Baby, it’s beautiful outside! You know what that means — kick off your winter boots, shed your down coat, leave your beenie at home and show yourself to the world, starting this weekend! And here’s your handy guide.
• Want a hot, fresh hamburger at the trendiest place in town? On Friday, go 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! Who cares if the Times panned it? We beg to differ!
• Head over to the Brooklyn Museum for the grand opening of its newest exhibition, “Playing House,” in which contemporary artists redecorated the Musem’s classic historical rooms. Gorgeous!
• Rock on over to the borough’s longest happy hour and throw back a few beers — it’s Friday, after all. Our own reporter, Daniel Bush, survived the challenge!
• Afterwards, take a trek up to Greenpoint and check out No. 7 Sub, our borough’s latest and greatest contribution to the sub sandwich craze.
• Then, on Friday night, stop by BAM for one of the very last performances of Rufus Wainwright’s brand new opera, “Prima Donna.” Everyone loves it, and its run is almost over, so don’t miss it!
• On Saturday, take a few hours and read a book — it’s good for you, after all. We recommend picking up a copy of Fort Greene author Baratunde Thurston’s “How to Be Black.” Want more info, check out our uncut interview with him here! Or why not pick up a copy of Michael Showalter’s “Mr. Funnypants,” or Mr. Showalter’s partner-in-crime Michael Ian Black’s “You’re Not Doing It Right,” the last of whom will be stopping by WORD bookstore in Greenpoint for an up-close and personal reading of his new tome on Feb. 29!
• On Saturday afternoon, stop by for the Bureau of Unknown Destinations office hours in Gowanus, between noon–5 pm at the Proteus Gowanus gallery.
• Then, you’re going to want to rock on over to Greenpoint’s Red Star Bar in the afternoon for the third annual chicken wing contest! The wings are free, the beer is cold — you pretty much can’t miss it.
• Then, on Saturday, head to Factory Fresh in Bushwick where graffiti legend Skewville is celebrating 40 years in the street art game with a massive retrospective show. Think paint-splashed walls and wooden sneakers. Afterwards, hop over to Chelsea gallery Luhring Augustine’s new outpost in Bushwick for “The Illusion of Democracy” show.
• For dinner, try Top Chef Dale Talde’s new eponymous eatery, Talde, in Park Slope; our own foodie-in-chief went nuts for the joint.
Wash it down with a beer — or five — at the Brooklyn Tap House, which boasts one of the largest beer selections in the city! Who wouldn’t wanna?
• Then, on Saturday evening, keep the buzz going with a specialty rum cocktail class at Sycamore Bar and Flowershop in Ditmas Park. We promise, rum’s not just for pirates and scallywags anymore, folks!
• On Saturday night, head to Williamsburg and check out “Follow the Leader” at Triskelion Gallery, an evening of short plays about cults. Hurry, Saturday’s closing night!
• Afterwards, on Saturday night, stop by the Bell House in Gowanus for Johnny Cash’s would-be 80th birthday party, hosted by Alex Battles and the Whisky Rebellion!
• Wake yourself up on Sunday with a trip to the Williamsburg’s hottest — and coolest — coffee shop Toby’s Estate, all the way from the land down under!
• Then, hop over to Midwood and feast on a knish — hand-made by Brooklyn legend Mohamed Salem of Adelman’s Kosher Delicatessen! Trust us — these knishes are delicious.
• Still hungry? Great! Head to Park Slope and check out Va Beh, a scrumptious Italian outpost that makes a dreamy crostini.
• Round out your delicious weekend with a trip to St. Ann’s Warehouse, where you can check out the Wooster Group’s rendition of some of Eugene O’Neill’s earliest plays.
• And as always, these and other great events are in our exclusive family calendar, our great nightlife calendar, and our matchless events calendar.
