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.
Kauffman is most well-known for The Toxic Avenger and Tromeo and Juliet, and his new film is the final chapter of the epic Class of Nuke ‘Em High series. In the Volume 2, Lauren and Chrissy, two lesbian lovers, must face and defeat the most corrupt and evil forces ever to descend upon Tromaville, and the world.
The original Class of Nuke ‘Em High opened in New York City and major markets in the 1980s and is considered an independent classic. Director Lloyd Kaufman is bringing Troma’s lesbian love story back to his hometown, where he has made feature-length movies for 50 years, 45 of them with Troma, his filmmaking company.
Kaufman will be in attendance the three nights for a Q&A. The feature runs 85 minutes and tickets are $15 each. Catch the gore, destruction, and oozy goodness in Volume 2’s epic trailer.
More about Troma:
Now celebrating 45 years of filmmaking, Troma Entertainment, Inc. is the longest running independent movie studio in North America, and perhaps history. For 50 years, Mr. Kaufman has been making one of a kind movies in New York, such as The Toxic Avenger, Class of Nuke ‘Em High, and Tromeo & Juliet. In Troma’s 45th year, and Lloyd Kaufman’s 50th year, the company has discovered major talents like James Gunn, Eli Roth, Trey Parker, and Matt Stone.
BBBBB (Buket’s Bunny Boy Beach Bed), 2017, oil on canvas, by Buket Savci
These are dark times, there’s no denying it. From political unrest and environmental crisis to smaller gripes like seasonal allergies and MTA woes, it’s easy to get bogged down in this concrete jungle we call home. But Buket Savci, this week’s featured artist, is here with a salve in her magnificently colorful and fantastically buoyant works. Buket’s paintings, along with Jacob Hicks’, will be the inaugural works at Wrong Side of the River (67 West Street, Suite 312) now through May 3. Their exhibition, Wonderland, is a welcome balm to our times and a stunning exercise in collaborative creativity. Below, we get to know Buket and her work, but most importantly her contagious and relentless optimism.
Greenpointers: How long have you been in Brooklyn?
Buket Savci: I live and work in Brooklyn; I’ve been in Bushwick for a little over three years. Before that I lived in Astoria for almost 10 years. But I’ve had my studio in Greenpoint since I received my MFA from New York Academy of Art in 2012. I also studied painting at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.
Your Wonderland series is so fun! What was the inspiration for that at Wrong Side of the River?
I am so glad to hear you enjoy our title for the show. I have been working on these series of paintings for a few years now, which are about the fleeting moments of pure joy and happiness. I create paintings addressing the ephemerality of happiness while using objects like balloons as a metaphor for our short lived contentment.
I really enjoy using saturated vivid colors, and I think everything else is so negative and dark so at least my paintings should be colorful and fun. That’s why I use the colors that makes me happy, and I enjoy including humor in my art. But actually I am not that joyful. Life is not easy and I had my share of traumas. Unfortunately a few years ago I had a major depression and even my psychiatrist was constantly telling me that my art will save me. Painting is my passion, and it is this wonderland where anything can happen, so I choose to make it fun and colorful like a playground.
Passengers, 2018, oil on canvas, by Buket Savci
There is this profound quote from a Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet; he asks to Abidin Dino, who was a famous Turkish artist. “Could you make a painting of happiness?” So all these led me to question what is real happiness, when and how we feel real joy, and how do I express this through painting.
Painting lets me live these fleeting moments in detail and throughly over a course of weeks even months. I want to create a niche of fantasy, where both the figures and I as the painter can be just like a child — innocent and playful, carefree and bold. A visual playground far away from all the darkness enclosing us outside and inside, blossomed through sincerity and trust.
The rain stayed away, and the neighbors came in! Thanks to all of our visitors who came out on April 7 to support our Flower Power Spring Market at the Greenpoint Loft. Attendees enjoyed nail painting, yoga on the roof deck with Hosh Yoga, Dreamcatcher workshops with Living the Dreamcatcher, and more. To dive deeper into all the springtime festivities, take a look at some of our event photos below, or visit our Facebook album here. Thanks to all who joined us, and be on the lookout for news about the next market!
Over at the bar, our friends kept us hydrated with bevies like BABE Wine, Greenpoint Beer, and a specialty cocktail. Lots of lovely drinks for lovely neighbors. Don’t forget to water the flowers! Continue reading →
You all look totally groovy! At our Flower Power Spring Market, we built a floral paradise in in collaboration with local artist Colleen Blackard, with photographer Gus Ponce taking pictures of our stunning neighbors, visitors, and — yes — dogs! For a reel of some highlights and superlatives, take a gander at the sporting pictures below, or visit our Facebook page to view the full, adorable album.
Thanks to all of our talented vendors who made this event such a success — stay tuned for future news about upcoming Greenpointers markets on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. And be sure to mark June 8 and 9 on your calendars for the return of Greenpoint Open Studios!
“Most Regal” — That post, that purple, those glasses! Greenpoint has a new queen.
“Best Scarf” — In the liminal season of early spring, this scarf is both a power move and a practical accessory.
