Billy McEntee has been fortunate to work for arts non-profits in Boston, Denver, Berkeley, and now New York. His writing has appeared in The Brooklyn Rail, Brooklyn Magazine, Indiewire, HowlRound, Eclectica Magazine, and others. He's usually getting wine at Dandelion or eating cookies at Archestratus.
Skeptics, leave your doubts at the door — Siegfried Tieber is casting a spell on Greenpoint.
Yes, he’s an entertainer named Siegfried. No, he’s not that Siegfried. “My father was born and raised in Austria, which explains the name,” he tells his audience. “My mother was born and raised in Colombia, which explains the hair.”
Tieber dazzles in his one-man show See/Saw, a singular and spectacular event produced by Atlas Obscura now extended through September 9. Located at 122 Franklin Street, See/Saw inhabits a converted storefront where Tieber entertains a small audience with his sleight of hand artistry. Most of the tricks are card-based — though a dollar bill does make a splashy cameo — with each illusion ranging from mystifying to downright ludicrous. All 90 minutes are packed with unmissable moments. Continue reading →
Power pop band Tiny Stills is taking their sophomore album Laughing Into the Void on the road! The band comes to Gold Sounds (44 Wilson Ave) on August 29. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased here.
Tiny Stills is a power pop band from Los Angeles influenced by Courtney Barnett, That Dog, and 90s/00s rock. Their first album, Falling is like Flying, was released in 2014 and was a direct response to the isolation and anxiety that comes from life changing events after front-person and founding member Kailynn West was held up at gunpoint. It’s upbeat and pop-y melodies were born from a desire to make something that felt and sounded nothing like the she felt at the time — happy. Since then, West has been the nucleus of the project with a rotating cast of band members, but most recent lineup includes Harry Foster (bass), Zach Comtois (guitar), and Tony Thaxton (drums).
Tiny Stills released their sophomore album, Laughing Into the Void, on June 1. The record premiered in full on Music Connection. Full of brutal honesty, crunchy guitars, and catchy melodies, Laughing into the Void is here to help you remember that even the worst days have a silver lining: at least you’re not alone.
Van Leeuwen’s Ice Cream is now featured at Selamat Pagi
If there’s not enough heat in your summer, stop by Selamat Pagi to further spice it up. Right off idyllic McGolrick Park at 152 Driggs Avenue, Seamat Pagi is one of Greenpoint’s few Indonesian restaurants, serving dishes with a kick and — as of this summer — sundaes infusing Van Leeuwen Ice Creamto help you cool down.
Under the direction of new executive chef Jack Roche, these delectable new treats include the Sumatra Sundae (vegan cold brew ice cream, coconut whip cream, cacao nibs, and luxardo cherry sauce) and the Subtropic Summer Sorbets (strawberry and soursop, mango sorbet, coconut whip cream, and house-made candied fennel brittle). Continue reading →
Missed Tribeca, or didn’t want to schlep into Manhattan? Don’t fret!
For a fifth year, cinephile hotspot Nitehawk is teaming up with Tribeca to present a selection of films from the festival. It started with documentaries and this year Nitehawk is moving into short films.
Each of the short filmmakers were asked to select a feature film that inspired them when they were directing their short. American Movie and True Romance will play in 35mm with Blood Simple on DCP. Each feature will follow the short film they helped to inspire. The first two short films in this series were part of Tribeca N.O.W. Showcase: Short Form, while Big Elvis screened during the Shorts: NY Shorts: Homemade program. The line-up is as follows:
August 7:Crime Cutz followed by American Movie. Introduced by Alden Nusser and Benjamin Fries also known as synthpop duo Holy Ghost! August 14 – Everything is Stories followed by Blood Simple. Introduced by Daniel Navetta. August 21 – Big Elvis followed by True Romance. Introduced by Paul Stone and Claudia Montano. Continue reading →
SacredArts Research Foundation and Golden Drum will be hosting the Drepung Gomang monks July 31–August 5 for a week of events open to the public. The main event will be the construction of a sand mandala as well as many other unique opportunities to be with the monks. All of the events are by donation and for the purpose of bringing peace and an understanding of Tibetan culture to the greater community.
The monk’s visit is in honor of the life, dedicated service, and birthday of the Elder Brother, Sat Guru Dr. Jose Manuel Estrada, a teacher in the lineage of Maestro Manuel Rufino, recognized elder in the Taino tradition and visionary guiding the Golden Drum and SacredArts Research Foundation.
The purpose of the SacredArtTour is to share and preserve Tibetan culture which overflows with spiritually artistic expression. The monks bring teachings of ancient ways and beliefs that do, even now, create the possibility of global peace, non-violent conflict resolution, compassion, and wisdom.
The Monks will be creating a beautiful sand mandala and teaching a workshop on how to construct your own, presenting cultural pageant performances that include dance, song, chant and a fascinating example of the debate monks use to train their thinking, sharing teachings about the main tenants of Buddhism and meditation, leading a Puja/prayer offering, and presenting a traditional Tibetan cooking class and dinner.
