Culture and Arts Events

Lunchapalooza Kids! Storytelling

Kids can enjoy stories told by professional performers. Flor Bromley tells, “In a Land of Frogs and Princesses” Join us in traveling to faraway places to discover things are not what you expect. Frogs may indeed be princesses and princesses may be frogs!

Lunchapalooza! Bushwick Book Club

Eat your lunch to literature-inspired music! Local songwriters plumb the depths and scrape the ends of a chosen literary gem to create that rare and beautiful thing--a new song. Literary inspiration ranges from Charles Darwin to Dr. Seuss to Raymond Carver. Members of The Hip Hop Book Club and special guests from ArtStart will perform hip hop pieces inspired by children’s stories and Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

Lunchapalooza Kids! Storytelling

Kids can enjoy stories told by professional performers. Liz Parker tells “The Monster in the Mountain”: Help the monster overcome his fear in this tale of courage.

Lunchapalooza! Buyu Ambroise Quintet

Ambroise combines traditional Afro-Haitian beats with the smooth improvisational grooves of enticing bass lines, melodic brass solos and piano explorations in the styles of American jazz greats such as John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter.

Great Books Discussion Series: Latin American Literature

Noted translator Alfred MacAdam leads a five-part series on works by Jorge Luis Borges, Carlos Fuentes and Gabriel García Márquez. This first session is a general introduction to Latin American literature, with particular attention to Borges, the Argentine short-story writer, essayist, poet and translator.

This series is made possible through Brooklyn Public Library’s Fund for the Humanities, established through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional funding was provided by The Hearst Foundation, Inc.; the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation; The Starr Foundation; the Leon and Muriel Gilbert Charitable Trust; the Henry and Lucy Moses Fund, Inc., and a gift in memory of Samuel and Pauline Wine.

Russian Literary Series: Trio of Award Winning Authors

A panel of three writers, all of whom received major Russian literary awards: Andrei Gelasimov, the winner of 2009 National Bestseller for his novel "The Gods of the Steppe"; poet Maxim Amelin, the winner of 2013 Alexander Solzhenitsyn Award, and novelist and literary historian Alexei Varlamov, the winner of the 2009 Big Book Award for his fictionalized biography of the writer Alexei Tolstoi. New York-based writer and journalist Vadim Yarmolinets will moderate the discussion. To register, please visit www.brownpapertickets.com and enter the keyword Brooklyn Public Library. Limit 3 tickets per person.

This series is made possible in part with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Lunchapalooza Kids! Storytelling

Kids can enjoy stories told by professional performers. Liz Parker tells “New York's Magic Subway Car”: What is in this magic subway? You decide! This interactive journey involves play, make believe, and lots of fantastical creations.

Lunchapalooza! Susan Pereira & Sabor Brasil

Sabor Brasil is acclaimed for blending traditional Brazilian genres with a contemporary jazz sound. From hot samba to cool bossa nova, elegant chorinho and the exotic rhythms of Bahia, along with modern Brazilian jazz, Sabor Brasil captivates audiences with its unique and electrifying performances

Plaza Swing Series: Matt Munisteri and His Syncopated Detonators

Munisteri leads his band through the swinging music of the 1920s-1940s. Munisteri is a virtuosic guitarist whose new album contains the lost music of Willard Robinson. Dance lessons are at 6:30, band starts at 7 pm. Rain date is June 6

This series is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Russian Literary Series: Gennady Katsov

New York-based poet and journalist Gennady Katsov presents his new project "Slovosfera", which includes 180 poetic meditations inspired by the masterpieces of world art. The multimedia presentation will include a slide show, poetry reading and musical tribute by the renowned piano player and composer, Vadim Neselovsky. To register, please visit www.brownpapertickets.com and enter the keyword Brooklyn Public Library. Limit 3 tickets per person.

This series is made possible in part with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Lunchapalooza Kids! Storytelling

Kids can enjoy stories told by professional performers. Flor Bromley tells, “Trickster Tales”: This collection of stories involves sneaky characters who use wit and humor to trick their often bigger and scarier opponents.

Lunchapalooza! Ariadna Castellanos

Spanish pianist and composer, Castellanos , is one of the emerging talents on the Flamenco and Jazz scene. Her recent album "Flamenco en Black and White" was produced by Grammy winner Javier Limón.

Great Books Discussion Series: Latin American Literature: Borges

This session discusses Borges’s book, Labyrinths, an English language collection of short stories and essays.

This series is made possible through Brooklyn Public Library’s Fund for the Humanities, established through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional funding was provided by The Hearst Foundation, Inc.; the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation; The Starr Foundation; the Leon and Muriel Gilbert Charitable Trust; the Henry and Lucy Moses Fund, Inc., and a gift in memory of Samuel and Pauline Wine.

Plaza Swing Series: Nu d’Lux

Incorporating Afro-Cuban and Afro-Puerto Rican vocal stylings, the Cuban tres guitar, violin, trombone, trumpet and a modern-groove rhythm section of New York's finest percussionists, Nu d’Lux travels from the sweetest Son to amped up and funky modern Cuban numbers with astounding ease. Dance lessons are at 6:30, band starts at 7 pm.Rain date is June 13

This series is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Haitian Vodou in New York City

Ayiti Fasafas, the Haitian Community Cultural Initiative, and the Center for Traditional Dance and Music present Vodou artists and practitioners, who will demonstrate a variety of the Vodou art forms practiced locally. They will also honor New York City mambos.

