South Slope Weekend Events Spotlight: May 21-25
Don’t you love a long weekend? With everything from nature tours and Xanadu, to ’80s science flicks and Memorial Day concerts, folks hanging around the Slope won’t have to go far for fun. Here are some of our favorite events from around the neighborhood:
Explore NYC’s Natural Side
When: Thursday, May 21, 7-8:30pm
Where: Audubon Center, Prospect Park
What: Join the Prospect Park Alliance and the Natural Areas Conservancy for a tour of Prospect Park, the largest remaining ancestral forest in Brooklyn, and learn about its important role as an ecosystem for native plants and animals. Afterward, stick around for light refreshments at the Audubon Center and a presentation of findings from the first-ever, citywide assessment of natural areas.
How much: Free.
Shape Up NYC: Cardio Toning
When: Friday, May 22, 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.
Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco
When: Friday, May 22, 7:30pm
Where: LeFrak Center, Lakeside
What: Relive the ’80s on Friday, when Lola Star’s Dreamland Roller Disco returns to Lakeside. This week is all about Xanadu, so be sure to rock that glitter and sparkle. Note that admission is restricted to guests ages 21 and older. For more information, or to buy tickets in advance, visit the Dreamland website.
How much: $18 (includes admission and skate rental).
Fleece Fun
When: Saturdays and Sundays in May, 2-4pm
Where: Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park
What: Ever wondered how wool was used on a Colonial farm? Visit Lefferts House weekends in May to brush wool with carding paddles, spin yarn using a drop spindle, and even make a felt ball to take home with you. Ewe won’t want to miss it!
How much: $3 suggested donation.
CHIA’s Dance Party
When: Saturday, May 23, 10pm
Where: Barbes, 376 9th Street near 6th Avenue
What: Looking for Columbian tunes with a twist? Get thee to Barbes on Saturday night for CHIA’s Dance Party. Led by Martin Vejarano, this new project “is based on the sounds of traditional Colombian marching bands, but with enough of urban bastardization and personal idiosyncrasies to please a squadron of ethnomusicologists.” Cool.
How much: $10 (strongly) suggested donation.
Obsolete Cinema Presents: Obsolete Science Fair!
When: Sunday, May 24, 4pm
Where: Freddy’s, 627 5th Avenue, between 17th and 18th Streets
What: Toss your potato power projects aside, because Obsolete Cinema is bringing together two of the greatest science movies in the history of ever. Don’t miss 1985’s “My Science Project,” and 1989’s “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”
How much: No cover.
Memorial Day In Prospect Park
When: Monday, May 25
Where: Prospect Park
What: Memorial Day is almost here, and whether you’re snagging the perfect picnic spot, exploring nature (activities free at the Audubon Center from 12 to 4pm), planting potatoes at Lefferts House ($3 suggested donation from 2 to 4pm), or taking a spin on the 1912 carousel ($2 per ride or $9 for a book of 5 tickets), there’s no better place to celebrate the unofficial start to summer than Prospect Park
Memorial Day At Green-Wood Cemetery
When: Monday, May 25, 11am
Where: Green-Wood Cemetery, 25th Street and 5th Avenue
What: If you’re looking to explore more history than nature, nothing says Memorial Day in our neck of the woods like the festivities at Green-Wood Cemetery. Beginning at 11am, re-enactors and musicians will march to the cemetery’s Civil War Soldiers’ Lot for a ceremony that includes remarks, a names recitation by descendants of Civil War veterans, an artillery salute, and more. Afterward, don’t miss music from the ISO Symphonic Band, led by founder and conductor Brian P. Worsdale, which will play the works of Green-Wood’s permanent residents Fred Ebb, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Leonard Bernstein, and many others. Note that the Memorial Day trolly tour is sold out.
How Much: The event is free, but please register on the Green-Wood website so organizers know how many visitors to expect.
