Black(out) Celebration(s)

Saturday marks the first anniversary of The Great Northeast American Blackout of 2003. Last year you may have been trapped in Manhattan, so this year head out to Brooklyn for these commemorative events.

The Blackout Film Festival is a collection of short films inspired by the midsummer power outage, ranging in length from no less than 10 seconds and no more than 10 minutes. They will be shown on the rooftop at Office Ops in Williamsburg this Saturday, August 14 at 8:00p.m.

In the festive spirit of last year's impromtu street parties, there will be a party after the films, with music by DJ Big Willie Shoemaker + Secretariat. In the words of festival organizers, "this time, the beer will be cold." In case of rain, events will be held indoors.

Office Ops is located at 57 Thames Street in Brooklyn (718-418-2509)

If you prefer dinner to a movie, The Food Section points out a candlelight dinner commemorating the day - or, rather, night - at Palmira's Restaurant in Brooklyn Heights. Please note that this party is BYOF: Bring Your Own Flashlight (not Bring Your Own Food).

Palmira’s Restaurant is in the St. George Hotel at 41 Clark Street in Brooklyn (718-237-4100)