Mark it on your iCal, vinyl junkies. Record Store Day is comin’ atcha this Saturday, April 20th, with a bunch of deals, exclusives, and giveaways that you won’t want your turntable to miss out on. For your convenience, I’ve been in cahoots with local record stores to help you plan your attack. Lucky for us, Greenpoint has two key record shops well prepared for the annual event: Permanent Records (181 Franklin Street) and Co-op 87 (87 Guernsey Street), which was recently listed as the best place to shop for records in Brooklyn by New York Magazine. Yeah, Greenpoint!
You’ll likely want to kick your shopping off at Co-op since the store opens at midnight Friday. Yes, you read that right. For the second year in a row the store will open its doors for a full 24 hours in celebration of vinyl. RSD ambassador Jack White would certainly tip his hat to that.
Meanwhile a few blocks north, Permanent Records will be open from 10AM to 8PM. Both shops promise to be stocking up on as many RSD exclusives they can get their hands on. (You can find a full list of those exclusives here: Continue reading →
First, I’d like to welcome aboard Tony Luib, who has been hired as a Managing Editor for Greenpointers.com! His organization skills are pretty insane. And you all know Victoria, right? She is now working exclusively on our events, since she kicks major butt producing those markets we all love. The team is growing!
I’d also like to give you an update on the Writer’s Fund. Well, we did it! We are now paying contributors for content on Greenpointers.com. It really feels good to send out those checks.
When you read “This article made possible by a donation to our Writer’s Fund by (blank)” that means a writer is getting paid for the story!
We are also raising money at our events, too. Saint Vitus donated $1 from every drink from the last comedy show and $5 from every supper at our next Sunday Supper will go to the Writer’s Fund, too!
I got giddy when new contributor Maria S (@msforpm) tweeted, ”Just received my first ever paycheck for writing something. Thanks so much, @greenpointers”
Heart melting! These are the opportunities we can give to creative people in Greenpoint!
It makes me so proud of how supportive the local businesses and our readers are of the Greenpoint community. Direct donations from businesses, along with the recent raffle and even donations from readers like “Greenpoint Area Guy” who wrote, “I’ve been casually reading Greenpointers for a while, and figured I’d best put my money where my mouse clicks,” has funded over $900 in posts.
Our goal is $5000 for the year… (to pay local writers $20/post for 3-4 posts/week) – so we have a ways to go…
Please consider making a donation in any amount to our Writer’s Fund. We appreciate your support and readership very much!
If you’re a longtime reader, you know that the website was once called THE Greenpointers. Greenpointers.com was a laser pointer website, originally. When it became available, they tried to charge an arm and a leg for the domain, but I talked them down. Both sites are now mirrored.
Jon got this brand spankin’ new camera and it shoots this green focusing light out. It made for some fun shots around the hood. He is holding two ice cream pints in his hand. He has his priorities straight.
We were so excited when Phin & Phebes said they’d donate ice cream for our boozy milkshakes at this weekend’s Sunday Supper #2 at Luncheonette!
What was even more fun was testing the milkshakes at chef Tony’s house last night. And when I say testing, I mean gulping down delicious ice cream shakes spiked with all sorts of booze. Good thing Tony lives on the same block as us…
We had four flavors to test: Banana Whama, Vietnamese Ice Coffee, Vanilla Snap & Ginger Cookie Snap.
Phin & Phebes ice cream is “14% butterfat, super premium ice cream packed with creamy, all-natural New York state dairy otherwise known as “SUPER MILK.” We tried them all and can attest to their deliciousness. Continue reading →
I hope you had a great holiday season and wish you a happy healthy New Year! It’s now time to look forward, make changes, grow and improve.
I sincerely hope you enjoy reading the website and find useful and interesting information here. It’s truly an honor and pleasure to run Greenpointers.com and I am very happy at our growth and success. But we’re not slowing down.
