Let Morning Gloryville’s dance-party-cum-yoga practice be the best part of waking up one Wednesday, Aug. 13. Photo: Morning Gloryville
We’ve already given you 16 reasons for why August is shaping up to be the best month of the summer, but in case you’re still not convinced, here are seven more. Between a seaside film screening, a dive bar that offers two-for-one bowling all week, outdoor concerts, indie authors and a 6:30am rave that will have you sweating to some oldies, we’ve got your ideal week ahead.
Thursday, Aug. 7: Maybe it’s because The Big Lebowski is playing at SummerScreen this week, but all I want to do at the moment is go bowling. Everything from the two-toned clown shows to the high-glossed alleys and the polyester button-ups are calling my name. My favorite place to hit a few pins as of late is The Gutter in Williamsburg. I love a good dive bar, and when you tack a bowling alley onto it, that’s a win-win in my book. Better still, The Gutter runs a special happy hour deal during the week that offers two-for-one games or hours of play, starting at about 1pm. There’s really no better way to unwind after work than by hurling a 10-lb. bowling ball at a pyramid of pins, which may or may not be perfect stand-ins for frustrating fellow employees. Games start at $7, shoe rentals are $3 (cash only). –Jordan Galloway
Friday, Aug. 8: It’s August. You can dance if you want to, to one-hit wonders and songs that seem especially made for John Hughes soundtracks. At The Skint’s Cruel Summer 80s Dance Party at The Bell House, they’ve got two killer musical guests–The Engagements, an 80s cover band that can nail Michael Jackson and the Eurythmics, and Party Like its 1999 DJ Steve Reynolds, who has tunes in his collection that will make your florescent memories rush in. Tickets are $10.
Saturday, Aug. 9: There are plenty of barbecue options here in BK, but if you’re looking for some ‘cue of the Central Texas variety, we suggest heading to Hill Country Barbecue Market in downtown Brooklyn. In addition to being home to some of the best brisket we’ve had in New York, Hill Country is now hosting outdoor concerts adjacent to the eatery in Willoughby Plaza. With live music happening almost every night of the week, including a free concert tonight from The Mumbles, a New Orleans-based jazz-pop band that’s part of a new wave of Americana music, you’re guaranteed to leave fed and full of some fine, fine music. Here’s a full lineup of Hill Country’s upcoming outdoor concerts.
Sunday, Aug. 10: Ai Wei Wei’s According to What? exhibition closes at Brooklyn Museum today, and if you haven’t had a chance to see it yet, we highly recommend taking some time out of your weekend to do so. Not only was it one of our top-six exhibitions to see in the city this summer, but Wei Wei actually lived in Williamsburg for a time, which is why the Chinese contemporary artist and social activist chose to make this stop on his traveling show the most expansive one of all. In addition to the Jeff Koons’ retrospective at the Whitney, this is one of the best art exhibitions up in the city at the moment.
Monday, Aug. 11: The Franklin Park Reading Series is one of our favorite ongoing literary events, and not just because it offers free admission and $4 pints, at least not entirely. More than anything it’s the programming that keeps us coming back to this Crown Heights mainstay, and this month is no exception. Tonight, Franklin Park is celebrating the power of the small press as part of Indie Night, an evening devoted to authors and publishers from across the country who decided to go their own way. Stop by at 8pm to hear Paula Bomer (Inside Madeleine, Nine Months), Michael Kimball (Galaga, Big Ray), Jamie Iredell (I Was a Fat Drunk Catholic School Insomniac), Brian Allen Carr (The Last Horror Novel in the History of the World), and Andrew Duncan Worthington (Walls) discuss their works and be sure to enter your name in the book raffle for a chance to walk away with some titles in tow.
Tuesday, Aug. 12: Bypass the weekend crowds and take a trip to the Rockaways this Tuesday to enjoy some sand, surf—and cinema. The Rockaway Beach Surf Club has been hosting free film screenings every Tuesday night since July 22, and even though Brooklyn is awash with outdoor film screenings of its own, we encourage you to head to Queens to catch this one if you can. Recent films include ’80s classics like E.T. and Weekend at Bernie’s. This week’s film is yet to be announced, but promises to be something from Pixar. Screening starts at 8:30pm and you can find updates on the remaining films for the Sea Side Cinema series here.
Wednesday, Aug. 13: By now you may have heard about Morning Gloryville, a new pre-work party of sorts that blurs the lines between a workout and a night out by incorporating elements of both a dance party and a yoga practice to get your heart pumping before heading to the office. This month, the alcohol-free early morning event is taking place in Bushwick at the Green Fitness Studio from 6:30-10am. Part of a greater trend toward pop-up fitness parties, which you can read about here, Morning Gloryville, sounds like a good way to get out of a summer exercise slump. Tickets are $20 in advance and available here; otherwise they’re $25 at the door.
