Great Googa Mooga at Prospect Park

May 17-19, 2013

Brooklyn's own "Amusement Park of Food, Drink and Music" is returning this year for a weekend filled with live music performances and New York's top restaurants, wineries and breweries. The founders of this event are the same geniuses that brought us Bonaroo, so you know this is going to be worth every penny. The passion that goes into planning a music festival has exploded to include food and beverages, too. And not the $12 light beer selections reserved for your run-of-the-mill concerts, but brews and wines from the best establishments in New York.

Tickets to the event include entry to the concert. Food and drink vendors will be pay-as-you-go. When you purchase a Friday general admission ticket, it comes with guaranteed admission to the festival on either Saturday or Sunday as well. For pricing, vendor information, or answers to any other question you may have, check out the official Great Good Mooga website.

Some of the...

Rebuilding After Hurricane Sandy

Late in October of 2012, the Northeastern United States was pummeled by superstorm Hurricane Sandy. This Atlantic hurricane, ultimately the largest in history, was also the second costliest behind Hurricane Katrina. The greater New York metropolitan area was severely affected by the storm, rebuilding efforts are still ongoing and more than likely will be for years to come. 

A number of groups from across the country have thrown their hat in the ring in order to help the people of this region rebuild. Everything from church-based groups to international volunteers, Habitat for Humanity and the newly formed Occupy Sandy have been lending a hand to help our great city put the pieces back together. Always happy to have new volunteers, here are five ways you can help while you are in town. 

1. If you simply do not have the time to get your hands dirty with the rebuilding, monetary donations are always appreciated. Some verified and trustworthy sources include the Brooklyn Recovery Fund, American Red Cross, New York Times Neediest Cases and Restore Red Hook. 

2. Donate household necessities such as food, clothing, diapers, batteries, shoes, flashlights, towels and more. Please, keep in mind that clothing donations should be relevant for the current season. If you would like to donate food, please make sure it is not expired, and that it is non-perishable unless requested otherwise. 

3. If you are an expert in an area – a plumber, electrician, etc. – why don't you volunteer your talents? 

4. Bay Ridge Kitchen at St. John's Episcopal Church still needs volunteers to arrive on a daily basis from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. 

5. Coney Island at Kaiser Park is coordinating volunteers, but not at regular hours. If you are interested in helping here, please contact peoplesrelief@gmail.com.

If you are looking for something to do throughout March that is family-friendly, check out the New York International Children's Film Festival, between March 1 and March 24. Various theatres across the city of Manhattan will be featuring cinematic works aimed at kids between the ages of 3 and 18. Over 100 animated, live action and experimental shorts and features will be showcased from around the world. 

In addition to the great feature films and shorts of the festival, there will be gala premieres – just a fancy name for an opening night showing of a film – in addition to Q&As with filmmakers, film-making camps for the kiddos, audience voting and an awards ceremony. Visit the website for more information. Tickets may also be purchased through the website. 

Brooklyn Bridge Park

One of the most iconic attractions near Brooklyn would have to be Brooklyn Bridge Park. The best place to bask in the sun and experience the bridge up close is here. Brooklyn Bridge Park covers 85 acres on Brooklyn's East River Shoreline. The park spans along the shoreline from Brooklyn Bridge to roughly Manhattan Bridge, and is comprised of eleven sections – Piers 1-6, Fulton Ferry Landing, Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, Empire Fulton Ferry, Main Street, and St. John Street. 

Historic Fulton Ferry Landing is the site of the first ferry landing, and it opened in 1642. It was a critical commercial and cargo site for centuries until 1984. At that time, the park idea was conceived, and the park was actually opened in 2010. The park is already a hub for pedestrian activity, recreation, and public events. Parts of the park are still under development, and will eventually include residences, hotels, and other features.

 Unique topographies, plantings, amenities, and cultural artifacts and installations characterize Brooklyn Bridge Park. There are a number of athletic fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, concessionaires, waterfront parkland, fishing stations, a carousel, a boathouse, and much more.  Public events range from concerts to workout classes to festivals and theater performances. Visit Brooklyn's latest icon during your next Brooklyn vacation.

Hoboken Make-a-Thon: 24 Hours of Expression

Although Hurricane Sandy was last year, re-building efforts will continue for months. The Northeastern United States was extremely hard hit by this super storm, and media coverage has lessened as the months have gone by. The artist communities of the greater New York area have chosen to unite to have a benefit for the hardest hit areas in the region. The benefit will bring together artists representing all media types for a round-the-clock, 24-hour expression session from 9:00 p.m. January 11 to 9:00 p.m. January 12. 

The Grand Ballroom of the Elks Club Lodge in Hoboken will be transformed into a giant art studio and performance space to raise money for the Elks Club Disaster Relief Fund. All proceeds will be distributed locally and directly to rebuild the area. There will be bands performing throughout the event, comedians doing their stand-up acts, and food & beer served for artists and visitors alike. So, if you love art, philanthropy, and are looking for things to do near Brooklyn next weekend, this event is for you. If you can’t make it out, donations are accepted by visiting their website.

Location: Hoboken Elks Lodge
Date / Time: January 11 – January 12 from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Website: View here

A museum in Williamsburg opened an exhibit chronicling the Santa Claus Association of the early twentieth century. This New-York based philanthropic group answered children’s letters to Santa that would have otherwise been forgotten and destroyed after being sent to the post service’s Dead Letter Office. John Duvall Gluck Jr., Scrooge’s antithesis and NY publicist, started his first St. Nick letter answering crusade on December 1, 1913. 

