Pig out at 3rd Ward this Saturday

By Meredith Deliso

It’s OK to pig out at this party.

On July 23, 3rd Ward’s annual, aptly named Pig Out returns, transforming the Bushwick art space into an urban pig roast.

In a season of barbecues, it’s one of the best — and it certainly doesn’t hurt that this foodie free-for-all is free.

Come hungry for the BBQ fare, manned by chef Jeremy Spector of the Brindle Room, as well as some cooking demonstrations, including chocolate sculpture and knife-sharpening. There will also be workshops in bicycle care and how to do an algae cast. That one’s just for fun.

The party will also feature DJs and live music, courtesy of the Union Street Preservation Society and Northern Bells. So you can bust a move, in addition to your gut.

Annual Pig Out at 3rd Ward [195 Morgan Ave. between Meadow and Stagg streets in Bushwick, (718) 715-4961], July 23, 2-9 pm. Free. For info, visit www.3rdward.com.

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3rd Ward goes whole hog

By Alex Rush

Go ahead, pig out.

3rd Ward’s annual free hog barbecue, featuring a chef, five bands, beer, and, of course, a whole pig, returns to the Bushwick space on Sunday.

Chef Alex McCrery, who runs the Williamsburg food truck The Goods, will be manning the pit at the Morgan Avenue outdoor alleyway event. He’ll make pulled pork tacos from the smoky, juicy meat, which will be served with coleslaw and pickles.

“It’s our biggest event of the year, and the whole pig is a lot of fun,” said Jessica Pom, the marketing director for 3rd Ward, the coalition of artsy types that puts on the pig-out. “It’s truly an urban pig roast.” (They definitely have a theme going.)

Live music will add to the authentic cook-out ambience. The Ramblers, a Brooklyn-based four-piece reminiscent of Creedence Clearwater Revival, should especially stand out. Other acts on the bill include the more poppy sounding The Fieros and Le Mood, as well as In Cadeo and Cletus and the Barnburners.

Because after that feast, you’re going to need something you can move to.

Annual Pig Out at 3rd Ward [195 Morgan Ave. between Meadow and Stagg streets in Bushwick, (718) 715-4961], July 18, 2-9 pm.

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It's party time at 3rd Ward

By Aaron Short

3rd Ward is turning 4-years-old this month and throwing one heck of a hootenanny.

The Morgan Avenue arts organization, home to gallery exhibits, art classes, and late-night warehouse revelry, is putting out all the stops for its birthday on May 22, with live bands, free workshops and lots of barbecue.

Founder Jason Goodman is opening his space to the public by helping the community blow off some steam just before summer starts while recognizing some of its hard-working member artists.

“With the economy in such bad shape, we weren’t sure how our members, most of whom are creative freelancers, would fare. It turned out they needed us more than ever,” said Goodman.

Last year, Sen. Chuck Schumer crashed the party and participated in a synchronized cycling workshop, while The Meat Hook’s Tom Mylan butchered and grilled up a whole pig.

There’ll be more surprises this year.

So far, the arts center confirmed the participation of Bushwick Mobile/Synchronized Cycling, which will attempt to dance on BMX bikes and a new food venture launched just for the occasion.

For the more do-it-yourself minded, though there will be several new workshops on bookbinding, silversmith, and woodworking with reclaimed lumber, while bands including Pink Noise, Stumblebum Brass Band and Hank & Cupcakes will entertain the crowds.

The highlight of the afternoon will be a film and music collaboration sponsored by Moviehouse, where four DJs will face off, interpreting live music to scenes of short films on screen behind them.

Moviehouse founder Chris Henderson said he owes nearly everything to 3rd Ward, which has helped the low-budget organization flourish by showing free film screenings in Williamsburg at its space for the past two years.

“They’re our home and biggest supporter. They do the majority of the marketing and they don’t get involved too much creatively, which means we can just do our show. We’ve grown in a large part because of our association with Third Ward. They’re awesome,” said Henderson.

Birthday BBQ at 3rd Ward [195 Morgan Ave. at Stagg Street in Bushwick, (718) 715-4961], May 22 at 2 pm. Free. For info, visit www.3rdward.com.

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Brooklyn Purim parties

Get your costumes ready! The Jewish holiday of Purim is this weekend, and Brooklyn's throwing a lot of parties.

Pour 'em Party

3rd Ward

195 Morgan Ave., Bushwick

Saturday, February 27

9 pm-4 am

$10 tickets until Friday; $15 at the door

Dust off your costumes, shine your dancing shoes and get ready to guzzle. From the organizers: "When the Jews of ancient Persia avoided extinction, God commanded them to celebrate by getting so drunk they couldn't tell their friends from their enemies. Sounds good to us! Jewish or not, put on a costume and join us!"

The night features Team Facelift, The Shining Twins, Dirty Fences, Cowboy Mark, DJ Drew Heffron, and DJ Kook Jew.

Purim Dance Party

CastleBraid

114 Troutman St., Bushwick

Saturday, February 27

11 pm

Free

During its grand opening weekend of CastleBraid, an artist-focused support system of facilities, classes, and professional services, is holding a Purim-theme dance party, so grab a costume and enjoy two floors of DJs, dancing, drinks and more.

