On a late Spring morning, I walked over to the waterfront to observe a community “meeting” about the much anticipated Brooklyn Night Bazaare. I had found out about the project via Greenpointers before I was on board. What could have been an informative discussion turned into a one-sided attack on founder Aaron Broudo, who, while maintaining a patient and professional demeanor (he’s really a sweetheart) could not get a word in edge-wise. I remember my utter pity for him and disappointment in the neighborhood. Maybe the bazaare in it’s initial presentation wasn’t a good fit, with late night music very close to a residential block, (the same location and scale as the highly successful Bring to Light). Public urination was a big concern. But to let the man speak and be open to compromise might have brought an amazing event to Greenpoint, not to mention clean up the overgrown and littered West St, even for one night.
I didn’t blame Aaron when he decided not to fight the “not in my backyard” pitch-fork mob and find a welcoming location at the Dekalb Market. The first market there was a huge success with great bands and over 5000 attendees. Greenpointers is excited that the second night bazaar which begins tonight through this weekend, is close to home, down Kent Ave in a 40,000 square foot warehouse space, with over 100 vendors (lots from Greenpoint) and a great music line-up. And we are proud that our beloved writer Joann Kim is co-producing the event.
Aaron was inspired by night markets when he traveled across South East Asia and wanted to bring it home to Brooklyn. The mash-up of local vendors and great music, was for producer Belvy a “no brainer.”
On the music line-up Belvy says: “The Hold Steady are for my money the best rock n’ roll band to come out of the city in ages. I think Craig Finn is an amazing songwriter – part Bob Mould, part Springsteen, part Joe Strummer … I’m an old school punk/hardcore kid; how could I not dig Fucked Up? But I really like all the new directions they take punk or hardcore or whatever the hell the kids are calling it these days. And what can you say about James Murphy? What he and DFA did to revolutionize dance music can’t be overstated.”
The full lineups are on the site. www.bkbazaar.com
And of course, our Joann, founder of the much missed Greenpoint Food Market hand-picked the vendors, which she seems to seamlessly pluck out her magic little hat. The goal of the Brooklyn Night Bazaar is as Joann puts it to “to support small businesses, providing a platform for artists, food artisans, chefs, crafters, designers, and the like to share and sell their wares. Our job is to create an environment that welcomes collaboration, communication, and commerce.” Well put, my friend.
Of the vendors, many Greenpoint businesses and artists will be representing, like Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, Vintage Modern, Eagle St Rooftop Farms and artist Emily Noelle Lambert, to name a few.
Ken Farmer of NBNY Projects, who produced Bring to Light will be programming the films, projects and art installations and the not to be missed interior is designed by Julien DeSmedt Architects.
Aside from the fantastic food options, there will be a beer and wine garden to boot.
I’ll be there tonight, hoping to get all of my holiday shopping and eating done. And don’t worry the nomadic Brooklyn Night Bazaar crew is totally open to the idea of having a future night market in Greenpoint. That is if we don’t scare them away again!
I was one of those “not in my backyard” people. Nuit Blanche is a special, one-night affair, and because people behaved themselves at the first one the second one was greenlit and welcomed immediately. The original plans for the Bazaar called for it to go on every Friday and Saturday night from June to October from 5pm to 2am.
Had the organizer asked for less, Greenpoint residents may not have been so overwhelmingly against it. Also, even in cases where crowds are generally respectful, as I witnessed during the Stone Temple Pilots concert on the Williamsburg waterfront, the shit can still hit the fan on other nights.
My radar went off when I first heard this proposal, and I’m glad Greenpoint did not host it. If the Brooklyn Night Bazaar was a hit at Dekalb Market — I did not attend — then I hope the people who loved it urge their community and organizers to let it stay there.
Well put, Sherry. I agree all weekend and late night all summer was not realistic. Thanks for your well thought out response.