Weekend Art Events: May 19 – 21 (Protect Like A Mother, Comedy Bang! Bang! & More)

Since summer seems to have snuck up on us early, it’s fortunate there are lots of outdoor events to check out this weekend.

There are giant animal mothers under the Brooklyn Bridge! You can also get out and enjoy art and history walks, a bike tour, a block party, a fabulous street fair, an art/science expo, and much more!

“Protect Like A Mother” Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit
When: Saturday, May 20 through Sunday, May 21, 9am to 6pm
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Plaza at Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO
What: Lysol presents a special outdoor exhibition honoring the greatest guardians of all— mothers. The exhibit teaches families about the mothers of the animal kingdom through larger-than-life interactive animal installations, including an eagle, an octopus, and a 24-foot-tall orangutan. With the help of wildlife expert/advocate, Dave Salmoni, the installation illustrates motherly instincts using visual storyboards featuring incredible wildlife, as well as human moms.
How Much: Free

BPL Bike the Branches
When: Saturday, May 20, 10am to 5pm
Where: Central Library Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza (start and finish), Park Slope
What: A yearly spring fundraising campaign to support Brooklyn Public Library. Individuals and families can register to participate in the day-long ride and visit as many of the 60 Brooklyn library branches as they can. The rider who collects the most stamps in his/her Bike the Branches passport will win a Brompton Bicycle. There will also be a Block Party at the Central Branch featuring live music, food, and a beer garden from 3pm to 7pm.
How Much: Registration is $20 for adults; $10 for children (17 and under); $10 for seniors (65 and up); $40 for families (includes up to 2 adults and 3 children); and $100 for teams (up to 10 people).

BK Block Parties @ Albee Square
When: Saturday, May 20, 11am to 1pm
Where: Albee Square Plaza (corner of Fulton and Bond Streets), Downtown Brooklyn
What: A monthly, family-friendly block party featuring music, giveaways, balloon animals, and face painting. Shops along Fulton Street Mall will offer exclusive deals of the day. This month, Jah Pan, steel drum and calypso musicians from Trinidad and Tobago, will perform island classics and Caribbean-influenced interpretations of current hits.
How Much: Free

Brooklyn Flea Record Fair
When: Saturday, May 20, 11am to 6pm
Where: East River State Park, 90 Kent Avenue (at North 8th Street), Williamsburg
What: In its tenth year, this record collector’s utopia features more than 50 labels, stores, and vintage dealers stocked with rarities, one-off releases, limited editions, and sold-out copies of prized vinyl. There will be DJs spinning all day and a beer garden.

Expo Gowanus
When: Saturday, May 20, 11am to 5pm
Where: Thomas Greene Park (3rd Avenue & Douglass Street), Gowanus
What: This unique, neighborhood carnival of art, science, and toxic waste will feature activities for the whole family, including art & crafts, activism, science, musical performances, food, sports, and more.
How Much: Free

Fort Greene & Clinton Hill Art Walk
When: Saturday, May 20 kickoff, 11am to 4pm, exhibitions on view through June 21
Where: Various locations in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. Click for map.
What: Stroll the neighborhood and see works by more than 35 local artists on display in businesses, galleries, and public spaces. On Saturday, May 20 all participating locations will host “Meet the Artist” events, and there will be a variety of family-friendly activities happening around the neighborhood.
How Much: Free

ART FEST, featuring Myrtle + Fulton ART WALK
When: Saturday, May 20, 11am to 3pm
Where: Art installations in various locations along Myrtle Avenue and Fulton Street plus a festival at Putnam Triangle
What: Art lovers of all ages will appreciate this colorful kickoff celebration of the season: ART FEST will be chock-full of fantastic activities, interactive art projects, face painting, and more! Don’t miss artist-led demonstrations by creatives like visual artist Cey Adams and Urban Glass studio artists. Plus, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and Fulton Area Business Alliance are joining forces to present an ART WALK event and exhibition along two main commercial avenues. The mapped route includes over 30 exhibits and will highlight artists, businesses and the vibrant communities that are Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.

Summer Spree At Industry City
When: Saturday, May 20 – Labor Day, September 4
Where: Industry City, 220 36th Street, Sunset Park
What: Kicking off tomorrow, Industry City will be hosting a bunch of fun events throughout the summer including live music ranging from rock to salsa, Industry City Open Studios, Rooftop Films, Salsa Sundays, and of course, lots of options for foodies. The team behind Chelsea’s popular restaurant-on-a-boat, The Frying Pan, are launching The Wheelhouse on Saturday, May 20. The new eatery/bar on a repurposed tugboat will offer indoor ping-pong and a Brooklyn-themed 9-hole mini golf course.

Wallabout Historic Walking Tour
When: Saturday, May 20, 11am to 12:30pm (Second & Third Saturdays from May – October)
Where: Fort Greene Park Visitor’s Center, 300 Myrtle Avenue, Fort Greene
What: The third Saturday of each month, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and Fort Greene Park Conservancy will host a free, 90-minute, 1.3 mile walking tour through the historic Wallabout neighborhood north of Myrtle Avenue. See pre-Civil War homes and late 19th-century industrial buildings and learn how the neighborhood has developed since the Dutch first arrived in the early 1600’s.
How Much: Free, but registration is required as space is limited.

Comedy Bang! Bang!
When: Saturday, May 20, 8pm
Where: BAM, Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene
What: Part of the Vulture Festival, this live edition of Scott Aukerman’s popular podcast and television show features Aukerman performing a completely improvised show with special guests.
How Much: Tickets $32.50 to $47.50

The StepCrew
When: Saturday, May 20, 8pm
Where: OnStage At Kingsborough, 2001 Oriental Boulevard, Manhattan Beach
What: This Canadian crew will perform Celtic music, song, and three styles of percussive dance—traditional Irish Step, Tap, and Ottawa Valley, a form known for fast, high-stepping  jigs and reels.
How Much: Tickets $32 – $37

The Fabulous Fifth Ave Fair
When: Sunday, May 21, 10am to 6pm
Where: Fifth Avenue between Sterling Place and 12th Street, Park Slope
What: Hosted by the Park Slope 5th Avenue BID, this popular annual street fair features music and dance performances, art, shopping, vintage cars, activities, and demos. Food and drink will be available from local eateries.
How Much: Free

58th Annual Park Slope Civic Council House Tour
When: Sunday, May 21, 12pm to 5pm
Where: Poly Prep Lower School, 50 Prospect Park West at 1st Street (starting point), Park Slope
What: Participants will receive an informative illustrated brochure to direct them through the historic homes featured in this annual self-guided tour. Following the tour, local architect/historian Francis Morrone will give a lecture at The Berkeley Carroll School (181 Lincoln Place) at 6pm.
How Much: Tickets $25 in advance, $30 day of tour