Your favorite new read, handpicked by your favorite bookstore

Who can you always count on when you’re in a bind and need a good book? Your neighborhood bookstore, of course, whose employees read all the newest books before you do. That’s why we’re running this semi-regular column featuring must-reads, handpicked and written about by the staff at some of our favorite independent bookstores in Brooklyn.

The BookMark Shoppe’s pick: “The Templar Legacy”

For any fan waiting for the next Dan Brown novel, then “The Templar Legacy” by Steve Berry is a must read this summer! Book One in the Cotton Malone series, “The Templar Legacy” has all of the history and mystery as “The Da Vinci Code,” with a twist of conspiracy. If you are already a Mallone follower, then check out the newest installment, “The Jefferson Key.”

— Bina Valenzano, co-owner, The BookMark Shoppe [8415 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-5115].

Greenlight’s pick: “The Devil All the Time”

Following up on “Knockemstiff,” which was his gritty debut collection of interconnected stories, Donald Ray Pollack’s new book takes place in the same rural back-country town and surrounding areas. And I gotta say, it feels somehow wrong to say I like a book that makes me feel so unclean, but it’s dang good. If you like Pete Dexter or Chuck Palahaniuk, then Pollack is right for you.

— Rebecca Fitting, co-owner, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 246-0200].

WORD’s pick: “The Chairs Are Where the People Go”

This book is part-philosophy, part-self-help, part-business, but without any of the bulls—t you probably associate with those categories. Sheila Heti worked with Misha Glouberman to write down his thoughts on cities, education, art, love, charades, and other important things — in short, smart chapters that cohere closer and closer as the book goes on. Full of sharp insights and never boring. Next time you find your brain needing a jump-start, this is the book to dive into.

— Stephanie Anderson, manager, WORD [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383-0096].

Read more...

Your favorite new read, handpicked by your favorite bookstore

Who can you always count on when you’re in a bind and need a good book? Your neighborhood bookstore, of course, whose employees read all the newest books before you do. That’s why we’re running this semi-regular column featuring must-reads, handpicked and written about by the staff at some of our favorite independent bookstores in Brooklyn.

The BookMark Shoppe’s pick: “Fragile”

On the surface, “Fragile” is a story of the kidnapping of a young girl in a small town outside of New York City. But beneath this simple story, Lisa Unger shows how one single event can turn an entire community apart, and how life will never be the same, not only for the family involved, but the whole town.

— Bina Valenzano, co-owner, The BookMark Shoppe [8415 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-5115].

Greenlight’s pick: “What You See in the Dark”

I have a soft spot for books set in my hometown, Bakersfield, California, often described as “dusty” — it’s two hours from L.A. and a world apart. Manuel Muñoz makes the combination of small-town intimacy, desert bleakness, and the proximity to Hollywood into the perfect setting for a tragic and unconventional late 1950s noir mystery, featuring a shy Mexican singer, the town’s golden boy, a failing hotel, and the making of “Psycho,” among other elements. It’s masterfully written, with great characterizations and a powerful sense of atmosphere, and the story is as haunting as an old country song.

— Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, co-owner, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 246-0200].

WORD’s pick: “The Curfew”

You should read this novel partly because it will make you think, and partly because it is surprising, but mostly because it’s brilliant. Jesse Ball has created an intense portrait of a family being torn apart by war without giving any details other than those of the characters themselves — the war, their city, their country, all are unspecified, making the book a universal cry against political violence. But William and Molly, father and daughter, are achingly familiar, and their story will catch you and hold you captive. “The Curfew” is a short, precise and haunting masterpiece.

— Jenn Northington, events manager, WORD [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383-0096].

Read more...

Your favorite new read - picked by your favorite bookstore

Who can you always count on when you’re in a bind and need a good book? Your neighborhood bookstore, of course, whose employees read all the newest books before you do. That’s why we’re running this semi-regular column featuring must-reads, handpicked and written about by the staff at some of our favorite independent bookstores in Brooklyn.

