Ducktails

SSPS

While everyone was lounging on their sofas from eating massive quantities of food, I was at the Cake Shop checking out a small but amazing show last night with Bob Bellerue, SSPS, Ducktails, HD (members of WZT HEARTS). Most noteworthy of the night were the sets by SSPS and Ducktails.

SSPS is Porkchop from Excepter’s solo project. Taking his cue from German minimalist house, SSPS is equal parts dirty beats and experimental sound exploration. Often marrying the two can prove challenging to create something with substance, SSPS was up to the task--ladling abstract vocals over a dark, dance backbone. (He even got a few members of a slightly reserved crowd to dance.)

Ducktails is the solo project of Matt Mondanile (with the occasional live collaborator). Best described as poppy surf rock informed by avant garde music a la The SKATERS and Kemialliset Ystavat, Ducktails is the type of warm music that will get you through the Winter and keep you happy year round. Touching on the pop and the more abstract, Mondanile divided the set between a meditative, outdoors instrumental and an anthemic surf rock ballad (that was unfortunately cut short due to technical difficulties).

In addition to Ducktails, Mondanile also collaborates in Predator Vision and Real Estate—both are in keeping with the good vibes. Real Estate is playing tonight at the Cake Shop at midnight if you can make it out.

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 04:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

There's been a coldhearted dognapping in Red Hook, and the owner's asking everybody to keep an eye out for Mango, a 9-year old Jack Russell with a brown spot under his left eye. He let the dog roam freely - no leash - for years, and as you'd expect the Post's conservative readership are all like, "he deserved it". But then, the owner (Steve) responded in the comments by quoting both Cesar Milan AND Dan Quayle, effectively sending a digital bitchslap through the internet. Check it out, and read the Mango Alert for more info.

Posted by Brian Ries at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The top video is NSFW.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 09:39 AM | Permalink

The bike lane situation is looking pretty confusing at South 4th Street, with blatant signage leading bikers up on the sidewalk and onto the bridge. A couple of riders wrote into Gothamist today with stories how the lane led them right into the open arms of a few cops. Naturally, our lovely NYPD wrote them tickets for biking on the sidewalk. Entrapment? Duh.

John at Gothamist poked around about and learned that the DOT is "in the process of designating the sidewalk along South 5th Street as a shared bike/pedestrian path." They "will soon add appropriate signs and directional bike stamps along the sidewalk (see example), and [we] are reaching out to the local precinct with additional details about the project, which is not yet complete." DOT, hurry the f'k up with that, our bikers are getting tickets! See more details on this silly bureaucratic fart at Gothamist.

Oh, I should note, aside from the whole woopsie-daisy ticketing situation, this bike lane is great and safe and needed, so thanks DOT. This is just rough love. Keep at it.

picture via gothamist, too.

Posted by Brian Ries at 02:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)

If you haven’t packed up and left town yet for Thanksgiving festivities, there are two great shows happening in our fair hamlet of Williamsburg:

Sexy women will be in abundance at Glasslands tonight, since Afternoon, Sharon Van Etten, Glass Ghost (Eliot Krimsky of Flying), and Treasure are playing. These are all marvelous, Brooklyn-based acts, and you should expect to hear some gorgeous stuff.

@ Glasslands, 8 pm

Philly’s Cortez! Cortez!! will be leading the evening at Public Assembly. I really like this band, they’re kinda like a lo-fi, spazzy, dance punk. Also playing will be Monuments, The Rollo Treadway, and The FolkSong Revival. All of these groups are excellent, go and be merry!

@ Public Assembly, 8 pm

SWEET STUFF!!!

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's completely worth the $0.99 cost for the "Be Like Lil' Wayne" iPhone application. The possibilities are endless and wonderfully asinine.....

Per EpicTilt, the application's designers:
"Lil' Wayne equips you with a vast array of his personal bling and outfits to pimp yourself out so you can share with your friends! You can even add Lil' Wayne himself into your pictures and share with the rest of the world by email or by showing it off in the Lil' Wayne user gallery!"

Here's my dog:

Here's the contestant from the new Top Chef who never blinks:

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 11:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

This hipster joke has lots of answers, so we're gonna try and give you a world of options on how to answer it. See this way, no matter what happens, you'll always be one step ahead of your friends and neighbors. Got a better one? Leave it in the comments...

Q: How many hipsters does it take to screw in a light bulb?

1. It is a really obscure number and you have probably never heard of it. (or, some obscure number you've never heard of.)

2. Who cares? The light bulb was better before it changed.

3. At least 5 to scrape enough change together to buy the light bulb in the first place.

4. However many Pitchfork says it takes to change a light bulb

5. Who cares? it'll just be another tired rehashing of the way Lou Reed changes light bulbs.

6. Only 3 when they did it at the black cat, but this time through town it took 9 for some reason.

7. Nobody changes lightbulbs since they signed with that major label.

8. Two. One to change it in an ironic fashion and one to get it.

9. Who can tell through these fake hornrims and manicured scruff?

10. *sigh* I have this joke on vinyl.

and the original answer:

11. (Snotily) You mean you don't knooooow?

via, via and via; picture via BoingBoing.

Posted by Brian Ries at 05:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

c/o cbgb.com

There's an article in today's New York Times that gives a depressing update on the status of now-defunct music mecca CBGB. The brand is being run out of Moishe's Storage here in Williamsburg, and whoring itself out on an incredibly cheesy yet lucrative scale:

"...CBGB Fashions Inc., [is] a clothing operation run from the storage unit that sells T-shirts, belt buckles, onesies for kids, even a CBGB dog vest for your poodle. That ghastliness is matched only by the news that the club’s former barman, Ger Burgman, son-in-law of the deceased owner, Hilly Kristal himself, is now the customer service representative for online accounts."

Burgman goes on to say that “It’s just a regular old boring office job.” Apparently, any pride or nostalgia the employees may have once felt has now been replaced with desk job tedium. Still, who can blame 'em? If you were selling these nifty guitar pick earrings, you'd probably detach yourself from the entire thing as well.

The Times is also running a virtual tour of the office space, if you're extra-curious.

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 04:59 PM | Permalink

If you can set aside seven and a half minutes, then go on and watch this music video from The Hours. It's, um -- interesting.

The band isn't very well-known over here in the U.S. (yet), but the melodramatic song and expensive video counterpart have gathered severe buzz. It's directed by Tony Kaye (American History X), it stars a still-in-Factory Girl-character Sienna Miller, and features Damien Hirst's art direction throughout.

Ultimately "See the Light" mentally transports me back to 1998, when lavish music videos still got loads of attention, and I was merely a sensitive teenager who liked this sort of imported emo crapolla.

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 02:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This made us more ill than this.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 02:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

We admit it. After we stopped laughing at this totally retarded commercial for Snuggie, the blanket with sleeves, we found ourselves kinda wanting one. [Thanks Rumproast]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

These United States

These United States have jetted straight outta Kentucky, and they're poised to be the next troop of archetypical woodsmen-hipsters to find a nook in the indie scene. They played on Wednesday night at The Knitting Factory’s Tap Bar, alongside Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and openers Mean Creek. The latter group’s formulaic sound had some political inclinations, and the band looked the part, but they didn’t exactly seal the deal.

Rather, it was These United States who mastered the small crowd by bonding with them over the frigid temperatures in the Tap Bar (apparently the heating system was broken) and playing plenty of material from their debut album, Crimes. The group’s signature is a classic southern rock mixed with glam romp appeal – think Deer Tick’s ramshackle vibe meets Kings of Leon’s sleaze aesthetic meets Neva Dinova’s wild west fascination meets Ryan Adam’s intonation and ballads. Or you could just give the band a listen and see what we mean, because These United States deserve some of your attention.



These United States



Mean Creek

Photos c/o Mark Iantosca

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 04:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A small town in Nebraska has been terrorized all month by the so-called Butt Bandit, who's been leaving greasy ass-cheek imprints on windows all around town. This is hilarious! I thought our artists were creative, but shit, talk about exploring new mediums. Learn all about the trade of Butt Banditry at BuzzFeed.

Posted by Brian Ries at 05:06 PM | Permalink

And I Am Not Lyin's D.Billy put up some cool tapewriting art around Bushwick as part of Arts In Bushwick’s “BETA Spaces” event. He says, "Bushwick, the Brooklyn ‘hood that I moved to this summer, is a great neighborhood for these projects. I started this round with a tapewriting installation that ran for two floors in the stairwell of my building."

For another more, see here and here.

