Park Slope Weekday Events Spotlight: December 7-9

Hanukkah is here, and Christmas is approaching! This is one of the busiest times of the year, and you should take advantage of these great events. Our picks include a free Star Wars viewing (of course), jazz improvisers, and yes, the history of death certificates! Below are some of our favorite events from around the area.

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

Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah Lighting
When: Through December 13, Times Vary
Where: Grand Army Plaza
What: Hanukkah is in full swing, so be sure to head over to Grand Army Plaza for the giant menorah lighting. December 7-10, the lighting will take place at 6pm, December 11 at 3:30pm, December 12 at 7pm, and December 13 at 6pm. In addition to the menorah, there will be live music, dreidels, doughnuts, latkes, and prizes for the kids.
How much: Free.

Tango Dance Classes
When: Monday, December 7, 8:30-11:00pm
Where: Brooklyn Society For Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West, between 1st and 2nd Streets.
What: Come join us, keep warm, dance and share our community table! With Malevaje Tango and Friends of Argentina Tango.
How much: $15 for full session / class & practica, $10 Class only, $10 Practica only.

Halyards Cinemateque – Star Wars, Episode III, Revenge of the Sith
When: Tuesday, December 8, 8:00pm
Where: Halyard’s, 406 3rd Avenue at 6th Street
What: Get ready for the new Stars Wars release in December by re-watching the previous films in the series. With free popcorn, and $8 Dark and Stormy cocktails.
How much: Free.

Gordon Grdina Quartet & The Relative Trio
When: Tuesday, December 8, 8:00pm
Where: ShapeShifter Lab, 18 Whitwell Place (between 1st and Carroll Streets)
What: Formed in the fall of 2012, The Relative Trio is made up of jazz improvisers and composers who are each active leaders in their own right. All have enthusiastically led multiple bands and projects for nearly 20 years, all sharing a passionate commitment to creativity, artistic beauty, humor, and the mystery of sonic resonance through human emotion. Juno award winner Gordon Grdina is an accomplished Oud/Guitarist whose sound draws on jazz, punk, free-form improvisation and Arabic classical music. This is the debut performance from a brand new quartet playing brand new music.  The compositions are dense yet open drawing on a massive dynamic range.
How much: $10, at the door.

Story Collider: The Science of Growing Up
When: Wednesday, December 9, 7:30pm (Doors) and 8:00 (Show)
Where: Union Hall, 702 Union Street, at 5th Avenue
What: The Story Collider presents five true, personal stories about the science of growing up. From family tragedy to first relationships, to a particularly desperate attempt to get out of a physics test, science has a role to play in all the milestones of our lives. With Josh Shiode, Giulia Rozzi, Anna Zagerson, Anna Nicanorova, Ali Mattu, Ben Lillie, and Erin Barker .
How much: $10. Tickets available here. This event will be mixed seated/standing. Arrive early for best seat selection.

Forensic Pathology 101: All about Death Certificates, an Illustrated Lecture with Jay Stahl-Herz, MD, Medical Examiner and Forensic Patholo
When: Wednesday, December 9, 8:00pm
Where: Morbid Anatomy Museum, 424 3rd Avenue (at 7th Street)
What: Everything you know about death certificates is probably wrong. Most people can go their entire lives without a birth certificate but without a proper death certificate, things can often go wrong quickly. This talk will discuss the importance of death certificates as legal documents and public health tools as well as provide an overview of the process of determining cause of death for legal purposes.
How much: $8, tickets available in advance.