THURSDAY: Liquor and Literati
Novelist and New Yorker editor Ben Greenman (author of the soon-to-be-released Please Step Back) and Robbie Goolrick (author of the critically acclaimed A Reliable Wife) read at Pete’s Candy Store on Thursday night.

Grand Escapes
Need tips for great trips close to home? Come to Book Court at 7pm for a Q&A with Brooklyn native and author of City Weekends: Greatest Escapes and Weekend Getaways in and Around New York City, Alison Lowenstein (and a chance to win a night at the SoHo Grand Hotel).

Walk & Talk
Wander through Dumbo’s galleries at the 1st Thursday gallery walk. Then sample freebies from Five Front while discovering new artists, and mingle with other Brooklyn art lovers at Brooklyn Art Project’s art walk after party, 5:30pm-9pm.

Basque Feast
In Basque Country, citizens gather from January to April to sample freshly fermented batches of the region’s famous cider. Enjoy this tradition a little closer to home at Flatbush Farm, whose menu tonight is inspired by the foods of the Basque cider festival: salt-cod omelettes, Basque peppers, steaks, and smoked, aged sheep’s milk cheese for dessert.

Trippy Tunes
Much like their discoverers and labelmates Animal Collective, L.A.’s Ariel Pink plays avant-garde indie pop that is as enjoyable as it is hard to categorize; Ariel plays with his band Haunted Graffiti and is joined on the bill by Brooklyn it-band Vivian Girls on Thursday at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.

FRIDAY: Ad Boosters
You probably heard about his shenanigans at the MoMA Atlantic/Pacific installation, now you can see a full show of Poster Boy’s at Eastern District. Opening reception, Friday at 7pm.

The Buzz on Coffee
Why fair trade? The documentary Black Gold, which premiered at Sundance, looks into the exploitative relationship between the major coffee companies and the grossly underpaid farmers who supply them. Check it out Friday at 7:30pm at the Park Slope United Methodist Church.

Body Slam
Wrestling fans and sci-fi lovers unite for a night of wacky mayhem as Kaiju Big Battel returns to the Warsaw featuring all of the monster-themed acrobatic combat that audiences have grown to love.

SATURDAY: Record Breaking
How’s this for a great creative outlet for your kids? Brooklyn World Record Day is for peeps ages 7-17 who have any record they want to break–the most clementines peeled in a minute, the most socks worn at once, or any equally fun idea. Registration starts at 12:30pm at the Brooklyn Lyceum. Pre-register here.

Party Like it’s 2999
Celebrate first ever spaceman Yuri Gagarin’s cosmic journey by getting down at an intergalactic dance party at Galapagos featuring a costume party (and space wear fashion contest!), live music by My Robot Friend, DJs, stellar video art, space trivia, light-saber battles and more.

Trail Tunes
Singer/songwriter Sara Bouchard performs songs inspired by Lewis and Clark’s historic cross-country expedition — with lyrics taken directly from the explorers’ journals — at 8pm at the south Slope gallery Open Source.

SUNDAY: Season Opener for Coney Island! Enjoy the amusements while they’re still there. The first 100 can ride the Cyclone for free, and stop by the Coney Island History Project’s exhibit underneath the Cyclone for their open house, noon-3pm. Make some friends on the way with Brooklyn by Bike’s group ride down.

MONDAY: Holy Spicoli
Get your 80s teen dramedy fix with this week’s pick “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” at Huckleberry’s Monday night movie series at 10pm. Sip on selections from their new spring cocktail menu (try the Sampogna, a spicy tequila drink with St. Germain) and take in Sean Penn’s stoner genius.

TUESDAY: Hip Home Tips
Homeowners looking for tips on how to improve their abodes should head to the Bell House for Home and Garden Renovation for Hipsters. This particular night will feature advice from architectural, gardening, and real-estate experts on home renovations and how to go about funding them. The two-hour seminar begins at 6pm.

——————————
BB LINK: Daniel Stevens, Brooklyn-based jewelry designer, unveils his exotic wood grained pieces at Red Hook’s Metal and Thread this Sat., April 4, 3-6pm. Along with the eye candy, Brooklyn edibles like Frankies’ Olive Oil is now on sale. 398 Van Brunt St., 718-414-9651, metalthread.com

Sent by Chrysanthe, Keith, and Nina. Photos from top courtesy of Black Gold and Ariel Pink via MySpace.