Posted by Brian Ries at 12:28 PM | Permalink

So holy shit Gothamist has a photo that very clearly shows Mike Gordon, Fishman, Page's bald spot and Trey recording in a studio - rumored to be Park Slope's Trout Recording! Is this the real deal? Are Phish really recording an album? If so, this means there'll be a summer/fall tour to support it! Which means they'll be playing at least three nights at The Garden, or maybe a weekend run in Coney! And since the Hampton show ticket disaster sucked so many balls, here's hoping a NYC/Brooklyn run will have enough dates to make sure I get a freaking ticket.

Gothamist did a little investigating and got a frank denial from a Trout studio rep, but they call bullshit and I have to agree. Here's what they posted and which is giving me anxiety right now:

A little investigating led us to Trout Recording in Park Slope, where some of the band members have recorded in the past. A call to the studios this morning was fielded by Bryce Goggin, who told us, "There is not a band called Phish in my studio at this time." Our secret decoder ring unscrambled this lexical puzzle and told us that it's all but confirmed: Phish is in Park Slope either rehearsing or recording or both! Secret show at Union Hall all but confirmed!

Save the snark motherf*ckers, I grew up a hippie. Everyone loves a friend who loves Phish.

UPDATE: Phish is swimming all over the place. That photo's from Manhattan...compare it to this. Pay attention to the walls. The word is they were there "as recently as "the beginning of this week".

photo via Gothamist

Posted by Brian Ries at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (21)

Gavin McInnes, founder of Vice and now Streetcarnage.com, is the singer in a 80's hardcore cover band! They're playing tonight at Cake Shop (152 Ludlow street) with a set list that blew the batteries straight out of my boom box.

This is what they look like live:

And here's a peak at the setlist, courtesy of streetcarnage:

80 HC SET LIST 11-20-08 Cro Mags “Hard Times”
D.R.I. “Rather be Sleeping”
Minor Threat “Straight Edge”
Black Flag “Wasted”
Angry Samoans “Lights Out”
Circle Jerks “Coup D’Etat”
Fear “Livin in the City”
Descendents “I’m not a Loser”
Agnostic Front “Victim in Pain”
Black Flag “Six Pack”
Iron Cross “Crucified”
Suicidal Tendencies “Institutionalized”
Bad Brains “Right Brigade”

Oh, and it's freeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Posted by Brian Ries at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Look like this guy?

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We'd totally forgotten about Lefty, the drug dealing Muppet who sells numbers. Topless Robot has the whole list.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 07:40 PM | Permalink

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 07:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

We love Ben, Todd P, and Gavin.... but didn't we cover this like 5 years ago in our send-up The Hipster Handbook? Let's move on.

[hat tip, Williamsburg Is Dead]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Image c/o Sandboy

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the New Museum’s Get Weird series, you definitely must tonight. Programmed by former Fader editor-in-chief Alex Wagner, the shows offer some of the better selections in the avant garde music scene. Past shows have included: The Present, Soft Circle, and Growing.

Tonight sees SF-based Lichens (aka Rob Lowe) headlining. A frequent collaborator with TV on the Radio, Lichens’ performances are spiritual, meditative experiences.

Check out the New Museum for more info.

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 02:33 PM | Permalink

myopenbar.com and sake2me present: a special NYC screening/fundraiser for REBUILDING HOPE a work-in-progress documentary by Jen Marlowe.

When: Thursday, November 20, 7:00-9:00 pm
Pomegranate Gallery, 133 Greene St (between Prince & Houston), Soho, NYC
Subway: Subway Info: B,D, F, V to Broadway/Lafayette; R, W to Prince Street, 6 (downtown only) to Bleeker Street
Fee: $20 suggested minimum donation
What: Three "Lost Boys" return home after civil war forced them to flee South Sudan as young children. This is the documentary of their journey of discovery and their efforts to provide health and education to their communities.

A work-in-progress screening will be followed by a reception featuring sake2me's lightly sparkling Japanese junmai sake infused with all-natural Asian flavors of Asian Pear, Ginger Mango, Yuzu Citrus and Green Tea.

All proceeds from the evening will go towards completing this important documentary film. Once completed, all proceeds from the film will go towards the healthcare and education projects in Sudan initiated by the three young men featured in the film.

This event made possible by the support of the Oded Halahmy Foundation for the Arts, Inc., sake2me and myopenbar.com

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 01:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Moms have been freaking over this Motrin ad:

Here's the story

Big pharma Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has rolled out a Web clip in which a snarky, knowing commentator gripes about the social pressure to "wear" babies in slings, carriers, etc–and the Motrin-ready aches that "wearing" a baby can cause. And in the last few days lots of blogger/Twitterers have agreed that:

• The ad is offensive.
• Motrin/JNJ doesn’t "get" social marketing.
• Something should be done! Maybe a boycott.

Hearing their Twitter-rage, the company has since pulled the ad and issued an apology. We can't help but adore this spoof ad just posted on YouTube (below). Sure the original ad was dumb and overly snarky, but come on, aren't there worse things to get upset about? [hat tip Jezebel]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

If you're in the market for a great show tonight, we recommend AA Bondy's set at Union Hall. He used to be the frontman for Verbena, but now he's taken on a more folky-country twang, and has friends like The Felice Brothers (who appear on his American Hearts LP, released earlier this year.) Tonight he'll have peeps from Elvis Perkins in Dearland as his backing band, and Steve Burns and the Struggle will be opening.

Bring a friend, hold hands, drink whiskey or whisky. Whichever you prefer.

8 pm
$10

c/o Fat Possum Records

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Hi Darlings!

Bishop Allen are playing 2x this weekend at Music Hall of Williamsburg, and we are giving away two free tickets to whoever demands them first! So go ahead and email elizabeth@freewilliamsburg.com, and I'll get back to you ASAP if you're the lucky winner.

***(UPDATE: AS OF 12:30 PM CONTEST = CLOSED! SORRY GUYS!)***

Here's their video for "Middle Management," from Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist:

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 12:03 PM | Permalink

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five everybody...

Guess Who from Kirsten Lepore on Vimeo.

Nice video, Kristen Lepore.

Posted by Brian Ries at 04:16 PM | Permalink

What do you do if you're at Kellogg's, it's 3:30 in the morning and you don't like your pancakes? Well, you throw a fit, toss your pancakes in the air, and stab a waiter with your fork. Clearly the right decision.

From the NY Post:

A drunken maniac turned a Williamsburg diner upside down yesterday when he went on a profanity-laced tirade, threw a plate of pancakes, and repeatedly stabbed a waiter with a fork, cops said.

Mark Caliente, 36, allegedly went berserk at 3:30 a.m. after he refused to pay his bill in the Kellogg's Diner at Metropolitan and Union avenues, sources said.

After tossing the pancakes into the air, the raving Caliente allegedly hurled hot coffee on the waiter and stabbed him in the hand.

Looks like your honeymoon is over, Kellogg's. You lost your fancy-pants chef, your food is still craptastic, and now this? Baaaaad week!

Picture via iamapushpop

Posted by Brian Ries at 01:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Beach House released their "Used to Be" single back in October, and the video for the track is pretty splendid. They're playing December 9th at The Music Hall of Williamsburg (with openers Tickley Feather - word!), so buy your tix immediately.



c/o Pitchfork.tv

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 11:42 AM | Permalink

Lissy Trullie


Lissy Trullie and her band of waifs have been mega-hyped this season, especially following up from their CMJ sets. Even without having yet released a debut (her Self-Taught Learner EP is due out in January), she generates enough buzz to play sets like last night’s – which also featured Adam Green, and a DJ set from Mark Ronson.

Before Lissie sauntered on stage (which was well after midnight), The Rumble Strips played an über-Britpop opening set. They’re clearly another vegetable from the Kooks garden***, complete with trumpet, sax, and bombast.

Just as the sight of flannel and fedoras was about to induce vomiting, Lissie Trullie and co. began their stripped down, Strokes-ish set. Miss Trullie looks like a cross between Mia Farrow and Tabitha from Bravo’s Tabitha’s Salon Takeover, and she has the exact sort of attitude you might expect from a hybrid of those two women. Rocking out in her heels and leather jacket, at one moment she’d succinctly direct the audience with a “don’t fuck with me.” Yet she’d offset that with her languid rocker aesthetic. The crowd was unbelievably psyched when “Self Taught Learner” and her cover of Hot Chip’s “Ready for the Floor” were played, and after seeing Lissy Trullie last night we know one thing: her upward orbit will keep going full-speed for quite some time.




