Monthly Archives: July 2010

arts and culture

OTBKB Music: News, Notes and Siren

Today over at Now I’ve Heard Everything: new records coming from David Bromberg and Spanking Charlene; Li’l Mo and The Monicats play Christie’s (but you can see them at Two Boots in the Slope in two weeks); a nice pic of the Tandy show at The Lakeside Lounge last week, and clear your calendar for next Friday’s (July 23rd) great double bill of Charlie Faye and Second Dan at Rockwood Stage 2.

And of course, tomorrow is the 10th anniversary Siren Music Festival in Coney Island from 1-9pm.  Complete details here at Now I’ve Heard Everything.

–Eliot Wagner

Civics and Urban Life

Tonight Discuss the New Loft Laws with Councilman Levin

There are new loft laws in certain manufacturing areas of Brooklyn but many loft dwellers and others still don’t know exactly what they mean or how to access the new benefits, privileges and rights that are now available. That’s why Councilman Steve Levin (Democrat in the 33rd district) will be answering questions tonight in Bushwick. He will be joined by other politicians as well.

Continue reading Tonight Discuss the New Loft Laws with Councilman Levin →

arts and culture

Don’t You Love Cary Grant?

The summertime is the right time to catch up with old movies. At least I think so. I’ve been in a bit of a Pedro Almodóvar phase at the moment. Last night’s screening of Live Flesh in our living room was more evidence, if that was even necessary, of the Spanish director’s greatness.

I am, however, hoping to venture towards other things, like, old Hollywood for a while. So this mini-Cary Grant film festival at BAM fits the bill.

Continue reading Don’t You Love Cary Grant? →

arts and culture

The Weekend List: Siren Music Fest, Inception, Belly Dancing Showcase

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I spend hours every week looking for the best and the brightest weekend events (Friday through Sunday). I make a list of all the things I’d like to do but probably won’t get around to. In addition to film, art, theater, shopping and music events I try to list other interesting non-categorizable happenings like this weekend’s Gatsby-style lawn party on Governor’s Island. To see the full list click on read more…

Continue reading The Weekend List: Siren Music Fest, Inception, Belly Dancing Showcase →

arts and culture

Leon Freilich, Verse Responder: Merry Hunting

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I’m dreaming of a clean restroom
Just like the ones I used to know;
In my smalltown birthplace,
My favorite earthplace,
Folks had choices where to go.

I’m dreaming of a clean restroom
With every block I have to walk.
Though I hate to sputter and squawk
I am forced to hunt just like a hawk.

I’m dreaming of a clean restroom
With every block I have to walk.
Will my days in New York be bright?
If a restroom pops up into sight.

Food and Drink

Good Bye for Now to the Greenpoint Food Market

Even in the throes of a major disappointment, a Brooklyn DIY business reaches out to its customers. That certainly is the case with the Greenpoint Food Market, a venue where independent cooks share prepared food with the public. Joanne Kim, founder of the Greenpoint Food Market, just sent out a letter to the Brooklyn media and others, about why she’s calling it quits. For now.

It seems that the food bazaar, which has been open for less than a year, received threats from city health officials because the cooks lack commercial food handling permits.

An event was planned for June 26th but that has been canceled. Over the jump is letter from Kim:

Continue reading Good Bye for Now to the Greenpoint Food Market →

Food and Drink

Park Slope Restaurant Alive and Kicking

I’ve been rooting for Bussaco, a lovely wine bar and restaurant on Park Slope’s Union Street, all along and it seems that things are working out. They’ve got a special going right now: Blue Point oysters and a glass of good wine for $16.

Anyone want to meet me over there?

You gotta have compassion for a restaurant that opens in the autumn of 2008. I mean, whoa, the restaurant biz isn’t for the faint hearted even in the best of times.

