NY Philharmonic returns to Prospect Park! Plus, Photoville Community Weekend & Park Slope celebrates Pride.
Also this week: sip beer & plant bonsai trees, learn a traditional barn dance, and become a history buff in a Battle of Brooklyn walking tour.
Here’s what’s happening this week:
Happy Pride, Brooklyn! We’ll be highlighting celebrations in Park Slope and surrounding neighborhoods in our weekly event roundup throughout this month. For a lineup of local Pride events, visit the Brooklyn Pride website.
Did you know that Park Slope’s Lesbian Herstory Archives houses the world’s largest selection of materials by and about lesbians and their communities? The collection, which started on the UWS and moved to Park Slope in the early ‘90s, is featured in this month’s Hyperallergenic article “An Archive of Lesbian History Right in the Heart of Brooklyn.”
Great news for Brooklynites: the Macy’s July 4th Fireworks Display will return to the East River this summer [Gothamist].
Prospect Heights’ Cafe Mado & Sofreh make The New York Times’ list “The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City.”
That Bar, previously located on 5th Avenue & Bergen Street, closed their doors on May 30th. They thanked the community for their support in a recent Instagram post.
Brooklyn Public Library announces the arrival of a special edition New York Liberty library card, which is available while supplies last.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene names flooding as the top public health hazard for New Yorkers [BK Reader]. For flooding-related resources & support, check out the Brooklyn-based newsletter The Sponge.
Our Top Picks
Events with an asterisk* tend to sell out- reserve tickets early!
Multi-Day Events:
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater @ BAM— Thursday, June 5th-Sunday, June 8th: The company that shattered every boundary of American dance returns to Brooklyn with a vital display of world-class artistry. An AILEY performance isn’t just dance; it’s a force of nature—a rich sensory experience that embodies all the staggering joy and wistful longing that human movement can elicit. Tickets start at $35.
Photoville Community Weekend @ Brooklyn Bridge Park— Saturday June 7th & Sunday June 8th: Photoville, a photo festival amplifying visual storytellers, will celebrate its opening by presenting Community Weekend, a free visual storytelling event bringing various artists to Brooklyn Bridge Park, featuring 60 exhibitions and free public programming. Take part in interactive workshops for all levels and ages from an array of partners, artists and Photoville team-led photography walking tours, free virtual Professional Development sessions with Diversity Photo, panel discussions with festival artists and exhibition partners, and happy hours for educators and artists. FREE.
Thursday, June 5th (Today):
Customer Appreciation Night @ Ginger’s Bar, 5-7pm: Ginger’s bar is celebrating their customers with a free beer on the house as they welcome the breweries they are proud to have on their taps! Free beers from Tales Beer Co, Allagash Brewing Company, Shacksbury, Sloop Brewing, Narragansett, and Kings County Brewers Collective— plus non-alcoholic options— will be available. FREE.
Battle of Brooklyn Walking Tour @ Prospect Park, 6-8pm: Follow the footsteps of the revolutionaries! This tour meets up at Grand Army Plaza and traces the path of retreat of the Continental soldiers who fought in the Battle of Brooklyn on August 27, 1776. It ends at the Old Stone House and Washington Park for a light snack and private gallery tour at the site of the final stand-off. $23.18.
Friday, June 6th:
Shark Bite - Queer Comedy 8-Ball Competition @ Fort Hamilton Distillery & Tasting Room (Industy City), 7:30pm: The Queer Poolplayers Association (QPA) presents SHARK BITE, a live, comedy, game show in which poolplayers and comedians from the LGBTQIA+ community vie to win an eight-ball match that encourages its audience and players to roast, distract, and otherwise “shark”the competition. $23.18.
NY Philharmonic @ Prospect Park (Long Meadow Ballfields), 8pm: The New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks have become an iconic New York summer experience since they began in 1965, transforming parks throughout the city into a patchwork of picnickers and providing music lovers with an opportunity to hear classical music under the stars. The year’s performance features conductor Gustavo Dudamel, trumpet virtuoso Arturo Sandoval, cuatro master Jorge Glem, a special appearance by guitarist and former NY Yankee Bernie Williams — and post-concert fireworks! Dudamel will lead the Orchestra in cornerstones of the repertoire by Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky alongside vibrant music by Arturo Sandoval and Gonzalo Grau. FREE.
NY Philharmonic at Prospect Park 📸: Prospect Park Alliance
Saturday June 7th:
Pride in the Garden @ 6/15 Community Garden, 2-6pm: Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride, celebrate with old friends, and meet new friends under the beautiful willow tree! Refreshments are served, and everyone is welcome. Bring something you want to share! FREE.
