Slope Weekend Events Spotlight: February 11-14

Slope Weekend Events Spotlight: February 11-14
Ponycon
Courtesy of Ponycon

Welcome to the weekend, which features many events: Multiple acoustic shows, Ponies and Bronies, BDSM 101…and both Valentine love and hate. Don’t miss some of our favorite events from around the area:

Power of Two: An Indigo Girls Tribute Concert Benefitting Planned Parenthood of NYC
When: Thursday, February, 11, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Where: Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Place (at 8th Avenue)
What: The concert features Naomi Less & Shanna Zell (and special guests). American folk-rock duo Indigo Girls use their powerful voices to bring attention to important issues impacting women and girls. To honor the work of these women, Naomi Less and Shanna Zell will raise their voices in song and in action. Proceeds from this concert will benefit a cause close to the hearts of our community – Planned Parenthood of NYC – which offers affordable and free health care to all. Moreover, Planned Parenthood provides educational tools to ensure that women have full knowledge and control of their reproductive rights.
How much: No CBE Members: $25. CBE Members: $20. Under 21: $15. Tickets available here.

Acoustic Night with The Nuclears and Dialogue from a Silent Film
When: Thursday, February 11 at 7pm-10pm
Where: Gowanus Souvenir Shop, 543 Union Street (the entrance is on Nevins Street, and down the alley, and on the left)
What: Our one and only shopkeeper and DJ James Delucia put together an evening of moody pop music. Stop by for a glass of wine and listen to the tunes of The Nuclears and Dialogue from a Silent Film.

Opening Reception for A Tree Falls In Brooklyn: An Exhibition by Eric Pesso
When: Thursday, February 11, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where: Central Library, Dweck Cultural Centeer, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: Artist Eric Pesso will be joined by four other extraordinary artists. Pesso be showing seven of his sculptures in the main entrance of the Library at Grand Army Plaza. The show runs from February 11 to April 3.
How much: Free

First Comes Love, The Anniversary Show: “Adult film scenes from craigslist, acted out live onstage”
When: Thursday, February 11, Doors at 7:30pm and Show at 8:00pm
Where: The Bell House, 149 7th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)
What: With Kyle Ayers, Matteo Lane, Will Winner, Marcia Belsky, Ahri Findling, Mike Abrusci, Andrew Collin, Tim Dillon, Courtney Maginnis, Nick Naney, Sarah Lazarus, Kerryn Feehan, Brendan Eyre, Christi Chiello, Casey James Salengo, Tom Cowell, Blair Socci, Evan Williams, Jason Burke, Sharron Paul, Ryan Beck, JP McDade, Cate Weinberg, Anna Drezen.
How much: $8. Tickets available here. $10 at the door.

This Used To Be My Studio: Paintings By Lance Rutledge
When: Thursdays and Fridays, 3pm-7pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 11am-7pm
Where: Gowanus Souvenir Shop, 543 Union Street (the entrance is on Nevins Street, and down the alley, and on the left)
What: The recently opened Gowanus Souvenir Shop presents a show that features a small selection of Lance Rutledge’s paintings from the past 25 years, some created in the Souvenir Shop space itself. The newest piece is Canal No. 5, a painting made specifically for the Gowanus Souvenir Shop, which can also be purchased as a limited edition postcard and tote. The show will be on view through February 21.
How much: Free

It’s Friday, I’m (Not) In Love: An Anti-Valentine’s Party
When: Friday, February 12 at 10pm
Where: Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street (between 3rd and 4th Avenues)
What: Leave the expensive brunches and Airbnb staycations to the lovebirds. Free yourself from the chains of Valentine‘s Day this year and join us at Littlefield on Friday, February 12th, as we celebrate those who fly solo. Wear black on the outside, ‘cause black is how you feel on the inside. No, seriously: Dress in black. All black. Only black. Creativity will be rewarded.
How much: $5 for tickets purchased in advance. $8 at the door.

