May classes at the Brainery.

As we had done in March, Realty Collective is teaching 2 classes at the Brooklyn Brainery in May and are very excited to be back. Like the classes in March, though, the spots filled up very quickly and both classes are unfortunately full. 8( We do hope that they are able to expand their space and hold larger classes in the future. In the meantime, sign up for the wait list! Simply go on their website and check out the two courses we're offering, "How to Find the Perfect Rental" on May 2nd and "First Time Home Buying" on May 9th. We hope to see you there!

Try Something New Saturday!

There are so many classes and activities in the neighborhood for both adults and children it's hard to know which ones to try out. Wouldn't it be nice to have a sampling of some of your options and then you can pick and choose which ones best fit? Well, the Carroll Gardens Library, 396 Clinton Street, is hosting just that event this Saturday. It's called "Try Something New". With mini lessons and demonstrations you should have no trouble finding a class or activity you or your kids would want to continue. From yoga to acting workshops to language studies there will be a variety of choices, over a dozen. Come early, at 10:30AM if you'd like to watch a storytime prior to the event, which will begin at 11:30AM. Events at the library are free, as usual, so all you need to bring is yourself and an open mind!

Cool Class

Isn't is funny how you can walk by a place over and over again and see it for the first time one day? The other day, walking down Smith Street in the early evening, the Brooklyn Bead Box was just that place for us. Peaking inside the warmly lit store one could see a table where several women were sitting and beading jewelry. It was a class. How awesome! Looking up at their sign we knew we'd seen this place before but couldn't really recall and it was like seeing it for the first time, or at least in a different light. It seemed like such a nice thing to do on a Sunday evening. Sit and bead. If this sounds like a nice thing to you also you should check out their website for the class schedule. It looks like you sign up for daily classes, which are $35 or $40, and then buy the beads you want to work with, make your jewelry, and bring it home!

Young Actors Workshop

The fall session for the Young Actors Workshop is coming up (the week of September 19th). This 13 week session will cost you $325 but according to their website "Scholarships are available for students in need who have a passion for acting and theater." The classes teach improvisation, scene study, and comedy & tragedy. They have different classes for different ages. These workshops are held at Christ Church in Cobble Hill, 326 Clinton Street. If you're interested in signing your child or children up check out their website for more info. Here's a little blurb about Ezra Barnes, who will be teaching the fall session.

Ezra Barnes is a teacher, actor, and director. He has performed Off-Broadway with the Mint and Pearl Theater Companies, with numerous regional theaters and been featured on Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Bored to Death, As the World Turns, and in the feature films Joshua and Once More With Feeling. A Shakespearean expert, he founded Connecticut’s Shakespeare on the Sound, considered one of the premier outdoor classical theaters in the area, and served as its Artistic Director for 14 years. A longtime Brooklyn resident and parent, Ezra has taught theater for young people at Saint Ann’s School, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Poly Prep, and Piper Theatre. www.ezrabarnes.com