Logos on Display

As you might have heard (or noticed while visiting this site) the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID announced the winner of its logo contest back in early July.

As part of the process, the other contestants were asked to allow their entries to be displayed in a slideshow at the BID's office, which also happens to be an art gallery known as the Ground Floor Gallery. It is located at 343 Fifth Street, just above Fifth Avenue. 

The slideshow is on a 19" flat screen monitor located near the gallery desk. Drop by, check out the logos and view the current "Staycation" show. 

The BID Office is generally open from 9-2 (M-F) and on Thursday-Sunday the Gallery stays open until 6pm.

Improved Cleaning and Graffiti Removal

Fifth Avenue will be getting cleaner, starting this summer, thanks to a new initiative by the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.

Litter removal crews have been beefed up in the southern end of the avenue (9-18th Street) and graffiti will be removed or covered on all public pieces along the avenue (light posts, mail boxes, etc.) twice a week.

If you have any questions or concerns about the cleanliness of the avenue or if you spot some graffiti that needs attention, please feel free to email the BID at info@parkslopefifthavenuebid.com.

Please note that the cleaning crew does not work on Tuesday or Thursday, which might explain a trash or graffiti condition that you are seeing.

Give Pure Essentials a Try!

Pure Essentials, a new family owned and operated health and beauty store on Fifth Avenue, has actually been a part of the Park Slope community for years with their 7th Avenue location (189 7th Avenue). If you haven't dropped by their Fifth Avenue outpost yet, they have great everyday products for children and adults, organic hair and skin care lines, as well as some surprises sprinkled throughout! 

Come down to their 234 Fifth Avenue shop (Between Carroll and President) and mention this post and you will receive 10% off your purchase!

Photos from South Slope Summer Strolls, Part 2

Wow, we sure are getting lucky with the weather for Summer Strolls! Lots of folks came out on Friday night to celebrate summer and to take in some free, outdoor Shakespeare. Check out the photos by Erika Clark here.

Summer Strolls will be taking a couple of weeks off while we prepare to move it to the North Slope, between Sterling and Dean Streets. Mark your calendars for August 15th and 22nd, 5-9 pm!

Staycation Alert: Summer Strolls and Garden Movies!

If you are stuck in town this weekend, enjoy your staycation the right way by joining us on Fifth Avenue!

Tonight:

Summer Strolls returns to the South Slope at 5:00 pm with:

 -A live performance of Romeo and Juliet by South Brooklyn Shakespeare at 7 pm between 17th and 18th Streets (bring a blanket or a chair)
- Music by Molly Tigre in front of Camelia (12th St)
-Street Chess
-Amusements by Puppetry Arts 
-Face Painting and kids games and activities
 -Rock Climbing Wall by Brooklyn Boulders
-Wet fun with an open hydrant at Prospect and Fifth
-Vintage Cars
-and much much more!

Saturday Night:

A series two outdoor movies at the GreenSpace@President Street (located at Fifth Avenue and President Street) begins!

Saturday, July 26
Tarzan Triumphs

Saturday, August 16
A Pain in the Ass

Bring your own chairs and the movies are cancelled in the case of rain.

Welcome Ocean Fish Market!

Park Slope's Fifth Avenue is happy to welcome Ocean Fish Market, formerly of 7th Avenue and 3rd Street (where it had a very dedicated following)! The new shop, which is located at 413 5th Avenue, just opened this week and will have an official Grand Opening on Saturday, July 26th with special discounts all day.

Ocean Fish Market will be open Monday - Saturday, 8:30am-7:30pm and Sunday 9:00am-6:30pm, making it the perfect spot to pick up sushi lunch and fresh fish for dinner!

This Friday: South Slope Summer Strolls Part II

Summer Strolls returns to the South Slope on Friday night and it's going to be even bigger and better!

-Music by Molly Tigre at Camelia (12th St)

-Street Chess

-Amusements by Puppetry Arts

-Face Painting and kids games and activities

-Rock Climbing Wall by Brooklyn Boulders

-Wet fun with an open hydrant at Prospect and Fifth

-Vintage Cars

-and much much more!

Don't miss the amazing live performance of Romeo and Juliet by South Brooklyn Shakespeare. It will take place at 7 pm (note the earlier start time) between 17th and 18th Streets. Bring a chair, a blanket and don't forget to grab a beverage and a little snack at one of Fifth Avenue's local stores, bars and restaurants before settling in for the show! 

See you there!

SUMMER STROLL SPONSORS

Summer Silliness Week

Our friends at Backyard (388 Fifth Avenue) are turning up the silliness this summer, which is a good thing for those of us in town for staycation.

