The Brooklyn Brief: The Cyclone is closed for repairs and other news to start your week

By Joshua Encinias

Welcome to The Brooklyn Brief, your new Monday roundup of the latest news, happenings, tidbits and everything you need to know to start your week.

This week we cover pre-Labor Day events and let you know why you may want to stay inside on Wednesday night (we’re looking at you, Gravesend Bay). Plus, the latest from Brooklyn Magazine.

In the news

• The Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster shut down indefinitely after a mid-ride malfunction, the NY Post reports. Late last week, a crack was found on a chain as riders were going up an incline. No one was injured and the coaster is undergoing repairs. It’s unknown at the time of reporting if the coaster will reopen in time for Labor Day weekend, though unlikey: The Department of Buildings says the park has since been issued two violations: one for failing to maintain the ride and one for not informing the city of the damage right away, according to Gothamist.
• Hold your breath: the city is fighting the spread of the West Nile virus by spraying Southwest Brooklyn for mosquitos overnight on Wednesday. The city suggests the neighborhoods of Gravesend, Bay Ridge and Coney Island avoid going outdoors from 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday to 6 a.m. on Thursday.
• Erykah Badu headlined Afropunk in Prospect Park over the weekend and it was a whole vibe. Photos here.
• A manager at the Powerhouse Arena bookstore in Dumbo has been fired after canceling a conversation between a Jewish author and a liberal rabbi. The staffer told the rabbi, “We don’t want Zionists on stage,” in a move that sparked widespread outrage, reports The New York Times.
• Bed-Stuy residents are rallying to save their viral fire-hydrant goldfish puddle as at least one veterinarian calls the shallow habitat “animal abuse.”
• Bushwick Open Studios returns next month and creatives are encouraged to register to participate by September 2. More info here.
• A back-to-school supplies distribution happens today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sheepshead Bay Library. Organized by Assemblyman Michael Novakhov of District 45 and Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, the distribution is by appointment only.
• The Brooklyn Cyclones are offering anyone with an unused ticket from their 2024 season the opportunity to swap it out in exchange for tickets to their last home stand next week. Bring your physical or digital ticket to the Maimonides Park Box Office and receive a new one to see the Cyclones from Tuesday, September 3 to Sunday, September 8.
• Hundreds of Brooklynites commemorated the Battle of Brooklyn Day at Green-Wood Cemetery on Sunday, reports NY1. The Battle of Brooklyn was the first conflict fought after the Declaration of Independence was signed and played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War.
• The DOT and Taxi and Limousine Commission will open a new fast-charging electric car station in January, reports News 12. Located in Brooklyn at the Bensonhurst Municipal Field on 86th Street, the location was chosen to accommodate the area’s many cab drivers.
• In some happy news, a Brooklyn boy who was reported missing last week was found by the CBS station helicopter. Unluckily for the 9-year-old boy, he was caught playing hooky from school when the copter spotted him on the roof of his building.

ICYMI

U.S. Open 2024: Where to watch in Brooklyn
The final Grand Slam of the season begins today and lasts for two weeks. Here are eight great spots to catch the action.

Giovanni’s Brooklyn Eats reopens 13 months after a fire shut it down
The beloved South Slope eatery has a new address — directly across the street — but the same neighborhood vibe.

A beloved neighborhood taqueria makes its return to Park Slope
Closed in 2011 after a 21-year run, La Taq (formerly La Taqueria) rises again in the old Cousin John’s space on Seventh Ave.

What to do this week

Monday, August 26

Brooklyn Night Market
4 to 10 p.m.
More than 50 diverse vendors serve up a culinary experience unlike any other in Industry City. This foodie mecca is more than just a food festival; it’s a cultural phenomenon that celebrates the flavors, cultures, and community spirit of Brooklyn, drawing 6,000 attendees per event. 36th Street between Second and Third Avenues. Free to attend. Vendor prices vary.