The BookMark Shoppe’s pick: “The Devlin Diary”

“The Devlin Diary” by Christi Phillips reminds me of a mix between “The DaVinci Code” and “The Birth of Venus.” The novel follows Claire Donovan of Cambridge, class of 2008, as she tracks down a vicious killer that stalked Londoners during the 17th century. “The Devlin Diary” is filled with political intrigue, true historical facts, and proof that a secret cannot stay buried forever.

— Bina Valenzano, co-owner, The BookMark Shoppe [8415 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-5115].

Greenlight’s pick: “The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine”

Alina Bronsky’s second novel is a delight. Tim Mohr does a fine job translating the sure-footed narration of one woman’s family life through the twilight of the Soviet regime. Quirky Rosa meddles in every aspect of her daughter’s life in the name of her Tartar heritage, bringing vibrancy to the otherwise bleak outlook of the 1980s Eastern Bloc. (Editor’s note: This is the second appearance of Bronsky’s novel in book picks, so that should tell you something.)

— Rebecca Fitting, co-owner, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 246-0200].

WORD’s pick: “The Dewey Decimal System”

Composer and musician Nathan Larson plunges us into a Manhattan gone mad. The city’s infrastructure has been derailed by a massive bombing and our narrator, an amnesiac ex-soldier rechristened Dewey Decimal, is doing his best just to get by. For him, that means squatting in the New York Public Library, running odd jobs (mostly violent in nature) for the district attorney, and following an obsessive-compulsive disorder–inspired system to keep his post-traumatic-stress-disorder–born neuroses at bay. But his most recent job may trump even his system’s ability to maintain order in the chaos. Stark and gripping, this one should go to the top of your summer reading pile.

— Jenn Northington, events manager, WORD [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383-0096].

Read more...

Your favorite new read — picked by your favorite bookstore

Who can you always count on when you’re in a bind and need a good book? Your neighborhood bookstore, of course, whose employees read all the newest books before you do. That’s why we’re running this semi-regular column featuring must-reads, handpicked and written about by the staff at some of our favorite independent bookstores in Brooklyn.

The BookMark Shoppe’s pick: “The Postmistress”

This novel by Sarah Blake follows the lives of three women during World War II. Two women in the sleepy town of Franklin, Mass., listen to the news being delivered by Frankie Bard in London. Filled with personal heartache and hope and devastation that comes with war; this is a must read.

— Bina Valenzano, co-owner, The BookMark Shoppe [8415 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-5115].

Greenlight’s pick: “When God Was a Rabbit”

The main character in Sarah Winman’s novel is sacrilegious in the way that only a child can be (case in point, she names her pet rabbit “God” because she hasn’t yet learned that it’s uncommon to do so). This is a book about a family told through the young daughter’s voice. She has a brother whom she’s crazy about, in the slightly oppressive way that only a little sister can adore a big brother. Set in England, spanning childhood to adulthood, the voice of Elly sticks in your head long after reading it. She’s a singular, precocious narrator with an unconventional family that feels real upon reading about them.

— Rebecca Fitting, co-owner, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 246-0200].

WORD’s pick: “Vaclav & Lena”

I had to pry myself away from this one. Haley Tanner captures the voices of these characters so aptly, their evolution from children to teenagers is perfectly handled, and the plot tugs your heartstrings without ever descending into sentimentality. It reminded me of “The Girl Who Fell From the Sky” in both its ability to tackle difficult issues and its young adult crossover potential. It’s a gorgeous debut that captures the spirit of the immigrant experience in New York, as well as the joys and pains of first loves and first revelations. 

— Jenn Northington, events manager, WORD [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383-0096].

Read more...

Get out and see Bay Ridge this weekend

By Alex Rush

This historical tour is much more than a walk in the park.

A walking tour this Saturday will showcase some of Bay Ridge’s oldest sites, from a cemetery where Revolutionary War soldiers are buried to a park that was once the 19th-century estate of the first editor of the original Brooklyn Eagle (no relation to today’s publication).

“We wanted to pick a tight-knit area with a cluster of interesting places,” said Josephine Beckmann, district manager of Community Board 10, which organized the free tour with the Bay Ridge Historical Society.

