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Saturday, June 21, 2025

JOIN THE CRAFT CIRCLE ON SUNDAY AT BLUE STAR PARLOR

The Craft Circle
Sunday, June 22nd
2:00 p.m.
 
From The Craft Circle:
Happy Summer! It’s going to be a scorcher tomorrow. So come join us for our cool crafts meetup! Sunday Blue Star parlor 1112 Cortelyou Road 2pm 
The Craft Circle is a free, informal meetup where neighbors knit and crochet or work on other crafts together. You can bring what you're already working on or you can learn a new craft.
 
The meetup is for all skill levels; learners are welcome.
 
Location
Blue Star Parlor
1112 Cortelyou Road
between Stratford and Westminster roads
Ditmas Park, Brooklyn
(347) 365-9035
 
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Thursday, June 19, 2025

SUMMER SOLSTICE JAM SESSION (FREE)

 
Summer Solstice Jam Session
Saturday, June 21st, 7:00 p.m.
 
Artmageddon Collective and Beautify Brooklyn present Summer Solstice Jam Session and more on Saturday, June 21st, at 7:00 p.m.
 
You're welcome to bring an instrument and join in or simply enjoy the music.
 
Location
Kensington Plaza
114 Beverley Road
between E. 2nd Street and McDonald Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn
(map)

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OPERATION GIG! PORCH CONCERTS: SAMI STEVENS, ALBER BASEEL AND GABRIEL LAVIN, THE SLIDE STOPS

 
From Operation Gig!:

Friday, June 20th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Sami Stevens
284 Stratford Road
Local vocalist and piano player Sami Stevens "harnesses Jazz, Soul, and Folk influences to create truly intimate original music." She's been touring the world of late in Norah Jones' band! Can't wait to see her and her own ace band on a porch in Ditmas this Friday.

Saturday, June 21st, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Alber Baseel & Gabriel Lavin
1415 Dorchester Road
Albert 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 22nd, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
 The Slide Stops
444 E. 17th Street

Country line dancing lesson at 3:30pm!!!!!
One of the city's best country acts and a force behind the great line dancing revival of "the 20s." As last year, there will be a line dance lesson before the show, so arrive 30 minutes early.

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


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.

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STORYTIME, LIVE MUSIC, DRAWING, AND MORE (FREE)

 
From Arts & Democracy:
This Sunday, June 22, 2:00 - 3:30pm
Storytime and Activities at Kensington Plaza with Lofty Pigeon Books and Arts & Democracy

Come by for storytime, live music, drawing, and more—with authors from the neighborhood!
 
Open to all ages, especially baby through tween readers.

Schedule:
2:00–2:20pm: Reading and live music with Dan Saks
2:20–2:40pm: Soca Baby Party with Qef and Ari
2:40–3:00pm: Kate Hosford reading You'll Always Be My Chickadee, with craft
3:00–3:20pm: Sarvenaz Tash reading from Queen of Ocean Parkway, with Q&A
 
Location
Kensington Plaza
114 Beverley Road
between E. 2nd Street and McDonald Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn
(map)

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KITE MAKING AND FLYING, PRINT MAKING, AND STORYTIME AND ACTIVITIES AT AVENUE C PLAZA THIS WEEKEND, PLUS SEVERAL WEEKLY WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES (FREE)

From ArtBuilt Mobile Studio: 

This Week! Kite Making and Flying on Thursday @ 1pm with The Singing Winds, Print Making on Saturday with Casa Cultural, and Storytime and Activities on Sunday (in Kensington Plaza) with Lofty Pigeon Books and Arts & Democracy!
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)

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Tuesday, June 17, 2025

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.
 
 
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
he/him/él
 
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Monday, June 16, 2025

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!
 
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Sunday, June 15, 2025

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)
 
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Saturday, June 14, 2025

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

Update: Community Board 7 voted tonight to ask the Department of Transportation to hold a public hearing on the redesign of McDonald Avenue before it proceeds further.

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

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

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Thursday, June 12, 2025

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.

 

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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)
 
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Wednesday, June 11, 2025

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

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

Update, June 19th: The presentation has been posted at https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/mcdonald-ave-10-ave-20-st-ft-hamilton-pkwy-jun2025.pdf.] 

Update, June 19th: Share your opinions with CB 7 on the Department of Transportation’s plan for a two-way bike lane on McDonald Avenue. Send an e-mail to CB 7 at bk07@cb.nyc.gov. 

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

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.

[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.] 

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.


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Tuesday, June 10, 2025

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
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Friday, June 6, 2025

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

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