Welcome to The Brooklyn Brief, your new Monday roundup of the latest news, happenings, tidbits and everything you need to know to start your week in the better borough.

If there’s a can’t-miss event before Friday, you’ll find it here. And if it’s interesting or important to your life in Brooklyn, we’ll have that too.

In the news

• Legendary punk and metal venue Saint Vitus in Greenpoint is officially closing for good after a having been temporarily shut down in February over permitting violations. The announcement was shared on their Instagram account, where they also teased that more will be announced.
• Beaches in Brooklyn and Queens remain closed to swimming Monday due to life-threatening rip currents brought on by Hurricane Ernesto. “We want people to be out and we want them to be enjoying our facilities, but we want them to do it safely,” NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said in a statement.
• Paul S. Randazzo Sr. of Sheepshead Bay’s Randazzo’s Clam Bar passed away on August 12 at the age of 66. His family-run business is famous for their fried clams and best-in-class red sauce. New York Times’ outgoing restaurant critic Pete Wells gave them a shoutout in our 2022 interview with him.
• Beloved Bensonhurst Italian eatery Ortobello will rebuild after a fire tore through the establishment in April. Andrea Cerasuoli’s father opened the restaurant in 1974. There’s a GoFundMe set up to help offset the cost of repair.
• Brooklyn Org and Groundswell unveiled a new mural at the Atlantic Terminal Mall on Thursday titled “Show Brooklyn Some Love,” reports the Brooklyn Eagle. The 500 square-foot mural was completed with the help of over 40 volunteers.
• Brooklyn Bridge Parents compiled a list of fall afterschool programs for kids all across the borough.
• A new grant will help provide STEAM education to 180 elementary school girls in Brooklyn, BK Reader reports. Full STEAM Forward is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting equity in science education for girls of color. They were awarded a $15,000 grant from the Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation.

ICYMI

• 15 French spots to check out in Brooklyn now
  A snapshot of Brooklyn’s French culinary scene.
• Filmmaker Ridley Scott on ‘Alien,’ AI, the afterlife and why most horror films fail
  The brusque English filmmaker goes off about his favorite topics.
• 4 local sustainable swimwear brands to check out before your next beach trip
  How to have a sustainable summer in swimwear, from 3D printed fits to hand-knit beach wear.
• It’s official: Brooklyn’s ‘Greenest Block’ is in Crown Heights
  Lincoln Place between New York and Nostrand Avenues was declared the borough’s ‘Greenest Block’ by the BBG.

What to do this week

Monday, August 19

Reductress Presents: Haha…WOW!
7:30 p.m.
Join the editors of Reductress and their favorite comics in a show at Union Hall that will make you say, “haha…wow!!” Hosted by Freddie Shanel and Julie Lim with special guests Kylie Brakeman, Amanda Gordon, Jessie Lee, Conor Janda and Rima Parikh. 702 Union Street. Tickets are $18.98.

Childish Gambino at Barclays Center
8 p.m.
Donald Glover brings Childish Gambino’s “The New World Tour” to the Barclays Center on Monday night. Willow opens for the eclectic and multi-faceted entertainer. 620 Atlantic Avenue. Tickets start at $93.60.

Tuesday, August 20

Jersey Shore BlueClaws at Brooklyn Cyclones
7 p.m.
Watch the Brooklyn Cyclones’ home game against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws on Tuesday night. Plus, at Tuesday and Wednesday night home games, you can get dinner and a show for just $25. You will receive a field box ticket and their meal deal, which includes a choice of hamburger, hot dog or chicken tenders, chips, fountain soft drink or 12-ounce beer. A Kosher option is available for $28.

Wednesday, August 21

Written in Brooklyn Storytelling Series at the Wythe Hotel
7 p.m.
The “Written in Brooklyn Storytelling Series: Simply the Best” promises a night of original storytelling told straight from the heart. Hosted at the Wythe Hotel, you can sit back, relax and immerse yourself in true stories from Jonathan Bender, Tiffany May, Julianne Cross, Emily Antoniades, and Erin Michele Davis. 80 Wythe Avenue. Tickets are $28.52.

Thursday, August 22

‘Good One’ opens at the Alamo Drafthouse Brooklyn
Various times
“Good One” is a Brooklyn-set film that was a breakout success at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. India Donaldson’s piercing debut drama opens at the Alamo Drafthouse Brooklyn on Thursday and stars newcomer Lily Collias as 17-year-old Sam, forced to play mediator and peacemaker while on a three-day backpacking trip in the Catskills with her father (James Le Gros) and his oldest friend (Danny McCarthy), whose gently contentious back-and-forth threatens to reach a boiling point as their trek goes along. 445 Albee Square West. Tickets are $20.88.

The post The Brooklyn Brief: Beach closures and the end of an era for a punk-metal club appeared first on Brooklyn Magazine.

Bounce, rock, skate, roll and … body-check your way through the weekend: Gotham Roller Derby’s 20th anniversary borough showdown gets underway this weekend. And if you’re more of a lover than a fighter, you can strap wheels on your heels for Taylor Swift-themed roller disco. Not a Swiftie? There’s also a country-music roller hoedown at Xanadu, Brooklyn’s newest rink, this weekend.

Maybe you’d prefer to be outdoors Coney Island’s annual sand sculpture competition is back this weekend. And if you want an early taste of spooky season, head over to Green-Wood Cemetery for a late-night screening of “Look Into My Eyes,” a documentary about New York psychics.

The Brooklyn Rum Festival returns on Saturday with over 70 different samplings of the ole demon water for you to try. Also on Saturday, The Rockaway Film Festival kicks off with an eclectic mix of screenings and events, and the Afro Carnival weaves together Afro-Caribbean traditions with a family-friendly event at Industry City.

The cast of Broadway’s “The Notebook” comes to The Ripped Bodice on Sunday morning for a panel and Q&A about their show. Plus, you can prep for the week at the Tompkins Avenue Open Streets Vendor Market.

New York Public Schools resume classes on September 5 so enjoy the summer while you still can!

Friday, August 16

House Fest on Governors Island
Friday through Sunday
Hop on a ferry: Gov­er­nors Island Arts will bring togeth­er more than two dozen cul­tur­al part­ners for a week­end-long cre­ative cel­e­bra­tion in and around the his­toric for­mer mil­i­tary hous­es of Nolan Park and Colonels Row on the Island, fea­tur­ing free dance and music per­for­mances, out­door instal­la­tions, inter­ac­tive work­shops, open stu­dios, pan­el dis­cus­sions and more. While you’re there, check out FAD Market’s pop-up to get your fix of fashion, art, and design from more than 40 makers, designers, artists and small businesses.

Alamo Drafthouse reopens 
Various times
After a few months of renovations, the bigger and better Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Brooklyn is fully reopened with a major upgrade and expansion. Guests can now enjoy all-new recliner seats, five new auditoriums, upgraded projection and additional restrooms. 445 Albee Square West.

The final weekend for Restaurant Week
Going on now through Sunday, August 18
This is your last chance to take advantage of Restaurant Week deals. Brooklyn has 57 restaurants that have been participating in month-long grub fest, but now you only have through August 18 to enjoy them. There are options at different price points, including many restaurants offering two-course lunches and three-course dinners. For example, Nami Nori in Williamsburg is offering a two-course lunch special from noon to 2:30 p.m. for $30 from Monday to Friday. See more options near you linked above.

‘Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100’
Going on now through July 20, 2025
With Brooklyn legend Shirley Chisholm back in the news, we want to re-up The Museum of the City of New York’s exhibit “Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100.” As the first major museum presentation dedicated to Brooklyn’s Shirley Chisholm, it delves into the life and legacy of the trailblazing legislator, the first Black woman elected to Congress whose contributions to our nation’s public policy endure today. She represented New York’s 12th congressional district in Bedford–Stuyvesant, and she served for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. The exhibit is presented in collaboration with the Shirley Chisholm Project on Brooklyn Women’s Activism at Brooklyn College. 1220 Fifth Ave at 103rd Street in Manhattan.

Cinema, Restored at BAM
Runs Friday through Thursday, August 22
The Brooklyn Academy of Music celebrates the best recent restorations of classic works of cinema — from Terrence Malick’s Texas farmland to Edward Yang’s modern Taipei and beyond — this series brings some of the greatest films ever made to the massive screen at the Harvey, BAM’s recently restored movie palace. The festival opens with the premiere of a new restoration of “The Spook Who Sat by the Door,” Ivan Dixon’s legendary and long-unavailable masterwork of American cinema. 651 Fulton Street. Tickets are $20.

The Final Myrtle Avenue Summer Nights
5 to 8 p.m.
Myrtle Avenue Summer Nights wraps up their monthly soirée series on Friday night. Join local business owners and artisans along the avenue for free activities for kids and adults. Myrtle Avenue Plaza is your hub for most events including crafts, games, caricature drawing, tarot card reading, wine tastings, raffles, and a DJ playing your favorite hits from every decade. Myrtle Plaza and along Myrtle Avenue. Free.

