BK Navy Yard Summer Line-Up: Virtual Ping Pong, Queer Tour & More

FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN — What is summer for if not eating hot dogs alongside a professional competitive eater or taking a bike tour of the neighborhood's waterfront?

The Brooklyn Navy Yard has announced its line-up of summer events, including several new tours that will offer a look into the borough's queer history during Pride Month or a glimpse into the food and drinks offered in the waterfront complex.

“We are excited to invite locals and visitors to the Yard for what we think is our best lineup of summer programming yet,” Navy Yard President David Ehrenberg said. “Our programming helps us to continue to deliver on our mission of driving traffic to tenant businesses and gives the public multiple ways to experience the Yard through workshops, tours, family activities, and more."

This year's long list of summer activities will kick off this weekend and continue through August. The Navy Yard also released a sneak peek at what is in store for the fall.

Here's what you need to know:

• Tours
  • June 22; “Brooklyn Navy Yard: When Brooklyn Was Queer Tour and Talk with Hugh Ryan” in celebration of Pride Month. Author, curator and activist, Hugh Ryan partners with Turnstile Tours on an interactive tour that brings to light lesser known histories in and around the Navy Yard. Tour ends at Kings County Distillery where participants can enjoy a custom-cocktail included with their ticket price.
  • "Urban Ecology" bicycle tour of the yard, also hosted by Turnstile Tours, will be available June 22 and Aug. 24.
  • "Whiskey Wars Tour and Tasting” scheduled for July 27, Aug. 10 and Sept. 14
  • Farm Tour at the Brooklyn Grange offered weekly on Wednesdays
  • “Brooklyn Navy Yard: Past, Present & Future Tour” is offered every weekend
  • "WWII Tour of the Yard" is offered monthly on selected Sundays

• July 4
  • Enjoy the Macy’s fireworks atop the Brooklyn Grange
  • Visit The Gatehouse at Kings County Distillery from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. for music, food and a hot dog eating contest starring competitive eater Kobayashi. All proceeds will go toward local LGBTQIA foundations.

• Classes and Workshops
  • Weekly drop-in classes on Tuesdays or Saturdays at Brooklyn Clay Industries
  • Multi-week courses with Bien Hecho Academy
  • "Community Papermaking Demo & Workshop" with Dieu Donne on August 24
  • "Future Saturdays," a free family series that is ideal for ages 5 to 12 includes Future of Fashion on July 20, Modern Maritime on Aug. 17 and Sustainability on Sept. 21
  • Free “Yoga in the Garden” July 11 and 25, Aug. 8 and 22 and Sept. 12 and 26.
  • “Teletextile Sound Bath” at the Naval Cemetery Landscape on July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19

• Exhibits and Art Installations
  • Open call for artists to submit works to be featured in the Open House New York on Oct. 19. Submissions due by July 15.
  • “Seeing Things As They Really Are” is currently on view in BLDG 92 and the Jordan Schnitzer Gallery (Building 3, Suite 602) through September 8. Organized by Yard tenant, Dieu Donné, the exhibition explores the sculptural and three-dimensional qualities of paper drawn from the organization’s collection.
  • On July 18, Dieu Donné and co-director of artistic projects, Amy Jacobs, will be in conversation with Workspace Resident Ezra Tessler at 6:45 p.m. at BLDG 92. Tickets are free but limited. Enjoy happy hour prices on beer and wine at the Brooklyn Roasting Company in BLDG 92 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. before the talk begins.
  • Play Array: An Urban Pong Game by Urban Matter will be on view in Building 77 in July and August. This installation allows viewers to play virtual Pong using their Smartphones as control paddles.
  • Art from the Yard's Visiting Artist Program includes a mural on the ground floor of Building 77 by Katie Merz and other pieces by Kabir Carter, João Enxuto and Erica Love, and Nathan Williams.
  • "Brooklyn Navy Yard: Past, Present & Future," a permanent exhibit that offers a great overview of the site’s history 1801 to present.

• Food, concerts and more
  • Local band Favorite States at Rooftop Reds will perform on July 12, Aug. 2, and Sept. 6.
  • “Back to School Bash” on Aug. 10, where students of all ages can meet some of the Yard businesses working in STEAM fields.
  • “Third Thursday” program at BLDG 92 every third Thursday of the month. Visitors can try different signature drinks and participate in free programs such as behind-the-scenes tours and special artist talks from 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Newly opened Transmitter Brewing (Building 77)
  • Rooftop Reds offer a variety of fun events to check out like, “Ribs & Rosé,” “Rooftop Brunch,” and “Pizza Movie Night” every Thursday.
  • Kings County Distillery offers ongoing tours and programs including“Whiskey Wars Tour & Tasting.”

Programs won't end once the summer is over. The Yard also released a preview of its Fall line-up, including the Open House New York Weekend on Oct. 19, which is the only day of the year where the Yard completely opens its site to the public. A full schedule of Archtober tours and participation in Made in NYC Week will be expected later in the summer.

The Yard’s Second Annual Holiday Market will be held Dec. 7 and 8. This market features dozens of Yard tenants and Yard-made gifts for everyone on your shopping list.