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Friday, June 30, 2023

ONE OPERATION GIG! PORCH CONCERT THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND

From Operation Gig!
Folks, just one show this weekend.  Enjoy July 4th!
 

Friday, June 30th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

James Labrosse Trio 
284 E 16th St, Brooklyn

A vibration starting with the seed of Flamenco, that’s then irrigated with modern jazz and influences from music from all over the world; James Labrosse delivers original music that flourishes deeply through all consciouses. With Tripp Dudley and Jay Gandhi.

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Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 
 
The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic. This gives them a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.

Although the performances are free, a suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. You can donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.
 
Purchase an Operation Gig t-shirt here, and the proceeds will go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.
 


 

Monday, June 26, 2023

FIGHTING AGAINST OVERBUILDING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD


A neighborhood resident submitted the following editorial.
 
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Help keep the heart and soul of Brooklyn alive!

Very few people in our neighborhood are aware that there is an application to rezone 534 Coney Island Avenue (where KFC and the Shell station are), which could result in two 11-14 story buildings--and who knows what next!

Although I fully support new affordable housing in the neighborhood, I do not support the proposed plan to build such tall buildings when there are no other buildings on the surrounding blocks which are taller than 7 stories.
 
The impact of such tall buildings in our primarily residential neighborhood will not only change the small town character, it will overburden the already stretched infrastructure--most notably traffic, public transportation, sanitation, sewers, parking, and public school seats.
 
Additionally, the air and light quality in the immediate vicinity will be negatively impacted forever.

Please help Kensington residents have more awareness and a more powerful voice about the future of our neighborhood. After attending the 6/20/23 Community Board 12 Zoning and Variance Committee Public Hearing meeting, I am concerned that our voices will not be heard before this plan is approved by people who do not live in or care about our neighborhood.
 
There is a Community Board 12 full board meeting on Tuesday, June 27th, at 7 p.m. Although we may not be permitted to speak, I and some of my neighbors will be attending in a stand of solidarity.

Please see the flyer above and link to the informational website at
https://pleasedontoverbuild.wixsite.com/my-site.
To attend the meeting via Zoom, click on this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88596633276

If you are attending by phone, call 646) 558-8656 and enter Webinar ID 885 9663 3276.
 
Meeting Location
Amico Senior Center
5901 13th Avenue, 3rd Floor
entrance on 59th Street
Borough Park, Brooklyn
(map)

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Community Board 12
phone: (718) 851-0800
fax: (718) 851-4140
bk12@cb.nyc.gov
Chairperson: Yidel Perlstein
District Manager: Barry Spitzer

Saturday, June 24, 2023

YIDDISH MUSIC: "A MIDSUMMER KLEZ DREAM"

 
Church Avenue Sessions
Wednesday, July 12th
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
 
Church Avenue Sessions will present "A Midsummer Klez Dream," an evening of traditional and contemporary Yiddish music outdoors, on Wednesday, July 12th, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
 
Forshpil (Latvia-Germany-USA) "Forshpil re-energizes traditional Yiddish songs, Hasidic nigunim and klezmer tunes with modern rhythms, harmonies and instruments. Age-old songs of love and despair induce themselves with psychedelic rock, funk, jazz and other addictive substances."
 
Midwood (Brooklyn) "Led by violinist Jake Shulman-Ment, Midwood is a contemporary klezmer/rock celebration of freedom and the Jewish tradition of wandering and migration."
 
A zingeray (Yiddish sing-along) will also be featured.
 
A $10 donation is suggested.
 
BYOB.
 
Location
Flatbush Jewish Center courtyard
327 E. 5th Street
corner of Church Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 871-5200
fax: (718) 871-5204
office@flatbushjewishcenter.org

PRIDE-THEMED STORYTIME AT NEIGHBORHOOD BOOKSTORE



Storytime: 'Twas the Night Before Pride 
Sunday, June 25th, 11:00 a.m. to noon
 
"This joyful picture-book homage to a day of community and inclusion—and to the joys of anticipation—is also a comprehensive history. A glittering celebration of queer families puts Pride gently in perspective—honoring those in the LGBTQ+ community who fought against injustice and inequality."

Author and neighbor Joanna McClintick will read from her children's picture book 'Twas the Night Before Pride tomorrow (Sunday, June 25th) at 11:00 a.m. The book is geared to children ages four through eight.

Twas the Night Before Pride was illustrated by Juana Medina and published by Candlewick Press.
 
A Q&A with the author and illustrator is posted on the We Need Diverse Books website.

Location
Taylor & Co. Books
1021 Cortelyou Road
between Coney Island Avenue and Stratford Road
Ditmas Park, Brooklyn
(347) 425-7770 
taylorcobooks@gmail.com
 

Thursday, June 22, 2023

FOUR DAYS OF LIVE MUSIC ON PORCHES, THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY


From Operation Gig!