The Roast of Williamsburg
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Some of the city’s best comics (featured on Comedy Central, Late Night, and more) will gather to roast everyone’s favorite (or favorite-to-hate) Brooklyn neighborhood. “From Bedford to Bushwick, no dog walker or yoga studio is safe,” organizers promise, so get your tix and take your licks. Cafe Balearica. 44 Berry Street. $23.18

Boobie Trap Sketch Presents: Period
7 p.m.
Travel through time with Boobie Trap via their variety show of menstrual-themed, uh, period-piece sketches. Head over to the Brooklyn Comedy Collective on Friday night for a bloody good time. 167 Graham Avenue. Tickets are $13.70.

Dreamland Roller Disco: Taylor Swift
7 to 10 p.m.
Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco continues their summer series as part of the Lakeside Roller Dance Night Series. This week’s theme is Taylor Swift, so gather your Swifites, and dress as Taylor from your favorite era for this immersive retro roller skating experience. 171 East Drive. Tickets are $28.45.

‘Look Into My Eyes’ screening at Green-Wood Cemetery
Doors open at 7:45 p.m., movie begins at 9 p.m.
On Friday night, Rooftop Films and Green-Wood Cemetery present A24’s “Look Into My Eyes,” a documentary about a group of New York City psychics who conduct deeply intimate readings for their clients, revealing a kaleidoscope of loneliness, connection and healing. Stick around after the movie for Q&A with filmmaker Lana Wilson and the doc’s featured psychics, followed by an afterparty, sponsored by Ketel One Family Made Vodka. 500 25th Street. Tickets are $20.05.

Country Skate: Roll on with DJ’s Moonshine & Prison Rodeo
8 p.m.
Roll over to Xanadu on Friday night for a Boot Scootin’ Boogie with DJ’s Moonshine and Prison Rodeo. Two-step and line skating is encouraged while the DJ’s spin country gold. 262 Starr Street. Tickets are $28.84.

Saturday, August 17

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Presents: CURLFEST and Lila Iké
Various times
CURLFEST is coming to BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. for a jam-packed day of celebrations for beauty, culture, and togetherness. This is your space to commune, make memories, meet new friends and leave refilled with the magic of our collective community along with a stack of beauty goodies to have your curls, kinks, and beards shining all summer long. Lena Horne Bandshell. 141 Prospect Park W. Tickets begin at $51.50. And that’s not all BRIC has in store on Saturday. They’re hosting a pop-up event at The Lawn at Brower Park from 5 to 10 p.m. featuring a screening of the movie “Bob Marley: One Love” and performances by Lila Iké, Laila!, and DJ Sweet V. Mark’s Avenue and Park Place between Brooklyn Avenue. and Kingston Avenue. Free.

Rockaway Film Festival 2024
Saturday through Sunday, August 25
The Rockaway Film Festival is a moving-image celebration that brings affordable, inclusive, and enriching cinema and cultural programs to the Rockaway peninsula. Highlights include Zia Anger’s “My First Film,” featuring a Q&A with star Odessa Young and a post-screening DJ set by Andrew Vanwyngarden of MGMT. Screenings and events will be held at Averne Cinema and other local sites. 72-02 Gouverneur Avenue. While some events are free, you can buy a festival pass offering unlimited access to all events for $75.

32nd Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Competition
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Get ready to hit the beach on Saturday to show off your sandy skills at the 32nd Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Competition. This free event is open to all ages in the following categories: Solo Artist, Adult group, and Family group. Winners in each category can win up to $500. Riegelmann Boardwalk at West 12th Street

Wyckoff Museum’s Farmhouse Family Day
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Family and friends are invited to show off your artistic side and capture the summer sun in paper stained at Wyckoff Museum’s Farmhouse Family Day on Saturday. Stick around to check out their historic farmhouse, visit the farm stand, drop off food scraps for compost, and enjoy colonial-era toys and games. 5816 Clarendon Road. Free.

Brooklyn Rum Festival
12 to 5 p.m.
The Brooklyn Rum Festival is back for a third pour. This year it’s bringing 75 rum distilleries from around the world and serving complimentary cocktails in your festival tasting cup. There’ll be food vendors and music, and if you buy a VIP ticket, you’ll receive a souvenir glass and a premium cigar. 230 Bogart Street. Tickets begin at $68.

Afro Carnival 2024
2 to 10 p.m.
Afro Carnival weaves together Afro-Caribbean traditions with the aim of unifying people of the diaspora through music and culture. Patrons from all walks of life are welcome to come to Industry City for music, food, and cultural expression from around the world. The DJ line-up includes DJ Tunez, Maleek Berry, and Denise Belfon. Plus, ticket holders are invited to the festival’s one-hour open bar sponsored by Hennessy with complimentary small bites from Brooklyn Suya. 220 36th Street Courtyard 1/2. Tickets are $17.85.

Gotham Roller Derby
5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Gotham Roller Derby is celebrating its 20th year with a season of hard-hitting games featuring the league’s four home teams: the Manhattan Mayhem, the Queens of Pain, the Brooklyn Bombshells and the Bronx Gridlock. The derby takes place just one Saturday night each month (August 17, September 21 and October 19) at Lefrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park, so roll on over this weekend. Manhattan plays the Bronx at 5:30 p.m. and Brooklyn takes on Queens at 7:30. 171 East Drive. Tickets start at $40.

Cocktail Magique
8 p.m.
An evening of circus, cocktails and burlesque awaits you at Company XIV on Saturday. Cocktail Magique is a mixological adventure where every guest receives petite cocktails and small bites while burlesque stars pour cocktails from the speakeasy bar. Thematically evocative of 19th-century Paris, the Magique show is inspired by the Belle Époque, where you’ll experience acts on stage, in the audience, and even overhead. 17 Wyckoff Avenue. Ticket prices vary.

Sunday, August 18

Broadway’s ‘The Notebook’ cast at The Ripped Bodice
10 a.m.
Cast members from “The Notebook: The Musical” will participate in a panel at The Ripped Bodice romance bookstore on Sunday morning to discuss the musical. Moderated by Katherine Zofrea, guests include Maryann Plunkett (Older Allie), Jordan Tyson (Younger Allie), Andréa Burns (Mother/Nurse Lori) and Dorcas Leung (Georgie/Others). 218 5th Avenue. Tickets are $15.

Tompkins Avenue Open Streets Vendor Market
12 to 6 p.m., every Sunday through October 6
The Tompkins Avenue Open Streets Vendor Market is run by vendors, for vendors. Their outdoor market in Bed-Stuy maximizes exposure and profits for creators, so everything you buy has a bigger impact on their bottom line. On Sundays, they will host a mix of food, retail and makers selling goods you won’t find anywhere else. Tompkins Avenue between Gates and Monroe Avenues.

Lady Bunny’s Birthday Tea Dance
4 p.m.
The bitch is back in Brooklyn for her birthday … and she’s doing an early show because she’s old as hell. Come out to see New York icon Lady Bunny play her favorite disco tracks at this classic Tea Dance. And for a taste of Bunny’s humor, check out our conversation. Grab your gays, gals and theys, and hit the dance floor at C’mon Everybody. 21+. 325 Franklin Avenue. Tickets are $17.

The post Weekend Guide: A roller disco, a roller derby and the Brooklyn Rum Fest appeared first on Brooklyn Magazine.

You can’t miss the new Bakery by Textbook, an ambitious offshoot to Fort Greene’s Textbook Cafe that opened a couple of weeks ago on the eastern edges of Bed-Stuy. For starters, the enormous, cartoony, black-and-white mural that covers literally the entire building can be seen from a couple of blocks away.

Eye-popping exterior aside — the inside’s pretty wild too, with a steep, stadium-seating “stoop” dominating the space — Bakery by Textbook brings such a lengthy and creative menu of pastries, sandwiches, breads and coffees to the neighborhood that the place is an instant game-changer for both city-wide baked-goods fiends and locals alike.

The huge mural was designed by Wotto and painted by Annagrace (Photo by Scott Lynch)

Much of the credit for the new bakery’s appeal has to go to chef Tony Yarema, a New York City native and current Bushwick resident who brings the flavors he fell in love with while traveling along the Mediterranean coasts of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa to this corner of Bed-Stuy.

“A lot of it was influenced by the places that I visited, as well as my training in New York as a chef.” Yarema tells Brooklyn Magazine. “Those came together to make things that you wouldn’t see at a normal NYC bakery. It’s a fusion of what I love from everywhere I’ve been, and what I want to showcase and introduce to people.”

The egg salad, for example, is stained with turmeric, pepped-up with pickles and redolent with what Yarema calls a blend of Tunisian spices. It comes inside a slab of chewy focaccia, and it is excellent.

Egg salad on focaccia, $11 (Photo by Scott Lynch)

Yarema uses his focaccia for Textbook’s pizza-like shakshuka too, a Maghrebi dish he whipped up a thousand times working brunch shifts in the city but wanted to make more portable for the bakery. Other savory creations include a scone-looking pastry with kashkaval cheese, sausage and jalapeno, and a variety of sandwiches — tuna, beet pastrami, prosciutto and burrata — served on Yarema’s Persian “noon” bread, which is akin to a baguette, but even more rustic.

Shakshuka ‘pizza,’ $9 (Photo by Scott Lynch)

All of Yarema’s bread can be purchased as full loaves, and Textbook has a “name your price bread” program, which is literally just that: choose what you want, tell them how much you can pay, walk out with a fresh loaf of bread.

