More safety tips from same here. [via Buzzfeed]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

You’ve got one week left to buy tickets to TheRumpus.net’s launch party at Crash Mansion next week, and oh what a night it shall be! In case you haven’t heard –

”TheRumpus.net is a new online magazine, focusing on Books, Music, Movies, Art, Sex, and Politics. TheRumpus.net provides original reviews of books, music, and film, interviews with culture mavens like Malcolm Gladwell, James Frey, Bucky Sinister, Al Franken, T Cooper, and Tristan Taormino, as well as original essays by Steve Almond, Robin Romm, Michelle Tea, and others, and blogs by Rick Moody, Bitchy Jones, and Jerry Stahl.”

Why can’t all parties be this glorious? Buy your tickets here.

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

A free science lesson by your friends at Free Williamsburg.

Class, beware of the Fuck, a fox crossed with a duck that eats meat and lives in New Yourk! I've totally seen these things around the dark corners of Kent Ave., so keep your eyes peeled and send any sightings in. Let's stick together during this terrifying fuck infestation.

Other fun facts:

They are silly animals!
They are omnivores!
They're bad at jumping, but at the same time are great swimmers.
They make for a great pet because they're cute. But remember, they do eat meat sooooo...

via BuzzFeed

Posted by Brian Ries at 01:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

'Friends We Love' profiles local subway artist Poster Boy in action at the Morgan Ave. L station:

For more, check out Poster Boy's Flickr photostream.

via Wooster.

Posted by Brian Ries at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Why buy drugs, booze and concert tickets when you can buy a clone-do (pun)?!

From Gothamist:

Hipsters, if you've been stashing your cash away in your Converse shoebox and are thinking that shoebox needs a new home, then tonight is your night! Home Buying for Hipsters is back, and experts will be on hand to tell you how to buy that Karl Fisher you've been eyeing.

Try not to be seen tonight at The Gibson (108 Bedford Ave), at 6p.m.

Posted by Brian Ries at 01:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Yes, we realize this is viral marketing, but yesterday we received an email from "Kanye West" with a new track attached titled "rough.mp3." We scanned it for viruses, opened it, and sure enough it sounds like Kanye. The artist is labeled Tokin' Black Guy. (He has a Myspace page and is on Kanye's record label--suggesting Kanye could have a new alter ego.) You can give it a listen at Allie is Wired who evidently received the same email that we did:

nooooo, only 2 days? make sure to contact me before the session we have to discuss "spaceship" i will upload them when i have time.

On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 1:16 AM, TBG wrote:

I need the ones from the show the night before. Yeah They Did a piece, Relay the message to Warren for the mail. Also the mixed version I need because I am meeting with John tomorrow, he is only in town for 2 days.

On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 1:11 AM, Kanye West wrote:

The rest of the pictures will be in your inbox for tomorrow. Congrats I read Your piece on MTV.COM

--
G.O.O.D MUSIC
http://www.myspace.com/kanyewest
kanyeuniversecity.com

Unaware as to how you may have receive one of my emails, thank you for respecting my messages. As for the rough version of the song, it is out there now, so you may use it for personal use or have it as a stream on your website please.
Thank you and wish everyone nothing but the best.

Side Note: People Stop sending me Spam, it is uncalled for.

That said, Kanye has claimed in recent weeks that his Gmail, Twitter, and MySpace accounts have been hacked. Some are suggesting that his account is being used to promote another artist, though we don't buy it for a second. The track we received sounded too much like Kanye, despite the Tokin' Black Guy moniker.

Waddup Kanye? We'd just begun to forgive your mullet and your excessive use of autotune. Now, you're sending us spam and telling us to call you "Martin Louis the King Jr." (See vblog below.)

Kanye, Martin Louis the King Jr, Tokin' Black Guy, whoever the hell you are... we love you, man. Now, stop fucking with us. And to quote you: "stop sending me Spam, it is uncalled for."

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

photo taken by ryan muir

File this one in the super bummer department: The Sound Fix Lounge (in back of the record store) is closing down at the end of February, possibly because y'all were too loud! I just called and they confirmed that they were indeed shutting down, "just the bar," they said, and I'm assuming it's because of the numerous noise complaints.

Brownstoner reported back in April that the bar shut down for a bit after receiving numerous citations. So who's to blame? In the same article, Brownstoner writes, "The record store owner believes the violations are rooted in complaints from a couple of neighbors who live in an adjacent building, one of whom, Teresa Polonski, works for Assemblyman Joseph Lentol." So you tell me, is it an inside job?

via the comic's comic, who notes, "There is a sign taped to the door of the Williamsburg Brooklyn venue that asks patrons: 'Please be quiet...Our neighbors are sleeping.' Too little, too late."

Update: Brooklyn Vegan points out some upcoming free shows at the venue, which you should most definitely go support:

This week for free @ Sound Fix
January 28 8:00pm - Comedy Free Williamsburg
January 28 9:30pm - Totally J/K w. Joe and Noah
January 29 8:00pm - Big Terriffic w/ Max, Gabe & Jenny
January 30 8:00pm - Forewords
January 31 4:00pm - Loney Dear

Posted by Brian Ries at 08:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Hey, great news! Muxtape is back!

What they say:

Welcome to a preview of the new Muxtape, a minimalist platform for bands to promote their music and listeners to create mixes. We’ve invited 12 of our favorite artists to help test, and in the coming weeks we'll begin allowing bands to sign up themselves for free.

Yay. You can currently sample from the likes of bands including Francis and the Lights, of Montreal, Dan Deacon, Girl Talk, Amanda Palmer, Reggie Watts, and more. What's Muxtape, you ask? Here's the story.

Posted by Brian Ries at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 03:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

via freeyrradio.com

Today is the official release date for the Free Yr Radio 2008 compilation, available via Insound for $0.99 if you mosey on over. Sure, sure, the Free Yr Radio campaign concept is mildly ironic, as they seek to “generate awareness and funds for independent radio through a series of promotional activities,” the crux of which are sponsored by Urban Outfitters and Toyota (not exactly your run-of-the-mill DIY enterprises). But let’s smother any acrimony and embrace this one. After all, proceeds will benefit laudable indie programming from across the country, including KEXP in Seattle, KVRX Austin, Philly’s WPRB, and New York’s own WVKR. The track listing is as follows:


1. !!! – Must Be The Moon (Live at KEXP)
2. Chairlift – At My Side
3. Yeasayer – Final Path (Daytrotter Sessions)
4. White Williams – Blue Steel
5. Dan Deacon – Cave Birth
6. No Age – Padded Chair
7. Mudhoney – The Lucky Ones (Live)
8. King Khan & Saba Lou – Past and Gone
9. The Secret Machines – The Walls Are Starting To Crack (Live at KEXP)
10. The Walkmen – In The New Year (Live)
11. Tokyo Police Club – Your English Is Good (K-Os Remix)
12. Jamie Lidell – Rope of Sand (Live at Austin City Limits)

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

We love that we can speak of the Bush years in the past tense. Yahoo! Errol Morris has a great post over at the Times documenting interviews with wire service photographers discussing their favorite images from the Bush years. Here's our favorite:

From NY Times "IRAQ, AL-ASAD AIR BASE : US President George W. Bush waits behind a camouflage curtain before being announced to speak to the troops at Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq’s western al-Anbar province 03 September 2007. Addressing cheering Marines at the base, Bush rejected intensifying pressure from the Democratic-led Congress to start pulling troops immediately out of the unpopular war in Iraq. “Those decisions will be based on a calm assessment by our military commanders on the conditions on the ground, not a nervous reaction by Washington politicians to poll results in the media,” the president said."Check out the rest here.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Unnatural History, Installation view from left: Michael Yaniro, Jana Flynn, Zach Ziemann

Unnatural History is the latest group show at the artist space Live with Animals, featuring Jana Flynn, Hilary Pecis, Ego Sensation, Michael Yaniro and Zach Ziemann. Loosely tied together as an investigation of man’s tension with nature, the works range from painting, drawing, photo collage, sculpture, performance and video. What is most impressive, however, is the show's craftsmanship. Moving from the heavy illustrative, psychedelic renderings that have been so pervasive in recent years, the bulk of the work plays with abstraction, form and sometimes the figurative.

