11 things to do in Brooklyn this weekend, from Kool Keith to Club Titiboo

By Daniel Karel

There’s a little bit of rain in the forecast, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying a weekend filled with an eclectic slate of events: rooftop comedy shows; live music in Prospect Park; edifying outdoor lectures about the infamous Battle of Brooklyn; Paint n Sips; something called Club Titiboo.

Summer’s almost over. Get out there. Here’s the rundown:

Friday, August 20

Trees for All NYC Volunteer Day
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The Gowanus Canal is officially a superfund site, which means the flora and fauna surrounding it need all the help they can get. Lend a hand this Friday by registering for Trees for All’s Volunteer Day, and help care for the young saplings and watering trees in the area. Sign up through the organization’s website for the two-hour horticultural experience.

Celebrate Brooklyn!: Kool Keith, Tygapaw, Mari World
7:30 to 10 p.m.
Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival continues in the Prospect Park Bandshell Friday night, with performances by Kool Keith, Tygapaw, and Mari World. Kool Keith, the legendary co-founder of the Ultramagnetic MCs who also performs as Dr. Octagon, is an iconoclastic hip hop legend who’s been putting his weird spin on things for more than three decades. The can’t-miss show starts at 7:30 pm; RSVP for free tickets.

Brooklyn Rooftop Mad Love Comedy Show
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Mad Love Comedy began as a show on MacDougal Street in the West Village, where it built a reputation for hilarity and diverse talent. This Friday, on the rooftop of the Tiny Cupboard, a slate of their best comedians will be starring in this family-friendly show beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $10.

Belly Laughs Stand Up Comedy
8 – 10 p.m.
Belly Laugh, the “tastiest” comedy show around, will be hosted by Venessa Peruda (StandUp NBC) in a wholly appropriate venue: DeKalb Stage at DeKalb Market Hall, Brooklyn’s own “food heaven.” The show kicks off at 8:00 p.m., with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets run for a mere $5.

Saturday, August 21

Outdoor Yoga at the Brooklyn Museum Plaza
10 to 11 a.m.
Start your Saturday morning with some relaxing yoga on the plaza steps of the Brooklyn Museum. The class begins at 10 a.m. and is described as “gentle,” and will be followed by a guided meditation. In other words, the perfect activity to ground yourself before a night of partying. Tickets are going for $16 and include a general admission pass to the museum.

Six Foot Platform: Pennants and Poets
12 p.m.
Dumbo’s Six-Foot Platform experimental residency program continues at 12 p.m. this week at the intersection of Washington and Water Streets. This week, the exhibition is called Pennants and Poets, featuring spoken word poetry and an art installation. More than 50 flags will be attached to the platform featuring poems and messages from currently and previously incarcerated people.

Yankee Doodle Defeat: The Story of the Battle of Brooklyn
6 to 7 p.m.
The Battle of Brooklyn was a resounding defeat for American forces during the Revolutionary War. Historian Greg McMurry will walk you through the infamous L step by step, along with musical accompaniment. The event kicks off 2021 Brooklyn Battle Week. Admission is free, and will take place outdoors on the lawn at the Old Stone House in Washington Park behind J.J. Byrne Playground.

Creek and Kills EP Release Party
8 p.m.
Brooklyn rock band Creek and Kills are throwing a party for their new EP “Unstitching” at 18th Ward Brewing. The trio plays “wild siren songs from the far reaches of an urban estuary,” which makes for a rollicking live show, which sounds like a fun way to cap off a busy summer. Don’t miss it. The band goes on at 8 p.m.

Action Bronson: A Day at the Beach
8 p.m.
Technically, it’s more like an evening at the beach. But Coney Island Amphitheater is hosting a newly svelte Action Bronson in a night that also includes performances by Kranium, Stove God Cook and Flor de Toloache. General admission tickets are $40.

Sunday, August 22

Paint N Sip
1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
If you’ve never been to a Paint N Sip, you’ll be surprised by how well booze helps you channel your inner Picasso. This event is going down at MIKA in Bushwick, a bar and event space. $30 ticket comes with two drinks, and food is available for purchase from a bites menu. Sessions start at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Club Titiboo
7 to 11:30 p.m.
Hit up Club Titiboo on Sunday night, popping up at Wonderville in Bushwick. Four DJs will be spinning video game themed bangers—OSTs, remixes, etc.—while you enjoy cheap drinks from the bar. Presale tickets are going for $8, otherwise $10 at the door. The night kicks off at 7 p.m.