Archive for ‘Entertainment’

PS 29 Wants YOU to Eat Pie and Shop for the Holidays

By Tobey, 23 November, 2011, 1 Comment

Come for the pie, stay for the shopping

Sure, there’s other holiday shopping events in the hood. But none come with the same bold promise of pie. That’s why the PS 29 Eat Pie and Shop event has always been one of my faves (even before my son started attending). So mark your calendars now, because it’s coming up on 4 December from 11am to 4pm at the Cobble Hill school (Henry St. between Kane and Baltic).
As mentioned, all types of pie will be available throughout the day–including fruit, creamy, savory and nut. And to make things more exciting, there will also be a pie competition with a panel of judges consisting of celebs like Gail Simmons, an editor at Food & Wine magazine and judge on Bravo fave “Top Chef,” and Danielle Kyrillos, from “Top Chef: Just Desserts,” as well as local restauranteurs like Marc Anthony Bynum, chef at the new MooBurger (fast turning into one of our faves) and Jeff Lederman, of Strong Place, Bocca Lupo and Nectar. The winner will receive a gift package from Food & Wine and bragging rights for the year. Judging will take place at 1pm.
In addition, as a special culinary treat, Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack will also be in attendance, doling out its signature frozen custard (the new storefront will open in Downtown Brooklyn by end of year), and Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain will be serving its ‘Grumble Grumble’ grilled cheese sandwiches.
Of course, after all that pigging out you simply must do some shopping, so stay for the gift fair overflowing with local artisans, craftspeople and merchants. Kids will be lured away from your efforts with holiday craft workshops hosted by art teachers from Children’s Museum of the Arts and face painting by Mini Max Toys & Cuts. And lastly, if you need the perfect shot for your holiday cards, professional photographers will be on hand for family photo shoots. Proceeds will go to PS 29, but this is the perfect event for anyyone with a sweet tooth and a gift list.

Help Pick Flicks for Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Summer Movies

By Tobey, 22 November, 2011, No Comment

In July of 2010, the 11th season of NYC’s Movies With a View moved to Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1. Presented by the Scyfy channel, this annual outdoor festival under the twinkling lights of our signature bridge has been a hit–and included films for young and old alike. We’ve smiled through classics like Annie Hall and Some Like it Hot, sang along with Dreamgirls, and brought the kids for An American Tale and Ghostbusters.
If you love this event (and movies) as much as we do, why not take some time to apply for the Volunteer Film Committee, which comes together three times a year to help choose a diverse and eclectic line-up of summer films. There are three mandatory meetings throughout December, January and February and volunteer commitments during the summer. If you’d like more info, email ahughes@bbpc.net by 30 November.

Brooklyn Farmacy: More Than Just Eggcreams

By Tobey, 17 November, 2011, No Comment

Cartoonist Mark Alan Stamaty to sign copies of "WHO NEEDS DONUTS"

Recently, I’ve been stopping in at Cobble Hill’s old-timey soda shop Brooklyn Farmacy (513 Henry St.) for the orange-tinged pumpkin ice cream my son’s been craving. And in addition to the ever-changing, seasonal ice cream flavors, the menu also reflects a heavier focus on savories and a fairly new lunch menu–featuring a potato knish, black bean empanada and grilled ham and cheese sandwich. This weekend though, there will also be a few interesting things going on so feel free to stop in for a nosh or a little bit of culture.

This Saturday morning (11.19) at 11 am, NY author and cartoonist, Mark Alan Stamaty will be in for a meet and greet and to sign copies of his book, “Who Needs Donuts”. Many may know Stamaty’s work from the Village Voice, and some may even have one of his children’s books on your shelves. (Minnie Malony & Macaroni, comes to mind!). Brooklyn born, and a real New Yorker, this is going to be a special morning at the Farmacy. And of course, come for the Peter Pan Donuts.

This Sunday afternoon (11.20), from 1-3, meet Brooklyn based illustrator, Claudia Pearson. Claudia’s work has appeared in the New Yorker, New York Times and Elle —and Farmacy has carried her beautiful, useful creations from the get go. She will be in-store on Sunday for a meet and greet with 2012 calendars, Tea towels and Children’s Coloring Books, each with an Eat local/ Seasonal focus. Great for children with a leaning towards art, and for parents who are visiting from out of town. Pick up a gift for the Thanksgiving host!

And finally, Farmacy WILL BE OPEN on Thanksgiving Day from 9-3PM. Once you officially get ‘kicked out of the kitchen’, don’t spend the day wandering around the neighborhood in the cold. Stop in for a cup of coffee and a light lunch.