Easily the standouts of the show are Jana Flynn, Zach Ziemann and Michael Yaniro. Jana Flynn’s work combines craft, pattern and abstraction in sculpture and mixed-media incarnations. Highly environmental, the meditative, repetitive process translates into colorful, delicate sublime pieces. Touching on the lithe structures of Flynn, Ziemann uses watercolor to depict “zen-like” architectural landscapes. Michael Yaniro’s large-scale drawings appropriate images from architecture, maps, religious symbols, but mostly from medical illustrations; while their meanings remain secretive, they often reduce the body to a piece of information within the total composition.

Unnatural History’s closing party occurs on February 8th. Live with Animals is located at 210 Kent Ave.

Installation view: Zach Ziemann

Installation view: Michael Yaniro

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Brooklyn bands Neckbeard Telecaster and Grand Mal are playing the Seaport Music Winter Fest, which kicks off this Friday night at 7p.m. You can literally ice skate in circles while watching bearded guys play instruments. And, it's free to watch and only $5 to skate.

From NBCnewyork:

Organized by the team who brought New York the Seaport Music Festival, the Seaport Music Winter Fest is pretty clear on their expectations, saying, "Only strong-bodied, dressed-in-layers, die-hard indie music fans need attend." Read: This is no Disney On Ice.

The Seaport is located at Pier 17 in Manhat., get there via JMZ or L to 2,3, A or C.

Posted by Brian Ries at 08:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I caught up with the Whitest Kids U' Know the other night at their Comix show, and got real down and dirty, asking some hard-pressed questions sure to bring home the new online Pulitzer for FW. As it turns out, them white boys are straight out of our neck of the woods, and they enjoy a fine area brew just like the rest of us. And when they're not drinking at Black Rabbit or eating at Carmine's, they're just across the river, not too far from the L train's farthest reaches.

Timmy Williams, the South Dakotan who now lives in Bklyn with his cat Spaceship (awesome name), eats at Artichoke Pizza over in Manhattan, so, moving on.

Meanwhile, Darren Trumpeter is the Carmine's eater, the official Graham avenue pizza slice of my life.

Then there's Trevor, who is reeeeally tall. He eats at a pizza place at 3rd and 23rd, so if you want his scraps head in that direction. But for the booze on the other hand, The Mark Bar (1025 Manhattan Ave) is his spot. He loves it for the open-till-5-am locals special. Aside from The Mark, Trevor drowns his problems at Black Rabbit, along with the rest of the cast, for the most part. He says Kent, the owner/bartender, rocks it hard, and is a real "bar guy's bar guy."

Sam, who looks like the IT guy from my work, loves Legion, and therefore it's safe to assume he loves the White Castle cheeseburgers that tend to follow a Legion stint as well.

And then there's Zach, who told me his name was Pete (but I got ya, you bastard!), who said Black Rabbit as well.

So there you have it, the official W'burg haunts of The Whitest Kids U Know: Black Rabbit, Carmines, Legion and Mark Bar.

Their show, properly titled The Whitest Kids U' Know comes back tonight on IFC at 10p.m., and continues for another 9 Tuesdays after that. Check it out, then go buy them a beer at the Rabbit.

Posted by Brian Ries at 08:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Could it be true? MTV actually has a show we want to see. [via buzzfeed]

A clip with Amy Sedaris after the jump

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Hard Nips are new all-girl Japanese rock band. Tuesday is their first show. Head down to Death by Audio to check out the mayhem.

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 08:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

NYCTaper posted both FLAC and mp3 versions of Animal Collective's Tuesday night show at the Bowery Ballroom, here. (Their server is currently down "due to maintenance downtime or capacity problems," so slow your role for a minute there, internet.)

We recorded this set from the “sweet spot” on the floor with our mobile rig. Although the large ceilings created some muddiness in the sound, we feel that the hyper-directional microphones did some excellent work.

via Stereogum, which notes "the set was purposefully constructed, culminating in a raved up "Brother Sport" and a great Sung Tongs reinventing/Panda Bear "covering" encore."

Related:
If You Were Scammed... at the Animal Collective Bowery Show
Animal Collective - My Girls

Posted by Brian Ries at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

If you like adventurous music or want to try something a little different, you're in luck. This Saturday proves to be a great night for experimental music. Conveniently, it's all taking place in the L.E.S.

Early on at Club Midway will be the Psychic Ills record release party--pretty great if you haven't checked it out yet. The opener Axolotl is definitely one to watch, having recently completed European tours with Kemialliset Ystavat, Mouthus and Animal Collective.

If you are still up for partying later in the night, check out the warm jams of Ducktails complimented by the more abstract and groove-laden vibes of Men and Women at the Cake Shop.

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 02:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

[Thanks Jeff]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 05:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Picture via idiotjenn

Heyyyy cheapskates. Want some freebies!? This week we found two ceramic kilns, some yummy Vegan cookies, and, while it's not free, a street lady offered up a $2 "party". This is a big improvement over last week's Swede-fest 2009.

Two Ceramic Kilns for FREE (Greenpoint)
Ideal mate: you make a lot of pizza or a heck of a lot of pottery.

I remember you being $2 and I need your services once again. - m4w - 26 (greenpoint)
When someone asks if you want to party for $2, they're talking about handjobs, aren't they. What other kind of $2 parties are there? I mean, to get a freaking clown these days it costs upwards of $50 at least. And that's probably a really shitty clown.

Oh! And this one's in the Bronx, but who can argue with 200 hats?
Just take a quick subway up there to really work on your alt-fashion attire. And this isn't just hats we're talking about here either. Oohhhh no. There are visors too. Look what they wrote in their ad: "I have about 200 hats / sun visors." That's hats slash sun visors. It really doesn't get much better than that, and for the price of nothing!?

Yummy vegan chocolate chip cookies and beer (Williamsburg)
And lastly, local musician Scott Alexander is playing at The Trash Bar (256 Grand St. at Roebling) Saturday night at 8, and to get you to come, he's giving out free cookies! And seriously, they sound really, really good right now. This may or may not be an uber-pixelated version of Scott and his cookies:

So, happy hunting folks, and if anyone gets those visors, please, send me one. I'll give you $2 for it.

Posted by Brian Ries at 04:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Blatant racism notwithstanding, you'd think this inbred retard would figure out that this probably isn't good for business. We'll certainly be boycotting his Greenwich Village bakery. [hat tip Gothamist]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (38)

It's motherfucking Friday! This should get you in the mood to celebrate the weekend in our new Bush-free era. The Easybeats' "Sorry:"

Meanwhile, Bush's cronies think Obama should be sorry for being so tough on the administration in his inaugural speech.

“There were a few sharp elbows that really rankled and I felt were not as magnanimous as the occasion called for,” Karen Hughes, a longtime Bush confidante, said in an interview. “He really missed an opportunity to be as big as the occasion was and, frankly, as gracious as President Bush was as he left office.”

Dan Bartlett, another top adviser, used similar language. “It was a missed opportunity to bring some of the president’s loyal supporters into the fold,” he said. Marc A. Thiessen, the chief White House speechwriter until this week, added: “It was an ungracious inaugural. It was pretty clear he was taking shots.”

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

We’ve definitely been preoccupied with Animal Collective this month, whipping up posts here and there. And while I hate to be redundant, it’s also true that the fervor is well deserved. The group just released their spectacular Merriweather Post Pavilion on Tuesday, and now Domino Records has bestowed upon us the LP's first music video, for “My Girls.” Animal Collective always shell out inventive - albeit freaky - videos (see "Peacebone" or "Water Curses" if you need reassurance on that). “My Girls” is no exception:

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

photography by Williamsburg artist Christina Latimer

We missed the opening on January 13, but our friend and photographer Christina Latimer currently has a show at The Brooklyn Public Library, Williamsburgh Branch. It's called Urban and Organic: The Architecture of the City and features photography from around the neighborhood. The exhibit runs through February 28—make sure you find out more about supporting the library when you stop by. One more photo by Latimer after the jump.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 02:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Tickets for tonight's show featuring Ra Ra Riot and Regina Spektor are back on sale, reports Brooklyn Vegan:

Regina Spektor and Ra Ra Riot are playing the benefit for Planned Parenthood at Bowery Ballroom in NYC tonight. It was sold out, but now tickets are back on sale.

