New York has written a researched rebuttal to the Times' piece Parents Pulling the Plug on Williamsburg Trust-Funders. Turns out we're not all trust-funders.... a fact that I'm all too well aware of:

The median income for the area in the last twelve months was $39,663, well below the city median of $48,631. In 2007, 38.3 percent of residents in the 11211 Zip Code were below the poverty level [...]

Local soup kitchens and food pantries are overwhelmed. “We’re serving 200 people a week,” says Ann Kansfield, pastor at the Greenpoint Reform Church and the head of the Greenpoint Interfaith Food Team, which serves both Greenpoint and Williamsburg. “Where are these trust-funders? I want them to give us money!”

There’s probably a reason the trustafarians are so elusive: In the last twelve months only about 2.9 percent of Williamsburg households made over $200,000 annually. The reality of Williamsburg, beyond the mythical trust-funders, is that it is a community of people mostly struggling to get by, with a few wealthy residents grabbing headlines — the way New York has always been.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

image c/o BrooklynBased

This really sucks, so go give Papacitos some business. From Gothamist:

Papacitos, the wildly popular Greenpoint Mexican restaurant with the best vegetarian tacos in town, was the victim of a brazen robbery Saturday night. Co-owner Cody Utzman tells us that thieves broke into the establishment after it closed, hopping the courtyard fence and entering through the back. According to Utzman, the robbers smashed open the cash register and made off with a safe that had $10,000 inside, as well as the restaurant stereo and some employees' personal belongings. Police have dusted for fingerprints and are investigating the incident.

But there's also good news for Papacitos fans; Utzman tells us he's doubling the size of the place by expanding into the adjacent storefront, which is part of the same building and was the former home of a palm reader. He adds that a "very high profile" designer is overseeing the expansion, which will include a 12 foot tequila bar (whenever Papacitos' liquor license finally gets renewed) and a new mosaic fountain in the spacious courtyard. Work is expected to start next month, with the expansion complete by the end of July.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 06:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Despite The Brooklyn Paper's headline which made us slightly queasy: "MTA finally finds your G-spot with extended service," we're delighted this is finally happening. I guess we should expect more headlines like this, now that Murdoch is running the show. As our friend Kevin pointed out, it could have been worse: “Marty Markowitz finds your G-spot with extended service.”

From Brooklyn Paper:

The G train will be extended to Church Avenue in July, creating the first direct link between trendy Williamsburg and posh Park Slope.

The service boost, scheduled to go into effect on July 5, became necessary because of planned track work along the elevated section of the F and G lines in Carroll Gardens and Park Slope.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 04:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

I have an RSS feed set up to see everything posted under "Free Stuff" on Craigslist's in Williamsburg (instructions on how to do that are here)

While most of the free packing boxes and shelves left on a corner after a move haven't perked my interest, this morning I woke to find this gem:

Sunflower Project Starting a new project for the Greenpoint/Williamsburg Area. Come pick up a baby plant, water it, and watch it grow to 6 feet tall. I want to have Sunflower plants all over Greenpoint/Williamsburg, so if you want to take part and add some color to your neighborhood, then come pick up a plant.

Bests

Matt

Labarbsphoto@gmail.com

Sunflowers all over North Brooklyn? Totally legit.

Posted by Jackie Snow at 09:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Brooklyn Based got an early sneak peak & tour of the new bowling alley/venue opening at 61 Wythe Avenue sometime...soon. They say it's "the most ambitious, striking, high-tech bowling alley/music venue we’ve ever laid eyes on."

The walls are decked with custom, Coney-inspired art (and more vintage posters are in the process of being restored).

Ferra Designs — whose intricate ironwork is on display at Dressler — has taken salvaged Brooklyn Navy Yard windows to decorate the banquettes in the Blue Ribbon restaurant, whose tables are fashioned from the former Woodhaven Lanes in Queens.

The stage is made from recycled truck tires, all the wood is either salvaged or sustainably harvested, and many other green details will make this the first LEED-certified bowling alley in the country.

Read the rest at Brooklyn Based, and subscribe to them so I don't have to tell you these things and can just focus on my hipsters in socks beat.

Posted by Brian Ries at 10:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The country's best looking and most notorious kickball league kicks off their summer season today at McCarren Park, despite the cold, wet damper currently suffocating the city. The teams are set, the schedule is up and the Turkey's Nest just received their ten ton shipment of Styrobeer foam cups to keep everybody properly hydrated.

Two weeks ago, two first-year teams had to battle it out for the last spot in the league in a game that made your little sister's t-ball league look like the pros. The league's rowdy band of misfits - the Pirates (Los Piratas Mechanicos...loosely translated and probably poorly spelled) - are more timely and relevant than ever. Look to them for scurvy tales of hostage taking and an abundance of petty arguments over the placement of their pirate flags. We may or may not be sending dispatches from the fields at twitter.com/freedubya. If you see anything of particular hilarity, feel free to send along tips & photos.

Posted by Brian Ries at 03:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Not that it matters today, given the rain, but Motorino now has a garden. Oh yeah, and a full liquor license. Yahoo. Images and more information here.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Perhaps my favorite bar in Williamsburg, Bushwick Country Club, is having an excellent contest for their mini golf course (hence their country club status) that some artsy engineers could have some fun with:

The third hole is in a sorry state so we're having a contest for the best design to redo it. The winner gets their winning design built, a plaque with their name on it mounted to the hole and a $100 bar tab. The third hole is the one with the mannequin in the red jumpsuit.

Rules:

It has to replace the same area as the old hole. Roughly 4' x 8'

The tee and hole have to be in roughly the same place as the original.

No electricity. Gravity can be the only force used. Ok, we will allow the use of the weak force.

Design can be no more than PG-13.

Simplicity is a plus.

The winner is chosen by the Country Club Board of Directors.

The contest is over when we get an awesome design.

Being able to point out a plaque and say "That's me, baby" such a great pick up. Send your designs here. As a side note, their summer time drink the Jim Bean and coke slushie is back. Be warned, its delicious but dangerous. I speak from experience.

