Time to enjoy those last few warm days — it’s fall for real, folks!

I don’t know about you, but it’s been tough for me to concentrate this week after three whole days off. I think this weekend’s huge list of neighborhood fabulousness should wake me up a little.

Tonight catch Bushwick star Sharon van Etten at Zebulon — she’s back from touring and won’t be doing many more shows this year so fans should act fast!

Friday night take a mini gallery walk down Flushing starting at Pocket Utopia’s latest opening — a group show featuring Dana Gentile, Suzanne Walters, Bill Gerhard, Sophie Naess and Rico Gatson. Then head to Factory Fresh for their Power & Currency opening. The show curated by Natalie Kates features work by several artists including Gaia and omg ESPO. I’m super excited!

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Labor Day already? Where has the time gone??? Luckily there’s plenty of awesome stuff to do this weekend to take your brain off the impending end of another Wickity summer.

Tomorrow, Sleep When Dead brings you Slingshot Dakota, Small Arms Dealer and Street Smart Cyclist at Silent Barn.

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It’s starting to feel a bit like fall in the evenings. Time to get outdoors while the getting’s good…. BBQs, romantic strolls through Maria Hernandez Park, perhaps a pizza in Roberta’s fabulous backyard. It’ll be a good weekend to do all that AND take in some serious cinematic magic right here in Bushwick.

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Another jam-packed weekend in our little corner of Brooklyn. Too too many music happenings to possibly fit here: art, dance, dancing…. the works.

Tonight and tomorrow take in some global culture at Chez Bushwick — Bandlien & Pelmus (of Norway and Romania respectively) performing new works as part of CB’s residency program Force Majeure. Saturday head to English Kills gallery for the opening of their latest show Maximum Perspective: Contemporary Brooklyn Performance, which “seeks for the first time to create an entirely live environment for expression: at all open gallery hours, at least one performance will be taking place within the gallery.” A challenging task, but I have full faith in curators Peter Dobill and genius Chris Harding. After you’ve taken in some thought provoking live performance, head to Bodega to rock out to Pass Kontrol and No One and the Somebodies.

And Sunday — omg — Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings free at Central Park SummerStage. Have fun out there, kids — the summer is flying!

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I met up with Kevin (one of my fave Bushwick-based artists) at Factory Fresh this rainy Sunday to check out their latest show, “Fresh Meat.” We were lucky enough to have a chance to chat with gallery co-founder Ali Ha — her energy is amazing and she was so enthusiastic about the artists’ work. The exhibit showcases the work of the Factory Fresh team, a talented, energetic, and devoted crew who helped get the gallery up and running this summer.

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As we approach the dog days of summer and friends go away on fabulous vacays, it might be time to have a Bushwick “staycation” (I know we probably all hate that media-created buzz word by now, but I couldn’t stop myself). Tonight, 3rd Ward goes to Manhattan (Leo Kesting Gallery) to celebrate the winner of their photography contest: Exposure. “Pete Eckert’s work features explosions of light and teeters on the verge of abstraction, and will be projected on a massive scale on buildings and rooftops within Chelsea, Dumbo and Williamsburg.”

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Rest up and suit up, Bushwickers, there are about a gazillion events to choose from this weekend! Friday night get your art on at Ad Hoc’s 5 Identities, 5 Destinations opening and after party at the Wreck Room. If your tastes run more toward the spicy literary vein, why not check out the Poetry Brothel at Papa B Studios. It’s the “first event of its kind” — with poets playing “whores,” visitors playing “customers,” and the front all done up as “part saloon and part salon, offering a full bar, blackjack table, live portrait painting, exhibited artwork, tarot card readings, and live music.” That is a high-concept mouth full. Please, please report back.

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Can you believe it’s almost August? Where is summer ‘08 going? Luckily it looks like there will be some sun and plenty of culture to soak up this weekend. Friday night get uber local and enjoy ecologically themed art and “filtered rainwater and sprouts grown on site” at Nurture Art’s Demo Eco M.O. opening, and then dance the night away (and perhaps enjoy a glass of the new chalkboard rosé) at NK Lounge with DJ Jeremy Russell. Saturday, I suspect that some of you Bushwick music fans will be headed to Coney Island for the annual Siren Festival this weekend — lots of Wickity faves on the bill (Parts & Labor?! These Are Powers? Awesome). If you’re sticking in the hood, check out Todd P and Colin Mathew’s lineup at Silent Barn featuring Usaisamonster and Vialka from France (the “Turbo folk micro-orchestra”). Sunday, 3rd Ward is hosting a carnivore’s dream BBQ, er, Pig Roast with eats by Tom Mylan from Marlow and Sons, Diner and Bonita, live bands, badminton and a Klezmer dance party. Sounds like a full weekend, culture vultures. Jess & I will both be out of town missing it all, so please fill us in on the stuff you see and hear!

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My friend Nicole ventured out of Manhattan to sightsee in Bushwick this weekend — practically her first visit since she lived in the Moore St. lofts 5 years ago. It was the perfect opportunity to show off the Jefferson stop area and “Morgantown.” We started off with a swing by the best coffee shop on earth, and rounded the corner to the famed tacos of Starr Street (open on weekends now!) and she was of course already amazed. We then stopped and each got a dress at Urban Jungle Vintage — then on to the main attraction: Factory Fresh.

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For those of you staying local like me (fireworks from Bushwick rooftops = divine), there’s plenty of hott culture action happening this holiday weekend. No work tomorrow so get the weekend started stat: tonight, Bushwick band Columbia (local stars Ryan & Jett) will be performing @ Supreme Trading with Asa Ransom (formerly Death of Fashion) and Nik Xedro. Friday before you wine & dine (read: beer & grill) your way through the fireworks, check out Bodega on Broadway — they’re hosting a benefit show for the American Cancer Society & Common Ground featuring Japanther, Bravo Spector and The Book Slave, to name a few. Saturday night is a full lineup (starting early!) at Silent Barn including: Blues Control, Psychedelic Horseshit, and Michael Troutman of Awesome Color. Sunday why not venture out into other neighborhoods (perhaps on a bike) and check out the waterfalls — so far I’ve seen the one at the Brooklyn Bridge — really spectacular. Have a great holiday and (as always) report back on what you see and hear!

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