Pride Weekend in Park Slope & the 50th Annual Seventh Heaven Street Fair. Plus, INKAICO Peruvian Kitchen opens!
Also this week: attend an ice cream social, go on a guided tour of Gowanus, eat pizza & watch the NYC Mayoral Debate, and kickoff the summer season with PKLYN.
Here’s what’s happening this week:
Happy Pride Week, Brooklyn! We’ve highlighted many local Pride happenings—including the best post-parade parties— in this week’s event roundup. Check out Brooklyn Pride for more, and we’ll see you at the parade on Saturday!
Opening- INKAICO Peruvian Kitchen, from the team behind Surfish Bistro, opened on Wednesday at 447 Bergen Street between 5th Ave and Flatbush Ave. Check out their fresh ceviches, sizzling lomo saltado, and Pisco sours!
We’re excited to announce the launch of our sister page’s newsletter - Cobble Hill Collective - on Substack! Each week, our teammate Shannon will share the top local news, events, and real estate updates from Cobble Hill and the surrounding neighborhoods to help locals stay connected.
Sign up to it here or share it with friends and family who live in or love Cobble Hill & surrounding neighborhoods
The Grand Army Plaza Arch has been restored! The restoration, made possible through $8.9 Million in mayoral funding, was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony last week [Prospect Park Alliance].
Bare Burger, which had been on the corner of 7th Avenue and 1st Street since 2011, permanently shut its doors last week.
Yesterday, the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act took effect. The act is expected to significantly lower upfront costs and improve transparency around fees for renters [BK Mag].
Parting ways with your old laptop? Help reduce the 500 pounds of electronic waste discarded every second in the US! Between now and June 20th, donate your laptop at one of five local drop-off spots. Laptops will be recycled or refurbished to support local literacy programs.
Our Top Picks
Events with an asterisk* tend to sell out—reserve tickets early!
Thursday, June 12th (Today):
Ice Cream Social @ Heap’s Ice Cream, 6:30-11pm: Stop by Heap’s for their first ever Ice Cream Social, where they will be serving $3 scoops and good vibes! How about a scoop of their fan-favorite Mango Sticky Rice Ice Cream with a swirl of freshly made whipped cream? Yum! $3.
Mayoral Debate Pizza Party @ Ginger’s Bar, 6:30pm: Debate watch party, but make it queer! Join Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn for a Mayoral Debate Watch Party at Ginger’s, and yes— there will be pizza! FREE.
NYC Mayoral Democratic Primary Debate Viewing Party @ Parklife, 7pm: Don’t miss the final debate with the leading contenders for NYC Mayor ahead of the June 24 primary! Debate starts at 7pm and will be screened at the bar. FREE to attend/ food & drink purchase required (reservations recommended).
Thrive in 2025 @ Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store, 7pm: Join Annie’s at the shop for an evening with sleep expert, Teresa Power, of Sleep Better NYC. Participants will be learning from and chatting to Teresa about how to get the best sleep possible to live our best life! This event will take place in the backyard (weather permitting). Price of admission includes drinks, snacks and good vibes. $25.
All Pride, No Prejudice! A Literary LGBTQ+ Celebration @ The Center for Fiction, 6-8pm: Join The Center for Fiction as they come together in joy, pride, and affirmation to celebrate LGBTQ+ voices in literature. Hear electrifying new work read live by the brilliant people who wrote them, mingle with a vibrant community of readers, writers, and creators, discover fresh stories that challenge, uplift, and inspire. Whether you’re a lifelong book lover or just here for queer joy, this is the can’t-miss literary party of the season with co-hosts John Manuel Arias (Where There Was Fire) and Isle McElroy (People Collide) alongside this year’s incredible lineup of featured authors. $10 in-person/$5 livestream.
Roasting House Reading Series @ Kos Kaffe, 7-10pm: Kos Kaffe hosts this night of poetry, fiction, and essays by a range of brilliant writers, both new and established. Refreshments are provided. FREE.
