From last week’s Times:

The dazzling hotel and night life complex, a staple of the Manhattan circuit, has finally washed up on Brooklyn’s hype-friendly shores, bringing with it the kind of crowds eager to finally explore the Next Big Thing. And what are they finding across the river? Communal tables, artisanal beer, saltwater pools and a cast of characters right out of the HBO series “Girls.”

Since opening in May at a restored factory building, the Wythe has helped spiff up a once-desolate corner of Williamsburg — North 11th Street and Wythe Avenue — into an artisanal-food-and-drink playpen.

Bored of the hotel’s commanding view of Manhattan? Pop over to the Kinfolk Studios, an experimental emporium that houses a design studio, gallery, cafe, bar and a popular Scandinavian restaurant.

Craving live music with a side of smoked trout salad? Cross the street to Brooklyn Bowl, where Questlove spins music on Thursdays, Blue Ribbon serves cozy nibbles, and bowling is an ironic (or would that be unironic?) pastime for 20-somethings.

And that’s just the start. Turn the corner and find the Brooklyn Brewery, a fabled local beer manufacturer that, aside from offering tours, now opens its industrial red doors as a beer garden on the weekends. Or stumble a couple of blocks and find Berry Park, a two-level sports bar that plays house music and soccer games, a newly sanitized waterfront and another yet boutique hotel — this one with a South-Beach-in-Brooklyn poolside ambience.

Ugh. Really? Is this news to anyone? In fact, here they are in 1998 saying the same thing. At least they also have Greenpoint to talk about now.

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With modern medicine, we live longer, better, and with more pills. But no matter what side of the stethoscope you’re on, there are still infinite possibilities for things to go wrong. The Story Collider hosts another evening of story telling tonight at Union Hall. Join them for an evening of six stories of Medical Misadventures.

More details on their website.

In celebration of his birthday, Nicky Digital took us sailing this past weekend with his buddies Andrew W.K., Cherlie Lily and 33Hz. Guests were treated to amazing DJ sets from Andrew W.K. and 33Hz and a fancy live performance by Cherie Lily!

If you weren’t lucky enough to be on the vessel or are just dying to relive the magic, we’ve got some great recap pics and a FREE Yachty By Nature mix tape by 33Hz for you to download after the jump! (more…)

If you’ve visited Brooklyn Brewery you likely crossed paths with Monster, the brewery’s resident cat. Sadly, after thirteen years the little guy passed away today due to kidney failure.

From their blog:

“It’s safe to say that few other cats have received more attention and love (and table food) from more people than Monster. When he wasn’t working the crowds, visitors to The Brewery would find Monster perched above the Company Store watching/napping over his guests, and glaring eagle-eyed at any and all intrusive dogs. In his tenure as Tasting Room Host, Monster has made fans from across the world, and has been featured in the media via Animal Planet, Time Out NY and numerous magazines and blogs. Monster quickly became one of the most photographed objects in The Brewery, and aside from possibly Brewmaster Oliver has posed with more Brooklyn fans than any other member of the team.”

screencap from YouTube

No Doubt and Gwen Stefani are trending on Twitter right now, but not because the newly reunited group just released the first single off of their first studio album in eleven years. They’re trending because they performed at the Teen Choice Awards moments ago and apparently none of today’s teens know who they are. See a handful of the unfortunate tweets after the jump. (more…)

via ATRL

It’s no secret how we feel about Lana Del Rey. But there’s something going on between her and her sister and no one seems to be talking about it.

cecilfloyd's tumblr

Back in April photos surfaced of Lana kissing kissing a blonde girl who bloggers claimed was Jennifer Lawrence of The Hunger Games. Those bloggers eventually updated, identifying the girl as Lana’s sister, Chuck Grant. The photos were for an art project in which the girls were recreating a scene from the film Gia starring Angelina Jolie. This isn’t innocent sister kissing. It’s closed-mouthed – as in Gia – but they’re passionate. Chuck has her hand on Lana’s neck and Lana’s head is tiled sideways. There are two photos of the sisters like that, plus a third one of them gazing into each other’s eyes.

Then there are the nude photos that surfaced this week. There appear to be five photos, all from a photo session five years ago for Lana’s “Kill Kill” EP back when she was Lizzy Grant. Chuck took the photos, and all Lana is wearing are a few plastic leis.

Here’s what we know about Chuck Grant: She’s a photographer. She hangs out with Lana all the time. She has a Tumblr and a website. Most of her photos are of Lana. They take selfies. She shot some of Lana’s “National Anthem” video.

(Sidenote: I find it interesting that Chuck is boy’s name when in these instances she’s taking the position of the male, first when kissing the overly-feminized Lana, and second when acting as a male voyeur objectifying Lana’s body.)

What’s most odd about their relationship and these pictures is that despite the intense scrutiny the media put Lana through earlier this year, no one is talking about it. Does that mean the public is ready to accept Lana as an artist and let her do what she wants? Or does that mean no one cares anymore?

xmartenx's flickr

Organizers of the Lacoste L!VE Williamsburg Park Concert Series announced this evening that the Refused and Off! show would be cancelled due to the weather. But word around town – and confirmed by both bands’ Twitters – is that Refused will be playing a secret show at Europa Club on Meserole. Unlike the originally scheduled concert, this one is free. Doors at 9 p.m.

According to those on the scene, there is a humongous line. Some people are saying the club is already at its 550 person capacity. Here are some pictures of the line.

Beach House

If the temperature is any indicator… we’re smack in the middle of summer.  The buzz temperature seems to indicate the same thing, because there’s a plethora of bloggable shows this week.  Quite honestly, there’s enough going on JUST TONIGHT to fill up a blog post.

If there’s a MOST BLOGGED ABOUT artist this week, it’s Lower Dens, and I mean that in a very literal sense.   I interviewed them for THIS blog just a couple of days ago. They’re the headliner at Bowery Ballroom tomorrow night, with shoegazers No Joy and Wham City alum Alan Resnick opening.  Oh, and that’s just a warmup.  Lower Dens are playing Central Park Summerstage on Monday as well, supporting blog all-stars Beach House.  That’s our MOST BLOGGED and EDITORS PICK for this week, and unsurprisingly sold out a long time ago.

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After months of planning – including turning a random parking lot into a feasible concert venue – the Lacoste L!VE Williamsburg Park Concert Series opened tonight with Counting Crows. If you live in the area and opened your window at around 9 p.m., chances are you heard them playing “Mr. Jones.” Here’s what concertgoers and locals are tweeting about the show: (more…)