Presley Regier at Baby’s All Right
8 p.m.
Fresh off opening for Tate Mcrae’s “Think Later Tour” stop at Madison Square Garden, Presley Regier will play a headlining show at Baby’s All Right on Monday. Check out his viral hit “Nevermind.” 146 Broadway. Tickets are $28.04.

Childish Gambino at Barclays Center
8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday
Polymath actor, rapper, singer, writer, comedian, director, producer Donald Glover is in the midst of what he says is his last tour as Childish Gambino. With Willow as his opening act, The New World Tour comes to Barclays Center for two nights — Monday and Tuesday — for a can’t-miss spectacle. “If this live show isn’t the best live show you’ve ever seen by the first song, you can have your money back,” Glover told Apple Music last week. 620 Atlantic Avenue. Tickets start at $115.

Tuesday, August 27

Baby-friendly screening of ‘Caligula’ at Alamo Drafthouse
11:45 a.m.
And now for something completely different: “Caligula: The Ultimate Cut” is Alamo Drafthouse Brooklyn’s Baby Day Show on Tuesday morning. Yes, you can watch Gore Vidal’s controversial erotic historical drama with your kid on Tuesday, if you’re into that. Alamo will even let your kiddo in for free if they’re under 2 and can sit in your lap. 445 Albee Square W, 4th floor. Tickets are $10.89.

Ziwe at The Bell House
7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
The social media and Showtime talk show star Ziwe comes to The Bell House for two sold-out shows on Tuesday night. 149 7th Street. Tickets are (were) $30.30.

Guy Branum at Union Hall
10 p.m.
Comedian and TV writer Guy Branum is also performing on Tuesday night at Union Hall. Branum’s writing credits include “Hacks,” “The Other Two,” and he co-starred in the woefully mistreated gay romcom “Bros” by Billy Eichner. 702 Union Street. Tickets are $18.98.

Wednesday, August 28

The Movement Intimate Concert
7 p.m.
MellowVzn and The Rose Garden Events are collaborating to bring the intimate concert series, The Movement, to Flatbush. Join hosts JaMellow and JRose for an up-close and personal Neo-Soul and Spoken Word experience with Resident Artist: She Pharoah, Mel Chante, Yoshianna, and Rashad Wright. The evening’s music will be performed by Melodic Touch and The Thorns. 333 Flatbush Avenue. Tickets are $28.52.

Thursday, August 29

Planet Yes: Yespresso
10 p.m.
Welcome to Planet Yes – every Thursday, the House of Yes blasts off to a different universe. This Thursday they travel to the planet of Yespresso, a dreamy vintage poolside paradise of unapologetic retro-pop inspired by Sabrina Carpenter. Is it that sweet? Find out for yourself, move it up, down, left, right, and switch it up like Nintendo. 2 Wyckoff Avenue. Entry is free before midnight and $11.98 for guaranteed entry all night.

Some tweets you may have missed

Were any of you at this party?

So obsessed with the chaos of this rooftop party in Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/za3bshksEE

— jacques (@flamencolambada) August 19, 2024

gay person: i’m gay

straight person: i’m straight

bi person: i’m bisexual

person who lives in ridgewood, queens: I live in brooklyn

— Triple Cantilever Extripator (@jaredais) August 23, 2024

Strolled around Williamsburg, Brooklyn, today, perhaps the greatest of all YIMBY triumphs and also entirely unaffordable

— Ross Barkan (@RossBarkan) August 25, 2024

The average medieval European would have had a stroke seeing Brooklyn Tower, which we built in like 2 years instead of 400 https://t.co/ozMfQY5CL9 pic.twitter.com/Ak3flY24bV

— Basil☀️ (@LinkofSunshine) August 20, 2024

People’s Princess of Brooklyn taking the stage at the DNC now pic.twitter.com/0U2kcSDqhK

— Kalhan (@KalhanR) August 23, 2024