Park Slope Planner: The Best Events June 12-15
This weekend, you’ll have no excuse to sit at home doing nothing — just step out the door, and you’ll run into something amazing, and free! From Brooklyn Pride to Seventh Heaven, from Bloomsday to a live painting demo, from an awesome local kids’ rock band to a break-up book release party, there is something for everyone. Details on those events and more:
Celebrate Ornette: The Music Of Ornette Coleman Featuring Denardo Coleman Vibe
When: Thursday, June 12, 7pm
Where: Prospect Park Bandshell, 9th Street and Prospect Park West
What: Celebrate Brooklyn and the Blue Note Jazz Festival are bringing the music of jazz legend Ornette Coleman center stage this week, with the musician’s son, drummer Denardo Coleman headlining a fantastic lineup. For the complete list of acts, visit BRICartsmedia.org.
How much: $3 suggested donation.
Kings Of Karaoke
When: Thursday, June 12, 10:30pm
Where: The Rock Shop, 249 4th Avenue
What: It might get a little rainy tonight, so head out to the bar and choose something wistful to sing — maybe Tiny Dancer? — or go with the obvious and choose It’s Raining Men. Either way, the audience wins.
How much: Free!
Blue Lightning
When: Friday, June 13, 6pm
Where: Two Moon Art House & Cafe, 315 4th Avenue
What: Members of this awesome local band are between the ages of 9 and 11, and you won’t believe how hard they rock! Plus, some other great Brooklyn kid rock bands will be performing.
How much: Free!
Book Release Party With Corinne Mucha
When: Friday, June 13, 8pm
Where: Bergen Street Comics, 470 Bergen Street
What: Celebrate Corinne Mucha‘s return to adult comics with Get Over It!, her new autobiographical comic about getting dumped like a sack of hammers. Yep, she’s sifted through her own broken heart and made lemonade out of the whole thing. If you start reflecting on your own past break-ups, not to worry, there will be drinks on hand as well!
How much: Free!
Brooklyn Pride Festival & Twilight Parade
When: Saturday, June 14; Festival 11am-5pm, Parade 7:30pm
Where: Fest: 5th Ave between 3rd & 9th; Parade: 5th Ave between Lincoln & 9th
What: Spend the day shopping, eating, listening to live music, and more while celebrating Brooklyn Pride 2014. Plus, head to The Old Stone House for family-friendly activities, then don’t miss the parade which kicks off as the sun begins to set!
How much: Free!
Flatbush Artists Of Brooklyn Art Show
When: Saturday, June 14 & Sunday, June 15, 12-6pm
Where: 502 9th Street, between 7th & 8th Aves
What: A group of artists bring their multifaceted array of work — paintings, ceramics, sculpture, drawings, watercolors, prints, photography, and cards — out for a show and sale.
How much: Free!
Steve Keene’s Brooklyn Experience
When: Saturday, June 14, 1-4pm
Where: Central Library, Outdoor Plaza, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: See Brooklyn-based painter/multimedia artist and Brooklyn Public Library’s 2014 artist-in-residence Steve Keene (aka the guy who did the cover art for Pavement’s Wowee Zowee) as he creates a series of paintings in a “live” painting demo. After, he’ll be doing “an affordable art fair” of the freshly finished works, and his exhibition will be in the Grand Lobby of the library through August 29.
How much: Free!
Bloomsday In Brooklyn
When: Saturday, June 14, 2pm
Where: Starts at The Old Stone House, 336 3rd Street
What: Celebrate the day the events take place in James Joyce’s Ulysses with a literary pub crawl! Live bagpipes and reading from the book kick off the event, which then moves on to Mission Dolores at 2:30pm, Benchmark at 3pm, and the American Legion at 389 5th Ave at 4pm. Yes!
How much: Free!
Ezra Jack Keats Family Concert: Ozomatli’s Ozokidz
When: Saturday, June 14, 4pm
Where: Prospect Park Bandshell, 9th Street and Prospect Park West
What: Ozomatli is rocking the bandshell this weekend, as Brooklyn celebrates the work of Ezra Jack Keats with stories, music, food, and “the great Park Slope tradition of on-site stroller parking.”
How much: $3 suggested donation.
Food Truck Rally
When: Sunday, June 15, 11am-5pm
Where: Grand Army Plaza
What: Got a hankering for a lobster roll and an ice cream sandwich, and enjoying them al fresco in the park? The food trucks are back!
Seventh Heaven Street Fair
When: Sunday, June 15, 12-6pm
Where: 7th Avenue between Flatbush Ave and 16th St
What: The second street fair of the weekend! This one’s also got lots of shopping and good eats from lots of local merchants and more, plus it’s a great chance to find a special piece from local artists (last-minute Father’s Day gifts, anyone?).
How much: Free!
Photo via Steve Keene