Park Slope Planner: The Best Events May 21-25

Sticking around the neighborhood for this long weekend? If you’re looking for something fun to do, local venues are not taking a holiday, so there’s plenty to do, from a Xanadu skating party, to a trivia night, to a free outdoor Memorial Day concert. Details on those, and more, events below.

Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Check out our children’s events listing!

And for even more things to do around Brooklyn, and to add your own upcoming event (some of which we’ll feature in this roundup in the future!), check out our calendar.

Adrian Tomine: Optic Nerve #14
When: Thursday, May 21, 7pm
Where: Bergen Street Comics, 470 Bergen Street
What: Brooklyn’s own Adrian Tomine will be in the shop signing copies of the newest issue of his one-man anthology, Optic Nerve #14 from Drawn and Quarterly. Plus, they’ll have some free refreshments, as always.
How much: Free!

Brooklyn By The Book: Jim Shepard In Conversation With Joshua Ferris
When: Thursday, May 21, 7pm
Where: Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: National Book Award finalist Jim Shepard will be speaking with novelist Joshua Ferris about Shepard’s new work, The Book of Aron described as “a child’s-eye-view of the Holocaust that is both heartbreaking and comic.”
How much: Free with RSVP.

Shape Up NYC: Cardio Toning
When: Friday, May 22, 12pm
Where: Audubon Center, Prospect Park
What: Shape up your core with a free cardio class in Prospect Park that will combine strength, balance, and toning exercises. No reservation is required, but it is recommended that you bring a workout mat.
How much: Free!

Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco
When: Friday, May 22, 7:30pm
Where: LeFrak Center, Lakeside
What: Relive the ’80s on Friday, when Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco returns to Lakeside. This week is all about Xanadu, so be sure to rock that glitter and sparkle. Note that admission is restricted to guests ages 21 and older. For more information, or to buy tickets in advance, visit the Dreamland website.
How much: $18 (includes admission and skate rental).

DJs: Retro-Luxe
When: Friday, May 22, 11:30pm
Where: Union Hall, 702 Union Street
What: Get down to tunes that you haven’t heard in a minute, as DJs Ajobo and Hullabaloo spin songs 10 years and older.
How much: Free!

Shape Up NYC: Cardio Sculpt
When: Saturday, May 23, 11am
Where: Audubon Center, Prospect Park
What: Build endurance and strength with this exercise class focusing on cardio and sculpting moves.
How much: Free!

CHIA’s Dance Party
When: Saturday, May 23, 10pm
Where: Barbes, 376 9th Street near 6th Avenue
What: Looking for Columbian tunes with a twist? Get thee to Barbes on Saturday night for CHIA’s Dance Party. Led by Martin Vejarano, this new project “is based on the sounds of traditional Colombian marching bands, but with enough of urban bastardization and personal idiosyncrasies to please a squadron of ethnomusicologists.” Cool.
How much: $10 (strongly) suggested donation.

Brainstormer Trivia
When: Sunday, May 24, 8pm
Where: Threes Brewing, 333 Douglass Street
What: Grab some smartypants pals and compete to take home the $25 dollar prize!
How much: Free!

Memorial Day In Prospect Park
When: Monday, May 25
Where: Prospect Park
What: Memorial Day is almost here, and whether you’re snagging the perfect picnic spot, exploring nature (activities free at the Audubon Center from 12 to 4pm), planting potatoes atLefferts House ($3 suggested donation from 2 to 4pm), or taking a spin on the 1912 carousel($2 per ride or $9 for a book of 5 tickets), there’s no better place to celebrate the unofficial start to summer than Prospect Park

Memorial Day At Green-Wood Cemetery
When: Monday, May 25, 11am
Where: Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th Street and 5th Avenue
What: If you’re looking to explore more history than nature, nothing says Memorial Day in our neck of the woods like the festivities at nearby Green-Wood Cemetery (a quick trip on the R train!). Beginning at 11am, re-enactors and musicians will march to the cemetery’s Civil War Soldiers’ Lot for a ceremony that includes remarks, a names recitation by descendants of Civil War veterans, an artillery salute, and more. Afterward, don’t miss music from the ISO Symphonic Band, led by founder and conductor Brian P. Worsdale, which will play the works of Green-Wood’s permanent residents Fred Ebb, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Leonard Bernstein, and many others. Note that the Memorial Day trolly tour is sold out.
How Much: The event is free, but please register on the Green-Wood website so organizers know how many visitors to expect.

Union Hall Song Club
When: Monday, May 25, 8pm
Where: Union Hall, 702 Union Street
What: A night of international, national, and local songwriting hosted by Niall Connolly and featuring Youth In A Roman Field and Fife and Drom,. Email bigcityfolk@gmail.com to apply to play in the future!
How much: No cover!