***A phrase I toss around that must be credited to an old colleague at The Big Takeover magazine, who once used the term “another vegetable from the Coldplay garden” in reference to Keane. Sigh. Those were different times. Tangent complete.

Lissy Trullie



The Rumble Strips

Photos c/o Mark Iantosca

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 09:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

OY VEY! Someone’s gonna have a hangover tomorrow!!!! Shoot an email right now to rsvpsantos@gmail.com, and you'll get the discounted rate ($5) for tonight’s hot mess at Santos Party House.

Bulldozier Presents:
The Official Girl Talk Afterparty - hosted by Andrew WK !

@ Santos Party House - 100 Lafayette St. NYC
10pm - 4am
2 floor blowout with:

Live:
Grand Buffet
CX Kidtronik
The Death Set (DJ set)
Hearts Of Darknesses
Passions
Bad Brilliance

Bulldozier DJ's:
Jerry Island
DJ Falconcrest
Digi Diana
DJ Urbindex
Doors @ 10 PM $5 w/RSVP, $10 dos
BOTH FLOORS

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 01:15 PM | Permalink

If you long for the days of underground bars and off-the-path dancing halls, Brooklyn's got a handful of art house cinemas that can loosely be compared to a cinematic speakeasy - mostly because they're awesome and aren't $15 dates. Brooklyn Based compiled a short list of the borough's "underground and established cinematheques", alongside a brief overview of their programming. Here's your next cool date idea. If it gets you laid, don't thank me, thank the independent spirit!

The overview:

Where is it: Cine 16 @ Starr Space, 108-110 Starr St., Bushwick What you'll see: Mostly experimental film featuring silent shorts scored live by local bands!

Where is it: Light Industry @ Third Floor of 55 33rd St., Industry City, Sunset Park
What you'll see: Experimental film and art, each of which is hosted and organized by a guest curator, artist, or critic.

Where is it: BAMcinematek @ BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene
What you'll see: An eclectic mix of local and international, experimental and classic films.

Danke, Brooklyn Based; picture via Bushwick Culture.

Posted by Brian Ries at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Pitchfork's got a new book called The Pitchfork 500: Our Guide to the Greatest Songs from Punk to the Present, and they're throwing a little release party at The Gutter (200 N. 14th St. between Wythe and Berry) next Wednesday, Nov. 26 from 9pm - 2am.

As for the book, I'll let Pitchfork explain:

This handy paperback chronologically explores Pitchfork's 500 favorite songs from 1977-2006, constructing an alternate history of the past three decades of popular music-- one that extends beyond the typical Baby Boomer-approved canon of the Clash, Prince, Public Enemy, Nirvana, Radiohead, and Outkast.

From art-rock and proto-punk godfathers such as Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, and David Bowie to today's leading lights such as the Arcade Fire, the White Stripes, and Kanye West; from superstars to cult heroes; and from punk, indie, and pop to hip-hop, electronic music, and metal, we've created the ultimate playlist. Interspersed throughout are sidebars on the most vital subgenres from electro to grime to riot grrrl, along with pieces like "Career Killers: The Songs That Ended It All" and "Runaway Trainwrecks: The Post-Grunge Nadir."

Find it in your local book store or get it from Insound, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and a million other places.

Posted by Brian Ries at 09:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

If you part your hair to the side and frequent Daddy's, you might be a daddy. Read on...it's from Craigslist:

So we hooked up about three weeks ago on a weeknight after we met at Daddy's. I remember we both had work the next day. We talked for a while (about our jobs and the election) before moving along... I think we really had something. It may have been sex, because I'm pregnant. I thought you were very cute--average build and your hair was parted to one side. I remember you were really sweet and I hope you send me an email so we can do it again.

And by "do it again" she means get naked....or deposit your first of a lifetime of child payments. Somebody man up.

Picture via bitchcakesny

Posted by Brian Ries at 06:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A possibly drunk blogger named "Brow" wrote an open letter to hipsters after visiting Williamsburg last weekend. He's onto something that sounds very apocolyptic of hipster culture, and I think he hates you.

Hipsterdom, the very zenith of counterculturalsim was in danger, as all fads are, of trying to outdo itself, tripping itself up in its own quest and unraveling ultimately because of it. Up in Boston they are a stronger force in the population, less easily discernible, but the soul of the movement has a healthy froth here and what I heard of in New York stands to undermine everything.

And he goes on...

Everyone has exclusionary groups until they become imperialist. Think hard america, its time for the great ecumenical movement within art to cast these heathens out, for the sake of everyone else.

Read the whole thing, Brow.

Posted by Brian Ries at 05:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

If everyone in America has already seen this, we apologize for posting it. But we just discovered it and it made our morning. [Thanks Eric]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Wolf Parade

I don’t believe there is such a thing as a bad Wolf Parade show, since the band is one of those anomaly groups that just always sounds great. So we didn’t mind trekking onto NJ Transit to the newly reopened Wellmont Theatre in Montclair on Friday to see 'em. The venue wasn’t filled to capacity but it was still clogged with college students and other young peeps, giving it more the feel of a Wolf Parade show from 4-5 years ago (which made for a lovely night).

Canadian band Listening Party served as the openers, and their Animal Collective meets Rusted Root vibe was well received, if only by the very small crowd that had arrived to catch their 8 pm set. Their unique percussion section was especially intriguing, since it incorporated a trashcan, bucket, and maracas.

This isn’t the first time Wolf Parade has hit the NYC-area since the release of At Mount Zoomer in June. They’ve been touring consistently in 2008, and with members’ side projects (like Sunset Rubdown and Handsome Furs) factoring in extra live dates and obligations, it makes for a hefty schedule. But Friday’s was a stellar set regardless of any fatigue the band might have been experiencing. Even when some detritus from the ceiling fell directly onto keyboardist/singer Spencer Krug, the band took it in stride and burst right into “Grounds For Divorce.” They were gracious to be playing in NJ for the first time, and for fans it was a welcomed change from their summer sets at a jam-packed Terminal 5.

Time will tell if The Bowery Presents’ new venture will be able to extend more music junkies away from the urban hipster vortex, but Friday night was awesome and we’re glad we checked it out.

Wolf Parade

Wolf Parade



Listening Party



These kids are fuckin' rad!

Photos c/o Clarissa Roudabush

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

There's a Prop 8 protest today at 1:30 at city hall, and if you're around Bedford the owner of Houndstooth is opening her doors as a meeting place before hand - like, now. It's located at 485 Driggs Ave. between N.9th and N.10th streets just 3 blocks from the Bedford stop on the L.

The protest is by Marriage Equality NY, and is for Join the Impact, part of a 300-city, 1 million person strong protest..

Posted by Brian Ries at 12:27 PM | Permalink

image c/o drunkandincharge

From a tipster

I was riding my bike over the Williamsburg bridge today and I cut across the sidewalk behind continental army plaza to get to the street. I was on the sidewalk for a stretch of about 10 feet and there were no pedestrians in sight. Suddenly, a cop across the street yelled at me to get off my bike and produce identification. He then proceeded to write me not just a ticket, but an actual court summons for riding my bike on the sidewalk. While he was getting my information, two other cops emerged and stopped more cyclists. With the gang activity we often hear about near the bridge, I was confused as to why cops were prioritizing bike infractions at an area that wasn't particularly crowded, and I asked the officer about it. He actually apologized to me for writing the ticket (I didn't even know this was a law), telling me he was just doing his job and that the officers were specifically instructed to target cyclists for several hours. "Everyone in this neighborhood has a bicycle, so we are starting to spend more energy on bicycle infractions. Expect to see more of this in the future and stay off the sidewalks." Whatever. I guess the city is broke, after all. So much for being green, and it seems awfully silly to target cyclists for riding on the sidewalk when they won't even build us bike lanes

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)

img via animalvegetable

A big THANK YOU to Assemblyman Joe Lentol (D–Williamsburg) who is "outraged" about the recent news that Paterson is closing East River State Park. He told the Brooklyn Paper recently that he "promised to fight to keep the tiny green space open — especially considering that other parks upstate are facing less severe service reductions, like the cancellation of snow plowing."

Everyone go email Joe and tell him thanks and good luck: lentolj@ assembly.state.ny.us, and to please work to make that happen. We have very little green space in Williamsburg, so every little bit counts.