Gluck and dozens of volunteers worked to pair children’s letters with a donor who would personally make that child’s wish come true. In the first year alone, 28,000 children were helped by the association. Many celebrities of the time period were there to assist Gluck with his endeavor, and he was able to enlist many big name stars such as John Barrymore, Mary Pickford, and even President Warren G. Harding. He and his volunteers continued to answer the letters until 1928. 

The City Reliquary, a non-profit museum in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, has opened this exhibit ninety-nine years to the day after Mr. Gluck began answering the letters to St. Nick. Hearing of this association’s existence two years ago, Gluck’s great grandnephew, Alex Palmer, began interviewing family members, some he had never even met, to gather information and artifacts. He compiled scrapbooks, photographs, original letters, and even original SCA annuals to put on display for this exhibit. Included at the exhibit are displays of the artifacts gathered, as well as an area where kids can write letters to St. Nick himself.

The City Reliquary
370 Metropolitan Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211 Telephone: 718-782-4842
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Exhibit open: December 1, 2012 - February 13, 2013
Call for admission prices

Are you a lover of Big Band music and jazz? Attend a free concert by the Brooklyn College Big Band held at Studio 312 in Roosevelt Hall on Thursday, November 29^th. The longest running ensemble devoted to classic Big Band music in the five boroughs is directed by Arturo O’Farrill. The evening performance will include music by Jones, Basie, Mingus and some other jazz masters. Showtime is 7:00pm. Admission is Free!

The Conservatory of Music of Brooklyn College is known as one of NYC’s leading institutions in the training of musicians.  Brooklyn College music students study prominent performers, musicologists, composers and theorists, along with some guest artists. Students in the BC Big Band Ensemble, in particular, study the standard repertory of figures like Ellington, Coltrane and Monk. Known to have one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, Brooklyn College is just 4 miles away from our Best Western hotel.

This year Brooklyn Museum will be hosting their 10^th Annual Women in the Arts luncheon on Thursday morning, November 15^th. Women in the Arts will honor multimedia artist Yoko Ono. Yoko’s thought-provoking work challenges people’s understanding of art as well as the world around them. A peace activist and Japanese artist, Yoko Ono, married to John Lennon, is known for her philanthropic contributions to the arts, peace and AIDS outreach programs. She used her music to bring feminism to the forefront, and also did some filmmaking and avant-garde art.

The 2012 Women in the Arts program will be held in the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium in the museum and will be followed by a reception and luncheon in the Beaux-Arts Court. Tables for the luncheon accommodate 10 guests and start at $2,500. Individual tickets are also available for the Women in Arts luncheon. Call 718-501-6589 for ticket information.

In an effort to recognize women’s contributions to the arts, Women in the Arts was established in 2002. Proceeds from Women in the Arts benefit the art educational programs offered by the Brooklyn Museum’s Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art. If you’re traveling in town for this empowering program and luncheon the Brooklyn Museum is less than 2 miles away from our Best Western hotel offering an affordable stay with all the amenities you need for your overnight stay in Brooklyn. 

The How Sweet the Sound Tour makes its final stop in New York at Barclays Center of Brooklyn. The search for the best gospel choirs in America has been going on for weeks now, stopping in cities like Dallas, Atlanta, LA and Washington D.C. Local New York choirs will lift their voices in praise and give their best on stage November 4^th to see who will be the regional NY winner and go on to the finals. The winner titled “Best Gospel Choir in America” will also win $50,000 and a record deal with How Sweet the Sound’s new label.

The 5^th Annual How Sweet the Sound competition is hosted by Gospel greats Yolanda Adams and Donald Lawrence. Sitting on the panel of judges are Fred Hammond, Ce Ce Winans, Hezekia Walker, Erica Campbell (of Mary Mary) and Vashawn Mitchel, who all give live performances themselves.

How Sweet the Sound 2012’s Grand Finale Event is November 4^th starting at 7:30pm at Barclays Center, less than 2 miles away from our Brooklyn hotel. Whether you’re a choir supporter traveling in town, or a gospel enthusiast, reserve your guest room within close proximity of this wonderful event at Best Western PLUS Arena hotel.

From October 22-28 get out of your hotel suite and explore the best borough at Passport to Prospect Heights! The area is loaded with some delightful locally-owned businesses, as there will be events and store specials throughout the week. Get to know the neighborhood better and explore the many restaurants and eateries that make up Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights.

DATES: Monday – Sunday, October 22-28, 2012
TIME: 9:00AM – 11:30PM

Local Participating Businesses

Prospect Heights is found just south of our Best Western PLUS Arena hotel and west of Crowne Heights. It’s ethnic identity with so many communities is just as colorful as the many shops and local restaurants. This diverse neighborhood with historic brownstone homes as well as luxury condos will have you at “hello”. Filled with so much charisma and history, Prospect Heights is worth getting a “passport” to.

There are a few other events taking place in Prospect Heights this week. Make a note of them in case you’re looking for something fun to do in the evening.

Tuesday, 10/23
Trivia Tuesday at Minor Arcana

Friday, 10/26
Ditch Day at the Zoo! At Prospect Park Zoo
Strings & Thangs at Elberta Restaurant

Saturday, 10/27
Brewshop 101 at Bitter Esters
Ghouls & Gourds at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Creative Collage-Making at the Museum