BBQ Events: Nike 1 Love All Borough Block Party

This Saturday, Nike is closing down the streets of lower Manhattan to host the Nike Sportswear @ 21 Mercer Street block takeover for "1 Love" all borough block party. This all ages event from 6pm-8pm is free, open to the public and features live performances, giveaways and food from Hill Country Barbeque.

That's right. FREE BBQ FROM HILL COUNTRY! Sounds like a great place to be. Mercer Street between Grand and Howard from 6pm to 8pm. Something tells me the food will be going fast.

Just do it.

BBQ Events: BBQ and Ragtime in Queens

This just in from the Queens Gazette....

‘Ragtime’ Composer Joplin To Be Honored At Annual BBQ

On Saturday, May 22, St. Michael’s Cemetery located at 72-02 Astoria Blvd. in East Elmhurst will hold its fifth annual barbecue and celebration of the music of early 20th century composer Scott Joplin. Edward Horn of St. Michael’s will act as host. The event is open to the general public.

The son of former slaves, Joplin wrote more than 50 piano compositions, most in the form of popular music known as ragtime, during the early years of the 20th century. His popularity faded toward the end of his life and he died in obscurity at age 49 in 1917. He is buried at St. Michael’s, with a simple bronze marker bearing the legend which reads: Scott Joplin/American Composer/Nov. 24, 1868/Apr. 2, 1917.

Joplin’s music was adapted for the soundtrack of the 1973 movie “The Sting” and brought about the resurgence in the popularity of ragtime, the early 20th century music form in which Joplin wrote most of his compositions. “The Sting” would go on to win an Academy Award for its musical score. He was awarded a posthumous Pulitzer Prize in 1976. On Apr. 5, 1985, 68 years after Joplin’s interment, the Brooklyn Opera Society honored his last wish by performing his “Maple Leaf Rag” at his grave. The event was broadcast on PBS radio and reported in the New York Times.

For more information, call Edward Horn at 718-278-3240 or e-mailehorn@stmichaelscemetery.com. —Jason D. Antos

Happy New Year at Hill Country

Here's a tip.....

Today only.....

Hill Country Buys You Beer

Consider this a challenge: for every pound of meat you buy, this Flatiron barbecue joint will spot you a beer. After this ode to your machismo, we know you'll be ready and thankful for Hill Country's next offer, which is obviously champagne-

411:	Hill Country, 30 W. 26th St (near 6th Ave), 212-255-4544

BBQ Events: Blues BBQ

Here's something to do this weekend. If I go, it'll be for the music. That may be a little harsh. I've never been to Mara's Homemade or Dallas Jones, but none of these places intrigue me. Nothing's intriguing me lately. I got them mid-summer time blues.

Blues BBQ

Pier 54 at W.14th St.

August 23, 2-9pm
Rain or shine!

Back for the 10th year, Hudson River Park’s annual Blues BBQ Festival brings the best Blues bands from across the country together with 4 of the 10 Best New York City BBQ restaurants (2008 Citysearch) for a fantastic summer day on the river. This feast for your senses brings you the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a true southern BBQ experience!

2009 line-up:
2:30 Eden Brent
3:45 Homemade Jamz Blues Band
5:00 Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater
6:15 Diunna Greenleaf
7:30 Michael Burks

Restaurants:
Brother Jimmy's BBQ, Dallas Jones Bar-B-Q, Dinosaur Bar Be Que, Mara's Homemade

Events: NYC International Pickle Day

The 8th Annual
NYC International
Pickle Day
A Pickle Event that Can't Be Contained
Hosted by the Lower East Side Business Improvement District and the NY Food Museum

Sunday, September 14th 2008, 11 am-4:30 pm

2 Locations side by side! Orchard Street between Broome and Grand Sts.
and Parking Lot on Ludlow and Broome Sts.

RAIN OR SHINE

The Eighth Annual NYC International Pickle Day is a free, fun street festival all about Pickles held on in the heart of the old Pickle District of the Lower East Side.

Pickle Day will feature:

• Music
• Cooking and home canning demonstrations
• Children's activities
• Neighborhood walking tours

And of course

• FREE PICKLE SAMPLES!

For the first time Pickle Day has Expanded!

There is a 2nd Pickle Day Location at the Parking Lot on Broome Street and Ludlow with:

• An interactive Best Buy Pickle Day Lounge
• Special Pickle Day Green Market
• A full-length production of Twelfth Night by Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, produced by The Drilling Company (3pm)
  

And much much more!

For the second year in a row Pickle Day is offering free valet bike parking supplied by Transportation Alternatives, so pedal on down with the whole family.

Sponsored by Best Buy in Noho (622 Broadway) and Whole Foods. Media Partnership with Metro NY.

For more information go to www.LowerEastSideNY.com or call 212-226-9010.

BBQ Events: Free Chicken!

What are you doing tonight? If you're smart you'll be heading over to the Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City for some free barbecue chicken.

From 4pm to 11pm you'll be able to pig out on some yard bird while basking in the view of the greatest skyline in the world.

See you there.

BBQ Events: Virgil's Ribsock

This just in from Thrillist. Free ribs and wings at Virgil's Tuesday. I haven't been to Virgil's in a long long time, but it looks like it's time for a visit. Virgil's certainly not the best barbecue in New York City, but it's easily in the top 10.

Food: Virgil's Ribstock
6-7:30pm Aug 14 at 152 W 44th St, between 6th and 7th; 212.921.9494
Virgil's salutes Woodstock's 38th b'day with free Memphis pork ribs and chicken wings, plus $5 Maker's Mark cocktails -- because yesterday's nappy peace party is today's saucily violent, rib-eating scrum.
More meat here

9 days to go to the Hudson Valley Ribfest. I can't wait. Two teams have dropped out, so if you're interested in competing, get your application in quickly.