Friday, June 13th:
Lens & Pen: An Adventure in Photo Journaling @ Brooklyn Library (Central Branch), 10am-12pm: Photography meets personal reflection and creative expression in this dynamic class, where you'll learn to select impactful photos, spot connections between images, and examine elements like mood, composition and lighting. Classic photos will be provided for exercises, but feel free to bring your own favorite photos to write about or compare. Great for anyone interested in photography or writing, this workshop offers hands-on practice and expert tips to help you craft a personal photo journal. FREE.
Sounds at Sunset @ Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park, 6-9pm: Ease into the weekend with these talented performances, along with a (hopefully!) beautiful sunset. Harlem-based collective Freelance kicks off this weekly summer series with a blend of electronic fusion, jazz, progressive R&B and alt rock influences. Their expansive sound and encyclopedic knowledge of musical genres affords them the ability to cross-pollinate styles and manipulate melody creating a unique aesthetic signature. FREE.
Saturday June 14th:
PKLYN Summer Kickoff Party, 7am-11pm: Head to PKLYN to kickoff the summer season with huge deals on every program all day long, including a $40 all-you-can-play special! Plus, enter for a chance to win one of 4 free 1-hour court reservations. Program prices vary— registration required.
Dance Fitness with Shape Up NYC @ Prospect Park Boathouse, 10-11am: Join Prospect Park Alliance and Shape-up NYC for a fun-filled dance fitness zumba class at the Boathouse! Zumba is a fusion of Latin, International and popular music dance themes creating a dynamic, exciting, effective fitness system. All levels are welcomed and encouraged. Whether you want to learn some new choreography or need a space to step-touch and sing, this class is for you! FREE.
Brooklyn Pride Street Festival @ 5th Avenue, 11am-5pm: Kick Pride off with this vibrant street festival full of local vendors, artists, community groups and small businesses on Fifth Avenue between Union and Ninth streets. The Brooklyn Pride Entertainment Stage at Fifth Avenue and Ninth Street will feature a diverse slate of performers from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m! FREE.
📸: BrooklynPride.Org BKCM Brooklyn Pride @ The Old Stone House, 12-2pm: BKCM is hosting a musical celebration in the Brooklyn Pride Street Festival’s Family Fun Zone outside the Old Stone House! Join them in JJ Byrne Park for a Pride singalong, a musical read-along of Randy Rainbow and the Marvelously Magical Pink Glasses, instrument explorations for kids and more. FREE.
GoWalkabout Gowanus Launch Event, 12-2pm (Update - CANCELLED): GoWalkabout Gowanus is a multimedia walking tour of the neighborhood that highlights the local businesses, historical sites, ecological phenomena, and arts and culture hot spots that make Gowanus such a vibrant and unique neighborhood!
This launch event includes a guided tour of several of the sites on the tour, lead by Rich Garr! The walk will last approximately 90 minutes and cover roughly 15 blocks.
FREE— RSVP recommended(now cancelled).Pride Drag Brunch @ Wild Park Slope— Saturday, June 14th, 2-4pm: Calling all queers, gluten-free baddies, and allies who brunch — this is your pre-parade moment. Wild is turning into a Pride playground with fierce drag performances, bottomless energy (and drinks), and a 100% gluten-free menu that actually slaps. Starts at $20/pp.
Brooklyn Pride Parade @ 5th Avenue, 7:30-10pm: Join Brooklyn Pride for the City’s only twilight parade: the Brooklyn Pride Parade! The parade runs along 5th Avenue in Park Slope between Lincoln Place and 9th Street. This year, nearly 2,000 marchers are expected to take part! FREE.
Disco Night Afterparty @ Mockingbird, 8pm-12am: Stop by this zero-proof cocktail bar after the Pride Parade to keep the celebration going! Come dance and sip for a cause. Bellbottoms encouraged. $1 from every drink goes to the Ali Forney Center to support LGBTQIA+ youth. FREE entry.
Brooklyn Pride Afterparty @ Sandy Jack’s: Dance party, pop-up shows, and live DJ sets start right after the parade and go until 4am! FREE entry.
Pride Anthems Dance Party @ Union Hall, midnight- 3:15am: Head to Union Hall post-parade, where DJ Mariko will be playing Lady Gaga, Troye Sivan, Charli XCX, Chappell Roan and similar artists all night! FREE.
