Rosh Hashana and Oktoberfest: 17 things to do this weekend

By Joshua Encinias

It’s the weekend. It’s Rosh Hashana. We’re halfway to St. Patrick’s Day. And Oktoberfest season is here.

Starting on Friday, The Park Slope Jewish Center hosts events all weekend long to celebrate the new year. Bars all over the borough host Oktoberfest celebrations. And jam band Taper’s Choice begins a two-night residency at Union Pool that night.

The 42nd Annual Great Irish Fair of New York will be held on Saturday, which happens to also be the start of Rosh Hashana, and Brooklyn Bowl hosts a High Holiday musical celebration all day. Schoolfest and Canarsie FAM are on deck for the kids, too.

Sunday comes to a close with the return of Jurassic Mini-Golf at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum after its hit summer run. House of Yes is taking over Wyckoff Avenue for their free annual block party and Alamo Drafthouse is hosting a massive Willy Wonka party with select cast members of the original movie in attendance. (RIP Gene Wilder, you would hate the new Wonka prequel).

Shanah Tova and may the luck o’ the Irish be with you this weekend.

Friday, September 15

Rosh Hashana
All weekend
Kick off the Jewish new near and the start of the High Holy Days. The Park Slope Jewish Center has a full schedule of events in person and on Zoom beginning on Friday at 6:30 p.m. with an evening Maariv service on Erev Rosh Hashana, followed by the Tashlich (casting sins into the water) on Saturday, and Shofar on the Stoop on Sunday. See PSJC’s website for their complete schedule and event details. 320 8th Avenue.

Taper’s Choice at Union Pool
Friday and Saturday nights
Taper’s Choice, the self-proclaimed jam band “you can depend on” featuring members of Vampire Weekend and Real Estate, plays two nights at Union Pool on Friday and Saturday. Come for the original tunes and stay for the Pink Floyd covers. 484 Union Avenue. Tickets are $23.

Nan Xiang Express opens downtown
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nan Xiang Express brings its Michelin-recommended menu to downtown Brooklyn for a soft opening on Friday. Try out favorites like pork soup dumplings and new additions like spicy beef soup dumplings with an average cost of $20 per meal. 148 Lawrence Street.

Blinding Lights: The Weeknd Dance Party
10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Dawn FM comes alive with a dance party at the Bell House dedicated to the Starboy himself. Hear “Save Your Tears,” “Popular,” “Can’t Feel My Face” and more until 3 a.m. Dance to all your favorite Weeknd-adjacent artists and collaborators for a night of Blinding Light bliss. 149 7th Street. Tickets are $18.

Oktoberfest in Brooklyn
Various times and locations all weekend
It’s September, so obviously it’s time to kick off Oktoberfest. There will be no shortage of steins, sausages, lederhosen and feats of strength on display all over the borough. Here’s a smattering of beery, cheery events in Brooklyn this weekend (there will be more to come next week, too):

• Bk Backyard Bar will be servicing up select beers, signature cocktails from Misguided Spirits, great food and lawn games galore, kicking off at 7 p.m. Friday. GA Tickets start at $15 and include entrance into the event. VIP Tickets start at $40. 86 N. 11th Street
• Both of Black Forest’s Brooklyn locations (Fort Greene and Cobble Hill) are hosting Oktoberfest parties on weekends from September 16 through October 21. Tickets start at $15 for entry, and you can add on three hours of unlimited beer for $45.
• The Red Hook flagship of Strong Rope Brewery is serving up waterfront brews, a stein-holding competition and live music by The Polka Brothers and DJ Blessed. There will be sausages, burgers and pretzels. Drink Oktoberfest-inspired beers by Strong Rope and guest breweries. Free but the truly devoted will want to get a branded stein here. 185 Van Dyke Street.
• Radegast Hall will also have a brass band, stein holding competitions and a ceremonial keg-tapping on September 16, 23 and 30. 113 N 3rd St. 7 to 11 p.m.

Saturday, September 16

A Musical Celebration of Rosh Hashana at Brooklyn Bowl
Doors at 9 a.m., show at 10 a.m.
Celebrate the Jewish new year with Rabbi Daniel Brenner, Jeremiah Lockwood and Antibalas’ Jordan McLean at Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday morning. “The Bowl Hashanah” includes a Rosh Hashana morning service led by Rabbi Daniel Brenner, Torah reading and procession, an easy-to-understand explanation of the holiday’s religious aspects, prayer and shofar blowing. After service, lunch will be provided by Blue Ribbon available with your ticket. 61 Wythe Avenue. Prices range from $25 to $500.