There are also plenty of sweet treats too. The cinnamon bun is insanely good, a sticky, gooey delight that also happens to be vegan. Rome’s famous maritozzi are here, those citrus-scented brioche buns filled with whipped cream, and Yarema makes them light and fluffy, then dusts them with powdered sugar and pistachio.

Sticky cinnamon bun, $6.50 (Photo by Scott Lynch)

The olive oil cake is dense, juicy and delicious. The laminated dough options are headlined by a regular croissant and pain de chocolate. Yarema tells us that his blueberry muffin has been one of his biggest hits here so far. The cookies, both the chocolate chunk and the toffee espresso, really hit the spot too.

Toffee espresso cookie, $4 (Photo by Scott Lynch)

The coffee program is innovative and different. In addition to all the expected varieties, there’s a brown sugar miso latte, an espresso lemonade, a rose bouquet cappuccino and, perfect on a humid summer morning, a frozen tahini cold brew. And If you’re just getting a mug of regular drip, refills are free.

This willingness to have fun with beverages will translate well to the semi-secret subterranean cocktail bar called Understudy that the Textbook team is hoping to open either late summer or early fall. Located in the basement below the bakery, Understudy will feature a food menu to go along with the booze, with snacky things like pizza and housemade pita chips and dips.

Stadium stoop-style seating (Photo by Scott Lynch)

The Textbook crew has big plans for Yarema’s baked goods. “This is kind of going to be kind of the central bakery for here and for the Fort Greene cafe,” says Yarema. “Hopefully we’ll expand and supply micro locations in other areas too.”

But what the chef seems most excited about so far is seeing all the Bed-Stuy locals coming through. “We want to be good neighbors. We’re here for the community.”

Bakery by Textbook is located at 874 Hancock Street, at the corner of Howard Avenue, and is currently open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.    

The post Bakery by Textbook serves up unexpected delights in Bed-Stuy  appeared first on Brooklyn Magazine.

If the 2024 Summer Olympics hosted by France filled the last 15 days of your life with joy, awe, giggles and pride, you might be pretty bummed that they’ve come to a close.

If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye (and you can’t wait two weeks for the Paralympic Games, also hosted by the City of Light) check out these French and French-adjacent spots right here at home.

Restaurants

L’Antagoniste
238 Malcolm X Boulevard, Bed-Stuy
Go ahead. Order “Le Cliché”: wild Burgundy escargots, beef bone marrow and frog leg tempura. L’Antagoniste takes pride in serving authentic French food, prepared from local and seasonal ingredients for the enjoyment of their Bed-Stuy amis. They partner with farmers and fishermen from the region to dish up mouthwatering bouillabaisse, juicy canard a l’orange, and decadent desserts.

Bistro So
530 Driggs Avenue, Williamsburg
Chef Souraia Daif Dantonio, born in the south of France, made a splash in Williamsburg 15 years ago with “Pates and Traditions” and continues delighting Brooklynites with authentic French cuisine. Folks are especially enthusiastic about the bergère crêpes, steak au poivre and tarte tatin for dessert. $30 all-you-can-eat mussels on Tuesdays, live Gypsy jazz on Thursdays and weekend happy hour specials! O la vache!

Cafe Rue Dix
1451 Bedford Avenue, Crown Heights
Come for a pot of their signature tea and the best beignets in Brooklyn, stay for their French-Senegalese fare including Thiebou Jen (the national dish of Senegal), croquettes de duck confit, or spiced African stew. For a full sampling of their unique kitchen, they offer a five-course tasting menu for $98.

Chez Ma Tante
90 Calyer Street, Greenpoint
After a six-month closure, Chez Ma Tante is back and as scrumptious as ever. Technically, this is a French-Canadian restaurant, but hungry Francophiles will enjoy it all the same. Brooklynites have been raving about their crispy-yet-fluffy, buttery and rich pancakes for years, but don’t sleep on their savory small plates. If you’d like to nibble on country pâté, smoked trout rillette, or pig’s head terrine, look no further than this Greenpoint gem. And for something a bit more bustling, a bit more chic, check out chefs ​​Jake Leiber and Aidan O’Neal’s upscale Wythe Hotel brasserie Le Crocodile.

Chez Moi
135 Atlantic Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn
This cozy French Bistro serves classic French fare like escargot, croque-monsieur and steak frites alongside très bien libations. Check out Le Boudoir upstairs — a low lit, gauzy hideaway modeled after Marie Antoinette’s bedroom offering cocktails, snacks and burlesque shows every weekend.

Chez Oskar
310 Malcolm X Boulevard, Bed-Stuy
Step through the doors of this Bed-Stuy brasserie and you’ll be transported to the late night, jazz-filled eateries of the Left Bank. Their menu honors traditional French cuisine while blending the cultural diversity of Brooklyn. An excellent French-heavy wine list, tartares, mussels, onion soup gratinees plus artful decor make this spot très magnifique!

Citroën
931 Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint
This great-for-date-night, cozy French Bistro serves up tuna Niçoise, foie gras mousse, moules marinieres avec frites, and coq au vin — in other words, something for everyone yearning for an authentic French menu. If you spent your savings on a trip to the olympic games and are looking to save a little money, they offer half price bottles of wine on Monday nights and dollar oysters Mon-Fri.

French Louie
320 Atlantic Avenue, Boreum Hill
Their namesake, “French Louie” Seymour, was a lumberjack, a fisherman, a trapper (sounds like an Olympian to us), and his woodsy vibe is reflected in the menu at this charming neighborhood eatery. Start your meal with a cheesy puffed gougeres, radishes and butter and anchovy fries then enjoy melt in your mouth bavette steak or juicy cast iron chicken basquaise. Oui, chef!

Patisseries

Almondine
85 Water Street, Dumbo
This Dumbo stalwart is as close to a corner Parisian Boulangerie as you’ll get in Brooklyn. All of their mouthwatering yet unpretentious classic staples like baguettes, tartes, gateaux, and eclairs are made in house with pride. Vive l’Almondine!

Colson Patisserie
374 9th Street, Park Slope
253 36th Street, Industry City
With two locations in Brooklyn, Colson has been a go-to for croissants, financiers, madeline cookies and a wide variety of cakes and tarts since 2006. Just ask former Mayor Bill de Blasio. Their Industry City location — which also serves as its industrial bakehouse — employs the kindest baristas in the borough brewing delicious coffee drinks to go alongside your patisserie.

Groceries

Le French Tart
579 5th Avenue, Park Slope
44 Henry Street, Brooklyn Heights
306 Court Street, Cobble Hill
Mountains of madeleines and baskets of baguette welcome you at Le French Tart. The tiny French deli and grocery store is a treat for the senses with imported French pantry staples, cold and frozen provisions and house made sandwiches and baked goods for all occasions. It’s no surprise this marche is always bustling.

Bars and nightlife

Barbès
376 9th Street, Park Slope
Delighting world music fans in Park Slope for over 20 years, this sliver of a bar is a mecca for global grooves. On August 22, for example, the Jessica Fichot Quartet will take the stage with a mix of French chanson, gypsy swing, Shanghai jazz and multilingual folk — a combination that seems à la mode after 15 days of the French-hosted Olympiad.

Bar Tabac
128 Smith Street, Boerum Hill
An excellent place to watch a socc— er, football game while sipping a glass of pastis, and the center of the largest Bastille Day celebration in New York City, With live jazz and romantic ambience at night, Bar Tabac is a slice of Parisian cafe culture in Cobble Hill.

Carreau Club
68 34th Street, Industry City
Located in Industry City with both indoor and outdoor courts, Carreau Club is an excellent way to try your hand at the French game of pétanque — a “boules” sport in the same family as bocce. Join a league or show up and meet new friends while sipping cold beverages and chowing down on inventive sandwiches.

Petit Paulette
136 DeKalb Avenue, Fort Greene
Located next door to their “big sister” Parisian Bistro Cafe Paulette, Petit Paulette boasts sexy, laid-back vibes, an exciting and diverse wine list and small plates like fromage and charcuterie boards. The perfect follow up to a romantic stroll through Greene Park.

The post 15 French spots to check out in Brooklyn now appeared first on Brooklyn Magazine.

Good job, you made it to the weekend.

If you’re still in town, then you may need a reprieve from the smell … or, if you’re really unlucky, the influx of creepy weirdos? Your Weekend Guide has everything you need to make summer in the city a little better.

Friday brings another brat-themed event, bratpop, at 9 Bob Note for you to soak up some brat green on the dance floor one last time. If you don’t want to break a sweat, head over to one of the many Brooklyn Olympics viewing parties before the games wrap up on Sunday.

The 19th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party promises an old-timey throwback on Governor’s Island on Saturday and Sunday. Also on Saturday, Bideawee makes finding your new furry friend very easy with a streamlined adoption process at their mobile adoption event in Albee Square.

The extremely unique Bluefin Tuna Cutting Show takes place on Sunday for their 6th year. You’ll be able to watch bluefin tuna become a Japanese delicacy right in front of you, prepared by Master Sushi Chef Kuni.

And we couldn’t help but add a Monday event to the Guide: Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott comes to Barclays Center with her Afrofuturism hip-hip show.

