Bed-Stuy's library branches and its arts institutions have a full week coming up. Between Thursday, October 22, and Tuesday, October 27, the neighborhood has sidewalk stargazing, a still-life drawing class, an artist talk with a painter showing work at Macon Library, a free outdoor workout in Herbert Von King Park, a book conversation at The Billie Holiday Theatre, and a sketching morning in a community garden. Here is what is happening, where, and how to go.

Sidewalk stargazing at Bedford Library (Thursday, October 22)

Bedford Library is setting up on the sidewalk outside the branch from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday for an evening of urban astronomy. Library staff will show how to find and identify objects in the night sky, even with city light. The library's listing notes the moon will be a waxing gibbous, about 89 percent lit. The program is listed for all ages, and the branch says it will be called off if the forecast calls for clouds, rain or poor visibility, so check the event page that afternoon. Bedford Library is at 496 Franklin Avenue; take the C or the Franklin Avenue Shuttle to Franklin Avenue, or the A or C to Nostrand Avenue.

Still-life drawing at Macon Library (Thursday, October 22)

The same evening, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Fulton Arts Fair presents a still-life drawing session in the Dionne Mack-Harvin Heritage Center at Macon Library. Artist Gerard Pefung leads participants through how to set up and compose a still life. Some materials are provided, and attendees are welcome to bring their own supplies. The library lists it for adults and all ages. Macon Library is at 361 Lewis Avenue at Macon Street; the A and C stop at Utica Avenue and the C at Ralph Avenue are each a few blocks away.

Artist talk: Carren McNeal, And Still, In Color (Saturday, October 24)

Painter Carren McNeal speaks about her exhibition, And Still, In Color, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, also in the Heritage Center at Macon Library. In the library's description, the paintings work as a visual journal, drawing on Memphis and Brooklyn, childhood and adulthood, music, faith and memory, with bright color chosen on purpose. The exhibition is on view at Macon through October, so Saturday's talk comes before the show wraps at the end of the month. Light refreshments will be served.

Total Body Reset in Herbert Von King Park (Saturday, October 24)

NYC Parks lists a free Shape Up NYC outdoor fitness class, Total Body Reset, in Herbert Von King Park from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The park sits between Marcy and Tompkins Avenues and Lafayette and DeKalb Avenues; the G train to Bedford-Nostrand Avenues is the closest stop. Earlier that morning, at 10:30 a.m., Macon Library has its own Shape Up NYC bodyweight circuit for anyone who wants a second session.

Literary salon at The Billie Holiday Theatre (Monday, October 26)

The Billie Holiday Theatre at Restoration Plaza hosts a literary salon with Donna Walker-Kuhne on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. Walker-Kuhne is the author of Champions for the Arts: Lessons and Successful Strategies for Engaging Diverse Audiences, and the theater notes she has worked with institutions including Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Public Theater, the Apollo Theater, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Whitney Museum and NJPAC. The conversation will be moderated by Aaron L. McKinney, executive director of Hi-ARTS, and will focus on how people and institutions can build wider audiences for the arts. A book signing follows. Reservations are through the theater's events page, which links to Eventbrite. The Billie is at 1368 Fulton Street; the A and C stop at Nostrand Avenue, steps away.

Sit and Sketch in Hancock Community Backyard Park (Tuesday, October 27)

A Macon Library librarian leads a morning drawing session from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Hancock Community Backyard Park, a community garden at 324 Hancock Street. There is no formal instruction: participants draw from the garden and the surrounding block, with a few prompts to get started. Drawing materials are supplied, and anyone can bring their own. It is for ages 13 and up, all skill levels. The library encourages people to RSVP on the event page so they get weather updates. The A and C trains at Nostrand Avenue are within walking distance.

Plan ahead

All of the library programs above are listed on Brooklyn Public Library's online calendar, where you can check for changes, especially for the two outdoor events. For The Billie Holiday Theatre's salon, reserve through the theater's site. And for anyone looking further out, The Billie's calendar also lists its Skylight Open performance night on Friday, October 30, and the Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE dance company's annual concert in November.

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