Get tickets here.

Posted by Brian Ries at 02:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

AC, 2006 @ Bowery, C/O Jason Bergman

We all think very highly of Animal Collective--they're true musical pioneers. I was fortunate to attend the show last night, but I caught wind of a Craigslist scam charging people $100 a piece for false tickets. It's unfortunate that this happened. If you are looking for the person to blame, I believe someone at Brooklyn Vegan has the scoop on the jerk.

Whoever you are, I hope you have a great day. ;)

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Also, Robert Lanham is praying for Rick Warren's sniffles over at HuffPost.

[Thanks Anna]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 06:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The original draft of what became the ubiquitous "Change" poster

There were tons of cross-brandings during the campaign, from storefronts in Soho to the new Pepsi logo, including these "Obama Force One" sneakers.

See the rest at our buddy Noah's great blog, Nerdabout NY.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 04:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Whitest Kids U Know are in town this weekend to kick off their country-wide tour with a three night run at Comix, starting tomorrow night at 8. If you haven't seen them live, or their show on IFC, they were the sketch comedy dudes who had this painted ad on Bedford last spring. Anyways, they're back on IFC starting next Tuesday, January 27 at 10pm ET/PT for a ten-episode run, which will probably be hilarious.

For more of them white kids, visit the youtube channel or their site. To purchase tickets to the Comix shows, click here, orrrrrrrrrrr...too late....Paul won!

be our lucky winner and email me (too late), say "i want kids tickets!", and you can go for free! Yes, that's right, I have (2) tickets to their show at Comix tomorrow (Thursday) night, which includes a 3-course-no-joke dinner. We're talking shit like Plank Baked Salmon people. These tix go for $67.25, So hurry up, grab a date and act fast. First one to email gets both tix.

Otherwise, check out this clip from their upcoming season for a lesson in what not to do with a boner:

Posted by Brian Ries at 01:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

New coffee shop alllllright! Free wifi? Yesssssirreee, you betcha. Check the slideshow to gather up the images for your caffeine dreams. Location: Corner of Lorimer and Ainslie, W'burg.

Posted by Brian Ries at 10:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The Sundance Festival has put 10 of their short films on the iTunes store, as part of 10 Voices from 10 Films Over 10 Days. It started January 16th and wraps up on the 25th. So watch 'em while they're free...after the 25th, they zap themselves right back into the internet.

From the site:

This year, 10 short films from the 2009 Sundance Film Festival will be presented as FREE content available for download January 15 through 25, 2009 exclusively on iTunes. In an effort to get to know the 10 for 10 filmmakers a little bit better, here's a look behind the curtain to see the wizards at play.

My favorite is Instead of Abracadabra, a really funny short about an aspiring magician. The director created it after watching showreel for a local magician. "You could really feel the panic when something went wrong and how he acted to cover things up again," Eklund said. "I felt I just had to do something that had the same sort of nerve."

Others of note (actually, they're all good, so visit 10 Voices from 10 Films Over 10 Days at Sundance for all the links) include:

I Live In The Woods
Really weird, awesome animation about a crazy farmer dude who kills people in the woods. Sundance calls it "insane, gory fun."

Countertransference
This short film is "textured with both hilarity and depth," but also known for causing $1,400 worth of damage when their equipment truck hit a parked car. Ah, anecdotes.

This Way Up
Sundance says it "embodies the ideal animated short: perfect length, a ton of laughs and ingenuity seeping from every 3-D angle," but more importantly, it was produced (?) by Mike Judge of The Animation Show.

Magnetic Movie
Originally "conceived during a six-month venture to the NASA laboratory," Magnetic Movie is pretty unique, as it really shows you what a magnetic force field looks like, on a head full of perfectly clean LSD. We're talking no backaches here.

Again, visit Sundance for the rest.

Posted by Brian Ries at 06:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

More Pictures After the Jump!

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Here's an unofficial video for Young Jeezy's "My President is Black." It's simultaneously hilarious and yet inspiring considering the magnitude of today's events:

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 01:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

From Huffpost

President Bush was given an Iraqi-journalist-style sendoff on his last full day in office Monday, as tourists and demonstrators lobbed shoes, pumps, boots, sandals and Crocs from Pennsylvania Avenue onto the White House lawn.

Before launching the operation live, the shoe-chuckers took target practice in Dupont Circle on a 20-foot-tall blow up doll of the outgoing president, decked out in the flight suit he wore aboard the "Mission Accomplished" aircraft carrier.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 09:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Getting Ready for the Day!

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 04:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This week's Spotted feature works seven days a week, balancing her work as a young entrepreneur and a shop gal on your neighborhood block.

Name: Maggie Stevenson

Profession: Shop Girl at Cat Bird and Jewelery Maker

Describe Your Personal Style:
Maggie's Style. Its like um, Urban Thia? Like a little bit of Yoga meets a little bit of Brooklyn.

How long have you been living in New York?
I am originally from here but recently moved back from Eugene Oregon where I was going to school.
I figured there were more career opportunities here, or else I would have never left that beautiful state.

You mentioned you make jewelry, is that a main interest?
Jewelry making is what pays my bills. I went to school for Metal Smithing. My dad wanted me to be an engineer because I was so good at science and math and thought for sure I would have more luck in that field, but now he is eating his words because I have become so successful at what I do.

So do you sell your jewelry here at Cat Bird?
Yes, Monday through Friday I am in my shop making jewelry then on the weekends I work the desk here at the store and try to sell it. I have my own line called Metal Magg and I am a contributor for the Cat Bird line along with the Jezebel line.

What is one of your more memorable achievements?
Getting my line out there was a big accomplishment for me. The unique thing about my line of jewelry is that I hand form each piece individually which is very time consuming and laborious. Most jewelry these days are made from a cast mold but all of mine are unique filled with Maggie love.

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 08:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

With the New York economy in absolute shambles, I think it's time we introduce a new weekly feature here to help you, the reader, get back on your feet. It's called "The Week in Free Shit!"

Supported by the friendly folks on Craigslist, we'll give you a round-up of the week's freebies listed under Williamsburg and Bushwick's "Free" section. This week, you'll find a couple of Swedish rejections, a complete DIY beer kit and a curb alert for a very snuggly evening - VHS Westerns and firewood! Happy hunting!

Free wood and VHSs!! (Williamsburg)

Come to 255 Powers st at the corner of Judge and pick up a bunch of free wood. Mostly boards cut into different sized squares.. good for small projects.Also, there are some VHS tapes of old western shows

Are you Swedish and miss Aromat? (South Side Williamsburg)

My husband is Swedish and his mom sent him 2 packets (unopened obviously) of Aromat. We won't eat it because it has MSG and we have reactions to it. If you miss the spice, you are welcome to have it. We didn't want to throw them away.

One package of salty Swedish licorice available (Bushwick)

I bought 2 bags this summer because I really wanted to see what it would taste like, but ended up not liking it very much. It's a brand called Gott & Blandat Salt, and comes in 3 or 4 different licorice-flavored shapes and one that's meant to taste like a hot pepper. It's a decent-sized bag, probably about the size that could be sold at a movie theater (an unlikely possibility, I know).

Beer Brew Equiptment (williamsburg)

Ingredients to make an awesome Porter: Malt, Chocolate Roasted Barley, Yeast, bottle caps, bottle capper thingy, other stuff included...Free.

Good luck! If you happen to score one of these treasured items, please take your photo with it and send it in. Because, you know, we care.

