A blog about our Brooklyn neighborhood.
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Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
Neighbor Christoher Sheard is playing his last night of a month-long residency at Sycamore tonight, along with two other musicians he says “write fantastic lyrics.”
Sounds like a nice way to spend a rainy evening. The show starts at 8pm in the basement, and here’s the lineup:
8pm – Carl Banks
9pm – Lily Virginia
10pm – Christopher Sheard
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Want to make a piece of jewelry you’ll actually wear? Want to have a cocktail while you’re making it? Then you should sign up Craft Night at Sycamore on Thursday, February 23 at 7:30pm. For The Makers, a DIY boutique jewelry tutorial company based in New York, will show you how to make an agate necklace (materials included) while you enjoy a signature cocktail. Tickets are $15 and are available online here.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
Christopher Sheard has been making music for a large part of his life. Whether the inspiration comes from growing up in our area or one of the other places he’s hung his hat, he’s back here now, living near Church Ave, and trying to bring some of what’s made his life great back to the neighborhood. Every Wednesday night in February he’ll be at Sycamore, playing a residency with a curated list of musicians, no cover. I asked him some questions about his influences, the residency, and what makes Sycamore such a terrific hidden gem for live performances.
Tell us a little about how the residency came to be.
CS: February is typically a slow and cold month (although this year certainly seems to be an exception) so I think it’s a good time to stay put in one spot, as opposed to trying to play all over the city. I brought up the idea of a residency to John Hagan, who’s a good friend of mine (and a good man in general), I knew him way back when he was working the counter at Vox Pop, and he was cool with it.
It’s nice to have a place to play for a couple of weeks in a row and give people multiple opportunities to catch a show that they might otherwise miss because of typical New York scheduling. Then, having different performers play each week to open the show helps keep it fresh and interesting. That and the outlandish swim suits I wear onstage.
How did you pick the musicians that are playing the residency with you?
CS: There are some really fantastic musicians taking part. When I put the residency together I wanted to have a real variety in styles and voices. Denitia Odijie is soulful singer/songwriter. When she sings everyone stops what they’re doing, it’s incredible. Pete Sinjin plays great folk and rockabilly and he’s got deep roots in traditional American music. You just have to hear Wataru Uchida play saxophone, and his Brazilian jazz trio is incredible. Carl Banks and Lily Virginia write fantastic lyrics. Everyone who’s playing has something unique and special to offer. And then there’s me of course.
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Monday, February 13th, 2012
Sycamore is hosting a series of Classic Cocktail Courses this winter, and next up they’re covering the classic rum cocktail on Saturday, February 25 at 5pm. Sycamore’s own Mike Mikos and The Farm On Adderley’s Wil Petre will help you make a drink that feels like summer in the dead of February:
These two expert barmen will lead us through a step-by-step demonstration of several classic rum cocktails and then divulge their own new recipe for a contemporary Brooklyn twist on a vintage classic.
The session’s recipe booklets will be included for guests to take home. Complimentary snacks will be provided.
$45 per person. Very limited space: Sign up here!
Monday, February 13th, 2012
Flatbush CommUNITY Garden, located at the end of Albemarle and E 16th St, is holding a Winterfest fundraiser at Sycamore on Sunday, February 19. Stop by to have a drink, enter a raffle full of local prizes, and to learn more about the garden:
Come for drinks specials, delicious baked goods, pick up some seed bombs or a coupon book to support our garden, and win a raffle prize! We can also tell you more about the garden, as we expect to have spaces for next spring.
Amazing prizes are donated by your favorite local businesses: Qathra, Pilates on Rugby, TB Ackerson, Purple Yam, Brooklyn Banya Russian Baths, Latin Fever Dance Studios, the Castello Plan and the Farm on Adderley.
Flatbush CommUNITY Garden Fundraiser
Sunday, February 19 4 – 8 pm
@ Sycamore, 1118 Cortelyou Road
For more information, email flatbushcommunitygarden@gmail.com
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Saturday, February 11th, 2012
At tomorrow’s fundraiser by the Cortelyou Library Friends Group at Sycamore, you’ll have a chance to purchase raffle tickets to win some great local prizes. Tickets are $3 each (or 4 for $10), and if someone you know would like to buy a raffle but can’t be there in person, they can give you their contact information and correct amount, and the Friends Group will fill out a ticket for them.
