This coming weekend – late Friday evening, June 19 through early Monday morning, June 22 – the only planned service change affecting service at local stations is that on Saturday and Sunday there will be no Brooklyn bound C train service at High Street, as Brooklyn bound C trains will be re-routed to the F line between 34th Street-Herald Square and Jay Street-MetroTech. A trains should be running normally in both directions. There will be more frequent Brooklyn bound service at York Street in DUMBO.

The following work week – Monday morning, June 22 through Friday evening, June 26 – the only planned service change affecting local stations is that late nights Monday to Tuesday and Tuesday to Wednesday there will be extra Manhattan bound service at Court Street and at the N/R platforms at Borough Hall and at Jay Street-MetroTech, as Manhattan bound Q trains will be re-routed to the N/R line from DeKalb Avenue to Canal Street.

These are the PLANNED changes affecting local service for this weekend and for the following week. Always check MTA Info for unplanned service changes that may affect local service or service on other parts of your trip, or for planned service changes that affect stations to or from which you may be traveling. You can also get real time service alerts: register here.

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

This coming Sunday, June 21, is Father’s Day. Montague Open Streets, sponsored by the Montague Street BID, has lots in store for Dad. He can improve (or show off) his golf swing at Golf v.2; sharpen and broaden his chef skills at Chama Mama’s Khinkali Party; and, if he is on the metrosexual (or should we now say looksmaxing) side, get a facial at City Chemist. These are but a few of the treats, activities, and music for men, women, and kids on Montague this Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm; there’s more information here. Oh, yes, it’s also the summer solstice, the year’s day of longest daylight for those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere.

Montague Street between Clinton and Henry and between Henry and Hicks will be closed to traffic from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm; all parked vehicles must be moved from these blocks by 10:00 am Sunday.

Photo courtesy of Montague Street BID.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this weekend (late tomorrow evening, Friday, June 12 through early Monday morning, June 15) should be a “green light weekend,” as there are no planned cancellations, route changes, or station skips directly and negatively affecting service at any local stations. Indeed, there will be more service during the daytimes Saturday and Sunday at Court Street and at the N/R platforms at Borough Hall and at Jay Street-MetroTech, as N trains, which normally only serve these stations late at night, will be re-routed to serve them during the daytime Saturday and Sunday.

The following work week – Monday morning, June 15 through Friday evening, June 19 – the following overnight service changes will affect local stations. Overnight between Monday to Tuesday and Tuesday to Wednesday 2 train service will be suspended in both directions between Chambers Street and Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center. As 3 trains do not serve Brooklyn overnight, this means no overnight service at Court Street or at the 2/3 platforms at Borough Hall. A, N, R, and 4 trains should be running normally. Overnight Wednesday to Thursday there will only be Manhattan bound N train service at Court Street and at the N/R platforms at Borough Hall and at Jay Street-MetroTech, as Brooklyn bound N train service will be suspended, as will R train service in both directions. Overnight Thursday to Friday there will only be Brooklyn bound N train service at Court Street and at the N/R platforms at Borough Hall and at Jay Street-MetroTech, as Manhattan bound N train service will be suspended, as will R train service in  both directions.

These are the PLANNED changes affecting local service for this weekend and for the following week. Always check MTA Info for unplanned service changes that may affect local service or service on other parts of your trip, or for planned service changes that affect stations to or from which you may be traveling. You can also get real time service alerts: register here.

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

This Sunday’s (June 14) Open Streets Montague is for the dogs, in the best kind of way, and for people who own or just love them. The highlight of the afternoon will be the Brooklyn Heights Association’s annual Dog Show (photo courtesy of the BHA). If you think your dog is a winner in any one of several categories, you can register here. The Dog Show will take place starting at 1:00 pm between Henry and Hicks streets. There will be “Doggie Flow Yoga” for dogs and their people by GTHR Yoga starting at 3:00, also between Henry and Hicks; register here. From noon until 5:00 Eloise, “a seven year old Saint Bernard therapy dog,” als0 a “Storybook star” and “Brooklyn sweetheart,” will be somewhere between Clinton and Henry or Henry and Hicks; you can “pick up a copy of her new children’s book, and grab a sample of her dog friendly mocktail.” Starting at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 pm, between Clinton and Henry, Lauren Fornoles, who autographed one of her books for my granddaughter at last Sunday’s FAD Market, will present “interactive family storytimes featuring her books ‘Night Owl and Early Bird,’ ‘Sheba the Alley Cat,’ and ‘The Pearl Caper.’” There will be lots more; there’s a full schedule here (scroll down to June 14).

Montague Street between Clinton and Henry and between Henry and Hicks will be closed to traffic from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm; all parked vehicles must be moved from these blocks by 10:00 am Sunday.