Posted by Jackie Snow at 02:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

My old bike was run over by a minivan a couple of months ago (H8 u, minivans), so I got a new one. A beach cruiser, in fact. It's quite awesome. The old one was locked up for a while but a few days ago I decided to set it free. I leaned the rusty, bent and barely functional old Ross up against a street sign and waited for someone to take it.

It's still there!

Does nobody want this piece of crap which some might call a "fixer-upper"? It's the perfect "oh hey we're in a recession" summer cruiser to go along with that prohibition era mustache of yours! Let's see how long it holds out. I'm predicting Wednesday.

Posted by Brian Ries at 02:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Suck it. You'll be canceled by the end of the year.

Sayeth the gurlz: "...you should move your gallery to the city. williamsburg is over."

XoXo, Williamsburg

Posted by Brian Ries at 10:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Photo by Keith Wagstaff, The Feedbag

So what if you can barely pronounce it. Spuyten Duyvil is still expanding! They recently opened up the backyard garden and The Feedbag reports it's twice the size.

Beer nerds, rejoice! The Williamsburg beer Mecca known as Spuyten Duyvil recently unveiled a patio roughly double its original size. The bar took over the backyard of the adjacent building and revealed it as part of their own back garden Wednesday of last week.

That is great news for myself and hopefully some of you as well. Once this rainstorm passes, the weather's looking to be 70 and sunny - beer weather.

Posted by Brian Ries at 09:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It was only a matter of time before we got the Hipster Grifter t-shirt in our inbox (just $21.95!). And of course, no Hipster Grifter e-mail is complete without it's very own personal story attached! We've got a new one for you. In this tale, we hear from another actor in that mini-sex cop video who was interviewed by Kari for that "job" at GoldenVoice, a few lies about cancer and of course, Radiation burns! Click through to get grifted...but here's your preview: "She had a bunch of red lines on her wrist. 'Cutting yourself?' I joked. 'Radiation burns' she said. 'From the chemotherapy pills.'" Eesch...

Continue reading "Your Authentic Hipster Grifter T-Shirt" »

Posted by Brian Ries at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It seems new york's newest obsession was a free williamsburg reader. She left a comment on this post back in March, signed, of course, Korean Abdul-Jabbar. Good find Gothamist.

Kari, if you'd like to write an explanation to the world from your home here in W'burg, email me.

Posted by Brian Ries at 03:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

My my my. This story is so goddamn juicy I don't know what to do with it. Here are the basic facts, after that, I highly suggest you go find this Kari Ferrell and turn her in to the Salt Lake City Police Department (wanted poster here). It's full of sex, con artists, drugs and more sex, and most of it takes place right here in sunny Williamsburg. Here's a summary, but you really need to carve out fifteen minutes and read it at the Observer. Gawker also has a quick run-down.

1. 22-year old Utah con artist with "a cute pixie haircut" lies her way into a job at Vice.
2. After coming on to a co-worker there, he googled her, and she popped up on the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Most Wanted list. Fired!
3. She banged a dude after a Girl Talk show and then stole his cell phone.
4. She lied about having cancer, being pregnant and so forth. She smoked pot.
5. She went to the Beadruary event, was photographed next to a ton of beards, then said she was doing a book for Vice.
6. She gave the Union Pool bartender a note that read (t-shirt alert): “I want to give you a hand job with my mouth,” and was signed “Korean Abdul-Jabbar.” Nice!
7. She also passed along a note to someone at Fabiane's on Bedford that read: "I want you to throw a hot dog down my hall.”
9. And so, so much more.

If someone wants to design and sell that t-shirt (the hand jobs one) on Cafe Press or something, let us know we'll feature it right here, provided we get a few freebies.

Posted by Brian Ries at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

image c/o Twitter

Apparently, not everyone was satisfied with Twitter just cornering the "telling-the-world-what-you-are-doing/eating/thinking/excreting" market . Now it's supposed to get you a date as well. Via GothamList:

Tonight Hugs is hosting a "Twitter Fueled Singles Dance Party." The organizers say, 'the main novelty we have going is that some tech-minded folks we know have put together a chatroom where people can text message our twitter account, which will tweet whatever flirty notes people feel like saying about one another. And also we'll have ice cream, dancing, and so forth.

Posted by Jackie Snow at 01:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

img c/o vanity fair

Oh, young Kate Ahlborn. Urban adventurer extraordinnaire, fan of Feist’s “1234” and Vanity Fair writer who in all her post-graduate life has yet to venture beyond the pearly gates of the Upper East Side. Well, she made it over here recently wearing her "tweed J. Crew jacket and Tory Burch ballet flats," and after "narrowly escaping death by skateboard on the Bedford subway platform" she caught up with choreographer Noémie Lafrance's new show (Times review, show information) where she had her face touched by a naked crazy person. She then took off running, never stopping once to breathe or look back at all the evil people in "hipsterville" chasing her back home. Imagine her surprise. She'd heard from her " more global friends" (WTF!) "that Brooklyn is a charming borough," but instead found her trip to exotic Brooklyn traumatizing. She'll never come back.

I left the rickety building slightly shaken up and eager to get back to Manhattan. After this experience, I’m fairly certain that’s exactly where I belong.

Below the jump, we've got video of the terrible experience she witnessed. Warning: art. You've got a few more days to check it out too. The show runs through the 12th, although "there may be an extension on April 15-19."

Continue reading "UES Harvard-educated Writer Discovers Williamsburg, Naked People" »

Posted by Brian Ries at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

This month's Bon Appetit has a story on the Williamsburg food scene. They give us a nice mention:

That sense of personal and like-minded connection is one of the things that first attracted Williamsburgers like Robert Lanham, the founding editor of the comprehensive and indispensable Free Williamsburg blog. "You'd walk down the street and recognize people," remembers Lanham, who is also, tellingly, the author of The Hipster Handbook. He admits that much has changed in the 12 years that he's lived in the neighborhood (among other things, he can no longer afford to live as close to the center of things as he once did) but "you still feel like you're part of a real community," he says.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

image c/o Eater

From Eater:

"I was told to try and keep it down a bit about this place because the kinks are not worked out yet and they wanna get it right before they get slammed. So I really can't say if the room was beautifully restored, or that the scallop dish and short rib terrine were phenomenal!!!!, and that my old fashioned was PERFECTLY made. The room is dark and gives off that old timey speakeasy in Pennsylvania vibe, but very beautiful (nearly no cheese factor). The food being turned out is refined, say a small step above Walter (similar to Dressler), but ok ok that's really all I can say."

