Press Contact:
ELIZA PERKINS | eperkins@bbp.nyc
HANNA YANDO | (718) 514-7358 | hyando@brooklynbridgepark.org
Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and Brooklyn Bridge Park Announce 2022 Programming Calendar
Another season of exciting, diverse, and free programming is back and more robust than ever at Brooklyn Bridge Park! Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy (Conservancy) and Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) offer a wide range of arts and culture, fitness, recreation, environmental education, and volunteer opportunities for locals and visitors to enjoy from May to October. This year, music and interactive activities take the lead. Welcoming visitors back to the park, these events provide a range of opportunities to connect, engage, and celebrate being back together. Open daily, the Park hosts more than 5 million visitors annually, offering an oasis of greenery and summer fun.
Brand new programs this year include Summer Fridays, Big Summer Get Down, Waterfront Dance Socials, Transportation Alternatives’ Cyclebration, and the Park has added new Pickleball courts at Pier 2. Learn more about all programs below; please check Brooklyn Bridge Park’s event calendar for full details, and to learn as new events are added!
ARTS & CULTURE
Live music and free concerts return in force, with the second annual Brass Bands Festival kicking off the season on Saturday, May 14 from 2:00-6:00pm featuring lively stationary and roving sets from bands including Ad Hoc Brass Band, Extra Syrup Horns, L Train Brass Band, Stoop Kidz Brass Band, and Sugartone Brass Band across Piers 3-6. The Brooklyn Academy of Music, as part of its beloved DanceAfrica Festival, presents its Community Workshop on Saturday, May 28 from 11:00-12:00pm at Liberty Lawn; the family-friendly hands-on workshop teaches the fundamentals of Haitian movement and music in an inclusive and engaging presentation. One of the Park’s most intimate series, Sounds at Sunset, returns weekly on Thursdays at 6:00pm starting May 19 at Pier 3 Greenway Terrace with a diversified line-up. Artists include folk singer Miriam Elhajli on May 19, percussion and electronic music duo NOMON on May 26, American Symphony Orchestra ensemble Italian Expressiveness and Expressionists on June 9, and Brooklyn-bred jazz trumpeter with his quartet Adam O’Farrill’s Stranger Days on June 16. Brooklyn Americana Music Festival’s Women’s Stage returns to Pier 6 Liberty Lawn the weekend of June 25-26 for two jam-packed days of original live music featuring women-led and non-binary songwriters and artists, spanning a range of genres including americana, folk, country, blues, and jazz.
Open Studios welcomes two new Artists-In-Residence for 2022; street-dance company It’s Showtime NYC and immersive theater ensemble Trusty Sidekick Theater Company. Showcasing and creating new work during interactive rehearsals throughout the summer, all are open to the public with various dates, times and locations throughout the Park. Both residency companies will culminate with performances developed specifically for the Park in July and September.
After-work visitors can enjoy new Summer Fridays, held 5:00-8:00pm on the first Friday of the summer months (June 3, July 1, and August 5) with performances, meditations, and music led by host and guest curator Madison McFerrin at the Pier 3 Greenway Terrace as a quintessential weekend warmup. For even more energy, family-friendly dance parties return to the Pier 3 Plaza! Brooklyn father-son duo spin their popular tunes for Big Summer Get Down with St. James Joy on Friday, June 17 from 6:00-10:00pm, and Waterfront Dance Socials provide introductory dance classes of two distinct styles followed by all-out dance parties. Talia Castro-Pozo teaches salsa on Saturday, July 16 from 7:00-9:00pm and Cebo Carr teaches house dance on Saturday, August 27, from 7:00-9:00pm. With an on-site bar for all three of these event series, guests 21+ can enjoy drinks with an unbeatable view and a breeze off the East River.
The Conservancy’s most popular series, Movies With A View returns for eight special Thursday nights in July and August on the Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn. Movies include Before Sunrise, The Bourne Identity, Crazy Rich Asians, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Jurassic Park, Thelma And Louise, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, and a Public Vote, choosing between Back to the Future, Mamma Mia!, or Mission Impossible. Specific movie dates will be released early June; for all, doors open at 6:00pm and the movie begins at sundown. This year, food and drink curated by Smorgasburg will open early at 5:00pm providing delicious bites and beverages through the start of each film along the Pier 1 Promenade.
Public Art Fund returns with its new group exhibition Black Atlantic, composed of 5 site-responsive artworks by Leilah Babirye, Hugh Hayden, Dozie Kanu, Tau Lewis, and Kiyan Williams that explore an open, multifaceted, and heterogeneous idea of Black identity in the U.S. It will run from May through late November, on view in multiple locations. Photoville Festival 2022 kicks off with an Opening Day Community Celebration in Brooklyn Bridge Park on June 4 and will feature over 30 public art exhibitions on display through June 26, along with artist-led walking tours and workshops. St. Ann’s Warehouse presents Fandango At the Wall on Saturday, July 9 at Pier 1, featuring Arturo O’Farrill, the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, and performers from Mexico and the U.S. Inspired by the annual Fandango Fronterizo Festival performed on both sides of the Tijuana/San Diego border wall, the concert celebrates the son jarocho music from Veracruz, Mexico, spreading unity and love while transcending borders.