Posted by Brian Ries at 05:09 PM | Permalink

image c/o Gowanus Lounge, Bob Guskind

There's a new Greek joint on Grand. More information and a menu in our restaurant section. Has anybody been? If so, let us know what you think in comments. For now, it's cash only with no booze until December. As always, let us know if we've missed any recent bar or restaurant openings.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

img via deneyterrio....that's not me fyi

I went to the New York chapter of Mustaches for Kids last night at Ace Bar in LES. They're a group that grows mustaches every year to raise money for local public school students. It's like running a marathon where people pledge money, but in this case you're running around your upper lip growing out mustache hair. Naturally, due to my impressionable nature I got excited the moment I learned all this, so I signed up on the spot. I shaved my face when I got home.

Throughout the next four weeks, I'll be attending weekly mustache checkpoints at a handful of bars around the city, comparing mustache-growth with the other Growers. I'll also be harassing my friends, family, and everyone else I know for money to help me meet my goal (it's not set yet). I recommend you visit the NYC chapter page and see all the Growers and their respective charities on the leaderboard, and maybe think about donating a buck or two. I don't have my personal page set up yet, but it'll be set up here. I'll try and chronicle the growth as well, so you can follow along with every millimeter of facial hair that sprouts out both on FREEwilly and at $ries. And hey - why not grow with me?! The more mustaches the merrier!

Posted by Brian Ries at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Cory Arcangel is one of the few media artists that can utilize humor and technology to provide an entertaining and intellectually rewarding experience. Tonight his third solo show opens at Team—another personal favorite. Definitely make sure to check it out!

Oh and if you are lucky enough to get in, Arcangel is holding a special performance at the New Museum. It is a critique of technology’s play on our attention spans.

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 10:49 AM | Permalink

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:41 AM | Permalink

If you made it out to any Todd P shows in the last year or so, you've most likely been asked if you would like a copy of Showpaper-- a combination of music/arts listings, missed connections and some pretty interesting illustrations. I must admit that it's been a huge resource for finding out about the better avant-garde/DIY shows in Brooklyn, and I'm a little addicted to reading the missed connections.

Anyway, today Showpaper is holding a benefit show at Danbro Studios Warehouse. I was lucky enough to speak with one of the organizers Joseph Ahearn to discuss Showpaper’s contribution to the Brooklyn arts scene and its future plans for expansion.

How was the Showpaper idea formulated? Could you give some background on yourself and everyone involved?

I wasn't the one who came up with the idea of Showpaper. When I first began volunteering for Todd P, back in 2006, he was already talking about the idea, how silly it was that there were so many fractured different all ages communities throughout the tri-state area, and how there wasn't one integral place in which all the shows could be found. How much he loved the newsprint format, and how it was too bad that the current scene the same 'zine and self-publishing enthusiasm as previous music communities he'd been part of.

More after the jump.

It was still almost a full year until the first issue came out, but it was definitely being talked about even then. I wasn't even part of the first few months either, besides helping with distribution whenever possible. Maggie Matela has been designing the layout since day one, and many of the other kids from that first incarnation are still on board, like Alaina Stamatis (who runs a booking agency now, called The Secret Agency) and Julian Bennett-Holmes, who's in this awesome band called Fiasco. Around the end of the first summer a bunch of the initial kid's who were volunteering had to head back out to school, work, etc, and a new wave started helping out, including myself and Edan (who books shows in Brooklyn with his friend Dave as Entertainment4Every1).

What's Showpaper's role in the arts community currently?

We try and take relatively unknown artists and expose them to the show-throwing and music-enthused community throughout the Tri-State, and take relatively well-known artists, and make their work accessible in a way it isn't, typically, to that same group. The art world can seem frightening when only viewed in white boxes, so I like to consider Showpaper as almost like a gallery that people get to fold up in their pockets.

Do you feel it’s important to have outlets like yours to support the arts community?

It's necessary. I understand the function and system of the art world in New York, but I also go to the house shows and see this overwhelming out-pouring of energy currently in the music community and want to help, in whatever capacity, see some of that energy transferred into visual work. One of the biggest reasons why I think there are so many new "alternative" performance spaces right now is that a certain critical mass was reached within the last year where anyone with the desire to organize music events stumbled into someone's living room and went, "Really? I can do just... do this?" and then they went home and started calling their friends and setting it up. I want those same kids to see the artwork and go, "Wow! I can do that, too!"

How do you plan to expand Showpaper's reach?

Like I started saying above, I'd like more "DIY" art shows. There are already a great group of artists and spaces in Bushwick right now, and I'd like the opportunity to explore more of people are doing visual with their personal spaces throughout the rest of the Tri-State Area. I'd like Showpaper to begin organize more art events, and a few are already in the works which I'm pretty excited about. We just finished out first open call for submissions (which we had never previously done, publicly), and we were swamped in so much exciting work that we're going to have a group show of a bunch of our favorites, along with James Moore, who's work will be on the cover of the next issue of the paper.

Has funding been mostly DIY? How does the benefit help Showpaper expand its mission?

The funding has been entirely community-based at this point, which is incredibly difficult and exciting at the same time. Mostly we try and raise money through organizing benefit shows, but we ask for donations at shows when we're down to the wire for an issue, or do things like sell ice pops at shows over the summer. Essentially, we're supported by the same community that reads the paper, which is a really great feeling.

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This Arianna Huffington impersonation is spot on. Hat tip Gawker.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 05:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Sea and Cake

Death Vessel

The Music Hall of Williamsburg hosted three ultra-mellow groups on Tuesday, with tons of tenderness and appreciation in the air. Twi the Humble Feather were the first openers. If someone had dropped a pin, you could've heard it as the band took the stage in a compact row of dueling acoustic guitars. Their sound is as idiosyncratic as their name – bizarre chirping, humming, and murmuring accompanied the trio of guitars as they sang about spaceships in the forest and other unintelligible topics.

Filling the next slot was Death Vessel a.k.a. singer-songwriter Joel Thibodeau, whose soprano vocals border on androgyny. He stood stoically in place for his entire set, and played a delicate set of lullaby-like songs, including “Jitterakadie” and “Obadiah in Oblivion.” Save for violin accompaniment on several songs, Thibodeau managed to delight the room all on his own.

They’ve been at it for quite a few years, but last night's headliners The Sea and Cake still managed to make their fans swoon with their placid charm and expansive repertoire. On the heels of their new record Car Alarm’s release last month, TS&C churned out a number of newer tunes, but plenty of fan favorites kept the audience cozy. The group’s comfort on stage and with their material proved a nice reminder: some indie bands can avoid the usual fizzle/burnout complex, and instead retain the elements that make them worthy in the first place – even after a decade or longer.

Twi the Humble Feather

Death Vessel

The Sea and Cake

Photos c/o Mark Iantosca

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 02:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

If you're free at 6:30pm tonight please go protest Proposition 8 tonight outside the New York Manhattan Mormon Temple at 125 Columbus Ave at 65th Street. For a bit more info, check out the organizer's interview with Gothamist.

And in case you're like, "but why are we protesting the Mormons?", he has your answer:

"The anger is not towards Mormons, but rather towards the leaders of the Mormon Church, who purposely spread lies about gays and lesbians to create an atmosphere of fear and hatred."

Posted by Brian Ries at 11:52 AM | Permalink

So. freaking. cool. This morning, "liberal pranksters" as they're being called descended on New York to hand out a free future copy of the New York Times, dated July 4th 2009, full of headlines like "Iraq War Ends!", "USA Patriot Act Repealed", and "National Health Insurance Act Passes". There's also a website. We won't say who they are because it's more fun that way, but if you do a little research you can find for yourself.

For instance, Gawker totally ruined the party. Word is, once they posted the e-mail, the people behind the prank had to move the vans and effectively change plans. I spoke with a friend who helped hand out copies this morning, who heard another say "All they did was post the email that was sent out. Real impressive journalistic investigation there, guys." Ha!

Here's the story, from the Times itself:

In an elaborate hoax, pranksters distributed hundreds or possibly thousands of free copies of a spoof edition of The New York Times on Wednesday morning at busy subway stations around the city, including Grand Central Terminal, Washington and Union Squares, the 14th and 23rd Street stations along Eighth Avenue, and Pacific Street in Brooklyn, among others.

“I would say if you’ve got one, hold on to it,” Mr. Jones, a former Times reporter, said of the fake issue. “It will probably be a collector’s item. I’m just glad someone thinks The New York Times print edition is worthy of an elaborate hoax. A Web spoof would have been infinitely easier. But creating a print newspaper and handing it out at subway stations? That takes a lot of effort.”

Get more at NYTimes; Gawker; and BuzzFeed.