In the past year we have completely revamped the website, hired a Managing Editor and have moved into a new space. Still we have a lot of new and exciting plans for 2013.
A specific area to improve in the new year is the frequency and quality of our content. It’s always been my goal to pay our talented contributors and until now contributors have been volunteering their time.
Greenpointers will always be a platform dedicated to the promotions of the arts and creativity in North Brooklyn. As an advocate for artist and creators, I hope for Greenpointers to become a profitable outlet for contributors as well.
Our 2013 Writer’s Fund is a new and innovative initiative that gives readers and supporters the opportunity to directly show their support of the creative community in Greenpoint, while choosing the type of content you want to see on the website.
If you love Greenpointers and enjoy reading this website, please consider making a donation to our Writer’s Fund. We are asking readers to make a one time donation of $25 (pays for 1 post) and local businesses a minimum donation of $100 (pays for 4 posts). But any amount $1, $5, $10 is greatly appreciated and will go toward directly paying contributors for their time and content. Donate now.
As always, look forward to raffles and events that will directly support the 2013 Writer’s Fund! Our next raffle will happen at our upcoming Valentine’s Market and we are looking for donations of prizes from local businesses.
Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions at greenpointer (at) gmail.com.
How it works:
• Each $25 donation pays a writer to create an article for the website.
($20 to contributor + $5 editor/processing fee)
• Our 2013 Writer’s Fund Goal: $5000
= 200 posts @ $25/post (approx. 3-4 posts per week)
• Donation perks: $25 & up: A Special Thank You at the top of the post & on Writer’s Fund Page (links to your website/twitter, etc.) $50 & up: Thank You + Greenpointers.com tote bag $100 & up: Thank You (with logo) + Greenpointers.com tote bag + 2012 Greenpointers Photo Book
• How to donate:
1. Make a donation via paypal here.
2. Mail a check written to Greenpointers to 50-52 Dobbin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
• When you donate:
1. Chose *type of editorial content: Community, Eat & Drink, Art, Music, Fashion, Events
2. Include link to your website/twitter/etc (plus 150x150px logo if applicable)
3. Include mailing address for perks
* Specific editorial content is determined by writer and editor and will not be used as advertisements for products or services. If left blank, editor choses content category as needed.
Thanks for your continued support of Greenpointers.com!
• Best New Bakery:Ovenly
“The biscuit was perfect, crumbly but moist. The cupcake, while sweet, wasn’t too sweet, a signature of Ovenly baked goods, with a hint of savory lent by the nuts in the cake and black sesame seeds on top.” – Jen
• Best Community Art Project:Newtown Creek Armada
“Visitors to The Armada will pilot a fleet of artist-made, three-foot, remote-controlled boats along the surface of the Newtown Creek while documenting the hidden world of its waters using waterproof cameras and microphones in real-time.” – Nathaniel Z
• Best Concert:Rapture & Tanlines at House of Vans
“After Tanlines’ stellar set, The Rapture took control of the bated fans and kept the energy up without missing a beat. Their infectious dance-punk sound permeated throughout the warehouse and had the grinning, sweaty crowd (did I mention it was about 95 degrees inside?) jumping up and down with their hands in the air by the end of the set.” – John H
• Best New Art Gallery:Calico Brooklyn
