THURSDAY: Soup’s Up
One year ago, Martha Bayne concocted the idea to host a free soup dinner every week at the Chicago bar Hideout, where the writer and former editor had been a bartender. Musicians, writers, and artists–not to mention professional chefs–showed up with pots of soup, Bayne set out buckets to collect donations for a local food bank, and voila! Soup and Bread was born. Now, Bayne is bringing her dinner party to Brooklyn, as the Bell House hosts a Soup and Bread Cookbook Party to raise money for New York City Coalition Against Hunger. As the name of the night implies, copies of the organization’s new cookbook will be on sale as well. The dinner starts at 6pm.

Rocking the Borough
The Sounds Like Brooklyn festival continues Thursday through Saturday, expanding to venues throughout Brooklyn. Check the BAM minisite for the full and extensive listings, but there are a few gigs we’d like to draw attention to. On Thursday, the energetic and fantastic Japanther will be playing at Station 171 in Williamsburg; on Friday, poppy, strings-loving Ra Ra Riot will be closing out BAM’s own festival events, and Brooklyn stalwarts Takka Takka will be performing at the Bell House (advance tickets are sold out though, so arrive early).

FRIDAY: Cask Fest
Real ale comes to the Brazen Head, as the bar hosts its 20th tri-annual “Cask Head” Cask Ale Festival. The bar will be serving 25 to 30 casks of unfiltered beer throughout the weekend, offering 12 different brews at a time. The fest starts at noon each day through Sunday; beer comes in half pints and 16-ouncers and is pay as you go.

Revolutionary Writing
Maaza Mengiste’s first novel, Beneath the Lion’s Gaze, tackles the difficult subject of Ethiopian life under cruel dictatorships in the 1970s; she manages to make even the profane seem lyrical with simple, emotional language. Friday at 7:30pm at Greenlight Bookstore, the Brooklyn-based author deemed a “New Literary Idol” by New York magazine will be reading from and discussing the novel.

Skate Away
The Prospect Park Junior Committee holds its annual ice skating social fundraising party at Wollman Rink starting at 9:30pm on Friday. $40 admission ($125 if you get a crew of four together) gets you entry to this private nighttime skating party with hot chocolate (spiked if you want), Brooklyn Brewery beer, rink snacks, and retro candy. Head to the game room for board game challenges after your skate. Proceeds go to renovations, maintenance, and programs at Prospect Park.

SATURDAY: The Art of Development
At Fort Greene’s MoCADA, Dexter Wimberly has curated a group show of Brooklyn artists whose art references change of the not-so-welcome kind. Called “The Gentrification of Brooklyn,” the roster includes provocative works like the billboards of Crown Heights street artist Gabriel “Spence” Reese (pictured at top). It opens Thursday, but artists will speak about their work and the effects of gentrification on the creative process Saturday from 2-4:30.

SUNDAY: Winter Blues Be Gone
Make the most of the daylight hours with a special guided tour of Brooklyn Botanic Garden designed specifically to beat the winter blues. The free, hour-long walk, led by Lynne Spevack, a licensed psychotherapist, focuses on the plants and animals that thrive even in the middle of winter. And, by getting you out in the sun, it should help enhance your mood as well. The tour starts at 1pm and meets in the BBG’s visitor center.

When the Saints Come Marching In
Join New York’s Who Dat Nation at Fort Defiance’s New Orleans-themed Super Bowl party. Following the success of their Championship Game event, St. John Frizell, the Red Hook bar/restaurant’s owner and Saints fan, will be throwing another viewing party flavored with down-South authenticity starting at 5pm. For one night only, Fort Defiance’s usual refined cocktails will be replaced by Hurricanes, Jello shots, and five dollar pints of Abita; the menu will be taken over by classic New Orleans dishes like red beans and rice, muffalettas, and fried catfish. Mardi Gras beads, king cake, and Saints tribute songs will make sure that until they step out the door, patrons will feel like they’re on Bourbon Street.

Kids Grab Bag
Still Hip, the children’s resale shop that helps every Clinton Hill parent save big, hosts its biggest sale of the year this Sunday, noon to 3. Buy a bag (or two!) for $15 or $25, and fill it to the brim with fall, winter and summer children’s clothes, plus maternity wear, toys and gear.

MONDAY: Local Literati
Franklin Park hosts an impressive night of local literary talent as part of its monthly reading series. On the bill are John Wray, most recently the author of Lowboy, who in 2007 was tapped by Granta as one of the best American novelists under 35; Masha Hamilton, whose latest book, 31 Hours, was among the Washington Post’s picks for best novel of 2009; and Melissa Febos, cofounder of the Lower East Side-based Mixer reading series, whose memoir Whip Smart, about her time as a dominatrix, comes out next month. The reading starts at 8pm.

TUESDAY: Meat The Butcher
Tom Josh and Jessica Applestone from Fleisher’s Grass Fed & Organic Meats play host Tuesday night at The Farm on Adderley at a four-course decidedly meat-centric communal dinner. We hear there may be some treats like raw sparkling cider and lacto-fermented pickles. The dinner starts at 8pm and is $59. Call (718) 287-3101 for reservations.

BB DEAL: Neda Sale
Court Street boutique Neda is celebrating its 3rd anniversary Friday-Sunday with 10% off its entire mix of clothing and accessories by local and hard-to-find designers. Mention Brooklyn Based, and you’ll get an extra $5 off any purchase; come by on Saturday for the private party from 7-11 and get Champagne and chocolate too.

Sent by Chrysanthe, Casey, Nina, and Nicole. Photos courtesy of MoCADA and Nicole Kibert.