Icky in Brooklyn

Lots of totally happening Brooklyn holiday happenings happening in the Borough of Kings this holiday season. Ain't it cool when they're free? Ain't it even cooler when they are free and funky folksy? I'm staying in town for the holidays. Are you staying in town? Check this stuff out ...



Brooklyn's most winning bar, Union Hall, combines Edwardian atmosphere, Sherlock Holmes' library, a fireplace, a music venue, tons of space, bocce, food, and folksy fun into a confection that is served nightly on Union Street just above 5th Ave. The now famous "Union Hall Spelling and Grammar Bee" returns for the holidays on Thursday, December 20 beginning at 8pm. The Holiday Edition is hosted by David Witt. No cover charge. Totally into the scene? Return on Friday, December 21, at 8pm for Dress-Up Karaoke, hosted by Dick Swizzle. Come dressed, perform as your favorite rock star, and win a present! No cover charge. (And happy birthday, Jim!) http://unionhallny.com/



In an exhibit at Prospect Park, "The Quilter's Kitchen" is rockin' the quilt ... Showing off the diverse styles, techniques, patterns, and fabrics they use to tell a story through the traditional art of quilting, Dec. 1 - 30 at the Audubon Center (in the Boathouse) at Prospect Park, Weekends & holidays, 12 - 4 p.m.Curated in partnership with the Brooklyn Quilters Guild. (The Boathouse sports a little café counter with nosh and bevs ... could make for a nice Winter outing!) No admission charge, and cool quilts. And might I add, these ain't your grandma's quilts. http://www.prospectpark.org/



"Giambotta" by Jody Leight

beat the devil/union hall photo courtesy of nevbrown's photostream at flickr.com
boathouse photo courtesy of lab2112's photostream at flickr.com
quilter's kitchen photo courtesy of prospect park alliance.com

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And by the way, this is the Google ad that appeared on this page while I was writing the post. Curious. Maybe it's the combination of Christmas, karaoke, and quilting.

Don't get out those skates just yet! The Prospect Park Alliance writes to let us know that the opening of the rink at Propspect Park will be delayed. Due to weather conditions which have not been kind to ice making, the opening of Wollman Rink is delayed. Fear not, slushpuppies ... you can check out http://www.prospectpark.org/ for additional icy updates.


Living History Geeks unite! Lack of snow aside, you can experience Winter on a Flatbush farm at the always excellent (and always quaint) Lefferts Historic House. Get ready for winter as they did in the 19th century farming village of Flatbush. Kids can learn how to make candles, start a patchwork quilt, and prepare old-fashioned food. Visit with the Spinster as she spins flax into thread, and enjoy Dutch treats made from an 18th century Lefferts family recipe.



There’s even a special appearance by St. Nicholas on horseback (!!!) on Sunday at 3 p.m. What more could you want? Check it out Friday, Saturday or Sunday, Nov 23, 24, 25 from 1pm to 4pm each day. Admission to the historic house is free, but you may have to talk sweet to the Spinster.

The Historic House is located at the Children's Corner, just below the Carousel and Zoo, inside the Park’s entrance at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard. For more information on Prospect Park events, programs, membership and volunteering at the Park, take a trip to http://www.prospectpark.org/.



(lefferts house & flax photos courtesy of wallyg's photostream at flickr.com)

My understanding is now that Charles Denson is a photographer-who-writes. His "Coney Island: Lost and Found" is so well written, I honestly thought he was a writer-who-photographs. Whichever or both, it is a superb, powerful book.

Two of the characters I met in Denson's book were Richard Eagan and Philomena Marano, both a large part of the upswing in Coney's image and fortunes, beginning in the 1980s. I admired what they had done. Connected with it. Ms. Marano's Papier Collé impressed me more than just about any art I had ever seen, and Mr. Eagan's facility as a visual artist as well as a performer-performing-what-he-lives thrilled me. Again, a connection. That's what art should do, I think.

I tend to be very impressed by idealists who practice their ideals, who walk-the-walk. Ms. Marano's website explains a bit more about the Coney Island Artists' Renaissance.

This afternoon, I felt like a kid in Philip's Candy Store, as Charles Denson talked us through a show of historic photos. Then, "the main attraction" as Denson announced, was Mr. Eagan reading his ninety-minute Coney-in-the-80s play, "Alive on the Inside," all sponsored by the Coney Island History Project as part of their Oral History Project. Suffice it to say, if you ever hear that Mr. Eagan is performing the piece again ... run, don't walk.

And ditto for any event sponsored by the Coney Island History Project. Be sure to visit their excellent and well-run exhibit area, right smack underneath the Cyclone.

Who doesn't love a theme party? Fall fun in Flatbush! (I would shout "Celebrate Brooklyn!" if I didn't suspect that phrase has already been trademarked and copyrighted.)





(And they have a cool website too ...) http://www.flatbushfrolic.org/