SUMMER FUN ’19
Brooklyn Bridge Park
unveils packed summer program
By Kevin Duggan Spend your summer in Brooklyn’s front yard!
Brooklyn Bridge Park will be packed to the
shoreline with fun, free events this summer. The
Conservancy that runs the waterfront green space has
organized more than 500 free events to celebrate its 20th
year programming outdoor entertainment. The group has
created a broad lineup of shows and activities in order to
appeal to Brooklyn’s diverse populations, according to
the conservancy’s chief.
“From immersive outdoor education, to family festivals,
public theater, book readings, kayaking, seining,
and more, we’re excited to share a full and vibrant lineup
of events to celebrate this momentous year,” said Nancy
Webster, the conservancy’s director.
We have gone through those 500 events and picked out
a few of the best to help you plan your summer!
All events at Brooklyn Bridge Park, which stretches
from Jay Street in Dumbo to Pier Six, at Atlantic
Avenue in Brooklyn Heights. www.brooklynbridgepark.
org. Free.
Birthday Bridge!
Celebrate the 136th anniversary of the borough’s
namesake bridge with a kid-friendly tour. Start by building
a model of the Brooklyn Bridge, immerse yourself in
30 COURIER LIFE, MAY 24-30, 2019
its history and design, and take a walk along the span.
Starts at the Park’s Environmental Education Center (99
Plymouth St., at Adams Street in Dumbo, www.brooklynbridgepark.
org). May 25 at 10 a.m.
Make a splash
Learn to float on a tiny boat on the East River with the
Park’s walk-up kayaking sessions. Once you have mastered
moving around in a one- or two-person kayak, in
the protected bay between Piers One and Two, you might
want to check out the Kayak Polo games, which happen
every Sunday afternoon at Pier Four. Kids under 18 must
have an adult guardian present.
Pier Two Dock. May 30–Aug. 31, Sat–Sun, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.;
Thu, 5:30–6:45 p.m.
Space out
The World Science Festival comes to Brooklyn!
Tonight you can get a close-up look at the Moon, Jupiter,
and beyond through a professional telescope, then lie on
the grass for the short film experience “Deep Field: The
Impossible Magnitude of our Universe,” by composer
Eric Whitacre. The movie reveals the galaxy from the
point of view of the Hubble Telescope, while 100 singers
from LaGuardia High School Senior Chorus provide a
celestial soundscape.
Afterwards, you can stay for a discussion with astrophysicists
and the film’s directors.
On Pier One’s Harbor View Lawn. June 1, 6–11:30 p.m.
And for several Friday nights this summer, the Amateurs
Astronomers Association will set up high-powered scopes
in the Park so you can gaze at the heavens.
At Pier One Promenade on Fridays: June 7, 14; July 12,
25; Aug. 2, 9; 8:30–10:30 p.m.
Walt’s song
This year will be a special “StoneWalt” edition of the
annual reading of Walt Whitman’s epic, 52-part “Song
of Myself,” honoring both the Bard of Brooklyn’s 200th
birthday and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots,
which kicked off the modern gay rights movement.
Volunteers will each present three sections of the poem.
Past performances have included musical and dance
interpretations of the verses.
At Pier One’s Granite Prospect. June 2; 4–7 p.m.
Plugging away
The acoustic concert series “Unplugged” will bring
intimate shows to the Park every Friday in June and
July. The Brooklyn Americana Music Festival presents
the first month of roots music, opening with 13-year-old
banjo player Little Nora Brown. In July, Gowanus studio
Park life
FILMS IN THE FIELD: Movies With a View will return for its 20th year on July 11, offering weekly
screenings of new and classic fl icks against the backdrop of Manhattan. Etienne Frossard
/www.brooklyn-bridgepark.org
/www.brooklyn-bridgepark.org
/www.brooklynbridgepark
/www.brooklyn-bridgepark.org
/www.brooklynbridgepark