*** Updated to reflect new date! ***
Due to the uncertain weather on Saturday, TOTB is now THIS Sunday, August 6th are you ready? Sunday, a whole bunch of Arab, Middle Eastern, & North African Queers will be taking over the northern part of RIIS beach, and this guide will get you ready honey. The weather on Sunday looks great!
I want to volunteer!
Thats great! Send us an email at tarab@tarabnyc.org! We could use all the help we can get – from set up, tear down, transportation, etc.
Getting ready to get there!
TOTB starts at noon, volunteers will be there at 10am-ish to prepare, pitching tents (pun intended) and decorating the beach for your enjoyment. Before you get there we need to talk about what you will be bringing. Check out the list below:
- Beach blankets or chairs (you need something to relax on)
- Sunglasses (Only if you want to see, its going to be sunny hunny)
- Sunscreen (No you do not have magic skin that does not burn)
- Snacks and Drinks (Try to avoid glass, its not allowed on the beach and nobody wants to get cut)
- Plenty of water (Stay hydrated boo.)
- Ice (Not the immigration assholes, frozen water, oh an bring a cooler to keep it in)
- Plastic Cups/Plates (Ya know, so you can share)
- Games (Beach Ball, Tawle, Card Decks, oh girl you should bring twister.)
- Towels (duh) & a beach blanket or sheet to lay on.
- That sexy swimsuit of yours. (you know, that one that makes everyone come to your yard.)
- $5, (Now this event is free but does cost a bit to produce, a donation of $5 or more is welcomed and appreciated.) 🙂
DO NOT BRING!
- Grills are not allowed. (Unless they are on your teeth, thats cool)
- Pets, they can’t be on the beach unless they are Service Dogs. (Unless you sneak them in and nobody says anything – it happens)
I heard Riis beach changed and there is a large police presence now…
Well our area is still queer and amazing but since the introduction of Riis Beach Bazaar, we have been inundated with police harassing beach goers in the queer beach area. Luckily communities have come together and have formed cop watch groups and have created guides like these: Staying Safe at Jacob Riis Beach & Staying Safe & Sexy at The Queer Beach. Members of the Tarab NYC community have been keeping an eye on this and have been at the beach volunteering long hours bathing in the sun making sure that the space is safe and overall, it has been pretty great, especially since Cop Watch Units have begun patrolling the area.
Now to get there, you have three options: drive your car, take the subway/bus, take the NYC Beach Bus.
Subway/Bus ***This Weekend there are no 2/3 trains between Manhattan and Brooklyn – take the 5, or 4 and then transfer to 5 at Franklin instead!*** While Google Maps will give the best directions and the MTA will always provide the most up to date information on train status, we recommend the following when using mass transit and coming from: For most people: Get to a Brooklyn bound “5” train to Flatbush Ave, then take Q35 (Near Target) to Jacob RIIS Beach. OR “A” train to Shuttle to Far Rockaway to the last stop (116th Street) then transfer to the Q22 or Q35 Bus to Jacob RIIS Beach 149th Street. Queens: From Woodside take the B53 bus to Rockaway and transfer to the Q22 to Jacob RIIS Beach. North Brooklyn: B46 or B44 (Williamsburg) B47 (Bushwick) Bus to Flatbush Ave, then transfer to Q35 to Jacob RIIS Beach.
Driving
Take the Belt Parkway to Exit 11S, then Flatbush Avenue south across the Marine Parkway Bridge (toll) to the park. Alternate: Woodhaven Boulevard to Cross Bay Boulevard, then west on Beach Channel Drive to the park. Parking is $10. For best directions visit Google Maps .
Ferry & Shuttle Bus
Check out the NYC Ferry with pickups at Wall Street and Sunset Park – though we recommend you take the Wall Street Ferry as it fills quickly. Take the ferry to Rockaway park then get on the bus to Jacob Riis. Costs about $12 round trip. If you live or can easily get to the the Lower East Side, Williamsburg, or Grand Army Plaza, then check out Alexis Van Lines! $8 or $16 RT, Last departure from Riis is at 8PM!
I’m at the Beach, how do I get to TOTB?!
When you arrive to the beach, head north (when you face the beach, north is left boo boo), towards the end of the beach before you see houses that start at 149th Street. Look out for Middle Eastern and North African flags, canopies and listen for Arabic music, you can’t miss us! We are in Bay 1. Check out this map for the location.
While at TOTB, Shaku Maku?
Honey, you made it, enjoy yourself, set yourself up in or near the Tarab NYC area, enjoy all the sexiness around you and have an amazing time! Party ends at sunset, which means we will be packed up by sunset and lingering around and saying good bye to each other numerous times until we actually leave. For more information about RIIS beach visit the NY Harbor Parks website.
Where do I get updates if anything changes?
Facebook!
See you at the beach!
Tarab NYC
