Congratulations, Brooklyn: if you’re reading this right now, that means you’ve successfully survived Christmas! But the countdown’s not over — not even close. Gear up to bid farewell to 2011 in all its glory, and say hey to 2012 — whatever it may bring (let’s hope not fire and brimstone). Either way, we’ve got at least one more weekend ahead of us, so soak it up, drink it in, and be thankful that it’s finally, yes finally, your weekend!
• Start your Friday off right with a trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (it’s free on weekdays, you guys!) and check out an exclusive art show featuring delicate glass terrariums by artist Jae Hi Ahn and the garden’s curator, Jennifer Williams.
• Walk across to street to the Brooklyn Museum and check out the —highly controversial — show, “Hide/Seek,” that features a piece of art so racy it was banned from the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. It’s cool — Brooklyn can handle it. Our very own Butcher of Flatbush Ave. Extension loved it; we think you will, too.
• Want a hot, fresh hamburger at the trendiest place in town? Get on line at Downtown’s brand spankin’ new Shake Shack on the Fulton Mall. The “Fudge-eddaboutit” concrete comes highly recommended — after all, it’s chock full of Mast Brothers chocolate and smothered in specialty chocolate-cinnamon sauce!
• Then, head to Fort Greene and cool yourself off with a smooth cocktail at brand new drink spot, Dick and Jane’s.
• Squeeze the last bit of Christmas cheer out of 2011 and go see a puppet show rendition of “A Christmas Carol, Oy! Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa (Happy Ramadan),” at the ClockWorks Puppet Theater. Ok ok, we admit that our very own in-house puppetry and mime critic, Thurston Dooley III didn’t love the show, but c’mon, you’re from Brooklyn! Make up your own mind!
• Sleep nice and late on Saturday, because lord knows it’s going to be a wild night — and you’ll be out soaking up the last bits of revelry out of 2011 and gearing up for the midnight, when the year marches boldly on to 2012. Spend the afternoon doing something calm and comforting — like seeing a nice quilt exhibit at the Audubon Center at Prospect Park!
• Spend your lazy Saturday afternoon at “Snow White” — no, it’s not the sleepy fairy tale you’re used to. We’re talking about the Bond Street Theatre’s rendition of the classic, which features acrobatics,
• Start the festivities with a frosty brew at one of Brooklyn’s shiny new beer bars — the One Stop Beer Shop in Greenpoint, or the Brooklyn Tap House in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Either way, we’re pretty sure you can’t go wrong.
• So, don’t yet have crazy plans for that New Year’s Eve you’ll never forget? No problem! Check out our handy guide to some of the wildest New Year’s Eve parties this side of the West River — including a NYE bash hosted by comedy legend Murray Hill.
• On Sunday morning, pop a couple of Advil, peek out the window at the first sitings of 2012, roll yourself out of bed, shake off that mean champagne-induced hangover and make your way to Bushwick, where two galleries are serving up heaping helpings of brunch and brand spankin’ new art by neighborhood artists. What better way to start your year?
• And as always, these and other great events are in our exclusive family calendar, our great nightlife calendar, and our matchless events calendar.
Have a happy and healthy new year!