Have a great weekend and get ur freak on.

Friday, August 9

Final Weekend of Olympics Viewing Parties
Friday through Sunday, August 11 at various times

• Bk Backyard is the sportiest place in Williamsburg you can watch the Olympics. Catch soccer, rugby, archery and everything in between at your leisure for the next two weeks. If you happen to be watching a match from Monday to Thursday, you’ll receive 50 percent off drinks at the bar from 5 to 7 p.m. 86 N 11th Street.
• The Hull Sports Bar at Seamore’s will show every Olympic event. Visit 5 times between now and August 11 and you’ll receive a Seamore’s x Two Robbers Olympic t-shirt and a free round of drinks on your next visit! 66 Water Street.
• Or head over to Japan Village in Sunset Park where Sake’s Bar on the 1st Floor and Red Shrine on the 2nd floor will show the games. 934 3rd Avenue.
• More places to watch the Games are listed in our roundup here.

Free Improv Drop-In Classes at The Second City
Continues Friday through Sunday
Second City New York is offering a week of free improv drop-in classes. These 90-minute sessions, typically valued at $35 each, are designed to provide a fun and non-committal introduction to the world of improvised comedy. With up to 10 classes available and a capacity of 16 students per class, there are plenty of opportunities for people to jump in and experience the fun of improv. To explore the class schedule and register to participate, click here. 64 N 9th Street.

Elements Music & Arts Festival
Friday through Sunday
Elements Music & Arts Festival, the premier immersive electronic festival of the Northeast, has its roots in Brooklyn, and this year many local vendors, artists and more will make the trip to Long Pond, Pennsylvania for the annual gathering. Elements is an arena of exploration, where music, community, art, camping, and adventure coalesce in perfect unison. Lineup highlights include Chris Lake b2b Cloonee, Excision, Illenium, and Kaskade (Redux Sunset Set). You will find venue and ticketing information linked above.

The 13th annual Greenpoint Film Festival
Continues Friday through Sunday
Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Film Festival continues with its centerpiece screening, a retrospective of award-winning Spanish filmmaker Alex Lora featuring his 2024 Sundance Grand Jury winner “The Masterpiece, and Unicorns.” GFF will present a documentary double feature on Closing Night with the US Premiere of Kelly Moneymaker’s “Drum Song: The Rhythm of Life” and festival favorite “Miwene,” directed by Keith Heyward, Jennifer Berglund, Gange Anita Yeti Enomenga and Obe Beatriz Nenquimo Nihua. 191 N. 14th Street. Tickets are $15 per movie.

57 Brooklyn eateries participate in Restaurant Week
Going on now through Sunday, August 18
Restaurant Week is back for the summer and Brooklyn has 57 participating restaurants. It’s actually a month-long grub fest, so you have from now through August 18 to enjoy the “week.” There are options at different price points, including many restaurants offering two-course lunches and three-course dinners. For example, Nami Nori in Williamsburg is offering a two-course lunch special from 12 to 2:30 p.m. for $30 from Monday to Friday. See more options near you linked above.

Rogue Music Festival
Friday through Sunday, various times and locations
The DIY queer, female musician-run concert series returns for its second year at participating nightlife staples (Baby’s All Right, 3 Dollar Bill, then Starr Bar) with a diverse lineup and innovative artist payment structure. Click here for showtimes and more.

Ben Böhmer at Superior Ingredients Rooftop
4 to 10 p.m.
German producer Ben Böhmer — hot off a collab with indie pop dream Lykke Li and a new album announcement — will be playing two shows in one day on Friday. He’ll be performing on the rooftop of Superior Ingredients in Brooklyn by day and taking to Manhattan’s Musica NYC club that night. Take a Summer Friday and see Böhmer live afternoon. 74 Wythe Avenue. Tickets are $32.45.

Shabbat Supper Club w/ Old Jewish Men
6 p.m.
Influencers Old Jewish Men will be swinging by Gertie’s on Friday night for the restaurant’s lovely Shabbat Supper Club. Gertie After Dark’s Shabbat Supper Club is a Friday evening dinner party series combining traditional Shabbat dinners with the format of classic Midwestern Supper Clubs. In the spirit of bringing people together over a meal, their supper club will play host to cuisines and guests of all denominations and heritage. The menu for this week’s hosts is inspired by grumpy Lower East Side fish mongers, with a pinch of tarragon. 357 Grand Street. $75 per ticket.

Juvenile’s Back that Azz Up 25th Anniversary Tour
Doors at 6 p.m., show at 8
June 11 marked the 25th anniversary of the release of Juvenile’s seminal “Back That Azz Up,” and to celebrate the occasion, he’s embarked on a massive North American tour. This Friday that tour lands at Brooklyn Bowl with Mannie Fresh and the 400 Degreez Band. 61 Wythe Avenue. $90.45.

PBR New York Maverick Days
7:45 p.m., Friday and Saturday
Professional Bull Riders will bring bull riding to Barclays Center for the first time when the inaugural homestand for the New York Mavericks comes to Brooklyn on August 9 and 10. The New York Mavericks join the PBR Teams league as it expands from eight to 10 teams competing in five-on-five bull riding games in the 12-event 2024 PBR Camping World Team Series season. Yeehaw! 620 Atlantic Avenue. Tickets start at $56.20.

GNDRFCK at House of Yes’s Onyx Room
10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Meet your queer summer crush on the dance floor of GNDRFCK MXR, brought to you by MESH & BearXFifi. This flirty, queer, gender-bending dance party is hosted at The Onyx Room, House of Yes’s speakeasy, and features spicy draglesque, pole dancers, rope artists and flash tattoos. 8 Wyckoff Avenue. Tickets start at $30.

bratpop at 9 Bob Note
10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Get ready for bratpop, the ultimate dance party inspired by the legendary Brat Fest and Brat Bash! They’re bringing you a mix of rebellious energy and pop perfection, spotlighting all things pop with a focus on Charli xcx. Brat Summer isn’t over until it’s ritualistically sacrificed at the Democratic Convention later this month, so get your brat in while you still can. 260 Meserole Street. Early bird tickets are $15 and they go up to $25 the day of show.

Saturday, August 10

The 19th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party
Saturday and Sunday
Take a trip back in time this weekend: The Jazz Age Lawn Party, now celebrating its 19th year, is the world’s original and most authentic Prohibition-era-inspired gathering. Jazz Age Lawn Party attracts thousands of time travelers to Governor’s Island each year, who come together to discover the music and zeitgeist of the 1920s. Founded and hosted by Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra, it offers an interactive opportunity to relive one of the most colorful and formative epochs in American history. See the different pricing tiers on their website.

Free Movies at Stuart Cinema & Cafe
Saturday and Sunday
Independent theater and community center, Stuart Cinema & Cafe will host free movies on Saturday and Sunday, courtesy of Pluto TV.  They will offer several free showings of “Deadpool & Wolverine” on both days. Tickets for the free movie weekend can be found here. 79 West Street.

FAD Market: Summer Pop-up
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
This summer, FAD Market curates a monthly pop-up at Dumbo’s Empire Stores from June to August. Discover over 30 talented makers, artisans and small business owners who live and create in the borough and beyond. Check out a curated selection of Dumbo’s best goods including handmade jewelry, apparel, body and skincare, tableware and artisanal packaged food. 55 Water Street.

Bideawee Mobile Adoption
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is partnering with Bideawee to bring adorable, adoptable pups to Albee Square in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. Bideawee has been finding loving homes for rescued animals since 1903. Come visit their mobile adoption van and meet your new best friend. There will be free treats for your feline or canine companions (while supplies last). If you come to the neighborhood to shop, eat, and stroll may find a new best friend through Bideawee’s mobile adoption van on Saturday. Albee Square W & Fulton Street, 11201.

Yes Chef Food Fest
Saturday and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.
In what’s being billed as “a foodie’s dream festival,” New York’s top restaurants will all be in Williamsburg for this two-day inaugural event. Your ticket comes with access to food vendors you’d otherwise wait hours in line for (see full lineup below) and a bevy of FREE items, including surprise flavors and custom menu items. Participating restaurants include Taqueria Ramirez, Mimi Cheng’s, Mama’s Too, Gotham Burger, Soothr, Arthur & Sons, Milano Market and more. BK Backyard Bar, 86 N 11th Street. Tickets are going fast. Remaining slots start at $45.

‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ puppet show
The final shows are on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Park Slope’s Puppetworks was founded in 1980, and this weekend you can see their summer performance of “Jack & the Beanstalk” featuring an original song score and a “live” Giant. The show is suggested for ages 2 and up and lasts 55 minutes. Registration is suggested as walk-in admission is not guaranteed. Email them here. 338 Sixth Avenue (at 4th Street). Tickets are $10 for children and $11 for adults.

Hindu Lamp Ceremony
3 to 7:30 p.m.
The 12th annual Hindu Lamp Ceremony happens at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday. Dance artist and educator Aeilushi Mistry will perform the traditional Hindu Aarti ceremony at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pebble Beach. Free.

Celebrate World Steelpan Day
3 to 8 p.m.
Experience the sounds and tastes of Caribbean culture on World Steelpan Day. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen and dance to the sounds of steel pan bands in competition. The Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C) will host performances, workshops and activities in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy at Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn. Map to Pier 1. Free.