In Bay Ridge, there’s no better place to begin than on Senator Street. The three-block stretch between Fourth Avenue and Colonial Road is lined with brownstones built at the turn of the 20th century. History buffs will then visit Owl’s Head Park, Barkaloo Cemetery and the Narrows Botanical Gardens, which was transformed from a weed-strewn lot into a vibrant conservatory by volunteers.

“It’s a magnificent site,” Beckmann said.

Bay Ridge historical tour [meet at 69th Street near Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge, (718) 745-6827], June 4 from 10 am–1:30 pm. Free. RSVP to communitybd10@nyc.rr.com.

Read more...

Your favorite new read — picked by your favorite bookstore

Who can you always count on when you’re in a bind and need a good book? Your neighborhood bookstore, of course, whose employees read all the newest books before you do. That’s why we’re running this semi-regular column featuring must-reads, handpicked and written about by the staff at some of our favorite independent bookstores in Brooklyn.

The BookMark Shoppe’s pick: “Cleopatra’s Daughter”

Many know the tragic ending to the real life story of Cleopatra and Marc Antony. But not many people know the story continued on with Cleopatra’s children. Follow Cleopatra Selene, daughter to Cleopatra, as she is forced to leave her home land of Egypt, into the harsh lands of Rome and defend her family name and honor in this new book by Michelle Moran.

— Bina Valenzano, co-owner, The BookMark Shoppe [8415 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-5115].

Greenlight’s pick: “It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine’s Path to Peace ”

This is a book that surprised me, it is a very special, moving, and affecting read. While training to be a Marine, the tireless Rye Barcott juxtaposed his life and was simultaneously working to found a NGO in one of the poorest slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Partnering with local community members who formed a tight bond, Barcott involved people in the surrounding community to initiate change from the ground up, and in “It Happened on the Way to War,” he tells, and honors their story. Really, words can’t justify how moving this book is. Humanity at its best.

— Rebecca Fitting, co-owner, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 246-0200].

WORD’s pick: “Matterhorn”

Hailed as one of the best novels on the Vietnam War when it came out last year, “Matterhorn” by Karl Marlantes is now out in paperback. This book absolutely blew me away, and I don’t mind telling you I’m not much of a war-novel reader. While the novel tackles big issues — the politics of war, racism in the troops, all the blood and guts you can stand and then some — it’s Marlantes’ attention to the small, almost invisible details of daily life during war-time that makes it so affecting. Long, intense and worth every single second you’ll spend reading it.

— Jenn Northington, events manager, WORD [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383-0096].

Read more...

Get your Viking on

By J.J. Despain

There may be fewer Norwegians in Bay Ridge than herring at a barbecue — but that won’t prevent the neighborhood’s legendary Norwegian Constitution Day Parade from marching on.

On Sunday, the neighborhood celebrates 197 years of Norwegian independence with a parade through a neighborhood that’s more Little Median than Little Oslo.

“This is where the parade was originally formed, and we’re going to keep it here,” said Ken Gundersen, chairman of the annual celebration of Norway’s constitution, which also comes a day after Viking Fest at Owls Head Park, which, like the parade, will feature plenty of horned helmets, as well as a Viking ship, music and dance.

The parade and festival are a throwback to the 1920s, when Bay Ridge was truly Little Norway, a neighborhood where Scandinavian delis and shops were common, people used words spelled with that o with the line through it, and Eighth Avenue was better known as “Lapskaus Boulevard” — you know, after the beef stew beloved from Oslo to Ospeskogen to Ovington Avenue.

Of course, the Norwegian population of Bay Ridge has declined — from about 54,530 after World War II to about 6,000 today. But still, 100,000 spectators are expected, more than previous years.

“Wherever they live now, the Norwegian population is still coming out in strong numbers,” Gundersen said. “It’s the largest Independence Day parade outside of Oslo.”

Even if you don’t give a wooden krone about Bay Ridge’s Scandinavian roots, you should care about Norwegian independence, which came about when the country signed its legendary constitution in 1814 — a document that remains the oldest constitution in democracy-challenged Europe.

