Park Slope Planner: The Best Events December 5-8

If you’re looking for gifts for people on your list (or, perhaps, for yourself), this weekend is packed with fun and festive sales — and they’re not all just about shopping. Those and more events coming up in Park Slope:

Brooklyn By the Book: Malcolm Gladwell
When: Thursday, December 5, 7:30pm
Where: Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Place
What: The popular author discusses his book David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants in a conversation with Bruce Headlam of The New York Times.
How much: $10 suggested donation, but tickets have almost all been scooped up. They’ll honor RSVPs until 7:15pm, and the first 200 walk-in guests will also get seats. After that, seating will be first come, first served.

Park Slope Bingo Club
When: Thursday, December 5, 8-11pm
Where: Union Hall, 702 Union Street
What: Stamp those cards for a chance to win drinks, show tickets, and cold hard cash. There will be multiple games through the night, and you can buy-in with a $5 pack of cards anytime.
How much: Free to enter, $5 to play

Rewindz Presents: The Re-Fresh
When: Friday, December 6, 10pm-1am
Where: Elberta Resyaurant & Bar, 335 Flatbush Avenue
What: Listen to some cool tunes spun by DJ Michele of Rewindz while you enjoy conversation and cocktails.
How much: Free!

Holiday Shop At PS 321
When: Saturday, December 7, 10am-5pm
Where: PS 321, 180 7th Avenue
What: Local artists and emerging independent designers will showcase their one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, or limited edition creations. While you shop, the kids can check out some fun activities. Plus, there’s a raffle, where you could win the biggest stuffed bear we’ve ever seen.
How much: Free!

Brooklyn Holiday Book Fair
When: Saturday, December 7, 11am-5pm
Where: The Old Stone House, 336 3rd Street
What: The second annual fair is not just a chance to pick up great gifts from many Brooklyn independent booksellers who will be there. At 4pm local author Paul Auster will read his Brooklyn holiday classic, Auggie Wren’s Christmas Story — just be sure to get there early, because they’re expecting a big crowd.
How much: Free!

Flatbush Artists Holiday Art Sale
When: Saturday, December 7 & Sunday, December 8, 1-7pm
Where: 502 9th Street, between 7th & 8th Avenues
What: Looking for a unique gift for someone on your list? Check out work including painting, photography, drawing, and more from 15 Brooklyn artists. There will also be performances by poet AJA.
How much: Free!

Kototama: Sugita Koki Exhibition Opening Reception
When: Saturday, December 7, 2-4pm
Where: J-LABO Brooklyn, 300 7th Street
What: A show that runs through December 20 will showcase the work of an artist exploring a new technique (shown in the video above) involving the use of calligraphy Tatami matting, which was traditionally made from woven straw. He’ll be at the opening working on paintings, with music by Masayo Ishigure.
How much: Free!

Classical Interludes: Irina Nuzova
When: Sunday, December 8, 4pm
Where: Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: The Russian pianist will perform works by Schubert, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, and three pieces of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliette. Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted.
How much: Free!