Brooklyn Boro

It’s happening: Inauguration Day events in Brooklyn

What to do as the era of Trump begins

January 19, 2017 Compiled by Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Numerous Inaugural Day events are taking place across Brooklyn on Friday. Artists, political organizers, musicians and businesses will be making their voices heard with an eclectic mix of activities — and bars are offering balm for troubled souls. AP photo by Evan Vucci
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Friday’s Inauguration Day is unlike any other in our nation’s history. President-elect Donald Trump has the lowest approval ratings of any incoming president, and strikes have been called nationwide by women’s groups, progressives and artists.

Anti-Trump demonstrations are planned outside numerous Trump buildings across the country. (And on Saturday, midtown streets will be clogged with the NYC Women’s March, taking place at the same time as the massive Women’s March in Washington, D.C.)

While a small number of Trump supporters live in Brooklyn, mainly in Bay Ridge, no official pro-Trump inaugural events have been organized, according to Sen. Marty Golden’s office. Three Golden staffers have headed to Washington, D.C. for the celebration. (On Wednesday, however, a pro-Trump party was held at Amp insurance brokerage, at 7709 5th Ave. in Bay Ridge.)

For those opposed to Trump, however, numerous events are taking place in Brooklyn. Artists, political organizers, musicians and businesses will be making their voices heard with an eclectic mix of activities across the borough, and bars are offering balm for troubled souls. Here are some of Brooklyn’s notable Inauguration Day activities:

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Marathon Reading: The Brooklyn Museum is hosting a daylong marathon reading of Langston Hughes’ 1935 poem, “Let America Be America Again” from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. Artists, writers, performers, activists, and community members will be reading. Free. Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion, 1st Floor. Kick-off and libations by Queen GodIs. 200 Eastern Parkway. brooklynmuseum.org

Brooklyn Women’s Campaign Workshop: Eleanor’s Legacy is hosting an anti-inauguration political engagement and campaign workshop in Downtown Brooklyn from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1 Metro Tech, Ste. 1701, at the offices of Abrams Fensterman. Reserve; space is limited. www.eleanorslegacy.com/jan20campaignschool

Don’t Panic, Organize: A night of camaraderie and activism at Union Hall presented by local grassroots, independent and Democratic Party organizers. Learn how you can resist what the organizers call “the dangerous national agenda of the new administration.” Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Free karaoke at 10:30 p.m.  Presented by You Matter. 702 Union St. 718-638-4400 http://www.unionhallny.com/event/1414031

Pop Up Debunker: We Eat Together plans a prototype pop up debunker art and music space from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., which will “serve as a safe home base in Brooklyn” for Trump protesters. An EMT instructor will teach first aid in the morning, and small protest safety kits will be handed out. Meeting point for those going to the Women’s March on Washington, D.C. on Jan. 21. 174 Broadway, Brooklyn. WeEatTogether.org/debunker

Silent protest: Middle school students from Brooklyn Friends School will hold a silent protest with signs bearing positive messages at Borough Hall at 2:45 p.m.

 Handbills of Subversion — Tremendous Art from Losers, Nasty Women and The Gays: Dozens of artists created handbill-sized art in reaction to the Trump election. Artists include Adam Suerte, Abe Lincoln Jr., Drew Maillard, Tara McPherson and more. All handbills will be up for sale for $120 cash, with proceeds benefiting Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. 7 to 10 p.m., MF Gallery, 213 Bond St. Free. http://mfgallery.net/

Beyond Patience & Fortitude at The City Reliquary Museum: The kickoff event of a series designed to educate and empower. Sign-making, buttons, posters, informational “know your rights” flyers provided, along with free copies of RESIST!, political comics. Performance by Loud Box and a screening of Bill Santen’s nostalgic treatment of Barack Obama’s 2008 inauguration. 7 p.m. Space is limited; reserve. 370 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg. www.cityreliquary.org/beyondpatience/

Inaugural Resistance Party & ACLU Benefit: Dance to raise money for civil liberties. Musical performance by Jon Grossman. A representative from the New York Civil Liberties Union will be on hand to explain how you can get involved. Cash bar, complimentary hors-d’oevres, art raffle, and more. 7:30 p.m. – 12 a.m. Suggested donation at the door of $10-$100, no one turned away. Gemini & Scorpio Loft, Douglass Street off 3rd Avenue, Gowanus facebook.com/events/360980877592125

Keep It Together charity concert: Max Decibel Music and the Anti-Bigot Brigade’s first Keep It Together music night/jam will debut on Inauguration Day at Bushwick’s Gold Sounds. Enjoy performances from No Nets, The Thirds, Swinging Riot, Almost Aimless and Girls Scout, with proceeds benefiting the Ali Forney Center for LGBTQ youth. 7:30 p.m. (Bring a coat for One Warm Coat’s annual coat drive.) 44 Wilson Ave., $10, goldsoundsbar.com

The Election Monologues: Jalopy Theatre presents a one hour presentation of diverse monologues written in response to the 2016 election. Not dogma or propaganda, but storytelling. Post-show conversation at Jalopy Tavern. Doors open 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Suggested donation $10. Proceeds will go to the NYC Food Bank. Jalopy Theater, 315 Columbia St., Columbia Waterfront District. www.electionmonologues.com

Anti-Inaugural Ball: Celebrating the art of the protest, and the joy of resistance, to benefit the Women’s March on NYC. Hosted by Shellshag and Antibodies, with music by Puppies, Peter Stampfel, Snakeskin, Antibodies plus speakers from the DSA and ACT UP. Dressing up encouraged. 8 p.m. The Silent Barn art space, 603 Bushwick Ave. Advance tickets: http://silentbarn.org

The Anti-Inaugural Ball will be held at The Silent Barn art space in Bushwick. Graphic courtesy of The Silent Barn

Drink your troubles away

Bars across Brooklyn will be offering soothing libations, music and performances on what promises to be a jarring Inauguration Day. (Hinterlands Bar in Kensington, for example, promises to show cute only animal videos on both of their televisions all day and night, for those who just don’t want to think about it.)

Here are a few bars which have pledged to donate Inauguration Day proceeds to anti-administration organizations, such as Planned Parenthood. So you can drink and know you’re doing good for your country

Anti-Inauguration Get Down: The bar will be turning afternoon proceeds into a donation to the ACLU and Planned Parenthood while pumping Prince, Bowie, George Michael “and the many other musical voices who have sung for love and freedom.” 2 – 4 p.m. at Hanson Dry, 925 Fulton St., Clinton Hill

Thanks, Obama: A Dance Party Fundraiser: DJ Rameslam and DJ Basslines will take over The Call Box dive bar from 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. $5 at the door; proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders. 2 Lombardy St., Greenpoint

Drink Pink: A Fundraiser for Planned Parenthood: The bar is selling select beers for $2 each and donating all money to Planned Parenthood. 4 – 11 p.m. The Well, 272 Meserole St., Williamsburg

#WeAreHer: A Night of Female Empowerment: Benefit concert in support of women’s rights, female artists and musicians. 7 – 10 p.m. Suggested donation $10 – $20. All proceeds go to Planned Parenthood and ACLU. Friends and Lovers Bar, 641 Classon Ave.

Tuffet bar will be hosting a silent auction and raffle fundraiser for Planned Parenthood and other progressive causes from 5 p.m. to midnight. Cocktail specials, complimentary snacks. 286 Graham Ave. https://www.facebook.com/events/384492468565412/

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