Here’s what you can win:
• Castello Plan: Brunch for two
• Café Madeline: Espresso drink and breakfast sandwich (5 winners!)
• Cinco de Mayo: $15 Gift certificate
• The Farm on Adderley: Brunch for two (2 entrees and 2 drinks)
• Greenfield Pharmacy: $25 Gift certificate (2 winners!)
• Latin Fever Dance Studio: $100 Gift certificate for kid’s dance class
• Lindsay Aikman (Photographer): Hour-long pet portrait session
• Midwood Martial Arts: One month unlimited martial arts
• Mimi’s: $15 Gift certificate
• Natural Frontier Market: $25 Gift certificate
• Picket Fence: $25 Gift certificates (2 winners!)
• Purple Yam: Brunch for two (that’s Chef Romy pictured above, personally decorating the gift certificate)
• Qathra: Breakfast wrap and small latte / Panini and hot chocolate (2 winners!)
• Sycamore Bar and Flower Shop: Bouquet of flowers ($30 value)
• T.B. Ackerson Wine & Spirits: Tito’s (the best) vodka / The Winemaker Says HI! prosecco from Italy (2 winners!)
• Café Tibet: $25 Gift certificate
• Toy Space: $25 Gift certificate
• Spirit Family Reunion: copy of their CD
• Michaela Anne: copy of her CD
• Andy Novick (photographer): photo of your house in a Ditmas Park calendar
Stop by Sycamore tomorrow, Sunday, February 12 from 4-8pm to get some raffle tickets, have a book-themed cocktail, buy a library tote bag, and show some neighborhood support.
Friday, February 10th, 2012
The Cortelyou Library Friends Group will be selling their first tote bag at this Sunday’s Valentine’s Day(ish) Happy Hour Fundraiser at Sycamore from 4-8pm.
You can show you support your library (which is reopening on March 12) by getting a tote while enjoying one of the literary-themed drinks Sycamore bartender Mike Mikos has concocted.
And since we have so many talented artists in the neighborhood, the Friends Group would like to see some of your ideas for future tote bags. If you’ve got a design in mind, email cortelyoulibraryfriends@gmail.com for more information.
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Friday, February 10th, 2012
From Nelson, whose son Sam is pictured above delivering fig cuttings to Sycamore:
The fig cutting sale was a big success at Sycamore. We have sold out of our first round of cuttings. Sycamore and Flatbush Fig Farm collected and are donating on Monday $60. to the Flatbush CommUNITY Garden. For those who still want a fig cutting, we have added 6 new ones. $20 each or 2 for $30. This will be the last chance to get cuttings this year.
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
Part 2 of Sycamore’s 4-part Tasting Series is bringing Kentucky Bourbon Distillers and Slope Cellars to the bar on Monday, February 20 at 8pm:
Drew Kulsveen of Kentucky Bourbon Distillers and Chris Hiatt of Slope Cellars take you on a journey through some of the finest small batch whiskeys produced in Kentucky today. Snacks to accompany these spirits will be provided from our friends at the Market & Mimi’s.
The cost is $30 per person. Limited availability, sign up here.
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Sunday, February 5th, 2012
The Cortelyou Library Friends Group is having a fundraiser at Sycamore on Sunday, February 12 to celebrate the library’s reopening in March. Stop by for a book-themed drink, and get in on a great raffle. More raffle items are coming in, but so far they’ve got:
Toy Space – $25 gift certificate
Cafe Tibet – $25 gift certificate
TB Ackerson – nice bottle of wine (TBA!)
Lindsay Aikman Photography – hour-long pet portrait session
Cafe Madeline – five gift certificates for an espresso drink and breakfast sandwich
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Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
The Dirt Talk Series digs into 2012 with a second discussion at Sycamore, this one featuring Dr. Charles Merguerian of Hofstra University and Duke Geological Laboratory to provide an ample overview of regional geology. The talk will zero in on the geology and soils of Brooklyn.