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 05:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The consonants-only LVHRD is throwing their annual party PHTHRD in Williamsburg tomorrow night. They're going for The World's Most Photographed Party record, as certified by the Universal Record Database, so be sure to bring a camera. They'll take "everything from Nikon D3x's to Kodak Fun Saver Disposables—Polaroid PoGo's to Lomo Pop9's—Canon HD Camcorders to Flip Minos."

So where is it? I don't know! But if you sign up you'll get a text message "the day before," which of course is today, telling you where to go. Hint: It's five blocks from the water. They'll have Nick Catchdubs and an open bar by Dewar's and Brooklyn Brewery. Visit LVHRD at Eventbrite for tix and more info. Use the discount code "memberhrd" for $10 off the ticket price, and then join them on Facebook so you don't feel bad about it.

Posted by Brian Ries at 07:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From NY Times

McCarren Park Pool, right, located on the border between Williamsburg and Greenpoint in Brooklyn, is set to become a swimming spot again, and the summer rock concerts that put it on the musical map will move to the Williamsburg waterfront. Stephanie Thayer, the executive director of the Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn, a nonprofit group that coordinated last year’s concerts, said a strip along the East River between North Eighth and North Ninth Streets that was designated a state park will hold concerts this summer, with room for 6,000 fans. The news was confirmed by the office of Joseph R. Lentol, the state assemblyman who represents Greenpoint and Williamsburg. “This is the continuation of McCarren Park Pool,” Ms. Thayer said. “It’s different, but it has its own exquisite beauty, with the waterfront and the skyline of Manhattan.” She said she planned to work with many of the promoters who put on events at the pool last summer, and would seek classical and opera concerts as well.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last Sunday was The Great Greenpoint Mac-Off but coming up this Sunday we're gonna do you one better (or your heart one worse depending on how you look at it).

It might be good enough to swing some of the Hasidim in town so don't miss it.

Posted by David Bernstein at 01:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The Southside CSA (read: Community Supported Agriculture) is offering around 50 memberships, with a choice of four types of shares – vegetable, fruit, eggs and wine - all grown in black dirt at MimoMex Farm up in Goshen, New York. If you're interested in locally grown produce with a hot and sexy Mexican flavor, CSA organizers are having a farmer meet n’ greet taco potluck (!!!) this sunday from 2-5p.m. on Metropolitan Ave. Email them for the exact address. Click through the jump for a full farm grow list and availability.

Continue reading "Eat Local, Join a CSA" »

Posted by Brian Ries at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Who knew Bary Manilow grew up here? Williamsburg just got a little bit *cooler.* From men.style.com:

Q: You didn't have a lot of money growing up.
A: Oh, none. Zero. Zip. Nothin'. I come from nowhere Brooklyn, New York. Williamsburg, Brooklyn. These days Williamsburg is kind of a hip area, but when I grew up there, the taxi drivers wouldn't even go over the bridge, it was so dangerous.

Q: So you were the original Williamsburg hipster.
A: I wasn't really a hipster. I was a geek.

Continue reading "Barry Manilow the Original W-Burg Hipster" »

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Considering that most of you graduated with a degree in art (or no degree at all), this town's virginity well looks to be all dried up. Do you know any recently graduated virgins? I doubt it, but email them to us if you do and we'll do some sort of auction or something.

Chart via BuzzFeed

Posted by Brian Ries at 01:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

A livery car hit a biker last Friday and lots of people saw it, but the dude can't find any witnesses. Were you there? Are you the mustached man?

Today, Friday March 13, 2009 at approx. 1:20pm I was riding with traffic on Bedford Ave, approaching the intersection of Lorimer St. I was hit by a silver Chrysler sedan (who was a car service car) turning right on to Lorimer. I was wearing a silver windbreaker, riding a black + red track bike with white rims (yes, with a front brake and yes, I was wearing a helmet).

I counted at 5 to 10 people in the area who I believe saw the accident take place. However, no one would come forward as a witness. One mustached fellow (Thank you, whoever you may be) took pictures, but I didn't get a chance to get his name before leaving in the ambulance. Sadly, he did not arrive until moments after the accident happened.

Here's the Craigslist ad: Hit by Car in Williamsburg. If you were there, help this guy out!

Posted by Brian Ries at 05:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Sometime last winter someone I know very well got a pink slip summons here in Brooklyn, New York for urinating between two parked vans somewhere in industrial Bushwick or Bed-Stuy...can't remember which. The odds that anyone drove by at the exact instant of his urinary relief are astounding, let alone two of New York's finest. Approximately 8 minutes after he got that ticket, he threw it out, or lost it, one or the other it doesn't matter now. He then basically forgot about the ticket for months, until sometime yesterday when he realized that summer is coming up, and with it kickball, and with that joy of drinking beers apple juice outdoors in McCarren park at night.

Oh no!

He probably has some kind of (hopefully loosely enforced) warrant out for his arrest for not showing up for that measly little pink slip! He did some research around the bliggosphere, had Sheila at Gawker do an advice column for him, and eventually, balled up and called a lawyer. He is now a proud American citizen with retained legal counsel ($500) who has advised him to "keep his head down" while he sorts things out. This is great! He told me he really feels truly American and can say things like, "I dunno guys. I shouldn't drink that beer on the subway. My lawyer's advised me not to."

He has promised to send me updates with how everything nets out. Today his lawyer is checking with the courts to verify the existence of that warrant.

update: yes indeedilysquat, his lawyer has advised him that there is a warrant and to keep things on the down-low 'till early next week when they will go to court.

Posted by Brian Ries at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Aakash Nihalani struck the white construction wall on Bedford first (look). But not long after, an army of Lou Reeds marched in and plastered the (Berlin) wall with ads for New York label Supreme. Over the weekend, Jake at Gothamist saw they got a little makeover:

The posters are simple, featuring a photo of musician Lou Reed (shot by Terry Richardson) wearing a Supreme t-shirt (accessorized with aviator sunglasses and a smug expression).Street artist Faile has now altered the images, with a tiger face in place of Lou's, and the word "Vanity" in place of "Supreme."

