Who needs roses, dimly lit restaurants, and a tab so hefty that your credit card might get rejected?
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, the Open Space Alliance volunteer group is presenting “Beer My Valentine,” an informal celebration at Radegast Hall & Beirgarten (113 N. 3rd St.). on Feb. 12, with tickets $30.
Rather than sitting inches across from your significant other, face-to-face with the imperfections of both his/her face and your relationship, why not spread out at a long communal picnic table?
And throw etiquette and smoothness out the window: the atmosphere will be relaxed, from the large selection of German, Belgian, and Czech beers, to the live Balkan gypsy band in the background. All inhibitions will be lost, freeing people to scarf copious quantities of Kielbasa, Bratwurst and even vegetarian options.
“It’s a pretty authentic atmosphere,” said Julia Morrow, the OSA’s Volunteer Coordinator, said of Radegast.
“There are millions of different beers to choose from — you can come and just try a bunch of beers you’ve never had before.”
Morrow said there are many tickets remaining. She encouraged the whole community to purchase them and attend, though nobody under 21 is permitted.
And the best part? It’s all for a good cause. Proceeds from the event will go toward the re-sodding of McCarren Park, aka “McBarren” or simply “The Dustbowl.”
This April, the OSA hopes to re-sod the area behind the Field House closer to Lorimer Street between Bedford and Driggs Avenues, according to Stephanie Thayer, OSA’s Executive Director.
During the next two years, OSA hopes to re-sod each softball field on the other side of the field house.
These softball fields were re-sodded a few years ago, but since then have accumulated a lot of wear-and-tear. Soccer, kickball, volleyball, and football all compete for space and time on the fields, affording the very little recuperation time.
Thayer said she looks forward to the new athletic field at the future Bushwick Inlet Park to absorb some of the athletic activities at McCarren.
Thayer did not give an estimate of how much the re-sodding would cost, but said the softball fields cost $2 million a few years ago.
She noted that the re-sodded fields have a four-month “post-surgery recovery period.”
“This really requires cooperation from the community, and requires that the community is respectful of the need for the grass to take root,” she added.
In addition to pick-up sports, the area behind the Field House hosts the annual Make Music NY festival and the weekly SummerStarz events in the summer, which will both have to relocate this summer.
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“Beer My Valentine” will take place Thursday, February 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m, at Radegast Hall & Beirgarten (113 N. 3rd St.). Tickets cost $30.
The price covers four beers along with a meal with two sides. Tips for the traditionally dressed beer wenches are not included with the cover charge.
Tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/54369.
They can also be purchased by request by emailing beermyvalentine@gmail.com.