Update: Gothamist has a video press release (woah! it IS the future!):

New York Times Special Edition Video News Release - Nov. 12, 2008 from H Schweppes on Vimeo.

Posted by Brian Ries at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

photo via nicholasian

Our popular little waterfront spot, East River State Park, is closing up shop for the winter "as part of Gov. Paterson's sweeping budget cuts", reports the Post. You've still got a few months to enjoy, but once the gates close in January there will be no fishing for oysters until springtime. More at NBCnewyork.

Posted by Brian Ries at 08:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

No Age

No Age ♥'s Bklyn, and the feeling is mutual. It was demonstrably clear at The Market Hotel on Monday night, as they rollicked through favorite material and held up their reputation as a fantastic live act. The duo seem to fit something much larger and abstract into the rubric of punk music, and their dissonance and feedback suited the venue and rowdy fans well. Exuberant people crowd surfed, moshed (haven’t used that term in a while!) and even snatched the band’s beers off the stage - ultimately ending their night quite sweaty and satisfied.

The opening bands included Soft Circle and Titus Andronicus, who contrasted each other a great deal. Soft Circle’s Hisham Bharooch (ex- Black Dice) is a one man psych/math rock/multi-instrumentist band. Utilizing looped beats, guttural vocals, and maniacal percussion skills, it's safe to say that he left the audience thoroughly impressed.

A bit less brilliant were Titus Andronicus, whose desultory appeal and constant crowd interaction (“Let’s have fun! We’re having fun! It’s a good time to be alive! Rock 'n' roll!”) didn’t have the proper effect on the crowd – and there was plenty of heckling to go around as a result. The group schizophrenically oscillated from influence to influence, with each song sounding fundamentally different from the next. One minute they recalled an indie garage outfit, then the band would alternate to a classic punk feel, and yet the next moment the group would churn out a penchant for roots rock 'n' roll. Not the most intuitive or captivating performance of the night, especially when they closed with a maladroit cover of "Where Eagles Dare."

Soft Circle

Titus Andronicus

Photos c/o Mark Iantosca

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 07:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

FREEwilliamsburg founder Robert Lanham is sounding off on Proposition 8 over at Huffington Post. Here's a taste:

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Californians voted to overturn same-sex marriage. But it is disheartening that they're getting all the blame. After all, by collectively rubber-stamping the Obama campaign's "politically safe" pro-civil unions stance, democrats were inadvertent enablers.

Consider, for example how unfriendly the Obama camp was to same-sex couples during the Biden/Palin debate:

GWEN IFILL: Let's try to avoid nuance, Senator. Do you support gay marriage?
BIDEN: No. Barack Obama nor I support redefining from a civil side what constitutes marriage.....
PALIN: Your question to him was whether he supported gay marriage and my answer is the same as his and it is that I do not.
IFILL: Wonderful. You agree. On that note, let's move to foreign policy.

I don't remember if Palin winked for effect, but I'm assuming she didn't. She'd already knocked it out of the park. This could have been the "gotcha moment" the drooling, caddish pundits had so eagerly awaited. But since America long ago concluded that no candidate in his/her right mind could ever confess to supporting gay marriage, it failed to deliver. Instead, the "gotcha" intended for Biden came at the expense of same-sex couples striving for what the Constitution promises: equal rights.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 03:50 PM | Permalink

The Heart of Brooklyn partnership, which includes cultural institutions like the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Museum, and Prospect Park Zoo is offering a "cultural bus route", aimed at getting people from Williamsburg, Red Hook and Bay Ridge straight to Downtown Brooklyn. It's one of three free shuttles around NYC that will feature an onboard tour guide throwing around loads of coupons meant to get your lazy ass to downtown Brooklyn, and no excuses!

NYPress has the info:

The Heart of Brooklyn (HOB) Connection includes three programs: Target First Saturdays Shuttle, Saturday Scene, and Museum Mile to Brooklyn Style. The Museum Mile to Brooklyn Style loops between two locations in Manhattan and a number of Brooklyn's cultural destinations.

The Saturday Scene shuttle is free transportation from Williamsburg, Red Hook and Bay Ridge to Downtown Brooklyn. And the Target First Saturdays Shuttle brings passengers from the Brooklyn Museum's First Saturday event (the museum is free to visitors from 5 to 11 the first Saturday of each month) to local restaurants in the area. Check out the HOB Connection web site for times and routes.

For times and locations, visit the Heart of Brooklyn website.

Posted by Brian Ries at 03:06 PM | Permalink

photo by ryan muir, c/o brooklyn vegan

As it turns out, one of the arrestees from last Tuesday night's Bedford & North 7th Obama street party was the drummer for the New York-based band Up The Empire. The Hartford Courant reports that he spent nearly 20 hours in jail, but doesn't say under what charges. A spokesperson for the band issued the following response:

"An officer came up to Ben, telling him to get on the sidewalk - which he was only a foot from - and pushed him with his shield and then poked him with his billybat. He continued to push, yelling 'Get on the sidewalk!' even though, at this point, he was already on the sidewalk. He then pushed him into a giant pile of trash, knocking over my girlfriend in the process, and fell on top of him. Then a bunch of other cops dog-piled and rolled him into the street onto broken glass before handcuffing him and taking him away."

The timing's not so bad, really, if you're a believer of the school of "All publicity is good publicity", as the band is releasing a new four-song EP, "Loose Ends" next month.

Update: Gothamist got the word from Ben back on Thursday (the drummer) about his charges...sounds craptastic, as expected. I hope they end up dropping the misdemeanor and disorderlys too. Now you guys have to buy Loose Ends....

"Ben Lord (who is shown being arrested in one of the videos), tells us, "they tried pushing through a felony charge but it got dropped to a misdemeanor class A...plus three counts of disorderly conduct. They were going to let me out after about 4 hrs when I was just at the 94th, but then the cop came in complaining about his broken finger and I was put back in the cell." And allegedly an arresting officer was heard saying: "Everyone's just pissed because our taxes are going to go up" (one was even wearing a McCain/Palin shirt down in the precinct)."

Posted by Brian Ries at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Frida Hyvönen is playing twice this week in NYC – and both will be intimate sets, perfect for demonstrating her sound and talent. Hyvönen is a Scandinavian pianist-vocalist sensation, and she’s been getting more and more attention of late with her new album (which hit stores last Tuesday).

Go check her out before she explodes into a nebula of fame and fortune!!!

c/o fridahyvonen.com

The dates are:
11/11 - Googie's Lounge above the Living Room (154 Ludlow Street)


11/12 - Church of Sweden (5 East 48th Street between 5th and Madison Ave)

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 01:07 PM | Permalink

by Dave Thomas

James Bond: Quantum of Solace

With the sudden departure of The Soloist, Fanboys and The Road from the roster, November just got a little less interesting, but I'm confident James Bond and Danny Boyle will help me forget.

Just Opened

ROLE MODELS

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott do the whole man-child learns values by mentoring actual children thing.

WILL IT SUCK?
David Wain directs and co-writes with some of his State cohorts. Love The State. Haven't been as impressed with State alums' film work since (though I have yet to see Wet Hot American Summer...I know, I know). I will say this, however, the red band trailer is much funnier than the, um, green band trailer.
Oh, and Elizabeth Banks is officially in every movie coming out this year.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
2nd frame of the much-higher profile Zack and Miri's gonna hurt and this week you've got Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson in Soul Men. $18mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
No.

--------------------------------------------

MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
The Madagascar animals go to the plain-y part of Africa instead of the jungle-y part.

WILL IT SUCK?

Same director. Same cast with additions like Sacha Baron Cohen and the late, great Bernie Mac. Looks like they've got new writers this time, including a guy who worked on Tropic Thunder and Idiocracy.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
It's not that Quantum of Solace is going after the same audience, but it will be a drag on the second frame. $194mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
They didn't remember the first one.

--------------------------------------------

SOUL MEN

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Sam Jackson and Bernie Mac try to put their 70's soul act back together.

WILL IT SUCK?
Director Malcom D. Lee (The Best Man, Undercover Brother) more often than not brings it (Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins notwithstanding) but a bigger concern is the writing team behind Life penning the screenplay. Seeing Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes in the same film (both passed on the same weekend) is sure to make one misty, but the chemistry between Mac and Jackson could be interesting.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Bernie Mac has to fight himself in Madagascar this week before Quantom of Solace knocks everything out of play the following week. $38mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
No, but it will be sad to see Mac and Hayes in the dear departed montage.

