‘Tis the season of love!
Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite made-up holidays. I love the kitschy vibes and emphasis on love, and I especially love all the Brooklyn events.
This week, make some Valentine’s Day plans, read about Bess Wohl’s journey from Brooklyn to Broadway and get the history of Billy Joel’s drummer, Liberty DeVitto.
—Mandie-Beth Chau
Do you have an upcoming event in Brooklyn? Email [email protected] to have your event highlighted in BKLYN LIVE.
Brooklyn Academy of Music expanded its Winter/Spring 2026 season with two New York premieres by the Mark Morris Dance Group and a new opera production, alongside updated details for several major returning programs.
The Brooklyn Museum appointed Robert Wiesenberger to be the new Barbara and John Vogelstein senior curator of contemporary art. Read about his previous work and his goals for the museum.
The Brooklyn Museum hosts a family-friendly celebration of the Lunar New Year on Saturday, Feb. 15, to ring in the year of the horse.
Celebrate Lunar New Year at Industry City with free and ticketed dance performances, mahjong competitions and parties throughout the month.
“In Every Transition, A Pattern,” a light exhibition, will be on display through March 16 in the former Macy’s windows on Fulton Street.
The Danish Fastelavn celebration, described as Scandinavian Mardi Gras, takes place on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Vesuvio’s Restaurant.
Learn tips and tricks for growing a challenging plant in the city: Tomatoes. Gardening expert and educator Leslie Fiske leads a tomato-growing seminar at Greenpoint Library on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m.
Hilary Duff sold out the Brooklyn Paramount on Tuesday, Jan. 27, during the third stop on a micro-tour promoting her upcoming sixth album, “Luck… Or Something.”
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in BK:
Ginger’s Bar in Park Slope hosts a Valentine’s Day Market on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m.
Catbird in Williamsburg hosts a free Valentine-making workshop, supplying vintage paper, sequins and more craft supplies. The event is open from Sunday, Feb. 8, through Saturday, Feb. 14.
Clementine’s Bakery hosts a free “hearts” and crafts day on Saturday, Feb. 7, and Sunday, Feb. 8, for all ages.
Rodeo in Crown Heights hosts an evening of readings on love on Thursday, Feb. 12. All proceeds go to the Immigrant Defense Project.
What’s more romantic than oysters? Boyfriend Co-Op in Bushwick hosts an oyster-shucking workshop with queer and woman-owned oyster brands.
Take a spiritual approach to Valentine’s Day with Barrows Intense at Industry City on Tuesday, Feb. 10. The free event offers aura photography, oracle readings, whimsical cocktails and more.
The Twisted Spine in Williamsburg hosts a Valentine’s Week of dark romance readings and community events, including a queer vampire extravaganza and a Valentine’s Day soiree.
Yellow Peril Books hosts a bookish singles mixer at Orion’s Bar in Bushwick on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m., where singles will bond over books through games and activities.
Photo: Little Fang
For “Liberation” playwright Bess Wohl, Brooklyn is a lifelong home.
Wohl grew up in Cobble Hill and now lives in Brooklyn Heights. Her play, “Liberation,” is about the legacy of second-wave feminism, directed by Whitney White. It closed its Broadway run this past Sunday, Feb. 1, after a three-week extension and overwhelming praise from critics.
“I’ve wanted to write this play forever,” Wohl told the Brooklyn Eagle. “I knew this world from a child’s point of view, and I wanted to figure out how to tell a story about those women. I didn’t know at the time that it would also be a story about my mom.”
The Brooklyn Museum has unveiled one of the world’s rarest treasures: a 21-foot, complete and gilded Book of the Dead — the finest surviving example of its kind.
“Unrolling Eternity” illuminates both ancient burial rites and the artistic prowess behind a rare masterpiece, as well as the cutting-edge techniques used to preserve it.
Filled with gleaming vignettes, the scroll appears alongside one of the earliest Books of the Dead and fascinating artifacts, such as gold amulets, reed pens and preparatory sketches.
Photo: Steve Milone
Known by many as “the American Ringo Starr,” Liberty DeVitto is a Brooklyn-born drummer who spent years working with Billy Joel.
DeVitto said the first time he recognized Joel’s talent was when he performed the song “Coloured Rain” by Traffic.
“I thought I was the only one who knew about this song, but one night, Billy did it with the Hassles, and he played it really well,” said DeVitto. “I thought to myself, ‘This guy’s got it!’”
That early connection was the beginning of their relationship, long before they officially worked together in Joel’s band nine years later.
This newsletter is written by Mandie-Beth Chau. Email [email protected] with any questions or comments.