It’s hard getting to the beginning of anything, but with Troost (1011 Manhattan Ave) in Greenpoint, it might help to keep in mind a street sign in Kansas City: Troost Ave. “I just liked the way it looked,” the owner, John Ortiz says, one evening during a sit down at Goldie’s, on what we both agree is the “other side” of Greenpoint. Troost opened its doors in 2011. It started as a café, beer and wine bar. But it’s grown since then to include a full bar and live music. But John is specific. It is “not a music venue. It’s a bar that has music.” It having music occupies a lot of the conversation.
“It’s interesting,” he says, “to see artists respond when you put limitations on them.” The limitations are familiar to anyone who attends shows or is a musician in New York. They come down to two things: noise and space. “It’s almost always worked out. One or two cases, maybe.” One aspect that keeps things going is a good relationship with the neighbors. “They all have my number. They’re great. Sometimes I get a text saying, ‘hey, last night was a little loud,’ but for the most part, the relationship is really good.” Another is just figuring out who could and should play. Who does the approaching? “It’s pretty much word of mouth, musicians putting me in touch with other musicians,” he says. Continue reading →
If you haven’t been before, Greenpoint Open Studios is an epic showcase of local art. Over the course of one weekend (this year June 3-4), hundreds of local artists open their studio doors to the public for an exciting peek inside their craft. It’s an uncurated, free event that allows visitors to get a glimpse of the process and space where artwork is created while engaging directly with its creators. Brooklyn has a long-standing reputation for being a hotbed of creativity and GOS is going to represent its northernmost tip in true Greenpoint fashion—by keepin’ it real—providing an open platform for showcasing the various expressions of our creative community’s imagination and skills. This year, we have more than 400 artists participating, and an exciting lineup of events: Continue reading →
Macha Jewelry is a witty, brazen little jewelry line that some Greenpointers might not know about. Bernice Kelly started the brand in 2009 and opened her design studio on West Street. Naturally, I had to share these sparkly gems with you. The pieces are certainly pretty but also carry a rebellious edge – it’s fine jewelry with a twist. And, what’s not to love?
If you’re thinking of making a shiny or glittery splurge this season, check out these ten new arrivals at Macha for your oh-so-cool spring aesthetic. You can also get a peek inside Bernice’s craft at her studio during Greenpoint Open Studios (June 3-4) in a couple of weeks.
Look in the mirror… Consider your mortality and wonder at the strange, complex reality of our urban density and proximity. Meet some young, ambitious artists who are new to Greenpoint. Taxidermy? Check. Indie record label? Check. Ceramic skulls? Check.
All of this in just a one mile stroll around McGolrick Park!
With over 400 Greenpoint artists participating in this year’s Greenpoint Open Studios, we encourage everyone attending to explore and wander among the studios all weekend! And for those of you looking for a place to kick off, we wanted to put together a few suggested routes, roughly 1 mile each, that could help you navigate the neighborhood.
Thank you for everyone participating! And congrats, Greenpoint!
Photography gives us the ability to create infinite worlds but I work with the simplicity of using real objects and space. I photograph objects in the most simple way. I approach my work playfully – experimenting with form, angles, poses and compositions. I subvert otherwise minimal images with a surreal edge. I use clean lines with odd geometry and unexpected forms to heighten the visual surprise and given a hint of the grotesque.
A young, energetic artist who is new to Greenpoint. I love to express myself through color and active brush strokes while merging the worlds of abstract and design.
With over 400 artists participating in GOS 2017, we’d like to highlight some of the groups and artist collectives who will be opening their studios and hosting interactive performances throughout the weekend!
Dark Matters is a NYC based art collective which creates visual art works in multiple fields of context through multimedia installations and performance.
Dark Matters Collective explores the intangible aspects of the natural world creating interactive sites for contemplating the unseen energies that permeate the universe and connect the dynamic to the inert. They perform under the aliases of Sophia, Ahambra and Aurora.
Members include Aimée Burg, Frank De Leon Jones, Anna Ritsch.
Ea1t was founded by sisters and food lovers – Karolina & Kasia Gumpert.
Karolina and Kasia were born in Poland. Nowadays, they live and work in Brooklyn, New York. After graduation from the Silesian University with MA in Psychology and Food Studies, Karolina was traveling throughout Spain, France and Morocco to finally settle down in Brooklyn. Kasia lives in Brooklyn and holds MFA in Photography from International Center of Photography and Bard College, New York.
