Swing Dancing, Book Fests And More: Downtown BK's Fall Events

DOWNTOWN, BROOKLYN — With the final weeks of summer coming to a close, the borough's downtown is already gearing up for a new season of events, festivals and other activities to bring Brooklynites into fall.

The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership has announced its fall line-up of events that will be held at at Albee Square, MetroTech Commons, Willoughby Plaza and the Plaza at 300 Ashland, and start as early as next week.

This year's docket includes a lunchtime jazz concerts, back-to-school and Halloween-themed festivals and a swing dance series with some of the city's top bands, DJs and dance teachers.

“We are excited to activate Downtown Brooklyn’s vibrant cultural district with a jam-packed events lineup this fall, bringing music, dance and theatrical performances to iconic public spaces throughout the neighborhood,” said Regina Myer, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. “As the leaves change and the weather cools, we encourage residents and visitors alike to bundle up and enjoy all Downtown Brooklyn has to offer this autumn.”

Here's what you need to know about the season's list of events:

• Dance Around Downtown: Swing!
  • Where: MetroTech Commons
  • What: Live music and dancing, hosted each week by MC Dandy Wellington, featuring the best bands, DJs, and dance teachers. In partnership with Prohibition Productions. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
  • When:
    • 9/5: Dandy Wellington + His Band, with DJ Andrius, and lesson with Tony + Jaime
    • 9/12: Gordon Webster + Friends, with DJ Odysseus Bailer, and lesson with Jennifer Sowden + Brooklyn Swings
    • 9/19: Charles Turner + Uptown Swing, with DJ Brian Ferdman, and lesson with Gaby Cook
    • 9/26: Eyal Vilner Big Band + Queen Esther, with DJ Ryan Swift from Frim Fram, and lesson with Evita Arce

• Lunchtime Jazz Concerts
  • Where: Columbus Park Plaza, Brooklyn Borough Hall
  • What: Lunch outside at Columbus Park Plaza accompanied by Brooklyn’s best jazz musicians. Presented by Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, DBP, and the Jazz Foundation of America with partial support from the National Endowment for the Arts, NY State Council on the Arts, the NYS Legislature, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and NY City Council. Fridays 12 to 1:30 p.m.
  • When:
    • 9/6: Danny Mixon Trio
    • 9/13: Tulivu's Seasoned Elegance
    • 9/20: Gene Ghee Quartet
    • 9/27: Greg Lewis Organ Monk

• Open House: The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center
  • Where: The Plaza at 300 Ashland and Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave.
  • What: Mark Morris Dance Center's annual open house. All performances and classes for children, teens and families are free, including outdoor classes at The Plaza. A Capezio Pop-Up shop will also be available.
  • When: 9 a.m. to 3 pm. Saturday, Sep. 7
    • 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. - Family Fun: Broadway Jazz
    • 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. - Dance with MMDG family class – learn “Flowers” from Mark Morris’ The Hard Nut with MMDG company members
    • 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. - Teen Hip-Hop

• Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival
  • Where: The Plaza at 300 Ashland
  • What: The final day of The Brooklyn Caribbean Literature Festival (BCLF) will be held at the Plaza at 300 Ashland, and include a series of readings of classic and contemporary stories, talks, and book sales. BCLF shines the spotlight on the Caribbean artiste and celebrates the rich history of Caribbean culture and its centuries-long tradition of storytelling. The inaugural theme, “Caribbean Beyond Carnival” will provide an entertaining, multidisciplinary platform for conversations centered on identity and what it truly means to be Caribbean.
  • When: 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sep. 8

• Movement Mondays: Chelsea Piers
  • Where: The Plaza at 300 Ashland
  • What: From high intensity workouts to Bollywood-inspired moves to dance workouts to Pilates – there’s something for everyone.
  • When: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays through Oct. 7
    • 9/9 + 10/7: Chelsea Piers BK Burn
    • 9/16: BollyX
    • 9/23: The Beyoncé Dance Workshop
    • 9/30: Pilates Mat with Nathalie Georges

• Brooklyn Brews
  • Where: MetroTech Commons
  • What: Brooklyn Brews presented by Brookfield Properties is a celebration of the local community featuring Brooklyn breweries, tasty bites, music, lawn games, and kid-friendly activities! This event is both family and dog-friendly.
  • When: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sep. 13 and 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sep. 14

• Brooklyn United Back-to-School Day
  • Where: Albee Square
  • What: Brooklyn’s own marching band and dance group, Brooklyn United, hosts a back-to-school #BUday at Albee Square with dancing and drumming workshops and live performances. Have fun and be in it to win some neat Downtown Brooklyn back-to-school swag.
  • When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sep. 14

• Brooklyn United Day at the Plaza
  • Where: The Plaza at 300 Ashland
  • What: Brooklyn’s own marching band and dance group, Brooklyn United, hosts another #BUday, this time at the Plaza at 300 Ashland! A day of dancing and drumming workshops and live performances.
  • When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday Sep. 21

• Brooklyn Book Festival Children’s Day
  • Where: MetroTech Commons
  • What: The Brooklyn Book Festival brings back its popular Children's Day, a full day celebration of free literary activities targeting young book lovers. Attend workshops and visit the beloved Picture Book Tent and Young Readers Stage.
  • Where: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sep. 21

• Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival
  • Where: The Plaza at 300 Ashland
  • What: Downtown Brooklyn’s celebration of cultural community and the artists, writers, and performers who inspire the borough’s creative spirit. Full schedule TBA.
  • When: Friday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 6

• BRIC JazzFest Kickoff Concert
  • Where: The Plaza at 300 Ashland
  • What: Brooklyn's ultimate jazz festival launches with a free outdoor concert in Downtown Brooklyn! Stay tuned for the featured artist announcement.
  • When: 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 19

• Brooklyn Falls for France: Begat Theater’s Hidden Stories
  • Where: TBD
  • What: An outdoor immersive performance that will blend itself into the urban landscape of Downtown Brooklyn. Supplied with headphones, the audience is temporarily endowed with the power to hear the thoughts of certain passers-by and to follow them through city streets as reality and fiction intertwine. The audience follows four protagonists, slipping into their heads and delving into their deepest secrets, discovering four separate yet parallel stories. The show is available in French and English.
  • When: Friday, Oct. 25; Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday Oct. 27

• BKLYN BOO!
  • Where: Albee Square
  • What: Join us in Albee Square for a multicultural Halloween celebration with fun activities, live music, and art. And be sure to visit our neighbors at City Point to continue the fun!
  • When: 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26

• NYRR NYC Marathon Cheering Station
  • Where: The Plaza at 300 Ashland
  • What: Did you know that Mile 8 of the NYC Marathon is at the Plaza at 300 Ashland? Join the Downtown BK community to cheer on the brave souls taking on the 26.2 mile challenge, with music and treats! Grab a signature Downtown Brooklyn cowbell to make some (extra) noise!
  • When: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday Nov. 3

• DTBK Gets Lit! Holiday Lighting Party
• Where: Albee Square
• What: Our annual holiday season kickoff – Downtown Brooklyn style. Join us at Albee Square for special guest performances and the countdown to holiday lights ON!
• When: 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21