The last time CHERYL hosted a dance party at Glasslands it was to celebrate their (faux) 100th anniversary. Friday they’re mourning the death of Williamsburg at their last party at the soon-to-close venue. Photo: Maro Hagopian
The lead-up to and cooking and eating of Thanksgiving probably has you thankful you don’t have to look at another turkey for at least one more year. Now that we’ve hit the gift guide and holiday market sweet spot, you may be wishing to just fast-forward to New Year’s, but fortunately Brooklyn knows how to throw a proper pop-up. At Red Hook’s holiday market Saturday and Sunday you’ll find food and wine to sip as you browse local gifts from Kings County Apothecary, Straw & Gold and more, while on the northern end of the borough, Greenpointers’ annual Holiday Market on Sunday brings treats from 70 local vendors, beer and mulled wine, and a free screening of the local blog’s documentary, Gasper & Son, about one of NYC’s few remaining neon sign makers.
There are lots more quirky markets to check out this week, and many diversions for the shopped out.
Thursday, Dec. 4: Just because you spent Black Friday cowering in front of your television as throngs of sales-mad shoppers battled over GoPros, that doesn’t mean it’s too late to get an inexpensive— and infinitely more thoughtful—gift for your loved ones. Head over to the annual Holiday Sale at 440 Gallery in Park Slope to snag a deal on some actually affordable artwork. Reproductions and originals, both framed and unframed, by the collective’s 15 artists will be available at reduced prices. The sale is first come, first serve, though, so preternatural savers should plan to be there at 4pm on Thursday when it begins. And if that still sounds too intimidating, never fear, the gallery is “gawker friendly.”—L.H.
Friday, Dec. 5: Here’s a pro-tip for surviving winter: imagine the weather not as stark or unforgiving, but minimal. You can begin conditioning yourself to this mental charade by taking in Philip Glass’s two-night show at BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House, The Etudes. Accompanied by nine other highly respected pianists, the major minimalist will perform 20 short pieces he wrote in as many years on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets are also $20. If Glass’s paired down compositions don’t make you suddenly appreciate the beauty of sparseness, it may be time to invest in that sun lamp.—L.H.
Saturday, Dec. 6: At the risk of sounding repetitive, we’ve been including a dance party or concert at Glasslands in each of the past few Ideal Weeks not just because they are excellent ways to spend your nights, but because you won’t be able to set foot in the venue once it goes dark at the end of the month. Artist collective/party throwers CHERYL have taken this to heart, and are theming their last dance party at Glasslands as funeral for Williamsburg, to mourn the loss of its iconic hangouts as the neighborhood is mined for all its real estate wealth. Some suggested costumes include a mourning Starbucks barista, a Mast Brothers conquistador or Asian Tapas, and if the creative muse is coming up blank you can fashion a mask on site. Tickets are $10 at the door. The December calendar at Glasslands is packed with more final shows to pencil in, like Yellow Ostrich on Monday or Beach Fossils Dec. 17.—N.D.
Sunday, Dec. 7: Today’s markets were designed with kids in mind. In Bushwick, Good Eggs is hosting a free family day at their foodhub in Bushwick. It actually takes place from 4-7pm, which gives you time to enjoy a lazy Sunday before you scope out their gift boxes of specialty foods and partake in cocktails, a milk and cookies bar, a wreath-making workshop and lots more hands-on fun. Meanwhile, those in the Cobble Hill area will want to grab the kiddies and head to PS29 for their wonderfully to-the-point Eat Pie and Shop Holiday Festival from 11am-4pm. Arrive close to 1:30 when celebrity judges like Melissa Clark will be deciding which amateur baker wins the best pie prize. You can sample as many slices as you like for $5 a pop, get a professional photograph of your little ones (before or after they get their face painted), shop for handmade goods and donate to an on-site Toys for Tots collection drive.— N.R.
Monday, Dec. 8: Trip-hop fans rejoice: Tonight, Williamsburg’s Cameo Gallery will host a very special evening of music dedicated to British band Portishead and their 1994 debut album, Dummy. Local musicians Dani Mari and Will Hanza have recruited 11 bands to play one song each from the critically-acclaimed album on its 20th anniversary, which should make any fan of it back then feel really old right now, as well as an original song of their own. Interested parties can purchase their $5 tickets here. Doors for the 21+ event open at 7pm.—N.R.
Tuesday, Dec. 9: As part of an ongoing mission to educate the public about food, the Park Slope Food Coop and its Plow to Plate subcommittee are hosting a free screening of the documentary, Food Design, on the second floor of the Coop on Union St. between 6th and 7th Aves. Attend and see exactly how much work and detail goes into making the perfect chip crunch, why cookie design is so very important and other fascinating insights on the importance of food architecture. The screening kicks off at 7pm.—N.R.
Wednesday, Dec. 10: In collaboration with Music is GREAT, CMJ and Ben Sherman, Rough Trade NYC in Williamsburg is hosting a very special music showcase tonight, featuring some of the U.K.’s best up-and-coming acts. The free show will feature alt-indie pop band, Longfellow; self-professed love song auteurs, Spring King; Manchester band Money, known for their gorgeously ethereal tunes; and The Crookes, whose newest album Soapbox may be their best yet. Doors open at 7pm. Union Jack-themed clothing is encouraged (at least in our minds).—N.R.
