[Fips was there...] Bacon Takedown Takes Down My Arteries

via thetakedowns.com

We here at FIPS spend a hell of a lot of time out and about in Brooklyn, attending outdoor concerts, comedy shows and various other events. So [FIPS Was There...] is where we're gonna' talk about all this shit.

Hey guys, let's try an experiment. I'm going to say a word, and you try not to become aroused: "bacon." See! It's impossible. Even you vegans out there got a little drooly, didn't you? Last night, I partook of this most delicious of pig-derived staples at the Third Annual Brooklyn Bacon Takedown, a competition amongst the creations of 20 local chefs that bathed the Bell House in the tears of all Park Slope's vegetarians and most of greater Brooklyn's observant Jews. 

And, oh my, the bacon. I'm currently more stuffed with it than a Congressional appropriations bill (OK, I'll stop with the bacon jokes. No, I won't. There's more pig inside my belly than the precinct headquarters on donut day. Too far? I agree). Upon entry, guests were greeted with some complimentary slabs of the salty stuff provided by representatives of Hormel, the corporate sponsors (I'll Occupy Wall Street AFTER I acknowledge that the money for big, fun events has to come from somewhere, thankyouverymuch). 

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Two Slope-Area Roots Fests This Weekend

by Robin Hoffman, via eastriverstringband.com
When's the last time you felt that plaintive twang in your voice? Does your largest belt buckle languish in your closet, glinting like a Texas moon? Do you miss Kentucky and your Sweet Carolina? Don't cry, cowboy. Two big doses of Americana hitting the Slope area tonight will cure what ails you: country, roots, and bluegrass sounds will ring forth during the three-day Brooklyn Country Music Festival and the Fifth Year Anniversary hoedownhootenannyshindig at roots-haven Jalopy in Red Hook. The BCMF twangs and bootstomps with 12 classic country bands from around Brooklyn. The vaudeville-or-earlier environs of Jalopy will host a helping of roots acts Friday night.

* BCMF shows start at 9pm Friday, 8pm Saturday, and noon on Sunday. All FREE (but tip the poor bastards, ya mizer).
* Jalopy show starts at 8pm (Friday only), art opening at 6pm, $20.

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Whassup: Broken Hearted Edition

via poptower.com

This is apparently the week of mad scrambles for tickets to fucktastically awesome shows in small venues. On Monday, Radiohead tix to Roseland evaporated in a New York min-- (well, you know). And within a couple hours, one of FIPS' favorite venues, the Bell House, announced that comic's comic Louis CK would do two shows on Friday. Tix go onsale that same morning and should be gone nearly as quickly. How many tears must we, with our disgusting #firstworldproblems, cry over refreshing purchase screens in one week? Well, luckily there's always other fun shit to do 'round here. Welcome to Whassup: Broken Hearted Edition:

* Friday, Sept. 30-Sunday, Oct. 2: Brooklyn Country Music Fest, Hank's Saloon: Were you aware that Brooklyn has a country music scene? Don't be surprised. You know we're all from somewhere else, anyway. And lots of those somewhere else's have steel guitars. Alex Battles, a Cash-voiced cowboy with a sense of humor, heads up the scene, and the festival. This year, it stomps its spurred boots at Hank's Saloon, just before the charmingly (maybe?) grimy Boerum Hill institution succumbs to gentrification. Check out the full lineup and times here. FREE.

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Welcome to Whassup: We Might Not Be Giants Edition

via robot6.comicbookresources.com

As we hurtle along into pigskin season, it's important to remember: you live in New York Fucking City, specifically Park Fucking Slope (ok, less badass sounding) -- there's a helluva lot more to do than sit around watching large men smash each other on bigscreens. So, venture away from couches facing Eli Manning. Welcome to Whassup: We Might Not Be Giants Edition:

* Sept. and Oct.: NEW Classes, BK Brainery: The Carroll Gardens center for grey matter calisthenics has a fresh, new platter of learnables for the Fall. Learn about factory fires or post-apocolyptic New York -- you know, after the zombies/asteroids/Cloverfield/Rick Perry devastate us. But let's be honest: Brainery is really a chance to make up for not asking out that cute girl/guy in freshman comp. Various costs and times.

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Learn How to Roast Coffee WHILST enjoying Beer

Image via oncoffeemakers.com

BK magazine Edible Brooklyn is pairing up with local coffee roasting professionals Blue Bottle Coffee, Dallis Bros. Coffee and Gorilla Coffee to bring a "How To Roast Coffee" night to the public. The lecture will be going down on Friday, 9/28 at Brooklyn Brewery, where you'll also be able to purchase beer for $4 a pint. 

Just don't get drunk and fall in the roaster. The last thing we need is another 1939-Drunk-Brooklyn-Farmer-Who-Perished-in-the-Roaster-tragedy on our hands again. 

[Via Gothamist]