Guerilla Shakespeare Project at Carroll Gardens Library

By Tobey, 1 November, 2011, No Comment

Best-selling author Arthur Phillips will be reading from and answering audience questions about his most recent novel The Tragedy of Arthur, tomorrow, 2 November, at the Carroll Gardens Library (396 Clinton Street, corner of Union Street). The Guerilla Shakespeare Project, which performed a sold out reading of the play this spring at the Public Theater, will also do a reading of scenes from the play within the novel. According to The New York Times Review of Books, “[T]he novelist’s art is a cunning ability to lure the reader into treating counterfeit bills as if they were current. And this particular novel — a fictional memoir posing as a fraudulent introduction to a forged play — is a spectacular instance of the confidence game. It is a tribute to Arthur Phillips’s singular skill that his work leaves the reader not with resentment at having been tricked but rather with gratitude for the gift of feigned wonder.”
The event runs from 7pm to 9pm and you can score a free ticket by registering here.

Boerum Hill Hosts Franco-American Arts Series

By Tobey, 19 October, 2011, No Comment

This weekend, The Invisible Dog, Boerum Hill’s exciting center for the arts (51 Bergen St.), will begin hosting the Walls and Bridges arts and ideas series. In it’s third iteration, this 10-day event is a “series of performances and critical explorations uniting French and American thinkers and performers from the social sciences, philosophy and live arts” as curated by the Villa Gillet, presented by France’s Conseil de la création artistique.
Saturday from noon to 11pm, come by for A Tale of Two Chefs, Gastronomic picnic. French Chef Mathieu Rostaing Tayard from Lyon’s Le 126 and American Chef Brian Leth, currently working at the Vinegar Hill House, will be putting together a a special, gourmet lunch box meal. Reservations are suggested here, though we’ve been having problems getting the right link. Check here for the full program.

Come Sample Tastes of Brooklyn

By Tobey, 12 October, 2011, No Comment

If you’re heading to the greenmarket at Borough Hall this weekend, you may want to pick up a ticket to the Tastes of Brooklyn event taking place right next door on Saturday, 15 October. This culinary festival promises Brooklyn-based top chefs and artisans offering food and premium wines, while benefiting Seeds in the Middle, a non profit organization that aims to inspire social change through sustainable health. Restaurants include Saul, Grimaldis and Shelsky’s Smoked Fish–and an advance ticket will run you $35 ($45 on the day) and gets you six tastings. The event starts at 11:30am and ends at 3pm, so head over for the shopping–stay for the grub.

Buttermilk Channel Pairs Cali Wine with Hudson Valley Duck

By Tobey, 10 October, 2011, 1 Comment

We love Buttermilk Channel. One of the few eateries where the meal is worth the wait, owner Doug Crowell prowls the room, making sure his BoCoCa peeps are amply plied with booze and snacks while they hang at the well-stocked bar before being seated. So it’s no surprise they go out of their way to bring us special events like the upcoming Lioco winemaker dinner, this Wednesday, 12 October, at 7:30pm.
The California label has been on the restaurant’s menu from opening day, so Liocos’s Matt Licklider and Kevin O’Connor (the name is a fusion of the two’s last names) are looking forward to walking you through a five course menu paired with accompanying wines. Think persimmon carpaccio with cured duck, roasted radish tart with ricotta, bitter orange and olives, and Hudson Valley duck steak with corn bread and mushroom salad. The full menu can be found here with pairings but space is limited, so reserve your spot ($100 a head includes tax and gratuity) by calling 718 852 8490 or email doug@buttermilkchannelnyc.com.

Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Halloween Benefit

By Tobey, 5 October, 2011, No Comment

Don’t worry, I’ll have the long list of Halloween events coming soon, but wanted to alert you to one party you may want to plan for now. Brooklyn Bridge Park is holding it’s 2′nd annual All Hallows Eve Bash on Saturday, 29 October–all proceeds go to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s free public programming. Tickets are $50 ahead of time and $60 at the door, and include hors d’oeuvres and an open bar from 8pm to 1am. This year’s theme is Heroes and Villains, so get that “sexy Joker” costume out of the closet and head over to One Brooklyn Bridge Park (360 Furman Street) for some smoking cocktails and the promised Monster Mash.

Brooklyn Nets It Is

By Tobey, 26 September, 2011, No Comment

Well, original it ain’t, but I guess it gets the job done. According to the Brooklyn Paper, the up-and-coming Barclays Center basketball team will keep it’s brand, but add a little style to become the Brooklyn Nets.

Partial team owner Bruce Ratner, who is developing the team’s arena at the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush avenues, said he was happy that the name will not change, even as everything else is changing. “ ‘Nets is a good name,” he said. “It’s got a whole legacy, a history. It’s a new arena, a new borough, but an old name.”

PS29 Carnival @ Carroll Park

By Tobey, 20 September, 2011, No Comment

Bring the kids for music and fun this weekend at the 2nd annual PS29 Carnival at Carroll Park. In addition to the free concert at 4pm, Going Retro with Bubble Do The Beatles, there will be food and crafts 2pm to 5pm so bring some pocket money. Two raffle prizes will also be picked at 4pm: an ipad2 16GB with Wifi and dinner at Lucali’s restaurant on Henry Street. Come by the front of the school any day this week (Henry St. between Baltic St. and Kane St.) to buy tickets for $10 each or three for $20.