Black History in Brooklyn & Harlem
February is Black History Month, and there is so much African American history to learn from in Brooklyn and throughout the five boroughs. Here are a few options for cultural events and exhibitions:
“Black in Brooklyn”: On February 23rd, you can take a trolley tour through Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, where notables like Susan Smith McKinney Steward, the first female black doctor in New York State and Brooklyn-born artist Jean-Michel Basquiat have been laid to rest.
The Arts and Dr. King in Harlem: Explore Harlem and enjoy the 10th annual exhibition and sale that celebrates African-American art in all its forms. The opening reception includes a champagne toast and live jazz, and the event runs from February 14-17th. While in Harlem, check out the "Crusader: Martin Luther King Jr." exhibition at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Support Black Female Comedians: At the Knitting Factory right here in Williamsburg on Metropolitan Ave., you can crack up with three supremely funny ladies at 9 pm every Sunday of the month. Don’t miss a free stand-up show from Marie Faustin, Sydnee Washington, and Aminah Imani.
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The Infamous No-Pants Subway Ride
Picture this: it’s the middle of winter, and you’re riding the subway in New York City. You’re wearing your hat, scarf, jacket, and gloves, but you’re not wearing any pants. You look around, and neither is anyone else.
This is not your recurring childhood dream. This vision will become a reality on January 13th, 2019 with the 18th annual No-Pants Subway Ride, staged each year by Improv Everywhere. So before you submerge into the city’s underworld that day, know what you’re in for.
Free spirits, wackos, and children-at-heart are called to action for this liberating yet generally family-friendly event. What started as a prank has evolved into an annual celebration of silliness, with all sorts of alternatives to conventional underwear, but a definite lack of lower-body garb. You’ll note that many New Yorkers remain stoic in face of pantsless-ness. The more trains you ride, the more you’ll witness a diversity of reactions to this communal act of clothing defiance.
Whether you’re a participant, a voyeur, or an innocent bystander, this is one of those unique modern traditions that could only have originated in New York City.
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Stockings Stuffed by Brooklyn
Vintage, minimalist, recycled, handcrafted, locally-made. It all rings a bell: Brooklyn. If you seek to eschew large chain stores and major brands in support of local makers and artisans, you’re in the right place.
Whether you want your holiday gifts to be sourced locally, ethically, sustainably, authentically, fashionably, whatever it may be… we’re sure you can find it in Brooklyn. Here are a few suggestions for garnering unique holiday gifts in our favorite borough:
1. Winter Market at Industry City
What: Brooklyn Flea sets up a winter home at an indoor space that features handmade items and vintage clothing, mouthwatering offerings from Smorgasburg.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-6pm
Where: Industry City at 241 37th Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
2. The BUST Craftacular, Holiday Edition
What: For the crafty folks, this fair includes workshops and items for sale from over two hundred juried vendors creating unique handmade or small run products.
When: December 8th & 9th
Where: Brooklyn Expo Center at 72 Noble Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
3. FAD Holiday Makers Market
What: A rotating selection of products by designers and makers of Brooklyn, including clothing, home goods, jewelry, candles, children’s items, and more.
When: December 8-9th and 15-16th, 11am-7pm
Where: City Point at 445 Albee Square W in Downtown Brooklyn.
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Best of Brooklyn Walking Tours
This walking tour leads you through Brooklyn's hippest neighborhood of Williamsburg. Discover cutting-edge culture, fascinating history, and creative street art.
Check out their website for more info on guided tours and workshops and visit our events calendar for upcoming "Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour in Williamsburg", offered complimentary to guests staying at the hotel.
Experience Brooklyn's sights and culture on a relaxed neighborhood stroll. Over the course of 2 hours, you will be immersed in a laid-back district of boutique shops, restaurants, and restored lofts. You will walk the streets and take in a scene that's setting global trends. You will encounter innovative small-businesses, creative architecture, and vibrant street artwork. Expect to be presented with a one-of-a-kind view of New York City's waterfront and skyline. Also, visit a local artisanal chocolate factory.
As you witness the phenomenon of Brooklyn, your guide will reveal its fascinating history. Learn about Brooklyn's legacy as a capital of immigration, manufacturing and beer brewing. Listen closely for insider info about today's current events. Discover the story of its recent gentrification, and how its culture, identity, and future are being shaped.
By the end of this walk, you will have experienced the pulse of one of the most newly sought-after places in the world, and gained insight into its booming popularity. But most importantly - you will have discovered why Brooklyn is so much FUN!
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Little Cloud
One may shy away from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—after all, 3.5 million people fill the streets of NYC, and the crowds can be difficult to navigate. However, there is no denying that Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without those lovable floats gently looming over Gotham.
