Brooklyn Parties this Weekend!

Please see my new blog, Reviews and Reflections of a South Williamsburger, for details on parties this weekend in Williamsburg and Beyond!

Brooklyn Blogs!

In honor of my resurrection as a blogger, I thought I would feature some other Brooklyn blogs, from Williamsburg and beyond.

Some notable Williamsburg blogs:

Cultural Reflections of a 20-Something in NYC (shameless self-promotion)

NewYorkShitty

FREEWilliamsburg

Greenpointers

Brooklyn 11211

BikeBlogNYC

BrooklynVegan

Indie/Punk Times

So yesterday night, after a teaching extravaganza of a day, I ended up at the new Knitting Factory, which is now in my neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn. And the best thing was that it happened to be Moisturizer's last show. (My friend wanted me to come, hearing that Moisturizer was legendary, while I hadn't ever heard buzz on them, except I had happened to catch them at Zebulon the other week!) I didn't even know what show I was going to see when I agreed to check out the Knitting Factory last night. So I just so happened to see Moisturizer twice, and each time was incredible: with their psychedelic/jazz/funk sound, they definitely imbue a certain sense of sexy magic into the evening.

And tonight I am going to see Punk Princess, an off-Broadway show about a blue-blooded Londoner girl who escapes to NYC to make it into the punk scene. Good times.

Classes at 3rd Ward

This is the kind of stuff I need to be doing more of. Productive creative fun.

Below, blurbs and info from 3rd Ward:

Well, Jesus's Last Supper had a weird ending but yours will have a happy one! (NO! Not that kind). This Saturday over 50 artists of all kinds convene for annual multi-media art feast, The Last Supper! Don't miss the chance to indulge all your senses with art, music, films and food.

Tonight, come out for everybody's favorite weekly staple Drink n' Draw and tomorrow join us & Brooklyn Royalty for the Indie Business Fair.

But don't let your body have all the fun. You brain wants to sign up for our class of the week!


1. The Last Supper: Music, Art, Film, Food Festival, September 26, THIS SATURDAY

2. Drink n' Draw, TONIGHT!

3. Indie Business Fair, September 24, THIS THURSDAY

4. Sweatshop Social, September 28

5. Class of the week: Intro to Final Cut Pro


####1. The 5th Annual Last Supper Festival, September 26, 6 p to 2 a, $15 or $10 w/ 3 cans of food, FREE for Members

An artistic feast for the senses that brings together over 50 short films, works of art, writings, culinary creations, edible installations, and up-and-coming bands & DJ's to celebrate the autumn harvest and discuss consumption. Created & curated by artist and architect Coralina Meyer, The Last Supper kindles the creative miasma infused by community interaction, and harvests the cornucopia of media in our own backyard.

Benefiting the Food Bank of New York City.

RSVP events@3rdward.com

For more information visit www.lambastic.com.



####2. Drink n' Draw, 8 to 10:30 p, $15/person or $10 w/ a friend, FREE for Members

Every Wednesday 3rd Ward indulges artists with a night of drawing the nude figure while drinking beer, eating snacks and chillin' to the good tunes of DJ Jedi Mind Orgasm (aka Adam Collison).

Please be prepared for a nice relaxing time and come with drawing supplies in hand. No previous drawing experience required to attend.

For more information visit http://www.3rdward.com/drink-n-draw/.



####3. Indie Business Fair, Thursday, September 24, 7 to 10 p, FREE admission, complimentary Colt 45 while it lasts

Ever had a really creative, fun idea for a new business that you were just dying to make a reality? Well, you're in luck, because there are already NYC-ers like you who are doing just that! Get inspired at the 2nd Indie Business Fair, which gathers 10 aspiring entrepreneurs and their brand new business plans in the same room for one evening only!

Sponsored by Brooklyn Royalty and 3rd Ward Edu, you can rock out to the beats of DJ Jeff Ramos, grab a drink with your friends and check out the newest independent businesses before anyone else. Plus there will be tons of demonstrations, free samples and giveaways!



