Monthly Archives: July 2011

arts and culture

OTBKB Music: Another Club Is About to Bite The Dust

Banjo Jim’s is a bar located at Avenue C and 9th Street in the East Village which presents live music seven days a week.  As of Thursday night (July 28th) on several places on the Banjo Jim’s website, you can read the following: Banjo Jim’s is closing!  The last day of concerts is Tuesday, Aug. 2nd.  This affects Brooklyn, as many Brooklyn-based musicians play there.  Click here to read the details on what happened, which are posted at Now I’ve Heard Everything.

–Eliot Wagner

Civics and Urban Life

Sylvia Harris, RIP

Sylvia Harris, a resident of Prospect Heights and a friend to many in Park Slope, died suddenly last week. She leaves behind a devoted husband and daughter. She was the founder and director of Citizen RD (formerly Sylvia Harris LLC), a communications and design firm that creates design and information programs with direct input from the general public.

In her work she created “strategic plans for user-friendly publications, signage, and media” displayed in public venues, universities, colleges and some of the country’s largest institutions or distributed by public services. It was her aim to make design that was “simple, seamless, and accessible.”

At the website there is a fascinating and inspiring video about Sylvia and her work. There are also tributes from friends and colleagues.

Park Slope and those who knew Sylvia have lost someone truly special and inspiring. She was a design visionary and a warm, lovely presence who will be missed by many. As one friend wrote:

The news of Sylvia’s death is devastating. She was one of the most vibrant people I’ve ever met. My condolences to family and friends whose loss of her will reverberate for as long as you live. I love this picture of her—it brings to mind her laugh, which was easy, hearty, and infectious.

There will be a memorial for Sylvia in the fall. You can read more about Sylvia at the Richmond Times Dispatch.

arts and culture

OTBKB Music: Amy Speace Tonight and Heat Wave Music Videos

Amy Speace comes into Rockwood Music Hall tonight.  She’s touring behind her new record, Land Like a Bird, a mostly atmospheric Americana, sometimes straight acoustic album written after Amy left this area and resettled in Nashville.   Given that Amy is no longer based in these parts, take tonight’s opportunity to see her.  Details about the show are waiting for you at Now I’ve Heard Everything; just click here.

I know, posting Heat Wave given last week’s scorching weather is kind of obvious.  But why not take this opportunity to see two version of this song.  The first is by Martha and The Vandellas, who had the original hit with this way back in the early 60s.  The group is obviously lip synching, but that’s OK.  It still gives us the opportunity to see the Motown choreography.  Next up is Linda Ronstadt.  This live performance of her reinterpretation of the song from 1976 absolutely smokes as well.  Just click here to see both videos.

–Eliot Wagner

arts and culture

OTBKB Music: Pete Townsend Likes Willy Mason

The last time I saw Willy Mason he was playing with Pete Townsend.  It was back in 2007 in Austin, at South By Southwest.  Pete and his girlfriend, Rachel Fuller had put together a two hour show with a bunch of new bands they liked and Willy Mason and his band were part of that show.  In the middle of Willy’s set, Pete came out and joined the band for a few songs.  When he left, Willy said “thanks, Pete,” and then added “I never thought I’d be saying that.”

Back then, Willy had a band and his lyrically strong songs could be described accurately as folk-rock.  Recently, Willy has been working on a new record over in England.  I’m not sure what format he’ll be playing in tonight or what his new material sounds like.  But this show at The Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 is a rare opportunity to see Willy and should not be passed up.  See the details about tonight show at Now I’ve Heard Everything by clicking here.

–Eliot Wagner

Civics and Urban Life

Brad Lander’s Shiva Visit to Leiby Kletsky’s Family

Earlier this week City Councilmember Brad Lander visited the family of Leiby Kletsky, the 8-year-old Borough Park boy who was brutally murdered last week. He wrote about his experience with the family and it is on his website today. I was in Europe during this terrible tragedy and I knew nothing about it until I got back to New York on Sunday night. I was moved by Lander’s reflections on his visit with the family and am reprinting it here for those who haven’t had a chance to read it.

No words can ease or describe the grief, or heal the wounds, but — like so many people I’ve talked to — I’ve been thinking about it constantly for the past week, and wanted at least to write down some of what I’ve been feeling.

We were all heartbroken by the tragedy — especially those with close ties to the Borough Park and Kensington communities, or the Orthodox Jewish community, or those of us with young kids … but really all of us, beyond Brooklyn, beyond New York, beyond the Jewish community, beyond parents.  The killing reminded us that despite everything we do to keep our kids and each other safe, there are spaces of senseless terror, of incomprehensible evil.  That the things that are absolutely most dear and precious to us can be taken away in a heartbeat, for no reason at all.

At the shiva, after talking to his parents, I met one of Leiby’s neighbors, who talked to me about how Leiby would play ball with the little kids in his building, about how rare it is for an 8-year-old to play with 4-year-olds, about how he had a heart of gold, living up to his name (Leiby is from the Hebrew lev, for heart).

While neither words nor actions feel meaningful in the face of the tragedy, the response of the Orthodox Jewish community has been remarkable.  I’ve been deeply impressed over the past two years with the extraordinary voluntary (chesed) organizations and efforts in the community, for so many causes — taking care of sick families, helping kids go to summer camp, providing social and health and mental health services, and so many others.  The past week showed that like no other.

Continue reading Brad Lander’s Shiva Visit to Leiby Kletsky’s Family →

arts and culture

OTBKB Music: A Tribute to Tom Waits Tonight

A few years ago, The Living Room held a series of shows honoring the songwriting talents of The Band, Fleetwood Mac and David Bowie.  They were always fun, brought out a great cross section of local musicians (including a big name or two who showed up unannounced) and left you understanding what good songwriters the particular night’s honoree was.  The guide behind those shows was Tim Luntzel.  But then Tim got busy with other things (including touring with Rosanne Cash) and those shows ceased.

Well, tonight that series continues, again under the guiding hand of Tim.  This time we have a Tribute to Tom Waits, with over 20 local musicians announced as playing.  All the details are waiting for you at Now I’ve Heard Everything, just click here to see them.

–Eliot Wagner

arts and culture

OTBKB Music: James Maddock Tonight

I know that Tuesday was not a day to venture outdoors, but today is supposed to be a bit better and tonight you’ll find James Maddock playing a full band show at Carl Schurz Park on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.  James just released an excellent new album, Wake Up and Dream, three weeks ago (which I previously reviewed here).  I’d really recommend that you brave the residual heat and humidity to see  James and his band, as their shows are not only excellent musically, they are just plain fun.  Full details are posted at Now I’ve Heard Everything, see them by clicking here.

–Eliot Wagner