Park Slope Planner: The Best Events September 11-14

There are a whole bunch of fun, free events coming up in the neighborhood this weekend for both grown-ups and kids! We’ve got details on a chance to row on the lake in the park, a book launch, an art opening, a dance party, a chamber ensemble performance, and so much more, so get out there and enjoy something interesting:

Free Public Rowing
When: Thursday, September 11, 4-7pm
Where: Boat ramp on Well House Drive, Prospect Park
What: Take the kids for a boat ride around the Prospect Park Lake! The Prospect Park Alliance and the Village Community Boathouse are teaming up to make rowing accessible to all on select dates this summer, so paddle on over.
How much: Free!

Secret Science Club: Rob Fergus On Computer Vision & Artificial Intelligence
When: Thursday, September 11, 8pm
Where: The Bell House, 149 7th Street
What: Can machines replicate vision, one of the most complicated functions of the human brain? Contemplate that with this associate professor of computer science, and then do the robot to data-driven grooves.
How much: Free!

Shape Up NYC: Cardio Toning
When: Friday, September 12, 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!

Book Launch: Josie And The Fourth Grade Bike Brigade
When: Friday, September 12, 5:30pm
Where: Barnes & Noble, 267 7th Avenue
What: Meet the authors behind the new eco-conscious kids book, which you’ll find is set in a pretty familiar-looking neighborhood.
How much: Free!

Art Opening: The Girls Next Door
When: Friday, September 12, 6-8:30pm
Where: Ground Floor Gallery, 353 5th Street
What: Meet the artists of this new exhibit, who all live in the Park Slope and Gowanus area: Cecile Chong, Melanie Fischer,Rachel Kroh, Colette Murphy, Elizabeth Reagh, and Liz Sweibel.
How much: Free!

Family Bird Walking Tour
When: Saturday, September 13, 10am
Where: Audubon Center, Prospect Park
What: Spend a beautiful morning with our park’s fine feathered friends. The walk, geared toward children ages 8 and up, will teach attendees how to use binoculars and identify some of the 250 species of birds that call Prospect Park home.
How much: Free!

History In Your Hands: Hearth Cooking
When: Saturdays & Sundays in September, 2-4pm
Where: Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park
What: Roll up your sleeves and explore cooking the old fashioned way. Families can look forward to making popcorn with fresh herb butter, apple pies on a rotating basis, churning butter, grinding corn, and pealing apples.
How much: $3 suggested donation.

Laisser Tag
When: Saturday, September 13, 10:30pm
Where: The Rock Shop, 249 4th Avenue
What: Let go, abandon your worries, and get swept up in all that is a casual boogie-down at this neighborhood dance party.
How much: Free!

Back To School Bash
When: Saturday, September 13, 11am-3pm
Where: Barclays Center Plaza, 620 Atlantic Avenue
What: An educational resource fair featuring an appearance by the Brooklynettes Dancers, live music, a step show, games, prizes, food trucks, and more.
How much: Free!

Badass Brooklyn Fall Festival And Fundraiser
When: Sunday, September 14, 11am-5pm
Where: President Street at 3rd Avenue
What: The rescue organization‘s biggest fundraising event of the year will feature tons of great food and drink (both boozy and virgin), music, sweet booths, raffle prizes, activities for all ages, and lots of 2- and 4-legged friends!
How much: It’s free, but advanced donation tickets are for sale, and buying them can get you beers, swag, raffle tickets, and more — and it also means you can make a donation even if you can’t make it to the event!

St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble
When: Sunday, September 14, 3pm
Where: Central Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble performs a concert featuring music for winds by Barber, Beach, Ligeti, and D’Rivera. The series will also host a book drive for children and families in immigrant communities and low-income neighborhoods, so bring new or gently used books as donations!
How much: Free!

Photo via St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble