Park Slope Planner: The Best Events May 29-June 1

We’ve got a weekend packed full of fun, informative, and rewarding activities, so you don’t have to go messing with the messed up subway lines if you don’t have to! From info about great volunteering opportunities to a family-friendly volunteer event, from a big brass band to playing a round of Super Mario Kart, you’ll find some great events within walking distance. Details on those and more:

2014 Brooklyn Volunteer Fair
When: Thursday, May 29, 6-9pm
Where: Park Slope Armory, 361 15th Street
What: Individuals, families, seniors, and students will find a lot of interesting ways to get more involved in the community with organizations including the Center for Anti-Violence Education, CHiPS, the Prospect Park Zoo, Sean Casey Animal Rescue, Seeds in the Middle, SFX Youth Sports, and many more.
How much: Free!

Shining A Light On Postpartum Depression
When: Thursday, May 29, 7pm
Where: Congregation Beth Elohim, 271 Garfield Place
What: Two panel discussions will focus on the clinical symptoms associates with PPD, and provide women and their families with resources for help and treatment, and what role the city and state can play in education, screening, and treatment of PPD.
How much: Free!

Select All: A Queer Mixer
When: Thursday, May 29, 7:30-11pm
Where: The Bell House, 149 7th Street
What: This broadly inclusive LGBTQIGNC+ mixer sets the stage for making new connections, whether new friends, professional networking, or sparking romantic interest for singles and the otherwise available.
How much: $5 at the door

Explore & Create: Arts And Crafts For Kids
When: Friday, May 30, 4pm
Where: Park Slope Library, 431 6th Avenue
What: A weekly, free drop-in program where kids can roll up their sleeves and explore their artistic side. This wee’s theme is gardening!
How much: Free!

Jeremiah Hosea Trio
When: Friday, May 30, 9pm
Where: BAMcafé, 30 Lafayette Ave
What: Bassist Jeremiah Hosea fronts a hard-rocking funk ensemble that showcases his astonishing technical ability and progressive political consciousness.
How much: Free!

Story Play
When: Saturday, May 31, 10am
Where: Central Library, Youth Wing, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: Bring your kids ages birth to 5 years to enjoy some stories and play with toys!
How much: Free!

Family Clean & Green Event
When: Saturday, May 31, 11am-2pm
Where: Gowanus Canal Conservancy’s Salt Lot, 2 2nd Avenue
What: Families with kids ages 6 and up are invited to participate in stewardship for the Gowanus Canal and watershed, including composting and gardening. There’s a limited amount of space, so RSVP to volunteer@gowanuscanalconservancy.org with your group size and each child’s age.
How much: Suggested donation of $5 per family member.

Stormwater Garden Module Workshop
When: Saturday, May 31, 12-3pm
Where: Gowanus Canal Conservancy’s Salt Lot, 2 2nd Avenue
What: In conjunction with the exhibition Combined Overflow on view now at Proteus Gowanus, Greenlab Studio is hosting a build-it-yourself workshop where participants will learn how to construct a square foot stormwater garden module.
How much: $50 registration fee, $40 for GCC members, tickets available here. All tools and materials are provided.

The What Cheer? Brigade
When: Saturday, May 31, 8pm
Where: Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street
What: A night of big brass bands with no amplification! A 19-piece brass band whose sound is “an aggressive mix of Bollywood, The Balkans, New Orleans, Samba and Hip-Hop, played with the intensity of metal.” The Raya Brass Band opens.
How much: $10, tickets available in advance.

Food Truck Rally
When: Sunday, June 1, 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!

Center for Anti-Violence Education Punch-A-Thon
When: Sunday, June 1, 11am
Where: The Nethermead in Prospect Park
What: Participants of all ages learn martial arts punching and basic self-defense techniques from trained instructors, then come together to complete 1,000 punches to represent communal strength and solidarity.
How much: Adults age 19 and up are encouraged to pay the suggested registration fee of $20; all proceeds from the event support violence prevention programs for at-risk youth and adult survivors of violence. Register or sponsor a participant here.

Our Princess Is In Another Castle: Super Mario Kart
When: Sunday, June 1, 7:30pm
Where: Union Hall, 702 Union Street
What: A little friendly videogame competition using some classic consoles and games. Free to attend and play, and contestants can win prizes, drinks, and of course, bragging rights.
How much: Free!

Photo via the What Cheer? Brigade