After month's at home, Brooklynites are ready to stretch their legs and get back out into the borough--safely. And as the city continues to reopen and life attempts to regain some assemblance of "normalcy," Brooklyn is back to turning it on with events and outings to remind us why we love this city, through thick and thin (and masks and gloves.)
On top of wandering the borough's open streets to find new spots to dine outdoors, catching spontaneous live music or heading to the beach or one of our parks buzzing with activity, BK Reader has tracked down some great activities to keep us focused on the good thangs and give us a break this weekend!
Saturday
WHAT: Black Laughs Matter: A Social Distance Nite of Humor; Activate the Mural presents gut busting humor as Bed-Stuy Funny man Dave Lester joins Dara Jammott for Black Laughs Matter — a social distanced evening of jokes and humorous-healing in wake of COVID and raging gun violence. Lineup includes Gmama Lee, Ashley Morris, Mark Gregory, Janelle James and Freddie Ricks with live music from DJ MYTEMARE.
WHEN: Saturday September 5, between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
WHERE: BLM mural at Restoration Plaza
COST: Free
WHAT: Rooftop Films presents outdoor drive-in cinema at Brooklyn Army Terminal. This Saturday, Shithouse, the Grand Jury Prize Winner at SXSW, will be the feature film, announcing a hilarious and winning new star of American independent film Cooper Raiff. Lonely college freshman Alex (writer/director Raiff) has closed himself off from his peers, who all appear to have this whole "college thing" figured out. But everything changes one night when Alex takes a leap and attends a party at Shithouse — a legendary party fraternity — where he forges a strong connection with Maggie (Dylan Gelula, First Girl I Loved).
WHEN: Saturday September 5, doors open at 7.30 p.m.
WHERE: Brooklyn Army Terminal. For entry, drive southbound down 1st Avenue to the corner of 58th Street. Entrance is at 80 58th St.
COST: $35 per car. Tickets can be found here.
WHAT: Flatbush Caton Market is holding a socially-distanced celebration ahead of the now-online West Indian Day parade to get folks in the mood for the celebration. Head to the market for a good time and to get all the gear you need to celebrate this Labor Day. "We have partnered with [Tropical Fete] to do an exhibition on the sidewalk," Market Manager Lisa Thompson said. "We will have masqueraders, stilt walkers, a steel pan player and a DJ to have a parade without the usual congestion and crowds."
WHEN: Saturday September 5, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Flatbush Caton Market, 2184 Clarendon Rd, Brooklyn
COST: Free
WHAT: Get your endorphins flowing with rooftop comedy courtesy of Tiny Cupboard. This Saturday, a range of comedians will perform three shows during the evening, getting you out of your living room and onto a roof. They say "it's the perfect excuse to safely escape quarantine before the world ends for good. Thank you in advance for coming and having the best night of your life."
WHEN: Saturday, between 5.30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
WHERE: Tiny Cupboard, 1717 Broadway Brooklyn.
COST: Ranging from free to $7 per show. For more details visit here.
Sunday
WHAT: Hop on your bike this weekend and discover Brooklyn's waterfront parks, piers, picnic spots and points of interest with Brooklyn Greenway Rides. Using your own bike or a Citi Bike, stop along the route to enjoy delicacies and delights from restaurants and shops in Brooklyn's vibrant waterfront neighborhoods, pointed out through the self-guided Greenway Rides program. Your digital Ride Guide includes an illustrated map of route highlights and amenities, a map for navigation and shorter route options.
WHEN: All weekend
WHERE: Brooklyn waterfront
COST: Free
WHAT: In honor of J'Ouvert and the West Indian American Day Parade, Brooklyn Museum are screening JUVÉ NITE (2018, 17 min.), by MELO-X. The film celebrates people of the Caribbean diaspora who call Brooklyn home as they play mas and revel in the streets. Interspersed with historical colonial images depicting hints about J'Ouvert's origins, JUVÉ NITE portrays the joy, revelry, and unity of the borough's thriving annual carnival traditions.
JUVÉ NITE, being repeated about six times each evening between Friday and Sunday, followed by the music video for MELO-X's "Warrior Song," featuring Shungudzo. Masks are required for all adults and children over the age of 2.
WHEN: Friday-Sunday September 4-7, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Brooklyn Museum Plaza
COST: Free
What's Up, Weekend?! is BK Reader's new weekend events list. Check us out for the next few Fridays for the latest socially-distanced events in the borough.
To get your event on the list, add it to our calendar here.