Better still, this parade is a barrel of lutefisk! This year’s march, for example, honors Roald Amundsen, best known as the Norwegian who reached the South Pole first.

“We thought that he brought a lot to Norwegian history,” Gundersen said.

And also on hand will be Bay Ridge’s own Jennifer Egeberg, who just won the Miss Norway of Greater New York contest.

And there’ll be plenty of that Scandinavian food, arts and culture. So don your bunad and save room for plenty of lefse (they’re better than they sound).

Norwegian Constitution Day Parade [starts at 83rd Street and Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, (718) 745-6653] at 1 pm on May 15. Parade continues to Leif Ericson Park between Sixth and Seventh avenues; Viking Fest at Owls Head Park [Colonial Road and 68th Street entrance], May 14 from noon to 5 pm. Free.

Read more...

Broadway comes to Bay Ridge with '42nd Street'

By Meredith Deliso

The Narrows Community Theater is putting on its tap shoes.

The venerable Bay Ridge group stages “42nd Street,” a blockbuster musical about a blockbuster musical, starting this Friday.

It’s a classic musical, so it should come as no surprise that the show follows a young ingénue, Peggy Sawyer, who lands her big break on Broadway in an extravagant production at the height of the Great Depression.

The resulting show within a show makes for big, memorable dance numbers and toe-tapping show tunes, including “The Lullaby of Broadway” and “We’re in the Money” — which the cast breaks into after finding a dime on the sidewalk (hey, it was the Depression).

“The book is much snappier and funnier than you’d think,” said director Tom Berger. “It gives you a lot to play with.”

The Tony Award-winning book, written by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble in 1980, is based on the 1933 movie of the same name, and Berger appropriately views the show as a throwback to a Broadway of yesteryear.

“The idea of that classic triple threat — singer, actor and dancer — those days don’t exist anymore. People do puppetry, speak different languages, do aerial things,” said Berger. “Instead of doing a modern retelling, it helps to make it more of a period piece.”

The production also marks the company’s return to the Fort Hamilton Army Base, which limited public access after 9-11. As a result of losing its own base, the company’s been a group of traveling minstrels for the past 10 years.

“The fact that we’re having a real home, a real theater, with a real stage, is really great,” said Narrows Community Theater Vice President Ann Gubiotti. “It’s been really good to be back.”

“42nd Street” at Fort Hamilton Army Base [101st Street and Seventh Avenue in Fort Hamilton, (718) 482-3173], May 13 and 14 at 8 pm, May 15 at 3 pm, May 21 at 2 and 8 pm, and May 22 at 3 pm. Tickets $20, $15 for seniors, students and children. For info, visit www.narrowscommunitytheater.com.

Read more...

This week's book picks

Who can you always count on when you’re in a bind and need a good book? Your neighborhood bookstore, of course, whose employees read all the newest books before you do. That’s why we’re running this semi-regular column featuring must-reads, handpicked and written about by the staff at some of our favorite independent bookstores in Brooklyn.

The BookMark Shoppe’s pick: “Tweak”

“Tweak “is the true story of a young man’s journey from hell to redemption. Nic Sheff led a privileged childhood, but that didn’t stop him from experimenting with alcohol and marijuana at the age of 11. What started as fun eventually led to a full-blown addiction. This will be the most difficult story you may ever read, but the hardest to put down.

— Bina Valenzano, co-owner, The BookMark Shoppe [8415 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-5115].

Greenlight’s pick:  “Moonwalking with Einstein”

Even if you’re not a regular nonfiction reader, “Moonwalking with Einstein,” a quirky and often funny exploration of human memory written by Joshua Foer (younger brother of Jonathan Safran Foer, the greatest writer of his, or anyone’s, generation) will hook you with its engaging narrative and fun facts. Foer covered the national memory championships as a journalist, but ended up a competitor, and began investigating the ancient techniques of memorization pioneered by the Greeks and still used today. With digressions into neuroscience, psychology, pop culture, and history, this is far from a self-help book, but it might inspire you to create your own “memory palace,” and maybe even help you remember your shopping list.

— Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, co-owner, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 246-0200].

WORD’s pick: “The Hottest Dishes of the tartar Cuisine”

What an incredible book. The main character in “The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine” is thoroughly detestable in her manipulations of everyone around her, but despite that (or, more likely, because of it!), I miss her very much now that she’s gone. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed hating a narrator so much since I read “Money” by Martin Amis. Author Alina Bronsky’s use of language is vibrant and surprising and I was heartbroken when the book was over. It often seems like everybody who comes in the store is looking for a funny book for a change of pace; I can’t wait to sell them this one.

— Stephanie Anderson, store manager, WORD [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383-0096].

Read more...

'Dirty Rotten' fun with the Strivelli Players

By Meredith Deliso

This show is dirty rotten fun.

The Strivelli Players bring the laugh-a-minute, Tony Award-winning musical “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” to Gravesend this month in a production that might make you forget the winning movie of the same name.

“I love this show — it’s incredibly funny, the music is fabulous, and the lyrics are so clever,” said the Dyker Heights-based director Danielle Giovinazzi, who loved the show so much, she saw it twice on Broadway. “It’s joke after joke, funny line after funny line.”

The scoundrels in question are two con men working the wealthy women visiting the French Riviera. One, Lawrence Jameson (played by Alex Amarosa, right), is a seasoned, sophisticated swindler, the other, Freddy Benson (Steve Velardi, left), an amateur who asks Jameson to show him the way. The town isn’t big enough for the two of them, though, and madcap, wildly funny drama ensues when the two try to out-con each other.

“It’s not ‘Hamlet,’ and it doesn’t have a big social message. I just want to make people laugh,” said Giovinazzi.

“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” at The Block Theatre [376 Bay 44th St. near Shore Parkway in Gravesend, (347) 492-0534], Fridays and Saturdays, May 6-21, 8 pm. Tickets, $20. For info, visit strivelliplayers.com.

Photo by Tom Callan

Read more...

Flea season is in full swing

By Meredith Deliso

Spring’s in full swing, and so are flea markets, shopping parties and expansions in this week’s Market Watch.

Spring Craft Market

More than 60 craftspeople will descend on the Brooklyn Lyceum in Park Slope on April 30 and May 1 for its annual Spring Craft Market. There’ll also be music, food and drink to also entertain, but don’t waste this opportunity to score a gift for the mother in your life, as Mother’s Day is fast approaching on May 8.

Spring Craft Market at the Brooklyn Lyceum [227 Fourth Ave. at President Street in Park Slope, (718) 857-4816], April 30 and May 1 from 11 am-7 pm. Free admission. For info, visit www.lyceummarkets.com.

Just for the girls

For the shopping set, here’s a Cinco de Mayo event you can get on board with. Shopping party planner Jovi, The Brooklyn Social brings its popular “Girls Night Out” event to Capri in Bay Ridge on May 5, when you can find dozens of clothes and accessories vendors, as well as nutrition products and fitness professionals, to help you look your best this spring. You can also enjoy a margarita at the open bar, tapas from Hom Boutique and Cafe, and the chance to win prizes.

“Girls Night Out” at Capri [437 88th St. near Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, (718) 748-1002], May 5 from 6-10 pm. Tickets $30.

Fulton Flea

The Fulton Flea is back for another spring and summer season. Running every Sunday starting May 8, the Brooklyn Plaza Fulton Flea will be home to a variety of artisan goods, products, and and food from local residents and businesses in Fort Greene.

Brooklyn Plaza Fulton Flea [650 Fulton St. between Fort Greene Place and S. Elliott Place in Fort Greene, (917) 364-5648], Sundays starting May 8 from 11 am-6:30 pm. For info, visit www.fultonflea.com.

Steve Alan expands

The old Jodi Arnold space next to Steven Alan on Atlantic Avenue has a new tenant — Steven Alan. Racked reports that the designer is essentially doubling in size in Boerum Hill as it takes advantage of the vacant space next store, which became open when designer Jodi Arnold closed in December, to have his and hers store. Each space, the original at 349 Atlantic Ave., the other at 347 Atlantic Ave., won’t be accessible from the other, but in case you’re shopping for both sexes, they’re still only right next door to each other. The new space is expected to open this week.