Sunday, June 15th:
Seventh Heaven Street Fair @ 7th Avenue, 10am-6pm: Expect local merchants, vendors, live music, food, rides, arts & crafts, antiques, classic cars, and more at this lively 50th annual street fair on 7th Avenue from Lincoln Place to 14th Street. FREE.
Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra: Opera Selections and Tchaikovsky @ Brooklyn Museum, 2-4pm: The Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra’s 51st season concludes with a program exploring the theme of fate, led by guest conductor Felipe Tristán. The concert opens with Verdi’s Overture to La forza del destino, its dramatic four-note motif embodying the inescapable force of destiny. Passion and tragedy unfold in selections from verismo operas, featuring guest artists Maria Brea (soprano) and Dane Suarez (tenor), & culminates with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4—nicknamed “Fate Symphony”—a gripping portrayal of fate’s relentless power, from its bold opening fanfare to its triumphant finale. $15 members/$20 non-members purchased in advance.
Tuesday, June 17th:
Gay Clay Night: Wheel Throwing @ Blue Room Pottery Studio, 7-9pm*: Let's get down and dirty with the gays! Celebrate pride with your partners, friends, and other queer folks while learning the basics of wheel throwing. Event is 2 hours and include snacks (cheese/charcuterie) and drinks (wine and NA beverages). Each attendee will be able to select up to 2 items to have completed for them by the studio. $125.
Trivial Dispute @ Parklife, 7pm: Join Parklife every Tuesday at 7pm for Trivial Dispute Tuesday! Play a weekly pub quiz brought to you by Adam Kesner (Samantha Bee Presents WITS END). Compete for fun prizes by sponsors Coney Island Beer & Truly Hard Seltzer, plus tickets to Littlefield shows, tacos and shots! FREE entry/ food and drink purchase required (reservations recommended).
Book ahead for this popular event:
Flower Arranging and Pruning Class @ Old Stone House— Sunday, June 22nd, 12-2pm: Old Stone House's Director of Gardens, Samuel Lewis, will teach participants how to correctly cut flowers and greenery from the gardens surrounding the OSH and arrange them into a bouquet to take home! Participants can expect to find roses, spirea, zinnias and many other flowering shrubs and perennials. The cost of your ticket goes directly into the gardens and the ongoing beautification of Washington Park. $71.21.
Did we miss anything? Add in comments below. 👇
Submit an event to be considered for this weekly events roundup!
Park Slope’s Hidden History 📖
by
This 1910s postcard of 9th Street features B.F Keith’s Prospect Theatre.
Though you can no longer stop by for a vaudeville show, the first floor is still regularly frequented by Park Slopers.
Can you guess what the building is used for today? (Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter to find out the answer! 👇)
Want to know more? Subscribe to Park Slope Pulse and check your inbox next week for a special Park Slope Pulse article that delves into the hidden history of the Prospect Theatre and how it became what it is today.
Local Business Buzz ✨
Vegan(ish) @ Leland— July 15th*: Celebrate the bounty of local seasonal vegetables for one night only during this annual event! The five-course tasting menu can be made vegan or vegetarian. $85— book on Resy.
Slope Steal of the Week 💰
New York Liberty Happy Hour @ Parashades: Show the bartender your New York Liberty ticket and get happy hour prices all night!
Weekly Way to Give Back 🎗️
Between June 1 and June 30th, Make Sandwiches for CHIPS and get 50 points added to your Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store account! Just send Annie’s an email with a selfie of you dropping off sandwiches at CHIPS! More information here.
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Answer to ‘Park Slope’s Hidden History’ question: Steve's 9th Street Market!
A planned anti-administration rally will take place at Grand Army Plaza on Saturday 1-3pm, part of a nationwide day of protests tied to the Trump administration’s military commemoration event, immigration enforcement and deportations, civil rights and cuts to the federal government. Organizers say the event is at capacity; expect crowding in the area during the afternoon.
https://patch.com/new-york/upper-west-side-nyc/amp/32569338/4-no-kings-protests-to-be-held-saturday-in-new-york-city-what-to-know