West Indian-American Carnival 2008 – Brooklyn, NY by David Berkowitz via Flickr.

This is just a reminder that there’s no First Saturday in September, but there will be plenty going on around the Museum with the all events surrounding the West Indian-American Day Carnival Association’s Labor Day parade that will be taking place.

My colleagues and I are not taking a break, however, and are busily preparing for the next season of Target First Saturdays. We’ll be kicking things off on October 3rd with a collaboration with the Hungarian Cultural Center as part of their year long Extremely Hungary festival. We’re excited to offer a night of art and culture beyond visitor’s expectations that will include a performance by Vertical Players Repertory, an Opera Open Mic with Brooklyn’s beer swilling, jeans wearing opera singers from Opera on Tap, and a soulful dance party hosted by Brooklyn’s DJ Reborn and a top Hungarian DJ.

If you just can’t wait for October, you can join me on the Brooklyn Museum’s Facebook page during the month of September where I’ll be asking questions about visitor’s experience at and thoughts about First Saturday. Please join me. I’d love to hear what you think!

West Indian American Day Parade, 2006. Photo courtesy Sam Liu. All rights reserved.

I always know that Labor Day weekend is coming when the the stage for the events and concerts for the West Indian American Day Carnival Festival is assembled in the Museum’s back parking lot. These events add excitement to the still late summer air and culminate in the renowned on Monday with the Labor Day Carnival Parade on Eastern Parkway. For more information about all of the event’s you can visit WIADCA’s website and we hope to see you there!

There is no Target First Saturday in September because of all the festivities. However, my colleagues in the Education Division and I have been very busy getting ready to kick off our 10th anniversary season of Target First Saturdays on October 4th with “Brooklyn’s Biggest Birthday Bash.” I’m excited about all that will take place that evening to celebrate our 10 years and thank our visitors for all of their support, including: a showcase of emerging Brooklyn musicians Mark Yodice, Opsvik and Jennings, Christy and Emily, and Brazz Tree; ten curator talks in the Museum’s permanent collection; a performance by trailblazing artist Kate Bornstein; dance performances by Brian Brooks and Creative Outlet; a dance party hosted by creative-duo Andrew Andrew; and a special salsa dance party with Willie Alvarez and Trombori. There will also be cake. What birthday party is complete without cake? I hope you can join us in October with your party hat on!

It’s that time of year again! First, a quick reminder that there will be no Target First Saturday in September due to the West Indian-American Day Carnival events taking place at the Museum over Labor Day weekend. This is the 40th year for the festivities! More information about the parade and all the weekend events can be found at the West Indian American Day Carnival Association website. Also, the Brooklyn Public Library has a history feature on Carnival.

Join us again on October 6 when we celebrate BAM’s 25th Next Wave Festival at the launch of our exciting new season of Target First Saturdays. Bring your video camera for our video competition at YouTube. Follow us at Twitter for Target First Saturday updates throughout the evening.