Steven Alan [347 and 349 Atlantic Ave. near Hoyt Street in Boerum Hill, (718) 852-3257].

Read more...

Your favorite new read — picked by your favorite bookstore

Who can you always count on when you’re in a bind and need a good book? Your neighborhood bookstore, of course, whose employees read all the newest books before you do. That’s why we’re launching this semi-regular column featuring must-reads, handpicked and written about by the staff at some of our favorite independent bookstores in Brooklyn.

The BookMark Shoppe’s pick: “The Imperfectionists”

“The Imperfectionists” is one of the most original stories I have come across as it follows the lives of a group of people working at an international newspaper based in Rome, Italy. Each chapter introduces us to a new character while maintaining the common thread of the life of the newspaper. It still amazes me how author Tom Rachman was able to capture the pivotal point in a character’s life while showing all of their imperfections. This is a must-read!

— Bina Valenzano, co-owner, The BookMark Shoppe [8415 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-5115].

Greenlight’s pick:  “Kraken”

We’re big China Mieville fans at Greenlight, and his newest novel in paperback, “Kraken,” is suspenseful, thought-provoking, sometimes scary and often funny — perfect for springtime beach or park reading. In fantasist Mieville’s version of London, the supernatural realm is the territory of gangland thugs, cult leaders and a special branch of the police. They’ve all got theories about the coming apocalypse — which seems to be connected to the magical disappearance of a rare giant squid from a museum. Full of unforgettable images and bizarre characters, the novel is a race against time and through Mieville’s incomparable imagination.

— Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, co-owner, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 246-0200].

WORD’s pick: “Kitchen Daughter”

My favorite thing about “Kitchen Daughter” is how it defies expectation. The premise sounds gimmicky: a woman with undiagnosed Asperger’s loses her parents, her buffer from the world, and whilst fighting with her sister over her future discovers she can summon ghosts by cooking their favorite recipes. I know, I know. But author Jael McHenry (a contributor to Culinate and other food sites) unites these precarious plot elements beautifully. Dark and hopeful by turns, “The Kitchen Daughter” is a moving, unaffected novel about the ways that grief can simultaneously derail us and open new doors.

— Jenn Northington, event manager, WORD [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383-0096].

Read more...

Your favorite new read - picked by your favorite bookstore

Who can you always count on when you’re in a bind and need a good book? Your neighborhood bookstore, of course, whose employees read all the newest books before you do. That’s why we’re launching this semi-regular column featuring must-reads, handpicked and written about by the staff at some of our favorite independent bookstores in Brooklyn.

The BookMark Shoppe’s pick: “Viola in the Spotlight”

Adriana Trigiani is perhaps one of my favorite authors of all time … and I read a lot of books each week. Her writing instantly draws you into each character. Trigiani has a flair for writing about family drama that will have you laughing and crying through to the end. In her latest young adult novel, “Viola in the Spotlight,” the title character finds her way back to Brooklyn for the summer, but is home where she really belongs? Pick up a copy and find out for yourself! Better still, Trigiani will be at The BookMark Shoppe on April 19 at 7 pm, when you can meet her and pick up my other favorites by her, including “Lucia Lucia,”  “Very Valentine” and “Queen of the Big Time.”

— Bina Valenzano, co-owner, The BookMark Shoppe [8415 Third Ave. between 84th and 85th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-5115].

Greenlight’s pick:  “Witches On The Road Tonight”

The Greenlight staff is crazy about “Witches On The Road Tonight,” the new novel by our neighbor, Sheri Holman. The author of book club favorite “The Dress Lodger” writes engrossing and accessible fiction that also addresses the big themes of class, gender, politics and culture through unique and compelling characters. This novel is partly about American fears, from witches in 1930s Appalachia to cheesy 1980s horror movies to the terrifying 24-hour TV news cycle of the 21st century. It’s also deliciously atmospheric, suspenseful, heartbreaking and sometimes spooky — it will stick with you like last night’s strange dreams.

— Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, co-owner, Greenlight Bookstore [86 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 246-0200].

WORD’s pick: “A Visit from the Goon Squad”

WORD agrees that Jennifer Egan’s experimental novel is one of our favorite books, and since its recently out in paperback, you really have no more excuses not to pick it up. Egan takes some big risks in this novel — one chapter is entirely composed of PowerPoint slides, one takes us briefly into the future, the cast of characters is huge and varied — and pulls them all off. The last two chapters in particular are a one-two punch to the emotional gut. Don’t let the phrase “linked story-set” scare you off! Pick it up and dive in.

— Jenn Northington, event manager, WORD [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 383-0096].

Read more...

For the love of Miss Peggy Lee

By Meredith Deliso

Watch out — this show will give you fever.

Peggy Lee lives again in a Bay Ridge cabaret that will have men and women impersonating the blonde, smoky-voiced legend.

On April 3, the Scandinavian East Coast Museum hosts a tribute to the incomparable jazz singer, actress and songwriter with a variety of song-and-dance numbers.

“She’ll be turning over in her grave if she saw my replica of her,” said Bob Carlson, 71, who will be donning a blonde wig, dress, sombrero and a beauty mark on his right cheek for a lip-synched rendition of “Mañana.” “I hope I don’t get wrapped up in one of my boas.”

The Bay Ridgite will be accompanied by four female dancers in drag as he dances and interacts with the audience.

“My whole life has been a party, I always like to have fun,” said Carlson. “Peggy Lee had a feel for life, too. She had a terrific sense of humor.”

In addition to songs like “Mañana,” the cabaret will span the length of Lee’s varied career, from her early penned pieces like “What More Can a Woman Do,” recorded by Sarah Vaughan and Dizzy Gillespe and Charlie Parker, and hits including “Fever” and “Is That All There Is?” to projects like the soundtrack for Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp” (where she did both voices in “The Siamese Cat Song,” purring and all).

“You can see the breadth of what she did, from Benny Goodman to the 1980s,” said Museum founder Victoria Hofmo, who decided to put the cabaret together after learning Lee was of Scandinavian heritage (plus, who wouldn’t want to put together a Peggy Lee tribute?). “The style changes a lot, but she always has an amazing voice.”

Audience members are also invited to participate in a look-a-like contest, where the winner gets $50. And there may be a few other surprises in store, as well.

“As far as I know, Miss Piggy was fashioned after Peggy Lee,” said Hofmo. “So Miss Piggy might be there, too.”

Peggy Lee tribute at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church [440 Ovington Ave. at Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge, (718) 748-9502], April 3, 3-7 pm. Tickets $35 (includes appetizers, drinks and dessert). Reservations recommended. To sign up for the look-alike contest, call (718) 748-5950.


Photo by Steve Solomonson

Read more...

Gyro Station your stop for Egyptian food

By Helen Klein

It’s a long way — literally and metaphorically — from Tahrir Square to Bay Ridge.

As long-awaited change dominated headlines in Cairo last month, here, centuries-old tradition is alive and well — in Egyptian cuisine.

Some of the country’s most flavorful dishes — falafel, chicken kebabs, baba ganoush, humus — are also the most time-tested ones, and they were exceptionally pleasing at Fifth Avenue eatery Gyro Station.

You’re not coming here for the atmosphere — this is a take-out/eat-in joint with a few tables at the back, and an array of classic Middle Eastern dishes displayed at the serving counter at the front. And the paintings of a big city skyline and Coney Island on the walls do not carry the diner away to the sands of the Sahara.

But the food does.

Flattened falafels ($1.99 for an appetizer portion) are crispy and golden, with little chunks of chickpea still palpable in the dough — perfect foils to the tart yogurt dipping sauce that accompanied them.

The baba ganoush ($2.99) is subtly smoky, the way it should be, with the flavor of the flames that licked the eggplant’s skin gently permeating the mashed flesh of the vegetable.