Posted by Brian Ries at 05:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Bedford and North 7th

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 05:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

3rd Ward tonight...inflatable sculpture & free beer.

From My Open Bar:

Art, balloons, and art balloons are the stars of this one-night, 3000 square-foot exhibition. Like heaven, but in Bushwick.

More info

Posted by Brian Ries at 02:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

An Anonymous Scientology h8r stormed the Church of Scientology's NYC headquarters covered in Vaseline, his friends' toe clippings and a handful of their pubic hair. Seriously. Watch the video, and use the lyrics below to sing along:

OPERATION SLICKPUBES The Ballad of Agent Pubit:

Brave agent pubit, agent pubit was very brave
Watch ye friends and ye shall see that he will win the day
Deep underground with stone and trains, vasoline was applied
We handed him pubes, so many pubes so, he may complete his guise
The path to victory and win, paved with pubes accumulated
from the anonymous horde they came to him, fail he could not afford
the various pubes they stuck to him from the vasoline he put on before

Brave agent pubit came up from underground
Covered in vasoline and pubes, he emerged proud
40 degrees in the streets, the streets
heres where we got the call,
agent pubit the brave, was on his way, free of delays and stalls
verily he traveled on his way, the brave the brave the quick
to the church of scientology to tell them to suck his dick
the many they stared afraid they were for a thing they have not seen
slippery and covered in pubic hair was the way it had to be

Meanwhile back at our the base the attack had already begun
Prank calls and our various faxes would ensure the battle was won
A dozen proud preceded him serving to distract
Incessant and vicious our calls they were, offensive and horrible our fax

BRAVE agent pubit, he was about to arrive
At the church of scientology, his target could not hide
Touch everyone and everything once he runs inside
Pubes on their hands as they go to grab the gross slippery pube covered guy

Brave agent pubit, agent pubit ran away
He knocked over shit and he got our pubes all over the place
He touched three guys and they found out, how slippery one man could be
He spread confusion and our dickhair, with his touch of vasoline

His mission complete it may seem, but there was more
Three blocks away awaited another scientology org
The buildings two he strikes at thee, as he has once before
The CLO headquarters did not know what they had in store

Radioed in we attacked our target number two
Let the enemies know that with them, anonymous was not through
Off the hook their phones rang as we directed our second push
Agent pubit will soon come their way and deliver upon them some bush

Brave agent pubit, safely got away
Scientology we strike at thee because youre fucking gay
Your buildings both we hath spread, our agent covered in pubes
Remember this day we have delivered operation slickpubes

Found via Gothamist, more links on BuzzFeed.

Posted by Brian Ries at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I'm really digging Juiceboxxx this morning...he's an awesome 21-year old rapper out of Milwaukee who's really loved by the Germans, for somewhat obvious reasons that become clearer once you listen to a few of his tracks.

Check out Thunder Jam #5:

I'll have more on him later on this month, but in case I don't, just know he's playing at Vanishing Point with Ninjasonik on February 28th.

via IHeartComix; Juiceboxxx on Myspace

Posted by Brian Ries at 08:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

When I think of Vice’s Blank Issue, I …

A. Want to make a comment on their blog and tell them what I think ;)
B. Use it to plot revenge on my ex on the internerd
C. Rush write away, make a profile, forget about it until February 14th. Then, I finish it and collect the glory and the money!
D. All of the above in order of emotion

From the peeps:

We're giving you the chance to write your very own mini version of Vice. You come up with your own DOs and DON'Ts, you write your own features and columns, you smush the whole thing together under a theme of your choosing, then you deal with the legal ramifications of what you've written.

The issues you create will be judged according to excellence, with the least terrible winning a grand prize of $1,000 or an internship at the magazine.

So, you have until February 15th to get on it and make it happen!

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 06:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last Month, the Journal of Popular Noise released its Winter/Fall edition for 2008, featuring Pwrfl Power, Linda & Ron's Dad and Climax Golden Twins. Equal parts periodical, record and art d'objet, the Journal of Popular Noise is an intelligent take on music as a historical document--especially as music's physicality and aesthetic appears to be fading.

Byron Kalet, JPN's founder and editor, was kind enough to answer a few questions about the history of the publication, and its plans for expansion in the future.

What's the mission of popular noise?

First and foremost, I wanted to challenge the conventions of how recorded sound is produced and consumed. When I started the JPN in 2007 things were really starting to come to a head with big labels freaking out about digital distribution. I thought that in light of those changes we needed to take a step back and really think about why someone would still want to buy a physical version of a record. I drew a lot of inspiration from magazines, because at that point they were looking a lot stronger than CD sales, but of course now things are a bit different. So we might make some changes to accommodate that, I think its important not to get stuck in the conventions of ‘how things are done.’

What void do you feel it fills?

As a designer and a musician, I think having a physical manifestation of music is a really important part of the experience. It helps tell the story. I’m convinced the reason people don’t seem to place much value on records isn’t because they can get them for free as much as that they are disembodied. When you have 50,000 songs on your tiny little iPod they just don’t seem that important. I don’t feel like the experience is worth as much, but maybe it’s generational. I’m getting old.

Did you model it after anyone?

Well, there were a lot of things I was thinking about in terms of translating a magazine into songs. The diagrams I drew to direct the compositions definitely drew a lot from John Cage scores but I tried to make them look less abstract, even though they’re probably more arbitrarily drawn than Cage’s were. Brian Eno’s ideas about generative music were also an inspiration. The logic there led me to think about the templates and structure of magazines as a generative system that could be applied to the way songs are written, or a record is arranged.

Who have you worked with and why?

Most of the people I’ve worked with so far are artists I’ve known and respected for a long time (Foscil/Truckasauras, Past Lives, Dutch Dub). If anyone’s paying attention, they’ll notice most of these artists are from Seattle, where I grew up. There are a few people (Bora Yoon, Ben Frost, Climax Golden Twins, Pwrfl Power) that I have a more serendipitous relationship to. There are some bigger names I have coming up, but in general, I like to work with more obscure people, I try to look at the selections as ‘news’, I’m sort of trying to report on cool underground music and sound art that most people may not have heard of.

What types of artists do you want to work with in the future?

I’m doing an edition of all spoken word records with some very interesting people this summer. Most of the artists I’ve been working with so far are very musical; I’d like to branch out into some other more unusual sound recordings. I’d love to work with writers and actors. I’ve been listening to a lot of talk radio lately and I think it would be great, again in reference to the magazine format, to do some stuff like that on vinyl. I think I have more things I want to do than I’ll ever have the time or money to produce.

Are there any plans for expansion?

Yes, for sure. I’d like at some point to do releases quarterly instead of semi-annual. But that's 12 7” a year, it’s amazing that I can get three artists to write and record exclusive material for me at all, let alone on a tight schedule. I’m also doing some other releases as a more normal record label. Last year I co-released the debut record from Truckasauras, and this spring I’m putting out an E.P. from Flexions, which I’m really excited about. I’d like to start doing more stuff like that.

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 06:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Here he is describing the crash as being "scary as shit"

From YouTube:

This is the man / golfer who saved people on the downed plane (Flight 1549) He is the local hero from Ct who was on his way to his annual golf outing. his name is Jeff Colajay we believe. He put others lives before his own!

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 04:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

and this is why i fly jetblue out of jfk:
(ed: and before you get all whiney on me...ahem, bonnie, yes, i realize it was birds that did it. i'm just sayin'. jetblue rocks it. they totally have contracts with the birds to avoid these sorts of mishaps.)

for more pictures of the hudson river plane crash, check flickr, and eventually, gothamist.

credit: grego!

update: check out this picture, taken by janis krums' mobile phone from a ferry. it looks like really poor us airways product placement on some old new york city postcard:

ok now for real, read the rest on gothamist, we're not really here for nyc disaster coverage...unless of course MGMT bombs their next Music Hall show....as in plays bad music...as in...ok you get it.

