PRIDE FIESTA!: LIVE MUSIC, PRIDE THEMED CRAFTS, AND STORYTELLING

 

Pride Fiesta! Celebration

Friday, June 20th

5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

 

From One World Project:

In honor of Pride Month, One World Project is hosting our annual Pride Fiesta this Friday, June 20, from 5-6:30pm at 302 Vanderbilt Street! 

 

We hope you'll join us in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, and of love, self-expression, and all the beautiful things that both unite us and make us unique.

 

Please do us a favor and RSVP here so we know who can make it: https://www.oneworldproject.org/upcoming/owp-information-session-2021-01-07-mpy4a-jzlcr-4lln9-7gnrc-fp8yp-akc3k.

 

This is our last community event of the school year, and we are so excited for the opportunity to once again uplift the diversity of our school and our city. There will be pride-themed storytelling, music, art, dance, and more — all families are welcome regardless of background, family structure, or identity.

 

Please come as you are, invite your friends, family, and neighbors, and help us create a space where every child and caregiver can see themselves reflected and celebrated in our community! 

 

We can't wait to see you there, and to share this joy with one another. We are asking for a suggested $25 donation per family to attend, but it is most important to us that our events be accessible to all and so we ultimately ask that you give what you can -- more if possible, and less if necessary. 

 

If you have any questions about the event, please don't hesitate to reach out! 

 

My best, Leo

--

Leo Posel 

Development and Communications Associate

One World Project

he/him/él

lposel@oneworldproject.org II 347-397-2982

 

TWO EXCITING EVENINGS OF MUSIC, FEATURING AN ECLECTIC MIX OF MUSICAL STYLES FROM GREAT LOCAL ARTISTS! (FREE)

 

Two Exciting Evenings of Music

Friday, June 20th and 27th

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

From Newkirk Community Garden: 

We’re having two exciting concerts at Newkirk Community Garden featuring great local artists!

FRIDAYS, JUNE 20Th & JUNE 27TH, 6:30 PM
Newkirk Community Garden
Corner of East 8th Street & Newkirk Ave
(Rain dates: Mondays, June 23 & June 30th)

FEATURING…

(6/20) Sol67 (Marcelo Siles & Townsend Elizabeth West), Michael Friedman, Misery Loves Company (Susan Kaessinger, Buddy Grecco, Matthew J. Kaplan, Louis Iacobelli), The Chimes (Sujata Subramanian and Courteney Cuomo), encypher, Ayana Lowe & Barry Dobrin

(6/27) Benjamin English, Misery Loves Company, Aria Anjali, Sam Theuring, Doug Walker, Bev Grant & Carolann Solebello

I got goosebumps just listing all these wonderful musical acts! 

Come join us! Help support the garden!

 

FREE BICYCLE HELMETS WILL BE FITTED AND DISTRIBUTED

 

Free Helmets

Sunday, June 22nd

10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

 

The New York City Department of Transportation partners with organizations and City Councilmembers to host free helmet fitting events across New York City. At these events, more than 350,000 free bicycle helmets have been provided to New Yorkers.

 

Bicycle helmets will be fitted and distributed for free in Kensington Plaza on Sunday, June 22nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., under the sponsorship of New York City Councilmember Shahana Hanif. 

 

A bike repair station for minor tune-ups will be offered.

 

Helmets are available for all ages while supplies last. You must be at the event in order to get a helmet, and you have to learn how to properly fit and wear it before it will be given to you.

 

Adults over the age of eighteen who receive a helmet have to sign a waiver, and a parent or legal guardian has to be present to sign a waiver for children under the age of eighteen. 

 

The helmet law 

• Recreational Cyclists: All children up to age 14 are required by New York State law to wear bike helmets certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). All bicycle riders up to age 14 must wear approved helmets.
• Commercial Cyclists: New York City law requires all commercial cyclists to wear securely fastened, properly fitted helmets that are in good condition. Employers are required to ensure that their commercial cyclists wear helmets. 

Location

Kensington Plaza

114 Beverley Road

between E. 2nd Street and McDonald Avenue

Kensington, Brooklyn

(map)

 

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 JUNE MEETING, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (WINDSOR TERRACE, GREENWOOD HEIGHTS, SOUTH SLOPE, AND SUNSET PARK)

Community Board 7 Board Meeting

Wednesday, June 18th

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

 

Community Board 7 will hold its next monthly public meeting on Wednesday, June 18th, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

 

Community Board 7 is the liaison between New York City government agencies and the residents, business owners, and employees of Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, South Slope, and Sunset Park.

 

Attendees will have two opportunities to address the board during the meeting (items 6 and 13 on the agenda below). You're invited to share you concerns, questions, needs, problems, suggestions, and solutions with CB 7's board members.

