“You’re Hungry Again?” Kids and Summer!

how many times have your kids just sensed you were nearby and said “mommy I’m hungry” during the seemingly endless summer vacation?  Thankfully, Brooklyn Public Library has that covered.  Well, at least some of it. Children and teenagers can get a free lunch meal Monday through Friday.  So that’s a start!

Other free stuff to do locally is happening at The Plaza, primarily on Mondays.  Located at 300 Ashland, on the first Monday of each month you can join a high intensity interval training workout.  The Chelsea Piers BK Burn  is a core-tightening workout utilizing strength exercises and cardio.  On the second Monday of each month, try out the Bollywood star dance.  BollyX is a great way to unleash the star in you! On the third Mondays there is a great way to sweat and have fun with the Beyoncé Dance Workshop. So if you want to get moving and in shape this summer, The Plaza is the place to do it.

For other fun stuff that don’t include strutting your stuff take your families to Albee Square for movie showings. And next Sunday go have fun at the BK Block Party.

You don’t have to spend a fortune in the summer.  You just have to plan well.

Local Culture

Each year on the last weekend of July, Governors Island is home to the New York City Poetry Festival.  For two days, 14,000 people enjoy the poetry of 250 poets.  Only July 27^th and 28^th, starting at 11am (and ending the first day at 7pm and the second at 5pm), this spectacular event is free and open to the public. 

Some of the big names this year include:

1.      Chen Chen (currently a Jacob Ziskind Poet-in-Residence at Brandeis University);

2.      Dorothea Lasky (currently an Assistant Professor of Poetry at Columbia University’s School of the Arts)

3.      Lynn Melnick (currently teaches poetry at Columbia University and the 92Y, and works with saferLIT)

Mark your calendars for September 6 – 8 for a cultural connection closer to home.  Launched by Marsha Massiah of The Idea Room Corp., this unprecedented festival seeks to “deliver a product that truly reflects the dynamic relationship between the borough of Brooklyn and its Caribbean inhabitants and the unique personality.”