“Rhythm & Flow” Opening Reception @ Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse, 6-9pm: This exhibit by David Barthold and Josh Lambert, curated by Pam Wong, brings together the vibrant, materials-driven practices of the two artists in a dynamic dialogue of structure, motion, and pattern. Barthold’s sculptures draw from the theatrical and the everyday, transforming metal, sign paint, and salvaged materials into playful yet poignant assemblages. Lambert’s wall-based constructions focus on rhythm as a process of iteration and variation. Layering pigment onto wood panels, he creates tactile compositions that can be viewed as visual scores — each panel a beat, each work a shifting cadence. The exhibit is on view Saturdays in June (7, 14, 21, 28) from 1-5pm. FREE.
Anniversary Party @ Whisk & Whiskey, 7pm-12am: Cheers to four years! Whisk & Whiskey invites their day ones, regulars, and everyone who’s ever danced, dined, or sipped with them to celebrate this milestone! Dance and enjoy live DJ sets, complimentary spirits tastings, and drink specials. FREE—RSVP recommended.
Backyard Sessions: The West Side Cowboys @ Parashades, 8-10pm: Enjoy live music by bluegrass & honky tonk band The West Side Cowboys in the backyard of Parashades Pizza and Cocktail Lounge! FREE.
Sunday, June 8th:
Green-Wood’s Greatest Hits, 1-2:30pm: Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth visit to Green-Wood, this walking tour offers a fresh, thrilling perspective on one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.
Led by one of Green-Wood’s expert guides, this tour takes you to the heart of Brooklyn’s most fascinating stories. Walk in the footsteps of George Washington’s troops during the fight for independence, uncover the tragic tale of the 1876 Brooklyn Theatre fire, and pay tribute to luminaries like composer Leonard Bernstein. Along the way, you’ll encounter hidden gems and learn about unforgettable moments that have shaped the city and its people. $25/$20 for members.
Barn Dance with Brooklyn Contra @ Camp Friendship, 4:30-8pm: Join Brooklyn Contra for a barn dance, welcoming new participants into New York's most approachable social dance! There will be live music from the Brooklyn Banshees and a 30-minute free lesson. Contra is an easy-to-learn folk dance, similar to square dancing with some swing dance flair. Bringing a partner isn't necessary as folks switch partners between each dance. $15.
Monday, June 9th:
Yoga @ Brooklyn Public Library (Park Slope branch), 4-5pm: Share in the benefits of yoga! Led by a certified instructor who has practiced yoga for 20 years, this class is designed to be accessible to all levels of ability and experience. The instructor is known for her warm and welcoming teaching style, and for creating a safe and supportive environment for her students to explore their own practice. FREE.
Tuesday, June 10th:
Brooklyn Pride Comedy Show @ Littlefield’s (Gowanus), 7:30pm: A fun-filled evening of comedy with five of the funniest LGBTQ comedians in the business! Featuring the amazing talents of Leah Reinhardt, Calvin Cato, James Tom, Young Tef, and Paris Sashay. Admission includes one drink. $12.
Wednesday, June 11th:
Bonsai Bar @ Strong Rope Brewery (Gowanus), 6:30pm: Bonsai Bar Beginner workshops are perfect for you to grab your friends, grab a drink and come make tiny trees! Learn the fundamental skills and techniques behind the art of bonsai. Teachers will introduce core concepts and guide your experience as you pot, prune, and design your very own bonsai tree! Included in the ticket price is a tree of your choosing, a ceramic pot to replant your tree, and two hours of bonsai wisdom. $85.
📸: Bonsai Bar
Book ahead for these popular events:
Cheese 101: an educational tasting & pairing night @ Eastern District— Thursday, June 26th, 8:00-9:30pm: Join Eastern District for an evening of guided artisan cheese tasting and education! Whether you're a cheese connoisseur or just a casual cheese lover, you will taste and learn about different types of cheese beyond grocery store and household names, how they're made, best practices, how to pair them, and more. $39.19
Did we miss anything? Add in comments below. 👇
Submit an event to be considered for this weekly events roundup!
Local Business Buzz ✨
The Park Slope outpost of Artists & Craftsman Supply, which is located at 307 2nd Street, is moving to Industry City this summer. To celebrate and prepare for their move, they are having an in-store moving sale and offering 50% OFF everyday prices on select merchandise. More details here.
Tzatziki Kiki @ Medusa The Greek: Celebrate love, queerness, and tzatziki every Saturday in June from 1-3pm at Medusa. Includes bottomless brunch option, drag shows, and prizes! RSVP here.
Weekly Way to Give Back 🎗️
Park Slope-based non-profit food pantry Camp Friendship is celebrating 5 years of serving the community! Get information on donations and volunteering here.
Slope Steal of the Week 💰
BOGO deal @ Koi Omakase: To celebrate their 2nd anniversary, Koi Omakase is offering a their signature $69 13-Course Omakase buy one, get one free from June 1st – September 1st! Book on Resy.
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