 

Attend the meeting either in person or virtually. If you're going to attend virtually, register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CLAUT6HXQKWsoI2EhmOqKg.

 
You can also view the board meeting on the Brooklyn Community Board 7's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcAZ1cECSeZI8iNyQDKuX5Q.

 

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 21, 2025 board meeting
6. Public Comment (3 minutes to speak on topics covered in the agenda)
7. Elected Officials and Representatives
8. Committee Reports:
    A) Parks & Environment Committee 

        1. Flooding 101
    B) Joint Committee Meeting with Housing and Land Use/Landmarks Committees (Vote expected)

        1. Proposed rezoning of 783 4th Avenue

        2. Resolution to pause RGB rent increases
    C) Transportation Committee (Vote expected)

        1. Street co-name request for 5th Avenue and 60th Street in memory of Padre Ruskin Piedra, C.S.R.

        2. CarShare proposed new sites for 5501 2nd Avenue, 273 44th Street, and 170 33rd Street

        3. Proposed design for McDonald Avenue, from 20th Street to Fort Hamilton Parkway
        4. Brooklyn Greenway Plan for 3rd Avenue

        5. 4th Avenue median project
    D) Education Health & Human Services         1. Brooklyn Rise School’s proposed new school development on 40th Street and 4th Avenue 

    E) Public Safety (Vote expected)

        1. Adult retail dispensary application for 695 5th Avenue

        2. Vendor enforcement operations in CB7

        3. Quality of life unit operating at the 72nd Precinct
9. Chairperson’s Report
10. District Manager’s Report
11. Old Business
12. New Business
13. Public Comment (3 minutes to speak on any topic)
14. Adjournment

Location

Community Board 7 Office

4201 4th Avenue

entrance on 43rd Street and 4th Avenue

Sunset Park, Brooklyn

phone: (718) 854-0003

fax: (718) 436-1142

bk07@cb.nyc.gov

http://www1.nyc.gov/site/brooklyncb7/index.page

https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynCB7

VENUE CHANGE: OPERATION GIG! PORCH CONCERTS: THE LADLES AND THE DUKES OF FLATBUSH

 

Update: The Dukes of Flatbush will play on a covered porch at 121 Marlborough Road.

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

 

From Operation Gig!

Friday, June 13th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
The Ladles
284 E. 16th Street
between Beverley and Cortelyou roads

Wondrous folk trio The Ladles! Amazing three part harmonies and musical chops to boot! Don't miss! (featuring Kensington neighbor Katie Martucci)

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

 

Sunday, June 15th, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Dukes of Flatbush
131 Buckingham Road

between Church Avenue and Albemarle Road

OG is thrilled to welcome The Dukes of Flatbush for a celebration of the NYC Klezmer tradition. The Dukes feature three virtuosic local musicians, Grammy-nominated clarinetist Andy Statman, Pete Rushefsky, and Dan Blacksberg. 

--------------------------------- 

Operation Gig! concerts sometimes get canceled because of weather conditions that aren't suitable for outdoor activities. Before you go to the concert, check the Operation Gig! website or Facebook page to see if it's been canceled.
 
Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on weekends.
 
The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 in order to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic. This provides them with a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.
 
Although the performances are free, the suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. Donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.
 
Operation Gig! t-shirts can be purchased here; the proceeds go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.

 

KITE MAKING AND FLYING AND A FAMILY CONCERT AT AVENUE C PLAZA THIS WEEKEND, PLUS SEVERAL WEEKLY WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES (FREE)

 

Kite Making and Flying

Saturday, June 14th, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Family Concert 

Sunday, June 15th, 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

 

From ArtBuilt Mobile Studio:

This Week! Join us for Kite Making and Flying on Saturday with The Singing Winds, our annual Family Concert on Sunday presented by Arts & Democracy, and additional weekday activities! 

 

See the Kensington Culture website for upcoming community events at Avenue C Plaza, Kensington Plaza, and neighborhood playgrounds, schools, and more. 

 

Location

Avenue C Plaza

556 McDonald Avenue

at Avenue C

Kensington, Brooklyn

(map)

 

BLOOMSDAY IN BROOKLYN

Bloomsday in Brooklyn

Saturday, June 14th, 2:00 p.m.

 

Bloomsday is a celebration of Irish writer James Joyce’s Ulysses and its protagonist, Leopold Bloom. Join The Society of Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Brooklyn for its fifteenth annual celebration of Bloomsday on Saturday, June 14th.

 

Meet at Nitehawk Cinemaat 2:00 p.m. and then move on to Farrell's Bar at 3:00 p.m. and the Knights of Columbus Hall at 4:00 p.m.

