Things to Do in Ditmas Park This Weekend

We’ve rounded up the top choices for things to do close to home this weekend, plus some extra ideas, so there’s no need to venture out of the neighborhood to have a good time.

• Enjoy Jazz, Ice Cream, and Beer: Dual trumpeters Eli Asher and Ben Holmes start out a night of jazz in a cafe where you can drink a beer and enjoy an ice cream cone at the same time. After their set comes a trio with Javier Moreno Sanchez on bass, Eva Nova on piano, and James Brandon Lewis on saxophone. Lark, 8pm, $10 suggested donation

• Also find jazz at Sycamore, from Akira Ishiguro and the Jonathan Saraga Quintet, 9pm

• Hear Bad Poetry Turned into Fantastic Songs: Singer Rachael Bell performs as Raquel Bell (pictured above), bringing what could be a pretty unique experience to this Cortelyou Road basement. She’s joined by a band called Passport Photos, which we couldn’t find any info on. Adventurous music lovers, this one’s for you! Sycamore, 9pm, $10

• Drink beers and hang out with babies at this Lark meet-up, 4pm
• Should be a nice night for a bike ride with Ditmas Rides, 7pm
• Enjoy vintage Jamaican sounds upstairs at Sycamore, 10pm

• Donate Blood: Following Hurricane Sandy, blood supplies in the city are short. Help out your neighbors by donating blood this weekend at two nearby locations. Our Lady of Refuge, Saturday & Sunday 10:30am-3pm; Temple Beth Emeth, Saturday, 5-9:30pm

• Turn your Christmas tree into mulch at Mulchfest, Saturday & Sunday, 10am-3pm

• Learn to Make Pickles and Mustard: Neighbor Rebeca Ames will tell you about where pickles and mustard came from, and then show you some recipes. You’ll make a jar of refrigerator pickles in the class, so start thinking about all the ways to use them when you’re making them at home. At Brooklyn Artery,  2:30-4:30pm, $35, reserve a spot here

• Explore Chinatown with The Farm on Adderley then eat a feast on Cortelyou, 1pm
• Meditate in a group at Third Root, 6:45pm
• Hear the Sebastian Noelle Trio at Underground Works at Sycamore, 8pm