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].

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'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

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Skate into shape with new roller derby league

Roller warriors! Danielle Ross, Cindy Gutierrez and Tara Bottone (from left) get in shape thanks to Derby Fit, a fitness league at the Greenwood Playground in Windsor Terrace that kicks off this Saturday.

By Meredith Deliso

Hey ladies, if you’re looking to get in shape, just put on some skates!

Starting this Sunday, the Greenwood Playground will be home to Derby Fit, a roller derby league for women that’s based on the teachings of Gotham Girls Roller Derby, that gritty urban racing game.

Jasmina Nikolov, a member of the Friends of Greenwood Playground, decided to bring a less-intimidating version of that derby program to the Windsor Terrace Park last year for a fun, but still intense, way to get in shape.

“It was really scary initially, I hadn’t been in skates in 20 years,” said the Kensington resident. “But it was wonderful. It was really exhilarating.”

Those sessions were such a hit, the group, this time led by Friends member Lisa Origlieri, decided to bring it back for three sessions this spring and summer. The six- to seven-week sessions are geared toward beginners, during which you can learn such skills as turning, stopping, proper stance, and falling on stakes. Cardio and conditioning are also done on foot, but the real work comes when the quad-skates are laced up.

“Skating in itself is a tremendous workout,” said Tracey Debenedictis, aka Ariel Assault, a Gotham Girls Roller Derby coach who leads the Derby Fit league. “And skating in a good, low derby stance is basically like holding a squat for two hours.”

Elbows — and punches — are known to be thrown during the competitive version of the sport, popularized by the 2009 movie, “Whip It,” starring Ellen Page, but the Derby Fit program brings a non-contact, non-aggressive version to the park. As a result, it’s attracted women of all ages, but most prominent are new moms looking to shed their baby weight in a fun, social way.

“I’m not one for the gym,” said Origlieri, who had her second child five months ago. “But this doesn’t seem like work. It’s more fun.”

Derby Fit at Greenwood Playground (Fort Hamilton Parkway and E. Fifth Street in Windsor Terrace, no phone). The first of six sessions begins on May 8 at 9 am, followed by two seven-week sessions after that. Cost is $125 for six weeks, $145 for seven. For info, visit www.friendsofgreenwoodplayground.bbnow.org or e-mail greenwoodrollerderby@gmail.com.

Photo by Sara Brittany Somerset

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Simply Guactacular: Guacamole competition returns

By Alex Rush

There’s only one rule at this cook-off: Don’t double-dip!

At Guactacular, hundreds of avocado lovers will get to dunk their chips in 20 different guacamole recipes from competing enthusiasts. But event organizers are making sure that the May 8 celebration stays free of any George Costanzas.

“Frito Lay is giving us hundreds of Tostitos bags, so there will be no need to dip a chip twice,” said Rachel Anderson of the blog Nachos NY (pictured with Lee Frank), which has been running the cook-off at the Bell House for three years.

Still, you’ll want to help yourself to plenty of the avocado creations, as Guactacular competitors are known for their creative blends. For instance, last year’s winning dip featured a dollop of ricotta.

“Guacamole is a food that anyone can make and everyone thinks that they have the best recipe,” said Anderson. “I can’t say I haven’t had a guacamole I didn’t like.”

Guactacular at the Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third avenues in Gowanus, (718) 643-6510], May 8 from 5 to 8 pm. Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at the door. For info, visit www.nachosny.com.


Photo by Tom Callan

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Other derby parties

Sure, the Bell House has a killer party this Saturday for the Kentucky Derby. But that's not the only game in town.

Here's a look at other Brooklyn parties where you can get your mint julep on:

The funnest: Pete's Candy Store

This party's got it all: hat contests, derby pie cook-off, a "Bluegrass Blue Plate Special," horse trivia, and betting (for fun, of course). Our money's on Uncle Mo.

Pete's Candy Store [709 Lorimer St. at Richardson Street in Williamsburg, (718) 302-3770], May 7 at 3 pm. Free.