Aakash Nihali's flickr stream is here, but not so surprisingly leaves out the cubes from the Atlantic Avenue subway station MoMa fiasco. Check out Gothamist for the Faile-modded Lou Reeds.

photo by my iphone, sucka.

Posted by Brian Ries at 09:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photograph by Tam Ngo

Since people have been asking about the mysterious Vietnamese restaurant on the Southside, it's called Bep and it's only open on Mondays. Inside the Simple Cafe. More information in our restaurant guide.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Grub Street coined it. And the New York Times has a great story on the growing culinary movement in Brooklyn:

Gabrielle Langholtz, the editor of Edible Brooklyn, which chronicles the borough’s food scene, said it has grown along with the arrival of what she calls the “new demographic.”

“It’s that guy in the band with the big plastic glasses who’s already asking for grass-fed steak and knows about nibs,” Ms. Langholtz said.

“Ten years ago all of these people hadn’t moved to Brooklyn yet,” she added, comparing Brooklyn today to Berkeley in the 1970s. “There’s a relationship to food that comes with that approach to the universe,” Ms. Langholtz said. “Every person you pass has read Michael Pollan, every person has thought about joining a raw milk club, and if they haven’t made ricotta, they want to.”

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 12:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This Saturday at The Shank in Greenpoint (98 Bayard Street — map). From MyOpenBar

I know, I know—this sounds too good to be true, and it probably is if you look at it like a sane person: NinjaSonik, Team Robespierre, Juiceboxxx, Wild Yaks, Cerebral Ballzy, MNDR, Dre Skull, DJ C.lo and a secret guest (Spank Rock again? Whoops!) with 500 16oz cans of PBR going fast at 11pm. Oh and hey, it's all-ages, too. Also, Santa to pop out of the fireplace with a big bag of dicks for everybody. (PBR, $6 cover / 11am till gone)

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

image c/o Grub Street

We've got the menu and more information here. Let us know what you think. From Shecky's:

Chef Diego Gonzales is no newcomer to 152 Metropolitan Ave. in Williamsburg: he was the chef at the location's former Spanish restaurant Zipi Zape and will be taking the helm at its newest reincarnation, Barberry (which, despite the images of tartan its name may conjure, serves Mediterranean food). Signature dishes include grilled sardines, frisée salad with honey-roasted walnuts, and chocolate souflée--although the typical burgers, sandwiches, and steaks are also on the menu. Most importantly, the full bar is well-stocked enough to keep customers coming back.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 06:52 PM | Permalink

I checked out the scene at Glasslands last night for Williamsburg Fashion Weekend. Let me just start by saying that seeing some of the fashion elite bouncing around in their 5 inch heels at this venue was thoroughly entertaining. I showed up late, flats in tow, at the fault of currently going through Brooklyn roommate search hell-- which reminds me, if you want to live in a beautiful Bushwick loft, holler at this girl.

Anyway, fabulous host Arthur Arbit kicked off the night introducing the 'Burg friendly models of Mandate of Heaven. Although an hour late, designer/model Carissa Ackerman's grandma chic meets scandalous onesies tickled the fancy of the patient crowd. Much to my delight, I guess, I somehow managed to position myself in perfect viewing of lots 'o sexy buns.

Next up was Nettie Tiso featuring super sleek Racecar! for men and flirty Nettie for women. Her lines seemed to race by (pun unintentional) after Mandate's never ending hot bod parade. But a short line is what you get when everything is hand sewn. Serious good stuff.

Trisha McBride & Papusza Couture put on an unorthodox show, but isn't that the point of hosting a fashion party at a warehouse by the East River?

Check out Day 2 of the show tonight at Glasslands-- starting at 8:30pm (hopefully). See the likes of Treehouse Brooklyn's Sirius*, Sodafine's Erin Wekerle, and Arbit's own King Gurvy. Oh, and Celebration is gonna be there too! 8 Bucks at the Door, y'all!

More photos after the jump...

Continue reading "Williamsburg Fashion Weekend" »

Posted by Nicole Wasilewicz at 04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As I procrastinate another drab trip to the USPS location on South 4th St. (seriously -- why is that place the black hole of the 'hood!?) I'm fondly reminded of the days I toted around a neon pink sticker book under my arm, glittery unicorn and all. Martha Cooper, who you may know from her efforts in 1984's Subway Art, tells the Village Voice what we're all thinking. Or, at least, what we wish we were cool enough to think:

"What I really like about postal stickers is the idea that the U.S. government is participating in street art," Cooper explains from a counter stool in a 14th Street coffee shop, a knitted scarf and matching OBAMA-print hat tucked into her bag. She's simultaneously eating a whole-wheat doughnut and examining a sticker that demands, "WHERE THE FUCK IS MY MOONCAKE?" This conveniently works as a thought bubble, but it's actually scrawled on a page in the sleeved album she's brought along, to show off just a few of the "couple thousand" stickers she has spotted on foot since 2003, shot digitally, then carefully detached with an adhesive remover that lives in her backpack. "It's like a little treasure hunt, when you're walking around, to always have your eyes out."

Posted by Nicole Wasilewicz at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ohhhh Williamsburg, there's still a whole pile of free shit out there. This week, we've got a stank-ass piano, brain scans, spearfishing magazines and some free records! Come, take a gander with me and smell the savings.

Free Foam!
You know things are in the shitter when people are giving away free foam. It's in the same category as free spit, potato shavings and eye boogies. But, you know, foam makes a fantastic jacket stuffer and you could probably tell all your friends you're having a foam party, but then when they show up just have chunks of this real foam lying around your house. Wait, that's actually a funny idea should I email this guy?

Free Steinway Piano
Sounds awesome, but there's a catch: "this piano is free. it has a BEAUTIFUL sound, but unfortunately, it smells." What. the. fuck. If only Beethoven couldn't smell, we'd have a winner here.

Free Brain Scans!
Hey, you never know. Grandpa might've been right all those years ago when he knocked and heard echos.

Free Spearfishing Mags
Things might get testy this summer, and yall might need to refine your spearfishing skills in the East River. These 30-some mags will get you well on your way. Also, have you ever met a spearfisher without a beard? No. Grow it.

