Recently in DUMBO Category

Ah yes, how much do Brooklynites like to eat. Probably just as much as they like to talk about how much they like to eat. This Tuesday, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., drop by DUMBO's Powerhouse Arena to hear from local food/drink authors Kara Zuaro ("I Like Food, Food Tastes Good"), Phoebe Damrosch ("Service Included") and David Wondrich (writer, mixed drink expert). The talk will be led by Gabrielle Langholtz of Edible Brooklyn. The event is $15 and proceeds benefit P.S. 107. Buy tix here.

There's no shortage of things to do in Brooklyn when the parents come to town. Today's agenda included brunch at Miriam, a stop at Lily (cute $34 green top) and Soula, (super comfy $95 fs/ny flats--both people in front of me also purchased a pair) a walk through Brooklyn Heights (does anyone know what the Floating Pool Lady is?--above), a stroll down the promenade, leisurely Brooklyn Bridge park hopping, and classical music on a barge.

Music on the barge was the one thing I'd never done before, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who likes an intimate classical concert and isn't bothered by a bit of rocking when the big boats roll by. Truth be told for the first two pieces, I felt like I was on six bottles of beer, but once my insides got used to the lilt of the outside, I enjoyed being within spitting distance of the performers. The barge itself is pretty cool--wood paneled interior, wood floor, and a raised stage with a grand piano, plus the performers of the day. My favorite part was listening to the music and watching the birds float by in front of the Manhattan skyline.

Here's the program ($30 a ticket):

Piston Duo for Viola and Cello
Lees Contrasts for Solo Violin (World premiere--the composer was in the audience)
Beethoven String Trio in G major. Op. 9, No.1
Schumann String Quartet in   F Major, Op. 41, No. 2

Hiroko Yajima, Violin
Harumi Rhodes, Violin
Samuel Rhodes, Viola
Marcy Rosen, Cello

When I think camp--John Waters, rather than marshmellow roasting--I don't exactly think DUMBO. But the neighborhood is currently hoasting an exhibition of Scopitone films, short movies from the '60s that were like campy, early version of music videos. Though our current video vixens are offering a different shade of camp these days, seeing Dionne Warwick roll on around on a shag rug to "Walk on By" sounds like a fun field-trip to me. The exhibition runs through March 4th at the d.u.m.b.o. Arts Center.

I know we have some DJs out there, and I thought you might appreciate this tip about Halcyon's holiday sale. The DUMBO record store is having a sale this Wednesday (12/13) from 7pm to 9pm. Everything is 15 percent off. All books, CDs, DVDs, clothing, artwork--it's all 15 percent off. Anything that was already marked down gets slashed to 50 percent. Even if you're not a DJ, there's free beer and disco tunes by DJ Shakewell. I forwarded this to a friend and he called me an enabler, which I found quite touching.

We'd never assume anything about the personal political views of ABL readers--that'd be pretty arrogant. So we mention this MoveOn.org Victory Party at Skizum in DUMBO tonight for anyone who might be over-the-moon, ecstatic or filled with momentary hope about our political climate based on this week's election result. Anyone else: I'm sure there's some Republican equivalent of MoveOn throwing its own strategy meeting somewhere in town, but we didn't get that email.

While wandering around DUMBO this weekend, we spotted this crazy veggie: broccoli romanesco. I'm certainly not the first person to have noticed and photographed its mesmerizing shape that's reminiscent of spiral seashells.

Almost forgot about the DUMBO Arts Fest (the 10th annual, at that). It runs October 13 through 15 and includes gallery shows, exhibits, outdoor skits and performance art, sculpture, open studios--pretty much anything that has to do with art and is in/near/or around DUMBO. Per usual, Halcyon is getting in on the action with DJs all weekend long.

There's a new space in Dumbo called powerHouse Arena.  It has something to do with a a bookstore called powerHouse Books. They publish art books and a magazine. The new space will have music, art, movies and books...I think. See the thing is, this powerHouse conglomerate sounds like it does many things well. Except websites, apparently, becuase it's really hard to find any information on the one they have. In any case, I'm almost positive they're showing two cool movies this weekend, Hip Hop: By All Means Necessary and Wild Style. I think this has something to do with VH1's "Hip Hop Honors" week, because, you know, VH1 is just so totally hip hop.

ABrooklynLife did something a little different last night and headed over to Bubby's in DUMBO where every other Thursdsay night is Homegrown Thursdays. I am not at my best when describing jazz, but chilling out to some quasi-improvisational jazz, funk, a Wurlizer piano, and some high-minded MC'ing isn't a bad way to get through the day of the week right before Friday.  You can tell that everyone there really loves the music--and the vibe reminded me of the  jazz cafes in the ATL.

The top photo shows two of the three members of The Truth Seekers. The MC on the left,  in the bottom photo, was hosting last night's event.