Fireworks!
Friday, July 3: Macy’s may have moved its Independence Day show to New Jersey this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see the rockets’ red glare in Brooklyn. Enjoy the Fourth the way it should be celebrated by watching things blow up tonight at Coney Island, where the best view will be from the famed Boardwalk.
9:30 pm. Fireworks at Coney Island (Surf Avenue and W. 12th Street). Free.
Doggin’ it
Saturday, July 4: In a nation in search of a hero, one man stands out: Red-blooded, all-American, two-time hot-dog-eating champion Joey Chesnut. Though he has vanquished the Japanese twice, Chestnut will once again battle six-time champ Takeru “The Tsunami” Kobayashi in the nation’s most-important sporting event. It doesn’t get much more American than wanton gluttony. See page 7 for more.
Noon. Hot dog eating championship at Nathan’s Famous [Surf Avenue at Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island, (212) 352-8651]. Free.
Eagle eye
Saturday, July 4: Everyone knows that Ben Franklin wanted the wild turkey to be our nation’s symbol. But that old Philly hack lost — so we have the bald eagle instead. But how much do you know about this misnamed, hardly bald bird? Find out more about the eagle’s role in America’s identity at this rare patrio-avian event.
Noon–5 pm. “Eagle as icon,” Prospect Park Audubon Center [enter park at Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, (718) 287-3400]. Free.
21 club
Sunday, July 5: Think Americans have a monopoly on freedom? Think again. Today, South African band BLK JKS (pronounced “Black Jacks”) will perform at Weeksville Heritage Center — and no one knows about oppression (and, eventually, freedom) like the people of South Africa. So check come out the best thing to come out of South Africa since Nelson Mandela.
6 pm. BLK JKS at the Weeksville Heritage Center [1698 Bergen St, between Rochester and Buffalo avenues in Bedford-Stuyvesant, (718) 756-5250]. Free. Suggested donation, $5.
Don’t go in the water
Sunday, July 5: Ten minutes into Steven Spielberg’s classic “Jaws,” and you’ll be glad you stayed on the dry land of Brooklyn this Independence Day. The movie will screen at the ultra-cool, mojito-slinging Habana Outpost, so stop by early and get your hands on the restaurant’s famous grilled corn, slathered in cotija cheese, chile powder and a squeeze of lime.
8 pm. “Jaws” at Habana Outpost [757 Fulton St. at S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 858-9500]. Free.