Barbecues and beard competitions: 10 things to do in Brooklyn this weekend
A vendor in Sunset Park. Eagle file photo by Paul Frangipane
With kids back in school and the oppressive heat fleeting by the day, it may feel like the end of summer, but the season doesn’t technically end for a few more weeks. So we’ve rounded up some the best end-of-summer events around Brooklyn.
This weekend’s theme is food — and lots of it. There’s a wine-and-food festival in Prospect Park, a barbecue festival in Red Hook, a food truck block party in Williamsburg, a conversation about food at the Museum of Food and Drink, and of course, Smorgasburg.
Bon appétit.
1. Study Food
Why is chicken consumption on the rise in America? How can modern immigration policy be traced back to the history of Chinese American food? These are all questions that will be answered at the Museum of Food and Drink’s event tonight about studying food in public. Hear from a panel of food historians and food writers to learn about food outside of the academic world.
Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Museum of Food and Drink. $15. More info here.
2. Redefine the cat call
Celebrate the release of Kristen Sollée’s newest book “Cat Call: Reclaiming the Feral Feminine” and join “a variety of Brooklyn witches, writers and cat ladies” to learn about how the feminine and the feline have been intertwined throughout history as demonic representations.
Friday at 7 p.m. at Catland. $10. More info here.
3. Explore your own backyard
As a prelude to the Atlantic Antic, New York City’s largest street fair (coming up on Sept. 29), Brooklyn native Joe Svehlak, in partnership with The Municipal Art Society of New York, is hosting a walking tour of Atlantic Avenue. Learn about the thoroughfare’s history, architecture and recent development, and see a former brewery, various religious sites and a mural of the street.
Sunday at 11 a.m. on Atlantic Avenue. $30. More info here.
4. Peruse some paintings
Because of the West Indian Day Parade, there is no “First Saturday” at the Brooklyn Museum — but there are still various gallery tours happening throughout the day, including tours exploring Expanding Narratives and American Art.
Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum. $16 suggested contribution. More info here.
5. Learn to cook with a ‘Queer Eye’ star
Take a cooking class with “Queer Eye” star Antoni Porowski at the USA Today Wine and Food Festival in Prospect Park on Saturday. Taste delicious food and attend wine seminars and cooking demonstration with Porowski and other celebrities of the food world.
Saturday at 1 p.m. at Lakeside Prospect Park. From $50. More info here.
6. Find a food truck
A ramen burger from Smorgasburg. Eagle file photo by Scott EnmanMister Dips, the coveted food truck inside a renovated 1975 Airstream, will be parked at The William Vale’s promenade all day on Saturday. Get in line and enjoy burgers, fries and various dairy dips all while a block party takes place around you with live DJ sets and games. There will also be other local vendors like Du’s Donuts and Brooklyn Brewery.
Saturday at noon at The William Vale. Free. More info here.
7. Get hairy
The strangest and most extravagant beards and mustaches are taking over The People’s Playground this weekend. Watch as judges crown hairy participants with the “Brass Ring,” “Coney Island Curl” and Ballyhoo Beard” awards.
Saturday at 8 p.m. at 1208 Surf Ave. $25 More info here.
8. Be overwhelmed by choices
A porchetta sandwich from Smorgasburg.Dubbed “The Woodstock of Eating” by The New York Times, head down this weekend to Brooklyn’s iconic open-air food market, Smorgasburg, to indulge in ramen burgers, ice cream, oysters and everything in between.
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in East River State Park, and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Prospect Park. Free entry. More info here.
9. Do some late-summer BBQing
Some of the best barbecue chefs on the Eat Coast will be converging on the Red Hook waterfront this weekend for the 10th Annual Pig Island NYC festival. Expect delectable porcine plates like a whole rotisserie hog wrapped in bacon, smoked chorizo and pulled pork bacon cups.
Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Erie Basin Park. $75. More info here.
10. Pick some fresh produce
Find fresh tomatoes and other local produce at McGolrick Park’s “Down to Earth Farmers Market” this Sunday. There will be a variety of New York vendors, including Brooklyn Grange, Grown in Brooklyn and Haboabas Kitchen.
Sunday at 10 a.m. in McGolrick Park. Free. More info here.
Follow reporter Scott Enman on Twitter.
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