####4. Sweatshop Social, September 28, 7 to 10 p, FREE

Made for food-shopping fashionistas and creative environmentalists alike, join non-profit organization, Bags for the People, in a night of custom cotton bag making. You bring the fun and the fabric; we'll provide the sewing machines, instruction, drinks, snacks and live music. 'Cause everybody knows plastic is passe.

RSVP events@3rdward.com

For more information visit http://bagsforthepeople.org/.



####5. Class of the week: Intro to Final Cut Pro, Sundays October 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2:30 to 5:30 p

Learn all the essentials necessary to start editing your own work and explore the world of digital video editing. This class will cover importing footage, the editing interface, and various tips and tricks.

http://www.3rdward.com/3rdwardclasses/intro-to-final-cut-pro.html

Or

Sign up for ANY of our more than 100 unique classes at www.3rdward.com/classes!

3rd Ward
195 Morgan Avenue
Brooklyn New York 11237
United States

Weekend Loft Parties!

I may very well have to check out one of these parties, tomorrow and Sunday!

This Saturday : September 5th
Winkel & Balktick Present: Stranded!

Explore a massive never-before-seen warehouse made magic by two dozen
artists, too many performers to mention and music acts continuing far past
dawn.  Highlights include the Gameletron within the Temple of Ephemeral
Light and live sets by ZXL, Miss Angelinga and Sistine Criminals.  Explore
this and dozens of other acts.

Details can be found at: http://www.wandbnyc.com/



_________________________


This Sunday : September 6th through Labor Day

A secret DJ throwdown dance party with some of New York Cities best dj's ,
up and coming visual artists and copious amounts of liquor mixing it up in
a high-end Manhattan loft.  Experience, dj's Toddy Terry, Alexander
Technique, Kimyon + MSG, Juan Gavaria, Drew Heffron, plus visual artists
Ross Brodar, KY, Tono and LostCitizen.

10pm 'till brunch
RSVP with the password "Danger" : cautionrsvp@gmail.com

This Weekend: "Intergalactic Planetary" Danger Parties

Weekend Events Brought to You - and Me - by The Danger List.
Read on for information on these large underground parties and nights of summertime decadence.

From their e-mail.

The summer is slowly fading but our New York City nights are as warm
and wide-eyed as ever.  Thank you to the hundreds who adventured out to
our last event "Rights of Passage". It was your energy that carried the
party past dawn into the early afternoon light.  Because you've shown
such love and respect for the new location and the neighborhood, it
looks like we have a new home for many events to come.

Your moments of infamy have been captured here:
http://www.alexey-studio.com/rightsofpassage/

Below are three invites for this weekend.  The first is an outsized,
low-key house party of amazing music to raise funds for our camp at
Burning Man.  The second is not a Danger event, but another special
night on the hidden ferry.  The third invitation is... a story of
crime.

1 |_______________________

Friday : Intergalactic Planetary
This Friday you are invited to an all night house-party within a three
floor self-made mansion deep in the dark heart of Brooklyn.  Musicians
from around the world mix live energy with jump-up and dance dj’s,
aerial performance and unEarthly acts.  Money from this event goes to
fund an international tribe building a special project for Burning Man.

This Friday : August 14th
9pm to very late...
Bushwick, Brooklyn

This is a simple, cheap and easy house-party.  Bring your own beverages
and share with your new best friends.  Food and drink will be provided
for the early arrivals.

RSVP for the location at: http://www.africagalactica.com/

The Planetary:  Music from Across the Planet
If you haven't heard the exploding hip-hop sensation Bajah + The Dry
Eye Crew, this is your moment.  After packing the national stadium for
performances in their home country of Sierra Leone, African superstars
Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew are poised to conquer the global airwaves with
their unique sound, which blends the swagger and funk of hip-hop, the
passion and energy of dancehall, and the socially conscious vibe of
reggae. The group has generated so much buzz in the hip-hop world that
major stars including ?uestlove, the Roots, Talib Kweli, K'Naan, Res,
and El-P have contributed their vocal and/or production talents to
their upcoming release.

Plus music from Zimbabwe to Bali and everywhere in between from
Akim Funk Buddha, The Two Griots, dj's $mall Change, Sirak and Prolific
spinning into the late night.