And then, tomorrow there's Free Records!!

LARGE VARIETY OF RECORDS & BOOKS
131 KENT STREET
SATURDAY 2/21 & SUNDAY 2/22
9 am - 5 pm From the ad:

For the boozehounds, My Open Bar's got a few events tonight, namely free PBR starting at 9 at Rockstar Bar (349 Kent Street) and a performance art piece by Rob Andrews with artsy booze, no cover at Grace Exhibition Space (840 Broadway). Also, Brooklyn Brewery tours as free as ever and there're poets at Pete's.

Oh! Williamsburg is Dead just reminded me, "you can venture to the almost-but-not-quite-closed Sound Fix Cafe to see The Forms play a free show at 8pm."

If you're over in Bushwick, check out BushwickBk's culture picks for the weekend, and if I missed any, or to be included in future semi-regular round-ups, email me.

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

Brooklyn, NZ sounds familiar...

From Wikipedia: “a friendly and vibrant village atmosphere [citation needed] which has attracted many young families whilst retaining its identity as older suburb with timber villas and varied architecture.”

(via Hudsn)

Posted by Brian Ries at 06:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From NY1:

The goal is to reopen the pool and provide a year-round recreation center, while preserving the existing landmark buildings and their unique archways.

"The brickwork is going to be replaced. It'll be brick that matches exactly how it is now," explained Martin Maher of the Parks Department.

The pool will not be as large as the original. Instead, it will be reconfigured to a U-shaped design accommodating 2,500 people. The middle will be a beach area in the summer and turn into an ice staking rink in the winter. Outdoor pavilions will be added on site to serve as changing stations.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Don’t fret about V-Day if you haven’t figured out what to do. Besides the Broken Hearts Ball, there’s plenty of other neighborhood action going on Friday/Saturday for lovers, singles, et al.

1. Celebrate Your Love at White Castle

Perhaps the most romantic option of all is doing dinner at the Graham Avenue White Castle. I did it last year, and let me tell you there is NOTHING classier than drinking Diet Coke out of a champagne flute and holding hands with your date among the fake flowers and helium balloons.

Make sure to call (718) 899-8404 ext. 311 and make your reservation, because this place does get busy.

2. Prix Fixe V-Day Dins at Nita Nita

If you aim higher than White Castle, this place is where it’s at. Forget burning a huge hole in your wallet and stressing about finding a good restaurant. Nita Nita on North 8th and Wythe is cozy, friendly, delicious, and the perfect choice.

3. Every 2nd Friday

The flyer above spells it out pretty clearly – and while this might not be on Valentine’s Day proper, it’ll still be a nice distraction and a good way to get hammered and take advantage of some gallery openings. And perhaps a good old Friday the 13th one night stand?

4. The Habitat’s Singles Night on Valentines

Greenpointers Blog gave us the heads up that one of our fave bars in the neighborhood will be hosting a special evening for singles to commiserate and get tipsy at a discounted price. Sounds like a good plan, readers!

5. And as mentioned below, The Broken Hearts Ball

Posted by Elizabeth Brady at 03:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From our mailbag:
Hey guys, my rottie met a pig yesterday at mccarren park. I talked to the owner of the pig. Apparently he lives in an apartment.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

photos by angela cranford

We got beefed up at the insanely packed Chili Takedown at Union Pool yesterday, and seriously folks, there was some good eatin' in that sardine can. Matt did a pretty good job of managing the herd, which saw over 35 chili chefs serve up their best medleys. My personal favorite was full of gamey meats like Quail, Boar and the like, but the surging crowd, and the judges, chose otherwise. Here are the official results:

The Judges' Choice:
1. Katie Feola and Anne Garrett's - #11 Pam Brown White Chili (It was stage left. And delicious.)
2. Nick Suarez - #7 “If You Like it Then You Shoulda’ Put a Ring on it” Chili
3. Theo Peck - #18 “Whoremel”

The People's Choice:
1. Theo Peck - won $100 bucks, was set up stage right and had homemade sausage in it. Also won last month's s'MACdown with this mac n' cheese recipe.
2. Steve Cash
3. Nick Suarez

Next month, chef's turn their focus to bacon for the Bacon Takedown. We'll add the info when we get it.

More coverage here and here.

More pics after the jump....

Continue reading "Chili Takedown Results & Aftermath" »

Posted by Brian Ries at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The McCarren Park Pool renovations public update that was scheduled for today has been moved to February 10th at 6:30 pm at the Swinging 60's Senior Citizens Center (211 Ainslie St., corner of Manhattan Ave.). In case you forgot, The Pool is being renovated to provide swimming in the summer, year round recreation in the former bathhouse, and the design accommodates the potential for skating in the winter and off-season performances. The key phrase there is off-season performances, which basically means it's not time to pack away your MGMT headbands just yet.

update via Nag

Posted by Brian Ries at 01:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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

Taken by Clarissa Roudabush

Posted by Brian Ries at 02:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Selby met up with Williamsburg's own little microcelebrity, Peaches Geldolf (her dad is Bob Geldolf), and took some photos of her and her roommates inside their apartment. Also, they did a cute little magic marker interview! That's after the jump. But first, take in a few photos of their apartment, and play the "I think I know where that is!" game. Hint: I don't think it's the offices of PETA.

All pictures c/o The Selby; found via Gawker, which notes her favorite part of Brooklyn is "the Spanish gangsters at the bagel shop who hit on me." Hey, me too!

Continue reading "Inside Peaches' Palace" »

Posted by Brian Ries at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

There are hawks in McCarren Park. Wear your bike helmets, or else.

Posted by Brian Ries at 06:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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 (6)

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)

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)

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 (21)

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 (2)

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"

Continue reading "Police Brutality On Bedford?" »

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

From Kayrock's website

Espeis archetype invited Kayrock Screenprinting to create a mural outside their gallery. With Halloween and the presidential election just around the bend, we created a wheat paste mural that combines 35 looming issues with 20 leering monster heads. All prints are 3 colors on text weight 19"x25" paper.

Monsters were drawn by Wolfy Part II, Karl "Kayrock" LaRocca, Zach Lehrhoff, Anna Haifisch, Christeen Francis and Brady Dollarhide. Looming issues were provided by the times, the media, the presidential candidates and you.

