Spring-ey Things Opening All at Once

Mar 30, 2023

Welcome back to the Weekender newsletter. Scroll down for things to do in Park Slope: links to sources are in (parentheses) after each event. Leave a comment or reply to this email if we missed something, or if you have an idea how we can improve. Thanks for reading!

Easter Egg hunts are here

Casita of Brooklyn Scavenger Egg Hunt on April 1: ‘Adults will accompany their children on an adventure area around the Park Slope area solving clues. Once all clues are solved there will be fun activities and food/drinks available for the kiddos. Special alcoholic and caffeinated drink prices for parents.’ (Casita of Brooklyn)

Egg Hunt @ Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store on April 1: ‘An egg hunt in our lovely backyard! Kids of all ages are welcome to this fun & free event. There will be crafts and snacks provided, BYOBasket or we'll have some available for purchase. 10:30 am to 11:00 am- we're excited to welcome a special guest, Nili "The Storybook Mom" for a Hoppy Spring Groovy Storytime!’ (Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store, 10:00 AM)
Children’s Easter Brunch at Winemak’er: ‘A fun Easter workshop. We will paint easter cards with wine corks, and rabbits stickers. You and your children will also have the opportunity to make french cookies (sablés) to take them home for you!’ (11AM, Winemak’er)
3rd Annual Free Community Easter Egg Hunt & Cookout in the park on April 8: ‘We will be having four total egg hunts separated by age. 0-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. When registering please indicate how many you will have in each age bracket. We will also be having prizes and giveaways throughout the entire event AND the Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance for pictures!’ (Prospect Park 15th Street Entrance, 11:00 AM)

Spring Openings Are Everywhere

It seems like everything associated with spring or summer is opening this weekend:

Smorgasburg returns to the park Sunday: ‘This beloved food festival offers a range of cuisines from local food purveyors. Visit Smorgasburg every Sunday beginning April 2 on Prospect Park’s Breeze Hill, near the Lincoln Road entrance, through October 29.’ (11 AM, Prospect Park)*
Coney Park Island+Luna Park Opening Day on Sunday: Not Park Slope but a high holy day for all Brooklyners. ‘The christening of the Cyclone! The blessing of the rides!’ (Coney Island)
The Carousel in the park opened today. ‘Enjoy a ride on Prospect Park’s beloved 1912 Carousel. Open Thursdays – Sundays and Holidays, this treasured historic attraction features magnificent carved horses, lions, giraffes and deer.’ (Prospect Park)
Cherry Blossoms are popping: Check out TONY’s roundup of where to see them at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Green-wood Cemetery, and beyond. (Time Out New York)

Park Slope News:

Events

Friday

Beat Street, Directed by Stan Lathan: ‘Widely considered the most influential hip-hop movie of all time, uniting the four elements of hip-hop, breakdancing, DJ-ing, MC-ing and graffiti into an unforgettable experience.’ (3PM, Central Library)

Saturday

2023 PowerUP! Business Plan Competition Virtual Kick-Off Orientation: ‘Be among the first to enter PowerUP! as we celebrate our 20th year. You could win a $20,000 CASH AWARD to start your business. Attend classes, meet with a business counselor and learn how to write a business plan.’ (10AM, Central Library)

Lola Star's Dreamland 90s Hip Hop Ice Disco: ‘A themed, dress up, immersive ice skating experience that will transport you into a fabulous retro ICE disco “dreamland.”’ (7PM, Lakeside Ice Dance Nights)

Party Like It’s 1999: Pharrell’s Phinest. ‘Pharrell Williams turns 50 on April 5th, so we’re going to celebrate that big birthday! We will spin many of the massive hits he had a hand in during the 90s and 00s: “Rump Shaker,” “Got Your Money,” “Shake Ya Ass,” “I’m A Slave 4 U,” “Girlfriend,” “Hot in Herre,” “Rock Your Body,” “Milkshake,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Hollaback Girl,” “Money Maker” and many, many more. (10PM, The Bell House)

Sunday

Green and Go Kits to Clean the Park: ‘Help Prospect Park Alliance keep our park green and vibrant! Explore the park while tackling litter and helping with other greening opportunities. Green and Go Kits can be checked out at various locations around the park and include all necessary tools for your volunteer experience.’ (Prospect Park)

Old Stone House Annual Seed Swap: ‘Every April, the Old Stone House has a neighborhood seed swap. You can pick up seeds and cuttings to start, or expand, your garden. Bring seeds or cuttings from your favorite plants to trade for something new to you. Nothing to swap this time? Leave a donation to support the gardens in exchange for what you take.’ (9AM, Old Stone House)