Beat the April showers at our Flower Power Spring Market! Amble around the stunning Greenpoint Loft from 1 to 7 PM this Sunday. Rarely open to the public, our markets offer the unique chance to see the inside of the gorgeous space where local vendors will be showing off their goods for the thousands of neighbors and visitors who flock to this upscale, DIY market.
To recap, get to know our illustrious vendors, listen to live music, and enjoy a multitude of FREE fun activities, including:
Jam out to live live performances by singer Emma Swingle and local band Saint Amour while sipping on delicious craft beer by Greenpoint Beer and bubblys by BABE Wine.
Save your rain dances, Greenpointers, and let the sunshine and flower power come through this Sunday! We’re open rain or shine — be sure to join us!
Huge thanks to our sponsors, without which we could not continue to support local independent business, creativity, and art!
The playful logo on Active Space’s homepage may be reason enough to consider upping your workout game. Ever-shifting, the logo is physical itself, skating between dancing, swimming, and running graphics.
It’s 2019: what is a workout if it can’t be digitized? Well, the workouts are still completed IRL, but Active Space as a digital platform helps you choose where to find them, and a number of North Brooklyn gyms — or, per the company’s title, “active spaces” — are listed on the site.
Some of these locales include Chalk Gym (193 North 9th Street) in Williamsburg and bouldering gym GP81 (81 Quay Street) in Greenpoint. And now that the weather is nicer and the days are longer, it may be time to finally check out these neighborhood gyms.
“Ultimately, our goal is to help New Yorkers discover workouts they love through our site’s independent editorial reviews,” founder Jordana Gluckow says. “Our team pays for all our own classes (to maintain impartiality) and we have a seasoned team of writers with varying athletic ability levels who are well-versed in NYC workout studios and less well-known fitness classes.”
And if you’re still not feeling motivated, the Active Spaces Instagram account features colorful quotes on wellness and workouts from perennial icons like Oprah, Dolly, and — yes — Cher.
The St. Amour Jazz Collective is a jazz-funk band consisting of vibraphone, bass, and drums. Their music is made up of neo-soul and funk-inspired compositions, plus hip-hop and dance cover songs from the 1990s and 2000s. The band has performed at The Shrine in Harlem; TROOST in Greenpoint, and most recently at the lively and popular FourFiveSix in Williamsburg.
Emma Swingle creates original music, and her newest songs and performances can be found online at Reverbnation or on YouTube.
Family-friendly activities will be abundant come April 7th, including rooftop yoga with Hosh Yoga, pictures at our flower power photo booth, dreamcatcher making, and more.
In between shopping local and yummy eating, dust off your dance shoes and come jam with these neighborhood bands!
After shopping with our local crafters and enjoying some neighborhood nosh at next Sunday’s Flower Power Spring Market, head up to the stunning Greenpoint Loft’s rooftop for some relaxing — and free! — yoga.
Hosted by Hosh Yoga (657 Meeker Ave), a nonprofit organization that started out providing open-level yoga classes to the public in McCarren Park, the Greenpoint Loft rooftop will host three free, donation-based classes during our spring market on April 7.
There’s no better place to let the sunshine in than on a dazzling rooftop with views of the East River, Brooklyn, and all of Manhattan, so swing by, yogis, and bring your own mat, for some rejuvenation. Continue reading →
Spring into peace, love, and local business! Our sensational Flower Power Spring Market returns to the Greenpoint Loft (67 West Street, fifth floor) on Sunday, April 7 from 1 to 7 PM.
This far out event will spotlight local vendors, indie artists, and neighborhood artisans of all stripes. Thousands of neighbors and guests flock to buy and see the fruit of these artists’ labors.
The Greenpoint Loft will transfigure into a floral kingdom of hippy love and neighborhood harmony. 60+ highly curated vendors will be hawking their wares, and an exciting lineup of FREE dreamy activities awaits:
As always, our Flower Power Photobooth will be donned with an art installation made in collaboration with artist Colleen Blackard for professional photos shoots by Gustavo Ponce Photography. It’s going to be as gorgeous as the roses in our last market, so stop by, throw up the peace sign, and say, “Groovy!” Continue reading →
Perhaps you’ve seen his I Don’t Hate New York tote. Or the hilarious, oddball Brooklyn Airlines tote. No, the borough does not have an airlines, but it does have a prolific creative who started that very company and its addicting, delightful brand. Graphic designer Ertac Uygun keeps busy not just with this company but a host of other clients in the music, event, non-profit, and fashion sectors. Here, Greenpointers catches up with the local artist to discuss his career and favorite spots to nosh.
Greenpointers: Do you live in the neighborhood, and if so for how long?
Ertac Uygun: I’ve lived in South Williamsburg since 2012. The neighborhood doesn’t have the same energy from seven years ago but I’m still optimistic; Williamsburg is an incredible place to live. Full of creatives and good vibes.
What got you into graphic design?
Vintage magazines. I came across a box of vintage magazines when I was about 13. I recall being amazed and impressed as a kid by their colors, patterns, and illustrations. Also, drawing and doodling were my favorite crafts during my younger years. After I graduated from high school I worked as an intern for an outdoor advertising company where I developed my photoshop and illustration skills and learned how to do a design for prints. I worked for the same company until I graduated from college.