--------------------------------------------

THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Boy becomes friends with a prisoner in his dad's Nazi concentration camp. This can't end well.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is strong. From writer/director Mark Herman, he of the excellent Brassed Off and Little Voice. David Thewlis plays the dad in what looks to be some real tour de force shit.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Two major indie releases next week could obscure this in the long run. $1mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Depending upon the push from Miramax, who has this film's opposite number to promote in Happy-Go-Lucky, you could see Thewlis up for something, with a longer shot for screenplay or one of the boys.

--------------------------------------------

REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Musical taking place in a dystopian future where replacement organs are sold and, if you miss a payment, get repossessed.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good in a very cult classic sort of way. Interesting to see this as Saw II, III and IV director Darren Lynn Bousman's first step out of that wheelhouse (check out this episode of "The Business" for the fascinating story). From the writers of the original cult musical. Interesting casting as well. Anthony Head plays the repo man in question, and I can't think of a better first lead for him. Andrew Lloyd Webber vet Sarah Brightman is up in here, too, along with an all-growns-up former Spy Kid Alexa Vega. Oh, and Paris Hilton.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Being a cult classic almost precludes you from making a lot of money until you come out on DVD. $6mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Might even be too out there for the Indie Spirit Awards.

--------------------------------------------

HOUSE

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Kind of like a Christian Saw.

WILL IT SUCK?
As you may or may not know there is a Christian horror novel genre of which Frank Peretti is the Stephen King. This movie is based on a novel he co-wrote with Ted Dekker (the Dean Koontz?) in 2006. Peretti also co-wrote the screenplay. Robby Henson, who helmed a film version of Dekker's Thr3e, directs. Buzz has it that Thr3e (the movie) pretty much sucked so I'm not breaking out the champaign for this one just yet.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Will build on the modest b.o. of Thr3e. $2mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Not so much.

--------------------------------------------

JCVD

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself in this satirical version of his life in which he, down on his luck and out of money, gets caught up in a real-life bank robbery.

WILL IT SUCK?
This one has my vote on concept alone. Fortunately it has the good early buzz to back it up.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Travolta set the standard. If you want to revive your career, go indie. Unfortunately, this isn't Tarantino's follow-up to Reservoir Dogs so it's not going to have quite the same effect. $2mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
That would be awesome. Jean-Claude Van Damme gets a nod for taking the piss out of himself. But no.

--------------------------------------------
November 14
--------------------------------------------

QUANTUM OF SOLACE

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
James Bond vs. raised expectations.

WILL IT SUCK?
Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, Stranger Than Fiction) is a good director, but is he a good action director? The trailers seem to indicate yes, but there's a big difference between a great shot and a great sequence. I have no doubt he can handle the dramatic elements. The same writing team from Royale returns. And Mathieu Amalric as the villain may be what I'm looking forward to the most.

Early buzz isn't as impressed with it as with Royale, but it is impressed.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
With the departure of Harry Potter, this is the premiere action event of the fall. $168mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
If any action film gets Academy love this year, it'll be The Dark Knight.

--------------------------------------------

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Kid from the streets of Mumbai makes it big on the Indan version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is strong. Won the People's Choice Award at Toronto. And this is Danny Boyle directing, son. One of the most underrated directors out there.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
This is one of the most anticipated indies of the season, and it's got a strong rep as a crowd-pleaser. And Fox Searchlight knows how to market crowdpleasers, which is probably why they snatched it from the jaws of Warner Independent's demise. $15mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
It's making a few short lists, and the variety of films jumping ship (The Soloist, The Road) means slots are opening up. Where I might have only pegged this for Screenplay before, I now think Director is a realistic possibility, too.

--------------------------------------------

A CHRISTMAS TALE

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
One of them there family reunion Christmas flicks, but, you know, in French.

WILL IT SUCK?
Reunites Matheiu Amalric and Anne Consigny from Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Catherine Deneuve and Jean-Paul Roussilson from Kings and Queen, one of writer/director Arnaud Desplechin's previous efforts. This is, in fact, his highest rated film on IMDB. Early buzz elsewhere is outstanding. And, personally, I can't wait to see Amalric play the drunk sheep of the family.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Kind of a crowded time for something like this to get noticed. $500,000.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
With the French submission for Best Foreign going to The Class, it's unlikely.

--------------------------------------------
November 21
--------------------------------------------

BOLT

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Animated tale in which a celebrity dog, convinced he has the superpowers of the character he plays, must fend for himself in NYC.

WILL IT SUCK?
First time directors but the writers (one of whom directs) have worked on stuff like Cars and The Emporer's New Groove, so there's hope. Oh and the voice cast includes James Lipton and Randy "Macho Man" Savage, and all I can say is, it's about freakin' time we got those two together.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Let's see, Miley Cyrus is one of the voices and there's a talking dog. Twilight may have a fight on its hands. $125mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Maybe if we go to five again on the number of nominees.

--------------------------------------------

TWILIGHT

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
The CW Presents True Blood

WILL IT SUCK?
Director Catherine Hardwicke's work gets increasingly bland as you go from Thirteen to Lords of Dogtown to The Nativity Story, so I'm not as psyched to see her at the helm as I would have been in 2004. Melissa Rosenberg, who adapts the best-selling tween sensation, has scripted her fair share of Dexter eps, but she's also written a few Birds of Prey as well, and this is much more in the latter category. But, hey, it's got Peter Facinelli (from the Best. Show. Ever.), so what am I worried about?

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
This and Quantum will own November. $128mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Biggest Beneficiary of Harry Potter Switching Release Dates

--------------------------------------------

SPECIAL

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
A man in a pharmaceutical trial (Michael Rappaport) believes he's developing superpowers.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is great. A festival fave. Rappaport is supposed to be outstanding.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Buzz should carry it through a fairly light weekend. $2mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Probably won't make it onto the radar. But if it did, I'd look at Rappaport.

--------------------------------------------
November 26
--------------------------------------------

TRANSPORTER 3

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
T-Bag hires Transporter to do some shit.

WILL IT SUCK?
Luc Besson reteams with his frequent writing partner (including the previous two Transporters) Robert Mark Kamen (The Karate Kid) on this installment. Seems they've added an element (if Transporter leaves a 75 foot radius of his car, he gets blowed up) that will ensure the action stays around the car, which is probably a good idea.

I'm one of the few folks who actually liked Transporter 2 better, so I don't really know what to expect. Although the trailer pretty much tells you the whole movie from beginning to end. What I'm actually psyched for, though, is the addition of Robert Knepper (the aforementioned T-Bag from Prison Break) to the cast. He's how villainy is done.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I think it's actually a very smart move to open a mid-level action franchise installment over a major holiday weekend. It's counterprogramming to all the romcom/family-friendly/dramatic shit that's around. Although I feel this was as much a strategy to keep this film as far away as possible from Quantum of Solace. Nothing really to fear from the Punisher reboot the following week. $59mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
No. But who else wants to see a Driving Miss Daisy remake with Statham at the wheel?

--------------------------------------------

FOUR CHRISTMASES

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Meet the Parents Individually

WILL IT SUCK?
I would have never guessed in a million years that this would be the follow-up project for King of Kong director Seth Gordon, but now that I know, I'm a little more interested. Of the four writers, little is known except that two wrote Rebound. That cancels out Kong, I think.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Australia causes a bit of friction but I think this has the bigger stars and the better genre. Between Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughan you'll pack 'em in. $72mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
No. But who else wants Vince to host the Oscars drunk?

--------------------------------------------

AUSTRALIA

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Sprawling romantic epic set in the title with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.

WILL IT SUCK?
I've been pretty happy with writer/director Baz Luhrman's work so far (Moulin Rouge, Strictly Ballroom), and his co-writers have done stuff like The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Pirates of the Caribbean. That having been said, the only thing I like about the trailer is the old school Casablanca font on the titles.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Bloom is off the rose for Kidman and Four Christmases will get the vote of more of the guys in couples looking to see something romantic. $44mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Nobody thought Moulin Rouge had a shot when it burst on the scene, and that garnered eight nods and two wins, and this flick is even more in the Academy's wheelhouse.

--------------------------------------------

MILK

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Bio-pic about the legendary gay activist and politician Harvey Milk.

WILL IT SUCK?
Sean Penn plays Milk, and the rest of the cast ain't too shabby either, with Diego Luna, Emile Hirsch, James Franco and Josh Brolin as Milk's assassin, Dan White. Writer did a bunch of Big Love's and the director is noneother than Gus Van Sant.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Frost/Nixon is a pretty serious contender the following week, but it's got this week all to itself. $8mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
With the quickly thinning field, chances are even better for this to be up for most awards, including Picture, Director, Screenplay, Penn for Actor and any of a host of actors for Supporting, including Brolin, who could see himself up for Supporting and Lead in the same year (depending upon W.'s fortunes).