“When asked the significance of the word Calico and whether it has anything to do with perhaps a secret obsession with feline’s, Scott said he liked the ring of the question: ‘Are you going to the opening at Calico tonight?’” – Jen
• Best New Bargain Shopping:Greenpoint Bargains
“The store stocks well-priced furniture, clothing, books, records and all sorts of other curious oddities.” – Nathaniel Z
• Best Nail Salon:Ria Nails
“I’ve never received so many compliments on my nails since Ria nail arted the crap out of them, (even after my Instagram blunder-fuck.)” -Jen
• Best New Late Night Snack: Thai at No Name Bar
“This Pad Thai tasted like a Thai version of my Nonna’s red sauce, really homemade. It was definitely a lot more noodles than shrimp or peanuts, but it was the perfect heat, spicy enough to be delicious but not so much that I needed to inhale the dish to try to escape the heat.” – Jen
• Best Designer: Alexandra Weiss
“Alexandra Weiss is a native from Pennsylvania (Scranton, actually). She is a fashion designer and grew up with a true passion for drawing and creating. Her own designs are multifunctional tank shirts and dresses which are made of silk with a lace insert on the side.” – Janina
• Best New DIY Music Venue:Muchmore’s
“If you can’t find it, just open your ears; there is no sound proofing and if you are too cheap to fork over $5, you can listen through the open windows.” – Jen
• Best of McGolrick Park:Farmers Market
“‘I am so excited about this,’ I overheard a Greenpointer say as she examined the gorgeous bounty. Everyone was buzzing about, finding fresh local treasures.” – Jen
• Best Art Show:Unreliable Narrator at Pierogi
“Each piece teased out minute and often-obscure details of systems from pop cultural groups to North American history to the knock on effects of the industrial revolution.” – Jon P
• Best Condiment:My Friend’s Mustard
“Unless it’s a giant slab of kielbasa, I never find myself asking for anyone to pass the mustard. That all changed this weekend.” – Jen
• Best Cappuccino:Variety
“Excellent brew and my favorite cappuccino in the hood, the space was designed just for a coffee line.” – Jen
• Best Book:The Last Bohemia
“An important book for everyone living in North Brooklyn, old-timers and newcomers, when I first picked it up, it’s had a certain heft, not because it’s big, but because the changes Anasi tackles, especially for Greenpointers, are looming.” -Jen
• Best Cocktails:Five Leaves
“…five new cocktails on the menu that fit the following criteria: 1. everything is made in-house 2. they are not expensive 3. they each take 1 min 15 sec to make.” – Jen
• Best of the Outdoors:Canoeing to Bushwick Inlet
“Gliding down the Newtown Creek gives one a much different perspective of that waterway. While it certainly didn’t feel clean – the water itself has a murky, oily quality to it that I find unsettling, particularly at night – the calming effect of being on it changed my experience of the day dramatically.” – Peter
• Best Way To DeStress:Community Shiatsu
“Some people are true healers. I was having shoulder pain from working on the computer and it really helped to relieve stress and tension, not to mention the overall sense of calm I felt afterwards.” – Jen
There is so much BEST in Greenpoint, I have to break this up into two posts. Stay tuned for Part 2.
• Best New Restaurant:Adelina’s
“Toby described his cooking style as “simple and honest.” I agree. One thing I love about home cooked food is I can shovel it into my mouth portion after portion and not feel like crap, like when I double fist my Nonna’s rice balls.” – Jen
• Best Pop-Up:SoFar Sounds
“The more performers we saw, the more we wanted to stay. The format was great, too. Each performer only played three songs, then next! – which definitely is a good way to keep a crowd.”
