CONCERTS ON PORCHES: THE GREAT LONG MEADOW FIRE, SIVAN ARBEL, AND FATBOY WILSON & THE RIPLEYS

From Operation Gig!

Great Long Meadow Fire Friday, July 17, 2026 · 6:00–8:00 PM 498 Rugby Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226 The Great Long Meadow Fire blends gothic Americana, gospel blues, New Orleans jazz and swampy rock n' roll to make a dark and danceable sound.

Sivan Arbel Saturday, July 18, 2026 · 4:00–6:00 PM 121 Marlborough Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226 Rooted in jazz and rich with global rhythms, @sivan_arbel_music invites you to awaken your body and remember our shared humanity.

Fatboy Wilson & The Ripleys Sunday, July 19, 2026 · 4:00–6:00 PM 312 Westminster Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11218 Fatboy Wilson & The Ripley's are stalwarts of the Brooklyn jug band scene and we look forward to their foot-stomping music every year.

--------------------------------

 

Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on weekends.

 

Concerts are canceled when weather conditions aren't suitable for outdoor activities. Before heading to a concert, check the Operation Gig! website to make sure it's still scheduled to take place.

  
The concert series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park since July 2020, was created in order to offer a venue for musicians to perform during the COVID-19 pandemic. The series provides them with a source of income as well as providing a safe space for neighbors to gather to enjoy live music.
 
The performances are free, but a suggested donation of $10--which goes directly to the musicians--is more than welcome. Donate either at the performance or online at the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund page on GoFundMe.

 

CELEBRATE KENSINGTON! (FREE)

 

Celebrate Kensington!

Saturday, July 25th

1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

Join NOCD-NY, Arts & Democracy, Kensington Cultural Council and community partners for a celebration of our neighborhood’s rich culture and the close-knit network of people who cultivate it! Featuring:  Jam session with local musicians including Yoshie Fruchter, Nilofar Jahan, Naqibul Islam, Roy Nathanson and others Engagement with community groups Exhibition including How to Create Kensington Culture and Bangladeshi Ladies Club’s Nakshi Kantha display Youth-led activities Embroidery and storytelling with author Roohi Choudhry and local artists Performance with Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA) and more! JOIN US! photos: Shiva Muthiah and Angela Co This event is presented by Arts & Democracy and Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts NY (NOCD-NY), in collaboration with the Kensington Cultural Council. It is supported in part by public funds from NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City City Council, NYC Department of Transportation, National Endowment for the Arts, and New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. It is also made possible by grants from Partnerships for Parks through the NYC Green Fund, Brooklyn Org, The New York Women’s Foundation, and Crafting the Future.

Location

Avenue C Plaza

556 McDonald Avenue at Avenue C

Kensington, Brooklyn

(map) 

SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES IN ALBEMARLE PLAYGROUND (FREE)

Summer Activities in Albemarle Playground

Tuesdays and Thursdays

July 14th through August 13th

10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 

"The Singing Winds in Albemarle Playground" annual series offers free summer activities for all ages, including

• arts and crafts (beading, weaving),
• science and engineering (STEM projects),
• mural painting, 
• table games (chess, checkers, LEGOS), and
• playground games (soccer, badminton).

 

The series runs from Tuesday, July 14th, through Thursday, August 13th, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Location

Albemarle Playground

McDonald Avenue

near Albemarle Road, behind the P.S. 230 Lower School

Kensington, Brooklyn

 

STORYTELLING IN A KENSINGTON BACKYARD GARDEN

BHSC #75

Storytelling with Ronna Levy, Tracey Starin, and Megan Wells, and an open mic for attendees who would like to tell a story. 

When:  Sunday, July 19, 2026              Doors open at 6:00 p.m.              Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Where: 85 Chester Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11218  Take the F train to the Church Avenue stop. Be at the front of the train. Walk 3 blocks down Church Avenue to Chester Avenue, then turn right and walk 2.5 blocks to #85. Details: A $20.00 donation is suggested for the tip jar. Chips and cookies, pita and humous, and tabouleh and cheese will be served. You can bring food to share. The event is BYOB. For cat lovers and people with allergies: the Bady house cat, Nonnie, and her four feline friends often hang out in the backyard. If you're allergic, make sure to take any necessary precautions. If you need any assistance,  call Robin Bady at either (347) 907-4833 or (347) 512-7685. For more information and to RSVP, feel e-mail Robin at robbady@gmail.com.