The classiest: Smack Mellon

Get your fix of art, horses and mint juleps at Smack Mellon's Kentucky Derby party. Bring your most outrageous hat, enjoy some tasty food and leave home with an original work of art.

Smack Mellon [92 Plymouth St. at Washington Street in DUMBO, (718) 834-8761], May 7 at 4 pm. Tickets $250 (includes original piece of art).


The tastiest: Mable's Smokehouse

Chow down on BBQ, swing back Bourbon specials, and cap it off with some homemade derby pie at this newish Williamsburg spot's first Kentucky Derby Party. There'll also be some competitive betting (also for fun, of course).

Mable's Smokehouse [N. 11th Street near Berry Street in Williamsburg, (718) 218-6655], May 7 at 3 pm. 



Know of any other Brooklyn parties we're forgetting? Share them in the comments section!

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The best Derby party outside of Kentucky

By Meredith Deliso

And they’re off!

The mint juleps will be flowing, the hats will be crazy and the seersucker suits will be in full force when the Bell House throws its annual Kentucky Derby Party on Saturday.

Sure, there’s a big race on, but for Michael Boyd, it’s all about the party.

“It’s not really about racing, it’s about springtime,” said Boyd, a Kentuckian who organizes the party at the Gowanus venue each year. “Where I come from, it’s the biggest holiday of the year. It’s our version of Mardi Gras.”

Boyd started hosting Derby parties in his Cobble Hill apartment 13 years ago, but they became so popular he moved them to the now-closed Magnetic Fields on Atlantic Avenue. That party soon outgrew that venue, moving to Union Hall, and then the Bell House, where Derby enthusiasts have been converging for the past three years. (You can also find the race on at Union Hall on May 7 for the Park Slope venue’s own Derby party.)

“There’s something about it that people respond to,” said Boyd, who, thanks to his Derby parties, is a bona fide colonel. “It’s still a little bit of a mystery to me as to why. Especially in Brooklyn, it’s a weird Southern-meets-hipster thing.”

Indeed, before the jockeys kick things off at 6 pm, you can enjoy the DJ stylings of Party Like It’s 1999’s Steven R. Reynolds, square dancing led by David Harvey and NYC Barn Dance, including lessons for all the newbies, food from Urban Rustic and ice cream from Van Leeuwen Artisan.

For the competitive set, there’s a contest for best dressed man, best formal hat, and best informal hat (think beer hats).

“The things people would do for their informal hats are just amazing,” said Boyd, who will fit in with the festivities thanks to his tan seersucker suit. “You never know what you’re going to see every year, but it always will be eye-popping.”

Before the race, Ryan Resky (pictured) will do the honors of the Call to the Post, that all-too-familiar bugle tune, and Jaime and Lisa from the band The Secret History will sing “My Old Kentucky Home.” And then it’s the quickest two minutes in history once the horses are released (our money’s on Uncle Mo).

“The real magic is the moments when they’re loading the horses in the gate,” said Boyd. “There’s this crescendo all day leading up to it, and it gets unbelievably loud. The hair on my arms is standing just talking about it. “

Derby Day at the Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third avenues in Gowanus, (718) 643-6510]. Free. For info, visit www.thebellhouseny.com; also at Union Hall [702 Union St. near Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, (718) 638-4400]. Free. For info, visit www.unionhallny.com. Both parties are May 7 at 1 pm.


Photo by Allan E. Shoening

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Calling all artists

Small Works for Change is throwing an art fundraiser — for a cause of your choice.

The group's collecting small, donated, two-dimensional art that would then be sold for $25, with all proceeds going to one of eight charities, including Japan Red Cross, that is of the artist's choosing.

The artwork will be on sale at the Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene on May 21.

For interested participants, art work must be 8"X10" or smaller. You can drop the piece off at participating businesses in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill area, including a piece of paper that includes:

Name

Date

Title (optional)

Personal Info you care to share (age, profession. residency, website, etc.)

E-mail (for office use only)

You can also mail your piece and this info to:

79 Clifton Place, #5C

Brooklyn, NY 11238

For more info, email smallworksforchange@gmail.com.  

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