with Some Pretty Good Friends!: “Witness Clare O'Kane do a total comedy face melt with a longer set to prepare for her upcoming album with Pretty Good Friends. Featuring performances from Eugene Mirman, Brittany Carney and hosted by Derrick Brown. Before or after the show you can buy last minute holiday gifts from Pretty Good Friends for all the people you love or like!” (9:45 PM, Union Hall)
🌈🎄Aaron & Josh Do Improv: “Aaron Jackson (Sandino) and Josh Sharp (Women & Men) shamefully return to their improv roots for a 45 minute set featuring Jeff Hiller (Police Chief Rumble).” [Edit note: Their holiday show earlier this week sold out fast.] (10:00 PM, The Bell House $25)
Friday, 12/22
🎄Lightscape at BBG: See 12/21 listing. (4:30 PM, Brooklyln Botanic Garden)
🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟Krupa's Feast of The Seven Fishes 2023: “Five Courses, Seven Fishes... Zero Red Sauce! Krupa's Feast of the Seven Fishes A New Take On The Classic Meal.” (5:15 PM, Krupa Grocery $125)
🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟Feast of the Seven Fishes @ Cafe Mars: See 12/21 listing. (6PM, Café Mars)
🎄🗣The Sweetback Sisters' Country Christmas Singalong Spectacular: “The Sweetback Sisters are decking the halls with their modern take on the golden age of country music. This wildly popular show delivers a veritable explosion of yuletide splendor, complete with trivia, prizes, and, of course, all the holiday tunes you know and love. Year-round, The Sweetback Sisters and their band of brothers wow audiences with their family-style harmonies and blazing instrumentals. For this show, the Queens of Christmastime put their signature twist on holiday classics and hidden gems that are sure to get even your scroogiest uncle in a festive spirit. Songbooks and plenty of warm fuzzy feelings provided.” (8:00 PM, The Bell House $22)
Saturday, 12/23
🕊A Yuletide Prospect For Christmas Birds: “The Brooklyn Bird Club is celebrating the Christmas holiday spirit, good will, festivity, and peace while birding for winter birds in Prospect Park.” (8:30 AM, Prospect Park)
🏃☕️Saturday Morning Run and Coffee: “Come join us for a casual run in Prospect Park at 9:45 am and then have coffee etc if you like with us at Overgreen’s Cafe on Prospect Park West between 14th Street and 15th Street two doors down from the movie theater.” (8:45 AM, Prospect Park)
🕊Introduction to Birdwatching Outings: “Prospect Park Alliance and a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club take you 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, Audubon Center)
🕺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 Boathouse)
🍿‘It's a Wonderful Life' @ Nitehawk: “Based on the short story The Greatest Gift, Frank Capra’s annual holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life has a somewhat bleak undertone that morphs into a celebration of being alive during the most wonderful time of the year. After businessman George Bailey wishes that he’s never been born, an angel is sent down to Earth to make George’s wish come true. It’s only until then that George can realize how many lives he’s changed and impacted and how different the world would be if he had never been there.” (11:00 AM, Nitehawk Cinema)
🎄🎁Japan Village: Holiday Makers Market: “Japanese artists bring their passion to life through intricate handmade crafts. You can meet these skilled creators in person, listen to their inspiring stories, and delve into the artistry behind each unique piece. From exquisite accessories to captivating artworks, find the perfect blend of tradition and innovation.” (12:00 PM, Industry City)
🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟Krupa's Feast of The Seven Fishes 2023: “Five Courses, Seven Fishes... Zero Red Sauce! Krupa's Feast of the Seven Fishes A New Take On The Classic Meal.” (5:15 PM, Krupa Grocery $125)
🎄Lightscape at BBG: See 12/21 listing. (4:30 PM, Brooklyln Botanic Garden)
🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟Feast of the Seven Fishes @ Cafe Mars: See 12/21 listing. (6PM, Café Mars)
Saturday, 12/24
🎄🎁Japan Village: Holiday Makers Market: See December 23 listing. (12:00 PM, Industry City)
🦪Christmas Eve at Siren Oyster Bar & Restaurant: “Our 4 course Prix-fixe menu is available to view on our website featuring a Duck Confit, Grilled Chateaubriand and Linguine Clams, to name a few of Executive Chef Javier Suarez signature dishes. Our festive feast promises exquisite flavors and unforgettable moments. Kindly note, our last seating is at 8pm.” (2:00 PM, Siren Oyster Bar & Restaurant $125)
🎄Lightscape at BBG: See 12/21 listing. (4:30 PM, Brooklyln Botanic Garden)
Tuesday, 12/26
❄️🌲Winter Recess in Prospect Park: “Make the most of winter break! Join Prospect Park Alliance for family friendly programming every day during winter recess from Tuesday, December 26 – Sunday, December 31.