CRAFT CIRCLE WILL MEET THIS SUNDAY (FREE)

The Craft Circle

Sunday, July 12th

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

 

From Barbara at The Craft Circle:

Crafty or not, come hang out!

 

The Ditmas Park and friends crafts group is meeting this Sunday. Come even if you don’t do a craft. Maybe you’ll be inspired and want to learn. It’s a great group. We’ve been meeting for over two years now. 

 

Sunday, July 12

Blue Star Parlor

1112 Cortelyou Road

3 pm - 5ish

Call or text me

917-847-8330

The Craft Circle is an informal meetup where neighbors get together to knit, crochet, and work on other crafts. Bring what you're working on or learn a new craft.

 

The meetup will be at Blue Star Parlor this Sunday, July 12th, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It's for all skill levels and all crafts. Learners are welcome. Admission is free.

 

72ND PRECINCT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME, 2026 (FREE)

 

72nd Precinct

National Night Out Against Crime

Tuesday, August 4th

3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

Join the 72nd Precinct for National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 4th, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The event will feature music, games, and entertainment.

The National Association of Town Watch established National Night Out Against Crime in 1984. It's held annually on the first Tuesday in August.

From the website of National Association of Town Watch:

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships  and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.

Location

Sunset Park (soccer field)

entrance at 44th Street and Sixth Avenue

Sunset Park, Brooklyn

------------------------------------------------

72nd Precinct Community Council

https://www.facebook.com/72nd-Precinct-Community-Council-1611883092371304

72nd Precinct

phone: (718) 965-6311

http://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/precincts/72nd-precinct.page

CompStat report (crime statistics)

https://www.nyc.gov/assets/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs-en-us-072pct.pdf

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NYPD72pct

OPEN MIC IN THE GARDEN (FREE)

 

Open Mic

Saturday, July 11th

3:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Open Mic at the East Fourth Street Community Garden is a time to share poetry, music, or comedy. For three to five minutes, depending on how many people participate, read a poem or two, sing your favorite song, or tell jokes.

 

The event is free and is open to the public. Adults and children of all ages are invited to share the spotlight.

 

Open Mic will take place on Saturday, July 11th, from 3:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location

East Fourth Street Community Garden

171 E. 4th Street

between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

https://eastfourthstreetgarden.tumblr.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/246036418909475

 

ARROW LINEN: JOIN THE ARROW LINEN CONSTRUCTION TASK FORCE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS

From New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif:

Apply to Join the 441 and 467 Prospect Ave Construction Task Force.

Our office is establishing a Construction Task Force for 441 and 467 Prospect Avenue (the former Arrow Linen site) to ensure transparency, accountability, and ongoing communication throughout construction.

The Task Force will bring together nearby residents, local stakeholders, city agencies, the development team, and our office to address construction schedules, noise and dust mitigation, pedestrian safety, truck activity, and other quality-of-life concerns.

If you live in close proximity to the project and are interested in serving on the Task Force, please email our Land Use Director, Sabine Aronowsky, at saronowsky@council.nyc.gov by midnight on July 12, 2026. 

Preference will be given to neighbors and businesses located closest to the project site.

See also "Arrow Linen Update from Our City Councilmember" at https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2026/06/arrow-linen-update-from-city.html.

 

SOCCER WATCH PARTY PLUS ARTS AND CRAFTS AND LIVE OPERA OUTDOORS IN KENSINGTON (FREE)

 

Arts and Crafts, Opera,

and a Soccer Watch Party

Tuesday, July 7th, 3:00 p.m. 

 

Kensington Plaza

Tuesday, July 7th

 

3:00 p.m.: Join the party at Kensington Plaza with live performances, art stations, and other soccer-themed games and crafts for kids. Enjoy a free live performance by ADVANCE/MORE Opera. 

 

4:00 p.m.: Watch W85 vs. W87, Match 96 of the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, Colombia vs. Switzerland, on a large screen. 

 

Seating will be available for 100 people, plus a lot of standing room. 

