Whassup: December Beers Edition

http://brooklynbased.net/event/2012/11/no-office-holiday-party-2012/

And so this is Christmas...season. If you work in retail, you have my deepest sympathies. All of that Christmas music... If you feel like going postal, seriously, I'd understand. For the rest of us, there still remains the task of putting off Christmas shopping in order to spend money on ourselves in Brooklyn bars. Welcome to Whassup: December Beers Edition:

* Thursday, Dec. 6: Adirondack Brew Takeover, Beirkraft: With winter slowly rearing its global warming-tamed head, the best thing to do is to get pre-drunk before the first cold snap. Because as we all know from the only thing we learned in college, being drunk = invincible. Some fine brewers from the wintry crowns of the Adirondacks are taking over Bierkraft's taps tonight to get you good and started on your winter buzz. They'll be pumping shit like Bear Naked Ale, Imperial Stout, and Red Rye IPA. 7pm, FREE (for entry, the beers still cost money, duh).

* Saturday, Dec. 8: Make Robot Animals!, Brooklyn Robot Foundry: Cool, bizare shit just keeps popping up in Brooklyn. I'd say we're about one Monorail through downtown from becoming a real-life Disneyland. Well, with more peeing in the subways. Anyway, here's another bit of preciousness to coo over: a robot foundry! This one's really for the kids, if you hadn't guessed. An engineer and doctor of education lead this workshop, helping kids do the whole STEM thing in a fun way. Don't know about you, but I would have been that one kid who made an evil robot bear with sharp teeth and rocket launchers in its paws. Is that an option? 12:30pm-4pm, $70.

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Whassup: Post-Turkey Get Down Edition

via rantsfrommommyland.com

General poll: how many of you are currently still at least 50% turkey? Well done! Of course, I know that you young Brooklynites from everywhere-in-America probably couldn't make it home for Mom's home-cooked, store-bought pumpkin pie so, instead, you had "Friendsgiving," because you're good at wordplay and only wanted to eat organic whatevers. Whatever. So long as you ate too much of those whatevers, I approve. But now, it's time to work off some of that holiday fat by having so much fun it's almost like exercise. Welcome to Whassup: Post-Turkey Get Down Edition:

* Thursday, Nov. 29: Bare! Anniversary, Bell House: The sex storytelling show's one-year anniversary, delayed by some bitch named Sandy who blew everyone (sex reference!), finally gets its day in the red lights! Come see comedians, storytellers, and other purveyors of entertaining communication talk all about the things our stanky parts make us do. 8pm, $10.

* Friday, Nov. 30: Flanks Album Release Show, Jalopy: A local, down-and-gritty country band, The Flanks, will just about have you pulling Alabama dirt from your fingernails. No. But you'll probably stomp the ground a bit. Plus, these guys just love performing, which is fun to see. Say "y'all" at them and feel good doing it. Two sets by the Flanks,  with fellow folk jammers Flight Feathers and the Strung Out String Band taking the other slots.  8pm, $15.

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Whassup: Big Ol' Thanks Edition

Powerhouse Arena is hosting an all-star reading to fight Sandy damage.

So, we've reached the point where just everyone is hosting a Hurricane Sandy benefit. And I say this as a good thing: if you don't at least know someone involved with one of these fundraisers, then you probably have no friends. (That's as positive and uplifting as I get, folks!) It's pretty awesome. Go out, drink, have fun -- help people who need it. It's cool that so many artists, musicians, comedians, event organizers, and venue chiefs have found a way to tie self-promotion to selflessness. America! As we head into Turkey week, it's something to be thankful for. Welcome to Whassup: Big Ol' Thanks Edition:

* Thursday, Nov. 15: Cringe, Freddy's: The Freddy's original remains one of the most popular events at the bar, with good reason. The idea is brilliant in its simplicity: performers read selections from their teenage journals, short stories, rock operas, etc. It'll make your skin crawl so good. 7:30pm, FREE.

* Thursday, Nov. 15: Dale Radio, Film Biz Recycling: It's Gowanus' very own talk show! Come and show the hurricane how tough we Brooklynites are by being entertained right by the canal the storm so recently surged. 7:30pm, FREE.

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Whassup: Money for Good Edition

via thesis.jrbaldwin.com

The deep-blue Northeast got a reprieve yesterday, when Barack Obama broke Karl Rove. And then we got another "NorthEasterner" (or whatever the fuck you call them) to put a harsh on that electoral college buzz. Here's hoping the hardest-hit areas don't get socked again. Either way, they could all still use help, and you can even lend a hand by drinking, thanks to several benefit shows. Welcome to Whassup: Money for Good Edition:

* Sunday, Nov. 11: Lady Lamb, Glasslands: One of my favorite Brooklyn-based performers will share her surprising pipes at Glasslands. Everyone I've taken to see Lady Lamb the Beekeeper comes away kind of adoring her, and the songs are pretty killer. 8:30pm, $18-22.

* Monday, Nov. 12: Brooklyn Relief, Union Hall: A whole host of local comedians, storytelllers, musicians, and other artists will offer up their talents to the Brooklynites who got the worst of Sandy. 100% of the proceeds go to groups helping with recovery -- the Red Hook Initiative and the NY Communities Hurricane Relief Fund. 8pm, $20.

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A FiPS Guide To Election Day Events!

There are three things that you shouldn't do alone in this world: drink, change a light bulb WHILE drinking and watch presidential election results come in. So in addition to giving you a guide to voting in the 'hood, here's a list of some fun things that you can do tonight while waiting for Obama, er, the best candidate to claim victory. 

1. THE RAGING ELECTRIC 2012 ELECTION VIEWING PARTY: THE BELL HOUSE 7:30 PM -- FREE

Join comedian host Liam McEneaney and DJ Mike Doughty for a night of presidential drinking (specials includeCoke & Rumney, the Bahamobama Mama, and the Four More Beers ) and plenty of good eating (The Korilla BBQ Truck will be just outside!) in the GIGANTIC beautiful space that we call The Bell House.

2. ELECTION NIGHT 2012 FUNDRAISER (COME BE SOUR WITH US): MISSION DOLORES, 7PM

In addition to having some great drink specials, which include $2 OFF select Red, Blue and Swing State Beers AND the best sour beers in Brooklyn, all proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Red Hook Initiative. Mission Dolores also has a game plan for its patrons depending on who wins the election: IF ROMNEY/RYAN WINS, everyone gets a shot of the cheapest bourbon they have! IF OBAMA/BIDEN WIN, everyone gets a shot of Bulleit Bourbon, and IF THE NIGHT ENDS IN DISPUTE OR UNDETERMINED, everyone gets a shot of 4 Roses Bourbon.  Not too shabby.

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