We here at Freewilliamsburg are very excited about a few things.
First, to be working with one of our favorite blogs ever, Stadiums and Shrines.
Secondly, to be able to give you TEN HOURS of music with, in our humble opinion, one of the most engaging and exciting lineups at CMJ.
And finally, we are very excited to turn GLASSLANDS into an all-out-jamboree, with smoke & mirrors, interactive art, projections, and tons of things you probably haven’t seen before. And open bars (to be announced soon). And a late-night African music dance party that is going to blow our minds ’til 4AM.

These are the kind of bands you come to CMJ for. To be in on it early to give to the rest of the world. To see what the changing face of music is leaning toward. And rest assured, check out these pages and you’ll get an ample dose of it.

Gobble Gobble
Foxes in Fiction
Coolrunnings

Blackbird Blackbird
Yellow Ostrich
Pujol

Holy Spirits
North Highlands
Zambri

Kohwi
Com Truise
and of course Awesome Tapes from Africa‘s Brian on the late night.

That should keep your iTunes busy for a while. We expect to see you all there !! And check out the mixtape and more info to follow shortly.

UPDATE: DOORS @ 5:30, music til 4AM! $7 & <3

RSVP HERE!!

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Here’s the thing about street art — whether or not you realize it, you’re already intimately familiar with the artist’s work.

Such is the case with NYC-homegrown artist Gaia‘s rugged linoleum prints. This weekend, instead of hitting the streets, he’ll joining the legendary Italian artists Sten & Lex for a show at Brooklynite gallery.

We talked briefly with Gaia about why he puts his art on the street, what he thinks of Baltimore, and why art that’s illegal can sometimes be the most beautiful.

Interview after the jump, and make sure you check out the show’s opening party this Saturday, featuring music by the formidable Wham City artist collective member DJ Mark Brown (check out the video he just did for Beach House).

“Portraits” opens 7pm October 16 at Brooklynite gallery on 334 Malcom X Blvd, off the Utica Ave stop on the A/C.

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Conviction is the story of Betty Ann Waters, whose brother, Kenny, was wrongly convicted for murder in a dirty trial filled with manufactured testimony from dirty ex-girlfriends and a dirty cop. To free him, Betty gets her GED, puts herself through college and law school – all while raising two boys and keeping a full time job. The film, which stars Hillary Swank and Sam Rockwell, opens with the most melodramatic of flashbacks as we see Kenny and Betty as children – suggesting a bond that is unbreakable. Nearly everything about Conviction, from its irritating title to generic presentation, suggests a trite, formulaic snoozer that would be pleasantly at home on Lifetime. Tony Goldwyn’s film, however, is absorbing in the oddest way, presenting Betty’s story so passionately that I was able to put the eye rolls in check and give it an honest chance.
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Tonight at 10pm the annual Brooklyn Film Race is on! In only 24 hours teams of filmmakers are expected to write, shoot, edit and score an original short film based on a shared theme and (as all worthy competitions must have) a surprise element. The completed films will then be shown on the big screen on October 21st at Brooklyn Heights Cinema. Up for grabs is $30,000 in prizes, dozens of “Best of” awards and an intense case of agida.

Launched in Manhattan in 2002 to inspire and gain exposure for independent filmmakers, Film Racing now has competitions in 21 cities, with last year’s Best Film winner screening at the NYC Gen Art Film Festival.

You can register a team online until 8:00 tonight. To find crew members and actors, the Race suggests looking here here and here. And after a nice, long nap on Sunday remember to send me a link to your film and I will post it to FreeWilly next week.

Three years ago Williamsburg resident, anti-poverty advocate, friend to many of us, and all-around amazing guy Craig Murphey was killed by a truck while riding his bike in the neighborhood.

In his life, Craig dedicated his time and career to the New York City Coalition Against Hunger — and in the spirit of keeping Craig’s memory and goals alive, a memorial fundraiser will be happening this weekend at Brooklyn Fireproof (starting at 6pm on Saturday).

Per NYCCAH and the fundraiser coordinators:

There will be a Hummus “cook off” (hummus was Craig favorite food) sponsored by Whisk, live sets by local bands Sweet Tooth Nelson, Tyrhombus Rex, and Gators, followed by DJ a set by Finger on The Pulse. We will also be selling raffle tickets for $5 or $20 for 5 for a chance to win one of nearly 50 prizes donated by local bars, restaurants, artists and musicians.