Barack Obama has a plan that addresses 25 pressing issues. McCain's plan only deals with three.

We will have monster head prints for sale at:
Prints Gone Wild
Supreme Trading
213 North 8th, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Saturday Nov 1 (6pm-midnight) and Sunday Nov 2 (12-6pm)

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 03:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Are you looking for an apartment in the heart of Williamsburg for New Jersey prices? Then look no further, because for $550 you can live one block from North 6th and Bedford! Just don't raise a fuss about living in someone's windowless kitchenless basement bathroom. But hey, look at the upside, utilities are included! Curbed notes, "It is a short trip to the toilet if you need to hurl after a long night at Supreme Trading, and if it's projectile and your aim is good, you might not even have to get out of bed." Looks like the original Craiglist post was removed.

Posted by Brian Ries at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Good Magazine's new video series, The Wild Frontier of Sports, spotlights the McCarren Park Kickball games. Michael Phelps even makes a cameo! Check it out...

I'd embed it, but its just too big for our narrow blog aisles. (Good, give me customization options, damnit!)

UPDATE: Good is great! Here's the video, customized to fit FREEwilliamsburg (w/ description):

Anyone who remembers childhood as a time of innocence and joy was never on the wrong side of a dodgeball. If you ever packed a few extra pounds in grade school, chances are the specters of those stinging rubber balls haunt you to this day. But for the past three summers, young Brooklynites have been turning up at McCarren Park Pool to re-brand dodgeball as a sport where ex-bullies and fat kids can come together over a beer or six and have some good clean fun. We take you into the fray in our new video series: The Wild Frontier of Sports.

Posted by Brian Ries at 03:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

img via roboppy

A quick congrats to Fette Sau (best BBQ) and Dumont Burger (best burger) for bringing some Zagat medals home. From NYDailyNews:

Fette Sau in Williamsburg, which earned 24 out of 30, offers the city's best place "for pigging out" on barbecue, according to Zagat. "That's nice, very cool," said owner Joe Carroll, who opened the restaurant a year and half ago. The barbecue is so good, Carroll tells customers not to use a lot of sauce on his tasty meat - including such unusual offerings as pork belly, pig's tail, lamb shank and tongue. The city's best burger - served on a brioche bun with house-made pickles - was found nearby at DuMont, which also earned a 24 rating. "[That's] nice but not surprising," said James Garvey, manager of DuMont, which opened in Williamsburg seven years ago. "We've worked really hard."

We're proud of you :)

Posted by Brian Ries at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

One way to let it be known that you're new in town, is to welcome everyone else to your universe. It's kinda like Mr. Rogers taking his magical trolley into that crazy world on the other side of the wall, and saying, "Welcome to my neighborhood, puppets!". That's what Williamsburg's newest clothing shop Summer Friday chose to do, by papering telephone polls around the area with the above sign. They're offering "contemporary clothing for gentlemen & gentlewomen", and are located at 560 Lorimer St., just by the Metro Ave. stop. On behalf of the residents of Williamsburg, thanks Summer Friday, it's great to be here!

via Racked

Posted by Brian Ries at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Walter Foods — image c/o NY Mag

There are a couple of new restaurants opening up in the hood. Getting the most buzz is the raw bar Walter Foods on 253 Grand Street. Here's what NY Mag says:

Finally, the raw bar the kids in Williamsburg have long demanded! Balthazar bartender Danny Minch and Barrio Chino owner Dylan Dodd have opened Walter Foods at 253 Grand Street. Justin Ernsberger, formerly of Clinton Street Baking Company and Aqua Grill, brings his love of sea creatures to the menu -- lobster appears in five dishes. This is good news for anyone on the L train looking to score some clam chowder this fall; if you're not, there's a burger and fried chicken and some steaks for you. Given Minch's former life as a bartender, it's no surprise that the cocktail menu is more robust, if not a little old-timey: See Sling, Singapore for details.

Also, for those of you who miss the Brick Over Gallery (we sure do), its former owner just opened a new joint called Kenny's Trattoria. Here's what the owner has to say:

Kenny's Trattoria is an Italian restaurant with a menu offering homemade pasta dishes, including a homemade ravioli of the day, and several chicken, pork, beef and seafood dishes. Patrons of Brick Oven Gallery will recognize some of the dishes such as the Brooklyn Caviar, Brick Oven Shrimp, Orichietti and the same over sized salads.

On another note, a new brick oven restaurant called Motorino opens on Friday. It's on the corner of Graham & Ainslie. And speaking of brick oven pizza, we've been addicted to Barosa. It's just a block away from Motorino on Graham and it's definitely worth a visit. Stick to the basics--eggplant parmesan, pastas, the sausage pizza is heavenly--and you'll be delighted.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 04:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Get it while its hot, at Hoodman. If anyone can make me a "I throw PBR cans at the Real World cast members" T-shirt print pattern, I'll make you king/queen of FREEwilliamsburg for the week. Then, maybe we'll actually print it.

Found via I Heart Cool Stuff

Posted by Brian Ries at 06:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Is Williamsburg radioactive?

In the not-too-distant future we may see “luxury-style” condos on top of the lot that used to host a facility for low-level radioactive waste and toxic chemicals.

Soon, Curbed will be following the construction of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's new condo complex, while we all go hide in our refrigerators like Indiana Jones.

Posted by Brian Ries at 06:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo via flickr user yzzordorex

Graffiti legend Dumar Brown (aka Nov) has been globetrotting and spreading the word of his new book, The World Screaming Nov, the way he knows best. Graffiti reading "World Screaming Nov", or to some, "World Screaming Nov 11", is just a little bit of marketing, and not to be mistaken for some grim warning of an impending attack. I found this photograph on Flickr of the message painted on a wall in Williamsburg, this one at an intersection along Kent Ave. Similar messages have also been seen throughout Brooklyn and even in Paris (via Gothamist).

The Brooklyn Paper has Brown defending himself, saying "It was just an advertisement. I didn’t have permission, but then again nobody ever asked me if it was OK that they put billboards up in my sight. I’m not a vandal."