The Intergalactic : Performance from Other Worlds
The Lady Circus performs overhead with aerial acts by Amanda Silaski,
Nikki Borodi, Katie Clancy and Elena Delgado along with spontaneous
floor performances and other acts of anti-gravity action. ://grove.nyc
provides photon bending art projections as Swiss Chris plays his
extragalactic light percussion show.

Kae Burke and Make Fun will be hosting a costume creation session on
the second floor for anyone heading west in need of new style for
adventures in Black Rock City.

Suggested donations for entry:
$10/Intergalactic (dress in your best extra-planetary formal wear)
$15/Earth-bound.

For the location and details, RSVP at:
http://www.africagalactica.com/


2 |_______________________
[ Note: The event detailed below is not a Danger party.  Many artists,
dj's and performers are coming together for a special fundraiser to
help pay for renovations and upkeep on the Bushwick Ferry Boat.  They
have a good thing going there and we are helping to spread the word. ]

Saturday : Volatility
Another all-night adventure on the infamous ferry boat docked on the
hidden East Kills Canal in Bushwick.  Music, drinks, sunrise, acts of
daring and moments of fire; this will be a gorgeous summer night.

These events have been incredible and this one will continue the fine
tradition. Featuring: Miho Hatori (of the Gorillaz/Cibo Matto) with her
band, New Optimism, Sistine Criminals, Bellringerzzzz with the Swedish
Meatballs.  With dj's:  Kimyon, Uproot Andy, Geko Jones, Feliz Cumbe,
Zack Shadetek, Blacky II, plus an array of other musical mischief
playing through dawn.

The adventure begins at: 
L train to Grand St.
$20 donation to get in, 21+ only


3 |_______________________
Sunday : Three Course Meal
A meal.  A drink.  An illicit location.

The second in our series of free renegade dinner parties happens this
Sunday. There are experiences in this city that are too precious to ask
permission for.  These we take without asking... and we never take them
for granted.

Details: http://www.thedanger.com


Invites will be distributed in person at the events detailed above.

____________________________________

TheDanger List
http://www.thedanger.com

BLONDIE - Playing FREE Tonight at Coney Island!

And speaking of free things to do in the city, Blondie is playing for free tonight at Coney Island, along with Pat Benatar and The Donnas. The show starts at 7:30 pm... what time Blondie will go on is anyone's guess, but my hunch is probably closer to 10 pm or later...


The show will be at Asser Levy/Seaside Park -- address below:
West 5th Street and Surf Avenue
Coney Island/Brighton Beach
Brooklyn, New York 11206
Across from the New York Aquarium

The event is part of the Seaside Summer Concert Series, which provides a write-up on Blondie, Benatar an The Donnas as well.

Disclaimer from the Summer Concert Series website:
Performers are subject to change without notice. Call the concert hotline for updates at 718-222-0600.


I plan on being there!!

Cary Grant Week at BAM!

I am a sucker for Cary Grant films, and it seems they are being featured at BAM. See here for a full schedule.

I missed the double-feature tonight, but Tuesday night is the film Topper, Wednesday features Rome Express, Thursday features Penny Serenade, and Friday features The Philadelphia Story.

Saturday presents multiple screenings of To Catch a Thief, while Sunday will present The Awful Truth.

And the Cary Grant films continue next week as well, thanks to BAM's repertory film program!

This Sunday - Free Bikes at 3rd Ward Block Party!

I hope this kind of thing becomes a regular event! I have yet to decide if I am going to sell my vintage Fuji bike, since I will be traveling out of the country for two months this summer... and kind of want a bike upgrade, anyway (though I have become a bit attached to my bike...!).

