Juneteenth celebrations in Park Slope, New York Philharmonic's Concert in the Park, Artist & Musician Robert Box
by Park Slope Living
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Welcome to Park Slope Living’s weekly newsletter, Park Slope Pulse. Each week we share the latest things going on around the neighborhood ✨ for free ✨ including the most important news and events - and you’ll get to know more about a fellow neighbor!
With June 19th (Juneteenth) just a few days away, we’d like to recognize the sacrifices made by Black Americans throughout history in pursuit of freedom and celebrate the end of slavery. Juneteenth parades, celebrations, and educational opportunities will be popping up across the city, and we’ve highlighted a few occurring here in Park Slope! We’d also like to celebrate Park Slope’s Black-owned businesses, so stay tuned for a feature on @parkslopeliving highlighting some of Park Slope’s Black-owned businesses on Instagram. These establishments are anchors in our community, and without them Park Slope would not be Park Slope!
Here’s what’s happening this week:
An estimated 30,000 people celebrated Pride at the Brooklyn Pride Multicultural Festival last weekend. Several organizations and groups marched down 5th Avenue in a magnificent display of pride and unity. As part of the event, Brooklyn Pride announced that the recipients of this year’s Volunteer Grant Program will be Free to Be Youth Project, Gay for Good-NYC Chapter, and Cheer New York. For full coverage and photos see the linked article! [Gay City News]
On Monday, plans to transform the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal into an offshore wind hub were revealed. These developments will transform this 73-acre space just west of Industry City into an operations and maintenance hub for on offshore wind farm located on Long Island. The project, which is projected to be completed in 2026, will create several new jobs for New Yorkers and power 500,000 New York Homes by integrating power from the wind farm to the city’s electricity grid. [News 12]
Openings: Dukan Syko (Syrian and Korean specialty shop from the owners of Syko) opens June 15th, Saqueo (Thai restaurant) opened this week at 191 5th Avenue between Union & Berkeley, Fulton Burger Express (fast-casual expansion of DUMBO’s Fulton Burger) opened at 177 5th Avenue between Berkeley & Lincoln.
— Ky and Viv
Special Feature: Free Treats & Real Estate Insights
Join The Firstenberg Team for complimentary baked goods and expert real estate advice!
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🗓️ Thurs. June 20th | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m
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Our Top Picks
Thursday (Today)
Fleet Feet NYC x On Photography Challenge Run @ Fleet Feet (474 5th Avenue), 6:15-8 PM: Join Fleet Feet Brooklyn and On Running for an opportunity to test the new On Cloudrunner 2 and showcase your smartphone photography skills. The event will begin with intros from the Fleet Feet and On teams, followed by a short smartphone photography lesson. You’ll then have a chance to explore Park Slope and and try to take your best photo during an unguided run. Prizes will be awarded to the best photos! FREE with RSVP. RSVP here.
Friday
New York Philharmonic Concert in the Park @ Prospect Park, 8 PM: Back again for their annual Concerts in the Park series, the New York Philharmonic is inviting you to enjoy music under the stars in Prospect Park. The program will feature classics from composers such as Beethoven as well as new music from young composers. Bring your blanket and chairs and enjoy a night of beautiful music, ending with fireworks! FREE.
Watch UEFA Euro 2024 @ Wild East Brewing: Calling all soccer fans! The 2024 UEFA European Football Championship begins this Friday. You can catch every game (with the exception of 9 AM games) at Wild East Brewing. This Friday’s match will be Germany vs. Scotland.
Saturday
Powerhouse Arts Community Day @ Powerhouse Arts, 1-5 PM: Stop by Powerhouse Arts this Saturday for their first Community Day! The event will feature hands-on workshops, demonstrations, screenings, and conversations with various Powerhouse Arts affiliated artists and educators. If you’ve ever been curious about screen printing, glassblowing, soldering, or zine-making this is your opportunity to explore all of that and more. This event is family-friendly and open to all ages! FREE with RSVP.
Brooklyn Youth Pride @ 5th Ave & 4th Street, 12-5 PM: Celebrate Brooklyn’s LGBTQIA+ youth at Brooklyn Youth Pride. Expect live music, art, games, and more at this event designed to foster a safe space for Queer youth and allies to build community. FREE. RSVP here.
Alice in Chaos Premiere @ Gallery Players, 2 PM: Piper Theatre’s newest production, Alice in Chaos, opens at Brooklyn’s premiere Off-Off Broadway theatre, Gallery Players. “In this play, night nurse Alice navigates a memory ward in search of her vanished patient, Rabbit, surrounded by a cast of enigmatic characters – the Duchess, Mad Hatter, March Hare, and the Red Queen. Within the confines of this whimsical world, a poignant narrative unfolds, weaving a hopeful tale of rediscovering joy and understanding amid the madness.” Hear more about this play from the writer/director himself here. Adults: $20, Seniors/Kids: $10. Purchase tickets here.
Sunday
Seventh Heaven Street Fair @ 7th Ave (betweeen Lincoln Place & 14th St), 10AM-6 PM: The 49th annual Seventh Heaven Street Fair will return to 7th Avenue on Sunday! The fair will feature vendors, live music, food, rides, classic cars, and more. FREE.