Heather Wolf, Brooklyn’s avian maven, will lead another of her always popular bird tours in Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sunday morning, June 21. “Join me for a walk on the first day of summer! We’ll look for Barn Swallows, Gray Catbirds, Common Terns, and more.” Ms. Wolf took the photo above of a barn swallow gathering nesting material on Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 2 marsh. She also notes that “this is baby bird season.” The tour is free, but the number taking it is limited, so you must register in advance. Tickets will be available starting this Thursday, June 11 at 10:00 am ET; you may register here. After you have registered you will receive by email details of when and where the tour will begin.

This coming weekend – late Friday evening, June 5 through early Monday morning, June 8 – there will be no Manhattan bound service at High Street as Manhattan bound A and C trains will be re-routed to the F line, A trains between Jay Street-MetroTech and West 4th Street-Washington Square and C trains between Jay Street-MetroTech and 34th Street-Herald Square. This means extra Manhattan bound service at York Street in DUMBO. 2 and 3 trains will be running on reduced schedules, so be prepared to wait longer.

The following work week – Monday morning, June 8 through Friday evening, June 12 – late nights Monday to Tuesday through Thursday to Friday there will be no service at the 4/5 platforms at Borough Hall as 4 train service will terminate and originate at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall and 5 trains do not serve Brooklyn on weekends however, 2 and 3 trains should between be running normally between here and Manhattan and 3 trains, which normally do not serve Brooklyn overnight, will provide service between here and New Lots Avenue all weekend. R trains should be running normally all week and N trains late nights to early mornings, provide service to and from lower Manhattan, and connect with 4 trains at 14th Street-Union Square for those traveling late at night to and from Manhattan’s East Side.

These are the PLANNED changes affecting local service for this weekend and for the following week. Always check MTA Info for unplanned service changes that may affect local service or service on other parts of your trip, or for planned service changes that affect stations to or from which you may be traveling. You can also get real time service alerts: register here.

This Sunday, June 7, Montague Open Streets, presented by the Montague Street BID and the City’s Department of Transportaton, will feature a FAD (Fashion/Arts/Design) Market. Local merchants, restaurants, studios, and spas will be offering free samples or workouts, or special deals. There’s more information here. Montague Street between Clinton and Henry and between Henry and Hicks will be closed to traffic from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm; all parked vehicles must be moved from these blocks by 10:00 am Sunday.

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

This coming weekend – late Friday, May 29 through Monday morning, June 1 – there will be no service at the 4/5 platforms at Borough Hall as 4 train service will terminate and originate at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall and 5 trains do not serve Brooklyn on weekends or holidays; however, 2 and 3 trains should between be running normally between here and Manhattan and 3 trains, which normally do not serve Brooklyn overnight, will provide service between here and New Lots Avenue all weekend. R trains should be running normally days and evenings and N trains late nights to early mornings, and provide service to and from lower Manhattan, and connect with 4 trains at 14th Street-Union Square for those traveling to and from Manhattan’s East Side. Overnight R train service will be suspended.

The following work week – Monday morning, June 1 through Friday evening, June 5 – on the late night Monday to early morning Tuesday there will be no F train service between Jay Street-MetroTech and 4th Avenue/9th Street in Brooklyn. As an alternative catch or take an F train from or to Hoyt-Schermerhorn Street. Late nights to early mornings Tuesday to Wednesday through Thursday to Friday 3 trains will continue to substitute for 4 trains between Borough Hall and New Lots Avenue. R train service will be suspened during these same ovenight hours, but N trains should be running normally and provide service to lower Manhattan and connect with 4 trains at 14th Street. During these same late nights to early mornings there will be no Manhattan bound service at High Street, as Manhattan bound A trains will be re-routed to the F line between  Jay Street-MetroTech and West 4th Street-Washington Square and C trains do not serve Brooklyn late at night. 2, 3, and N trains should be running normally and provide alternative service. There will be extra Manhattan bound service at York Street in DUMBO.

These are the PLANNED changes affecting local service for this weekend and for the following week. Always check MTA Info for unplanned service changes that may affect local service or service on other parts of your trip, or for planned service changes that affect stations to or from which you may be traveling. You can also get real time service alerts: register here.

This Sunday’s (May 31) Open Streets Montague has the theme “Montague Knows.” Merchants, restaurants, health clubs, spas, yoga studios, and professionals along Montague will be offering free advice, samples, classes, and sessions. There’s a complete list of what’s on offer here. Montague between Clinton and Henry and between Henry and Hicks will be closed to traffic between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm; vehicles parked on these blocks must be moved before 10:00 am. Open Streets Montague is presented by the Montague Street BID in conjunction with the Brooklyn Heights Association, and the New York City Department of Transortation.