Posted by Brian Ries at 03:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

picture by brandonzwa

From the old tin mailbox:

3rd Ward Wants You! Our 2009 Spring Solo Show will award one amazing artist with fame, fortune and an incredible Solo Show! This nationwide open call is a hunt for one artist with a groundbreaking voice and a hunger for exposure. Gawker Artists joins us again as a sponsor and this Spring's Judging Panel includes: Janet Ozzard, Editor at New York Magazine, Liz Dimmitt, Curator at Gawker Artists and Jarrett Gregory, Assistant Curator at the New Museum.

Artists working in all mediums are eligible - sculpture, photography, painting, printmaking, illustration, installation, graphic design, video, and more!

Submit your best work now, here.

Deadline is February 11, 2009, so get crackin'. We'll feature you if you win. Promise.

update: oh yea, also tonight, hand made music night! rsvp to handmade@3rdward.com and drink free PBR while you create and listen to music with fellow geeks.

Posted by Brian Ries at 01:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Carlton Bright, a "videographer with a sideline in stereoptical photography", created the following 3D video, shot during the Bedford Avenue Obama celebrations at around 11:00pm on November 4th of last year. The trick is to look through it, like the way you would a Magic Eye book. If you do it right, you should basically see some 3D hipsters getting crazy for Obama.

If that doesn't make any sense whatsoever to you, click here for a more thorough explanation on viewing stereo-pair photographs.

Nice work, Carlton! You've successfully given some of these kids their only true sense of "depth":

Via Voltage; and of course you remember this, and then sadly, this.

Posted by Brian Ries at 07:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Sorry I Missed Your Party:

Michael F. Jacobson is the head of a nonprofit organization called the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which lobbies for stricter food and beverage regulations. The CSPI convinced five states' attorneys general that the combination of energy and booze in Sparks was dangerous, and the attorney generals brought a lawsuit to MillerCoors. MillerCoors settled and agreed to take the energy ingredients out. You can read the CSPI's press release about it here.

To be honest, some of the shit we ingest should have warning labels and calorie counts posted, but this Michael F. Jacobson guy sounds like a bit of a tight-ass who could benefit from drinking a few Sparks himself. From Wikipedia

Jacobson is a vegetarian and sits on the national board of the "Great American Meatout." He has said that "CSPI is proud of finding something wrong with practically everything." Jacobson and his organization have criticized a wide variety of foods and beverages as unhealthful. He and CSPI frequently use colorful terms to emphasize their oppositionn to certain foods. What has been called the "food cop glossary" includes Fettuccine alfredo- "heart attack on a plate," salt - "the forgotten killer," sugary soft drinks - "liquid candy," movie theater popcorn -"Godzilla of snacks," fondue - "fondon't," ice cream - "coronaries in cones," double cheeseburger - "a coronary bypass special," appetizers - "the most treacherous territory on a restaurant menu," Starbucks' Venti Caffe Mocha with whipped cream - "a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in a cup," Ruby Tuesday's Fresh Chicken & Broccoli Pasta - "angioplasta," Chipotle Chicken Burrito - "tortilla terror," and Cheesecake Factory's Chris' Outrageous Chocolate Cake - "factory reject."

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Neko Case has a new record coming out March 3 and Anti has just made the first single available for free download. It's called "People Got A Lotta Nerve" and we like what we hear. Plus, if you add it to iLike, ANTI will donate a buck to Best Friends Animal Society.

Today, we are especially happy to bring you "People Got A Lotta Nerve," the first single from Neko Case's forthcoming album Middle Cyclone (out March 3), because for every blog that reposts the song and/or iLike user who adds it to their profile, Neko Case and ANTI- will make a cash donation to Best Friends Animal Society. The promotion will run from January 13 to February 3, 2009. Five dollars will be donated for every blog post and one dollar for every user of iLike that adds the song to his/her profile. Details and instructions after the break.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Bedford Ave

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 05:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Where's the excitement? We know Obama is about to give his historic inauguration on Tuesday, but we should be celebrating an even more important event. After 8 excruciating years, George Pig Fucker Bush will no longer be terrorizing our constitution and the world at large. Yahoo! So, where are the parties?! We've dug up a few, but so far it's pretty slim pickens. On Sunday, get things started at Glasslands:

On Sunday, January 18th, 2009 a fundraising event is being held at Glasslands in Williamsburg to raise money for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project. The mission of the Memorial Project is to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by leading a project to create a memorial to honor his national and international contributions to world peace through non-violent social change. We want to use this event to remind people that without the tireless efforts of civil rights activists like Martin Luther King Jr., (as well as those who came before and after him) we might not able to celebrate Obama's historic inauguration. So let's party in honor of the fulfillment of Martin Luther King's dream!

Also, BAM is offering a free screening of the event. Tickets are first-come, first-serve.

There's also a free screening here in Harlem.

Closer to home, Vivian Girls, Fucked Up and Pissed Jeans will be rocking a raucous blow-out at Market Hotel. This show promises to rule.

TimeOut has more listings here, but nothing that exciting.

Surely, we're missing something, so let us know in comments.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Hot Lava, c/o Mark Iantosca

Saturday night’s show at Death By Audio was cozy and effervescent, and we’ve got the pictures to prove it. Hey Willpower, Math the Band, and Hologram, all graced the stage with hours of ridiculously catchy indie pop. But our undeniable faves were Hot Lava and Mixel Pixel.


While Brooklyn’s own Mixel Pixel injected the room with their signature brand of computer-disco dance music, they projected equally bizarre video footage and animation on stage. Meanwhile, Hot Lava (who trekked up from their hometown of Richmond, VA) were all handclaps and smiles. The band drew a dense crowd of onlookers who bopped around to their songs about computers, like “Apple+Option+Fire,” as well as other favorites such as “Blue Dragon,” and even a peppy cover of Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky.”

Mixel Pixel

More pictures after the jump, if you please…..

All photos c/o Mark Iantosca

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 04:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

But we still recommend doing this. Gene Robinson: Gay Bishop Giving Obama Inauguration Prayer.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 02:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 02:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Normally, we find listicles pretty lazy, but the Beast's year end wrap-up of 2008's worst people is a gem. The list is spot-on and the writing is hilarious. Case in point, #29 Mary Matalin:

Charges: Surgically mortified face creates the impression of a barely passable “earthling” mask worn by an insectoid alien.... Matalin has served in more unholy positions than Jenna Jameson. To this day, Matalin simply denies the well-documented story of Atwater’s deathbed repentance, which is not surprising considering her main skill is obscuring reality. Matalin’s main contribution to undermining the truth and bolstering closet racism this year was publishing World Net Daily plagiarizing lunatic Jerome Corsi’s Obama Nation, a collection of blatant falsehoods that didn’t come close to meriting its non-fiction categorization, in her role as “Editor” of Threshold Books, a conservative imprint that inestimably diminishes Simon and Schuster’s prestige by its simple existence. Matalin called the book, riddled with easily debunked lies, “a piece of scholarship,” claiming it “does not set out to be a political book,” while Corsi himself said “the goal is to defeat Obama.”

We were happy to see that neck-choker-wearing hack M. Night Shyamalan made the list. And here's our #1, Hank Paulson. (Their number 6)

6. Hank Paulson
Charges: From Chief of Staff for original Mayberry Machiavelli Lee Atwater to Adviser to George W. Bush, Counselor to Dick Cheney and member of the best sales team in history, the White House Iraq Group, Matalin has served in more unholy positions than Jenna Jameson. To this day, Matalin simply denies the well-documented story of Atwater’s deathbed repentance, which is not surprising considering her main skill is obscuring reality. Matalin’s main contribution to undermining the truth and bolstering closet racism this year was publishing World Net Daily plagiarizing lunatic Jerome Corsi’s Obama Nation, a collection of blatant falsehoods that didn’t come close to meriting its non-fiction categorization, in her role as “Editor” of Threshold Books, a conservative imprint that inestimably diminishes Simon and Schuster’s prestige by its simple existence. Matalin called the book, riddled with easily debunked lies, “a piece of scholarship,” claiming it “does not set out to be a political book,” while Corsi himself said “the goal is to defeat Obama.”

