Fast Times on Freeman Street

Sometimes you can just look at the litter strewn on the sidewalk and know something really intense went down.

Case in point: what I found at the intersection of Freeman and West Street today.

I can only hope this was the result of some guerrilla prostrate exam initiative by the Department of Health. A 24 oz. can of Budweiser is laid as bait and, well, you can figure out the rest. For what it is worth, it looks like this dude put up one hell of a fight.

On top of losing his pants and his dignity, it would appear this chap might have lost his keys as well. If you’re listening out there my recently anal-probed amigo, you can collect them at the intersection of Freeman and Franklin Street.

Damn.

Miss Heather

Specs For the Upcoming Fundraiser at the Greenpoint Public Library

As I promised in this post, here they are:

THE GREENPOINT 100 is a small works show and art benefit for the Greenpoint branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, where all the work will be sold to benefit the branch’s programs. We’re looking for artists who live or work in GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, to donate work- it’s a very worthwhile cause, and as added incentive we’re bringing in some great gallerists and critics to jury the show and award a cash prize, so it’s great exposure for artists who do decide to donate.

CALL FOR ARTISTS:

The Greenpoint 100: Friends of the Greenpoint Library Artists’ Benefit
September 15th, 2007 11:00am – 2:30pm
Brooklyn Public Library Greenpoint Branch
107 Norman Avenue at Leonard Street, Brooklyn NY 11222

The Friends of the Brooklyn Public Library’s Greenpoint Branch invites 100 Greenpoint artists to participate in a juried, one-day exhibition of small works which will be sold to benefit the branch. This is a worthwhile opportunity for our local emerging artists to display their work and have it reviewed by arts professionals. The proceeds from the sale will be used for community-requested improvements like children’s area maintenance, as well as the acquisition of much-needed, up-to-date new materials.

Grand Prize: $100 cash
(2) Runner-up prizes: to be announced

Jurors:

Leah Stuhltrager: Founder and co-director, Dam Stuhltrager Gallery – Dam Stuhltrager, founded in 1998, is an original charter member of the Williamsburg Gallery Association and one of the most ascendant galleries in the area. Its artists have been featured in major
exhibitions including Art Basel, Contemporary Istanbul, and the Museum of Art and Design. Dam Stuhltrager has had extensive coverage in both mainstream and contemporary art publications such as Artforum, NPR, The Village Voice, Rhizome.org and Esquire.

James Wagner and Barry Hoggard: Critics, curators and editors of ArtCal (www.ArtCal.net) – Well-respected art and political bloggers James Wagner (jameswagner.com) and Barry Hoggard (bloggy.com) publish ArtCal, an unabashedly opinionated openings and exhibitions guide focusing on underknown galleries and artists. James and Barry are often integral to the exposure of new talent and have been featured in Art and America, ArtKrush, The Brooklyn Rail, Art+Auction, and more.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURES:

As we are focusing on the community, *YOU MUST BE AN ARTIST LIVING OR WORKING IN GREENPOINT* to participate. There is no fee to submit, however please be aware that your work is a donation to raise funds for the library.

We are looking for 2-dimensional works in all mediums (MAX SIZE 11×14 inches), and some small freestanding sculpture. All work will be sold for $25 each.

WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING THE FIRST 100 ARTISTS WHO MEET THE CRITERIA, so soon as possible, please email us your:

NAME
ADDRESS
EMAIL ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER
and a small jpeg of the work, (or a similar representative work if you plan on making a specific piece for the sale)

EMAIL CONTACT INFORMATION AND JPEG TO: friendsofthegreenpointlibrary (at) gmail.com

– If you are one of the first 100 qualified artists to respond to the call, you will receive a reply with an ID number from 1-100, and the address of where your work must be mailed or delivered.

– Your work must be labeled on the back (or bottom of sculptures) with your ID number and contact information.

– Accepted artists’ work must be received by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th to be included in the exhibit.