The tour will take place at Golden Drum (97 Green Street, Suite G1, Brooklyn, NY 11222) and the SacredArts Research Foundation (107 Green Street, G55, Brooklyn, NY 11222). A full schedule of events can be found here.
Gail Stoicheffhas been painting in the nabe for over a decade, crafting quietly epic paintings with sweeping strokes and stunning visuals. For this week’s Thursday Spotlight, we chatted with the local painter to discuss how her heritage affects her work, the decision to pursue grad school, and — most importantly — the recipe she needsto have.
Greenpointers: I see you’re based in Greenpoint. How long have you been here, and do you work out of a local studio?
Gail Stoicheff: On Valentine’s day 2002 I moved to Williamsburg. When they tuned our loft into condos in 2011, I moved to this side of McCarren. My studio is in my apartment, which is tricky since I make large work, but I’ve found I need to have a live/work set-up. There aren’t many options for that in the neighborhood these days, so I make it work. Continue reading →
The Hidden Pearl, located at the rear of Wanpaku Ramen
Many restaurants have a craft cocktail menu, but few have their own craft cocktail bar. Wanpaku — the ramen powerhouse at 621 Manhattan Avenue — is one of the rare eateries to succeed in creating two distinct ambiances in one compact space. Nestled in the back of the restaurant, The Hidden Pearl is a transportive 20-seat speakeasy–style cocktail bar created in partnership with Leif Huckman, owner of Williamsburg’sDonna Cocktail Club.
Between the restaurant’s food and the bar’s drinks, it’s hard to say which is better. Luckily, they pair perfectly. Stop by the bar before having a meal, or vice versa, but be sure to make a reservation at the bar; given The Hidden Pearl’s size, it’s best to put your name in ahead. If you’re starting at the bar, a special to begin with might be the $10 shooter — a savory and seaside concoction that blends fish eggs, a quail egg, and more. Simultaneously briny and refreshing, it’s yummier than you might think, and it tastes of the ocean. Continue reading →
Qieer Wang showing off one of her recently framed works.
Local artist Qieer Wang’s work is incredibly diverse. She dabbles in multimedia, illustrations, film and more, having contributed to the likes of NPR and LennyLetter. We caught up with the Greenpoint illustrator to discuss creating portraits of mental illness, balancing projects, and the limitations of working on a visa.
Greenpointers: Do you live in Brooklyn, and if so for how long?
Qieer Wang: Yes, I’ve lived and worked in Greenpoint for almost two years.
GP: Can you talk about your artistic background, or education, and your influences?
QW: I was educated in illustration for both undergrad and grad school programs. As to being an animator and director, I was inspired from a grad school two-day stop motion workshop in 2015. Afterwards, I started learning techniques and animation principles from online tutorials up until today. I’m drawn to artists like Jan Svankmajer, Hieronymus Bosch, and Lorenzo Mattotti.Continue reading →
At her core, Kweighbaye Kotee is a community builder: she triumphantly brings together artists and audiences, neighborhood long-timers and newbies alike. Her talents coalesce most notably in the Bushwick Film Festival, her passion project that is celebrating its 11th anniversary October 11–14. Greenpointers caught up with the local curator and filmmaker to discuss the morphing landscape of film, the partnerships she builds, and the side projects that continue to keep her busy.
Greenpointers: Do you live in Brooklyn, and if so where and for how long? Kweighbaye Kotee: I have lived in Brooklyn for 14 years. Williamsburg for two and now Bushwick for 12.
GP: Can you talk a little about the genesis of the Bushwick Film Festival? And how many participating volunteers and films are there in the coming festival? KK: I started the Bushwick Film Festival in 2007, while I was still in school at NYU. Initially, I really just wanted to share my love for indie film with other people in the neighborhood and celebrate filmmakers. Later on, I realized my position in the industry (female, immigrant, a woman of color) and wanted to do more. I began to use the festival as a place to bring people of all backgrounds together to connect through film. I also wanted to use our platform to help diversify the industry. This year, we plan to select about 100 films out of the 1,200+ films that submitted to the festival. Typically we have around 50 volunteers and interns who make it all happen. Continue reading →
AngelOnce and GoopMassta’s signature characters (see more on their Instagrams — @AngelOnce and @GoopMasta)
This Friday, 3rd Ethos Gallery presents “Pink and Green 2, The Hype Series,” a duo show featuring West Coast artists AngelOnceand GoopMassta who are collaborating in New York together for the first time. Leading to the opening reception on Friday from 7 to 11 PM, the artists will be transforming the gallery space into a 3D experience ofeye popping colors, retro themes, and animal prints.
“Pink and Green 2, The Hype Series” presents the artistic output of two critically acclaimed street-artists bringing a colorful second installment of their Pink and Green party in 3D. Along with a new collection of works, limited edition prints, patches, stickers, and pins will be available for purchase at the show and via the 3rd Ethos website. Swing by the free event! RSVP (and find more info) below:
Pink and Green 2, The Hype Series in 3D by AngelOnce & GoopMassta Presented by 3rd Ethos Gallery Show runs from June 29 to July 29 154 Knickerbocker Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11237 Attendees can RSVP via the Eventbrite link here. No cost to register. Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Sunday noon to 8 PM
