Things To Do This Week, Through April 8: Brooklyn Poetry Slam, “Spirited Away” Screening, CEC 13 Meeting

Below you’ll find information on events through the week in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. Check back Thursday to see what’s scheduled this weekend!

Submit your event listing to our BROOKLYN-WIDE CALENDAR.

ONGOING

Book Sale Donation Collection
When: Through Friday, April 8
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: The Friends of Clinton Hill will be holding their next Book Sale on Saturday, April 16th in conjunction with the ASPCA Adoption Van. Donations of books and CD’s in good condition will be accepted during library hours ONLY from Tuesday, January 12th through Friday, April 8th.

Poetry by Adults for National Poetry Month
When: Daily, through April, from 10am-4pm
Where: Clinton Hill LIbrary at 380 Washington Avenue
What: If you write poetry – SUBMIT A POEM YOU WROTE, a haiku, limerick, cinquain, sonnet, riddle, shape poem, whatever you choose…if your poem is chosen, by the Librarian Staff, YOUR POEM WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE LIBRARY’S LOBBY AREA FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL. If you like, you may use a pen name on your submission.  Your poem may not be longer than 1 page.  Please submit your poem into the Poetry Box sitting on the information desk. If you want to know if whether your poem was chosen and want to be contacted, please include your name and contact information on the back of your submission. — “A poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a love sickness.” — by Robert Frost

MONDAY, APRIL 4

David Unger presents “The Mastermind”
When: Monday, April 4 at 7:30pm
Where: Greenlight Bookstore at 686 Fulton Street
What: Guatemalan-born novelist David Unger, who was awarded his country’s Miguel Ángel Asturias National Prize in Literature for 2014 despite writing exclusively in English, creates a fascinating depiction of modern-day Guatemala in his new novel The Mastermind. Guillermo Rosensweig is a member of the Guatemalan elite, runs a successful law practice, has a wife, kids, and a string of gorgeous lovers. Then one day he crosses paths with a Lebanese beauty with whom he falls desperately in love – to the point that when he loses her, he sees no other option than to orchestrate his own death. Praised by Achy Obejas, Cristina Garcia, and Francisco Goldman, among others, the novel is based on the bizarre real-life story of a Guatemalan attorney who planned his own assassination after leaving behind a video accusing the Guatemalan president of his murder. Unger discusses the book with Alberto Vourvoulias, award-winning Guatemalan American journalist and husband of Jhumpa Lahiri, followed by a reception.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

Babies and Books
When: Tuesday, April 5 at 10:15am and 11:15am
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: Storytime is for babies, too! Come sing, play, hear stories, and meet with other parents and caregivers.

Story Play with First RIF
When:  Tuesday, April 5 at 11am
Where: Walt Whitman Library at 93 Saint Edwards Street
What: Hear stories, sing songs and play with other children.  Ages 0-5.

Toddler Time with RIF
When:  Tuesday, April 5 at 11am
Where: Bedford Library at 496 Franklin Avenue
What: The more you read, sing and talk with toddlers, the more they learn! Have fun hearing great picture books read aloud and playing with other children during this program dedicated to active toddlers. (18 – 36 months).

Free Movie: “The 33”
When: Tuesday, April 5 at 1:45pm
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: Starring Cote de Pablo, James Brolin, Antonio Banderas, Lou Diamond Phillips – Rated PG-13 – 2 hrs 7 minutes.

Teen Tech Time
When: Tuesday, April 5 at 4pm
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: Come race your wheels off, battle your heart out, and dance your socks off with Wii games at the library! We have sports games, dancing games, racing games, and more! No registration or experience necessary.

Free Kids Movie: “Spirited Away”
When: Tuesday, April 5 at 4pm
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: Chihiro is a sullen 10-year-old girl who wanders into a world ruled by witches and monsters. After her parents are turned into pigs, Chihiro must appeal to Yubaba, the scary old witch who runs the spirit bath-house and sets Chihiro on a quest to enter the spirit world and win back her parents. Hayao Miyazaki’s magical adventure features a strong heroine and scary creatures. Recommended for ages 9+.Rated PG.

Zumba Class
When: Tuesday, April 5 at 6:30 pm
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: Have fun and meet new people while fulfilling your New Year fitness resolutions. Our free Zumba classes are taught by certified Zumba instructor Arturo Perez.

CEC 13 Meeting
When: Tuesday, April 5 at 6:30pm
Where: PS 56 at 170 Gates Avenue
What: Discussing the upcoming May 3 town hall with Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina, participatory budgeting projects in schools, a middle school update, and resolutions about school siting and planning.