-Five days of five drafts for $5 (on Fifth Avenue) of Sixpoint beers, plus the launch of Sixpoint's new Tesla brew.

-Find the gnomes hidden in the bar and win a prize!

July 21st - July 25th

- Monday, July 21st 6 pm: Well, since it's Tuesday, you missed the Salamander Sauce Company Cocktail Challenge. For pictures of the event and recipes, check out their Facebook Page.

- Tuesday, July 22nd 4 pm: TONIGHT! A Happy Hour for New Mothers!

- Wednesday, July 23rd 7 pm: Jackrabbit Sports Social Run Happy Hour. Run with Jackrabbit and finish at Backyard!

- Thursday, July 24th  10 pm: Live music from Jeff Winter and Adam Strum

- Friday, July 25th 4 pm: The Grand Silly Finale!

Hey, if you are stuck in town this summer like we are, this sounds like a great way to spend your week!

Photos from Friday's Stroll

In case you missed it, here are some photos of Night One of South Slope Summer Strolls. The weather was perfect on Friday night! The dogs were fashionable (more doggie fashion show photos available here), the circus was eye-popping and kids of all ages had lots of fun!

We'll be putting on night two of Summer Strolls this Friday, featuring a live performance of Romeo and Juliet by South Brooklyn Shakespeare! More details later this week.

Link to Flickr Photo Set: [South Slope Summer Strolls Set 1]

Tonight: First Night of Summer Strolls!

Fifth Avenue between 12th and 18th Streets will close to traffic as of 4 pm today to allow for set-up for the the summer's first Summer Strolls event:

Friday, July 18: 5th Avenue 12-18th Streets, 5-9 pm

Featuring:
- NYPD Climbing wall
- Music by Sonido Costeno
- Amusements and games with Puppetry Arts
- Vintage Cars
- Drinks and food under the stars
- Chairs and tables in the street
- Lots of sidewalk chalk, frisbees and balls to transform 5th Avenue into a giant play space
- PLUS:

Dog owners, don't forget the Doggy Fashion Show in front of Freddy's Bar (627 Fifth Avenue between 17th and 18th Streets).

Featuring ​​comedian hosts, a Jug Band for accompaniment (Jug Addicts), and a wild street performance by the Gowanus Circus thrown in for good measure. Petland Discounts (located at 510 Fifth Avenue) is providing gift certificates for the winners, plus there will be plenty of free Doggy Swag!

Dog Show starts at 6:30 pm ! Bring your dog down!

SUMMER STROLL SPONSORS

Movie Nights in the Garden

The Summer of 2014 just keeps getting better and better!

So far we've had Make Music NY and the World Cup. Earlier this month theatre performances at The Old Stone House and Washington Park launched and tomorrow Summer Strolls kicks off with doggy fashion shows, Shakespeare performances, live music and more.

Next week starts a series of two outdoor movies at the GreenSpace@President Street (The President Street Garden at Fifth Avenue and President Street). Yes, outdoor films in a garden!

Saturday, July 26
Tarzan Triumphs

Saturday, August 16
A Pain in the Ass

Bring your own chairs and the movies are cancelled in the case of rain.

This Friday: Freddy's Doggy Fashion Show!

Dog owners, don't forget this Friday's Doggy Fashion Show in front of Freddy's Bar (627 Fifth Avenue between 17th and 18th Streets).

The event will be a part of our South Slope Summer Strolls, and will feature ​​comedian hosts, a Jug Band for accompaniment (Jug Addicts), and the Gowanus Circus thrown in for good measure. Petland Discounts (located at 510 Fifth Avenue) is providing gift certificates for the winners, plus there will be plenty of free Doggy Swag!

Where: In the Street, outside of Freddy's Bar, 627 5th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11215. 

When: July 18, Party 5 pm - 9 pm.  Dog Show 6:30 pm till it ends.

Interested in entering your dog in the contest? Email Freddys@Freddysbar.com!

South Brooklyn Shakespeare Kickstarter Campaign Successful!

 

As you know, South Brooklyn Shakespeare will be performing at our South Slope Summer Strolls on July 25th and August 15th (and on 7th Avenue on July 26th). In order to do these three great performances, though, they needed to raise some additional funds via Kickstarter.

Well, we are happy to report that they have met their fundraising goal and are fully funded for the summer season! Congratulations to South Brooklyn Shakespeare.

We can't wait to see the performances of Romeo and Juliet!

South Slope Summer Strolls Start Friday!