 

See the following, from myopenbar.com (listed because in addition to free booze, the offer is free bikes!). 3rd Ward's Green Bikes Birthday Block Party
Colt 45, no cover; free bike with membership / 2pm-8pm
3rd Ward
195 Morgan Ave., btw. Meadow and Stagg St.
East Williamsburg
(718) 715-4961

For NYC Bike Month, 3rd Ward is offering a free bike with purchase of a membership. That trumps free booze (sorry, booze). To promote all that jazz, and celebrate their third anniversary, they're throwing a concert in the streets. Stagg St. will see action from: bands Wild Yaks, Aa, Pterodactyl, Afuche, and Lam, DJs Drew Heffron and Clay Franklin, bike competitions, bike films and demos, music videos, a photobooth, badminton, BBQ, drinks, live screen-printing, free workshops and the proverbial "more."

RSVP to events@3rdward.com. And ride your bike there, dodo.

-----------------------------------------
So I looked for the caveat. Well, how much is membership, and what does it entail besides a free bike?

From the 3rd Ward website: "JOIN Why you should join... 3rd Ward provides all the space and tools necessary for success without sacrificing creative freedom. Our members are the driving force behind what we do and why we do it. They enjoy a wide range of perks, designed to provide a complete creative experience, from start to finish.

NEW! Sign up for any annual membership and get a free bike!

Membership also includes access to health insurance, classes, a free subscription to Time Out New York, admission to 3rd Ward events, unlimited use of co-working space and access to a huge network of creative, active and successful professionals." To see more info, click on their membership page.

Membership starts at $39/month... and includes access to health insurance?! Hmm, I have to wonder exactly what that means... Good things can come true in Brooklyn!

"Brooklynnovation": Poster Boy Party

Funny, I just wrote about Poster Boy last month in my post, "Poster Boy and Sleep Deprivation Across the Nation". And now, Poster Boy is having an exhibition at 3rd Ward.

As described by 3rd Ward:
"Pomp & Circumstance celebrates in the heart of the art and culture movement in Brooklyn. Featuring salsa-makers, ad creators and mash-uppers as well as DJ's and drinks, come to the Spring Event showcasing the groundbreaking advertising cut and pastery of Poster Boy (but this time endorsed by the advertisers? Could this be?). Engage with the brands, artists and creators of a new class of tastemakers. Celebrate the diversity, creativity and innovation of the hottest borough in NYC. "

The event is April 24, 7 pm to midnight.

Also, myopenbar.com lists the event and rates it with the highest rating, 5 cups.

The event description on myopenbar: "I've been obsessed with Poster Boy on flickr for a while now, but the biggest thrill is spotting his stuff around town. At the 3rd Ward exhibition tonight, I'm hoping to spot him in person (yeah, I'm a lurker). Even New York Magazine reported on his recent shenanigans. Next thing you know he'll be more bank than Banksy.

RSVP to gallery@3rdward.com."

What's the open bar? Dogfish Head beer. No cover. Myopenbar lists the event as starting at 8, not the 7 listed by 3rd Ward. Hmm...

3rd Ward is located at:
195 Morgan Ave.,
btw. Meadow and Stagg St.
East Williamsburg
(718) 715-4961

Danger Party This Friday

It's an old-school underground party, brought to you by the Danger List (part of Complacent Nation), which collaborates with art and political collectives to create everything from politically-charged artistic parades to parties.

The parties basically all tell you,  "forget about the bad times and consumerism, let's just unite to party." In this one, if you arrive early, and/or dress as a banker, you are eligible for a "stimulus package."

{Feel free to forward / post this invite. } 

You are invited to: The Brooklyn Bailout

Everyone else seems to be getting theirs, now it's time
for your stimulus.  This is the party that pays you back
with a half dozen dj's, wild acts of abandon and low-down
dirty bands leading up to a late-night surprise that will
stimulate even the brokest amongst you. (Hint? See our site.)

Featuring:
Dirty gospel, to brilliant house to dark techno from:
King Britt, Justin Carter, Twilight Tone, Reverend Vince,
Derek Plaslaiko, Zemi 17, David Last & Yusuke Yamamoto
and more to be announced.

Plus, fire/ice and end-of-the-world performances by:
Reverend Billy, The Lady Circus, Josh Kalin, Chika
Imagima, Jessi Klien and more...

The best amongst you will win the ultimate Bailout Package:
a years supply of alcohol will be awarded to the "Baddest Banker".
Think naughty, clever or notoriously nihilist and dress/act the part.

