TONIGHT: Brother Can You Spare Some Rent?

Any of you looking for something to do this evening with a decidedly timely twist might be interested in an event being conducted at The City Reliquary this evening. It is called Brother Can You Spare Some Rent?: A “Modern Day Depression-Era Fundraiser. I’ll let their press release take it from here:

Times are tough all around – roller coaster stock markets, job losses by the hundreds of thousands, bipartisan bickering with no relief in sight. It’s even tougher for 501 (c) (3) non-profit Community Museums. So the City Reliquary is hosting a fundraiser to raise some of (last month’s!) rent. BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE SOME RENT? is a Modern Day Depression-Era Fundraiser held in our backroom and backyard. For a minimum $10 tax-deductible donation at the door, you can come and participate in scores of historical diversions and entertainments circa 1935. The City Reliquary is proud to present:

• Pie the Landlord! That’s right – the City Reliquary will have our very own cigar-chomping, unshaven, smelly Landlord demanding our rent! Tell him where to shove it with a whipped cream pie in his face!
• Madame LuLu LoLo, Fortune Teller Extraordinaire: She Sees All and Knows All and Your Fortune Might Help Pay Our Rent!
• Hobo Photos a Go-Go: Take your picture in our hand painted carnival sign.  Remember the Recession of ’09 with a photographic keepsake!
• Depression-era movies: shown on the projector in the backyard. Laugh it up with Mae West, the Marx Brothers and James Cagney.
• Oil drum fires: (and more modern propane heaters) to keep you warm while you chill in the cold. All fires will be regulated carefully by official FDNY supervision!
• DIY Fingerless Gloves Table! Because nothing says Depression-chic than rockin’ a pair of fingerless gloves!
• Prohibition-era Beer provided by the Brooklyn Brewery and Depression-era “Rum” Punch provided by the City Reliquary at contemporary-recession era cost.
• Homemade Mulligan Stew by Chef Master Mark at wallet-friendly prices.
• DJ Stacher playing hits from the economically challenged 1930s (Harlem Jazz) and 1970s (early Rap); as well as Big Money tracks from the 1980s (disco) and 2000s (electro). Get down!

The previous diversions will set you back a very “Depression-friendly” $2.00 – $5.00 a pop (in addition to the suggested donation of $10.00 at the front door). All proceeds will be used to help the City Reliquary pay (last month’s and this month’s) rent.

Brother Can You Spare Some Rent?
February 27, 2009 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
The City Reliquary
370 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11211

The only item I can think of that has (arguably) been overlooked is Housing Court. Sure, this is not exactly the stuff of the 1930’s— but speaking as someone who has been there I can attest that it would excellent fodder for a board game, Kabuki play and/or a rock opera.

Miss Heather