Dirt Talk Two: Geology and Soils of New York City with Dr. Charles Merguerian
Hosted by Meera Bhat
Tuesday February 21, 8-9pm
Downstairs @ Sycamore Bar and Flowershop, 21+
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Thursday, January 26th, 2012
For Valentine’s Day, why not treat your loved one to a locally grown fig tree? Sycamore Flower Shop is selling 17 local fig cuttings for $20 each. They look great in a sunny window (many have baby figs already on them) and can be planted in the ground in the spring and turn into a real fig tree. 100% of the purchase price from the first three cuttings will go to the Flatbush CommUNITY Garden.
The fig cuttings came from Nelson Ryland’s backyard, which he has renamed Flatbush Fig Farm.
“Flatbush Fig Farm is our attempt to involve our children in starting a business,” Nelson says. “The result is we spend time together getting messy, making stuff, and the kids earn their allowance.”
When they first sold fig trees last year, they donated $150 to the Flatbush CommUNITY Garden. “Our goal this year is to raise some money for a local organization we like…and for my boys to earn some Lego money.”
The cuttings are taken from fig trees in the family’s backyard and are propagated in a jar of water for six weeks.
“Sam, age 3, and Jack, age 5, climbed up a ladder and helped bring the cuttings to the kitchen,” Nelson explains. “They also change the water once a week.”
They have two unknown varieties, which they’ve named Flatbush White and Flatbush Dark. These cuttings will usually produce figs the first year if they’re planted properly.
How do you help ensure your fig cutting will become a tree? Nelson includes these care guidelines, which makes it seem pretty foolproof:
Keep cutting in a warm sunny window, changing the water weekly. If your cutting has baby figs they will usually drop after a few weeks–this is sad but normal. The plant needs to focus on growing roots.
After the threat of frost passes, usually early May (USDA Hardiness Zone 7a/6b), the cutting is ready to be planted outdoors directly into the ground or a 14-inch wide (or larger) pot. Dig a large hole 1-2 feet wide and deep. Mix lightweight soil mix with the native soil. Set 2 to 4 inches deeper than the root line. Plant if possible a few feet from your foundation on the southeast corner. Water will settle the soil firmly around the roots. Do not apply fertilizer at planting time.
Your cutting may lose some leaves as it adjusts to the outdoors. It will grow new leaves and usually produces figs at the end of the first season. Insulate base over the winter with leaves or straw.
Flatbush Fig Farm plans to have young fig trees available in late May in case these cuttings sell out.
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
Bingo and prizes with Professor Ariel Speedwagon tonight at the new monthly Bingo event at Sycamore. Last Wednesday of the month from 7-9pm. $5 for 2 cards, and additional cards for a dollar.
Thursday, January 19th, 2012
Sycamore’s hosting a new, monthly weeknight event–complete with prizes:
Come join Professor Ariel Speedwagon, your best friends, your neighbors, and that cute stranger you’ve seen walking along Cortelyou for brand-new Wednesday night bingo at Sycamore. Everyone’s new favorite work-night neighborhood night of fun, intrigue, drama, whiskey, prizes, and suspense. B10? N38? ONLY TIME WILL TELL. Make your gramma proud–come on down!
Bingo at Sycamore
Wednesday, January 25, 7-9pm – $5 for 2 cards, and additional cards for a dollar.
Upcoming dates: February 29 and March 28.
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
Calling all homebrew masters! The Brooklyn Wort, presented by Brooklyn Homebrew and Sycamore, has a new format for the next event, taking place on Saturday, April 28. Though the judging at the competition will be the same, getting into the competition will be done differently to make it more fair. Previously, brewers were picked at random, but for this event, brewers must submit a bottle for a preliminary qualifying round.
Brewers will have to drop off an unmarked bottle of homebrewed beer at Sycamore between February 1 and February 8 for the preliminary round, then the top 25 brewers will be picked to attend and compete in the Brooklyn Wort. The beer submitted in this round doesn’t need to be the one served during the Brooklyn Wort.