• Best Young Entrepreneurs:Lemonade Love
“With already a keen understanding of the value of social media, Nat asked ‘are we going to be on Facebook?’” – Jen
• Best of Summer (Food):Peter Pan’s Ice Cream Donut Sandwich
“It’s something I’d heard rumors about for years, but never knew if it actually existed … advertising the great white whale of summer desserts: the Ice Cream Donut Sandwich. It sounded like a joke.” – Matthew S
• Best Business Revamp:Brooklyn Point Cafe
“It has been gutted and turned into a fresh new restaurant with a menu that is anything but Polish. Of course they kept the grilled Polish sausage on the menu to stay tied to their roots.” – Janello
• Best Underground Dining: Yummy Eats Dim Sum Dinner
“The food paparazzi were in full force and when Chef Joseph Yoon brought out each gorgeously plated dish, anxious hands held back until every iphone in the room recorded the food glory.” – Jen
Artwork by David Pettibone
• Best Artist:David Pettibone
“Darkened, apocalyptic skies loom over dramatic and desolate landscapes, while human figures, hooded and covered from head to toe in bleach white, toil among scores of mysterious boxes. Something massive is most definitely amiss.” – Ragnar
• Best Band:Heliotropes
“Aside from their surprisingly heavy sound and amazing guitar solos, the entire band was sex on a stick. Also an instant download.” – Jen
• Best Food Competition:Kings County Corn Bowl
“Twelve culinary kooks brought incredible offerings, all crafted from freshly picked upstate corn.” – Tom
• Best New Start-Up:Farm To Baby “Lauren takes produce from local farms and cooks up something healthful and delicious, grinds it all up, jars it in cute little mason jars, and delivers it to your baby’s mouth.” – Joann
• Best New Bar:Beloved
“The focus is on a killer cocktail list, a well-designed interior sporting luxe wallpaper and custom lighting, and bartenders who actually seem to want you to enjoy your time there.” – Peter
• Best Taco:Calexico
Three of our writer’s toured the neighborhood and very scientifically tested every taco in town. Peter wrote: “It just fits exactly what you want out of a summer taco: filling, light on the stomach, and balanced perfectly against a backdrop of cocktails and good beer.” -Peter
• Best Idea For Greenpoint:Expand the G Train
“Wasn’t it such a pleasure to catch the G Train and not have to run a half a mile to the middle of the platform?” – Jen
• Best Street Performer:Super Bad Brad
“I have two words: original hipster.” – Jen
• Best Street Art:Jellyfish
“Talk about nailing it, the jellyfish on this cement truck was the most mind blowing use of space we’ve seen, and the artist (whose name is still a mystery) didn’t have to dangle off a ledge to do it.” – Jen
I never properly introduced Victoria Varney to our readers, who has been working as Managing Editor since October. This girl may be more enthusiastic about Greenpoint than I am! It seemed like the minute we began working together Sandy hit and we got into fundraising and event planning mode and things haven’t calmed down since. Give Victoria a big virtual welcome hug! We are so lucky to have her on board.
Other big news: We are so excited to announce that beginning on January 1, 2013, Greenpointers is taking up residence at Dobbin Project Space (50-52 Dobbin St) – in Greenpoint, obviously! The ink stains on my couch, poor posture and agoraphobia are just some of the few hazards of working from home.
I asked for: storefront space, near McCarren Park, space for events and photo shoot, working with other creative professionals, NOT $5000 per month. The Greenpoint Universe answered – well Stephanie Diamond List did!
Come visit us in the adorable yellow building on Dobbin that used to be a horse stable and now is home to many Greenpoint artists and craftspeople, who I am sure I will introduce you to in the New Year!
One of my very favorite parts of doing this job is creating posters for our events. It’s because I don’t have a stuffy art director telling me I can’t have a dogs face up another dogs butt for a comedy benefit, that I find this work so satisfying. And I can get away with it because I have the best readers with even more bizarre senses of humor than I have! Here is a look back at just some of the fun events, and marvelous posters featured on the website in 2012. Look forward to a lot more events and great posters in 2013. What is your favorite? (PS. the last two are Ugly Art Room events, but I wanted to share…)
Mark it on your iCal, vinyl junkies. Record Store Day is comin’ atcha this Saturday, April 20th, with a bunch of deals, exclusives, and giveaways that you won’t want your turntable to miss out on. For your convenience, I’ve been in cahoots with local record stores to help you plan your attack. Lucky for us, Greenpoint has two key record shops well prepared for the annual event: Permanent Records (181 Franklin Street) and Co-op 87 (87 Guernsey Street), which was recently listed as the best place to shop for records in Brooklyn by New York Magazine. Yeah, Greenpoint!
• Best Contributor’s Self-Sacrafice: 
• Best of Summer (Recreation): 
• Best Taco: 