Friday, July 18: 5th Avenue 12-18th Streets, 5-9 pm

- NYPD Climbing wall
- Music by Sonido Costeno
- Amusements and games with Puppetry Arts
- Vintage Cars - A Doggie Fashion Show and music at Freddy's Bar
- The Gowanus Circus!
- Drinks and food under the stars
- Chairs and tables in the street
- Lots of sidewalk chalk, frisbees and balls to transform 5th Avenue into a giant play space

You can enjoy more more summertime fun on Saturday, July 19 on 7th Avenue between 9-16th Streets, 12-5 pm.

 

 Next Up on Fifth: South Slope Summer Strolls continue on Friday, July 25 (5th Avenue 12-18th Streets 5-9 pm). Don't miss the free performance of Romeo and Juliet by South Brooklyn Shakespeare 7:30pm 5th Ave between 17th and 18th)!

Hot Summer -- Cool (and Hot) Drinks on Fifth

Summer in NYC is predictably hot and sticky. Here are a couple of ways to stay cool over the next couple of weeks. Have a great weekend!

Fifth Avenue has a 7-Eleven (between 13th and 14th Streets). Today is Free Slurpee Day from 11 am - 7 pm and it's over 80 degrees. You know where you want to be!

---

Spicy cocktails. 

What? 

Yes, spicy cocktails. Our friends at Backyard will be hosting a Spicy Cocktail Competition on Monday, July 21st. Four bartenders will be working with locally-made Salamander Hot Sauces to create their own unique cocktails. Who will win? The competition will start at 4 pm.  More information here.

---

Oh, and there's a matter of a certain World Cup Final on Sunday. Fifth Avenue will be the place to be!

Celebrate Staycation at Ground Floor Gallery

Our friends at the Ground Floor Gallery have been working hard to get their next show up for the summer. We should know, we share their space at 343 Fifth Street!

The show opens tonight with a reception (see details below) so, if you are in town on a staycation, drop by the Ground Floor Gallery, check out the art and meet the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID!

"Staycation"
Opening Reception + Salon: July 10, 6-8:30pm
On view: July 10 - August 17, 2014 

​Ground Floor Gallery is pleased to present our summer exhibition, “Staycation.” Escape to your local getaway with six talented, emerging ​artists from near and far​: ​The Great NYC Mapping Project (Martin McCormack)​, ​Jose Arenas, Tai Hwa Goh, Raylene Gorum, Tora Lopez, Greg Slick, and Lindsey Warren. Chat with the artists at our opening salon on Thursday, July 10!

Escape to your local getaway with six artists from near and far!

The Great NYC Mapping Project
Jose Arenas
Tai Hwa Goh
Raylene Gorum
Greg Slick
Lindsey Warren
Martin McCormack
Tora Lopez

Help Put Miss Ida Blue on a Times Square Billboard!

Miss Ida Blue is a monthly fixture at Freddy's Bar and an amazing performer (see the video, above). It seems that a couple of photos of her could be featured on a giant billboard in Times Square on July 24th, if she gets enough votes. 

How can you help? If you are interested, click here and sign-up to vote for the photographer Wendy Whitesell, who took some amazing black and white photos of Ida. Warning: you can sign up with your Facebook account or with your email but you do need to sign up to vote.

Good luck to Miss Ida Blue! 

We Have a Winner!

As you may recall, back in April the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District launched a logo design contest. The call was for a new logo that reflects the area's vibrant mix of independently-owned shops, world-class restaurants and popular nightlife spots. 

After reviewing more than 100 submissions, a committee of Fifth Avenue merchants and the BID's Board of Director's have finally chosen a winner: 

Ashley Rose Bryan: Park Slope resident and architect. 

You'll be seeing versions of this logo on banners along the avenue (here's a mock-up):

It also looks good on swag (hmmmm...something to think about in the future):

Anyway, look for it to pop up on the BID's website, here on All About Fifth, on our social media accounts, on the street and in print over the next few months. It's going to take a little while to change everything over, so be patient! We have a lot of work to do and we look forward to getting Ashley's help and guidance in getting it done!

Congratulations to Ashley Bryan!

World Cup: Week 4

Now it's getting REALLY interesting. This weekend's matches were really exciting and now we are down to the final four:

Tuesday, July 8th

Wednesday, July 9th

Just a few more days until it's all over and Fifth Avenue's bars and restaurants go back to a more normal summer pattern. If only the World Cup was an annual event! 

Until then, come on down to Fifth Avenue and check out the big games at one of our many soccer-crazy bars and restaurants!

Happy 4th of July!

