Recently in Gowanus Category

I stumbled across the new Dawg Shack (252 4th Avenue at President Street) after a morning coffee and pastry run to Root Hill Cafe (which really does have fabulous coffee and espresso drinks, well worth the trek from Carroll Gardens). Due to my consumption of pastries and the 11 a.m. hour, I did not down a hot dog from Dawg Shack, but it looked nice enough for a hot dog place.

Prices are reasonable: $1.75 for a plain one, $2 for a sauerkrat and onion-topped New York dog, $3 for a onion, lettuce, tomato and pickle-topped Chicago dog, $3 for an onion, ketchup, mustard and jalepeno-topped California dog, $3 for a bacon, cheese, mushroom and barbecue sauce-topped Texas dog, and $2.50 for a chili dog, plus an extra .25 cents for cheese. There's also burgers, Italian sausage, and basic breakfast and lunch sandwiches. I forgot to snap a picture, but you can place a delivery order at (718) 855-0757.

If you've been to The Yard yet this summer, you know it's a great venue for listening to good music and chilling out by the Gowanus while nibbling on a Red Hook-approved huarrache. August is officialy kids month there (not that there weren't cute young things there all summer long), meaning kids get in free and get free popsicles. Everyone else pays $8 for the summer vibes.

Up this week: Daniel Wang

Lineup for the Yard (Carroll Street on the Gowanus) Sunday parties has been released and it looks to be a super fun summer--and all within walking distance:

Sunday Best! takes over The Yard, a leafy waterside lot on the Gowanus Canal for a nice, mid-afternoon barbecue. It's no ordinary weenie roast, though. The bar-b's organic and resident DJs Justin Carter, Eamon Harkin and Doug Singer play alongside some of the finest DJs to ever take on a back yard…

May 25
Roy Davis Jr – Chicago house legend playing his first New York set in years

June 01
King Britt – This party with the former Digable Planets member is FREE!

June 08
Trusme – A Manchester man walking in the very large shoes of Moodymann

June 15
Stefan Goldmann - Innervisions artist who makes jangling, melodic dance music

June 22
Afrika Bambaataa – The hip-hop progenitor and legend who still keeps it eclectic

June 29
Rick Wilhite and Jerome Derradji – Three Chairs member with Still Music founder

July 6
Riton – UK re-rubber on Berlin's Get Physical imprint

July 13
Kevin Saunderson – The Detroit legend plays a special house set

July 20
Move D – Former Warp Records ambient artist now making super deep house

July 27
The Wurst BBQ – My Cousin Roy and Doug Lee serving up sausages!

August 3
Danny Wang – The prodigal progenitor of disco house returns to New York!

August 10
John Tejada – Maker of the lushest and bumpiest techno of the past decade

August 17
Pilooski – Paris' edit-maker of the moment

August 24
Joakim – The Tigersushi and !K7 artist brings weird, organic dance jams

August 31
Metro Area – Hometown disco heroes close out the series nice and easy

Though you should never need an excuse to check out all the great art and design going on in Gowanus (and surrounding neighborhoods), the Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tour does give you a good one. Today and tomorrow, between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., artists open their studios and pretty much every medium is represented. There's a printable map on the website, or you can pick up a brochure at one of the stops.

Taken over Labor Day weekend.

While we're on the subject of The Yard (see Black Sabbath post), I thought I'd pass along this flyer for a Labor Day shindig there. Might interest ABL: Radio listeners.

Sometimes information converges. Like on Saturday when we were crossing the Gowanus Canal at Carroll Street and stumbled upon a performance at The Yard (that outdoor space on Carroll Street that every so often fills the Gowanus with sweet refrains of live music). I'm not a metal connoisseur,  but Dennis assured me it was a Black Sabbath cover band. And, lo and behold, but what do I find in my ABL inbox, but an email announcing "an afternoon of Black Sabbath, with the Rub and Sabbra Cadabra, the world's greatest Black Sabbath tribute band." I'm happy to report that the crowd was way into it (and cover was only $3). Also, the Gowanus was as high as I've ever seen it. Just FYI.

MSNBC: Whale Wanders into Brooklyn Bay
Gothamist: Guess What's in the Gowanus Canal
Gowanus Lounge: Gowanus Whale Tale Continues
NY1: Whale Spotted in Gowanus Canal

Most fascinating story of the month, I say.

Our friend over at RandomBrooklyn took this rather disturbing/amusing picture of the Whole Foods site in Gowanus. Brings new meaning to genetically modified veggies.

For those worried about the Mermaid Parade being a little too wet on this soggy Saturday (or if you're saving your weekend subway energy  for Pride tomorrow), a closer alternative is the Miss Rockaway Boat Party on the Gowanus. Hard to tell if the World War II navy boat will provide much shelter from the rain, but it might at least be a shorter trip to a local bar in case of torrential outbursts. DJ sets are listed as "booty bass, disco, and fucked up global hip hop," and a performance of Alan Lomax sea shanties should complete the appropriate Noah's ark vibe.