Tip Sheet May. 19th - 25th, 2013

Bushwick If you’ve spent any time in a hostel, you know firsthand the awkwardness and misunderstandings that can arise from different cultures and languages colliding in their small, shared spaces. In The Hotel Colors, a new play at the Bushwick Starr, buzz-building playwright Eliza Bent explores the lives of six strangers who are brought together by cheap rates, bunk beds and communal bathrooms. The twist is that it opens up the traditional set-up by literally translating the entire play from Italian to English—and we mean literally. Language turns in on itself and leaves you looking at things from a whole new angle, which is exactly what good theater is supposed to do. Tickets are $18 and available here, but book soon because The Hotel Colors is only accepting guests until the 25th.

Update: Looks like this bi-lingual play about hostel life has hit a nerve with audiences. The Bushwick Starr just extended its run through June 1.

Williamsburg If you’re on the road to owning your own home in Brooklyn–or want tips on becoming a viable buyer in this tough seller’s market–come to our crash course on “Buying into Brooklyn” at Brooklyn Brewery on Tuesday, May 21. Realty Collective founder Victoria Hagman and Realty Collective agent Tina Fallon; real estate attorney and partner Michael Moshan of Gold Scollar Moshan, PLLC, and private mortgage banker Janet Younkman of Wells Fargo will be dispensing essential advice, and there will be light bites from Sahadi’s.  Tickets available here. 

Gowanus It is bound to come up at some point–an invite to a themed party, be it Halloween or any elaborate Shanghai Mermaid or Gemini & Scorpio event. If you wish you could whip out some Jazz age attire, add a fascinator to your look, or become a mermaid at a moment’s notice, you should head to the Gemini & Scorpio Goldmine! shopping party from noon to 8pm. Many women who spend their nights presenting or taking part in fabulous events or performing burlesque will be editing their closets for castaways, and designers of one-of-a-kind accessories–like the lacey, nautical jewelry of Anne Arden McDonald or Burning Man belts from 6362 Metaforce–will be selling their wares. If you want early dibs on the best looks, arrive during the VIP hours of noon and 2pm; entry during that time is free if you contribute to G&S’s Kickstarter campaign to refurbish their loft or $10.

Williamsburg The carnival comes to town today in Williamsburg, and given that it’s setting up camp in North Brooklyn, it seems only fitting for it to have a Rock ‘n’ Roll theme. Don’t expect any side-show freaks at this fun-for-all-ages event, which is happening at Brooklyn Bowl and being hosted by Frolic play space. However, Mario the Magician, live performances, face painting, tattoos, a photo booth, jugglers, aerialists and a DJ, as well as food by Blue Ribbon restaurant and cotton candy from Handsome Dan’s, are sure to keep your children occupied for an afternoon. The fun starts at 11am, and tickets are $10–$20.

Gowanus It’s NY Design Week and Build It Green!NYC and Krrb are celebrating with a DIY Makeshift Chair workshop from 2-5pm, hosted by fashion designer Alabama Chanin and design experts, Amy Devers from AE’s Fix This Yard and DIY Network’s Freeform Furniture and Tanya Aguiniga, a Los Angeles-based furniture designer/maker. Basically, they provide the materials and tools, and you bring your best creative inspiration and leave with a one-of-a-kind chair and the skills to make more on your own. If you’d rather leave the designing to the experts, check out the party and Krrb’s sale from 5-8pm, after the workshop. The workshop is almost filled, but we have a spot for you and a friend. Email us with the subject line “I Wanna Sit Down!” and we’ll choose a winner at random at 5pm Thursday. The sale and the party are open to all.

Gowanus Gowanus Open Studios isn’t until October, but the kick-off party takes place tonight at The Bell House. Artists planning on participating in next fall’s event can benefit from early registration prices at the party; volunteers can learn more about how to help out; and everyone can enjoy a pint and a preview of what’s being developed for later down the road. Party starts at 7pm, and RSVPs are being accepted here.

Buchwick Banish Monday malaise at Miles’ Mac & Movie, a weekly happy hour featuring $5 drinks, free mac and cheese and screenings of influential concert movies. This week’s selection is the Beastie Boys’ award-winning Awesome; I Fuckin’ Shot That!, which was filmed by 50 random fans who were given camcorders at the band’s sold-out, Madison Square Garden show on October 9, 2004. It’s a nice way to honor the first anniversary of the untimely death of Brooklyn’s own Adam Yauch, who directed the film under the pseudonym Nathanial Hornblower. Get there early for the mac and cheese, which will be served up from 6-8pm and will probably be in high demand (duh, it’s free mac and cheese). The screening begins at 9pm.

Greenpoint Who doesn’t want to hear dish about the best food trucks in the city? If it makes it easier to track down a Morris Grilled Cheese Sandwich, we’re all ears, which is why we’re heading to Greenpoint Tuesday night for a reading of New York á la Cart, a collection of recipes and stories from the chefs behind some of the city’s most beloved food trucks. Forty-six vendors were interviewed for the book and shared over 100 of their famous recipes. They and their trucks will be on hand at Word starting at 7pm, so come early (and hungry).