– All unsold work must be picked up in person at the close of the event, by 3pm on Saturday, September 15th.

– Although the utmost care will be taken with the pieces on exhibit, The Brooklyn Public Library and the Friends Group will not be held responsible for the damage to, or loss of, any artwork donated to the branch and/or remaining on the premises after the event.

Good Luck!

Miss Heather

UPDATE: In case you are wondering, I have submitted something and it was accepted (I’m number 39). Wanna know what it is? If so, click here.

If anyone from the Department of Buildings is reading this…

You might want to go down to 48 Box Street because despite having multiple Stop Work Orders, they are (as of 1:00 p.m. today) working.

These are workers.

This is a worker standing precariously close to a ledge six stories up in the air. Personally this strikes me as being a little dangerous, but I guess this would be small potatoes to a contractor/developer who has been cited for:

FAILURE TO PROPERLY STORE COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL & EQUIPMENT.

Miss Heather

P.S.: I am still awaiting an answer from you regarding Belvedere Realty’s advertecture at 609 Manhattan Avenue. Perhaps the reason you let this eyesore persist in pissing me off is the same reason you see fit to issue their site at 150 Java Street variances permitting them to work Saturdays despite repeat complaints from their neighbors about their less-than-professional conduct?

Construction Soup

Since the weather was actually tolerable yesterday I took a nice long walk along the waterfront. When I reached the end of Green Street I beheld one of the many (seemingly) abandoned construction sites that pepper my part of the Garden Spot.

What is that I see to the bottom left? Could it be???

Yes, yes it is!!! Although it is unintelligible in the above photo, a handwritten missive ordering the fine folks at Bridge Realty to pump the excess water out of their construction site is scribbled on this ancient Stop Work Order. Now that I think about it, I do remember seeing some dudes pumping water out of this site a few months ago.

Looks like they need to come back and do it again.

Perhaps the Stop Work Order issued last month has discouraged them from doing so? I fail to see why; they seem perfectly amenable to doing work without a permit.

Miss Heather

P.S.: For those of you who are keeping track; Greenpoint’s favorite piece of advertecture is still alive and kicking at 609 Manhattan Avenue.

Elizabeth Murray 1940-2007

Yesterday I discovered a disheartening piece of news as I slogged through the 23rd Street – Ely Avenue hub of the subway.

I was never a big fan of her work as an angry feminist art student, but her subway murals (which can be seen at 23rd – Ely Avenue in Queens and 59th Street and Lexington in Manhattan) forced me to make a reassessment. If a work of art can make places I find otherwise repulsive less of a chore (and trust me, I avoid 59th Street and Lex like the plague) it is worthwhile in my book.

Thank you for making my numerous schleps through both of these subway hubs a little brighter, Elizabeth. You will be missed.

Miss Heather

Yard Gallery

I came across the above sign on Java Street when I was checking on the progress of the latest Belvedere to grace our neighborhood this week. A flyer posted nearby provides more details.

Looks interesting. Given the sheer number of artists who live in north Greenpoint (myself included), a gallery/art space is long, LONG overdue.

Miss Heather

A couple more things to do this weekend!

Last night my pal over at Brooklyn11211 brought two walking tours of Greenpoint and Williamsburg to my attention. Per the Waterfront Preseravtion Alliance web site:

This weekend, WPA members Ward Dennis and Mary Habstritt will be leading a walking tour of Williamsburg & Greenpoint’s Industrial Heritage for the Roebling Chapter of the Society for Industrial Archaeology. And, as these things happen, the Francis Morrone is also leading a tour of Williamsburg & Greenpoint for the Municipal Art Society immediately afterwards. So this Sunday you can double your Williamsburg & Greenpoint historic pleasure!