Red Bull BC One Cypher New York
4 p.m.
The world’s premier one-on-one breaking competition, Red Bull BC One, returns to New York at Brooklyn’s new rollerskating venue Xanadu on Saturday. The event will host the best breakers in New York battling it out to crown a new city champion. The top two b-boys and b-girls will advance to the regional cypher on the road to the National Cypher in Los Angeles later this year.

Lana Del Rave
10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
It’s time to celebrate our collective Summertime Sadness with the ultimate party for Brooklyn Babies and West Coast dreamers. Expect the full spectrum of Lana from “Video Games” straight through to “Born to Die” with every remixed deep cut in between. Real Lanatics will wear Blue jeans, floral crowns and heart-shaped rave glasses. 270 Meserole Street. Tickets are $20.

Sunday, August 11

Bluefin Tuna Cutting Show
3 to 8 p.m.
The 6th annual Bluefin Tuna Cutting Show is on Sunday afternoon. Bluefin tuna is one of the most highly prized fish used in Japanese raw fish dishes, and it’s not every day you can watch an expert sushi chef slicing up a 300+ pound bluefin right in front of your eyes. But on Sunday you can! Master Sushi Chef Kuni will demonstrate knife skills that only a select few possess. The giant tuna will be separated into sections of differing grades and prepared into delicious sushi/sashimi dishes. Tickets include unlimited drinks (sake, beer, soft drinks) and authentic Japanese dishes. 250 Varet Street. Tickets are $170.

Fuzed Festival
4 to 11:30 p.m.
Experience Afro-Caribbean vibes on Sunday at the Fuzed Festival in Industry City. This isn’t just a party, it’s a full-on festival celebrating everything the organizers love about African and Caribbean culture. Come have some jerk chicken and jollof rice while sipping on enough Don Julio then hit the dance floor. 220 36th Street. Tickets are $33.85.

WBLS 50th Anniversary: Jon B and Funk Flex
5 p.m.
WBLS has been holding it down as the center of soul and R&B in New York City for decades. For their 50th anniversary throwback jam in Coney Island, they’ve assembled a collection of R&B stars from the late ‘80s and ‘90s, hosted by the legendary radio DJ Funk Flex. Jon B headlines the concert with Vivian Green, Meli’sa Morgan, Horace Brown, and Jeff Redd. 3052 West 21 Street. Free.

Monday, August 12

Missy Elliott’s Out of This World Experience
7 p.m.
Missy Elliott invites you to Get Ur Freak On at Barclays Center on Monday night. Elliott’s Out of This World Experience brings the Afrofuturist hip-hop legend to Brooklyn with Ciara and Busta Rhymes and special guest Timbaland. The Experience boasts a giant, 3-D stage with eye-popping visuals. You shouldn’t miss it! 620 Atlantic Avenue. Tickets start at $93.

The post Weekend Guide: The Jazz Age Lawn Party, Lana Del Rave and Missy Elliott appeared first on Brooklyn Magazine.

Full disclosure: I’ve never gone clubbing in Tulum. So I don’t really know how accurately the Artesano Group recreated the vibe they were going for at Williamsburg’s brand new clubstaraunt Tabu.

But I can tell you that the massive outdoor patio here — it can hold about 75 people — is lush with plant life and fancy beachy furniture. Sand-colored sails provide shade, the bar soars with undulating shelves of tequila and mezcal (prices range from $12 to $60 for a two-ounce shot), Mayan iconography is embedded everywhere and the soundtrack is all chill covers and “poolside remixes” of famous pop songs.

Patio for days (Photo by Scott Lynch)

Behind the DJ booth in back is the showstopper, a working waterfall designed to evoke a cenote, those limestone sinkholes in the Yucatan that house azure pools of seawater. And at brunches on Sundays you can expect live fire shows and dancers. None of it feels like your typical east-of-Bedford-Ave Williamsburg spot. You’re a long way from eating BBQ in the driveway at Fette Sau here.

So Tabu hits the right notes for a glittery, if a little goofy, night out, but the best news is that the food here is really good, a tight menu of “contemporary Mexican” from chef Kevin Boularte, who previously spent time in the kitchens of Oxomoco and Mission Ceviche.

Everything is semi-snacky, and you’ll need at least two or three dishes for a complete meal. The bowl of aguachile roja is an excellent place to start, with chunks of trout and scallops bathing in a strawberry-rhubarb sauce, the tart fruit working well with the bright seafood.

Trout and scallop aguachile rojo, $22 (Photo by Scott Lynch)

Both of Tabu’s tostadas also got high marks from my party of two. The octopus one is piled high with the cephalopod, chopped into tiny, chewy bits, slathered with chipotle mayo and covered in a salty queso fresco. And the beef tostada is pretty, funky, and saucy in about equal measure.

Beef tostada, $16; octopus tostada, $17 (Photo by Scott Lynch)

Tacos come in pairs, and the best of the three we ate was the fish tempura, a plump, juicy, well-executed version of the classic. The slow-cooked pork tacos were also decent, as were the portobello and black truffle ones, though next time I want to try the tortillas topped with lamb with garlic yogurt sauce.

Fish tempura tacos, $15 for two (Photo by Scott Lynch)

Don’t skip dessert. In fact, you could pull up to Tabu for a couple of late-night pops and, say, the corn cake with guava curd, and leave here happy. Or get the chocolate-layer tower, starring an excellent housemade sorbet.

In addition to all the straight agave, Tabu also has a bunch of $18 signature cocktails created by beverage director Marek Trocha, including a “ritual sagrado” made with sotol, guanabana, and watermelon, and a “fiesta” co-starring tequila, chocolate liqueur and pineapple. Beers are sold on tap or in a can or bottle, and all of these cost $7 or $8. Wines by the glass will set you back $14.

Corn cake with guava, $13 (Photo by Scott Lynch)

“All of our team is young, in our early 30s,” Trocha said of the Artesano Group, which also run their namesake, well-regarded Peruvian restaurant in Tribeca. “But we all have at least a decade of hospitality experience. With Tabu we wanted to do something fun, something fresh, to add something refined but also playful to the neighborhood.”

Tabu is located at 10 Hope Street, between Roebling and Havemeyer Streets, and is currently open from Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.  

The post Williamsburg’s clubby new Tabu serves up first-rate contemporary Mexican dishes appeared first on Brooklyn Magazine.

Politicians have co-opted Brat Summer. So before it’s completely uncool (too late?), you have time to enjoy a brat rave at the Brooklyn Monarch on Friday night. Or throw back to the summer of ’99 and enjoy a weekend of movies that are turning 25 this year at both Nitehawk locations.

Saturday sees the return of the Brooklyn Beach Sports Festival to Coney Island with competitive and non-competitive sports alike. The Brooklyn Navy Yard hosts the Brooklyn Summer Beer Wine and Spirits Fest for day-into-evening drinking, and the Brooklyn Comedy Collective parodies HBO’s “Succession” with their show Ludicrously Capacious Comedy on Saturday night.

Sidetalk hosts Gorilla Fest on Sunday with headliners Ghostface Killah and Coney Island’s own Gorilla Nems. And you can close the weekend out with some laughs at the Hot Gossip Comedy Show at Union Hall. Special guests will include SNL’s Michael Longfellow and ex-Daily Show correspondent Jaboukie Young-White.

Can’t wait for tomorrow to start your weekend? Head to Coney Island Beach tonight, August 1, for our free screening of “Love & Basketball,” plus special pre-film activities brought to you by the Brooklyn Nets and NY Liberty in partnership with The Lay Out. Get there early to enjoy a pre-film painting experience and basketball games on the beach at 6 p.m., followed by the movie at sunset. RSVP here for free popcorn.

P.S. Labor Day is exactly one month away. Wear your whites before it’s too late.

Friday, August 2

57 Brooklyn eateries participate in Restaurant Week
Going on now through Sunday, August 18
Restaurant Week is back for the summer and Brooklyn has 57 participating restaurants. It’s actually a month-long grub fest, so you have from now through August 18 to enjoy the “week.” There are options at different price points, including many restaurants offering two-course lunches and three-course dinners. For example, Nami Nori in Williamsburg is offering a two-course lunch special from 12 to 2:30 p.m. for $30 from Monday to Friday. See more options near you linked above.

Aquatheater
See their website for showtimes
The Aquatheater is an interactive show at the New York Aquarium on the Riegelmann Boardwalk in Coney Island. Their revamp introduces new music, script, and the aquarium’s California Sea Lions. “Sea Lion Celebration: Sea Lions in the Big City” asks the age-old question whether California sea lions have what it takes to be considered “New Yorkers.” More information is available at the aquarium website linked above and you can see upcoming daily schedules here. 602 Surf Avenue.