 

Event programming will be provided by Hive Public Space, The Horticultural Society of New York, and more.

  ·

Location

Kensington Plaza 

Beverley Road

between E. 2nd Street and Church Avenue

Kensington, Brooklyn

 

COOKBOOK LAUNCH PARTY (FREE)

Cookbook Launch Party

Sunday, July 12th

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Recipes in Bangla, English, and Spanish are included in the cookbook that the Kensington Windsor Terrace Mutual Aid Neighborhood Cooperative Food Project has created.

 

The cookbook will be introduced at a launch party on Sunday, July 12th, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the DRUM office in Midwood. All neighbors are invited to attend the free event and enjoy recipes, refreshments, and community.

----------------------------

Kensington - Windsor Terrace Mutual Aid cookbook launch
Recipes | Refreshments | Community
Sunday, July 12
4-6pm

DRUM Midwood Office
818 E. 16th St
Q to Ave H

All are welcome

------------

কেনসিংটন - উইন্ডসর টেরেস মিউচুয়াল এইড-এর রান্নার বই প্রকাশনা উৎসব
রেসিপি | হালকা খাবার | কমিউনিটি 
রবিবার, ১২ জুলাই
বিকাল ৪টা - ৬টা

ড্রাম মিডউড অফিস 
৮১৮ ইষ্ট ১৬তম স্ট্রিট 
এভিনিউ এইচ-এর কিউ ট্রেনের কাছে 

সবাই আমন্ত্রিত

 ------------

Ayuda Mutua de Kensington - Windsor Terrace lanzamiento del libro de cocina
recetas | piscolabis | comunidad
domingo, 12 de julio
4-6pm

oficina de DRUM Midwood
818 E. 16th St
Q a Ave H

Todos son bienvenidos

---------------------------- 

 

From the Neighborhood Cooperative Food Project:

In 2020, a group of Kensington /Windsor Terrace/Ditmas Park neighbors launched a small bulk buying experiment to prioritize solidarity and safety in the way we buy food and support the local community and economy. 

Location

DRUM Office

818 E. 16th Street

between Avenue H and Avenue I 

Midwood, Brooklyn

(map)

 

MUSLIM WOMEN AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE FOLK WILL READ FROM THEIR CREATIVE WRITING AND ENGAGE IN A DISCUSSION (FREE)

The Mouth of the Sun:

Performance and Discussion

Tuesday, July 7th

7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

 

From Arts & Democracy:

Join Arts & Democracy and author Roohi Choudhry for The Mouth of the Sun: Performance and Discussion on Tuesday, July 7th, at The Urbane Arts Club.

 

Listen to new creative writing by Muslim women and gender-expansive folk and join a powerful discussion on harnessing personal stories to create change. 

 

This free event celebrates the 2026 cohort of participants in The Mouth of the Sun, a creative incubator program.

 
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mouth-of-the-sun-performance-and-discussion-tickets-1991510394199 

Location

Urbane Arts Club

1016 Beverley Road

between Coney Island Avenue and Stratford Road

Ditmas Park, Brooklyn

UrbaneBrooklyn@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Urbane-Arts-Club-100064234354845/ 

https://www.instagram.com/urbane_brooklyn/

WEATHER UPDATE FOR THIS WEEKEND'S FREE EVENTS AT AVENUE C PLAZA

From Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts NY (NOCD-NY): 

Final week of June programming at Avenue C Plaza!

 

Due to weather, ArtBuilt and partners have made some adjustments to the weekend schedule at Avenue C Plaza!

 

Depending on the rain forecast in the morning, Saturday's Kite Making and Flying with The Singing Winds may be swapped with Mosaics on Sunday. Come for both in any case!

 

Unfortunately, Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA) Folk Performance with Bangladeshi Ladies Club Kantha Display has been cancelled, but BIPA will be performing at Celebrate Kensington on Saturday, July 25th. Save the date and stay tuned for more details at kensingtonculture.org!

 

Visit kensingtonculture.org for remaining Kensington Culture @ Avenue C Plaza activities in June. The website includes events throughout the year supported by the Kensington Cultural Council and partners!

 

Location

Avenue C Plaza

556 McDonald Avenue at Avenue C

Kensington, Brooklyn

(map)

HINTERLANDS BAR TENTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION (FREE)

Hinterlands Bar

Tenth Anniversary Celebration

Sunday, June 28th, 5:00 p.m. 