Park Slope Bike Tour of Protected Lanes: ‘ Led by Park Slope neighbors, not tour guides, this free one-hour community event welcomes all who are comfortable riding a bike in a group setting. The goal of this tour is to introduce people to riding in protected bike lanes and have fun while doing it.’ (10:45 AM, Bike Slope)

Smorgasburg is back: Description above. The full list of new vendors is at the bottom of this section. (11 AM, Prospect Park)

Old Stone House: "Mommy Time" with Monique James-Duncan: Join author Monique James-Duncan for an in-person launch party for her new book, Mommy Time! This intimate picture book debut captures the joys—and occasional struggles—of being a stay-at-home parent.‘ (2PM, Community Bookstore)

Full list of new Smorgasburg vendors:

Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse: ‘The Bay Ridge institution of tableside Japanese dining’
Bibi Bakery: ‘Bibi is adding two showstoppers to the menu: three flavors of baklava ice-cream sandwiches and an Iranian saffron snow cone known as “Frozen Gold.”’
Chop Chop Tea: ‘Proudly representing the Hakka community of China’
Cocina Consuelo:’it’s the kalacremas—cream-filled bomboloni-style donuts—that will bring the party to the yard.’
Common Meadows Creamery: ‘A family-owned plant-based creamery—coconut is their base of choice—launched recently in Kingston, NY’
Everything Oxtail: ‘Osei Blackett’s… concept for Smorgasburg takes the rich beefy staple of his native Trinidad, braises it to tender perfection’
Jase’s BBQ: ‘Ribs, brisket, and chicken wings—mostly grilled/smoked onsite—feature a lilt of island spice in both his rubs and sauces.’
Kalye: ‘spice-rich longganisa sliders (on ube buns), vinegar-marinated chicken inasal wings, and vegetarian lumpia.’
Keyks World: ‘Janice de Castro’s velvety sponge cakes (“keyks”) filled with cream-cheese buttercream are a riff on the classic Hostess junk food’
Lemak Kitchen: ‘chicken satay redolent with herbs and spices, beef rendang served on bao buns, and a sago pudding made with tapioca pearls and gula melaka (palm sugar).’
Maca’s by Nikky: ‘Far Rockaway’s Nicole (Nikky) Guerrero started making macarons (macas) during lockdown and quickly found an audience on social media.’
Mikhuy Peruvian Restaurant: ‘Less than a year after mother-daughter team Steasy and Graciela opened Mikhuy on 4th Ave. in South Slope, they are bringing their hyperfocus on authentic ingredients and Peruvian street foods to Smorgasburg.’
Paella Party: ‘land-and-sea and traditional Valencian paellas, prepared in the classic giant paella pans.’
Patok By Rach: ‘Hanna “Rach” Abada slow-roasts whole pigs Filipino-style’
Tang Hulu NYC: ‘The Northern Chinese rock sugar–coated fruit skewers known as tanghulu make their Smorgasburg arrival’
Tony’s Piri Piri: ‘perfectly balanced charcoal-grilled chicken piri piri sammies, as well as a maitake veggie version.’
Uncle Yankey’s Peppa! ‘ serving pineapple chow, a Trinidadian fruit dish that adds garlic, culantro, and chili-pepper heat to create a sweet-savory salad akin to Mexican mango with tajin powder or Thai green-papaya salad.’
Unregular Pasta: ‘A viral social hit concocted in Unregular’s shoebox shop on 4th Ave. in the East Village last year, these fried-pasta concoctions conjure the classic street food pasta frittata with a twist’

New: Five-Star Reviews

A new section where we report back from the events we promoted last week. We only include good reviews because… we like to like things.

Dancing Queen Ice Disco Night at LeFrak: The most-clicked event from last Thursday’s newsletter did not disappoint. Attendees’ costumes were fabulous, the vibe was welcoming, the lights were psychedelic, and the music was ABBA. Scroll up for tickets to 90’s Hip Hop version this week.

Noodle Lane and Dumplings: This spot on 230 7th Avenue just opened. Waitstaff was friendly, and the fried noodles with shrimp—prepared by kitchen staff visible through a back window—hit the spot on a sneakily cool Wednesday evening.

Psychic Records: Did they have the Replacements record I wanted? No. But the owner on 7th Avenue in South Slope gave me an excellent rundown of good alternatives. I went home happy with a copy of the Replacements’ “Let It Be” album.

Freshly wrapped: Businesses with paper up on the windows

This week on 7th Ave some new construction visible inside Toy Space on 7th; Don Abel turning into something else; and the spaces that were Brooklyn Industries and Acme Hall studios look to be reforming into one space. On 5th, Primetime Liquors looks ready to move under some classy new signage across the street.