The Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus comes to Marine Park (Avenue U, west of Flatbush Avenue) July 16-20 with its new "Sailabrate" show, promising exotic animals, aerial daredevils and pirates - including the "Blackbeard Society’s Initiation Rites." Comment.

Everything about Fort Greene’s Restaurant Gia is wonderfully contradictory. Comment.

Politics not only makes strange bedfellows - it also makes for a lively, evening concert series. Comment.

This weekend will be something of a homecoming for Park Slope resident Kate Ross as she directs Boomerang Theatre Company’s production of "Henry IV, Part One" in Prospect Park’s Long Meadow on Saturday and Sunday. Comment.

A generation ago, air conditioning drew folks into movie theaters every summer. Nowadays, it’s cool to stay outside and see a film. Out-of-doors movies have gone beyond the suburban drive-in, and there are al fresco film programs all over Brooklyn this summer. Comment.

Donald Peele, Jennifer Kim and Metta Murdaya opened Patio Lounge June 12 on Park Slope’s increasingly hip Fifth Avenue, between Lincoln Place and Berkeley Place. Patio’s cool ambiance makes for a perfect retreat from the summer heat. Cushioned benches abound, refreshing lime green accents are everywhere, and a Japanese manga (cartoon strips) mural by Daniel Bellon made me feel like I had morphed into A-Ha’s "Take On Me" video. Comment.

"I’m a real Brooklyn girl," says Martha Redbone, who was born, raised and still lives in the borough. She’s also one of the rising stars on the pop, soul-funk retro horizon. Comments (1).

For many Brooklynites, the best parts of summer are Marty Markowitz’s two concert series. Comment.

Once again the sun is setting to live music along the Red Hook waterfront. Comment.