The Conservancy’s 10th annual Hindu Lamp Ceremony returns on Saturday, August 6 from 3:00-7:30pm. Dance artist and educator Aeilushi Mistry leads a traditional Aarti ceremony for peace and harmony at Pebble Beach, inviting all to decorate and release palm leaf lamps into the East River.
The Conservancy also continues their annual tradition of Books Beneath the Bridge on Thursday nights in September for book readings and performances by featured authors and poets, representing some of Brooklyn’s best independent bookstores at Pier 1 Granite Prospect.
Mark Morris Dance Group returns to the Park on Saturday, October 1 from 2:00-5:00pm, with two showings of a special, outdoor performance and all-ages family friendly workshop at Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn.
Closing out the season on Saturday, October 22, the Conservancy’s annual Harvest Festival celebrates the changing of the seasons, with a kick-off procession, arts and crafts, storytelling, lawn games, pumpkin patch and other fun fall activities.
FITNESS & RECREATION
As one of the fastest growing sports, brand new Pickleball courts have been added to Pier 2, replacing former bocce ball. They will open in late May for public use.
From May through September, the Conservancy’s popular free weekly Waterfront Workouts return with top-notch instructors from local partners Abhaya Yoga, Chelsea Piers Fitness, and Dodge YMCA. Hosting over 3,500 participants in a typical year, classes include morning Vinyasa Yoga, Sunset Yoga, Amp’d Bootcamp, Pilates, and Zumba, held across Brooklyn Bridge Park’s unbeatable outdoor setting, as well as virtual Yoga. Advanced registration is required and opens every Tuesday at 10:00am for the following week of classes.
Adult Volleyball leagues run May through October and adult Soccer leagues run throughout the spring, summer, and fall, while youth soccer is offered in the spring and fall. Free Youth Basketball Clinics are hosted on Tuesdays, June 7 through August 30; two age group ranges are offered for 7-12 and 13-17 year olds at the Pier 2 Courts.
With the Conservancy’s ever-popular kayaking program held in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse, visitors can enjoy gliding across the East River on Wednesday and Thursday evenings as well as Saturdays starting in June through the end of September. New family kayaking on Sundays will also be offered. Advance registration is required for all.
For single-day and special fitness events, Transportation Alternatives’ annual party CYCLEBRATION, hosted in partnership with the Conservancy, takes place on National Bike to Work Day, May 20, at Pier 6 Plaza as a celebration for cyclists to come together. High energy and popular fitness session The Class returns to the Park for three Saturdays mornings at 10am on June 11, July 9, and August 13 at Pier 2 Turf. Music-driven, The Class is a mat-based practice of self-study through physical conditioning, sure to get one’s heart pumping. International Day of Yoga takes place on Sunday, June 19, also honoring Juneteenth with yoga workshops and complimentary activities held throughout the day on the Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn. The free sessions, presented by partners Abhaya Yoga, BK Yoga Club, Chelsea Piers Fitness, and ONEYOGAHOUSE welcome any body type and skill level.
EDUCATION
Summer Reading Storytime, presented in partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library, takes place every Wednesday morning from 10:30-11:15am, June 8 through July 13 at Pier 3 Greenway Terrace as a fun learning experience geared for ages 2-7, with storytelling and singing while enjoying the breeze from the water.
Public Stargazing, led by the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York, takes place weekly on select Friday evenings July through September from 8:30-10:30pm for all ages to get a chance to marvel at the moon, stars, and distant planets using high-powered telescopes set up on the Pier 1 Promenade.
Celebrating its eighth year in September, the Conservancy’s Environmental Education Center in Dumbo provides a fun destination for families, with open hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays throughout the season. Highlights include a 250-gallon aquarium filled with critters from the East River, a ten foot scale model of Brooklyn Bridge Park, crafts, and monthly educational themes and activities.
Free and open to all ages, walk-up catch-and-release Fishing Clinics are held 4:00-7:00pm on June 12, July 16, August 21 and October 2, to teach visitors how to bait a hook, drop a line, and hopefully reel up a fish. Public Seining sessions, using a net to catch a variety of organisms that live below the water’s surface, are also held on May 21, June 25, July 9, August 6, and September 17 from 10:00-12:00pm for visitors to join.
