BPL Presents Week-Long ‘Democracy Lab’ In Inflatable Bubble Pavilion
PROSPECT HEIGHTS – Spacebuster, a van equipped with an inflatable bubble that fits up to 120 visitors inside, will be home to 50 free programs presented by the Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Branch.
Starting Monday, June 11, the giant bubble will be parked across from the Central Library at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch for Democracy Lab, seven days of free programs focused on civic engagement, social justice, public space, utopia and democracy. The programming will include chair-making workshops, artist-led walks, a lunch concert series, literary debates, and presentations on green architecture.
Fort Greene residents might recognize the Spacebuster bubble—it was set up at Fort Greene Park last October for a day of furniture-making workshops and film screenings.
Some highlights of BPL’s Democracy Lab include:
Dear America: Isolation – a “literary cabaret” featuring writer Rachel Aviv, poet/activist Ian Manuel, Cuban jazz pianist Elio Villafranca, and teenage activist Mosab Hamid performing and discussing the theme of isolation. (Monday, June 11, 7:30pm to 9pm)
Coffee and The New York Times – daily guided readings of The New York Times moderated by artists, comedians, human rights activists, and community members. (Tuesday, June 12 through Friday, June 15, 10am to 10:30am)
Green Dreams: The Nuclear Imagination – Green Dreams, a series of discussions on utopian architecture, science, and ecology, presents this discussion on the shifting positions on the nuclear power reactor, and what it could mean for the future of architecture. (Tuesday, June 12, 2pm to 3pm)
Second Read: Lord of the Flies with Francine Prose & Others – critics and writers reread and reconsider William Golding’s classic dystopian novel. (Tuesday, June 12, 7pm to 8:30pm)
Visually Speaking: Through A Lens Queer(ly) – this special edition of Visually Speaking features photographer Lola Flash in conversation with historian and curator Dr. Jonathan Square discussing the visual culture and its inclusion surrounding the LGBTQ community through imagery. (Wednesday, June 13, 7pm to 8:30pm)
Mike Reiss on The Simpsons at 30 – four-time Emmy winner Mike Reiss shares stories and secrets from his thirty years writing for the hit animated series, The Simpsons. There will be rare clips, a Q&A session, and a book-signing of Reiss’ new Simpsons memoir Springfield Confidential. (Friday, June 15, 7pm to 8:30pm)
Lost in Lust: A Little Help From Some Faith Leaders on Flatbush Ave – part of a new series, “A Rabbi, Priest, Monk and an Imam Walk Into a Bar” this show features writers/comedians Mike Albo and Ophira Eisenberg seeking guidance from a few Flatbush Avenue faith leaders on how to be more spiritual in their sexual lives. (Saturday, June 16, 7:30pm to 9pm)
All Democracy Lab programs are free but reservations are required. Go to bklynlibrary.org/bpl-presents to reserve tickets.
Democracy Lab at the Spacebuster
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch, Grand Army Plaza
Monday, June 11 – Sunday, June 17