Grape leaves ($2.99 for six) stuffed with rice are tart and refreshing, providing an elegant counterpoint to the richness of the baba ganoush and the humus ($2.99) — mashed chickpeas spiked with lemon juice.

Shawarma ($9.99 for platter with rice and salad) — lamb grilled on a vertical spit and shaved off — is succulent, the tender inside meat contrasting pleasantly with the lightly charred exterior.

Cubes of grilled chicken served on a bed of rice ($9.99 for the chicken kebab platter with rice and salad) are equally mouth-watering — delicate yet distinctive.

The portions are generous; mounds of yellow rice and large scoops of classic Middle Eastern-style salads — chunks of tomato and cucumber, tossed with lettuce and parsley — accompany the meat, which itself is too much for a single serving.

And the pace is amazingly relaxed for a restaurant that looked more like fast food than anything else. There was lots of time for conversation and conviviality both before and after the meal arrived.

Almost like the Eastern Mediterranean. Almost.

Gyro Station [6917 Fifth Ave. near Bay Ridge Avenue in Bay Ridge, (718-748-3271)]. Credit cards accepted. Open seven days, 11 am to 4 am.

Read more...

Yum-Yum! Regina Opera Company does 'The Mikado'

By Meredith Deliso

Let’s face it, everyone loves “The Mikado.”

The satirical Gilbert and Sullivan light musical was Regina Opera’s most successful productions when staged nearly 10 years ago, so the Bay Ridge troupe decided to bring it back with a full-scale production from March 5 to 13.

“Operetta is not our bread and butter — we tend toward bigger pieces like ‘Tosca’ and ‘Madame Butterfly’ — so this was a nice addition,” said director Linda Lehr.

Set during late 1800s Japan, the comic plot follows the love affairs of the royal residents of Titipu: the Mikado; the elderly Katisha, who is set to marry the Mikado’s son, Nanki-Poo; his dear love, Yum-Yum; and her fiancee, Ko-Ko.

The Japanese setting was mainly a device to allow the writers to satirize Victorian mores at a time — 1885 — when such things were not done. Still, there’s some authenticity in the company’s production; Regina soprano Yoko Yamashita, who was trained in Japanese classical dance, has been helping with the choreography.

“Our show goes from real Japanese dance all the way to British musical vaudeville choreography,” said Lehr. “We’re having a lot of fun with it.”

“The Mikado” at Regina Hall [1210 65th St. at 12th Avenue in Bay Ridge, (718) 259-2772], March 5-6, 12-13 at 3 pm. Tickets $23 ($18 for students and seniors, $5 for teens, and free for children). For info, visit www.reginaopera.org.


Photo by Matthew Nedbalsky

Read more...

It’s Regina Opera’s annual ‘Salute to Broadway’

By Meredith Deliso

Broadway is coming to Bay Ridge.

On Feb. 6, the Regina Opera Company trades Wagner for Webber when it holds its regular “Salute to Broadway” concert.

Among the two dozen selections of Broadway and popular tunes, songs will be pulled from such classics as “Showboat,” “South Pacific” “My Fair Lady,” “West Side Story,” as well as more contemporary shows like “Les Miserables”  “Jekyll and Hyde,” and “Evita.”

“I like to pick some contemporary Broadway shows, along with the classic Broadway shows,” said Regina founder Francine Garber. “It’s a nice variety.”

Still, the company can’t help but stick to its roots, as it also performs songs from the operettas “Die Fledermaus” and “Candide.”

The salute  is a staple concert for the company, which puts it on a few times a year for Brooklyn’s Broadway lovers.

“People in the audience know all the words, and sometimes they hum along,” said Garber. “We don’t discourage them.”

Salute to Broadway at Regina Hall [1210 65th St. at 12th Avenue in Bay Ridge, (718) 259-2772], Feb. 6 at 3 pm. Tickets $12 ($5 for teens, free for children). For info, visit www.reginaopera.org.

Photo: Join baritone Gregg Lauterbach and the Regina Opera Company in its “Salute to Broadway,” a concert on Feb. 6 featuring all your toe-tapping favorites.

Read more...