BREAKING: THERE'S A THEATER IN PARK SLOPE

I've been living in Park Slope for almost five years now. And bitch as I may about the subway buskers, the lack of single folks, and the fact that no one cleans up their dog shit, I'm totally butt crazy in love with this nabe. And just when I think I know everything there is to know about Park Slope, I discover something I've never seen before. Like the other day when I was on an extended dog walk and I stumbled upon a goddamned theater company on 14th Street and 4th Avenue. 

The Gallery Players, they're called, and from the detailed history on their website it looks like they've been around since 1967. Damn. The Players churn out six shows a season, typically on Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm. The theater seats a respectable 99 people. Tickets are under $20 ($18 for adults, $14 for kids under 12 and senior citizens). The actors are cast from a mix of professional, Equity performers to unknown locals. There's even a musical theater summer camp for kids (this is Park Slope, after all).

It's kind of pathetic that it's taken me this long to discover that there's an active theater in Park Slope. You'd think by now I would have seen a flyer or something, right? Now that I think of it, there may have been some posters up at Pizza Plus a few years ago that I vaguely remember glancing at. But I never anticipated it would be a legit production--in a REAL theater I could get to without crossing a bridge.

But with all that history and activity, shouldn't there be more buzz about The Gallery Players?

As a guy who often shells out an absurd amount of cash to see a Broadway show, I'm all for having an alternative in the area. Off-Off Broadway has a bad reputation for being notoriously terrible. From the look of it, The Gallery Players have some quality productions on their hands (I'll get the scoop when I head down to catch their production of The Drowsy Chaperone sometime before it closes February 20). 

Am I the last one in Park Slope to find out about this theater? Are you Slopers heading out to see a show on date night and just not telling me? Or do you know and just not care? Spill, people. 

KAMP: PLEASE SAVE PARK SLOPES' PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A SINGLE GAY SCENE

As a single gay dude living in the Slope, I've bitched on FIPS before about the lack of a single homo scene here in Park Slope. Last time, I was a little unsure of where to place the blame. But since then, I realize that the problem really the local gay bars themselves - and the fact that they're all basically lame-o.

As much as I appreciate Excelsior and Ginger's for being long-running gay bars in the neighb, they're not doing anything to help Park Slope establish a hoppin' scene. There's nothing unique there - you could find gay bars exactly like them in most towns across America. If you want to get the gays interested, you need to have something of a hook.

That's My Jam has found that hook over the past two years. The monthly queer dance party rotates locations around Brooklyn, and has grown to be a popular, diverse, super-fun party. The same can be said for Gumbo, the bi-monthly dance party at the Galapagos Dance Space in Dumbo. But both these events are happening outside of Park Slope's borders - and only once or twice a month at that? How do we get a more exciting, frequent, gay party going in Park Slope? 

Well, it looks like The Fifth Estate is taking a stab at making that a reality. The South Slope bar, located in Royale's old space down on 5th Ave between 12th and 13th Street, is starting Park Slope's only gay bar night with Kamp.  The festivities kick off this Thursday, February 10, at 8pm, and will continue as a bi-weekly party thereafter. Named after "Kampie," the retro-British term for homo, the event sounds promising. Organizers Jace Meagher and Steve Anthony are promoting a sick, slick party for the gays, sans the go-go dancers and drag queen bingo we're often thrown. DJ Shuffaluffagus will spin a heavy mix of electro-pop, breakbeats, funk, and mashups, so you know there will be dancing (a rarity in any Park Slope bar, let alone a gay one). And the space is really nice. I hadn't been to The Fifth Estate since they opened in October 2010, but meandered in this weekend for some "research" (i.e. I wanted to get drunkz). The remodel of Royale's former dark lounge is subtle, yet effective. Much more inviting, a stage for music performances/film viewings, and a more centralized DJ location. All and all, a hit. 

I have it on good authority that if Kamp is a success, they'll switch the bi-monthly jam to a weekly jam. With the plan they have now, I think they just might be able to do it. Dude, if it can help me get laid without having to take the F train, I'm all for it. Who's with me?

HANCO'S WANTS YOU TO DESIGN THEIR LOGO

So it looks like Park Slope's smelliest Vietnamese sandwich shop is having a little contest to find a new logo.

According to this hand-written note they posted in their window this weekend, they're offering $200 to any loyal customer or neighbor who submits a design.

Just remember: whatever logo you design will probably be completely copied by Henry's. 

Who Gives A Shit: How To Buy An Apt in Park Slope?

After five years of renting in Park Slope, I'm finally ready to make the shift to adulthood. That's right folks: I'm going to buy an apartment. I've saved a bunch of money, got my financials in order, and began the process to take out a giant loan that I'll be paying off for the next 30 years of my life. The only thing left is to find the damn place.  

That's the problem. 

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Naughty Office Holiday Party is TONIGHT [Another Success Story]

If you’re anything like me, you probably wait until the last minute to get your shit together. So I’m going to go out on a limb and say you probs haven’t bought tix yet to the BK Hookup’s Single Holiday Office Party tonight (The Bell House, 7pm).

It’s okay – there’s still plenty of time to get your tix here (plus, they’re for sale at the door, peeps). But in case your on the fence about whether or not it’s worth it, let me go ahead and introduce you to David and Jenna.

David and Jenna met at least year’s Naughty Office Party.

David and Jenna are still together.

David and Jenna could be your future.

Sure, they haven’t gone as far as to get married like these two saps. But damn – making it a year together? That’s at least 10 months longer than I’ve made it with someone in years. That’s something to celebrate!

We sat down with David and Jenna to see how it all went down. I invite all you hatas out there who think you can’t meet anyone special at a singles event to read it and weep. Then, go get your tix for tonight.
Because you too could find love. Or at least get laid.

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