It's Almost BBQ Time

What goes better with sticky bodies than sticky fingers? This weekend marks the 5th annual [Big Apple Barbeque Block Party] in Madison Square Park, where you can stuff yourself full of jazz, bluegrass, rhythm and blues and, of course, barbeque. The event will run from noon to six on Saturday and Sunday. Thirteen pitmasters will offer both the traditional fare and regional Southern specialties like fried pie and Brunswick Stew. Plates are $8 with desserts, and sides on the cheap run $4 to $6, beverages from $2 - $6.

While you dine, feast your eyes on The Budos Band, Naomi Davis & The Gospel Queens, Binky Griptite, James “Blood” Ulmer, The Rob Ryan Band, Prisoners of 2nd Avenue, Ryan Shaw and JJ Grey & MOFRO.

For those who want a little more out of the Barbeque world than protein, [seminars] are being offered in “Sandwiched Barbecue,” “Planet Barbecue,” “Barbecued Baloney, Bourbon & Beer,” “Something Better Than Barbecue,” “Beyond Barbecue,” “Make Your Own Rub” and “Authentic or Ethnic?”—a riveting question indeed.

Proceeds will benefit the Madison Square Park Conservancy, so your stomach, and those people who sit there during lunch every day taking up all of the benches when certain NY Press interns want to eat their peanut-butter sandwiches, will thank you.

Photo courtesy of [permanently scatterbrained on Flickr]