 

Readings and music (including music by Donie Carroll) are all on the day's agenda. Donations for the music are welcome. Each location will have a cash bar.

 

Ulysses takes place on a single day, June 16th, 1904, so Bloomsday's official date is June 16th of each year, 

 

Location
Nitehawk Cinema - Prospect Park
188 Prospect Park West
between 14th and 15th streets
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
718) 384-3980
https://nitehawkcinema.com/prospectpark
https://www.facebook.com/nitehawkprospectpark

 

ROCK PAINTING WORKSHOP (FREE)

Rock Painting Workshop

Saturday, June 28th

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Learn how to paint images on rocks at a workshop in the Newkirk Community Garden on Saturday, June 28th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

All of the materials that you'll need will be provided to you.

Location

Newkirk Community Garden

736 E. 8th Street, at Newkirk Avenue

Kensington, Brooklyn

phone: (347) 903-7297 

https://www.newkirkgarden.com

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

https://www.instagram.com/newkirkcommunitygarden/

BIKE LANE PROPOSED FOR MCDONALD AVENUE FROM 20TH STREET/10TH AVENUE TO FORT HAMILTON PARKWAY

Update from Community Board 7, June 12, 2025: The proposed bike lane won't be on the agenda at the June 25th Transportation Committee meeting due to time constraints.

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

A two-way parking-protected bike lane has been proposed for the west side of McDonald Avenue (the Green-Wood Cemetery side) from the 20th Street/10th Avenue intersection to Fort Hamilton Parkway.

The Department of Transportation presented the proposal at Tuesday night's Community Board 7 Transportation Committee meeting.

Vehicles would travel in one northbound lane and one southbound lane; the center lane would become a turn lane.

Bus boarding islands would be constructed to prevent buses from interfering with the flow of traffic when they stop to let passengers on and off.

The bus stop at Terrace Place and McDonald Avenue would be eliminated. 

The length of the traffic signals would be coordinated; they currently last for different lengths of time.

A physical barrier between the bike lane and vehicle traffic would eventually be installed, but initially, paint would serve as an indication to drivers to stay out of the bike lane.

Committee members and neighborhood residents raised a number of questions and issues about the proposal in person and in the Zoom chat. Because committee members need time to consider the proposal as well as study residents' comments, the committee didn't vote on the proposal on Tuesday night. 

Instead, the discussion will continue at the June 25th meeting of the Transportation Committee.

Information about how to participate at the June 25th meeting, either in person or via Zoom, will be provided on this blog when it becomes available.

The entire committee meeting can be viewed on CB 7's YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6UAzgCXhdc. The presentation about the bike lane starts at 1:12:45.

You can get a copy of DOT's nineteen-page PowerPoint presentation by writing to the Community Board 7 office at bk07@cb.nyc.gov.

RESCHEDULED: SUNFLOWER SEED BOMB MAKING WORKSHOP (FREE)

 

Update: rescheduled for Sunday, June 15th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., because of rain.

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

 

Sunflower Seed Bomb Making Workshop

Saturday, June 14th

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Newkirk Community Garden will host a sunflower seed bomb making workshop during the Open Gardens NYC weekend.

Guerilla gardener Don Loggins will lead the workshop on Saturday, June 14th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The event is family-friendly and open to all ages.

Create a seed ball to plant in a tree pit, a vacant lot, or your garden. All of the materials that you'll need to make your own seed bombs will be provided.

Location

Newkirk Community Garden

736 E. 8th Street, at Newkirk Avenue

Kensington, Brooklyn

phone: (347) 903-7297 

https://www.newkirkgarden.com

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

https://www.instagram.com/newkirkcommunitygarden/

JUNETEENTH DANCE EVENT (FREE)

Juneteenth Dance Event

Thursday, June 19th

6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Juneteenth Dance Event

for ALL ages and abilities

Thursday, June 19, 6-7:30pm at our NEW Studio! 254 East 8th St. (corner of Beverley Rd.) Brooklyn, NY 11218

RSVP

Mingle and move with friends and neighbors at this free special Juneteenth event. Includes mini performance and light refreshments. Wear something comfortable to move in for this dancealong. ALL ages and abilities are welcome!  This will take place outdoors, weather permitting. Otherwise, entrance is down a flight of stairs. *RSVP Required

 

SUPPORT LOCAL, INDEPENDENT

 SMALL BUSINESSES.