Olympics Viewing Parties in Brooklyn
Friday through Sunday, August 11 at various times

• Bk Backyard is the sportiest place in Williamsburg you can watch the Olympics. Catch soccer, rugby, archery and everything in between at your leisure for the next two weeks. If you happen to be watching a match from Monday to Thursday, you’ll receive 50 percent off drinks at the bar from 5 to 7 p.m. 86 N 11th Street.
• The Hull Sports Bar at Seamore’s will show every Olympic event. Visit 5 times between now and August 11 and you’ll receive a Seamore’s x Two Robbers Olympic t-shirt and a free round of drinks on your next visit! 66 Water Street.
• Or head over to Japan Village in Sunset Park where Sake’s Bar on the 1st Floor and Red Shrine on the 2nd floor will show the games. 934 3rd Avenue.
• More places to watch the Games are listed in our roundup here.

Movies for the Class of ‘99 at Nitehawk
Various dates throughout August
Congratulations to The Class of ‘99! It’s been 25 years since you graduated, and received what turned out to be one of the most iconic years in cinema of all time. Nikehawk invites you to look back on the films from 1999 that became instant classics (“Fight Club”), others that have brought immense joy over the years (“The Mummy”) and a few that are only recently receiving the love they deserve. The series runs the entire month at Nitehawk Williamsburg and Prospect Park.

Pink Water Presents: Sunset Sessions
6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
We can’t get enough rooftops and the rooftop bar rooftop ART Williamsburg hosts an insane rooftop party every Friday night. With a rotating lineup of the city’s most talented DJs, Sunset Sessions let you celebrate the weekend poolside with a cocktail in hand. Drinks aren’t free but entry is. Get there early because the line is massive every Friday night. 96 Wythe Avenue.

Dirty Circus Variety Show
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Created and curated by House of Yes Co-Founder Anya Sapozhnikova, the Dirty Circus Variety Show will unfold in three acts. “A variety show dedicated to the raw and the raunchy,” this is not for the faint of heart. Expect aerial acrobatics, absurdity, and circus shenanigans. 21+. 2 Wyckoff Ave. Tickets are $46.

Celebrate Brooklyn! Presents: Meshell Ndegeocello
7 p.m.
Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello will unveil her new album “No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin.” Let yourself be ignited by the passion and legacy of Baldwin’s storytelling and activism. And prepare to be moved by the night’s opener Talibah Safiya, a Memphis-born soul artist whose captivating lyrics and minimal instrumentation evoke powerful and undeniable emotions. The Lena Horn Bandshell, 141 Prospect Park West. Free.

‘Fun & Slutty’ with Jonathan Van Ness
7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Emmy-nominated television personality, two-time New York Times best-selling author, comedian, podcaster, celebrity hairstylist and founder of JVN Hair, Jonathan Van Ness is fresh off of two successful worldwide comedy tours. Catch his wild and unfiltered comedy here in your own back yard. The Bell House, 149 7th Street. $50.90.

Friday Night Fireworks at Coney Island
Every Friday at 9:30 p.m. through August 30
Didn’t get enough fireworks last month? You’re in luck because Coney Island has them every Friday for the rest of the summer. Kick off your weekend with Luna Park’s dazzling and free fireworks show. For the best views, stand on the Boardwalk between West 10th Street and West 23rd Street. Free.

Chlomosexual Presents “brat rave”
10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Calling all brats: Chlomosexual is back this month with the Charli xcx inspired “brat rave” at The Brooklyn Monarch. The party is brat meets Berlin techno club but in a 30k square foot Brooklyn warehouse. See you on the dance floor. 23 Meadow Street. Tickets are $30.

Saturday, August 3

FitnessWalk: Prospect Park
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
FitnessWalk was born in Italy in 2018 and combines sports walking with fitness exercises and music. Through the use of wireless headphones, participants follow the instructions of a professional personal trainer who guides the sports walk and its various exercises. Join the fun in Prospect Park on Saturday morning. Ocean Avenue & Parkside Avenue, 11226. Registration is $28.

Brooklyn Beach Sports Festival
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Why lounge on the beach when you can sport on the beach? NYC Parks is partnering with the National Calisthenics Awards to host competitive and non-competitive activities alike on Saturday. Think calisthenics displays, tug o’ war, cornhole, meditative stretching, Jenga and more. Kick off your flip-flops and come play at Coney Island. West 10th Street Boardwalk Entrance. Registration is required on-site.

Performance and Workshop with Mark Morris Dance Group
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mark Morris Dance Group returns to Brooklyn Park Bridge for a special, outdoor performance and an all-ages family-friendly workshop at Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn. The workshop begins at 2 p.m., where all ages and abilities are invited to dance with the company, followed by a performance at 3 p.m. The repertoire will include “Water,” “Words”and the world premiere of a new work “Hello Stranger” — a trio set to four songs by the Carter Family and created specifically for this outdoor event. Words will be performed with live music by a pianist, who will also be providing musical interludes between pieces. 80 Furman Street. Free.

Smorgasburg Williamsburg becomes the Peanut Explorers Market
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The National Peanut Board and Jon Kung, a well-known Chinese American chef, have collaborated to transform Smorgasburg Williamsburg into the Peanut Explorers Market this Saturday. In a collaboration with the beloved New York food festival Smorgasburg and its most popular vendors, 10 peanut-centric, global dishes will be available during the limited-time Peanut Explorers Market. Chef Jon is on a mission to show people how easy and fun it can be to try new foods, especially with familiar flavors like peanuts at the center. 90 Kent Avenue.

‘Veselka’ screening and Q&A
11:45 a.m.
New York City’s beloved Ukrainian restaurant Veselka is best known for its borscht and varenyky, but it has become a beacon of hope for Ukraine. Come for a rare screening of the documentary “Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World,” a thoughtful exploration and celebration of family and community, followed by a Q&A with writer/director Michael Fiore and film subjects Jason Birchard and Tom Birchard (second- and third-generation Veselka owners) and employee Vitalii Desiatnychenko. Nitehawk Williamsburg, 136 Metropolitan Avenue. $19.75

‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ puppet show
Saturdays and Sundays through August 11 from 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Park Slope’s Puppetworks was founded in 1980, and this weekend, you can see their summer performance of “Jack & the Beanstalk” featuring an original song score and a “live” Giant. The show is suggested for ages 2 and up and lasts 55 minutes. Registration is suggested as walk-in admission is not guaranteed. Email them here. 338 Sixth Avenue (at 4th Street). Tickets are $10 for children and $11 for adults.

Brooklyn Summer Beer Wine and Spirits Fest
Session 1 at 1 p.m. and Session 2 at 6 p.m.
Enjoy an afternoon or evening at the Brooklyn Navy Yard Back Lot with your favorite local brew or exotic wine. Guests can enjoy beer, wine, and spirit samples for the session paired with live entertainment, food, and games. Your ticket comes with a souvenir sample glass that allows you to sample any alcohol offered. 141 Flushing Avenue. Tickets start at $19.

Ludicrously Capacious Comedy
8:30 p.m.
Ludicrously Capacious Comedy is a mix of standup, blind corporate ambition, and hilarious competition in a spoof of HBO’s “Succession” at the Brooklyn Comedy Collective. At LudCap Comedy, standup comics compete for the highly coveted and lucrative position of Chief Joke Officer. Whether or not you’re a fan of the hit show, come watch standup comedians perform their sets and ascend the corporate ladder. 167 Graham Avenue. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the show.

Sunday, August 4

Tompkins Avenue Open Streets Vendor Market
12 to 6 p.m., every Sunday through October 6
The Tompkins Avenue Open Streets Vendor Market is run by vendors, for vendors. Their outdoor market in Bed-Stuy maximizes exposure and profits for creators, so everything you buy has a bigger impact on their bottom line. On Sundays, they will host a mix of food, retail, and makers selling goods you won’t find anywhere else. Tompkins Avenue between Gates and Monroe Avenues.

Azure Day Party at the Arlo Williamsburg Rooftop
3 to 10 p.m.
Come dance the summer away at Azure Day Party, every Sunday through September. Kick-off of the party at ART Williamsburg, for a cocktail in their lounge with top DJs spinning the night away. You can also enjoy rooftop views by the poolside. 96 Wythe Avenue. Tickets are $75.

Gorilla Fest hosted by Sidetalk
5 to 9 p.m.
Coney Island’s own Gorilla Nems is known for his viral videos (“Don’t Ever Disrespect Me!”), iconic catchphrase (“Bing Bong!”) and is an accomplished underground rapper. For the Gorilla Fest in Coney Island, he’s assembled an impressive cast of characters, including the legendary Wu-Tang Clan MC Ghostface Killah, DJ Drewski, Statik Selektah, Scram Jones and Tony Touch. 3052 W 21st Street. Free.

‘Obvious Child’
7 p.m.
Rooftop Films is hosting a screening of the A24 comedy “Obvious Child” — “the most award-winning abortion-themed rom-com ever made,”: starring Jenny Slate — to celebrate the film’s 10-year anniversary. It’s free, but RSVPs are encouraged. Industry City Courtyard 5/6. 51 35th Street Brooklyn.

Hot Gossip Comedy Show
7:30 p.m.
Comedian and local gossip Jonathan van Halem pauses his perpetual gab-sesh to discuss audience-generated gossip as well as host an evening of stand-up comedy at Union Hall. This month’s show features Michael Longfellow (SNL), Molly Kearney (SNL), Sabrina Wu (“Joyride”), Jaboukie Young-White (“Big Mouth”) and Langston MacDiarmid. 702 Union Street. Tickets are $12.