And that’s going to be one serious raffle: Prizes range from gift certificates at local spots including Dram, Bushwick Country Club, Enid’s and Lodge, gift certificates at the Sally Hershberger salon, signed goods from bands, tattoo shop sessions, boutique gift cards and more.

It will be a perfect combo of drinks, live music and a good cause — all in the name of a terrific friend.

October 16, 6pm
119 Ingraham Street (MAP)
More information available here and here.

courtesy whowhatwear.com

Do some good with your Thursday night and attend the The Art of Elysium Orientation at 3rd Ward. The L.A.-based (and star-studded) non-profit works to brighten the lives of children with serious medical conditions through creating art. And not just macaroni necklaces, The Art of Elysium is expanding and looking for NYC volunteers involved in acting, fashion, filmmaking, music and writing, too. You live in Williamsburg: you fit in there somewhere. Why not share your talents with those who may need it most? Plus, the good karma is instant – there’s free wine.

The Art of Elysium Orientation
Thursday, October 14, 7 to 9 pm
3rd Ward – 195 Morgan Ave
FREE
RSVP here

No, it’s not that old Chevy your uncle has in his garage.  It’s mobile theater right here in Brooklyn, and they’re taking the show on the road. Touring the East coast, eventually planning to perform at the New Orleans Fringe Festival, Jean Ann Douglass and Eric Meyer are kicking off their trip Nov. 4-9 with shows each night in a different Brooklyn neighborhood.  The idea behind the project is a theater that moves from place to place. An unassuming moving van is actually a stage for installation and performance.   They use the back of a Budget Rental Truck and set up the “theater” to suit each piece, changing the interior, rearranging seating, and shaping the entire experience around the play, and well, the truck. From their website:

For each work, the truck interior is transformed into a dynamic playing space, based on the needs of each piece. As much an installation as it is performance, one show creates a vaudeville theater…another is performed in a barren, dark space where all audience members are led to their seats with flashlights. Each configuration of the truck can seat 20-35 people, and several short works are performed in repertory each evening.”

The Truck Project is looking for donations to fund the tour, but buying a ticket for the Brooklyn shows will help too. With limited seating, you should get yours here soon.  The Brooklyn showings feature a play about the inner workings of Amy Winehouse’s mind called “Not Winehouse” and the aforementioned vaudevillian production “The Backroad Homeshow.” The weekend of the performances, try to save any free parking spots you see around town until a moving van drives up.

The Truck Project Kickstarter Video from Jean Ann Douglass on Vimeo.

Now on view at MoMA is “Abstract Expressionist New York”, a review of the New York-based abstract artists who transformed the world of art over half a century ago.

The exhibit is large, taking over space on three floors. As expected, you can bathe in Rothko’s “multiform” blocks of color and Pollack’s drip paintings as well as works from de Kooning and Gorky. However, works from artists outside single-name recognition abound, and the organization of the pieces helps to trace the evolution of aesthetic and message of this unique movement borne of post-war American life.

“Abstract Expressionist New York” is on view through April 25, 2011

West Cafe

Tired of Gimme! Coffee and Second Stop? We’re excited to report that there is now an alternative coffee shop option for anyone living near Lorimer Street-the newly opened West Cafe on Union Avenue. West Cafe serves coffee from The Brooklyn Roasting Company, pastries from Balthazar, and bagels from Bagelsmith. The cafe was named after owner Esther Bell’s favorite Vaudeville star Mae West who grew up a few blocks away.

The interior is bright and spacious with various sized tables and ample seating. There’s a backyard area which isn’t open yet, but fingers crossed will be ready before it’s too cold to sit outside. In the future, the cafe will serve wine, beer, and a small plates menu which will feature dishes from local chefs on a rotating basis, turning it into more of an evening hangout spot. Our favorite part of the cafe is the to-go window in the front which will come in handy for early morning weekday coffee stops.

As of now, West Cafe is cash only but this should change in the next few weeks. Current hours of operation are Monday-Friday 7am-4pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-5pm.

West Cafe. 379 Union Avenue. Brooklyn, New York.