All this will be nestled within the cavernous rooms and secret
niches of the Brooklyn Masonic Temple, a historic fortress of
hidden passageways and lost-world charm.

Full details will be released in the coming days.

http://www.thedanger.com

Sleep Deprivation Across The Nation and Poster Boy

"Sleep Deprivation Across The Nation" -- I overheard it in the elevator, and this might just become a new favorite quote.

Perhaps I can ascribe my restlessness to seasonal flux, or to my imminent two-month sojourn to Peru, or perhaps to my juggling of low-paying teaching gigs... or most aptly to all of the above, and more.

Anyway, how apropos that in my restless meanderings my friend forwarded me info about a Poster Boy exhibit tomorrow.

The exhibit is in Williamsburg, at 17 Frost Gallery, on Frost Street between Union and Lorimer Streets. Poster Boy will be showing in a group exhibit with the Neo-Con New York Collective. It opens tomorrow, March 21, from 7-9 pm. More on Poster Boy below.



NY Magazine has an article, "How Poster Boy Turns Subway Ads Into Political Art", which explores Poster Boy's anti-mass-media message. The New York Times, meanwhile, published an article last month, "Poster Boy Is Caught, or Is It a Stand-In?", which discusses Poster Boy's assessment of the law: "there is a difference between what is [legally] right and what is just." This remix culture, which challenges traditional copyright issues, is a growing trend that has been embraced by such artists as Girl Talk and continues to push the boundaries of what is considered legally acceptable.

I plan on being there!

Upcoming Shenanigans: No Pants 2k9

Unless you count riding my bike through Bushwick and getting called "mamacita" and "mi amor" by the passing Mexican bicyclists as a cultural activity, the past few days have been a bit absent of cultural activities for me. But I do see my biking and tutoring around Brooklyn to offer its own cultural insights.


Anyway, for some non-conventional cultural activities, I have gotten word of this event happening this Saturday, January 10th: No Pants 2k9, sponsored by Improv Everywhere and happening in cities throughout the U.S. and worldwide.

The concept is that everyone meet at a specified point, act like they don't know each other and claim that the mass pants-removing is entirely coincidental. This pants-free group then proceeds to ride the subway together sans pants, the whole time acting calm and oblivious that they are part of a larger sans-pants group. Unfortunately, Improv Everywhere asks that you both do NOT show up if you plan to be a spectator only and that you do not photograph the event. There will be photography of it, rest assured, though, from the Improv Everywhere crew as well as undercover and/or disregarding participants. Oh, and they ask that you not wear any underwear that is too controversial or offensive, like a thong: the point of the activity is to amuse NYC observers, not to offend or shock them.

From the Improv Everywhere website, a snapshot from a previous No Pants event:

FYI, it's not illegal to walk around in your underwear in NYC.

Details from website:

When: Saturday, January 10 at 3:00 PM, Sharp! (Over by around 5:30)
Where: Meet at Foley Square at the black sculpture/fountain. It’s near the Brooklyn Bridge 6 train stop, between Centre and Lafayette, just north of Duane. (Google Map)
Bring: A backpack and a metro card.
Do not bring: A camera (we’ll have several photographers on hand)
Wear: Normal winter clothes (hat, gloves, etc)
Facebook: You can RSVP to the Facebook Event
After Party: For those over 21, there will be an official No Pants after party at Sidebar, 15th Street and Irving Place. First drink is free if you arrive without pants.

Amjad at BAM -- 2008 Next Wave Festival

I will be seeing the performance of Amjad tonight, a dance performance at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House. The performance features the dance company La La La Human Steps and choreography by Édouard Lock.

In an interview with the Star, "La La La Takes Romantic Steps," Lock reveals, "Amjad is a name, applicable to both a man and a woman. It's a little wink to my own ethnic heritage." It is a ballet that deconstructs Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. The production is a contemporary interpretation of and response to these works that highlights the exoticism of the stories and problematizes such issues as gender, narrative and culture, all in a visually stunning production.

