Although I’d probably rather be trapped in an elevator with Donald Trump and an endless loop of Family Matters reruns than be forced to attend the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony, as a coworker of mine was obligated to do last night to appease out-of-towners, it’s the crowds and midtown that are the deterrent, not the concept of a tree lighting in general. In fact, the 8th Annual Tree Lighting party at Greenwood Park happening this Saturday at 2pm sounds like a lovely affair, and the perfect activity to complement a live-action performance of the classic Charlie Brown Christmas special at Shapeshifter Labs in Gowanus. The holiday tradition is opening its 12th season in Brooklyn on Saturday—there are 12 shows spread over this weekend and next, and tickets are just $15. Finally, it’s the first Saturday of the month, which means that Brooklyn Museum will be putting on an evening of cocktails and unique programming and entertainment as part of its beloved First Saturdays series. The theme this time around is “Best of the Borough,” and featured events include a musical performance by Gemma, a hands-on textile arts workshop, a reading by Brooklyn’s Poet Laureate, and a Night Market. The party runs from 5-11pm and, as always, is free to attend.