For more information on how to submit an entry, visit the Brooklyn Wort site.
If you’re not a brewer but you enjoy drinking beer, we’ll let you know when tickets for the event go on sale.
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
Warm up this winter with a few new drinks at Sycamore. A four-part winter tasting series kicks off on Monday, January 23 at 8pm with Eau de Vie: Brandy & Cognac:
Chris Hiatt of Park Slope Cellars takes you on a journey through a special tasting of the mysterious and wonderful genre of brandies and eau de vie. Cheeses to accompany these spirits will be provided from our friends at the Market & Mimi’s.
$30 per person. Limited availability, sign up here.
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
A new year means a new season of Brooklyn Dirt Talks at Sycamore. The first one will be on Wednesday, January 18, and it’s free to attend.
Created by Kensington’s Cantaloupe Alone (aka Naomi Donabedian) and hosted by Meera Bhat of Prospect Farm in Windsor Terrace, the first Dirt Talk will feature John Ameroso, who is responsible for about 18 tons of produce grown in NYC a year, and who has been sowing gardens since 1976. He’s got a lot of experience as an urban farmer, so drop by to ask some questions.
Dirt Talk One: John Ameroso on Urban Agriculture
Wednesday, January 18, 7-9:30 pm
Downstairs @ Sycamore, 1118 Cortelyou Rd
Thursday, December 29th, 2011
The first Monday Night Vinyl Club of the year is on January 2 from 8pm to midnight at Sycamore. It’s free to drop in and spin five songs of your choice.
Monday Night Vinyl Club #61
January 2, 2012
8p – 12a
At Sycamore Bar and Flowershop
Free
(DJs choice)
Facebook event
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Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
Sycamore Flower Shop has all the bouquets, arrangements, and plants to make your holiday festive, and they’ll be open on Christmas Eve from 10am to 5pm (but closed on Christmas Day).
Open on Christmas Day (but closed Christmas Eve), the bar will be serving up burgers on the grill in the backyard for a new holiday tradition. I think that beats Chinese food!
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Monday, December 19th, 2011
While at Sycamore last week, a man seems not to have taken an opportunity to buy a lady a drink, but here’s hoping his Craigslist ad gives him a second chance:
You sat at the middle of the bar. I was standing opposite the bar with friends. We made eye contact a few times. Hope u read….
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Thursday, December 15th, 2011
There’s still time to deck those halls, or bring something special to a holiday party, and Sycamore has a great option this week with mistletoe.
“We’ve got lots of it to cover everyone’s smooching needs,” says Justine, who adds that it’s actually a parasite that grows on other trees, but it has recently been noted as a keystone species very important to its ecosystems.
One large sprig with lots of mistletoe pearls is $5, complete with a bit of red string for you to hoist it up wherever you like.
Thursday, December 8th, 2011
Frank H. Jump, who lives nearby and runs the amazing Fading Ad Blog, just released Fading Ads of New York City. As he mentioned the other day, he’ll be signing copies of the photo book, which documents the disappearing ghost signs of the city, at Sycamore on Saturday, December 17 from 1-3pm. Stop by, have a drink, and ask him about some of the signs he’s photographed over the past twenty years.
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
Sycamore and The Fat Beagle will keep summer alive in December with a North Carolina BBQ on Sunday the 18th at 1pm. For $20, you get a plate of food, a North Carolina brew, and dessert!
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
Learn how to make some fun winter cocktails at Sycamore next Saturday:
Sycamore is pleased to introduce a series of Classic Cocktail Courses this winter. On December 17th at 5pm, we welcome Sycamore’s own Mike Mikos and The Farm On Adderley’s Wil Petre to host an evening of instruction in the art of the classic whiskey cocktail. These two expert barmen will lead us through a step-by-step demonstration of several classic whiskey cocktails and then divulge their own new recipe for a contemporary Brooklyn twist on a vintage classic. The session’s recipe booklets will be included for guests to take home. Complimentary snacks will be provided. $45 per person. Very limited space: sign up here!
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