Grand Street is more than just a commercial street — it’s a community.
That’s why the Grand Street Business Improvement District’s (BID) Weekend Walk Block Party is such a great chance for neighbors and shoppers to combine the two in a Saturday full of dancing, music, food, family, and shopping.
“Weekend Walks is an opportunity for the community to look at Grand Street not just as a busy thoroughfare but as a public space,” explained Grand Street BID Executive Director Artineh Havan. “There is a lack of public and green space in North Brooklyn, unfortunately, and this is a means of creating one for the weekend.”
Continuing last Saturday’s festivities, this Saturday, July 20, Grand Street between Manhattan and Bushwick Avenues will be transformed into an outdoor playground for the whole family, with live music, dance classes and sidewalk shopping and art taking over the streets, car free, rain or shine.
Zumba is just one of many dance classes being held at the Grand Street BID's Weekend Walk Block Party.
From 2 to 8 p.m., the entertainment will include:
DJs
bands
free dance lessons with Nieves Latin Dance Studio
silkscreen printing demonstrations with Rebelution Designs
games
sidewalk cafes
ping-pong
a water slide
aerial acrobats with a Sky Box from the House of Yes (from 4 to 7 p.m.)
face-painting
bike-riding lessons with Bike NY (3 to 6 p.m.; bring a bike and a helmet!)
a picnic area
More!
The day’s band schedule is as follows:
2 to 3 p.m. — Suenalo
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Christine Sweeney and the Dirty Stayouts
5 to 6 p.m. — Dig For Honey
6:30 to 7 p.m. — Progress
7:30 to 8 p.m. — Bella Diva Trio
For local businesses, the Weekend Walk Block Party is also a chance to set up pop-up sidewalk cafes where people can enjoy food outside in the sunshine.
As Havan explained, “this initiative also helps with economic development as businesses can display their merchandize on their sidewalk, and eating establishments can have sidewalk cafes. It is also a great opportunity for the new to be acquainted with the old in a very quickly changing neighborhood.”
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