From Hinterlands:

We're ready to celebrate 10 amazing years with all of you on Sunday, June 28th at 5 PM!  

Throw on your best Hawaiian shirt and join us for an evening of dancing, eating, drinking, and reminiscing as we look back on a decade of great memories.

And we're excited to have Steve Reynolds providing the tunes.

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

Location

Hinterlands Bar

739 Church Avenue

between E. 7th and E. 8th streets

Kensington, Brooklyn

(718) 633-0550

hinterlandsbar@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/hinterlandsbar

https://www.instagram.com/hinterlands_bar 

SOUND BATH IN THE GARDEN (FREE)

Sound Bath in the Garden
Wednesday, June 24th

5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

 

From YogaSole: 

Relax and unwind in the peaceful garden setting as you immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of a live sound bath experience. Bring a mat or a blanket. You can also enjoy the session sitting on a chair provided by the garden.

Verywell Mind describes a sound bath as 
"a meditative experience where those in attendance are  'bathed' in sound waves. These waves are produced by various sources, including healing instruments such as gongs, singing bowls, percussion, chimes, rattles, tuning forks, and even the human voice itself."

 

RSVP here for this free event presented by YogaSole.

 

Location

East Fourth Street Community Garden

171 E. 4th Street

between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

https://eastfourthstreetgarden.tumblr.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/246036418909475

 

ARROW LINEN UPDATE FROM OUR CITY COUNCILMEMBER

Arrow Linen Supply Company filed for permits in April for full demolition of its properties, which will be replaced by two ten-story residential buildings with a total of approximately 250 units.

 

At Community Board 7's June meeting, 

New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif presented an update on the project.

 

The councilmember reported that real estate developer Developing NY State LLC has replaced Apex Development Group on the project. The legally-binding, seventeen-page Community Benefits Agreement has been transferred to them. It can be read in full at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zsKlUX3gFNaHHZ7FLX3Oe5GQMRpjFh76/view.

 

She also reported that her office and local residents are forming the Construction Task Force that is specified in the Community Benefits Agreement; its goal is to ensure accountability and as little disruption to residents as possible.

 

For additional information about the Construction Task Force, e-mail Matthew Malloy, the councilmember's Chief of Staff, at mmalloy@council.nyc.gov or call him at (718) 499-1090. [Updated contact information is posted at https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2026/07/join-construction-task-force-for-former.html.] 

COMMUNITY BOARD 12'S JUNE 2026 PUBLIC MEETING, COVERING MOST OF KENSINGTON AS WELL AS BOROUGH PARK AND PARTS OF MIDWOOD AND SUNSET PARK

 

Community Board 12 Public Meeting

Tuesday, June 23rd

7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

Community Board 12's next public meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The all-volunteer board is the liaison between city agencies and the residents of Borough Park, most of Kensington, and parts of Sunset Park and Midwood. 

The meeting will be held in person and on Zoom. To watch it on Zoom, go to https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86040079931.

To sign up to ask questions or make comments, whether you're there in person or on Zoom, fill out the form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSco1v1Puh042lQ69uHJ_lKGC1-DaWqXOiLe_aFLvLQobdCfbw/viewform?pli=1. 

Meetings are normally held on the fourth Tuesday of the month from September through June, but they get rescheduled if they fall on a Jewish holiday.

To be added to CB 12's e-mail list to receive agendas and minutes, send an e-mail to bk12@cb.nyc.gov. 

 

Meeting Location

Community Board 12 Office

5910 13th Avenue 

between 59th and 60th streets

Borough Park, Brooklyn 

(map)

 

phone: (718) 851-0800

fax: (718) 851-4140

bk12@cb.nyc.gov

https://www.nyc.gov/site/brooklyncb12/index.page

https://www.facebook.com/BkCB12

Chairperson: Yidel Perlstein

District Manager: Barry Spitzer

Community Associate: Aziza Temirova 

 

To get to the meeting by bus, take the B16 to 13th Avenue at 56th Street, then walk three blocks along 13th Avenue to 59th Street. To return, take the B16 on 14th Avenue at 56th Street.