The post Weekend Guide: Ghostface Killah, Meshell Ndegeocello, a brat rave and the movies of ’99 appeared first on Brooklyn Magazine.

The 2024 summer Olympics kicked off in Paris this past weekend, with athletes from all over the world competing in a variety of sports that range from classics — swimming! Archery! Tennis! Volleyball! — to relatively new additions to the roster of games, including BMX freestyling and breakdancing (officially called breaking).

There’s quite nothing like catching the feats of athleticism while lounging with a cold one in hand, cheering on the nearly 600 American competitors that are currently in France.

To that end, here is a list of the best places to watch the Olympics in Brooklyn this summer:

Banter Bar
132 Havemeyer Street, Williamsburg
At Banter, it’s all about soccer. Following sold-out-like attendance during both Copa America and the Euro Cup, Banter has decided to broadcast all USA women’s and men’s soccer games throughout this summer’s Olympics. Other sports will be broadcast when soccer isn’t playing.

BK Backyard Bar
86 N. 11th Street, Williamsburg
There’s so much to focus on at BK Backyard Bar… starting with the on-site beach volleyball court, made that much more exciting during the Olympics when feeling an itch to partake in some of the sports on display. Add to that the nearly 30 TVs on site, the giant backyard and the top-notch drink menu and you’ve got yourself a pretty awesome destination to catch the exciting Paris event.

The Commissioner
247 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope
If the vibe during the Eurocop at The Commissioner is of any indication, Brooklynites are in for a treat during the Olympics, with the bar allowing many to hang out during the day while working and watching the games. Sounds like a perfect midweek afternoon to us.

The Custom House in Brooklyn
139 Montague Street, Brooklyn Heights
The Brooklyn Heights pub spent the past few weeks hosting Copa America viewings, so it is only natural that they have now pivoted to the next globally-watched sports event. The bar’s beer menu is pretty solid, as are the food offerings — there’s something about pizza, beer and the diving competition that makes for the perfect outing.

Dave and Buster’s
625 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill and 395 Gateway Drive, East New York
It’s all about games, after all. You might not be a swimmer or a gymnast, but we bet you’re a Mario Kart pro — so go on and show off your arcade game skills at both Brooklyn locations of Dave & Buster’s, where all screens will be broadcasting the day’s top Olympic games.

DeKalb Market
445 Albee Square West, Downtown Brooklyn
With 10 screens set up all across the market and over 35 vendor menus to choose from, DeKalb Market will give you the widest possible choice when it comes to food-and-drink while enjoying the latest games. Try out something new every day of the Olympics?

The Dram Shop Bar
339 Ninth Street, Park Slope
With six high-def TVs, a giant screen projector and two outdoor television sets, The Dram Shop Bar is a great option when it comes to catching multiple games at once. Keep in mind that seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis so you’ll want to get there pretty early to secure yourself the best viewing option while indulging in the many daily food specials in celebration of the Olympics. Check out the bar’s full Olympic schedule right here.

DSK Brooklyn
710 Fulton Street, Fort Greene
DSK Brooklyn is known for hosting pretty awesome trivia and comedy nights, so we expect no less when it comes to the Olympics. Make sure to order one of the lagers to go along with your viewing, as the bar offers a pretty unique roster of options.

Fulton Hall
250 Ashland Place, Fort Greene
There are a bunch of different TVs set up across the watering hole, and traditional bar food to boot — chips and guac! Beer burgers! Crispy calamari! Mac and cheese! Bonus point: the venue is right next to Barclays Center, making it the perfect destination pre- or post-show.

Golfzon Social
11 Hoyt Street, Boerum Hill
If it’s exciting specials that you are after, Golfzon Social is the place to be. Now through August 11, patrons can grab beers for 50 percent off and indulge in a special $8 gold medal cocktail, made with Champagne, orange juice and Aperol. Delectable food specials abound as well!

Greenwood Park
555 Seventh Avenue, South Slope
This 13,000-square-foot beer garden offers indoor and outdoor seating (and viewing) on their large patio and are showing the Games every day on their 10 large screen TVs. Feeling the urge to participate? Every Friday during the Olympics, they’ll be hosting their own beer-themed games — think beer pong, flip cup and cornhole.

Gun Hill Publick House
68 34th Street, second floor, Industry City
The brewery has vowed to show many Olympic events on their 86-inch’ big screen throughout the duration of the multi-sport extravaganza — but make sure to call in advance when planning on watching specific matches.

The Hull
66 Water Street, Dumbo
The Hull, a speakeasy-like sports bar inside of Seamore’s, has gone all in with the Olympics, pledging to show all events while hosting their own inspired challenge: If you visit the space five times between now and August 11, you may win a free round of drinks the next time you walk in. You’ll also receive a Seamore’s branded T-shirt to wear every other time you head to the destination.

Iona Bar
180 Grand Street, Williamsburg
The Scottish bar promises daily coverage of all the games all throughout the Olympics, which they suggest you enjoy alongside cold beers, wine glasses, traditional cocktails and frozen drinks.

Soccer Tavern
6004 8th Avenue, Bay Ridge
Cheap drinks, homey vibes and an authentic devotion to soccer — it’s in the name! — make Soccer Tavern one of the most relaxing venues to catch the Olympics. Rest assured that you will be surrounded by true soccer fans when at the pub.

Threes Brewing
333 Douglass Street, Gowanus
If you’re strict about your schedule and just need to know in advance what will be playing where, Threes Brewing is for you. The bar’s online schedule is constantly updated, so feel free to consult it when looking for a specific game.

The post The best places to watch the Olympics in Brooklyn appeared first on Brooklyn Magazine.

The next time you’re in Bushwick gassing up your car at the BP station on Myrtle Avenue, you might consider getting a little fuel for yourself, too.

Blue Hour is a new late night takeout window serving up halal hot chicken sandwiches, kebabas and chopped cheese smack dab in the middle of the gas station.

It’s Ali Zaman’s first venture outside Astoria and Long Island City, where his family operates Sami’s Kabab House. In 2022, Zaman opened Little Flower Cafe in Queens. Blue Hour was developed with Little Flower partner, his cousin Mohamed Ghiasi, the son of the owner of Dunya Kabab House, an Afghan restaurant in Kensington.

When two opened their elevated fast food restaurant in a Bushwick gas station last month, they were trying to recreate a vibe with a menu that they remembered from growing up in Queens.

“Most of this menu is based around my cousin and I’s experience of eating late night in New York City,” says Ghiasi. Their menu includes all the classics like a smashburger, a hot chicken sandwich, chopped cheese and shoestring fries, but with an Afghani twist and a few Afghani mainstays. “We’re Afghan so we had to put chicken over rice because this is our staple.”

Zaman credits his friend and business partner Devlin Claro with coining the name Blue Hour, “because we want it to be late night-early morning business, he said, ‘Why don’t we call it Blue Hour since it evokes that time of day and the night?’”

As for the location, in a stroke of good luck, the gas station location owner — who also has a franchise near Dunya — approached Ghiasi with the idea of setting up shop. It was, according to him, a perfect match.

“The thesis behind this whole restaurant is being a late-night hub and the gas station location seemed the most intriguing,” says Ghiasi. “Outside of New York in a lot of other states, there’s this whole culture of eating in gas stations. We wanted to bring that kind of energy, that kind of feel into New York.”

With the large parking area for gas customers, you might just miss the sign that says “Blue Hour” but you’d be remiss to do so, because everything we tried, we loved — from the “Dragon Boy” chicken sandwich to the chopped cheese.  Don’t let its humble surroundings fool you, this is a very sophisticated take on the late night food hub.

Blue Hour is located inside the BP gas station at 1525 Myrtle Ave and is open Sunday through Thursday noon to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 3 a.m.

The post Blue Hour is serving elevated hot chicken and chopped cheese in a Bushwick gas station appeared first on Brooklyn Magazine.

You’re going to need another weekend to recover from this weekend.

On Friday, you can see three different concerts — French electronic band Justice, English DJ Jamie xx or actor-pianist Jeff Goldblum with his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Oh, and it’s Restaurant Week, and it’s time for the Olympics, and…

Friday also brings STAMINA: a Queer Caribbean weekend with music, dance, food, and lots of sweaty, wet fun. You can celebrate Prince’s classic album and movie “Purple Rain” at 40 with a dance party and movie screening at Brooklyn Bridge Park, or check out drag queen Thorgy Thor’s final “Drag Race” screening party and see who is crowned the newest All-Star.

Smorgasburg Williamsburg becomes the Peanut Explorers Market on Saturday with peanut-based dishes from all over the world. The African Popup Festival takes over Flatbush on Saturday and Sunday with drinks, music, art, and markets from Brooklyn’s African and Caribbean communities. Then head back over to Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday evening for “Rhapsody for This Land: The American Odyssey in Music,” a free concert featuring renowned pianist Lara Downes that’s being broadcast live on WNYC.

Bushwick restaurant Tong hosts their annual Thai hot wing contest on Sunday for those who can stomach it and Harriet’s Rooftop hosts their weekly rooftop event Sol Together to ease you into the work week with good vibes and good cocktails.

Summer’s in full swing and we have your entire weekend mapped out here.

