It’s going to be a weekend full of celebrating local arts in Greenpoint and we can’t wait to kick off the Greenpoint Open Studios 2017 festivities in Java Studios (259 Kent St) with FREE locally crafted beer by Greenpoint Beer & Ale, portable brick oven pizza by Luzzo’s BK, Ginger Ale by Bruce Cost, and of course an outdoor reception and three floors of ART!
dikhroos, a Public Space Activator by Architensions illuminates the outdoor space at Java Studios
Like last year, we expect a night full of creative energy where the entire building becomes alive with art and music. Inside, studios will be open, hallways will be full of art, and The Java Project’s gallery show “H E A D S” will have its opening reception.
Outside in Java Outback, “dikhroos,” a public space activator art installation by architecture and design studio Architensions is up to illuminate the space with iridescent lights projected below and above through a modular tent that engages people through its properties of a chromatic space.
Alongside live body painting and performance art curated by The Hollows, there will be live music includes Teen Body, Jules & The Jinks, Ocho Ocho Ocho, Mike Bloom, and Hongo Beats & Mike Bhaiya.
Greenpointers will be manning the bar and serving up some “Misspelt” Belgian Farmhouse Style Saison and “Runner” London Porter by Greenpoint Beer & Ale so swing by and cheers with us for an epic Greenpoint weekend!
Dance music DJ, Roosevelt beings his four-piece band to Brooklyn Bazaar for a totally new live experience. (Photo credit: Brian Vu)
Catch the German-based dance music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and dreamy vocalist, Roosevelt, for a late night party at the Brooklyn Bazaar (150 Greenpoint Ave) this Friday, June 2nd following his performance at Governors Ball on Randall’s Island.
For those of you familiar with Roosevelt, it might come to you as a surprise to see the DJ with a four-piece band this time around. He’s amping up his live shows, and just added a new keyboardist to complete their summer tour (Brooklyn is just one of the three stops in the US—Governors Ball NYC, Philly and DC—are also on the list, before trekking back to Europe).
“This is the first time for people to see it as a four piece. A lot of things came from the laptop before, but now everything is live… So that’s exciting for me right now because so many things can go wrong because there’s actually a band. That’s quite a special thing because it’s the first time we’re playing together.”
We sat down with Roosevelt before he dipped into a 5-hour-long rehearsal session in Brooklyn to discuss his new Remixed EP, touring with a girl, and what he means by “the European way.” Continue reading →
Greenpoint Open Studios (#GOS2017) isn’t the whole art happening in town this weekend. The Other Art Fair, aptly titled, is taking over the Brooklyn Expo Center June 1-4, 2017. Presented by Saatchi Art, this traveling art fair features the very best emerging and undiscovered artists handpicked by a committee of art industry experts.
Greenpointers are invited to the VIP Preview TONIGHT (Thursday, June 1st, 5-9:30pm) and also can attend for FREE from Friday (6/2) to Sunday (6/4)!
Much of Greenpoint’s magic and mystery lies off the beaten path… beyond Manhattan Avenue, the “other side” of McGuinness, in the shadow of the BQE… this is where the artists thrive, where you’re free to make and create. Ultimately, it’s these nooks and crannies that make Greenpoint such a creative center.
Don’t be afraid to make the trip and meet these GOS artists!
This building may be a bit off the beaten path but worth making the trip. Visit Erin Lynn Welsh (image above), or any of the other two-dozen participating artists in the building.
Noah Prebish at San Damiano Mission/Lot Radio, GOS 2017
Since the introduction of its first archetype, the modern “art gallery” continues to evolve into many different forms today—as artists can be found showcasing their work in more intimate settings outside the institutional format of endless rooms and luminous ceilings.
During Greenpoint Open Studios (June 3-4), one can easily come across several types of art in unusual places; like an ambient soundscape from The Lot Radio (17 Nassau Ave) at the San Damiano Mission, where you can expect to hear a range of midi sound loops through its historic 700-pipe organ. Since its opening a little over a year ago, The Lot Radio has held several events within the church to raise money towards the pipe organ’s renovation. The program during GOS will be performed by composer and DJ Noah Prebish, who plays in the band Psymon Spine when he’s not at The Lot.
“Throughout the day, we’ll have different sized loops playing that will work similarly to a Steve Reich tape loop, so no sound will repeat exactly the same,” explains Noah. “When you walk into the church, each loop is going to sound a bit different. This will kind of showcase the abilities of the organ, which can be played really fast or really slow, or with several different tempos at once.” Prebish will also be accompanied by local musicians like Bryan Ujueta of Mr. Twin Sister and others, who will improvise with instruments over the loops.
Be sure to catch Noah’s soundscape piece at the church (85 North 15th Street) and scope out some of the other types of unexpected art you can find in the neighborhood after the jump. Continue reading →
There are over 400 Greenpoint artists participating in this year’s Greenpoint Open Studios. Thank you, and congrats, Greenpoint!
While we encourage everyone attending to explore and wander among the studios all weekend, we wanted to put together a few suggested routes, roughly 1 mile each, that could help you navigate the neighborhood, or at least have a launch point!
Starting in McCarren Park with the participating artists of the Go Green! festival, this self-guided walk takes you through and around the park, visiting artist studios on and near Manhattan Avenue before concluding with a special musical performance at The Lot Radio and the San Damiano Mission…
I make leather handbags, clothing, and hand painted textiles – all influenced by the high end designers I have worked for in the past and the rock and roll spirit of the 1970’s in New York City. Love combining leather, lace, and fringe in not so overtly feminine ways.
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.