Next Month: Valkyrie finally comes out. Yeah, right. I'll believe that when I decide not to see it.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Take a trip back a few weeks and relive the 18 days preceding our most recent election, Sunday night at 3rd Ward. This looks pretty cool.

We know the results of the election (and they couldn't be better), but this month, Moviehouse invites you to take an intimate look at the people and communities that make up our Swing States in Red Blue Roadtrip. Moviehouse founder, Chris Henderson and Graham Meriwether travel through 12 swings states in the 18 days preceding the election, capturing portraits of 18 communities large and small, wealthy and impoverished, rural, and urban.

Then, Daniel Ross and Tom Vigliotta examine the decline of NYCs manufacturing industry in Uncertain Industry. Over the last 50 years manufacturing jobs in NYC have shrunk from 1 million to 100,000. The filmmakers explore what losing losing this vital source of jobs meant for New York City's economy.

This free screening series, brings the very best in local filmmaking to 3rd Ward every 2nd Sunday. The evening begins with drinks, snacks and beats from VJ Clay Franklin and ends in a lively discussion with the filmmakers.

3rd Ward is at 195 Morgan Ave. Doors are at 7, films at 8, and its FREE! Booya for Sunday night movie nights.

Posted by Brian Ries at 08:27 PM | Permalink

Go get some sweet cheap kicks at KCDC this weekend.

Come through! Tons of shoes on sale starting @ $20. Vans, Es, Emerica, Etnies, Lakai, DVS, Vox. Also all womens clothing is 20% off. Tons of new stuff on the shelves as well.

KCDC's at 90 n. 11th street at wythe.

Posted by Brian Ries at 01:47 PM | Permalink

AHAHHAHAHHA!

Ninjasonik is awesome, but their new video is sort of not OK. I've found myself watching it on loop all day, wondering whether it's funny or awful. Is Jah Jah being ironic? Is he finding irony ironic? Does he really like art school girls and their unkemp hair and their canvas stretching? Or is he mocking?

Such an enigma.

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 01:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Have you ever closed your eyes and imagined you were a video camera being both verbally and physically abused by a police officer in riot gear? And when the cop said to "get out of my face", you just didn't want to because everything going on was just so exciting? Me too, so we're in luck! Videogum posted that exact footage today, taken during the Obama-Bedford insanity of the other night. They humorously note, "If anything, this video proves it's possible to yell and whine at the same time."

via Videogum

Posted by Brian Ries at 03:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

It's only been a few weeks, but tonight's your last chance to catch the Hoodies, Wheelies & Movies series, which wraps up with the late-80's classic Rad. More info on Facebook.

From Gothamist:

Tonight our very own Billy Parker closes the curtains on his Hoodies, Wheelies & Movies series with a screening of Rad. The 1986 BMX movie might not be a must-see for some, but it's a classic nonetheless (watch the original movie trailer here).

It's at Cafe Grumpy in Greenpoint (192 Meserole Ave), and its free! Grab your favorite hoodie and check it out.

Posted by Brian Ries at 01:46 PM | Permalink

Lately I've become a huge fan of North Carolina’s Bowerbirds. The group plays a finespun blend of rural folk, with hints of gypsy and earthchild influences - and they should be on your radar as well! Here’s the video for “In Our Talons,” which exemplifies their creepy yet gentle quality:

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 09:30 AM | Permalink

Nothing like an Eyebeam Mixer. There aren't many parties where you will get served by a robot.

Image c/o Josh Granger

This time it will feature music from Roxy Cottontail, Judi Chicago, and DJ N-Ron. Art installations will include works by Benton-C Bainridge, Drayton Hiers, Christina Kral, Dan Ribaudo, Jeff Feddersen, Tetsu Kondo, Brian Whiton, JooYoon Paek, Chris Kaczmarek, Rob O'Neill, and Jon Cohrs.

More info. here.

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 01:58 PM | Permalink

Bodega (1089 Broadway) is opening You Fat, Ugly Bitch: A Tribute to Cathy tonight, and should be a pretty hilarious/fun/depressing look into the heart of the lives of the average American woman.

From Vice:

Those sweat drops forever exploding from her anxious brow, the constant declarations of hysteria and defeat, an addiction to all things that signify desperation...what's there not to love about Cathy except, oh, everything? Toast that annoying whiner tomorrow at Bodega's artistic tribute to her awful existence.

Posted by Brian Ries at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

From tomorrow through Sunday, Brooklyn Industries is having a huge sale. According to Racked, it includes "Menswear, womenswear, and bags are up to 75% off—meaning the average price is about $25." Our closest location is 162 Bedford Ave. [Corner of N 8th].

Update: looks like this offer is only at the Broadway "pop up shop". thanks patrick!

Posted by Brian Ries at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Check out these morning zoo douchebags from Tampa. They went on the air yesterday in black face. Christ, change may be coming but it's going to have to deal with the stupidity that's already here (and destined to get louder). Thanks Rumproast.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

From the Times:

Police officers arrested three people, and issued summonses to five others, early Wednesday after a crowd of hundreds of people surged into the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to celebrate Barack Obama’s election as president of the United States, the police said.

He goes on to say they didn't break any laws, and that most of the crowd was well behaved, but a few were getting rowdy. As for the abuse?

Mr. Browne said the officers behaved appropriately. He said the crowd included about 450 people and at times some in the crowd were acting raucous. People were drinking beer and some were apparently pouring beer from rooftops, he said. He said that most people complied with the officers’ orders, but a few did not. Five people were issued summonses for disorderly conduct, Mr. Browne said. Three others, who were not immediately identified, were arrested.

Some cops were hurt, too. I think this explains why the kinda snapped...

In addition, a duty captain at the scene suffered injuries to his face and head after being hit by a bottle and a police officer injured his back when he was pushed by crowds and fell down, Mr. Browne said. No arrests were made in connection with those two incidents.

Get the full story at City Room.

Posted by Brian Ries at 04:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

This time with boobies....

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 03:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

[hat tip Gothamist]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 01:57 PM | Permalink

WTF?

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 01:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We didn't witness any problems, but reports are rolling in about police brutality last night on Bedford. From our comments:

Things I witnessed:
- An officer striking the ground with his steel baton in an attempt to intimidate, breaking several glass bottles which sent shards everywhere.
- A photographer was slammed up against a trashcan, shattering his camera.
- A young girl curled in the fetal position was hit three times by an officer with a baton as her protesting boyfriend was dragged away.
- A man carrying his dog was cross-checked from behind by a cop's baton, causing him to drop his dog.

That said, I saw exactly one bottle thrown. And was into a garbage truck as it drove by.

When I first saw the violence directed at civilians, I called 911 and filed an internal affairs investigation. The detective on the line asked me for badge numbers and I gave him as many as I could.

UPDATE: From YouTube: "Unfortunately my camera crapped itself and you can only see the edges but 4 cops are beating up some guy for apparently not clearing the road fast enough... you can HEAR whats happening even if you can't see it.. and there were at least 11 other people filming so there will be other footage. the inexplicable way "Yes we can!" turns into "Yes we can be assholes"

More:

Update:
Brooklyn Vegan has pix

More:

And More:

Obama crowd in Williamsburg from johnnymillers on Vimeo.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

all photos by ajcranford

Sometime shortly after Barack Obama said his final "yes we can", my friends and I turned off CNN and left the apartment over Williamsburg's taco outpost San Loco, where we had watched the Senator from Chicago clinch this historic election. When we ventured out towards the obvious epicenter of Williamsburg celebratory politics - Bedford and North 7th - we ran smack dab into what Texas must've been like for every Bush win since 2004. Brooklyn kids fucking totally filled these streets.

Some would call it a riot, but even the cops tonight realized that things were cool. It was the most celebratory street take-over I've experienced, sans-broken shit, and up until I left there was no threat of police violence, overturned cars, broken bottles, or anything. I hope I don't wake up and see that changed. (Ed note: When I left, there was a definite impending police presence that threatened to turn uncomfortable, should the crowd had chosen to stick around...)

