Tarab On The Beach 11

Join us for music, dancing, sun, and fun as queer Arab, Middle Eastern and North African folk take over the northern part of RIIS beach on Saturday, August 20th for Tarab On The Beach! (Rain Date, Sunday, August 21st)

The 11th Annual Tarab On The Beach starts at noon and ends before sunset (around 7pm).  Bring a cooler with your favorite drinks and food or enjoy some of our offerings for a donation. Registration is not required, but it does help us to prepare! Register below.

How Can I Help?

Thanks for asking! Send an email to Bashar, and we’ll make sure you have something to do. We could use all the help we can get, including set up, tear down, transportation, etc. (9AM HELP Desperately Needed.) ​

What Should I Bring?

  • Beach blankets or chairs (you need something to relax on)
  • Sunglasses (Only if you want to see, it’s going to be sunny hunny)
  • Sunscreen (No you do not have magic skin that does not burn)
  • Snacks (There will be concession stands, but they’re expensive. Bring something to share!)
  • Drinks (Try to avoid glass, it’s 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 and 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.)

What Should I NOT Bring?

  • Grills are not allowed. (Unless they are on your teeth, that’s cool)
  • Glass Containers
  • Pets, they can’t be on the beach unless they are Service Dogs. (Unless you sneak them in and nobody says anything – it happens)

How Do I Get to Jacob Riis Beach?

Subway/Bus: 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. Keep an eye on MTA Alerts to anticipate any planned subway outages!

Car: 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 $20. For best directions visit Google Maps.

Ferry: 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 free shuttle bus to Jacob Riis. Costs $2.75 per trip.

How Do I Find Everyone Once I’m at the Beach?
When you arrive to the beach, head north/east (when you face the beach, north/east 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 will be sending locations the closer we get to the date.

I heard Riis beach changed and there is a large police presence now…

Our area is still queer and amazing, but be aware, the police have been known to harass beach goers in the queer beach area they deem breaking the “rules”. 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.

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.