Exhibit A: “This is a crime and -- and he did not commit a crime. He had a mis-remembrance of when it was that he heard about it, but clearly he's not one of the guys that revealed it in the first place, which the revelation of such was not a crime.”

Sentence: Sex with James Carville.

A special thanks to rumproast for the hat tip..... go vote for them. They are in the running for best small blog over at the Weblog Awards.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Spotted is another new feature we're adding to Free Williamsburg this year. It will be a neighborhood snapshot of familiar, interesting, inspiring, head turning peeps that you live amongst but may not know enough about.

You may recognize our first Spotted feature as your neighborhood shoe dealer. He's the one with the friendly smile who's always complimenting the shoes you walked in with and doesn't forget a face.

Name: Rob Bryn

Profession: Store Manager at Shoe Market

Describe Your Personal Style
Lazy Gentlemen

How many pairs of shoes do you own?
A lot more than I would normally, due to working here. I am the type of guy who wears a good pair of shoes to the ground. I still don't really have that many pairs of shoes though, about nine pair. It's hard to find shoes that fit anyway because I have wide feet.

Do you have an all time favorite pair?
Oh yes, my Boat Shoes. From March to October that's all I wear. I remember eight years ago going to Macy's in New Jersey and finding the boat shoes and thinking, I am going to start wearing these again.

How long have you been living in New York?
On and off for eight years. I have tried to move to California many times and after a few months there find myself moving back. Every time I get back I think, Thank God I'm back in New York.

Other than the shoe business, do you have any other jobs, interests, or hobbies?
A Rock Band! Called the Wild Yaks. We are really good.
Check out the Wild Yaks at Glasslands on January 28th

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 07:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Well, give or take a day.

Meanwhile, Bush says this was his most stressful moment as president:

Asked by People magazine what moments from the last eight years he revisited most often, W. talked passionately about the pitch he threw out at the World Series in 2001: “I never felt that anxious any other time during my presidency, curiously enough.”

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 06:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bedford Ave and North 8th

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 06:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

John Roberts is my second favorite DJ, my first being the Pantha Du Prince. They both coincidentally happen to be on the best microhouse label Dial records--although John is a transplant New Yorker living in Berlin. Tonight you get to experience him with another fellow Berliner and Berghain (this place rules) resident DJ Marcel Dettman at Public Assembly.

I know it's cold but you won't regret it.

Posted by Lisa Baldini at 06:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Though we've given up hope that people will ever stop obsessing over this glorified kid's movie, we have to admit this Flickr pool is pretty damn cute.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you can stomach it, here's a clip from MTV's The Real World Brooklyn, which is being filmed in Redhook.

From Gothamist:

So what did locals think of the cast invading their neighborhoods? Perhaps transgender Katelynn (who despite hating us is one of the more interesting "characters" on the show) sums it up best on her LiveJournal, nostalgically recalling: "all those disgusting hipsters in Williamsburg who would run up to the camera and tell us how much we suck." She continues, pitting MTV versus Hipsters (who to side with?!): "Riiight, because we're the reason the borough is experiencing wide-spread gentrification. Or maybe after the show airs all those shallow hipsters will move in, because, y'know, they haven't been doing that for the past decade."

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 08:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We're back to the grind, and many of us have been drooling since Monday for the weekend to get here already. Dammit. My plan is to wallow in a soused state of TGIF-dom tomorrow, and then hit some live music on Saturday night. Here are three recommendations for shows on the 10th of January, 2009.

1.

via DanielMartinMoore.com

Daniel Martin Moore @ The Mercury Lounge

NPR describes him as “optimistic folk,” and Metromix garners him with language like “Austerity. Understatement. Obscurity. Honesty.” – so expect a fine, charming night on Saturday at the Mercury Lounge with Daniel Martin Moore. Other acts playing Saturday include Great Lake Swimmers and Haley Bonar who also have that same sort of gentle twang. Meanwhile A Hawk and A Hacksaw will throw a more nomadic gypsy effect into the mix.

8 pm
$13 advance/$15 day of show

***This lineup (minus A Hawk and a Hacksaw) will also be playing tomorrow night at the Bell House, if that fits your schedule better!

2.

Hot Lava @ Death By Audio

Hot Lava, Mixel Pixel, Hologram, Math the Band, and Hey Willpower will all be jammed into Death By Audio starting at 8 pm. It will be a sweet indie-popper fiesta, so sneak your best flask of whiskey into your girlfriend’s purse and come along.

8 pm

3.

Jacob Jiles @ The Delancey

Brooklyn-based Jacob Jiles plays “indie soul,” which a new genre to me, but it’s still nice and mellow and grownup-sounding music. Also playing are ENDI, The Royal Wylds, and The Ravages - who are definitely NOT indie soul.

7 pm
$10

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 02:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

via RadioCity.com

The Speaker Series will be back at Radio City this spring, and the lineup of panels looks pretty entertaining:


March 9:
Bill Maher and Ann Coulter – Humorous Perspectives, Serious Issues

March 31:
Anderson Cooper interviewing Arianna Huffington, D.L. Hughley, and Mike Huckabee – Free Speech and the Power of the Press

April 20:
Janet Reno, Alberto Gonzales, and John Ashcroft -- Domestic Law, International Policy

May 26:
Charlie Rose interviewing James Carville and Karl Rove -- Strategies, Alliances and Policy


Last year was the debut of the series, and the only option was to buy packages of tickets that included each night - and cost about $500 minimum. The good news is that single nights are on sale this time around, and you can pick and choose when to attend (obvi March 9th to watch Bill Maher destroy the bigoted ice bitch).

Even better news is that FREEwilliamsburg readers can get tickets today, before they go on sale to the general public on Sunday the 11th. Just got to http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/47seyc?camefrom=CFC_MSG_SPEAKERSERIES09, and enter the pre-sale code INFO when you are purchasing.

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 01:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Plus she likes "When Animals Attack!"

Anne Hathaway keeps getting cooler. Now, if we can just keep her from dating Devendra Banhart, making a Tom Waits covers record, or appearing in movies with Jim Carrey....

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

North 7th and Bedford

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 08:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tipico - image c/o EatingInTranslation

We now have two new South American joints in the hood: Tipico BK and Zero Latitude. Let us know what you think, if you've been. Here's the word on the street:

Tipico BK - from Black Book

Rodrigo's chill Paraguayan on lazy south WB block. Afternoon hang for perfect steak sandwiches and creamy coffee "batidos" while listening to South American rock like Fabulosos Cadillacs, Piojos, or weed-themed Brazilian reggae. Hammock in cozy patio goes great with BYOB six pack from corner bodega or tereré: that cool, refreshing, Paraguayan drink (iced yerba mate). Café Havana before it turned into a Lenny Kravitz video.

Williamsburg has a new South American restaurant in Zero Latitude. Actually, we’re not sure whether it can be called a South American restaurant since it serves Spanish tortilla, a hummus dip, and palek paneer, but chef-owner Eduardo Polit (formerly chef at Frederick’s Downtown and before that a sous-chef at Soho House) was born in Ecuador, and many of his dishes were inspired by a recent five-month trip around the continent. He’s calling his two-day-old joint a café, and as you can see from the interior shot that follows, it’s a stripped-down affair -- but take a glance at the menu and you’ll see there are culinary aspirations (“risotto con pollo”?). For spring, Polit is working on getting fresh spondylus (a rare scalloplike mollusk prized for its colorful shell) and other delicacies from his native country, but in the meantime, here’s what he has going.

You can see a complete list of what's new (and/or newish) here in restaurants.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 05:17 PM | Permalink

via TheCrane.tv

Hi creative ones. TheCrane.tv is a site that will launch in the next month or two, and once it’s up and running it will serve as a resource for fashion, lifestyle, art, and other aesthetic forays. They’re currently accepting submissions for their video competition, so if you want Karl Lagerfeld, Ora-Ito, or Flavio Albanese (among others) to judge your short film, then send it over their way.

