Park Slope Weekday Events Spotlight: September 28-30

“Boro” by Pinar Yolaçan. Part of the Body Utopia exhibit at Trestle Gallery. (Photo via Trestle Gallery)

Don’t wait until the weekend for a little neighborhood fun! With everything from sword swallowing history, stand-up storytelling, and estate planning help, there’s plenty going on in Park Slope this week. 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.

Body Utopia
When: Mondays-Wednesday, September 28-30, 1:00-6:00pm
Where: Trestle Gallery, 168 7th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenue
What: Body Utopia creates a visionary space that honors ideas and representations of the nonconforming body – a body that does not subscribe to cultural ideals, whether through size, age, disability, ethnicity, gender presentation, or “queer”, self-chosen, outlier identity. The exhibition features photography by Chitra Ganesh and Pinar Yolaçan; sculpture by Constantina Zavitsanos; painting and drawing by Clarity Haynes and Riva Lehrer; and video by Sondra Perry.
How much: Free

How I Learned We Are Those People Now
When: Wednesday, September 30, 7:30pm (Doors) and 8:00 (Show)
Where: Union Hall, 702 Union Street, at 5th Avenue
What: The How I Learned Series features writers, storytellers, comedians, and other raconteurs holding forth on a rotating theme. Born on the Lower East Side in 2009, the show now takes place in Brooklyn every last Wednesday of the month, and sometimes more than that, which basically means you’ll have the best night of your life on those nights, repeatedly. With Eugene Mirman, Carolyn Castiglia, Daniel Nester, Tara Clancy, Cynthia Kaplan, Ed Gavagan, and hosted by Blaise Allysen Kearsley.
How much: $6 in advance, $10 day of show. Tickets available here. This event will be mixed seated/standing. Arrive early for best seat selection.

Life Choices: How To Create An Estate Plan That Protects Your Family
When: Tuesday, September 29, 6pm
Where: Park Slope Library, 431 6th Avenue and 9th Street
What: If you’ve wanted to create a will, but didn’t know where to start, join Friends of Park Slope Library for an interactive discussion with Brooklyn lawyer Brian Esser, that will cover issues such as picking a guardian, creating a trust, and managing estate taxes.
How much: Free.

Briars of North America and Empyrean Atlas
When: Tuesday, September 29, 8pm
Where: Threes Brewing, 333 Douglass Street, between 3rd and 4th Avenues
What: Briars of North America‘s music might not melt your face, but I guess that depends on the melting point of your face. More likely it will make you smile and miss someone, and then you’ll realize that that person is sitting right next to you. Members of Empyrean Atlas have performed and/or recorded with the Philip Glass Ensemble, The National, Bear in Heaven, Steve Reich, Antibalas, Superhuman Happiness, Steve Coleman, Tim Berne, Briars of North America, William Brittelle, Olga Bell, Lia Ices, Little Women and many others. In July 2015, Wilco named Inner Circle as one of their 17 favorite records of the year.
How much: $10

Down the Hatch: The History and Anatomy of Sword Swallowing: An Illustrated Lecture with Ilise S. Carter, aka The Lady Aye
When: Wednesday, September 30, 8pm
Where: Morbid Anatomy Museum, 424 3rd Avenue at 7th Street
What: While it’s origins in history are murky and storied, sword swallowing remains one the most impressive, enduring and misunderstood of the sideshow skills. In her lecture “Down the Hatch…” sideshow performer and historian, Ilise “The Lady Aye” Carter will provide an overview of the practice, some of its most practitioners, and the physiology behind the shocks. One of fewer than 300 living performers and three-dozen female adherents, The Lady Aye will conclude her presentation with a live demonstration and Q & A.
How much: $8. Tickets are available here.