Park Slope Events Spotlight: December 28 – January 3
It’s the last week of 2015, y’all! If you’re sticking around the Slope and looking for adventure, we’ve got everything from philosophy and competitive erotic fan fiction, to power trios and the best fireworks in town to keep you and the family entertained. Here are some of our favorite Park Slope events from around the area.
For even more things to do around Brooklyn, and to add your own upcoming Park Slope events (some of which we’ll feature in this roundup in the future!), check out our calendar.
Open Source Gallery Soup Kitchen
When: Through December 31, 7-9pm
Where: Open Source, 306 17th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues
What: It’s time to celebrate food, art, and community at Open Source Gallery. Starting December 1 and continuing throughout the month for as many days as they have volunteers, Open Source will invite a range of people “from neighbors to artists to others who are down on their luck or simply hungry” to a warm, free meal from 7-9pm. Food is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and all are welcome. It’s not all about the food, though. Guests can also look forward to an artistic element from the evening’s host. Can’t make it Monday, or would like to host one evening? Click here for the soup kitchen’s complete schedule.
How much: Free.
11th Annual Small Works Show
When: Through January 10
Where: 440 Gallery, 440 6th Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets
What: Great things definitely come in small packages at 440 Gallery this month, where the popular Small Works Show – made up of pieces that are all under 12″ – returns. Visit the 440 Gallery website for more information, and a list of the artists featured in this year’s show.
How much: Free.
Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction
When: Monday, December 28, 8pm
Where: Union Hall, 702 Union Street
What: Comedians — including Bryan Cook,Aparna Nancherla, Myq Kaplan, Ben Kronberg, Giulia Rozzi, Shane Torres, Lisa Curry, and Lillian DeVane — write and perform erotic fan fiction pieces, based on their whims or audience suggestions.
How much: $10, tickets available in advance.
Choban Elektrik, Greek Judas, Sandcatchers, Tavche Gravche
When: Tuesday, December 29, 7:30pm
Where: The Rock Shop, 249 4th Avenue
What: If a prog rock power trio had ever sprung up in the mountains of Albania, it would have sounded like Brooklyn’s Choban Elektrik. Come check ’em out at Rock Shop this Tuesday, along with Greek Judas, Sandcatchers, and Tavche Gravche.
How much: $7 in advance/$10 at the door
NYE At The Monro
When: Thursday, December 31
Where: The Monro Pub, 481 5th Avenue, between 11th and 12th Streets
What: Party all night with appropriate New Year’s Eve headwear, rattle & rollers, tunes to jam to, and a midnight champagne toast.
How much: Free.
NYE At Greenwood Park
When: Thursday, December 31
Where: Greenwood Park, 555 7th Avenue, between 19th and 20th Streets
What: Celebrate the 2016 with everyone’s favorite neighborhood beer garden. Look for DJs all night long, no cover, and a free Champagne toast at midnight.
How much: Free
F#*ck That Shit New Year’s Eve Party
When: Thursday, December 31
Where: Mary’s Bar, 708 5th Avenue at 22nd Street
What: Ready to show 2015 the door? Mary’s is here to help. The bar is asking people to come fill out a ballot with their biggest complaints from 2015. There will be three prizes (a $50 bar tab, a $25 bar tab, and bottles of bubbles) given out to the three favorite complaints which will be called out on NYE. Also look for drink specials and a free Champagne toast at midnight. Note that ballots must be in my 9pm, and you must be present to win.
How much: Free.
New Year’s Eve Flamingo Formal
When: Thursday, December 31, 6pm-2am
Where: The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, 514 Union Street
What: The call is to “don your best black, white, and pink” while dancing, drinking, and of course, playing some shuffleboard. They’ll have free shuffleboard challenge courts, Flamingo surprises, and a free pink champagne toast at midnight.
How much: No cover.
Awesome Aughts: Music of the Early 2000s
When: Thursday, December 31, 10pm
Where: Union Hall, 702 Union Street
What: Dance into the new year while reminiscing about the old ones at Union Hall on Thursday, we’re they’ll be rocking the best pop, rock, R & B, hip-hop, and dance music from the early 2000s.
How much: $5 at the door.
NYE Forro party
When: Thursday, December 31, 10pm
Where: Barbes, 376 9th Street at 6th Avenue
What: How can you say no to accordion party music? Accordion master Rob Curto leads this ensemble which combines the classic forros of Luis Gonzagua and Jackson do Pandeiro with original compositions and improvisation rolled into an amazing dance party.
How much: $20.
New Year’s Eve Party With Sweet Tits – The Punk Lesbo Spinal Tap
When: Thursday, December 31, 11pm
Where: Freddy’s, 627 5th Avenue, between 17th and 18th Streets
What: “Anything happens at their shows,” says the Freddy’s website, “and everything always does.” Definitely sounds like the place to be. Also look for food until 2am, drinks until whenever, and free Champagne at midnight.
How much: Free.
Fireworks In Prospect Park
When: Thursday, December 31, 11pm/fireworks at midnight
Where: Grand Army Plaza
What: If you’re sticking close to home this New Year’s Eve, Prospect Park is the place to be as the clock inches toward 2016. Starting at 11pm, there will be music and hot chocolate, but the real show starts at midnight, when the sky will come alive with one of the city’s best fireworks displays. Set up camp anywhere from 9th Street to Grand Army on Prospect Park West, or inside the park along West Drive to see the show.
How much: Free!
Funk & Soul Dance Party At Freddy’s
When: Friday, January 1, 9pm
Where: Freddy’s, 627 5th Avenue, between 17th and 18th Streets
What: Kick off 2016 with a little “grown-ass music for grown-ass folks,” when DJ’s Pat, Jae Trevor, and Ben the Beyonder start spinning deep cuts and classics from the soul stompers of the 60’s, to space-age funk, and everything in between.
How much: Free.
Smorgasburg and The Brooklyn Flea at Industry City
When: Saturday, December 26 and Sunday, December 27, 10am-6pm
Where: Industry City, 241 37th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)
What: Smorgasburg has moved down to the booming Industry City, which may be new territory for you. While the move was announced some time ago, Industry City is housing both Smorgasburg and The Brooklyn Flea every Saturday and Sunday until March 27, 2016. Keep in mind that Industry City is big — the entrance address is 241 37th Street. This is just two blocks from the 36th Street D/N/R subway station—only two stops from Manhattan on the D train!—and a short walk from the B35, B38 and B70 bus stops. The 39th Street exit off the Gowanus Expressway/BQE also takes you pretty much to our doorstep (and to the second-busiest Costco in America next door).
How the Homeless Are Us and Why We Can’t Stand Them: A Philosophical Inquiry into Homelessness
When: Saturday, January 2, 1-2:30pm
Where: Park Slope Library, 431 6th Avenue at 9th Street
What: Join University of Oregon Professor of Philosophy, Naomi Zack, for a philosophical inquiry into the state of homelessness and its effects on society at large.
How much: Free.
Early Morning Bird Walk
When: Sunday, January 3, 10am
Where: Meet at the Audubon Center in Prospect Park
What: Join the Brooklyn Bird Club for a walk around the park to see the beautiful plumage and fascinating behavior of wintering ducks. Please note that the tour leaves promptly at 10am.
How much: Free!