Per TheCrane.tv:

“TheCrane.tv, Discovery Campus and Reelisor.com are hosting a film competition for creative talents from all over the world in the categories: Culture, Art&Design, Lifestyle, Fashion, Ideas, Travel and "Green". We reward creativity and encourage you to offer fresh, insider perspectives into your topic of choice. We would like to feel inspired and enriched by your contribution.

“There are no boundaries to your creativity. The short videos can be non-fiction, fiction, animated or could be in a journalistic or documentary style….. The winning films will be selected by our accomplished jury and announced at the international launch of TheCrane.tv in March 2009. The rewards for Laureates include cash, equipment and TV broadcast.”

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

c/o pbrnow.com

The rodeo is in town! Fans of PBR (Professional Bull Riders - although Pabst Blue Ribbon fans overlap in the sociological Venn diagram) know that this weekend, Madison Square Garden is hosting some severely brawny and carnivorous types:

“The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) 2009 Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) returns to The World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, for the 2nd stop on the elite tour. The top 45 bull riders in the world buck into New York City for the Built Ford Tough Invitational on January 9-11. The action will get underway at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. For three-action packed performances, the Big Apple will see a world-class production unlike any other they will see in all of 2009!”

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 02:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This talking goat pretty much sums up how we felt after reading this retarded post by Fox news airbag Greg Gutfeld:

Greg Gutfeld on Nirvana:

“Nevermind” is nothing but a celebration of free markets (”Smells like Teen Spirit” being an anthem about owning something as simple as deodorant). And the truth is - that adorable baby on the cover chasing the dollar is now in his late teens - a healthy testament to a system of monetary reward based on hard work and achievement. “If only Kurt Cobain had chased the almighty dollar instead of the dragon, he’d be alive today,” Steve Albini might have said, if he wasn’t so busy reading Hayek.

[Goat via WFMU, Gutfeld via Idolator]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tops on North 6th

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The folks behind Street Carnage, Wonder Showzen and the Daily Show are screening thier new Adult Swim pilot, Totally 4 Teens, tomorrow night at Monster Island (128 River St @ Metropolitan Ave). The show "features Teens doing totally awesome shit like looking into the future, hating themselves, learning about Jews and eating cream filled pickles," which sounds just up my alley. It also has the dude who voices "Towelie" in South Park.

A few other shows and an avant porn flick are screening as well, so here's the rest via Todd P, via Street Carnage.

:: TOTALLY 4 TEENS ———– new Adult Swim pilot from Street Carnage / Wonder Showzen / Daily Show folks
:: Y’ALL SO STUPID ———— Super Deluxe / Adult Swim show by Devin Flynn
:: XAVIER: RENEGADE ANGEL — CGI new age weird genius from Wonder Showzen people
:: FINAL FLESH —————- avant porn from PFFR
:: TV CARNAGE LIVE ———– Derrick Beckles presents his hacked TV footage live!

Image and info thanks to Street Carnage. Go see this shit it should be hilarious! All proceeds benefit Showpaper.

Posted by Brian Ries at 05:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

From Apple.com

Beginning today, all four major music labels--Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group and EMI, along with thousands of independent labels, are now offering their music in iTunes Plus, Apple’s DRM-free format with higher-quality 256 kbps AAC encoding for audio quality virtually indistinguishable from the original recordings. iTunes customers can also choose to download their favorite songs from the world’s largest music catalog directly onto their iPhone™ 3G over their 3G network just as they do with Wi-Fi today, for the same price as downloading to their computer. And beginning in April, based on what the music labels charge Apple, songs on iTunes will be available at one of three price points: 69 cents, 99 cents and $1.29, with most albums still priced at $9.99.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 05:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This makes us very happy. Hat tip to WFMU's fabulous show: Sound and Safe with Trent. We're podcasting every show.

Grab the mp3 at pennedmadness.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 05:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

But we'll forgive them because the Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavillion is amazing. You can believe the hype this time. A great way to begin 2009. Grab a few tracks at PopTartsSuckToasted. (Start with "Bluish")

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 02:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We're not really sure what's going on here, but this is pretty much what it feels like being back at work this week:

From Wikipedia:

Kure Kure Takora (クレクレタコラ, Kure Kure Takora? unofficial translation: "Gimme Gimme Octopus") is a tokusatsu children's comedy show from Japan. Produced by Toho Company Ltd., the show aired on Fuji TV and its subsidiaries from October 1, 1973 to September 27, 1974 with a total of 260 episodes.

However, Episodes 223, 252 and 255 never materialized. The show was rebroadcast over CS digital satellite television, except for episode 220, which was censored due to problematic show content. The reason behind the censorship being that the main character, Takora is beaten by his neighbors to the point of being brain damaged, and it was considered much too violent to be rebroadcast. Laserdisc and VHS versions were sold, but currently only the DVD version (which includes episode 220) is on Japanese market.

It was a new type of program for children. TAKORA, a central character coveted for everything saying "KURE! (I want it)" all the time. Each episode was absurd, strange, violent, surreal, indescribable, and ran exactly 2 minutes and 41 seconds.

Episode 220—which even more accurately depicts what it feels like returning to work this week—after the jump.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Daily Footprint is a new feature we're adding to Free Williamsburg in 2009. It will be a photo archive of finds, impressions, and tracks observed in the city everyday. My mission is to draw attention to the character in typical and not so typical elements of New York, specifically Williamsburg. -Clarissa Roudabush, Photo Editor

North 7th and Bedford Ave

Posted by Clarissa Roudabush at 04:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Si senoritas et messieurs, this is a few days late…. normally a playlist is posted on the first of every month. Anyway, here are some recommended songs/bands, so perk those ears up!





1. Rafter - “Juicy”

2. Arcade Fire - “Burning Bridges” – from their new LP Miroir Noir – Neon Bible Archives… you can download the song for free by clicking here.

3. Wild Light - “California On My Mind”

4. Boy Crisis - “L’homme” - The Hype Machine has this track, along with a robust amount of other Boy Crisis songs and remixes.

5. Abe Vigoda - “Bear Face”

6. Cheap Time - “Glitter & Gold”

7. O Fracas - “Forfeit”

8. Kid Cudi - “Day ‘n’ Nite” – give it a listen or download the Crookers Remix of the track at RCRDLBL.com.

9. Soft Circle - “Drumbler” – and we give you yet another hookup from RCRDLBL.com!

10. Princeton - “Ms. Bentwich”

11. Small Sur - Sea Stones

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 03:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

If you haven’t heard of Kid Sister or listened to her forthcoming album Dream Date, then prep yourself ‘cause you’ll be inundated this season. She’s the younger sister of Flosstradamus' J2K (who also serves as her backing DJ), so talent runs in the family. Plus, you should’ve checked Kid Sister out weeks ago in our December Playlist. Right now we’re still obsessed, but the I’m-gonna-get-SO-sick-of-this factor ranks high on the Richter scale - mostly because her songs are so addictive that you'll exhaust yourself.

Kid Sister - Pro Nails ft. Kanye West



Her only available video is currently this one, for “Pro Nails.” It features Kanye West (blaghhggh) and isn’t the best song you’ll hear on Dream Date, which is why we need more ASAP. But whatevs, check it out and you will fall in love too.

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

If this is any indication, 2009 is going to be fucking weird. From Bitten&Bound

Rapper Soulja Boy is keeping relatively quiet about being robbed at gunpoint by six men who entered his Georgia home last Tuesday. The singer, whose real name is DeAndre Ramone Way, and several of his friends were in the home at the time of the attack.

On Wednesday a video turned up on the internet with two masked men claiming to be the robbers. Not only did they admit to the crime but they also said this isn’t the first time they have encountered Soulja Boy. The criminals said that they “stalked” him at the release party for his latest album iSouljaBoyTellem and followed him to his home after the party.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

by Dave Thomas

Chandni Chowk To China

Hope you like horror. Let me rephrase that. Hope you like crappy horror.

January 9

BRIDE WARS

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway battle to see who's the most popular actress, I mean, to see who gets a popular wedding venue.