Williamsburg & Greenpoint’s Industrial Heritage Walking Tour
Sunday, August 19, 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
This neighborhood’s industrial and social history, as well as recent efforts to preserve its historic buildings, will be explored on this tour led by Mary Habstritt, Preservation Committee Chair, and Ward Dennis, historian and member of the Waterfront Preservation Alliance of Greenpoint & Williamsburg. Sites along the way will include the Williamsburg Bridge, Domino Sugar, the Austin, Nichols & Co. Warehouse, remnants of American Manufacturing Co., once the world’s largest rope factory (aka Greenpoint Terminal Market), and Eberhard Faber’s pencil plant.

Meet at the HSBC/Williamsburg Savings Bank, at 175 Broadway (corner of Driggs). Take the J,M,Z subway to Marcy Av. and walk west (toward the East River) on Broadway to the bank.

Greenpoint and Williamsburg — Endangered Waterfront Tour
Date: Sunday, August 19
Time: 4:30 PM
Location: Meet at Manhattan and Greenpoint avenues, by the Greenpoint Ave. station of the G train, Brooklyn
Reservations: Not required
Tour fee: $15, $12 MAS members
For more information: http://www.mas.org, 212-935-2075

These once-bustling working waterfronts lost most of their shipping and manufacturing after World War II, and now even the ghostly remnants of days gone by are being swept aside by a ferocious tide of gentrification, rezoning, and rebuilding as developers reshape these historic waterfronts into enclaves of posh housing. This tour, sponsored by the Municipal Art Society, will look at the current and future redevelopment, and search for the bits left over from the past–some deserving of landmark status. Leader: Francis Morrone, architectural historian.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the historic richness of the north Brooklyn waterfront and why it should be protected. On that note, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out an EXCELLENT piece of writing by Norman Oder (of the Atlantic Yards Report) regarding the recent Domino Sugar Factory shenanigans. Please take the time to read it. It is time well spent.

Miss Heather

2007 Coney Island Rockabilly Festival

I recently received an email regarding this event. My Internet access has been more than a little wonky the last five weeks. But it seems to be working at the moment, so I can finally pass the deets along to you, dear readers. Here is a condensed (and heavily copy-edited) version of their press release:

Come One!! Come All!!

August 16, 2007
The ever-intoxicating Nell and Cockabilly Records presents The Holy Roller Sideshow & Burlesque Revue!!! Rockabilly!! Surf!! Burlesque!! Sideshow!!
9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.: Otto’s Shrunken Head NYC!! Free!!

August 17, 2007
6:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.: Cha Cha’s On The Boardwalk’s Big Burlesque Blow Out featuring Burlesque performers from all over the United States, North America and Europe!!!
Over 50 acts!!! Live Surf and Rockabilly With The Holy Roller Sideshow!!!
Main Stage, Cages, Poles, Side Stage With Sideshow And A Brooklyn Rooftop All On The Boardwalk By The Sea And Under The Stars!!! Don’t Miss It!!!

August 18, 2007
The 2007 Coney Island Rockabilly Festival !!!!
Sasquatch and the Sickabillys!! Fury 3!! Tombstone Brawlers!! Jason James and The Bay State House Rockers!! Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co.!! Fisherman Orchestra!! Sean Kershaw and The New Jack Ramblers!!
Outside on the Boardwalk 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.!!! Free!!!

9:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m.: The 2007 Coney Island Rockabilly Festival After Party and Roller Derby Rumble!!! The Holy Roller Sideshow featuring El Jefe vs. Demons!!
Sideshow and Burlesque!!! And Chicks Beating The Crap Out Of Each Other For Fun!!! (!— Ed. Note) $5.00

August 19, 2007
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.: The 2007 Miss Pin Up Coney Island Contest!!! $500 cash prize for the winner!!! Instant Fame and International Notoriety !!!! Come see who Cha Cha will crown Miss Pin Up Coney Island!!! $5.00

For more details check out their MySpace page or shoot them an email at: coneyislandrockabillyfestival (at) hotmail (dot) com.

Miss Heather