South Slope Weekend Events Spotlight: July 31-August 3

Looking for something to do this weekend? With everything from a gangster film version of a Shakespeare play to a free ballet performance in the park, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here are some of our favorite events from around the neighborhood:

Animal Encounter
When: Thursdays and Fridays, 3-4pm
Where: Audubon Center, Prospect Park
What: Want to learn more about the animals at Prospect Park’s Audubon Center? Whether getting to know Snappy the Turtle, watching a snake eat a mouse, or actually taking part in a feeding, kids are sure to have an absolute blast.
How much: Free.

Dance Theatre of Harlem / Leyla McCalla
When: Thursday, July 31, 7:30pm
Where: Prospect Park Bandshell, 9th Street and Prospect Park West
What: The Dance Theatre of Harlem returns to the world stage after a nine-year hiatus, bringing exciting ballet to the park. Leyla McCalla, a New York-born, New Orleans-based cellist and singer, will perform as well.
How much: $3 suggested donation.

Shape Up NYC: Cardio Toning
When: Friday, August 1, 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.

Jimmy Bosch y Su Estrellas / Pedrito Martinez Group Featuring Ariance Trujillo
When: Friday, August 1, 7:30pm
Where: Prospect Park Bandshell, 9th Street and Prospect Park West
What: Expect a Latin dance party of epic proportions!
How much: $3 suggested donation.

Free Public Rowing
When: Saturday, August 2, 12-4pm
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.

History In Your Hands: Historic Games
When: Saturdays & Sundays in August, 2-4pm
Where: Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park
What: Have the kids ever played 9-Man Morris? Well, they’ll learn how by making their own board, which they can take home to continue playing.
How much: $3 suggested donation.

Kes The Band / Kuenta i Tambu / DJ Dr Wax / Steel Sensations
When: Saturday, August 2, 7:30pm
Where: Prospect Park Bandshell, 9th Street and Prospect Park West
What: A tropical blast of Carnival heat from Trinidad’s Kes, plus an mix of the Afro Caribbean party music of its Curuçao heritage with club beats from its Amsterdam home of Kuenta i Tambu, and a steel drum band and a DJ…a fun night!
How much: $3 suggested donation.

Food Truck Rally
When: Sunday, August 3, 11am-5pm
Where: Grand Army Plaza
What: Have the munchies? Stop by Prospect Park on Sunday — the food trucks are back!

Wash Day
When: Sunday, August 3, 1-4pm
Where: Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park
What: If you can’t get the kids to help with the laundry at home, maybe showing them how it was done in the old days — without electricity — will help them get into it. Good, clean fun indeed!
How much: $3 suggested donation.

Cinema Classics, Oddities & Forgotten Gems: Joe Macbeth
When: Sunday, August 3, 2pm
Where: Freddy’s Bar, 627 5th Avenue
What: Shakespeare’s Macbeth…as a gangster story! Curator and film archivist Movie Mike presents this pretty bad idea for a film, which almost (but not quite) succeeds.
How much: Free.

Photo via Dance Theatre of Harlem