Friday, July 26

57 Brooklyn eateries participate in Restaurant Week
Going on now through Sunday, August 18
Restaurant Week is back for the summer and Brooklyn has 57 participating restaurants. It’s actually a month-long grub fest, so you have from now through August 18 to enjoy the “week.” There are options at different price points, including many restaurants offering two-course lunches and three-course dinners. For example, Nami Nori in Williamsburg is offering a two-course lunch special from 12 to 2:30 p.m. for $30 from Monday to Friday. See more options near you linked above.

STAMINA: a Queer Caribbean weekend
Friday through Sunday at various times and locations
A three-day Queer Caribbean gathering called “STAMINA” comes to Brooklyn this weekend. This vibrant weekend will feature three unique events, highlighting Caribbean music, cuisine and immersive cultural experiences. Friday is SWEAT, a high-energy party where it’s all about the music and owning the dance floor.⁠ Saturday is WETT, a fully wet party experience complete with mini pools, beach balls, water guns and lounge chairs. And Sunday is BACKYARD FETE, an island getaway featuring Caribbean food, fresh coconuts, performances and old-school tunes. There will be special guest appearances by popular queer Caribbean personalities, including Mal from Netflix’s “The Ultimatum” and singer-songwriter MikeLyrik. See their website linked above for various ticket price levels.

The Billie Holiday Theatre Presents Sky’s The Limit: Style As Resistance
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Billie Holiday Theatre will present a new exhibition with “Style as Resistance,” a unique visual art exhibition experience exploring the concept of Black resistance through fashion and style. “Sky’s The Limit: Style as Resistance” takes a look at how style has played an integral role in the journey, survival and advancement of the African diaspora. This exhibition explores style through sculpture, painting, and photography as a form of resistance. All pieces are available for sale. 1368 Fulton Street.

MoMA PS1’s Warm Up
4 to 10 p.m.
Yes, this is technically in Queens, but close enough. MoMA PS1’s signature summer music series, Warm Up, charts local, domestic, and international origin points for innovations in electronic music. The 2024 program is anchored by an array of scenes active across New York City’s independently organized club and nightlife venues. Friday’s lineup features Uniiqu3, Easyfun, Evilslime (evilgiane + Slimesito) and African-American Sound Recordings. 22-25 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City. $20.55 in advance, $25.15 at the door.

‘Purple Rain’ 40th Anniversary Celebration
6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Dearly beloved, the Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Prince’s legendary album and movie “Purple Rain” on Friday (rain date July 27) at Pier 3 Plaza. A free dance party featuring Prince’s hits takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and the film begins at sundown. Let’s go crazy! Click here to see Pier 3 Plaza’s location on the park map.

Olympics Viewing Party at Bk Backyard Bar
Friday through Sunday, August 11 at various times
If the Olympics are on, then Bk Backyard is where you can watch. Catch soccer, rugby, archery and everything in between at your leisure for the next two weeks. If you happen to be watching a match from Monday to Thursday, you’ll receive 50% off drinks at the bar from 5 to 7 p.m. 86 N 11th Street.

Thorgy Thor’s ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars’ finale viewing party (part 2)
7 p.m.
RuPaul winds down “All Stars” Season 9 with a two-part finale and Bk Backyard will hold their second of two final viewing parties on Friday night. Grab your girlies, gays and theys, and head over to Bk Backyard as “Drag Race” alum Thorgy Thor hosts with special guests Miz Jade and Phaedra Phaded. 86 North 11th Street. Tickets are $13.

Green-Wood Cemetery After Hours
Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
No, it’s not spooky season yet, but you can explore Green-Wood Cemetery’s historic grounds under the cover of night on Friday and Saturday. You’ll visit the graves of fascinating figures in New York and American history in a walking tour that ends with a visit to the Catacombs, which are normally closed to the public. So, yeah, it’s kinda spooky! 500 25th Street. Tickets are $32 but members receive a discount.

Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
8 p.m.
Pianist and sometime actor Jeff Goldblum launched the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra 30 years ago. Since then, he and his band have performed for audiences throughout the United States and the world, playing contemporary arrangements of classic jazz and American songbook standards. You have the chance to see The Fly himself at The Opera House on Friday night. 288 Berry Street. Tickets start at $55.

Jamie xx plays five secret Brooklyn shows
9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday nights are your last chance to see Jamie xx play as part of his five-night residency of secret Brooklyn shows. Where will he play? Nobody knows. Buy a ticket to find out — and for the bragging rights.

Justice performs at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
10 p.m.
French electronic duo Justice plays their first New York headlining shows in 12 years at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and Friday night is your last chance to see them. Building 293, Assembly Road 11205. General admission tickets are $86.

Saturday, July 27

Smorgasburg Williamsburg becomes the Peanut Explorers Market
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and again next Saturday, August 3
The National Peanut Board and Jon Kung, a well-known Chinese American chef, have collaborated to transform Smorgasburg Williamsburg into the Peanut Explorers Market for the next two Saturdays. In a collaboration with beloved New York food festival Smorgasburg and their most popular vendors, 10 peanut-centric, global dishes will be available during the limited-time Peanut Explorers Market. Chef Jon is on a mission to show people how easy and fun it can be to try new foods, especially with familiar food like peanuts at the center. 90 Kent Avenue.

African Popup Festival
Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m.
Enjoy food and culture from across the diaspora at the African Popup Festival on Saturday and Sunday. There will be food, drinks, music, art and markets from Brooklyn’s African and Caribbean communities at this family-friendly event at Hillel Plaza in Flatbush. Listen to DJs spin the best Afrobeats, soca, Kompa, Amapiano and R&B, or check out live performances and dance from local talents. There’s also a cooking demo, an art exhibition, live painting, and much more. Nostrand and Flatbush Avenues, 11210. Entry is free, but there are various prices for sampling food.

‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ puppet show
Saturdays and Sundays through August 11 from 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Park Slope’s Puppetworks was founded in 1980, and this weekend, you can see their summer performance of “Jack & the Beanstalk” featuring an original song score and a “live” Giant. The show is suggested for ages 2 and up and lasts 55 minutes. Registration is suggested as walk-in admission is not guaranteed. Email them here. 338 Sixth Avenue (at 4th Street). Tickets are $10 for children and $11 for adults.

The Martin Monster Show
6:30 to 10 p.m.
A party, movie screening and show in Industry City to watch a to-be-announced “monster movie that breaks new ground.” Your host for the evening is Martin Monster, who comes from buried beneath the bowels of Bay Ridge and is reanimated to guide you along your path of ultimate movie enjoyment. There will be singing, movie trivia, and a few special guests and ghouls. The screening takes place at BK One Productions | Tom Kane Theater. 51 35th Street, Industry City. Tickets are $12.50

Rhapsody for This Land: The American Odyssey in Music
6 to 9 p.m.
Alison Stewart will host a live broadcast from Brooklyn Bridge Park of “Rhapsody for This Land: The American Odyssey in Music,” co-presented with St. Ann’s Warehouse. The concert will feature renowned pianist Lara Downes’ performing her new project, “Rhapsody in Blue Reimagined” (for the classic composition’s centennial), along with other special guests. WNYC will broadcast the concert live as part of its own Centennial celebration. Listen live on 93.9 FM, AM 820, and www.wnyc.org. Click here to see the venue, Emily Warren Roebling Plaza. Free.

Sunday, July 28

Brooklyn Museum Pop-up Market
10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., every Sunday through mid-November
Brooklyn Pop-up is a weekly artisan market at the Brooklyn Museum. Hosted at the museum’s front plaza, a revolving roster of 35-plus artisans, designers, and makers will be on hand selling contemporary fashion, accessories, home goods, food, beauty, jewelry and more. 200 Eastern Parkway. Free.

Blazefury’s Thai hot wing eating contest
1 to 3 p.m.
Inspired by the Kang Tai Pla fish curry eating challenges that customers at Bushwick’s Tong would hold among themselves at the restaurant, contestants will be eating hot wings that will no doubt test the limits of human spice tolerance. 321 Starr Street. Free.

Sol Together at Harriet’s Rooftop
3 p.m. to late
Meet at Harriet’s Rooftop every Sunday for an electrifying rooftop experience featuring panoramic city views and sets from world-class DJs like this Sunday’s headliner, Yung Omz. Have a cocktail, take a picture for the ‘gram, and enjoy some summer tunes. 60 Furman Street. Tickets start at $40.

Cartoon Carnival turns 15
Screenings at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tommy José Stathes is a preeminent collector of old (1920s-1950s) cartoons on 16 and 35 millimeter film. Roughly once a month for 15 years he’s held public screenings, often grouped thematically, of these reel-to-reel gems starring familiar (and less familiar) faces. This weekend he’ll be hosting the 15th anniversary celebration if his Cartoon Carnival series at Rubulad, with free cake and, for the later showing, the phenomenal ragtime piano accompaniment of Charlie Judkins. 389 Melrose Street. $15, though tickets are going fast.

Celebrity Memoir Book Club WIP
7:30 to 9 p.m.
As Celebrity Memoir Book Club prepares to take their live show all the way to Australia, join hosts Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton as they test out new games and segments at Union Hall on Sunday night for the all-new Celebrity Memoir Book Club Live. 702 Union Street. Tickets are $12.

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