Continue reading Park Slope Restaurant Alive and Kicking →

Civics and Urban Life

Haitian Focus for August First Saturday at Bklyn Museum

In August, Target First Saturday, the Brooklyn Museum’s wildly popular free night of art, music and entertainment, will focus on Haitian art and culture. The August 7 event is presented in collaboration with Haiti Cultural Exchange, a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop, present, and promote Haitian culture. Highlights of the evening.

Continue reading Haitian Focus for August First Saturday at Bklyn Museum →

arts and culture

Silent Film Great Harold Lloyd Outdoors in Park Slope Tonight

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Bring a blanket and a picnic and spread out on the turf behind the Old Stone House to watch Harold Lloyd’s Shy Girl on Wednesday night at 8:30 PM. Lloyd is surely one of the silent film masters, right up there with Keaton and Chaplin. He’s the guy who did the stunt hanging off the clock. It’s a very famous image (see above).

Continue reading Silent Film Great Harold Lloyd Outdoors in Park Slope Tonight →

arts and culture

July 15,16,17,18: Outdoor Theater in Park Slope Park

Two, count em, two plays this weekend in Washington Park: Nocturne and The Book of Liz by David and Amy Sedaros

I haven’t seen either yet but I’m all set to attend Piper Theater’s production of Noctures this Thursday or Friday. The play, written by bestselling author John Connelly, is directed by esteemed Scottish director Nigel Williams, who is this year’s artist in residence at Piper Theater.

Continue reading July 15,16,17,18: Outdoor Theater in Park Slope Park →

arts and culture

OTBKB Music: A Phenom and an Old Timer

The Phenom: last March, The Baseball Project promised to issue a monthly topical song about the 2010 baseball season.  July’s contribution, Phenom, is now out.  Steve Wynn wrote this month’s song, which is about the 21 year old Washington Nationals pitcher, Stephen Strasburg.  You can download your very own personal (and legal) copy here at Now I’ve Heard Everything.

The Old Timer: way back in the 1970s, David Bromberg wrote a song with George Harrison (The Hold Up), played with Bob Dylan, put out a bunch of albums and tour a lot.  He played bluegrass, blues, folk, jazz, country, and rock.  He changed careers and hasn’t been around for a while, but tonight, he and his quartet will be playing a free show in Manhattan’s Madison Square Park.  You can find the details over at Now I’ve Heard Everything.

–Eliot Wagner

Civics and Urban Life

Anger About Killing of Prospect Park Geese

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Last week, wildlife biologists and technicians working with the federal Agriculture Department herded 400 250 geese into a fenced area, packed them into crates (two or three geese at a time)  and took them to a nearby building where they were gassed with lethal doses of carbon dioxide.

Horrific.

This “genocide” was done in the name of aviation safety. Carole A. Bannerman, a spokesperson for the federal Agriculture Department, told the New York Times that these murders were necessary: “The thing to always remember in this New York situation is that we are talking about aviation and passenger and property safety,” she said. “In New York City, from 1981 to 1999, the population increase was sevenfold.”

The geese have been on the chopping block since geese flew into the engines of a US Airways Flight. The pilot averted disaster by landing on the surface of the Hudson River.

I understand the aviation risk that a huge population of geese pose but the thought of these geese being rounded up holocaust style in our park is just disgusting.

An OTBKB reader wrote in with this comment:

It seems to me that the plane incident is being used to eliminate the geese because certain parks and city officials think they are a nuisance. But the killings are a useless operation. Years ago an experiment was done with Starlings in forested area. They were removed and killed several times and always other Starlings came to replace them. The irony is that these geese were almost extinct early in the 20th century. Must we as a species always get rid of what we feel gets in the way of our lifestyles? So now we have a barren lake, devoid of most wildlife. And for what? For a threat that does not really exist…these were resident birds, not migrants. What a great example for all the children who used to enjoy them. Shame on the city, Adrian Benape, Tupper Thomas, the Prospect Park Alliance and the Federal government.

What do you think?