Tonight: Murder by Death and William Elliott Whitmore at Southpaw

I am at least a little ashamed to admit that I have never before seen a show at Southpaw before. For what it's worth, I tried once before but was not ready to brave the lines on the particularly chilly night I attempted entry there.

Anyway, tonight, with doors at 7, features the musicians Murder By Death, William Elliott Whitmore, and J Roddy Walston & The Business. It should be a fun, folky, bluesy evening and is very reasonably-priced, at only $14 for the show cover.

I am particularly interested in seeing Williasm Elliott Whitmore and hearing his soulful blues songs performed live. Free songs are available for download at daytrotter.com.

Summer Sunday in Brooklyn

My Sunday afternoon was a summertime whirlwind of little cultural happenings in Brooklyn. I began the day with a jaunt to Fort Greene, to find the Brooklyn Urban Arts Market, sponsored and advertised by BAM. After my initial confusion as to where exactly this market was located, I eventually found my way there, on Myrtle Ave. between Grand and Emerson (exactly as the website says, only I hadn't thought to record the address... ), behind the Pratt campus. One reason I think I was so confused? This little market was very small scale. Okay, quality not quantity, but I had expected something a little larger. It was a cute little fair with local and independent vendors and artisans, featuring a lot of local clothing and jewelry. My favorite item was the t-shirt with over-sized lips silkscreened on the the front and "Besos not Bombs" silkscreened on the back. However, I ultimately decided that the market only merited a quick perusal.

Finding my friend afterwards, we decided to experience another event we'd heard rumor of: the Fort Greene Sunday flea market. Now this was impressive. Below is the what/when/where info of the market, taken from the website, http://brownstoner.com/brooklynflea/:

Brooklyn Flea takes place every Sunday from 10am to 5pm—rain or shine—at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, on Lafayette Ave. between Clermont and Vanderbilt Ave. The Flea features 200 vendors of vintage furniture, clothing, collectibles and antiques as well as new jewelry, art and crafts by local artisans, plus delicious food.

Apparently the flea market just started happening a few months ago, in April. A write-up in the NY Daily News describes the very large-scale nature of the event and reports that 70% of the vendors hail from Brooklyn. The NY Times also has a write-up of the burgeoning flea market in April, "Scavengers on the Urban Savannah," describing how many vendors have left their traditional jobs for this kind of lifestyle, and how the day was a financial success for them. Yet I also found write-ups in both the Daily News and the Brooklyn Paper that detail how the flea market has heightened neighborhood tensions between the established communities and the influx of "hipsters," Pratt students and other more recent transplants to the neighborhood. Mike McLaughlin of the Brooklyn Paper wrote an article last month, "Flea market meeting gets heated," in which he calls the flea market "one of the biggest weekend hits since Sunday brunch itself" and describes how its large-scale nature has altered the vibe of the community, in ways not everyone likes. One reason for the dispute is that it takes place on Sunday and interferes with church attendance, while others simply are angered that it was an intrusion into the community; but as we know, development and changes of communities is the nature of NYC, for better or for worse. I have to say in this case, I think that it is for the better: the flea market had such a festive, friendly vibe to it, and was full of a diverse array of people, vendors and shoppers alike. My only purchase there: a $2 pair of earrings that I honestly think of as a steal.

And then the next event: after strolling around the Brooklyn Flea for about an hour, my friend and I decided to make it to the very last McCarren Pool party. This one was co-sponsored by Jelly NYC and Brooklyn for Barack. The party opened its doors at 2; we arrived a little past 4 pm to an enormously long line. Warned by friends in the area of the long line, my friend and I decided to wait anyway; it appeared to be moving quickly, and it was the very last event of this nature (and my friend had never been to any of the pool parties prior to this!) Sure enough, the line did move rapidly; and we convinced our other wary friends to join us in line. The pool was the most crowded I have ever seen it.

This meant less free space (and less free stuff), but we scored several free Topshop tanktops and enjoyed ourselves strolling, chatting, and hanging for a few hours. We didn't stay for the Yo La Tengo performance, as the last opening band (I'm not sure of its name) had a particularly grating sound -- but overall it was a great last time at the pool party! And a great Sunday out and about in Brooklyn.