Thursday, June 22nd, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Ezra Guitar Advanced Ensemble
358 Westminster Road, Brooklyn

The EzraGuitar Middle School Quartet is ready to amaze you! The next generation of local guitarists have been hard at work all year and are ready to rock!  Come support Kyle LaMarita, Luciana Alwa, Charlotte McGuinness, and Liam Maclellan.

Friday, June 23rd, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Aidan Scrimgur, Alber Baseel, and Keyanna Hutchinson Trio
455 Westminster Road, Brooklyn

Aidan Scrimgur, Alber Baseel, and Keyanna Hutchinson are all instructors at the amazing 5pm Porch Concerts music school, which sprang up during the pandemic to teach neighborhood kids how to play music in a band setting. The trio plays a high energy, conversational, improvised set of music that melds various cultural influences that span several continents.

Saturday, June 24th, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (rain or shine)
The Brooklyn Holdouts
1501 Dorchester Road, Brooklyn

Guitarist Chris Bergson and organist Moses Patrou--two stellar, deeply soulful singers--have joined forces as The Brooklyn Holdouts. Drawing on the funky, feel-good, greasy, grooving organ trio tradition, The Brooklyn Holdouts seamlessly navigate Blues, R&B, Soul Jazz, Rock, and Americana. Alternating lead vocals, these two powerhouses are also both renowned songwriters drawing on their 20+ years on the New York scene delivering "gut-busting NY blues." (MOJO)

Sunday, June 25th, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Art Baron & Friends
131 Buckingham Road, Brooklyn

Art Baron joined the Duke Ellington band in August 1973 at the age of 23, the last trombonist Ellington ever hired. Previously, he had spent time on the road working with Buddy Rich, Stevie Wonder, and James Taylor. Since then, Baron has built a career as one of New York's most distinguished jazz, studio, and pit trombonists.

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Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 
 
The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic. This gives them a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.

Although the performances are free, a suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. You can donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.
 
Purchase an Operation Gig t-shirt here, and the proceeds will go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.
 

Thursday, June 15, 2023

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 PUBLIC MEETING (INDOORS)

 
Community Board 7 Meeting
Wednesday, June 21st, 
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
From Community Board 7:
The next Brooklyn Community Board #7 monthly board meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 @ 6:30 p.m. in the CB7 Meeting Room located at 4201 4th Avenue (entrance on 43rd Street & 4th Avenue).

​**This will be an in-person meeting**

Following is the proposed agenda: 
  1. Pledge of Allegiance
  2. Roll Call
  3. Opening of the meeting
  4. Adoption of the agenda
  5. Adoption of the minutes of the May 17, 2023 board meeting
  6. Public Comment (3 minutes to speak on topics covered in the committee reports)
  7. Special Item: Executive Committee - Videoconference Resolution to allow virtual attendance during an extenuating circumstance (Vote required)
  8. Committee Reports: A) Parks Committee (Vote required) - 1. Update from NYC Parks & Recreation on the design of the Greenwood Playground Handball Reconstruction, 2. Update on renovation of the Sunset Park basketball courts
     B) Housing Committee (Vote required) - 1. Presentation from Community Service Society - "Financial Resources for Housing Justice"
      
      C) Transportation Committee - 1. MTA Brooklyn Bus Redesign, 2. Update on ADA projects, 3. Q&A

      D) Joint Committee Meeting with Sanitation/Environment, Land Use/Landmarks, and Transportation Committees - 1. Presentation from the Department of City Planning on City of Yes Carbon Neutrality
  1. Roll Call
  2. Elected Officials and Representatives
  3. Chairperson's Report
  4. District Manager's Report
  5. Old Business
  6. New Business
  7. Public Comment (3 minutes to speak on any topic)
  8. Adjournment
You can view this meeting on the Brooklyn Community Board #7's YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3uQlAtq

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Community Board 7
4201 4th Avenue (entrance on 43rd Street) (map)
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 854-0003
fax: (718) 436-1142
bk07@cb.nyc.gov
 

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

MUSIC PLAYED ON PORCHES FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

From Operation Gig!
Friday June 16, 6-8pm
Band is TBD due to cancellation (check website for update)
284 E 16th St (in Ditmas)


Saturday, Jun 17 4–6PM
Sudo Nash 
460 E 18th St, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Indie R&B from some young Brooklyn cats (Kobie Trenchfoot, Franklin Rankin and pals) 

Sunday, Jun 18 4–6PM
Katie Martucci 
131 Buckingham Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Katie Martucci brings her folk-pop project (and a great band) to the lovely stage of the Japanese House! Katie has been featured on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and scored film for National Geographic.

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

Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 
 
The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic. This gives them a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.

Although the performances are free, a suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. You can donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.
 
Purchase an Operation Gig t-shirt here, and the proceeds will go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.
 