Nature Exploration, 12–4 pm
Nature Around Us, 12–3 pm: Enjoy different seasonal discovery stations and nature themed activities that will introduce you to the plants, insects and animals that call the park home. The Lake and Lullwater are home to many plants and animals. Help us to test the water quality and investigate pond samples that are filled with living organisms.
Animal Encounter, 2–3 pm: Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 2 pm.
Family Bird Walk, 3–4 pm: Prospect Park is a stopping point for hundreds of bird species each year! Join us as we search for these amazing creatures and other nature around the park. Binoculars and bird guides are provided. This program departs from the Audubon Center promptly at 3 pm.” (12:00 PM, Prospect Park)
🎄🚮Holiday Tree Drop-Off in Prospect Park: “Join Prospect Park Alliance in recycling your holiday tree! Starting December 26, do the Earth a favor and leave your holiday tree along the Prospect Park perimeter fence near the 3rd Street Entrance, Lincoln Road Entrance or Park Circle Entrance. The trees will be collected by staff members and volunteers and turned into mulch for the public to use.” (Through January, Prospect Park)
Wednesday, 12/27
❄️🌲Winter Corps: “Volunteers will assist in raking, minor shoveling, litter pick up, and other landscaping needs. The group meets at a different location every week. All volunteers who RSVP will receive a reminder email with the meeting location before the event.” (10:00 AM, Prospect Park)
❄️🌲Winter Recess in Prospect Park: See 12/26 listing. (12:00 PM, Prospect Park)
📕Philosophy Discussion Group: Hippocrates. “We are undertaking a chronological exploration of the History of Philosophy beginning with the earliest Greek philosophers, using The History of Philosophy (Without Any Gaps) podcast and resources (authored by Dr. Peter Adamson). Each meeting corresponds with one episode of the podcast. All podcast episodes can be found at this website: https://historyofphilosophy.net/all-episodes. They are about twenty minutes long.” (2:30 PM, Central Library)
🤣Pizzazz with Gary Gulman: “Comedian Gary Gulman (HBO, Comedy Central) performs an extended set of new material and invites a few of his favorite comedians to make you laugh.” (7:30 PM, Union Hall $15)
Thursday, 12/28
❄️🌲Winter Recess in Prospect Park: See 12/26 listing. (12:00 PM, Prospect Park)
🍾The Not My NYE Eve Eve Party: “Okay but who actually wants to go all out for NYE on a Sunday?! That’s why we’re raging the Friday before! Join us for the next installment of the Not My Party Series: The NOT MY NYE Eve EVE PARTY on 12/29 at littlefield! What to expect: Glitter. Sparkle. Dazzle. Video clips. Resolutions. Mini-games. Drink tickets! Participation points. Bizarre prizes? A pinata?! Sing-alongs?! Hats! When Harry Met Sally re-enactments. Maybe someone will get PROPOSED to!” (7:30 PM, Littlefield $$5-$10)
🤣New Year, New Material with Larry Owens: “New Year, New Me? No! New Year, New Material! Join Owens (High Maintenance, A Strange Loop, Abbott Elementary) for a fun and exciting night of never before seen comedy material. ” (7:30 PM, Union Hall $15)
🍾🗣Dar Williams: Almost New Year's: “Dar Williams’ lyrics contain bouquets of optimism, delivered on melodies alternating between beguiling lightness and understated gravity” (8:00 PM, The Bell House $30)
Last-Minute Shopping Scroll-a-thon
Scroll through the embeds below (hat-tip to the shopping thread on the Park Slope Together FB page for tons of smart recommendations) and go get your shopping done.
For Artists & Art Lovers
The “Small Works” show at 440 Gallery is selling artwork.
Art needs from Artist & Craftsman Supply
For People With Taste in Media
Psychic Records scratches the analog itch
Romance novels + nicknacks from the Ripped Bodice
Ask about the Holiday Catalog @ CB
Maybe the best gray sweatshirt for the best railroad-style bookstore.
The guys at Galaxy Comics will answer any question you have and point you to the right story or toy.
Clothing
B’tween, for kids
Little Green, also for kids
Kiwi, for women
fig. for men.
Stocking stuffing
Everything from fferins looks as good as it tastes.
Rider gift shop on 8th Ave
Homebody is an incredible gift shop w/incredibly pet-able dogs behind the counter.
Leroy’s Place is the mecca of weird gifts
Our 5th Avenue gift shop superstore.
Very cool gifts and records tucker into Windsor Terrace.
Let us know what you think of the newsletter in the comments!