Let's face it, the season of spring no longer exists and summer is basically here. So it's time to start making summer plans!
Personally, as soon as it gets warm outside, all we want to do is grab a 40 of rosé and head to the nearest park. And speaking of parks, the line-up of activities going down at Brooklyn Bridge Park this summer is nuts.
Seriously, they've got so much planned, we may just set up our picnic blanket and never leave. Like, we feel like we need to write a personal thank you note to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy.
Here's the skinny on what's going down at Brooklyn Bridge Park this summer. Why we talking like we're from the '60s? We don't know, we're just excited.
From crowd favorites like Movies With A View to free fitness classes to a daily pop-up pool, to events you wouldn't expect like a marathon reading of a Walt Whitman poem, and a Hindu Lamp Ceremony. Check out the calendar of events for yourself!
Bargemusic Family Concerts (Saturdays, 4pm; Pier 1)
Every Saturday afternoon, check out a one-hour, family friendly concert on a barge! Let's hope this concert on a boat isn't too much like the Titanic, tho.
[anad]
Jesse Chun: Twenty-Five Hours @ 99 Plymouth (April 25-June 20; Main Street)
Artist Jesse Chun’s Twenty Five-Hours exhibition is next up in a rotating program of original works by local artists hosted at 99 Plymouth. Working from a research-based process, Chun reinterprets a collection of scientific data, charts and predictions, historical facts, books and articles about the Brooklyn Waterfront and the East River tides.
Anish Kapoor: Descension (May 3-September 10; Pier 1)
Remember that instagram-able AF, whirlpool art installation under the bridge we told you about a couple months ago? Well it's almost here! Anish Kapoor’s installation Descension is coming to Bridge View Lawn in May. This 26-feet in diameter, spiraling funnel is treated with an all-natural black dye, to create a black-hole effect.
THE FENCE (June; Parkwide)
For the sixth consecutive year, this photo display features the work of photographers on a variety of subjects, throughout sections of the park. Are you a photographer? You can actually submit your work to be featured on The Fence, until April 18th!
Summer Reading Storytime (Wednesdays, 11 am; June 7–August 2; Pier 3 Greenway Terrace)
Do you miss being read to? Librarians from the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library will read fun stories from their summer reading list and more, every Wednesday.
Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself Marathon (June 10, 5pm; Granite Prospect)
Annual marathon reading of Walt Whitman’s critically acclaimed poem, Song of Myself.
BAMcinemaFest Outdoor Screening (June 22, 8pm; Pier 1)
An outdoor festival featuring live music, curated food, and a special film screening from BAMcinema.
Movies With A View (Thursdays, 6pm; July 6–August 24; Pier 1)
It's the 18th season of the Conservancy’s outdoor movie series! Every Thursday, it's an evening of shorts curated by BAMcinematek, DJs from Brooklyn Radio kicking-off the evening, and bike valet is provided by Transportation Alternatives (which is probably the most Brooklyn thing we've ever heard of). Pre-show party with music, food vendors, and beer garden begins at 6 pm; movie at sundown.
July 6: Office Space
July 13: Pariah
July 20: Casablanca
July 27: The Lego Movie
August 3: 9 to 5
August 10: Selma
August 17: Mad Max: Fury Road
August 24: Public vote
Books Beneath the Bridge (Mondays, 7pm; July 10 – August 14; Granite Prospect)
Six of Brooklyn’s best independent bookstores curate readings, discussions, signings, and more inspired by each event’s author.
Rush Arts @ 99 Plymouth (Mid-July–September; Main Street)
Rush Kids and Teens create vibrant site-specific paintings celebrating the park's role as a natural escape from our vibrant urban lives. The students participating in this free art education summer program, will work in the style of NYC-based artist and Rush Director of Education, Meridith McNeal.
Gibney Dance at Brooklyn Bridge (July 15, 22, 29; 7 pm; Pier 1)
Gibney Dance brings sunset performances on the river, class on the grass, and other dance happenings.
Hindu Lamp Ceremony (August 5, 4 pm; Main Street)
Celebrate the traditional Aarti ceremony for peace and harmony, by decorating your own palm leaf lamp and releasing it in the East River.
Jazzmobile presents The Eric Person Band with Jazz Master Houston Person (August 15, 7pm; Pier 1)
A lovely evening of jazz on Harbor View Lawn with NYC’s acclaimed Jazzmobile featuring the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium.
All The Park’s A Stage: Macbeth (August 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27; 7 pm; Pier 1)
Free performances of Macbeth by the New York Classical Theatre! Forsooth!