Don't let the clouds and rumbles of thunder get you down. It's a holiday! Come down to Fifth and enjoy it!

Many of our businesses will be open today and, don't forget the World Cup!

There are, of course, lots of Fifth Avenue bars and restaurants in which to watch the big games. We hear that Colombia (376 Fifth Avenue) and Bogota Latin Bistro (141 Fifth Avenue) will be real hot spots for the 4:00 game!

Anyway, we hope you have a great day, however you spend it. Happy 4th of July!

Doggy Fashion Show at Freddy's!

Do you have a fashionable pooch that loves to strut its stuff? Well, you're in luck because on July 18th during South Slope Summer Strolls, Freddy's Bar will be hosting a Doggy Fashion Show!  There will be ​​comedian hosts, a Jug Band for accompaniment (Jug Addicts), and the Gowanus Circus thrown in for good measure. Petland Discounts is providing gift certificates for the winners, plus there will be  plenty of free Doggy Swag!

Where: In the Street, outside of Freddy's Bar, 627 5th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11215. 

When: July 18, Party 5 pm - 9 pm.  Dog Show 6:30 pm till it ends.

Freddy's is  holding a Call for Entries, looking for Doggy Divas. Hopeful models need merely arrive early and seek information at Freddy's, or they may email Freddy's Bar at freddys@freddysbar.com anytime and ask for details or entry forms.

Summer at The Old Stone House & Washington Park

While the north and south ends of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID will be hosting Summer Strolls, the center will enjoy a series of amazing cultural events at The Old Stone House & Washington Park! Details below. The shows start tomorrow night!

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Written by Alex Timbers
Music and Lyrics by Michael Friedman

Join us under the stars for an exhilarating rock-n-roll look at one of our nation’s first populist idols: seventh president Andrew Jackson.  The musical recreates and reinvents the life of “Old Hickory” from his humble beginnings on the Tennessee frontier to his days as Commander-in-Chief.  Bring a picnic or visit our concession stand!

Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm
July 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 (no show July 4)

Mr. Splitfoot
3 Sundays @ 8:30 pm July 6, 13 and 20
2 Wednesdays @ 7:30 pm July 9 and 16

Under the Tent at the Old Stone House & Washington Park

The story of the mysterious Fox sisters, three American girls from western New York who started the spiritualist movement in the 1860s and 70s. Hailed as leaders of a new religious movement, the sisters fall into dishonor and ruin. Mr. Splitfoot, the ghostly creation of the sisters, claimed that he possessed them and connected the sisters to the other side.

The Buffalo Nickels Medicine Show
Written by Mike Shapiro and Kate Prascher

Wednesdays at 9 pm:  July 9 and 16, 2014
Sundays at 7:30 pm:  July 13 and 20

Under the Tent @ the Old Stone House & Washington Park

THE BUFFALO NICKELS MEDICINE SHOW sings and picks its way through the on- and off-stage exploits of its itinerant company, as they pine for and plot against each other and the audience that gathers each evening around their traveling wagons. The cast of characters performing variously on stage in THE BUFFALO NICKELS MEDICINE SHOW include: “Leopold Finch”, shady purveyor of patent remedies, with a nose for Achilles heels; Finch’s horse “Mule”; “Mabel Morrow”, brassy, bewitching, intoxicated by a crowd; Mabel’s daughter “Bet”; and “Thomas” the rugged union organizer who plays his secrets close to the heart.

Summer Strolls: Just a few weeks away!

Happy July, everyone!Just under a few weeks until we start our busy Summer Strolls schedule!Save the Dates!

Friday, July 18: 5th Avenue 12-18th Streets 5-9 pm
Friday, July 25: 5th Avenue 12-18th Streets 5-9 pm
Saturday, July 19: 7th Avenue 9-16th Streets 12-5 pm
Saturday, July 26: 7th Avenue 9-16th Streets 12-5 pm
Friday, August 15: 5th Avenue Dean - Sterling Street 5-9 pm
Friday, August 22: 5th Avenue Dean - Sterling Street 5-9 pm

Come enjoy the summer weather, explore the avenue and enjoy the extra open space as we close Fifth Avenue for these nights and turn the street into a block party!

In addition, Shakespeare in the Parking Lot returns to the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID this summer! However, last year's parking lot location was recently sold for development. So, performances of Romeo and Juliet will be taking place at Summer Strolls:

July 25th 7:30pm 5th Ave btwn 17th and 18th
July 26th 2:30pm 7th Ave btwn 12th and 13th (on 7th Avenue)
Aug 15th 7:30pm 5th Ave and Dean St.