Posted by Brian Ries at 04:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo c/o The Brooklyn Paper / Allison Bosworth

The Hasidic community in Williamsburg is a bit up in arms recently over the addition of this sexified 90210 billboard looming over the neighborhood and their stretch of the BQE. A local rabbi gave the reasoning to the Brooklyn Paper:

In Jewish law, it is forbidden to see any part of a lady that is not dressed — and having men and women swimming together is also not permissible, even if they are fully clothed,” said Rabbi David Niederman, president of the United Jewish Organization

Nobody's returning any phone calls. But now that the premiere's come and gone, it'll most likely be taken down quietly one night without noise nor fuss. Offensive? Or maybe just a bit of New York seeping east...

Posted by Brian Ries at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Via BrooklynBased:

Balthazar alum Danny Minch is opening a Blue Ribbon-style, casual fine dining restaurant in the space across from Clem’s. Minch recruited his chef from Clinton Street Baking Company, and rumor has it that Walter Foods, named after his bulldog Walter, a neighborhood fixture, will offer a slice of birthday cake on the dessert menu each evening. Mmmmm, birthday cake.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 05:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

And this time we're not talking about the haircuts and post-punk reemergence. From Metro

Crime has become a hot topic in Williamsburg -- especially tales of machete-wielding kids roaming the streets.

Williamsburg’s 90th police precinct has experienced the sharpest rise in crime since last year of any neighborhood in Brooklyn, making some locals nervous. “My friend said they’re attacking white hipster boys on bikes,” Neil Campbell, a tattooed South Fourth Street resident who fit that bill, said. ...

“Gang violence in the community [has] re-emerged into something we haven’t seen since the 1980s,” said William Orellana of community group El Puente.

Last month, Richard Duran, 22, who residents say was not a gang member, was shot at the bus depot on the South Side near the Williamsburg Bridge. Some believe the shooter was a member of the PBGs, or Pretty Boy Goons. Later that night, young men with machetes -- allegedly Trinitarios -- slashed two people on South Third Street near Bedford Avenue.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

image c/o The Brooklyn Paper / Allison Bosworth

From The Brooklyn Paper:

Justin Tranter, lead singer of the quartet, Semi Precious Weapons, rents an illegal 1,800-square-foot loft in the shadow of the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant for six years -- but he and his bandmates received a 30-day eviction notice earlier this month...

“Things are going well for us, but we aren’t a famous band yet, so we don’t have any money,” the oft-stilettoed singer said. “This city just isn’t about artists being able to live fabulously anymore.”

That may sound sad coming from Tranter, whose band was named “best local rockers” by the Village Voice and have made more appearances on the Perezhilton.com blog than, well, Paris Hilton. But, unfair as this may sound, there just aren’t mega-millions to be made in recreating the sound that made David Bowie so fabulous in the 1970s.

The band can barely scrape up the $1,400 monthly rent, which is less than half the market rate for Greenpoint lofts....

“Everyone knows that Greenpoint is changing,” said the spandex-clad Tranter, whose band is considering moving to (gasp) New Jersey. “It’s no longer for artists here. You used to be able to move here and figure it out, but it costs too much now. Now you have to have a plan, you have to have a job, and you have to have rich parents. We don’t have any of those, so we don’t know what to do.”

You Tube eviction announcement after the jump.

Continue reading "Greenpoint Glam Favs, Semi Precious Weapons, Getting Evicted" »

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Looks like d.b.a. will be giving Radegast Hall a run for the money. From a tipster.

I went to dba last night on 1st ave, and there was a sign there saying a new d.b.a location will be opening up on north 7th street between Berry and Wythe.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 09:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

image by matthew nauser & nymag

Benjamin Shih, owner of Sweet Up's and Royal Oak, talks with New York Magazine about his life in the National Guard, and how a $150,000 "Patriot Express" business loan helped him expand what New York Mag calls his "hipster-bar mini-empire".

How does one go from Williamsburg to the front lines of the war of terror? According to Shih, It's all a part of the American Dream.

Shih’s family arrived from Taipei in 1968. “It was the American Dream,” he says. Shih went on to get both a law degree and tattoos, and then worked for Lexis-Nexis. He wanted to be his own boss, and in 2002, he used his savings to open Sweet Up’s. But he always wanted to be in the military, too; he identifies with his fellow soldiers. “They’re often poor, they value education, obligation—the social contract,” he says. “I have a foot in both worlds.”

He's likely to be shipped off to Afghanistan next year.

Read the rest at New York Mag.

Posted by Brian Ries at 02:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

As reported here, the Top Chef contestants have taken up temporary residency just north of McCarren Park. Restless has the first pictures. Now we know who to look for when running at the track.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

----------------------
ON FRIDAY
----------------------

by Damon Ginandes

----------------------
ON SATURDAY
----------------------

----------------------
ON SUNDAY
----------------------

Langhorne Slim

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A new restaurant opened in Williamsburg on Monday. It's called La Superior and its specialty is Mexican street food. Looks like the taco truck is going to have some competition. From The Brooklyn Paper

If you want authentic Mexican food in Williamsburg, look no further than the street -- Berry Street, that is. La Superior... serves Mexican “comida corrida y callejera,” or Mexican diner and street food, in a colorful eatery that is designed to evoke images of a typical Mexican dive bar or butcher shop. The food is “truly Mexican, without any pretense,” according to owner Iris Avelar, and ranges from savory snacks like “ezquites” -- cups of cooked corn kernels with Mexican mayo, cheese and lime -- to entrees like “pollo encacahuatado” -- chicken with mole peanut sauce and broccoli, carrots and potatoes -- or the exotic “nopal asado con queso” -- grilled cactus with melted cheese. The menu will change regularly, but you can count on staples like beans, tacos and quesadillas. La Superior hasn’t gotten its liquor license yet, but they do have a juice bar, serving fresh drinks like “liquado de mamey” -- a sweet melon smoothie -- and Mexican “limonada,” which Avelar assured GO Brooklyn is “a really amazing lemonade like you’ve never had in your life.” For those Williamsburg bar-hoppers in search of something fast and fried, the restaurant is open till 1 am on weekdays and 2 am on weekends, and will also serve brunch on the weekends.

