Get Out: Things To Do This Weekend

You know you shouldn't be sitting inside your apartment watching re-runs of “I Shouldn't Be Alive” all weekend, but deciding where to go seems like more than your mind afflicted with seasonal depressive disorder can handle. Well, here's your chance to find a happy middle ground, no matter what your idea of fun is.
Here are our top picks for the weekend fun in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.

The New Cookers

What? Inspired by Freddie Hubbard’s seminal album, The Night of the Cookers, recorded live at Club La Marchal in Brooklyn in 1965, the celebrate the hard bop and free jazz of the era. (In case you didn’t know, “Night of the Cookers” isn’t just a restaurant on Fulton Street.) Featuring dueling trumpets, telepathic ensemble playing, and old-school R&B, they “guarantee a night of top-shelf jazz.”

Where? BAMcafé – upstairs at The Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Avenue between Ashland Place and St. Felix Street.

When? Friday, April 1 at 10:00 p.m. Bar opens at 6 p.m.

How Much? Free

The Inaugural Silly Dance Off

What? The folks at are taking their April fooling seriously and putting together a fiercely competitive silly dance competition. Judged by members of Storybook Burlesque, The Silly Dance Off re-imagines dancing competitions of yore with groovy beats by DJ Choyce Hacks. Winners will be crowned in categories such as Silliest Solo, Silliest Couple and Silliest Costume. So come alone or with a partner (or two) and fool around in public.

Where? The Emerson, 561 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue

When? Friday, April 1, beginning at 9:00 p.m.

How Much? Depends on how much you drink.

Illustrator Nancy Doniger presents “Lemonade!”

What? To kick off National Poetry Month, Greenlight Bookstore is hosting local artist Nancy Doniger, who illustrated the new poetry book “Lemonade!” More than just a story time for the little ones, after reading Doniger will create original drawings while they watch. Then kids can try their hand at making their own one-word poems with materials provided. For ages 3 to 8.

Where? , 686 Fulton Street at the corner of South Portland Avenue

When? Saturday, April 2 at 11:00 a.m.

How Much? Free

Bike Swap and Rodeo

What? Well, maybe there won't be any lassoing, but the aim of this P.S. 261 event is to get a lot more ridin'-em. If you have an old bike to donate, they'll fix it up and match it with a kid. Need a bike? $25 will get you a kid’s bike that is in working order. Mechanics will be on hand to make sure that it is working and ready to go. Swaps will also be available for a $15 fee. The event also will feature bike games, riding clinics, helmet-fit checks, maps, and introductions to street and city riding from organizations that want to get you and your urban cowboy/girl out on a bike.

Where? P.S. 261, 314 Pacific Street between Hoyt and Smith streets.
(Hey, it’s not in the neighborhood, but only a couple of minutes away.)

When? Saturday, April 2, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

How Much? $25 for a new bike, $15 for a swapped bike. Proceeds will fund P.S. 261 PTA programs threatened by recent budget cuts.

Brooklyn Young Filmmakers “Make a Film”

What? Just steps away from the old Spike Lee's Joint, Brooklyn Young Filmmakers offers the first of three classes in their “Make a Film” series, which concludes with the shooting of a short movie. Billed as appropriate for actors, filmmakers, or “anyone who loves film,” this class is a comprehensive introduction to screenwriting shooting process. One student script will be developed into a shooting script for production in the third class.

Where? , 35 Lafayette Avenue between Ashland Place and St. Felix Street

When? Saturday, April 2, 1 – 4 p.m.

How much? $130 for entire series. For more information email, classes@wearebyfc.org, or call (718) 935-0490