Lunchapalooza Kids! Storytelling

Kids can enjoy stories told by professional performers. Liz Parker tells, “Ocean Motion”: This underwater adventure will dive deep into the sea to explore the world below. No scuba gear necessary.

Lunchapalooza! Nepo Soteri

Soteri is a guitarist and vocalist who infuses music of his native Rwanda with American jazz, R & B, and African-Caribbean beats. He is African citizen-of-the-world, both in terms of his life journey and musical vocabulary.

Plaza Swing Series: Paul Shapiro’s Ribs and Brisket Revue

Shapiro adds a little Yiddish flavoring to a distinctly American music that thrived in the 1930s and 40s: hard-swinging jump blues. Vocal powerhouse Cilla Owens lends her talents to this eclectic mash up of Jewish novelty songs and jazz. Dance lessons are at 6:30, band starts at 7 pm. Rain date is June 20

This series is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Conversations with People Who Create in Brooklyn - Fantastic Food

Photographer Randy Duchaine will chat with individuals featured in his photographic exhibition, "Created in Brooklyn". Learn about their businesses; the challenges they’ve faced and the success they’ve found.

Charlie Sahadi, Sahadi’s © Randy Duchaine www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/infocommons

Make Music New York: Underground Horns

Underground Horns is a Brooklyn based 6-piece brass band playing Afro Funk Bhangra New Orleans grooves and beyond. Make Music New York is a live, free musical celebration across the city that takes place each June 21, the longest day of the year. On that day, hundreds of public spaces throughout the five boroughs become impromptu stages for over 1,000 free concerts.

Lunchapalooza Kids! Storytelling

Kids can enjoy stories told by professional performers. Flor Bromley tells “Cuentos de mi abuela”: Bilingual stories from my grandma to you! A collection of Flor's favorite stories from Peru and South America.

Lunchapalooza! Isle of Klezbos

ISLE of KLEZBOS approaches tradition with irreverence and respect. This soulful, fun-loving powerhouse all-women’s klezmer sextet has toured from Vienna to Vancouver since 1998. Band repertoire ranges from rambunctious to entrancing: neo-traditional folk dance, mystical melodies, Yiddish swing and retro tango, and genre-defying originals.

Great Books Discussion Series: Latin American Literature: Fuentes

We’ll discuss Carlos Fuentes’s novel The Death of Artemio Cruz, which is considered to be a milestone in the Latin American literary movement.

This series is made possible through Brooklyn Public Library’s Fund for the Humanities, established through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional funding was provided by The Hearst Foundation, Inc.; the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation; The Starr Foundation; the Leon and Muriel Gilbert Charitable Trust; the Henry and Lucy Moses Fund, Inc., and a gift in memory of Samuel and Pauline Wine.

Plaza Swing Series: Swingtime Big Band

This 20-piece band plays authentic recreations of the timeless swing music of such great Big Band leaders as Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington among many others. Dance lessons are at 6:30, band starts at 7 pm. In case of rain, event will be held in the ballroom of Union Temple at 17 Eastern Pkwy.

This series is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Conversations with People Who Create in Brooklyn - Design Craft

Photographer Randy Duchaine will chat with individuals featured in his photographic exhibition, "Created in Brooklyn". Learn how their dedication to their craft, shaped their careers and led them to extraordinary accomplishments

Avi Abel, Watermark Designs © Randy Duchaine www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/infocommons

Great Books Discussion Series: Latin American Literature: García Márquez

After finishing the Fuentes discussion, we will begin discussion of Gabriel García Márquez’s novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude, which tells the multi-generational story of the Buendía family.

This series is made possible through Brooklyn Public Library’s Fund for the Humanities, established through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional funding was provided by The Hearst Foundation, Inc.; the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation; The Starr Foundation; the Leon and Muriel Gilbert Charitable Trust; the Henry and Lucy Moses Fund, Inc., and a gift in memory of Samuel and Pauline Wine.

Plaza Swing Series: Mona’s Hot Four

Clarinetist Dennis Lichtman leads the quartet through trad-jazz gems such as, “My Blue Heaven”, “Tiger Rag”, “Avalon” and many more. Vocalist Tamar Korn sits in for the show. Dance lessons are at 6:30, band starts at 7 pm. Rain date is July 11

This series is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Conversations with People Who Create in Brooklyn – Urban Adventures

Photographer Randy Duchaine will chat with individuals featured in his photographic exhibition, "Created in Brooklyn". Join us to hear about how and why they pursued these extraordinary activities in the urban environment.

Lance Pinn, Brooklyn Boulders © Randy Duchaine www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/infocommons

Plaza Swing Series: Paulo Stagnaro Quartet

Berkelee College of Music presents this rising percussionist and composer, who has shared the stage with with Marcus Miller, Danilo Perez, Paquito D'Rivera, and Gloria Estefan, among many others. He’ll lead his band through the Salsa, Timba, Bolero, and Cha Cha Cha. Dance lessons are at 6:30, band starts at 7 pm. Rain date is July 18.

This series is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Conversations with People Who Create in Brooklyn – Art & Music

Photographer Randy Duchaine will chat with individuals featured in his photographic exhibition, "Created in Brooklyn". Meet Brooklynites whose vision has advanced our access and enjoyment to music, art, theater and more.

www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/infocommons