Dragon Fest @ 7th Ave (between 4th & 6th street), 10-6 PM: Dragon Fest’s annual outdoor Chinese food and culture festival will be taking place on 7th Avenue on Sunday! As you explore the Seventh Heaven Street Fair, be sure to make your way to the section of the fair between 4th and 6th street to experience this showcase of Chinese food, art, and culture. FREE.
Black Rave Culture @ Public Records, 2 PM: Join Black Rave Culture and Public Records in The Nursery for their Juneteenth Party. Hailing from D.C, Black Rave Culture's mission is to spread the message of Black Rave and amplify the sounds of their city to audiences everywhere. $15.45 -$20.60. Purchase tickets here.
Juneteenth Family Day @ Green-Wood Cemetery, 1-4PM: Explore Black history with the whole family at Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery. With the provided maps and biographies, you will be able to embark on a self-guided tour of the burial sites of the many notable Black figures buried in Green-Wood Cemetery. Kid-friendly craft activities will be available in the Historic Chapel as well! FREE (donation encouraged). RSVP here (recommended).
Monday
Reductress Presents: Haha...WOW! @ Union Hall, @ 7 PM: Enjoy a night of comedy with the editors of Reductress and a lineup of talented comics at Union Hall. $18.98. Purchase tickets here.
Tuesday
Drag Bingo @ Rullo’s, 8 PM: Spice up your Tuesday night with Drag Bingo at Rullo’s! Hosted by JizzaBella, you’re sure to have a fabulous night of games and drinks. You may even leave with a prize! FREE. Reserve a spot here.
Wednesday (Juneteenth!)
Drunk Black History @ Littlefield, 7-9 PM: Celebrate Juneteenth and expand your knowledge of Black history at this hilarious show hosted by comedian, Brandon Collins. The event will showcase a lineup of comedians, writers, and experts who will recap the histories of Black events and figures with the help of their sponsors, Equiano Rum and Sorel Liqueur. $29.73. Purchase tickets here.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! 2024 Juneteenth UNITYFEST @ Lena Horne Bandshell, @ 6 PM: BRIC and the Randolph Foundation have planned an evening of Juneteenth celebrations at Prospect Park’s Lena Horne Bandshell as part of their BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! programming. The event will recognize the long timeline of challenges and victories that have defined U.S history and African-American culture. Expect to dance, learn, and celebrate the contributions of African-American culture in Brooklyn and beyond! FREE.
Check out the comments for anything we’ve missed!
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Q&A: Robert Box
Our Q&A this week is with artist, musician, and Brooklyn native, Robert Box. If your Saturday morning strolls often lead you to the Grand Army Farmers’ Market, Robert may be a familiar face to you as he’s often present selling his beautiful and eye-catching paintings. His background is as vibrant as his art, and it was a pleasure to learn more about his journey to the art and music world.
Can you tell me a bit about your journey as an artist and how you got started in your chosen medium?
I grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Sunset Park. Brooklyn. My father worked on the docks of Gowanus Bay. I. didn’t have any exposure to art until a high school trip to the Museum of Modern Art basically changed my life. I was walking through the galleries, unimpressed, until I turned a corner and came upon Monet’s gigantic “Waterlilies”, which took a up almost a whole floor. This left a big impression on me, and I started painting. Graduating high school in 1969 I attended the School of Visual Arts on 23d street but caught up in the craziness of the ‘60s zeitgeist, dropped out after one year. I moved back to Brooklyn and lived in a Sunset Park storefront with my old friends from the neighborhood. I painted there, but also played music and eventually formed what turned out to be the new wave CBGB band, “THE SHIRTS”.
How has your work evolved over the years?
I’d have to say it’s become more focused and accessible to others.
Many of your pieces are centered around items you’d find in the kitchen, what inspired you to follow this theme?
What happened was, when the music thing faded out, around 1984 I went back to doing large color field pieces, but none of that work was selling. Now having a wife and two young children I drove a cab, tended bar, hung sheet rock to survive, and couldn’t afford to rent studio space for my large paintings. One morning, pouring my coffee, thinking my painting days were over, the sun hit the cup and the curl of smoke came out of it. It looked interesting and I took a photo of it. I bought some small canvases and started painting these kitchen images and selling them outside the Metropolitan Museum. Amazingly I’ve been making a living doing this for the past 23 years.
Are there any specific experiences or moments from your time on the road as a musician that have directly influenced your artwork?
I think doing 14 tours of Europe with THE SHIRTS was a big factor. I was able to see the great museums, always had a sketchbook and some watercolors with me, Also the feeling of being successful (for about 5 years) gave me confidence and belief in my work.
How has your local community influenced your work, if at all?
I get tons of feedback from the people passing by when I set up a table by the Grand Army Farmers’ Market.
What advice would you give to other artists who are juggling multiple creative passions, such as music and visual art?
I think the only thing I could advise is to KEEP GOING!
Can you share any upcoming projects or exhibitions you’re excited about?
We’re having the world premiere of “7 WEEKS 7 GRAND”, sort of a punk rock mini-series (which I wrote the music for) at RULLO’S bar on 5th avenue between 15th and 16th streets in Park Slope on Thursday June 20th at 7pm. Weather permitting, I sell the kitchen stuff every Saturday at Grand Army Plaza.
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