Stoop Series: Kavita Shah
When: Tuesday, April 5 at 7pm
Where: BRIC Stoop at 647 Fulton Street
What: A “breathtakingly beautiful” new voice in contemporary music (Downbeat Magazine), vocalist composer Kavita Shah has been praised by NPR for her “amazing dexterity for musical languages.” A native New Yorker of Indian origin fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and French, Shah incorporates her in-depth knowledge of diverse cultural traditions into her jazz-based repertoire, placing seemingly eclectic songs, instruments, and artists in dialogue with one another.
How Much: FREE, but RSVP

Book Launch: Stephen O’Connor presents “Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings”
When: Tuesday, April 5 at 7:30pm
Where: Greenlight Bookstore at 686 Fulton Street
What: Stephen O’Connor’s debut novel Thomas Jefferson Dreams of Sally Hemings is a profound exploration of the ways in which the institution of slavery warped the human soul. O’Connor’s protagonists are rendered via scrupulously researched scenes of their lives in Paris and at Monticello, illustrating the hypocrisy of the Founding Father who wrote “all men are created equal,” while allowing both Hemings and Jefferson their full human complexity. National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward calls O’Connor’s novel “searing and straightforward,” and Mary Morris raves “I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like this novel…O’Connor has brought into this work…a wild imagination, a commitment to social and political concerns, and elegant, at times elegiac prose. This is a tour de force.” O’Connor discusses the book with Morris, author of The Jazz Palaceand his colleague at Sarah Lawrence College, at tonight’s event, followed by a wine reception.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

Drop-in Computer Class
When: Wednesday, April 6 at 1pm
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: Do you have a specific question about how to use computers or find your way around the Internet?  No time to attend a formal class?  Join our drop-in computer lab for personalized assistance.

AARP Free Tax Help
When: Wednesday, April 6 at 1pm
Where: Bedford Library at 496 Franklin Avenue
What: All AARP free tax preparation sites for low and middle income taxpayers operate on a first come, first served basis. To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

Shape Up: Dance Fitness
When: Wednesday, April 6 at 6:45pm
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: Free exercise class with a community volunteer. No pre-registration required.

Brooklyn Poetry Slam
When: Wednesday, April 6 at 7pm
Where: BRIC House at 647 Fulton Street
What: An intergenerational poetry slam and open mic, featuring Brooklyn-based poets who respond to city culture, national issues, and the exhibitions on-view at BRIC House. Hosted by Mahogany L. Browne, with music by DJ Jive Poetic.
How Much: FREE, but RSVP

Book Launch: Molly Prentiss presents Tuesday Nights in 1980″ 
When: Wednesday, April 6 at 7:30pm
Where: Greenlight Bookstore at 686 Fulton Street
What: In 1980, as SoHo and the downtown arts scene are bursting with energy and artistic fervor, New York is pulsating with creativity, but commercialization is about to move across town like a steamroller. It is against this tumultuous backdrop that Molly Prentiss sets her debut novel, Tuesday Nights in 1980, and gives us the unforgettable story of a synesthetic art critic, a charismatic Argentinian painter, and their muse. Prentiss creates a riveting exploration of fame, humanity, art, and loss in a novel Kirkus Reviewscalls “An intoxicating Manhattan fairy tale… as affecting as it is absorbing. A thrilling debut.” At tonight’s launch, Prentiss discusses her book with Alison Callahan, her editor at Scout Press, and Claudia Ballard, her editor at WME, followed by a wine reception.

Trivia Night
When: Wednesdays from 8-11pm
Where:

What:

How much:

THURSDAY, APRIL 7

Movement Class For Older Adults
When: Thursdays from 11am-12pm
Where: Ingersoll Community Center at 177 Myrtle Avenue
What: Led by Mark Morris Dance Center faculty. Explore movement and music in a creative and fun way. Designed to use gentle movement to explore and increase range of motion for older adults.
How much: FREE

DIY: Poetry Art
When: Thursday, April 7 at 4pm
Where: Clinton Hill Library at 380 Washington Avenue
What: April is Poetry Month, so drop by Clinton Hill and make some word art of your own! We’ll have supplies so you can create blackout poetry and found poetry, and even  your own magnetic poetry kits.

FRIDAY, APRIL 8

BAMcafé Live: Marcus Machado
When: Friday, April 8 at 9pm
Where: Peter Jay Sharp Building at 30 Lafayette Avenue
What: Electric guitar virtuoso Marcus Machado has been performing professionally since the age of nine. Winner of the Next Young Gun contest in Rolling Stone’s search for “the most notable guitarists from the next generation,” Machado blends jazz, funk, and rock with jaw-dropping technical finesse à la Hendrix and Santana. In addition to a successful solo career, Machado has collaborated with the likes of R&B group the Family Stand and the Weather Report’s Victor Bailey and is currently working on projects with Jack White’s drummer Daru Jones and hip-hop legend Pharoahe Monch.