Thanks to everyone who came to the Brooklyn Blogfest last night. It’s always a blast to see how the evening unfolds. The program was, I thought, a nice blend of the planned and the serendipitous. There were moments that really crackled with energy and aliveness such as performer/spoken work artist Lemon Andersens’s entrance and his beautiful Ode to Brooklyn (thumb drives with this performance were given out to participants).
Spike Lee’s appearance was also fresh and fun. He calmly took to the podium and spoke about his childhood, observations about the changes in the borough, filmmaking, why he moved to Manhattan and more. He was there to “promote” his collaboration with Absolut on Absolut Brooklyn but he smartly didn’t try to sell the audience but just talked about his connection to Brooklyn and its stoop life.
Towards the end of the Q&A with Spike, I called on Marty Markowitz, who surprised Spike with a question about moving back to Brooklyn. Markowitz then presented me with a Proclamation declaring June 8th, 2010 5th Annual Brooklyn Blogfest Day.
I must say, Marty made the nicest speech to me about my blog and my Blogfest. I was touched.
This year’s Blogfest definitely had a boisterous middle. But the opening segment, Blogs Aloud was also spellbinding. The talented Charlotte Maier, Natalie Paul and Aaron Costa Ganis read selections from great writing on blogs. I loved the way they brought those blogs to life with their voices and energy and really made the words and content SING.
And I mustn’t forget to mention the very creative Dee Jay Van Veder who added so much to the readings with his cool, sometimes funny musical selections and fabulous party music.
Adrian Kinloch’s The Big Picture, Tribute to Brooklyn Photo Bloggers was an absolutely wonderful 6 minute montage comprised of more than ten photographers set to pulsating electronic music composed by Kinloch (It is on Adrian’s blog, Brit in Brooklyn and on OTBKB this morning as well).
The panel discussion moderated by the expert (and I mean expert) Andrea Bernstein, WNYC award-winning journalist was dynamic and really interesting.
A video opener by Blue Barn Pictures was a great way to start the show…
(I have to run out but will add more to this later this morning with links to all the talented people who helped and information about the show…_
I also thought the opening montage was executed in a wonderful way. It was captivating and really kept the audiences attention. All of the folks around me were laughing and shaking their heads in agreement with many of the snippets being read –
The 6-minute photo tribute, however, is what really stole my heart. – Part of my reason for blogging on BUWB is to try to fall back in love with the borough I’ve called home my entire life and now barely recognize. The beautifully organized photo-tribute shown last night allowed me to get a little bit closer to doing so. Well done, Adrian Kinloch.