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

Would you like to see the 1929 “swashbuckler” The Iron Mask, starring Douglas Fairbanks, accompanied by live music performed by first rate musicians? Come to the McKinney Chapel of the First Unitarian Congregational Society, Brooklyn, 119 Pierrepont Street (between Clinton and Monroe Place) at 3:00 pm this Saturday, May 30 for the final concert of Repast Baroque’s ’25-’26 season.

Repast creates a new live score for the film The Iron Mask (1929), based on Alexandre Dumas’s The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later. The final chapter in the D’artangian trilogy, the film follows the Three Musketeers as they return from retirement to save Louis XIV from his illegitimate twin who attempts to usurp the French throne. Music by Lully, Jacquet de La Guerre, Marais, Charpentier,  Couperin, Praetorius, DuCaurroy, Boesset, and Caroubel.

There’s more information and a link to buy tickets here.

The “Community Fridge” is back in service (see the photo I took today, with sandwiches ready to go) in a new location, in front of the building shared by the Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church and Christ the King Church at 125 Henry Street, across the street from its former location. We’ve been advised by the Brooklyn Heights Association that there will be a “Homecoming Party” at the site this coming Sunday, May 31 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm; details are here.

On Monday, June 1, from 6 to 9 pm, the Brooklyn Women’s Exchange will present a Spring Soirée, “Mingle and Make,” at Gustoso’s at The Watermark (21 Clark Street).

It’s a night of creativity, connection, and community – all tickets and donations keep their shop running. You will create something yourself with guidance from a local crafter while enjoying wine and light refreshments.

Tickets for those wishing to attend, who are neither crafters nor volunteers who work at the Exchange, start at $500; you can buy them here.

This coming Memorial Day weekend – late Friday, May 22 through Tuesday morning, May 26 – there will be no service at the 4/5 platforms at Borough Hall as 4 train service will terminate and originate at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall and 5 trains do not serve Brooklyn on weekends or holidays; however, 2 and 3 trains should between be running normally between here and Manhattan and 3 trains, which normally do not serve Brooklyn on weekends, will provide service between here and New Lots Avenue. R trains should be running normally and provide service to and from lower Manhattan, and connect with 4 trains at 14th Street-Union Square for those traveling to and from Manhattan’s East Side.

The following work week – Tuesday morning, May 26 through Friday evening, May 29 – late nights to early mornings Tuesday to Wednesday through Thursday to Friday – 3 trains will continue to substitute for 4 trains from Borough Hall to New Lots Avenue. R train service will be suspened during these same ovenight hours, but N trains should be running normally and provide service to lower Manhattan and connect with 4 trains at 14th Street.

These are the PLANNED changes affecting local service for this weekend and for the following week. Always check MTA Info for unplanned service changes that may affect local service or service on other parts of your trip, or for planned service changes that affect stations to or from which you may be traveling. You can also get real time service alerts: register here.

Saturday’s “Longest Table,” sponsored by the Brooklyn Heights Association, was blessed by good weather and drew such a crowd that it had to be expanded. Originally intended to take up Remsen Street from Hicks to the Promenade entrance, the length of Montague Terrace, from Remsen to Montague Street, was added. I took the photo above, looking up Remsen from the corner of Montague Terrace. The event was covered in depth by Mary Frost in the Eagle, who provides much detail and many more photos.

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

The New York Police Department’s 84th Precinct, which covers Brooklyn Heights, will have a Community Council Meeting, to which all are invited, this coming Tuesday, May 19, starting at 7:00 PM at Borough Hall (enter at 209 Joralemon Street). “Agenda items include review of crime statistics, a Cop of The Month award, elected officials, guest speakers and presentations, and public Q&A.” Come early! Refreshments will be served from 6:00 to 7:00. Thanks to Brooklyn Community Board 2 for the tip.

We have word from Notify NYC that there will be a fireworks display tomorrow night (Saturday, May 16) from near Liberty Island starting at about 9:15 pm. According to NYC 311 the sponsor is Ellis Island Honor Society 2026.

This weekend – late night Friday, May 15 to early morning Monday morning, May 18 – the only late night to early morning service at Court Street, the N/R platforms at Borough Hall or at Jay Street-MetroTech will be Brooklyn bound N trains, as Manhattan bound N trains will be re-routed to the Q line between Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center and Canal Street, and overnight R train service will be suspended in both directions between Whitehall Street-South Ferry and 59th Street Brooklyn. Early Sunday morning 2 trains will run on a reduced schedule, every 15 minutes.

The following work week – Monday morning, May 18 through Friday evening, May 22 – late nights to early mornings Monday to Tuesday through Thursday to Friday there will be no service in either direction at High Street or at the A/C platforms at Jay Street-MetroTech as A train service will be suspended in both direction between Chambers Street-World Trade Center and Utica Avenue, and C trains do not serve Brooklyn overnight. These same late nights to early mornings 4 trains will be stopping and originating at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, so will not be serving Brooklyn, but 3 trains, which do not normally serve Brooklyn overnight will make all 4 train stops from Borough Hall to New Lots Avenue.