If you've been, let us know what you think in our restaurant section. More information on La Superior (and a menu) here.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is hilarious.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 04:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Five Leaves Bar

Coming to Greenpoint soon. From Down by the Hipster

This small space on the corner of Bedford and Lorimer is tentatively called The Five Leaves, and will be opened by one of Heath Ledger's close friends. The late actor, who's last movie is obviously doing pretty well, was a key backer of the the project and was going to be a full partner. His untimely death put the project in jeopardy, but his father became executor of the estate and because he knew how much the project meant to heath, he released the funds to finish construction. The name Five Leaves is a working name, and comes from Swan cigarette papers that tell you when there are just five left in a package. A bit later, we will take you inside the nautically themed cafe and bar.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

From our comments.

Hi All. Brick Oven Gallery had its last day and served its last pizza on 7.20.08. My Uncle owns the place so I would know. We ended on a good note with all of our regular customers there to help us mark the day. It was sort of bittersweet. We hopefully will be relocating within a month. We just wanted everyone to know we officially closed and are absolutely no longer at 33 Havemeyer St. Thank you to all of our loyal customers and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Sonic Youth at McCarren in '07, image c/o Flickr

Looks like it will be the last concert, um, EVER at McCarren Park Pool—*weep*—but Sonic Youth has just announced a show on August 30th. Tickets go on sale Friday at noon.

There have been petitions floating around at the Pool Parties to keep the venue as a concert space, but we're not holding our breath. Looks like the kiddie urinal is on its way. The good news is the free shows may be transferred to Bushwick Inlet Park in 2009.

Also just announced, The Felice Brothers are headlining a free JellyNYC Pool Party with Langhorne Slim, Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves, Deer Tick, and DJ Kool Kear on August 10th.

More information at www.mccarrenpark.com

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 07:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We're glad to see Obama addressing the elephant in the room and stand up for the Muslim community. Apparently it's news to America, but not all Muslims are terrorists. In case you missed it, here was Barry Blitt's response yesterday.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

From the event's website:

Neighborhood artists will open their studios Saturday June 7th and Sunday the 8th from 12 to 7pm. Hundreds of artists will be showing work in their own studios and in group shows at venues in the neighborhood. There will also be dozens of artist-organized events throughout the weekend.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

JellyNYC just released the official schedule (with a few TBA surprises still to come.) More at Mccarrenpark.com.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 01:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

God, we sure hope so. You know, so we can make fun of them. From Gothamist

Entering its 21st season, MTV's The Real World returns to New York for a third time...but for the first time it's headed to an outer-borough. That's right, the seven generic, good-looking roommates will be heading to Brooklyn.

Shooting begins this summer, and will result in 12 hour-long episodes. In the press release we received, Jon Murray, co-creator of the show, says "The Brooklyn season, like the Hollywood season, will focus on what people loved about 'The Real World' when it launched in 1992 - genuine people, meaningful conflict and powerful stories." Really Jon? We're sort of betting it'll be more about the cast taking over bars, fighting with locals, getting drunk and sleeping with roommates -- all as they take their amazingly overpriced living quarters for granted.

The big question now is: Which part of Brooklyn will have the distinct pleasure of welcoming the new residents? Our guess is they'll be taking over a few luxury condo units in Williamsburg. Perhaps this will unite the hipsters and anti-hipsters of the 'nabe? Either way, get ready to see the production taking over McCarren Pool Parties this summer.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 05:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tickets go on sale Fri, 04/25/08 10:00 AM. More information at mccarrenpark.com.

Devo on Letterman, 1992:

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From TONY

TONY has it that Southpaw owner Matthew Roff, currently involved in the final stages of opening new Prospect Heights beer garden Franklin Park, plans to sign a lease tomorrow on the Galapagos space in Williamsburg.
The name: Natural Selection. “We’re all fans of Darwin, obviously,” says Roff, who will partner with the owners of popular South Slope watering hole Bar Four. “We were originally going to call it Madagascar but we thought that might be too much of a slap in the face.”

Roff plans to retain the location as a performance space, and tells us the transformation could be “weeks away.” Galapagos, as has been widely reported, will relocate to Dumbo sometime in 2009.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Since lots of people have been asking about McCarren Park Pool, here's the short answer. Yes, the venue will once again be hosting shows this summer. Sadly, this will be the last summer to enjoy live concerts. [Full story here]. We'll be maintaining the calendar at www.mccarrenpark.com.

Beginning in June, JELLYNYC and Helio will be hosting free Pool Parties on Sundays. Meanwhile, Ticketmaster will be selling shamefully overpriced tickets for the shows they represent as well. Hopefully, Live Nation won't be transforming McCarren Park into patchouli-infested hacky sack land again this year by booking jambands.

Confirmed shows thus far include Wilco, M.I.A. and Hold Steady. There are some pretty cool rumors circulating too. Visit mccarrenpark.com for the full schedule.

[Note: this will also be our last summer to maintain www.mccarrenpark.com, so attention real estate moguls, we're accepting your highest bid on the site.]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

image c/o City Search

There's a great new Italian restaurant on Grand Street, called Fiore. We just got around to posting a menu this weekend. Check it out while the prices remain reasonable since this place is already becoming a local favorite. More information here.

Also, now you can search our restaurant section to check out what's new and what's recommended. We're overdue to check out Air Pizza, if not for the logo alone.

image c/o itsthetastebuds.com

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 08:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The always great VBS.tv has a great series on one of Williamsburg's first artists, John Kessler. You can check out part one below and the complete series here. Their Soft Focus interview series, hosted by Ian Svenonius of The Make-Up and Nation of Ulysses, is worth checking out as well. Interviewees thus far include Chan Marshall, Will Oldham, Ian Mackaye and many more.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hotel Delmano, image c/o Noah Kalina

We've been meaning to post about Williamsburg's latest fancy drink establishment, Hotel Delmano. Has anyone been? Let us know in our revamped bar section.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 04:37 PM | Permalink

image c/o City Search

There's a new South American/Argentinian Steakhouse on Graham Ave. Has anyone been? Let us know what you think in our restaurants section.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 05:58 PM | Permalink

image c/o Eater

A new urban winery just opened beneath the Williamsburg Bridge. Has anyone been? Let us know what you think. Address, reviews and more information here.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 04:00 PM | Permalink