Recreation
NYRR Open Runs (Tuesdays, 7pm; Pier 6)
New York Road Runners invite you to join their free Open Runs!
Basketball Clinics (May 2–August 27; Tuesdays & Thursdays 4–7 pm; Sundays 12–2 pm; Pier 2)
Big and Little Skills Academy offer basketball skills clinics for budding athletes ages 8-17.
Kayaking (June 3–August 26; Saturdays 10am–3 pm, Thursdays 5:30–6:45 pm; Pier 2 Dock)
We totes mentioned this on our Brooklyn spring bucket list, and you should def add it to your summer bucket list ASAP. You can even play Kayak Polo on Sundays at 11 am!
[anad2]
Double Dutch (Wednesdays, 7pm; June 7–August 30; Pier 2)
Learn to double dutch or show off your skills with Double Dutch Empire for OPEN ROPES a free, weekly double dutch jump rope session every Wednesday. Open to everyone of any age, skill, and jump style!
Pop-Up Pool (Daily; June 29–September 4; 10 am–6 pm)
Don't have time to make it to the beach? The daily 30’x50’ pool includes a sandy beach and play area, and you can even take swim lessons!
Broadway Dance with Dodge YMCA (Mondays, 10am | May 8–August 14 | Pier 2)
Bond Fitness with Dodge YMCA (Saturdays, 10am | June 3–June 24 | Pier 6)
Sunrise: Abhaya Yoga (Mondays, 7:30am | June 5–July 24 | Pier 6)
Zumba with Dodge YMCA (Sundays, 4:30pm| June 4–August 13 | Pier 2)
Ballet Barre with Dodge YMCA (Mondays, 7pm | June 5–August 7 | Pier 2)
Piyo with Dodge YMCA (Wednesdays, 7pm | June 21–August 18 | Pier 6)
Pilates with Fitness Guru (Tuesdays, 7pm| June 27–September 5 | Empire Fulton Ferry)
Hip Hop Dance Aerobics with Dodge YMCA (Fridays, 7pm| July 7–August 11 | Pier 3)
Body Combat with Dodge YMCA (Fridays, 7pm | July 7–August 11 | Pier 6)
Education & Environment
Ed Center Open Hours (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3–5pm; Saturdays & Sundays, 1–5pm; Environmental Education Center)
Explore the history and ecology of Brooklyn Bridge Park during open hours in the Environmental Education Center. They've got a 250 gallon aquarium filled with critters from the East River, a 10’ scale model of Brooklyn Bridge Park, crafts, a reading corner, and much more!
Wednesday Night Tours (First Wednesday of every month, May–October; 6:30 pm; Pier 1 Entrance)
Take an evening walking tour with New York’s finest scholars to learn about the history, ecology, and design of Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Waterfront Walks (Last Sunday of every month, May–October; 11 am; Pier 1 Entrance)
Another walking tour, this daytime stroll focuses on the history of the Brooklyn waterfront, Brooklyn Bridge Park’s sustainable design, and how the Park came to life.
The Great Fish Count (June 3, 2 pm; Main Street)
Some people say count your blessings, we say count some fishys. On June 3rd, you can pull on a pair of waders, cast a net, and find marine life with top ecologists and biologists to catch, count, identify, and release the animals in NYC's swarming waters. It's The Great Fish Count, y'all!
Stargazing with the World Science Festival (June 3, 7pm; Pier 1)
This even is BYOT: Bring Your Own Telescope. Or you can share with some legit astronomers, for a night of urban stargazing and music to celebrate space!
Seining (June 18, June 25, July 15, July 22, August 5, August 20; Various Times; Main Street)
We didn't know what this meant at first either. But apparently it's a kind of net, and you can learn about the underwater creatures of the East River by using a seining net to humanely catch and release these unique critters!
Journey to the Stars (Thursdays, 8:30–10:30 pm; July 6–August 24; Pier 1)
Gaze through a high-powered telescope with the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York.
City of Water Day (July 15; Main Street & Pier 2)
It's a day dedicated to water! Hop in a kayak, or try out your newly discovered favorite activity, seining.
Green Team (Saturdays, 10am; April 29–October 21; Pier 1)
Help keep Brooklyn Bridge Park beautiful! The Green Team meets every Saturday to provide essential horticultural care to the park. Learn about gardening, enjoy nature, and help the park look its best. Imagine how good you'll feel about yourself after.
Coastal Cleanups (May 4, June 2, July 19, August 16, September 15, October 15; Various Times; Main Street)
Combat pollution in our waterways and along our coastlines by cleaning up the park’s beaches, shorelines, and salt marshes.
[Feature Image Courtesy DumboNYC] [via TimeOut NY]