Things To Do In Ditmas Park This Weekend

From vintage jazz and comedy to yarn spinning and paper shredding, this weekend has got a lot to offer! Check out exciting events in and outside of the neighborhood over the next couple of days.

Thursday, May 16

• Thank the fire fighters of Engine 281 and Ladder 147 at their Centennial Celebration, 11am in front of 1210 Cortelyou Rd.
• Sustainable Flatbush’s Healing Herb Garden open hours continue at 2103 Kenmore Terrace, Thursdays and Fridays from 4-6pm.
• “Too Kool for Skool” is on tonight at PS 217’s Spring Concert Series, 6-7pm.
• Attend the opening reception for CAMBA’s Shona Benefit Sale, 6-9pm at 19 Winthrop St. between Flatbush and Bedford Aves. (Sale is also open to the public Friday and Saturday from 1-6pm.)
• Attend the Shirley Chisholm Democratic Club candidate forum at the Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 7pm.
• See guitar player Michael Parrish at Bar Chord, 9pm-12am.
• Sign up to perform at Open Mic night from 8-8:30 pm, or just watch starting at 9pm at 773 Lounge.
• Ghost Town, Frank LoCrasto, and Gnawa Music are at Sycamore, 9pm.

Friday, May 17

• Meet fellow parents at the New Parent Meet-Up, Lark, 1-2pm.
• Teens are invited to a writing workshop at the Cortelyou Library, 3-4pm.
• It’s the first night of Great GoogaMooga 2013, Nethermead in Prospect Park, 4-11pm.
• Attend “Roy & Lloyd’s Happy Hour” live jazz series, Lark, 5:45pm.
• Mike Gamble and Lori Goldston are at Sycamore, 9pm.

Saturday, May 18

• Cheer on runners of the Brooklyn Half-Marathon (or just be aware of street closures), which starts at Prospect Park at 7am.
• Get focused for nothing at Free Meditation with Kathleen, Midwood Martial Arts, 8:30-9am.
• Dig into some serious spring cleaning at It’s My Park, Prospect Park Bandshell, 10am-1pm.
• Attend Sustainable Flatbush’s Garden and Compost Open House, E 21st St. at Kenmore Terrace, 10-2pm.
• There’s more Googa at Prospect Park, 11am-8pm Saturday and Sunday.
• Fill that skinny belly with grilled goodies and cold beverages at Sycamore’s Burgers and Beer: IPAs, 12-6pm.
• Learn about your fine feathered friends at Introduction to Birdwatching, Pop-Up Audubon at Prospect Park, 12pm.
• … then stick around the Pop-Up Audubon to see more until 5pm Saturdays and Sundays.
• Sustainable Flatbush’s Healing Herb Garden Saturday open hours are at 2103 Kenmore Terrace, 10am-2pm (with compost open hours 10am-12pm).
• Learn about 19th Century life at the Lefferts 2nd Floor Tours, Lefferts Historic House, Saturdays and Sundays 1pm-3:30pm (tours every half hour).
• See neighbor Eric Pesso‘s work at the BWAC Spring Show, 499 Van Brunt St. in Red Hook, 1-6pm until June 16.
• Kids can learn about spinning yarn at History in Your Hands: Fleece Fun, also at the Lefferts Historic House, Saturdays and Sundays from 2-4pm.
• “Honey, Dear” Vintage Jazz is on at Lark, 4-5pm.
• George Gordon and Meghan Hanley host comedy event Franks and Beans!, Sycamore, 9pm.
• See Alegba and Friends at 773 Lounge, 10pm.
• Names You Can Trust hosts their weekly party at Sycamore, 10pm.

Sunday, May 19

• Get ripped at Shred Fest, Flatbush Ave. at Hillel Pl., 10-4pm.
• Go on a moderate-level Nature Exploration Hike starting at the Prospect Park Picnic House, 1pm.
• Attend a Compost Sifting and Planting Party with Compost for Brooklyn at their garden on Newkirk and E 8th St., 2-5pm.
• Underground Works (lineup TBA) is on at Sycamore, 8pm.