This year, artist collective FriendsWithYou is adding their optimistic touch with the addition of Little Cloud—a 30-foot-wide balloon of a smiling cloud. Part of the Blue Sky Gallery series, cofounders Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III are joining an all-star list of bluechip artists such as Jeff Koons, KAWS, Takashi Murakami, and Keith Haring that have designed floats in the past. Enjoy this little piece of sunshine or shade while watching the parade from the historic streets of Manhattan or from the comforts of your luxe room at The Williamsburg Hotel. You can be one of 50 million viewers around the world that will experience the little float's big debut.
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Shopping, Creatives, Makers, and More!
Nothing beats shopping local and unique finds in Brooklyn. Up Market Williamsburg is returning October 13th-14th, from 12:00-6:00 pm for its second edition this year. Spend the weekend stocking up on goodies from a tightly curated selection of independent makers and designers.
Appear Here, the leading online marketplace for short-term spaces in New York, LA, Paris, and London, is bringing the crown jewels to Williamsburg. Vendors will be selling everything from succulents to handmade candles to fresh pressed juices and more. Williamsburg has a rich history of artisan makers known for making small-batch, single origin, unique items that receive global recognition. There is a reason dreamers from around the world flock to our charming streets to show off their wares. Return to the Williamsburg Hotel for High Tea service at Harvey to continue your artisan journey with house-made breads and a menu of locally sourced ingredients.
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A Perfect Day in Brooklyn
Brooklyn has its own unique vibe worth exploring. Let us walk you through a perfect day. Wake up in your luxe bed at The Williamsburg Hotel and pop downstairs for a picture-perfect farm-to-table breakfast at newly opened, Our Restaurant.
The in-house artisan breads are crafted in collaboration with Brooklyn Bread Lab and are scrumptious. Next, take a leisurely stroll to the East River State Park. The views of Manhattan are epic as you ride the ferry down to Dumbo for a day of exploring along the waterfront. Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre area filled with plenty of green space to take a break and admire the skyline. Snap Instagram-worthy shots with Jane’s Carousel in the background before grabbing an ice cream and heading back to Williamsburg. Cruise down Bedford Avenue for eclectic shopping and people watching, before returning to our hotel for rooftop cocktails and a dip in our open-air pool. The ideal vacation is a mix of adventures and relaxation, and we know just the balance you need.
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Taste Williamsburg GreenPoint
Do you enjoy craft food, spirits, and sweets? Lucky you. One of the most mouthwatering events is coming to the East River State Park on September 16th. Taste the best of Williamsburg's and Greenpoint’s most innovative and savory restaurants, bars, wineries, and more.
For five glorious hours, enjoy limitless “tastes” from over 40 restaurants, while supplies last. Arrive early to ensure a wide variety of samples. Nibble on Amami Sushi while enjoying freshly tapped brews from Brooklyn Brewery. Try small-batch wines from Brooklyn Winery that rival even the most exceptional wineries. Dive into handcrafted ice cream sandwiches from Coolhaus to beat the summertime heat or cool off with one of Zona Rosa Brooklyn’s famous premium ingredient Margaritas. We can’t think of a better way to kick-off fall than by eating scrumptious bites with Manhattan’s skyline in the background. Proceeds benefit The Firehouse North Brooklyn Community Center.
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MoMA Design Store
Pop into the MoMA Design store to stock up on unique gifts. Gift hunting in other cities ignites the thrill of the hunt. However, MoMA makes it harder and easier at the same time. The vast assortment of cool buys such as Cindy Sherman Oops Pool Float or MoMA exclusive edition IZIPIZI sunglasses, guarantee you will leave with something unusual.
However, choosing which items may be difficult. Minimalists may be attracted to the vast array of products that are stark white, while color enthusiast may gravitate to the color-coordinated displays. MoMA has a rigorous vetting process that utilizes an entire curatorial team to approve only the best and most exciting products in their store. Indulge in guilt-free shopping because each purchase supports MoMA’s education programs.
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Movies Under the Stars
Watch Jawbreakers, When Harry Met Sally, and more at Williamsburg’s SummersScreen this year. Summer is the season where we take everything we like to do inside and move it outside, because, we can. Northside Media just announced it’s lineup of tightly curated cult-classic films for their 13th season of SummerScreen.
From mid-July until the end of August, flicks will be projected for free on Wednesday evenings in McCarren Park. Located just steps from The Williamsburg Hotel, it’s a trendy way to hang with the locals, try a variety of restaurants from food kiosks, and have fresh brews from Brooklyn Brewery. This year you can enjoy Hackers, Love & Basketball, and a surprise musical on August 22nd. The bands haven't been announced yet, so stay tuned. Past years have included performances from Ghost of Saber Tooth Tiger (Sean Lennon), Ducktails, and Soft Circle to name a few. Pack blankets, chairs, and artisanal snacks for an authentic Brooklyn experience.
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A Brief History of Jazz in New York City
New York City may have joined the jazz party late, following Chicago and New Orleans, but it quickly became one of the leading contenders, with jazz styles like the “Harlem Stride” drawing piano lovers from near and far.