Kink For Couples: BDSM 101
When: Friday, February 12 at 7pm
Where: Please, 557 5th Avenue (at 15th Street)
What: Looking to spice up your love life and enhance intimacy? Join Ms. Mona Rogers of Domi Dollz and her submissive for a naughty night of fun.  This introductory workshop is designed to teach couples how to integrate the exciting world of BDSM into their relationship.  The hands-on portion of this class will teach techniques such as spanking, flogging, restraints, and sensory play.  We will also be covering some basic psychology that goes along with play to help you connect better with you partner. Ms. Mona Rogers is a lifestyle and professional Dominatrix.She has been experimenting with kink most of her life and has been a fixture in the pro scene since 2007. Throughout the years of her exploration she has become deeply in touch with her kinky side and enjoys being able to share her love for her art. She is one of the lead educators for Domi Dollz and the co-author of “Kisses to Kink: A Dominatrix’s Guide to Great Sex.” Make this year’s Valentine’s Day and extra special one and come and play with us!
How much: $50 per couple, and $30 per individual. Tickets available online.

Gypsy George Presents: Valentine’s Day at Roots Cafe
When: Friday, February 12, 7:30-11:30pm
Where: Roots Cafe, 639 5th Avenue (at 20th Street)
What: Gypsy George invites you to celebrate LOVE at the world-famous Roots Cafe! H’s have invited some of his favorite singers in the universe to come down and sing their favorite love songs. PLUS all these wonderfully talented people will be backed by some of South Slope’s finest musicians – Jamey Lane Hamm, Chris Q Murphy, Patrick Nelson and Gypsy George!
How much: Free

Ponycon 2016 at the Grand Prospect Hall
When: Saturday, February 13 – Monday, February 15. Events are diverse and extensive. View the full schedule here.
Hours: Saturday and Sunday (10:00am-11:00pm); Monday (10:00am-5:00pm)
Where: Grand Prospect Hall, 263 Prospect Avenue (near 5th Avenue)
What: The Ponies, Bronies, and a lot else are coming. See our preview article for all details.
How much: 3-day and 1-day passes are available. Details and tickets are here.

Fred Bendheim: A Retrospective On The Theme Of Water
When: Through Sunday, February 14, Thursdays and Fridays, 4:00-7:00pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00am-7:00pm. Note – The exhibit will be closing this weekend.
Where: 440 Gallery, 440 6th Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets
What: This will be Bendheim’s second solo show at 440 Gallery and his first retrospective exhibition. The show will include work from 1978 to the present, and will include paintings on canvas as well as the artist’s trademark work, shapings, shaped paintings on wood and pvc board and painted relief sculptures. The works on view will highlight the artist’s career and stylistic journey from early figurative paintings to his more recent abstractions. Water, in it’s many forms, is the unifying theme of the works.
How much: Free.

House of Wax: Anatomical, Pathological, and Ethnographic Waxworks from Castan’s Panopticum, Berlin, 1869-1922
When:  Through Sunday, April 3. Thursdays-Sundays 12-6pm (open everyday except Tuesdays)
Where: Morbid Anatomy Museum, 424 3rd Avenue at 7th Street
What: House of Wax will exhibit a selection of waxworks once shown as part of Castan’s Berlin-based Panopticum (1869-1922). The full collection, never before exhibited in the US, will later be installed at the forthcoming Alamo Drafthouse in Downtown Brooklyn.
How much: Regular admission fees: Admission to the exhibition & library is $5. Seniors and students are $3, and children 12 and under are free.

Smorgasburg and The Brooklyn Flea at Industry City
When: Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 10am-6pm
Where: Industry City, 241 37th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues)
What: Smorgasburg has moved down to the booming Industry City, which may be new territory for you. While the move was announced some time ago, Industry City is housing both Smorgasburg and The Brooklyn Flea every Saturday and Sunday until March 27, 2016. Keep in mind that Industry City is big — the entrance address is 241 37th Street. This is just two blocks from the 36th Street D/N/R subway station—only two stops from Manhattan on the D train!—and a short walk from the B35, B38 and B70 bus stops. The 39th Street exit off the Gowanus Expressway/BQE also takes you pretty much to their doorstep (and to the second-busiest Costco in America next door).

Sunday Colloquy: Evolution and Self-Transcendent Experiences with With David Bryce Yaden
When: Sunday, February 14, 11am-12:30pm
Where: Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West at 2nd Street
What: Many people report self-transcendent experiences of unity. These experiences seem to occur on a spectrum, ranging from feelings of “flow” to feeling “at one with all things”, to states in between, like those experienced by many people during meditation. How can evolution help us to understand the human capacity for self-transcendent experience? Our speaker, David Bryce Yaden, will share the psychological and neurological research on these experiences, including their triggers and effects on those who have them; theories that attempt to explain the origin of these experiences; Darwin’s thoughts on the topic; and modern evolutionary theory.
How much: Free.