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Brooklyn Bound: 6 Reasons to Go Over the River This Summer

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By Troy Segal

Brooklyn was one of the biggest, most sophisticated metropolises in the U.S. before it became part of New York City on Jan. 1, 1898 — a date that lives in infamy, some old-timers say. Ah, but the borough has had the last laugh; it’s been flourishing for the last few years. Here are some special festivals, events, and screenings coming up in BK.

brooklyn-bridge-park

On Monday nights, against a Manhattan skyline backdrop, authors read aloud from their tomes, answer questions, and sign books at Books Beneath the Bridge, a series (through August 11) sponsored by local bookstores in Brooklyn Bridge Park (pictured above). July 21’s reading features two of the hottest on this summer’s literary scene: Joanna Rakoff (My Salinger Year) and Emma Straub (The Vacationers).

Photo: bricartsmedia.org

Photo: bricartsmedia.org

A global array of hot musical and dance acts takes to the stage at the Prospect Park Bandshell, part of Celebrate Brooklyn!, running through August 9. On July 31, the spotlight is on the newly reborn Dance Theatre of Harlem and cellist Leyla McCalla.

The fountain in Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Osborne Garden. Photo by Sarah Tew. Courtesy of Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

The fountain in Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Osborne Garden. Photo by Sarah Tew. Courtesy of Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Learn about bats, moths, and other fly-by-nights at a Nocturnal Critter Crawl around the verdant premises of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, July 31 (for adults) and August 7 (families).

Brooklyn Museum photograph by Cat Guzman

Brooklyn Museum photograph by Cat Guzman

The Brooklyn Museum hosts an afternoon- and evening-long celebration of Caribbean culture — think concerts, craft and dance classes, films, and a fashion show — on August 2.

As the name implies, the Rooftop Films: Underground Movies Outdoors series offers an elevated perspective (literally) on the cinema. The August 4 screening, The One I Love, stars Elisabeth Moss of Mad Men fame; it includes a Q&A with her after the film, at Industry City in Sunset Park.

Whether you love cats or hate ‘em, you’re bound to enjoy a lecture on demonically-possessed felines — their (shape-shifting) image throughout the ages, and how to tell if your kitty is possessed, August 7 at the new Morbid Anatomy Museum in Gowanus.