Lydia Lunch performs, speaking about misogyny and today’s pessimistic world. Photo: Angelica Hill
Last Thursday, artistMartynka Wawrzyniak hosted “A Night of Experimental Jazz & Lydia Lunch” at the Park Church Co-Op (129 Russell Street) to support her McGolrick Park community art installation, Ziemia. Ziemia, when finished, will consist of a large ceramic orb made from soil from across the globe and placed in a carefully cultivated meadow in McGolrick Park, adjacent to Russell Street between Nassau Ave and Driggs Ave.
The Park Church Co-Op was dimly lit, the stage awash with red and blue light. Meditative electronic new-age music played as the image of Jesus on the crucifix centered on the back wall looked over the scene. It may not seem like the most likely venue for a night of experimental jazz, but Pastor Amy Kienzle remarked that this event was part of the church’s larger event series that supports community art. And with Wawrzyniak being such an enthusiastic member of the church she felt it was important to support. She added that the church “believes in art and it being spiritually beneficial.” Continue reading →
I was honored to be invited to be a member of the hosting committee for the Greenpoint Film Festival, one of Greenpoint’s newest community art events. With all the filming on our streets everyday, what better place to have a film festival! And what better place to have our first meeting than Christina’s Polish Restaurant. Yes, I will have pierogis and blintzes for breakfast, thanks!
We got to talking and one of my jobs is to help get people on board the Sunset Cruise Fundraising Party on June 21st, which will be on an East River Ferry boat! Every time I ride to the city I think to myself, this place would be perfect for a great party! And here we have it, for a great cause. Not only will be cruising down the East River, enjoying the amazing views on each side, but there will be great music, film projections, plus food and drink, courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery, Paulie Gee’s, The Garden, No. 7 Sub Shop & many more! Tickets cost $120, buy them now. (if you think it’s pricey, think how easy it is to blow $120… on dumb crap!)
After the cruise, we will head over to the after party at The End, for more amazing music by Kid Savant. (pssst… he’s famous.) If you skip the cruise, you can buy tickets for the after party at the door, for $25.
I don’t know why you are still reading this and not buying tickets! See you on deck!
goodyoga’s Indiegogo campaign ends tomorrow. Please donate and support your local community.
Watch the video and donate. Every dollar helps. Sharing the campaign with others makes your donation even more valuable.
Thinking about all the problems in the world makes me feel completely helpless. I used to ask myself, what can I do, as one small (literally short) person, to have any effect on the world? I was left feeling empty and useless.
Then I had a conversation with one small business owner, Anthony, of the since moved Una Pizza Napoletana in the East Village, and he changed my outlook. By making responsible choices in our immediate world, by helping just one person, by being good neighbors, we can all have a positive impact on our community. If I recall correctly, we were on the topic of cheese, but even that decision has a chain reaction that impacts the world. Michael Pollan said it best: “change the world one fork at a time.”
My hope is that Greenpointers can be the online voice for all the individuals and organizations in the neighborhood who are working hard every day to have a positive impact on Greenpoint. It is working… one project at a time.
I absolutely love community fundraising. Send me any Indigogo or Kickstarter campaign and I empty my pockets. The perks are always so irresistible! Just last week I got a basket full of pies and some badass fake tattoos to help children in Kenya!