These are the PLANNED changes affecting local service for this weekend and for the following week. Always check MTA Info for unplanned service changes that may affect local service or service on other parts of your trip, or for planned service changes that affect stations to or from which you may be traveling. You can also get real time service alerts: register here.

What’s on your mind? Comment away!

This Sunday, May 17, Open Streets Montague, sponsored by the Montague Street BID, the Brooklyn Heights Association, and the NYC Department of Transportation, will begin another season lasting Sundays through June 28. On each of these Sundays Montague Street between Clinton and Henry and between Henry and Hicks will be closed to traffic between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm; parked cars must be removed before 10:00. There’s a complete schedule of activities for this and each Sunday here. This Sunday will feature a “Spring Fling” presented by Brooklyn Bridge Parents; details are here. From 11:00 am to 3:00 pm St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church at Clinton and Montague streets, site of  “one of the earliest stained glass windows created in the New World,” will be open for free tours.

This Saturday, May 16, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, weather permitting, there will be a Kite Festival at Pier 5, the soccer field pier near the foot of Joralemon Street, Brooklyn Bridge Park. You may bring your own kite or buy a complete one or a kit to make one on site. There will also be “hands-on crafts, classic lawn games, live music, face painting” and other activities. Admission is free. There’s more information here.

Photo: C. Scales for BHB

The Joy Luck Trio, consisting of (left to right in the photo) Karen Han on ehru, Donna Weng Friedman on piano, and Gao Hong on pipa, had their first Brooklyn performance at Bargemusic last Sunday. As I’ve noted before, I’m a fan of syncretism in music (and in other things). Joy Luck, in my estimation, does an awesome job of combining Asian and Western instruments and musical traditions.

They opened the concert with The Swan (1886) by Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921), which they did as written except for some improvisations. According to my sketchy concert notes Han’s ehru produced a “dreamy melody” while Hong’s pipa yielded “versatile sounds.” Friedman’s piano was precise. This was followed by Hong’s own composition, Flying Dragon, done solo on pipa. As its name implies, it had a soaring quality until the last note, which evoked the dragon’s descent, and was made by Hong’s dragging her thumbnail down a string, a move that produced a pleasing sound. Han then had a solo turn on ehru with Birds Singing in the Empty Mountains, by the Chinese composer Liu Tianhua (1835-1932). My notes indicate “conversational sounds” and “scope of timbre.”

Next on the program came three pieces by the composer Stefania de Kenessey, who was present for the concert. These were from Microvids, a series of nineteen short pieces she composed after the worst of the pandemic had passed. The three performed at the concert were Reach for the Sky, Clouds, and Pure Joy. They were written for solo piano, but the concert performances included improvisations on ehru and pipa. It all worked brilliantly.

Hong then had another solo turn on pipa with a piece, Pastoral, that she said was inspired by the Mongolian countryside. Its evocation of a spacious landscape reminded me, in a good way, of Neil Young’s instrumental, The Emperor of Wyoming. Friedman then had her solo turn on piano with The Three Maries (1939) by the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959). These three short pieces, Alnitah, Alnilam, and Mintika, were given the names of the belt stars in the constellation Orion that are sometimes called “The Three Marys.” My notes on each in order were: “playful”; “loving”; and “reflective.”

The last two pieces in the program were Hong’s Nostalgia, which she described as “chasing a dream” and for which my notes are “plaintive, then lovely,” and Horse Racing, by the Chinese composer Huang Haihuai (1935-1967) which evoked the propulsive rhythm of hoofbeats and concluded with a convincing whinny on the ehru.

I have friends who think that the purpose of music, or of any art, should be to provide pleasure. I believe that great art should not only please, but also challenge the listener, viewer, or reader to hear, see, or understand in a new way. For me, Joy Luck Trio fulfilled that purpose. It made me hear music in a way I never had before.

The Brooklyn Heights Association has notified us of two events coming next weekend. The BHA sponsored Longest Table will be back on Remsen Street beween Hicks and the Promenade entrance on Saturday, May 16 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Bring your own lunch or a dish to share, and meet your neighbors. There’s more information here; if you want to attend please register here.

It’s a short walk from Remsen Street to Willow Place, between Joralemon and State streets, where the Willowtown Spring Fair will also be happening on Saturday from noon until 5:00 pm. There will be: live music; food; games, including a kids’ sack race (see video above); plants, baked goods, and boutique items for sale; a presentation by the Heights Players (perhaps a scene from Nine to Five); face painting; a bouncy house; a raffle; and a walking tour.