Weekday Fun: The Best Events June 9-11

Lots of fun (and free!) summer activities return to our area in June — this week, we see the start of music and dancing in the plaza in front of the Central Library! In addition, there’s a Celebrate Brooklyn show, a chance to give back by eating out, and more to check out this week:

Size Matters: Jim Saltzman Orchestra
When: Monday, June 9, 8pm
Where: Tea Lounge, 837 Union Street
What: Saxophonist and composer Jim Saltzman will be bringing the sound (and a few musician friends) to the cafe for a couple jazzy sets.
How much: Free!

CHiPS Night Out 2014
When: Tuesday, June 10, 5:30-10pm
Where: Various locations
What: Support CHiPS, the 4th Avenue organization that provides hot meals and more to families in need, just by eating dinner at a local restaurant. See the list of places that will be donating 15% of their dinner checks to the organization. Plus, post pics of your meal that evening to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, note the restaurant and use the hashtag #chipsnightout, and you’ll be entered into a raffle that includes six awesome prizes.
How much: Free!

Celebrate Brooklyn Benefit Concert: Jack Johnson, with Bahamas
When: Tuesday, June 10, 7pm
Where:  Bandshell at Prospect Park, 9th Street/Prospect Park West entrance
What: Tickets for the event are sold out, but if you’re a big Jack Johnson fan, you’ll still be able to hear the tunes nearby in the park, so grab a blanket (and maybe an umbrella), find a close patch of grass, and enjoy!

2014 Plaza Swing Series: Tara O’Grady
When: Wednesday, June 11, 6:30pm
Where: Central Library, Central Plaza, 10 Grand Army Plaza
What: Dancing in front of the library is back for the summer! Chanteuse Tara O’Grady mixes Celtic sounds with blues, folk, swing and jazz into her unique style. Dance lessons are at 6:30pm, and the band starts at 7pm. (In case of rain, the event will be held on Thursday, June 12 at 6:30pm.)
How much: Free!

A Night Of Animal Madness
When: Wednesday, June 11, 8pm
Where: The Bell House, 149 7th Street
What: Science historian Laurel Braitman talks about her new book, Animal Madness,while Jon Ronson will tell stories from his book The Psychopath Test and give a sneak preview into his work-in-progress book on the topic of public shaming.
How much: Free!

Photo of Tara O’Grady by Richard Velasco