Saturday, June 10, 2023

AFRICA FORESTDANCE PERFORMS TOMORROW IN KENSINGTON PLAZA (FREE, OUTDOORS)

Press Release

AFRICA FORESTDANCE TO PERFORM AT KENSINGTON PLAZA’S “MUSIC IN THE PLAZA” SUNDAY, JUNE 11TH 3:30–5PM

Africa Forestdance will headline this Sunday’s “Music in the Plaza” series, June 11th from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm at Kensington Plaza, located in front of Walgreens, at Church Avenue and Beverley Road.

Playing the kora, bala, mbira, djembe, and voice, in other words, “the ancient sounds of Africa,” the group will perform “Music at once ancient and with a modern spirit which moves in all of us,“ said Kevin Nathaniel, its Mbira player.

The sounds “will move your soul and your feethealing sounds of the wind, water, heartbeat, earth, sky, and sun. Sources deep within us all,” he added.

The 4-member group features Kevin Nathaniel on mbira, Hasan Bakr on djembe, Salieu Suso on kora, and Famoro Dioubate on bala (xylophone). 

In various iterations these musicians have played many concerts at Kensington Plaza in the past. Almost a year to the day Mr. Nathaniel played at Kensington Plaza’s 10th Anniversary celebration last June.  In addition to his busking Mr. Nathanial is an advocate of African culture, a composer, a Yale scholar, and a teaching artist.

Hosted and produced by The Singing Winds, a local group, the “Music in the Plaza” Sunday afternoon concerts at Kensington Plaza will continue through mid-July.

Kensington Plaza is easily reached by public transportation: the F/G Church Avenue subway stop is right around the corner and bus stops for the B35, B67/69, B16, and B103 are nearby.
 


 

 

https://www.facebook.com/KensingtonPlaza/

Friday, June 9, 2023

CLEAN UP KENSINGTON THIS WEEKEND

Clean Up Kensington
Sunday, June 11th, 10:00 a.m.
 
Help clean up part of the neighborhood on Sunday, June 11th, at 10:00 a.m. Meet at Avenue C and E. 2nd Street, in front of P.S. 179. 

After the clean-up, pastries and coffee will be available on Ocean Parkway.
 
Clean Up Kensington provides gloves, trash bags, trash pickers, brooms, rakes, and dustpans, and you provide as much or as little time as you can. You're welcome to bring reusable gloves and a picker with you, if you have them.
 
Join the fun!
 
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LIVE MUSIC ON PEOPLE'S PORCHES

From Operation Gig!

Friday, Jun 9, 6–8PM
Tomas Rodriguez & Salieu Suso
462 Rugby Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226


Modern merging of two string instruments that have been played for centuries, and the merging of two master musicians of the disciplines, Tomas Rodriguez on guitar and Salieu Suso on kora. The program will range from traditional songs from the Manding culture of Gambia and Mali to original compositions.

Saturday, Jun 10, 4–6PM
Our Band
330 Westminster Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11218


NYC musicians Sasha Papernik and Justin Poindexter bring their project “Our Band” to Brooklyn for a special tribute to songwriter Burt Bacharach, alongside their signature Eastern European tinged Americana. This concert will feature special guest, the legendary Art Baron (Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder) on trombone.

Sunday, Jun 11, 4–6PM
Yoon Sun Choi Quartet
131 Buckingham Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Yoon Sun Choi, born in South Korea, raised in Canada and now a New York-based improvising vocalist and pianist with her vocal prowess that transitions effortlessly from resonant, haunting melodies to deep, resonant wails. Yoon has made significant contributions to the music scene over her twenty-year-long career performing on prestigious stages such as The Blue Note, Birdland, and Carnegie Hall. Her ensemble, the YSC Quartet, has spent two decades interpreting a diverse range of music styles, bringing a unique and inventive perspective to each performance.

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

Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 
 
The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic. This gives them a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.

Although the performances are free, a suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. You can donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.
 
Purchase an Operation Gig t-shirt here, and the proceeds will go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.
 

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

GIVE FREELY AND TAKE FREELY AT THE COMMUNITY FREE STORE

 
Community Free Store
Saturday, June 10th, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 
Donate what you can and "shop" for what you need at the Community Free Store. You can give, you can take, or you can give and take on Saturday, June 10th, between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
 
If you need clothes, toys, home goods, toiletries, etc., you can get them at the store for free.
 
Or, if you can donate any of those items, bring them to the store on Saturday between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. All donated items should be like new or very lightly used.
 
Anything that's left over at the end of the event will be distributed to neighbors in need. 

Bring bags with you to put your finds in.
 
Kensington/Windsor Terrace Mutual Aid, the host, will be joined by Arts & Democracy, The Brooklyn Book Bodega, and ArtBuilt Mobile Studios at the event.
 
Location
Avenue C Plaza
556 McDonald Avenue at Avenue C
Kensington, Brooklyn
(map)