WILL IT SUCK?
Gary Winick has done all right since Tadpole (13 Going on 30, Charlotte's Web) though one of the writers co-wrote Saving Silverman. The other writers worked on the American version of Creature Comforts, which wasn't bad. Likely outcome is meh.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
No competition from the week before since Hollywood is giving up on movies that weekend, and no romcoms for miles after. $47mil.

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THE UNBORN

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Unborn twin vs. born twin.

WILL IT SUCK?
Wins the award for most problematic one sheet. Are you trying to titillate me or scare me because when you're talking about evil unborn ghost fetuses you can't do both. David S. Goyer writes, which can be a very good thing (The Dark Knight) but he also directs which hasn't worked out so well (The Invisible, Blade: Trinity). And how did Gary Oldman end up in this mishigas?

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
There's a lot of horror this month and the only thing this has to distinguish itself is going first. $36mil.

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NOT EASILY BROKEN

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Trials and tribulations of a married couple (Morris Chesnut & Taraji P. Henson).

WILL IT SUCK?
Nice to see Bill Duke back in the director's chair, though I'm biased cos' he totally hooked me up on a project I worked on a ways back. Based on a novel by T.D. Jakes (Woman Thou Art Loosed), so if you're a fan, you'll probably like it fine.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I'd say that Tyler Perry proved that religious themed movies about everyday African Americans can make bank except that T.D. Jakes did that already with Woman Thou Art Loosed. $7mil.

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YONKERS JOE

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Guy tries to win money for his disabled son by cheating at craps in Vegas.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is mixed. Unless you're really excited about Chazz Palminteri or Christine Lahti (or really quick dice changes) I'm not sure you should get psyched.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Not much competition. Well, except for all those Oscar hopefuls no one had time to see during the holidays. $1mil.

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January 16
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MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3-D

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Slasher remake in 3-D.

WILL IT SUCK?
Not only did director Patrick Lussier helm Dracula 2000, he also knocked out it's two straight-to-DVD sequels, and White Noise 2 and The Prophecy 3, so those are kind of horror remakes, right? Speaking of horror sequels, one of the writers penned Jason X and is handling the Messengers sequel (oh, yes, there will be a Messengers sequel).

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I don't think the 3-D gimmick is going to put asses in seats, but maybe Jensen Ackles will. $37mil.

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NOTORIOUS

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Notorous B.I.G. bio-pic.

WILL IT SUCK?
From director George Tillman Jr. (Soul Food, Men of Honor). This does not concern me. One of the co-writers wrote Biker Boyz. He also wrote Get on the Bus. But he wrote Biker Boyz. This concerns me. (The other writer is credited with the 2nd Annual Vibe Awards.)

Good cast though, with Anthony Mackie as 2Pac, Derek Luke as Puffy and Angela Basset as Ma Bigge.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I'd like to think this will be a sleeper hit, but my gut tells me otherwise. $23mil.

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HOTEL FOR DOGS

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Kids start their own little SPCA.

WILL IT SUCK?
Writers have worked on The Drew Carey Show and the surprisingly good Sky High, so there's hope. My favorite little factoid about this film, though, is that it's based on a novel by the same woman who wrote the novel I Know What You Did Last Summer.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Has to deal with Inkheart next week and a little bit of Mall Cop this week, but this has dogs. $33mil.

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PAUL BLART: MALL COP

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Die Chubby

WILL IT SUCK?
Let me list you the offenses of director Steve Carr: Next Friday, Dr. Dolittle 2, Daddy Day Care, Rebound, Are We Done Yet?

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Busy weekend. This will be a strong test of Kevin James' ability to open a film without a major star to play off of. $26mil.

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CHANDI CHOWK TO CHINA

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Hey, you got your kung fu in my Bollywood musical! You got your Bollywood musical in my kung fu!

WILL IT SUCK?
I'm not going to pretend to know fuck-all about Bollywood, but I know a thing or two about kung fu cinema, and the fact that they've got Gordon Liu up in here tells me they're keeping that side real. Trailer looks spectacular, except for that banana peel gag.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
No real competition. Might be able to tap into the Stephen Chow crowd. And straight-up Bollywood musicals have been doing better and better in the states. $4mil.

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January 23
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INKHEART

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Kind of like Bedtime Stories, but more action-y.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good. Impressive given that Iain Softley has directed mostly meh fare (K-PAX, The Skeleton Key) and writer David Lindsay-Abaire co-penned the miserable Robots. This gives me hope, however, since he's also penning Spidey 4.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Has to deal with what will likely be a formidable second frame of Hotel for Dogs, but not much else. $36mil.

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UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Underworld: Backstory

WILL IT SUCK?
Even though Len Wiseman, who helmed the first two, has moved on to Die Hard and such, he still had a hand in the story and Undervet Danny McBride (not that one) had a hand in the screenplay, so we should see some consistency, for better or worse. One thing I can say is that they're finally focusing on what, for my money, are the series best assets: Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The introduction of Rhona Mitra is only going to make up so much for a lack of Kate Beckinsale. $44mil.

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POSSESSION

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Woman's husband switches bodies with his brother. Or does he?

WILL IT SUCK?
Here's a shock: this supernatural thriller is a remake of an Asian horror film (Korean in this case). And it stars Sarah Michelle Gellar! Actually, I'm kind of curious to see how Lee Pace does as a heavy, and it's nice to hear CSM's (William B. Davis) gravelly baritone again, but the fact that this was adapted by the same guy who adapted Queen of the Damned kind of blows that all to hell. Early buzz is mixed.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Gellar hasn't opened a thriller since 2004. And there are a lot of thrillers this month. $16mil.

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KILLSHOT

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Hitmen Mickey Rourke and Joseph Gordon-Levitt vs. cute couple Diane Lane and Thomas Jane.

WILL IT SUCK?
Given the film's crappy production and distribution history, early buzz is remarkably good. Considered director John Madden's (Shakespeare in Love, Proof) best by IMDB users.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Will try to capitalize on Mickey Rourke's Wrestler fame. Will fail. $2mil.

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DONKEY PUNCH

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Debauchery gone wrong on a yacht turns everybody all kill-y. Those of you with access to Wikipedia or an advanced knowledge of sex slang can guess where things take a turn.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is mixed.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
With all the mainstream horror going on, it seems unlikely indie horror will get much notice. $1mil.

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January 30
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THE UNINVITED

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Remake of another Asian horror film where ghosts try to warn people about some shit.

WILL IT SUCK?
The only thing making this stand out from any other horror this month is the big name studio (Dreamworks) and the big name supporting cast (David Strathairn, Elizabeth Banks). And for those paying close attention, this is at least based on a relatively well-regarded Korean horror film, A Tale of Two Sisters.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
First, they need to stop showing the trailer back to back with The Unborn (actually saw it happen). Next they need to release it in a month that hasn't already had three horror movies in as many weeks. $18mil.

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TAKEN

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Former spy (Liam Neeson) takes on slavers who've kidnapped his daughter (Maggie Grace).

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is split. Critics are taking a love it/hate it stance whereas audiences think it's the best thing Luc Besson's written since The Professional. For me, I'm just psyched to see director Pierre Morel's follow up to the fabulous Banlieue 13.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
A bit of popcorn competition from Pink Panther 2 and Push the following week, but the bigger problem is that getting a wide buy-in to hardcore action flicks without A-list stars is notoriously difficult. $11mil.

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NEW IN TOWN

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Ha! Ha! Minnesotans are funny! They're not like city folk!

WILL IT SUCK?
The headline says it all.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Renee Zellweger hasn't opened a romcom since 2001. I don't think this will change that. $22mil.

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THE CLASS

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
To Monsieur, With Love

WILL IT SUCK?
Probably one of the best reviewed films of the year. Won the Palm D'Or at Cannes. Is France's submission for a Best Foreign Oscar.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Given the strong ad campaign, lack of competition and likely Oscar nod, quite well. $6mil.

Next Month: ZOMG!!! Jonas Brothers in 3-D!!!!

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