VOLUNTEER
A hardworking and dedicated volunteer team is essential for assisting with park beautification, environmental clean-ups, and bringing many of the Conservancy programs to life! Visitors can join in a multitude of volunteer roles, from joining the Park’s weekly Green Team assisting horticultural staff with gardening and landscape work, to regular Coastal Cleanup projects working to keep the Park’s shoreline clean, beautiful, and healthy. Volunteers with the Conservancy can assist with a range of events, from small community efforts to large-scale festivals and the beloved summer movies.
Teens can get involved with TIDES (Teens Interested In and Dedicated to Environmental Stewardship) to learn about ecology and sustainability through hands-on projects and workshops, while earning community service hours. The program takes place September through November (fall semester) and April through June (spring semester).
BENEFIT EVENTS
All proceeds from the Conservancy’s benefit events directly support over 500 arts and culture, education, and recreation programs in the Park, enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors each year.
On May 16, the 5th Annual Women’s Lunch celebrates with the theme of Ladies Who Laugh: Women in Comedy. Moderated by Dee Poku-Spalding, the event includes special guests actress/comedian Sarah Cooper, actress/comedian Aparna Nancherla, and 6-time Emmy award winning SNL producer Lindsay Shookus for a lively luncheon and discussion on women breaking barriers in the comedy industry.
Visitors can party for a great cause – and watch a glorious sunset on Pier 1 – with the Conservancy’s SUNSET! celebration on June 2 from 6:00-9:00pm. The family-friendly bash lets guests revel under the stars, all while enjoying spectacular views of the NY Harbor, Manhattan skyline, and Lady Liberty.
On October 6, guests can join for the Conservancy’s most incredible night of the year with the annual Brooklyn Black Tie Ball. An end of season blow-out to celebrate another year of successful programming as well as say good-bye to the warmth of summer, the celebration held at Pier 2 offers stunning views of the Manhattan skyline while overlooking the New York Harbor.
CONCESSIONS
BBP welcomes back concessions for the summer season: Fornino, Pilot, OddFellows Ice Cream Co., Luke’s Lobster, Lizzmonade, and Ample Hills Creamery, and looks forward to welcoming seafood bar and restaurant Marine Co. 7 to Fulton Ferry Landing, opening this summer. Additionally, popular destinations including Jane’s Carousel, the Roller Rink at Pier 2, and the Cliff’s at DUMBO are open for the summer season.
Please check the event calendar for exact dates and times of events; more upcoming events will be added on an ongoing basis at www.brooklynbridgepark.org/events. Questions on current or upcoming events can be sent to info@brooklynbridgepark.org.
Visitors can sign up for event announcements through Brooklyn Bridge Park’s email list or following on social media on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
In celebrating the kick-off of the new season, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Executive Director Nancy Webster shared, “We’re so excited to come back with a robust and diverse season of programming this year – many events were understandably delayed or held with reduced capacity last year, so this season is all about bringing people together and celebrating. From our beloved ongoing series like Movies With A View, we’re also thrilled to bring on many new events including Summer Fridays, Big Summer Get Down, and Waterfront Dance Socials – as well as continuing to expand and diversify programs like our Sounds At Sunset series, and International Day of Yoga. We’ve worked very hard to bring a wide range of events and activities to the Park, and can’t wait for another successful season.”
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to Brooklyn Bridge Park for what will be an outstanding summer in the Park,” said Eric Landau, President, Brooklyn Bridge Park. “With the opening of the Emily Warren Roebling Plaza last winter – providing an additional 2 acres, and incredible views of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge above – we are excited to welcome visitors to a now fully complete Brooklyn Bridge Park. Brooklyn Bridge Park continues to be the premier summer destination for all, and I am grateful for the Conservancy and our other fantastic programming and concession partners whose dedication and creativity make the Park what it is.”
ABOUT BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation develops, capitally improves, maintains, and fully operates the Park as a 501 (c) not-for-profit, controlled by the City of New York. Brooklyn Bridge Park, one of the largest and most significant public projects to be built in New York City in a generation, has transformed a once dilapidated industrial waterfront into a vibrant and thriving 85-acre civic landscape. The self-sustaining park was designed by the award-winning firm of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. and features expansive lawns, rolling hills, waterfront promenades, innovative playgrounds, a greenway, sports facilities, and the popular Jane’s Carousel.
ABOUT BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK CONSERVANCY
Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy plays a vital role in creating and energizing this community-focused, world-class urban oasis on the Brooklyn waterfront. A 501(c)3 non-profit, we bring this unique park space to life with more than 500 innovative and engaging educational, cultural, fitness and recreational programs each year. Our free and low-cost events create new and exciting opportunities for tens of thousands of NYC residents and visitors to learn, grow, and experience all that Brooklyn Bridge Park has to offer.
Twitter: @BBPNYC
Instagram: @BrooklynBridgePark