Thomas “Fats” Waller, was a New York native, and the most famous of the striders. However, Duke Ellington made Harlem his home after moving from Washington D.C. in the early 1920’s, a time coined “The Jazz Age” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. To say NYC was swinging would have been an understatement, as musicians like Count Basie and Charles Parker made Gotham their new home. Skip to modern day, where residents and visitors still revel in the musical freedom and irregularity of jazz music. The Williamsburg Hotel celebrates the rich tradition with Piano Playing All Night Monday to Wednesdays and Jazz Night on Thursdays. Cozy up with a prohibition-style libation and let the trumpet solos and rambunctious piano playing transport you back in time.
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David Bowie Is Arrives at the Brooklyn Museum
Activate your inner Bowie-fan and spend a day obsessing over the glam rock icon. The retrospective is good, really good, featuring over 400 objects from his life and career, 100 of them reserved exclusively for the exhibition.
Seriously, wandering the corridors experiencing compilations of music videos, TV clips, films, audio recordings, sketches, paintings, 85 handwritten lyric sheets, and 60 custom-made costumes, will be the highlight of your trip. The show is comprehensive without being overly-done and communicates a clear vision of his brilliant life, career, and creative process. Bowie revolutionized how we experience music, which the exhibition seamlessly recreates for visitors. It’s fitting that the show will end its tour in NYC, because the British-born singer lived here for a large part of his life, and spent his last rock n’roll days in the Big Apple. We highly suggest reserving your tickets in advance, trust us, it’s an incredible show on view until July 15th. Please click here for tickets and don't miss out!
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David Lynch’s Festival of Disruption
Calling all music, art, and movie lovers--David Lynch is bringing his Los Angeles Festival of Disruption for the first time to Brooklyn. With a tightly curated selection of artist, head to Brooklyn Steel for two days of music, exhibitions, screenings, and meditation.
Featuring musicians Angel Olsen, Animal Collective, Au Revoir Simone, Flying Lotus (DJ set), Jim James (solo), Jon Hopkins, and Rebekah Del Rio. It’s a dynamite line-up of introspective and innovative musicians that embody culture-forward thinking and avant-garde dissemination. Lynch will be onsite site and orchestrating the talks and screenings, featuring “David Lynch and Rare Short Films,” including “Blue Velvet” with Isabella Rosellini, and Gregory Crewdson’s “There But Not There.” The exhibits include work from William Eggleston, David Lynch, Sandro Miller, and David O'Reilly. However, to truly elevate your experience follow Bob Roth for Transcendental Meditations or Brian Eno’s REFLECTION for ambient piece of mind. Net proceeds of the event benefit the David Lynch Foundation, an organization dedicated to the accessibility of Transcendental Meditations for every child in America.
Brooklyn Steele is located at 319 Frost St. Brooklyn, Ny 11222, for tickets please visit the Festival of Disruption website.
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Unexpected Valentine’s Day Ideas
Some travel the traditional route for Valentine’s Day, while others aim higher. Make Cupid’s holiday memorable and unique with these chill suggestions.
Valentine’s Day Love Series at Nitehawk cinema
Instead of a boring dinner, opt for a dine-in movie with cinema-inspired craft cocktails and local brews. Select from flicks focusing on themes of lust, infatuation, and other things that drive us crazy. True Romance and Casablanca are a just a couple of love-themed movies on the menu. For a full line-up. click here.
Take a Tour of Mast Brothers
Not to be cliché, but chocolates and Valentine’s Day go hand-in-hand. However, there is nothing common about these chocolatiers. Take a tour and treat yourselves to one of the finest and most sustainable chocolates bars you’ve ever had. The wrapping alone is a work of art, printed on thick card stock with designs so appealing you’ll want to collect them all.
Romance is in the air and Brooklyn makes it easy with our charming neighborhood, hip shops, and unique eateries. But if you feel like trying something off-the-beaten path, follow our lead and make reservations in advance.
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New Year’s Resolutions to Kick Off 2018
Start the year off right by challenging your 2018-self to be more adventurous than ever. Every person passing through Williamsburg should add these new year’s resolutions to their list:
Expand Your Culinary Palette
Brooklyn is regarded as a foodie’s paradise--begin the day with hangover-ready deliciousness at Harvey, our onsite restaurant. But if you really want to keep fresh, check out our seasonally rotating pop-up eatery overlooking Wythe Avenue.
Try Experimental Cocktails
Head to the roof for craft cocktails with a view. The Watertower Bar is the perfect scene to take in the steadfast views of Willyb while being adventurous and upping your cocktail game.
Go to More Live Shows
Some of the greatest bands started in BK, and the pulsating culture continues to draw musicians from around the world. Spend an evening at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn Steel, Pete’s Candy Store, Baby’s All Right, Union Pool, or any of the other live music venues on our neighborhood list. Break a sweat or just lay back and enjoy the artistic genius. Music is the heartbeat Williamsburg, take advantage.
Don’t wait another minute, grab your warmest coat and head outside--2018 is full of cultural possibilities and excitement.
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