Park Slope Planner: The Best Events December 12-15
Holiday festivities are ramping up this weekend! Several events that are becoming annual traditions, including the Messiah singalong, the No Office Holiday Party, and the Jingle Bell Jamboree are coming up, plus a few other great events for whether you’re in a holly-jolly mood or not:
The Second Annual Messiah Singalong
When: Thursday, December 12, 7:30pm
Where: Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Place
What: Arts at Old First, in cooperation with CBE, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and the Brooklyn Community Chorus, presents this holiday musical spectacular, bringing a diverse community together in an interfaith celebration.
How much: $20 in advance, $25 at the door; all proceeds will benefit Old First’s Restoration Fund
No Office Holiday Party
When: Thursday, December 12, 7:30pm
Where: Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street
What: Our friends at Brokelyn, the skint, and Greenpointers know how to throw a great holiday party for all the freelancers, under/unemployed, and home officer workers out there. Bargain punch for the first hour, live music, comedian Mike Lawrence, and much more. How about a holiday bonus: there are raffle prizes!
How much: $8, available in advance
Brooklyn Reading Works: Feast
When: Thursday, December 12, 8pm
Where: The Old Stone House, 336 3rd Street
What: Writers talk food as subject matter and as metaphor, and it’s an open mic, so feel free to bring your own food-related piece to read (8 minutes max). Ken Carlton will open the event with a short reading from his new novel Food for Marriage. Soup, bread, dessert, and wine will be served.
How much: $10 suggested donation will go toward a local food pantry
It’s A Wrap: Holiday Art Sale & Show
When: Friday, December 13, 6-9pm
Where: Ground Floor Gallery, 343 5th Street
What: Check out this juried exhibition of more than 20 emerging artists, and if you see something you like, buy it! Art and design objects — from pop art comic books to jungle animal portraits to homemade planters — will be available for $12 to $180 starting Friday through January 5. At the opening, you’ll get a gift bag, and artist Brendan Carroll will take Polaroid snapshots of guests (with festive holiday props!).
How much: Free!
Jingle Bell Jamboree
When: Saturday, December 14, 7pm
Where: Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Place
What: Hear performances from a variety of performing ensembles, including The Mark Morris Dance Group Student Company, The Brooklyn Community Chorus, Spoke the Hub Dance, the P.S. 97 Chorus, the St. Joseph High School Step Team, and the Old First Family String Band. And join in on a festive sing-a-long throughout the show, as well as the traditional grande finale: The 12 Days of Christmas, performed by the entire audience.
How much: Suggested donation of $5 or $10 (children/adults)
Gotham: Writers In The City, With Hilton Als
When: Saturday, December 14, 4pm
Where: Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: The cultural critic discusses his new book White Girls, which has been receiving praise for its analysis of literature, art, and music with insights on race, gender, and history.
How much: Free!
After Tiller Screening
When: Sunday, December 15, 5pm
Where: Barbès, 376 9th Street
What: Since the assassination of Dr. George Tiller in 2009, there are only four American doctors left who openly provide third-trimester abortions. This documentary paints a complex, compassionate portrait of these physicians, who have become the new targets of the anti-abortion movement.
How much: $5 suggested donation
Photo via Park Slope Civic Council