Shopping: Traffic will be blocked all weekend in Park Slope, and this time it won’t be thanks to a doublewide stroller barreling down Fifth Avenue. Comment.

What’s in store

By Adam Rathe

The Brooklyn Paper / Sebastian Kahnert

Red Hook: Red Hook might not be the textbook definition of “the great outdoors,” but on Monday, June 16, expect to see people descending upon the neighborhood with camping gear to wait out the opening of the new IKEA. Comments (2).

Where to GO: Editors’ Picks

Fun to be 1

Saturday, June 14: There are a lot of babies in Brooklyn, but the cutest by far is Akituusaq, the New York Aquarium’s itty-bitty walrus. And today, he’s celebrating his first birthday with a big party featuring live music, arts and crafts, storytelling and animal feedings.

Noon to 4 pm. New York Aquarium (Surf Avenue and West Eighth Street in Coney Island). $12, $9 kids. For information, call (718) 265-FISH or visit www.nyaquarium.com.

Dear old dad

Sunday, June 15: It’s Father’s Day, and therefore time to do something special for pop. Maybe you’ve made plans to take him out to dinner or to a ballgame, but if you’re still stuck for a gift — and he’s wise to the fact that he isn’t the only one with a “#1 Dad” mug — check out page 9 for some great, last-minute gift ideas.

Batter up

Tuesday, June 17: The borough’s pride and joy, the Brooklyn Cyclones, return to Keyspan Park today in their first game of the season, against the much-reviled Staten Island Yankees. Prior to the SI Yanks getting clobbered, Grammy-winning rocker (for the half-pint set) Dan Zanes will sing the national anthem.

7 pm. Keyspan Park (1904 Surf Ave. at West 19th Street in Coney Island). $7-$14. For information, call (718) 449-8497 or visit www.brooklyncyclones.com.

What’s in store?

Wednesday, June 18: The wait is finally over! Today, IKEA opens in Red Hook, and Brooklynites will no longer be forced to travel to the far-flung hamlets of Long Island or New Jersey to pick up do-it-yourself furniture or bags of surprisingly tasty, frozen Swedish meatballs.

9 am. IKEA (1 Beard St. at Otsego Street in Red Hook). For information, call (718) 246-4532 or visit www.ikea.com.

That ‘Ting’

Friday, June 20: British electro-pop duo The Ting Tings have been racking up good press across the pond thanks to their feisty eponymous debut album, and tonight, they’re hitting Southpaw. If our hunch is right, the next time they play here, it will be at a stadium, so catch ’em now.

9 pm. Southpaw (125 Fifth Ave. at Sterling Place in Park Slope). $12 in advance, $14 at the door. For information, call (718) 230-0236 or visit www.spsounds.com.

View the full nightlife and events calendars.

Site specific

By Kate Ray

Dance: The Artichoke Dance Company is letting you direct its latest show, with its innovative, interactive production, “U R Here,” which allows you to choose the time, location and music of each performance. Comment.

Cast party

By Adam Rathe

Theater: The Theater for a New Audience won’t move to its Frank Gehry–designed Fort Greene headquarters for quite a while, but that won’t stop the group from throwing a party in the neighborhood on Wednesday. Comment.

Dance from down under

By Kate Ray

Dance: Want to experience our world’s many cultures without leaving the borough? Get ready for Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts’ 2008-2009 lineup! Comment.

Big country

By Kate Ray

Music: The big city is about to get a taste of the country. BrooklynCountry.com, the Web site and digital headquarters for country music artists and fans from Kings County, is celebrating its relaunching with a party at Natural Selection on June 15. Comment.

Block party

By Lisa J. Curtis

Art: This weekend is the last opportunity for visitors to see the Brooklyn Museum’s breathtaking exhibition of Japanese woodblock prints from the Utagawa school. The works are the thrilling predecessors of graphic novels and celebrity posters alike. Comment.

Tasty restaurant gossip

By Adam Rathe and Kate Ray

Breaking Chews: We’re dishing up Brooklyn’s latest food news! Comment.

Holy ‘Hill’

By Adam Rathe

Dance: When the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center kicks off its 12th annual “Souls of Our Feet People of Color Dance Festival” on Monday at Long Island University’s Kumble Theater, it’s going to be more like a family reunion than your average dance recital. Comment.