Arts: May 2006 Archives

Three things about JellyNYC: 1) they throw parties that incorporate rock bands, DJs and visual artists, 2) I have yet to check out one of their shindigs, and 3) their event this Friday's at Southpaw seems like a good remedy for #3. Before heading off to the beach, a BBQ with friends, or Fleet Week sailor ogling, kick the long weekend off with some true Brooklyn-style diversity. Bands include Radio Mundial, a rock/funk outfit with multi-culti representation from Puerto Rico to Sweden, and a group with a name so good, who cares what they sound like: Superman's Guest List (pictured). DJs Kirill and Rafi hail from Miami and St. Louis, respectively, and video and performance art will be provided by a handful of artists including Ellis Gallagher, who's best known around here as the guy who chalks shadows of street signs and store grates on the sidewalk. His work manages to be both beautiful and disorienting at the same time. In fact, the first time I stumbled upon it, I did a double take looking for the sun, even though it was well-past dusk.

Often ABL commenter and artist Lois Ruben Aronow is debuting her new studio space with an open invite and a sale. Check out her colorful, functional porcelain dinnerware on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new space is in the Old American Can Factory at 232 3rd Street between 3rd and 4th avenues; it's in building B, suite 202A. Support Brooklyn art!

I just got my last subscription issue of Dwell in the mail (yes, I'm renewing), and it reminded me that there's a fun activity for Brooklynites this weekend: BKLYN Designs 2006, May 12-14. It's free for registered members of the trade and $12 for us regular folk who just like the pleasing shape of well-designed things. Tickets are available at all of the city's Brooklyn Industries (but wouldn't it be wrong to buy one at a Manhattan location?) and most of the show happens in DUMBO. There's more than 50 firms participating, with everything from decorative pieces like the Perch Designs bird feeder in the photo, to furniture, rugs, lighting, etc. on display

I've been to many an open bar in New York City, but for whatever reason these are usually held on a weekday, and so the drinking is kept in check for the early-morning rise the next day. Brooklyn Collective's Saturday night party, however, had no such check. It was free beer from 7pm to 8pm; we got there at 7:30. By 7:59, I was holding my third full beer in hand. (For the record, three beers in half an hour is about two too many.) In the course of being drunk, I had three thoughts, "Wow DJ Duckcomb is good, live too," "Who is that guy playing live acid house?" (turns out he works at the Perfect Corner framing store on Court Street) and "Was that really Harry Hawk from Schnack who took those   photos of half-naked women hanging in the Brooklyn Collective store?" Just wanted to share.