The thing is, though, everybody was having a great time. There were the bongo kids, hanging just off the southeast corner of No. 7th and Bedford, with a healthy crowd of improvisers keeping things going. There were the wealthy roofians, perched out on their 50k a foot overhang porch cheering the crowd on. The bodega dudes couldn't be missed - they sold out on tall-boys shortly after I grabbed my Bud. I spoke with a few screaming people, but in general, our conversations were drowned out by the constant refrain of "Obama! Obama! Obama!". And who the f*k is gonna mess with that?

It was honestly, a beautiful celebration of democratic finality at the corner of Williamsburg blase (my e's don't accent) tonight. When I finally left the party and hit the train for the two stop ride back to Graham, it seemed like the chants came with me. In the Bedford subway, "Obama! Obama! Obama!" echoed around the station walls. At Lorimer, "Obama!, Obama! Obama!", and at Graham, "Obama! Obama! Obama!". Things feel freaking awesome. Politics have been rejuvenated and Brooklyn has a new President that's worth getting behind. Expect this borough to be a staple of his most innovative, supportive demographic. Barack, Brooklyn f'n loves you.

I spoke with one dude, Andrew Perez of Brooklyn, who brought a poster of Cesar to the rally, because he felt Obama "was a Roman who overcame the odds...It's like history repeated itself tonight." I think that picture's in here somewhere, but really Brooklyn, God knows because it's 3am and Barack just got elected to be our next President and I'm f*cking so excited I can't contain my emotions - nor my blogging skills! We wish you the best, and look forward to hearing your stories of "The Night That Barack Built".

Check out some pictures that AJ Cranford took for us, capturing the sheer insanity that our little Williamsburg Times Square wrought.

See more pictures (via AJ Cranford) from the Obama/Williamsburg victory party, after the jump!

Posted by Brian Ries at 02:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (66)

We're sure you've heard, but.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 01:29 AM | Permalink

Palin refuses to say who she voted for! Perhaps she did a write-in vote, placing herself at the top of the ticket. Or perhaps she voted for Barr, the most Rapture-ready candidate.

We don't know what's more disturbing, Palin's stupidity or the First Dude's nasty-ass pubic hair goatee.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 02:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Jake Shimabukuro is known as the world’s best ukulele player, which is kind of the best niche distinction I’ve heard in while. He has built a following with his speedy and unique method of playing, that incorporates different styles and genres – from jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock. I especially <3 his cover of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

Anyway, Jake is playing tomorrow night at the Blender Theater at Gramercy, and his peeps are giving away a pair of free tickets to whoever replies first – just give a shout to elizabeth@freewilliamsburg.com, with your name and email address.

If you’re curious (and in honor of Election Day) here is some footage of Jake playing “The Star-Spangled Banner”:

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 02:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

We waited an hour and most of the blue hairs at our polling location, The Swinging Sixties Senior Center, seemed to suffer from dementia, but we were undoubtedly happy to take part in this important election. (Yes, that's really the name of the community center where we vote.) Christ, could this gut-wrenching, soul-sucking era really almost be over!? We sure hope so. Now, go out and vote. This is what we are hoping to achieve:

[hat tip buzzfeed]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:56 AM | Permalink

Ferris Bueller (who did not show up in his parade on Friday) has repossessed the body of Matthew Broderick and commanded it to make Barack Obama a Youtube video about "taking the day off". Clever! I'd make a joke about how Matthew Broderick's been taking quite a few days off lately, but from the looks of his IMDB page, he's been busy. It's all part of an effort to get YOU to help out tomorrow. To find out how, go to BarackObama.com/dayoff.

Posted by Brian Ries at 04:13 PM | Permalink

The Masked Avengers, a comedy duo from Montreal, Quebec, totally prank called Sarah Palin. How this got through that "media filter" she talks about all the time is baffling. I hope it comes with a warranty....

Posted by Brian Ries at 01:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The Felice Brothers

Spiegelworld’s 2008 season drew to a close on Sunday, with performances from country and bluegrass tinged The Felice Brothers and Deer Tick.

Rhode Island natives Deer Tick played first, and warmed up the crowd (who were shivering after waiting in a loooooong line until 10:30ish). The band's southern bluesy rock tunes and sense of humor were embraced, and they even ended their set with a cover of Santo & Johnny’s classic “Sleepwalkin’” which segued into “La Bamba.” The crowd cheered eagerly as they chugged pumpkin ale and sang along.

Next up were headliners The Felice Brothers, whose sound is more in line with rootsy bluegrass proper. The eclectic group worked well with the vaudeville feel of the venue, allowing themselves to be sloppy and ragged at times, but certainly more fixed when needed. And as The Felice Brothers' harmonicas and organs squealed, the audience danced and stomped - so much so that at times it felt like Spiegeltent might end up collapsing into the East River. The fans especially lit up for raucous songs like “Whiskey in My Whiskey” and “Helen Fry,” but these were also complimented by more tender tracks such as “Mercy.”

Sure, they get flack for sounding a hell of a lot like Bob Dylan and The Band, among other monoliths - but last night The Felice Brothers put on a lively show, and their fans devoured it whole. See you next year, Speigelworld!

The Felice Brothers



The Felice Brothers



Deer Tick



Deer Tick


All photos c/o Clarissa Roudabush

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Image c/o Monkeytown

I’m sure you are all fully aware that tomorrow is Election Day. What you may not know is that Monkeytown will play host to Excepter’s “Election Day Protest”. A 16-hour endurance piece, the performance will begin at 8am and end at midnight.

Founding member John Fell Ryan was kind enough to answer some questions and shed some light on the project’s conception, preview the accompanying visuals, and touch upon the role protest plays when you’re an artist.

If you are unable to make it out to Monkeytown, you can catch the live webcast on Excepter’s site.

How was the Election Day Protest conceived, and what is its goal?

The initial goal of the Election Day project was to do a long, multi-hour piece. There aren't many opportunities for extended performances in the current music environment; so we aim to make the most of our luck to be able to do this.

Read more after the jump.

Do you enjoy longer endurance pieces? How is this conducive to Excepter’s process?

With free form, open-ended and reactive music such as Excepter it only makes sense for it not to stop; to keep on going. The length of the performance becomes a self-generating thing-in-and-of-its-self. You’d be surprised what you come up with when you run out of ideas. A little something-out-of-nothing is the basic, beatnik truth of consciousness through exhaustion.

How does the protest performance figure in the political process?

When we say this is a “protest performance” we do not mean “protest” in
the standard political sense. We do not have a list of demands. It is more about expressing a critical attitude towards the crisis between music by itself and music in society, using politics as a metaphor--Like Bob Dylan protesting writing protest songs while telling reporters that “all he did was protest.” Our aims are abstract, musical.

Then, you view the artist’s existence as subversive in society?

In a commodity-based society that only recognizes the quantifiable, to be an artist is an act of protest. Art is the ineffable. To people who
establish market value; who only perceive what can be measured, what you do is useless. Music is the invisible art; why else would it be so
devalued in our age of contact-free information. Our demonstration
forwards the idea that this disconnection from the unknowable is causing the current value crisis.

Finally, what do you visually have in store for the performance? How will it differ from previous Monkeytown performances?

So it is in the spirit of political re-brotherhood that we offer as much documentation as possible of our performance. We have the “technical Excepter” gathered to perform the video feed and Internet broadcast. While past Monkeytown performances have woven together camera effects and slowed-down Disney pics; this time we’ll be opening up channels to all of Television and other live media.

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 12:08 PM | Permalink

Happy November 1st, readers!

We're only a few hours in, but it's already shaping up to be a glorious month, so here's a November Mix for your audio pleasure. It's a sampling of noteworthy and recent releases, as well as a few tracks from forthcoming records that will hit stores in the next few weeks.

Enjoy!

1. I'm From Barcelona - "Headphones"


2. Starfucker - "Florida"


3. Action Painters - "456"


4. Frida Hyvönen – "My Cousin" (from the album “Silence is Wild,” to be released Nov. 4th)


5. Wild Sweet Orange - "Tilt"


6. Ray LaMontagne - "Sarah"


7. Wilderness – “High Nero” (from the album “(k)no(w)here,” to be released Nov. 4th)


8. Lucky Dragons - "I Keep Waiting for Earthquakes"


9. Times New Viking - "Pagan Eyes"


10. The XYZ Affair - "All My Friends"


11. Au Revoir Simone – “Sad Song – Pacific mix” (from the album “Reverse Migration,” to be released Nov. 11th)


12. Uh Huh Her - "Not a Love Song"


13. The Hood Internet vs. Tobacco & Aesop Rock – “Coffee Hawker” (download via sendspace here)


14. Oxford Collapse - "I Hate Nobody"

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)