My stepmother in Brooklyn Heights has been busy trying to get the details about the Bridge’s birthday party. It seems that, even in Brooklyn Heights, info about the celebration kick off has been kept on the low down.
Thankfully, there are loads of details at McBrooklyn. Thanks McBrooklyn!
And it all begins tonight with fireworks and music and will carry on through Memorial Day weekend, when Brooklyn and Manhattan celebrate the
Bridge’s 125th anniversary with a host of events honoring the
structure’s historic and cultural significance.
Read on for more information about the free festivities, go to the Official Guide for a complete schedule.
Thursday, May 22
Celebration Kick-off: Be part of the excitement with a
concert featuring the Brooklyn Philharmonic and special guest
performances including the legendary Marvin Hamlisch, followed by a
Grucci Fireworks extravaganza. A festive lighting ceremony will
illuminate the entire Bridge, which will remain lit every evening from
9pm–11pm through Memorial Day. Doors open at 6pm; concert starts at
7:45pm. Free. (Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, enter at Main Street, Brooklyn)
The Telectroscope: A Window Through the World: Discover the long-forgotten transatlantic tunnel between London and Brooklyn with the Telectroscope.
Artist Paul St. George’s public media project is an amazing optical
device that allows viewers in Brooklyn to see all the way to London.
Through June 15. Free. (On Old Fulton Street at Fulton Ferry Landing, Brooklyn)
Friday, May 23
Brooklyn Bridge Film Series: Pack a picnic dinner and enjoy
the sunset at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge as DJs spin tunes. Stick
around for an open-air showing of Walt Disney Pictures’ Enchanted (2007; rated PG), a modern-day fairy tale set in Manhattan. It will be preceded by two short historic films—Panorama from the Tower of the Brooklyn Bridge (1903) and Manhatta (1921). Music begins at 6pm; film starts at 8:30pm. This event is free—along with the popcorn. (Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, enter at Main Street, Brooklyn)
To experience New York City film from inside the theater, head to Tribeca Cinemas to catch Mo’ Better Blues
(1990; rated R) from Brooklyn’s own Spike Lee, starring Denzel
Washington as a Brooklyn-born jazz trumpeter. Arrive early as seating
is limited. Doors open at 6:30pm; film begins at 7pm. Free. (54 Varick Street at Laight Street, Manhattan)
Brooklyn Bridge Information Tents: The American Society of
Civil Engineers and the Roebling Chapter of the Society for Industrial
Archeology will offer guided tours of the Bridge through Sunday,
10am–5pm. Free. (Brooklyn Bridge by Manhattan and Brooklyn-side arches)
Saturday, May 24
Brooklyn Bridge Film Series: Did you know the Brooklyn Bridge was once called the East River Bridge? Learn all sorts of information about the landmark from Brooklyn Bridge (1981), a documentary directed by Ken Burns. Seating is limited at this event presented by the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The film begins at 4:30pm; tickets available starting at 1:30pm. Free. (30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn)
Enjoy the views from the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge and sing along to the musical It Happened in Brooklyn
(1947), starring Frank Sinatra as a Brooklynite returning home from the
war. The feature will be preceded by two short historic films—Panorama from the Tower of the Brooklyn Bridge (1903) and Manhatta (1921). DJs will begin spinning tunes at 6pm; film starts at 8:30pm. This event is free—along with the popcorn. (Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, enter at Main Street, Brooklyn)
Lecture Series: In honor of the Bridge’s 125th birthday, the Brooklyn Historical Society
will host of weekend of lectures and readings at their headquarters
(128 Pierrepont Street at Clinton Street, Brooklyn, 718-222-4111) each
hour from 1–4pm. Additional lectures will be held at Surrogates Court
(31 Chambers Street, Room 209, Manhattan) from 1–3pm. Seating is
limited at all readings. For a complete schedule, visit the Official Guide to the Brooklyn Bridge 125th Birthday Celebration. Free.
Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tour: Ron Schweiger, the official
historian for Brooklyn, will give a tour of the Brooklyn Bridge at
11am. Call 718-802-3846 for more information. Free. (Meet at Manhattan-side arch of the Brooklyn Bridge)
Brooklyn Icons Mini-Golf: This mini-golf course features some
of Brooklyn’s most famous sites, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Grand
Army Plaza and the Brooklyn Cyclones’ baseball stadium, KeySpan Park.
Golf clubs and balls are provided on-site. This event will be held
Saturday and Sunday, 1–5pm. For more information, go to visitbrooklyn.org or call 718-802-3846. Free. (Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, enter on Main Street, Brooklyn)
Sunday, May 25
Tour de Brooklyn: For the fourth year in a row, 2,000
bicyclists will ride all around Brooklyn in this leisurely 18-mile bike
tour. Participate or just cheer from the sidelines. For advance
registration, go to tourdebrooklyn.org. Family friendly. Free.
Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tours: At 11am, Ron Schweiger, the
official historian for Brooklyn, will give a tour of the Brooklyn
Bridge (meet at the Manhattan-side arch of Brooklyn Bridge). At 1pm and
4pm, Dave Fieder—aka “Dave the Bridge Man”—will also give tours of the
landmark (meet at Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge). Call
718-802-3846 for more information. Free.
Lecture Series: In honor of the Bridge’s 125th birthday, the Brooklyn Historical Society
will host of weekend of lectures and readings at their headquarters
(128 Pierrepont Street at Clinton Street, Brooklyn, 718-222-4111) each
hour from 1–3pm. Additional lectures will be held at Surrogate’s Court
(31 Chambers Street, Room 209, Manhattan) from 1–4pm. Seating is
limited at all readings. For a complete schedule, visit the Official Guide to the Brooklyn Bridge 125th Birthday Celebration. Free.
Dance and Musical Performances: Various dance and music
groups will celebrate the spirit of the Brooklyn Bridge with
performances from 1–5pm. For a complete schedule of events, go to visitbrooklyn.org or visit the Official Guide to the Brooklyn Bridge 125th Birthday Celebration. All performances are free. (Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, enter at Main Street, Brooklyn)
Additional Information
For more cultural activities, visit our Calendar of Events, or go to nyc.gov or visitbrooklyn.org. For a complete schedule, check out the Official Guide to the Brooklyn Bridge 125th Birthday Celebration.
To view more historical photos of the Brooklyn Bridge, go to dailynewspix.com.