Red Hook Ferry Tomorrow!

Good news for businesses in Red Hook, residents, and visitors alike comes this weekend when the expanded free summer ferry service starts at Pier 11 in Manhattan.  It makes two stops in Red Hook one is off of Van Brunt Street and the other is, of course, Ikea.  The decision to expand this route of transportation was mainly because of the impact that Hurricane Sandy had on the area.  Service will begin tomorrow, May 25th.  Read more here.

The Pianos are Coming to Our Hood in June!

Have you heard of the Sing for Hope Pianos program?  Here's a brief summary.  88 artist-designed pianos will be placed around the city starting in June.  Not only are these beautifully designed from them spontaneous performances will occur daily.  After their time with the public they will be donated to under-served schools,and other community organizations in need.  A couple of these pianos are coming pretty close by.  One will be at Columbus Park near Borough Hall, one in Brooklyn Bridge Park and another in Gowanus at 336 3rd Street.  Check out their site for more info.

Governor's Island Opens Soon!

This Saturday, May 25th, marks the opening day of Gov Island to the public for the season.  We're so lucky that this amazing spot is just a short (and free!) ferry boat ride away from Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park.  Here are a few things you can expect to see this weekend.

Children's Museum of the Arts Free Art Island Outpost Program: May 25-September 29,  Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 3 pm
Join CMA's Teaching Artists for free hands on art-making each weekend. Collaborate with other visitors on a variety of themed art workshops including painting, sound design, sculpture, animation, podcasting, and more!!  For more information visit www.cmany.org.

Better Than Jam: handmade gifts shop: May 25- September 29, 11 am-6pm
For it's 3rd year, the Brooklyn boutique of all locally handmade products, will be bringing the creations of New York City's most talented artists and crafters

Vintage Baseball, Saturday and Sunday May 25-26, Saturday, June 29, Saturday July 27, Saturday August 24 and Saturday, August 21
See baseball played as it was at the turn of the last century! Visit the Parade Ground and enjoy America’s pastime the way it used to be played!

 

Chickens at Urban Meadow.

Urban Meadow, a beautiful community garden on President and Van Brunt, has added chickens to their space.  They've had them for a little while now but just recently we noticed that a couple of them were roaming free so we snapped this pic.  The tulips and other spring flowers are blooming, along with the scattered flowering trees.  That as well as the picnic benches, brick garden paths and now the chickens strolling around make this a really cute spot.

Buying into Brooklyn Event Reminder!!

Tomorrow night is the night.  Just wanted to let everyone know, and remind those who already knew, that we'll be at Brooklyn Brewery along with a great panel of folks who can answer your questions about buying in Brooklyn.  Come for the knowledge, come for the beer, come for the snacks.  Come see us!!  Check the event's facebook page for tickets and more info.

New Restaurant on Hicks.

We passed this place on the corner of Hicks and Degraw the other day and we wouldn't have given it a second look had the door not been wide open and we noticed that work was being done on the place.  It barely looked like a storefront back when it was a hydroponic shop but after glancing in the windows (pic below) you can see that it's going to be a restaurant.  We asked the gentleman working what type of food they will serve but he only said he knew it would be a bar and restaurant.  We just learned that it's going to be a burger shop.  The owner, who is the same as the previous gardening store, is quoted on GrubStreet as wanting to sell "Shake Shack–style burgers for $5," Sounds like a good addition to this area!

Go Dancing at the Park Tonight!

You may have missed the kick off of Celebrate Brooklyn! Dance Parties last Thursday but if you feel like dancing tonight you are in luck because this series is still going on and tonight is the night.  Meet up is at 7pm on Pier 1 of the Brooklyn Bridge Park and it's free. Tonight is Afro-Cuban night with Pedrito Martinez and DJ Nickodemus.  Read more about the duo below. Alos get there at the beginning for free dance lessons.

Havana-born vocalist and percussionist Pedrito Martinez leads a small band with a big sound, featuring Ariacne Trujillo and special guest Luis Sanchez-Faife (Alto Sax). Lauded as “an incomparable performer” by The New York Times, Martinez’s unmatched work on the congas anchors the band’s fresh, hip-shakin’ beats. From downtown to uptown, he keeps audiences dancing with his “quick hands [and] a voice like lightning” (Wall Street Journal). DJ Nickodemus, of Turntables On The Hudson fame, will also be on hand to spice up the East River with his universal dance sounds.

BWAC Event this Sunday.

There are so many great events going on at Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition. Visual art, music, film.  This Sunday you can visit and listen to their Readings in Red Hook series.  This show is for local authors to share their work with the public.  The theme for this Sunday, May 19th is "Sandy Experiences".  BWAC is located at 499 Van Brunt Street and is open weekends 1pm-6pm. Check out their site for more info.

Brooklyn Heights Spring Fair This Weekend!

Willowtown Spring Fair is coming to Brooklyn Heights this Saturday, May 18th.  This cute little street, Willow Place between Joralemon and State, will be bustling with people on Saturday between 12pm and 5pm.  Along with live music there will be face painting and races for the kids and wine tasting for adults.  There is so much more (bounce house, fire engine, kitten adoptions plant sale, etc) It's a little one block street but it's going to be packed full of activities and snacks!

Citibike is coming!

Here's a pic we took of the latest addition to the Pier 6 area.  A Citibike rack!  We were so excited about this bike share program when we heard about it a very long time ago, before it was even called Citibike, and after many delays and postponements it's finally coming..for real.  This is a really perfect location too. It's right at the entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is a great place to bike around, although you have to watch out for those pesky pedestrians.  It's also on the Greenway and you can easily bike to Red Hook from this point too.  Can't wait to see how this program goes.