The 42nd Annual Great Irish Fair of New York
Mass at 9 a.m., Fair begins at 11 a.m.
Celebrate the halfway point to St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday at the 42nd Annual Great Irish Fair of New York. Taking place at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Prospect Park, the fair hosts musicians, dancers and all things Irish, including a presentation on the Good Friday Agreement and its lasting impact on the Northern Ireland peace process. Plus, there’s a bounce house for the kids. 245 Prospect Park West.

Schoolfest 2023
12 to 4 p.m.
Now in its 15th year, Schoolfest is a one-of-a-kind school fair for North Brooklyn students and parents. All public schools, charter schools, private schools, early childhood centers and extracurricular activity providers are invited to John Ericsson Middle School 126 to create an education networking and informational experience covering Greenpoint and Williamsburg. Please see their Eventbrite for the complete schedule of participants. 424 Leonard Street. Free, with a required ticket.

Canarsie FAM 2023: Festival of Arts & Music
12 to 4 p.m.
Join Canarsie FAM 2023 at the Canarsie Park House on Saturday for family-friendly music and dance performances, hands-on workshops and wearable art-making activities. BYO picnic, blanket, & chairs, and spend a day in the community. Plus, enjoy free sips and bites from local eateries TriniJam BK, Patty Heaven and Xperience Coffee House & Juice Bar. East 88th Street. Free.

Queer Love & Sex Fair
6:30 to 11 p.m.
Come chat with educated businesses and individuals on the topics of queer love and sex. Queer businesses and individuals will discuss “taboo” topics in an effort to get everyone more comfortable with their bodies, minds and relationships. Visit artists’ booths, play some interactive games, enter raffles, try new food, get some boozy drinks and browse local artists’ collections. Brooklyn Art Cave, 897 Broadway. $10.58.

Sunday, September 17

Kid’s Jurassic Mini-Golf Returns
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit Brooklyn Children’s Museum to experience Jurassic Mini-Golf, returning after a successful run this summer. Kids and parents can practice their putt under a rooftop canopy on a custom-made nine-hole mini-golf course while surrounded by larger-than-life animatronic dinosaurs. 145 Brooklyn Avenue. Tickets are $5 per person after you buy a general admission ticket.

Fall Family Story Time at BBG
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Drop by the Brooklyn Botanical Garden on the following Sundays: September 17, September 24, October 1 and October 15 for fall family story time in their Discovery Garden. Enjoy garden-inspired stories alongside BBG volunteers at the Discovery Garden’s Woodland boardwalk. You can drop in anytime to join. All readers (and pre-readers) of all ages are welcome. 150 Eastern Parkway. Free with admission. While you’re there, be sure to check out the dazzling “Flowers of Hypnosis” installation, on display through October.

YES! Block Party
12 to 6 p.m.
House of Yes is taking over the whole damn street on Sunday, transforming it into an electric playground carnival wonderland of performances, play, art and outdoor dance party magic with Soul Summit Music and friends. It’s free, it’s all ages, and it’s happening rain or shine. Check out this recap of their 2022 block party for a taste. 2 Wyckoff Avenue. Free.

Gospel Brunch
1 to 2:30 p.m.
Visit the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn for a soulful and uplifting Gospel Brunch on Sunday. You’ll feast on delicious food while enjoying powerful gospel music. 124 Henry Street. Free with a $20 suggested donation.

The Ultimate Willy Wonka Party
3 p.m.
Brooklyn’s Alamo Drafthouse welcomes original “Will Wonka” actors Paris Themmen (Mike TeeVee) and Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt) in person for a Q&A on Sunday. Dress as your favorite character, set piece or prop from the film, and compete in Alamo’s scrumdiddlyumptious gummy bear eating contest. The theater is pulling out all the stops with custom chocolate bars and golden goose feathers, so buy your Golden Ticket before they’re gone. 445 Albee Square West, 4th floor.

Concerts on the Slope Season Opener
3 p.m.
Concerts on the Slope are back for their new season at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Sunday afternoon. The series presents Brooklyn with top-quality chamber music concerts with accomplished and emerging young artists from New York and around the world. The opening concert features Bixby Kennedy, Fifi Zhang and Benjamin Larsen presenting works for clarinet trio by Zemlinsky, Frühling and Marjorie Merryman. 139 Saint Johns Place. Tickets are $12.50.

New York Street and Culture Photography
7 to 9:30 p.m.
Step into the world of photography at Smith + Morgan Salon as they present “Dive into NY Streets.” You’re invited to immerse yourself in the work of Mara Clemar, a rising star in the New York street photography scene. Enjoy a glass of bubbly, meet some new friends and witness the city’s vibrant spirit through the lens of an emerging talent. 231 Smith Street. Free.