The sisters appreciate the art of eating and hospitality thanks to their Grandma Maria. They have taken inspiration from her culinary tradition and combined it with their passion for seasonal ingredients, flavor combinations to put their tasting experience on the international culinary map.
In addition to food styling and managing culinary workshops, Karolina is available for the recipe development, menu tastings and private events. Besides photography, Kasia offers her expertise in art curating and publishing.
Ken Butler jamming on a shovel guitar in his studio. Photo: Megan Penmann
Ken Butler’s artwork is playful. Often, literally. He designs, builds and plays unconventional musical instruments, crafting them out of everyday household objects or discarded junk on Brooklyn sidewalks. Through his eyes, an old printer cartridge plus a zip tie is a drum. A golf club is a guitar/sitar combo. His art is sculptural yet not purely sculpture; it’s captivating, conceptual and just pure fun. We were able to tour his studio, hang out and have a jam session with him this past Sunday, on a New York Adventure Club excursion. And you can do the same in a few weeks when he opens his doors again for Greenpoint Open Studios (on June 3rd and 4th, from 12-6pm each day).
Instruments/sculptures in Ken Butler’s studio. Photo: Megan Penmann
It’s summer, y’all (temps almost broke 90 today so we can officially say that now), which means it’s time to get your butts out there and see some live music and DJs. North Brooklyn is awash with options this year, some of them free and some of them not so free, but all of them are awesome. We’ve got rooftop parties, music festival afterparties, soul and rap legends, indie bands, pizza and tacos galore. Also, booze. Check out our roundup of this season’s seriously massive music lineup.
GOVERNORS BALL AFTER DARK | Various venues around North Brooklyn & Manhattan Governors Ball is back again this year on June 2-4, and the epic music fest is also serving up some awesome night shows too, and most of them happen to be right here in North Brooklyn. Some shows are already sold out, so either jump on some Craigslist tickets or try to snag some for the shows with tix still left!
Here’s the lineup of shows in our ‘hood:
Thursday June 1: CHARLES BRADLEY @ BROOKLYN BOWL (61 Wythe Ave) // 8pm // Sold Out
Friday June 2: RÜFÜS DU SOL (DJ SET) @ SCHIMANSKI (54 N 11th St) //10pm // Sold Out MUNA @ BROOKLYN BOWL (61 Wythe Ave) // 1130pm // $20 tickets ROOSEVELT @ BROOKLYN BAZAAR (150 Greenpoint Ave) // 11:59pm // $16 tickets WELLES @ KNITTING FACTORY (361 Metropolitan Ave) // 1130pm // $12 tickets MARK RONSON X KEVIN PARKER @ OUTPUT (74 Wythe Ave) // 10pm // $15-25 tickets
Saturday June 3: THE AVALANCHES @ BROOKLYN BOWL (61 Wythe Ave) // 1130pm // Sold Out PARQUET COURTS @ VILLAIN (307 Kent Ave) // 11pm // $20 tickets ROYAL BLOOD @ WARSAW (261 Driggs Ave) // 11:59pm // Sold Out YG, CHARLI XCX & ANIK KHAN @ SCHIMANSKI (54 N 11th St) // 10pm // $25-30 tickets THE ORWELLS @ KNITTING FACTORY (361 Metropolitan Ave) // 11:59PM // $15 tickets
Monday June 5: FRANZ FERDINAND @ WARSAW (261 Driggs Ave) // 8pm // Sold Out
Many Greenpointers know that Ferdinand De Lesseps famous Iwo Jima memorial was cast locally at Bedi Rassy Art foundry on India Street; however many people do not know the story of another sculpture cast there, which has become one of the most attacked statues in the world and a focal point of anti-American violence.
In 1963 De Lesseps cast a twelve-foot high bronze statue of Harry Truman. The statue is one of only eight statues of American presidents that stand outside of the United. States. The piece was commissioned by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, a Greek-American group, to honor the Truman Doctrine, which gave $2 billion in economic and military aid to the Greek government to defeat communist guerrillas during the country’s civil war between 1946 and 1949. Continue reading →
One of my favorite lazy weekend activities? People watching in Greenpoint. It’s the best because there are quite a few stylish (and foxy!) denizens in this buzzing community. I’m always drawn into self-expression and how people dress themselves.
So, if you want to take your street style game up a notch or need a few minimal-chic pieces, stop by the North Williamsburg boutique, Concrete + Water (485 Driggs Ave). There you can score big on jumpsuits, mules, bright colored blouses, watermelon print dresses (yes!), and off beat sneakers. Be a polaroid queen in these 10 fresh picks. Continue reading →