 

Location

Cynthia King Dance Studio

254 E. 8th Street

corner of Beverley Road 

Kensington, Brooklyn

718-521-4043

info@cynthiakingdance.com

https://cynthiakingdance.com/   

PROSPECT PARK LAKE: RETURN OF THE TOXIC HABS (HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS)

 

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are potentially toxic to people and animals. They're currently widespread or lakewide in Prospect Park Lake.

 

From the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation: 

Visit NYHABS, DEC's harmful algal bloom notification map to view locations of freshwater HABs in New York State that were reported in the past week. Click on a dot for more information, including the date it was reported, the waterbody name, and pictures.

Click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen to view a list of reported HABs. 

Instructions on how to use NYHABS are on DEC's HABs notification webpage.

Know it: HABs vary in appearance from scattered green dots in the water, to long, linear green streaks, pea soup, or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration.

Avoid it: People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with floating mats, scum, and discolored water.

Report it: Report a suspected HAB using the NYHABs online reporting form. Report health concerns related to HABs to the Department of Health at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov, or contact your local health department.

Report a HAB

 

 

OPERATION GIG! PORCH CONCERTS: THE FORMERLY UNEMPLOYED MUSICIANS BASEBALL LEAGUE, ALBER BASEEL AND GABRIEL LAVIN, TOM FITZGERALD & COLIN FORHAN

From Operation Gig! Friday, June 6th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Formerly Unemployed Musicians Baseball League 498 Rugby Road  The FUMBL is a loose collective of amazing local musicians who also share a love for baseball. They'll present an encore performance of their show Hits & Hotdogs: Baseball themed songs, skits and live-scored silent films.   CANCELED DUE TO RAIN Saturday, June 7th, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.           Alber Baseel & Gabriel Lavin 1415 Dorchester Road Alber Baseel and Gabriel Lavin are two leading lights of the local Arabic music scene. They'll showcase dynamic and virtuosic arrangements of contemporary and classical music from Turkey and the Arab world in addition to original music.  Sunday, June 8th, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tom Fitzgerald & Colin Forhan  225 Argyle Road Canadian Grand Master fiddler Tom Fitzgerald presents a unique take on Celtic music alongside Colin Forhan, one of the leading sessions guitarists in the NYC traditional Irish music scene. Joining the duo is Liverpool-born drummer Eamon Ellams (Eileen Ivers/The Prodigals).

--------------------------------- 

Operation Gig! concerts sometimes get canceled because of weather conditions that aren't suitable for outdoor activities. Before you go to the concert, check the Operation Gig! website or Facebook page to see if it's been canceled.
 
Operation Gig! provides live music performances outdoors on weekends.
 
The series, held on the porches of private houses in Ditmas Park, started in July 2020 in order to offer a venue where musicians could perform during the pandemic. This provides them with a source of income and provides a safe space for people to gather to enjoy live music.
 
Although the performances are free, the suggested $10 donation to the musicians is more than welcome. Donate either at the performance itself or to the tax-deductible Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund on GoFundMe.
 
Operation Gig! t-shirts can be purchased here; the proceeds go to the Operation Gig Musician Guarantee Fund.

 

KIDS BOOK GIVEAWAY (FREE)

Kids Book Giveaway

Tuesday, June 17th

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Children's books will be given away at the Cortelyou Library on Tuesday, June 17th, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The books are for children of all ages.

 

To donate books to the giveaway, bring them to the office of Assemblymember Robert Carroll at 416 7th Avenue, between 13th and 14th streets in Park Slope, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from now until June 17th.

Location

Cortelyou Library

1305 Cortelyou Road

between Argyle and Rugby roads

Ditmas Park, Brooklyn

(718) 693-7763 

https://www.bklynlibrary.org/locations/cortelyou 

https://www.facebook.com/cortelyoulibrary/

QUALITY OF LIFE UNIT AT THE 72ND PRECINCT: AN UPDATE

 

Community Board 7 Public Safety Committee

Monday, June 16th

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Community Board 7 Public Safety Committee will meet on Monday, June 16th, at 6:30 p.m.

Agenda:

1. Discussion on adult retail dispensary application for 695 5^th Avenue
2. Update on vendor enforcement operations in CB7
3. Update on the quality of life unit operating at the 72nd Precinct

Commanding Officer Mobeen Yasin will speak on behalf of the 72nd Precinct.

 

You can attend in person or you can register to attend virtually on Zoom at  https://bit.ly/3HrtwNx. You can also view the meeting on CB 7's YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/3uQlAtq.

Location

Community Board 7 Office

4201 4th Avenue

entrance on 43rd Street and 4th Avenue

Sunset Park, Brooklyn

phone: (718) 854-0003

fax: (718) 436-1142

bk07@cb.nyc.gov

http://www1.nyc.gov/site/brooklyncb7/index.page

https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynCB7