Salamander Launch Party

We mentioned locally-made Salamander Hot Sauce before, after an amazing opportunity to sample it on food from Backyard back in late May. Now, it's your turn!

Drop by Backyard tomorrow night (July 10th), starting at 6:00 pm, for a Salamander Kickstarter campaign launch party! Sample cocktails featuring Salamander sauces and try a special menu designed to be paired with the sauces!

A great locally-made product, an amazing Fifth Avenue restaurant, cocktails, food and a good cause. What more could you want for an evening out?

In 11 Days: South Slope Summer Strolls!

Just a reminder that on Friday, July 19th and 26th from 5 - 9 pm, Fifth Avenue will be closed to cars between 12th and 18th Streets. Take stroll down the street! Ride a bike (carefully)! Rollerblade, roller skate, skateboard!  Yes, the streets will be closed, the buses will be rerouted and merchants will have the opportunity to provide outdoor seating, food, drinks and merchandise to browse, right out to the curb. In the streets, there will be music and free activities for the whole family including face painting, a bouncy house, a basketball hoop, vintage cars, music and more!

News Round-Up

Mavi Jeans Coming to Big Storefront on Fifth and Union [Here's Park Slope]

Playtime in Park Slope: Upcoming Children's Events [Park Slope Stoop]

New Yelp Map Warns of Yuppies in South Slope [South Slope News]

Fill’er up! New fountains in Prospect Park let water-lovers top-off bottles [Brooklyn Paper]

Happy 4th of July

- from the merchants of Fifth Avenue and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID

Here are a couple of things happening today on the Avenue today. You might as well get out and enjoy the day, because most of the services you need will be closed.

Enjoy the day!

The 4th on 5th

There are two kinds of people in this city:

1) Those heading out of the city right now to enjoy the 4th of July (they won't see this blog post), and

2) Those who are staying in town to enjoy the quiet which comes from people in category 1 leaving town. If you are currently reading this blog post, then you are in category 2, and you should read below for some ideas on how to celebrate the 4th right in our neighborhood:

The Old Stone House: some very important, pivotal events in our nation's history took place around The Old Stone House site. Visit the OSH Gallery and learn more about why the British thought they could end the Rebellion here in Brooklyn in just five days and how the Americans – despite the odds – prevailed! Special 4th of July Hours: 11-4.

Freddy's Bar: Drop by starting at 2:30 for $2 PBR's and $3 tap beers. You can eat what they are grilling or bring your own!

That's all we know right now, although we're sure that many of Fifth Avenue's amazing bars and restaurants will be open and ready to help you celebrate our nation's birthday. We'll update this post as we learn more.

Geek Out at Union Hall

Tonight at 8:00, Brooklyn's geeks take over Union Hall for an evening of comedy and storytelling, featuring Janeane Garofalo, Chris Lamberth, Diana Spechler, Vinny Deponto and more.

Geeking Out is a comedy and storytelling show that brings crazy-talented performers together for a night of shameless nerding out on the bands they love, the celebrities they obsess over and the video games that nearly wore their thumbs to stumps (and that's just the tip of the fanatical iceberg).

Hosted by bespectacled comedy duo Kerri Doherty and Nate Fernald (above).

Dancing Under the Stars

Happy July, everyone!

The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID has a lot planned this summer, to help keep the avenue hopping! Of course, as we noted last week, South Slope Summer Strolls is coming up on July 19th and 26th. And, for those of you who love to listen and dance to live music, the BID's popular Dancing Under the Stars series returns in August and early September. Below is the confirmed schedule, with local favorites Role Polie Guacamole playing a set for kids at 5:45 and adult dancing at 7 pm.

August 1st: LA Saxy (soul/rock)
August 8th: Sonido Costeno (salsa)
August 15: An Evening of Square Dancing
August 22: Deep Pockets (jazz/swing)
August 29: LA Saxy (soul/rock)
September 5: Tara O'Grady (swing)