Purimpalouza

Jewish Music Cafe

401 9th St., Park Slope

Saturday, February 27

8:45 pm

$18

Mark the holiday with a traditional megillah reading, following by a performance from Soulfarm.

Purim Live

Chabad North Brooklyn

132 N. Fifth St., Williamsburg

Saturday, February 27

8 pm

$10, $5 if you're in costume

They brought you the Lecha Dodi remix of Akon, then the Shir HaShirim Moroccan beat meditation, now they are onto Israeli party music. Brody & Diwon will be joining the party fresh from their Israel and West Cost tour.

Purim Party

Death By Audio

49 S. Second St., Williamsburg

Monday, March 1

8 pm

$7

Rachel Coleman, aka "Pop Jew," aka the worst cook in America, hosts this bash, featuring the So So Glos, Beachniks, Tough Knuckles, and Sundelles. Costumes encouraged.

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The anti-Valentine's Day parties

There’s not just good eating in the borough this Valentine’s Day. Check out the events below for some special love-themed events in Brooklyn, some traditional, some not (murder ballads, anyone?).

Anti-Valentine’s Day reading

Feb. 11, 7 p.m., free

PowerHouse Arena

37 Main St., DUMBO

718-666-3049

Featuring the editor of “It’s Not You, It’s Me; The Poetry of Breakup,” an anthology of ruptured romance featuring contributions from National Book Award finalist Kim Addonizio, bestselling author Denis Johnson, and former poet laureate Mark Strand.

Valentine’s Day cocktail party

Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., $5

Word bookstore

126 Franklin St., Greenpoint

718-383-0096

Take a trip to the 1950s, as Time Table presents a cocktail party featuring aphrodisiac food and drink from the 1952 book, “Venus in the Kitchen: Or Love’s Cookery Book.” Feel free to dress the part.

BAGGAGE Claim

Feb. 14, 6 p.m., free
Brooklyn Artists Gym

168 7th St., Gowanus

718-858-9069

Help BAG build a temporary museum with the evidence of love gone by. Bring your mix tapes, hoodies, love letters, crappy jewelry and all forms of bad gifts, and exchange them for new items. You never wore that tee-shirt anyway.

Pete n Jenny’s Cheap Date Valentine’s Day Cabaret

Feb. 14, 7 p.m., $10

Jalopy

315 Columbia St., Red Hook

718-395-3214

This annual cabaret features something for everyone: love songs, murder ballads, burlesque dancers, comedy, poetry, trivia, magic and a kissing booth. Bring, or find, someone to kiss.

I Heart Brooklyn Party

Feb. 14, 3-7 p.m., free

MoCADA

80 Hanson Pl., Downtown Brooklyn

718-230-0492

Show your love for Brooklyn this Valentine’s Day, as the museum presents an afternoon of readings by Brooklyn-based poets, followed by a DJ Set featuring hits by Brooklyn’s illustrious musical artists. It’ll be OK to dance by yourself.

Get Your Heart On!

Feb. 14, 8 p.m., free

3rd Ward

195 Morgan Ave., Bushwick

718-715-4961

Moviehouse presents three-minute romantic movies that include these three criterion: a reference to at least one of the three wise monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil), a celebrity death, and something uncontrollable. How romantic.

Aphrodisiacs and Amor
Feb. 14, 5-7:30 p.m., $65 per couple

SHAG
108 Roebling St., Williamsburg

347-721-3302

SHAG, a fine art gallery and seller of sex toys, hosts a provocative dinner with Nuevo Latino Chef Alex Garcia, who will tease and tantalize the taste buds with a course in aphrodisiacs for couples, who will enjoy their meal blindfolded.

The Rejection Show Valentine’s Day Heartbreak Haven

Feb. 14, 8 p.m., $10
The Bell House

149 7th St., Gowanus

718-643-6510

This one’s for the rejected: comedy series The Rejection Show celebrates Valentine’s Day with an evening of its best breakup, heartbreak and love-related stories, with performances from Jon Friedman (pictured above), Eliza Skinner, Max Silvestri, Sara Schaefer, Gabe Liedman, Gabe Delahaye, Edith Zimmerman, and more, as well as music from The Defibulators, who’s always ready for a party. Despite the theme, all – even happy couples – are welcome. Just don’t be too showy about it.

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On the market

In addition to the usual suspects, markets are popping up all over Brooklyn this winter, in time for the holiday shopping season (and it's even easier to stay on top of them, thanks to blogs like this one).

Here's a look at some temporary newcomers coming up, and some new favorites:

SCORE! Pop-up Swap
Saturday, November 21
3rd Ward (195 Morgan Ave.)
1 to 7 p.m, donations accepted up until 5 p.m
$3 entry
RSVP

For this East Williamsburg fair, the only time you may have to open your wallet is for the $3 admission. A massive swap exchange, you can exchange your goods for those of others, and in the process find gifts for your family and friends. It's all about sustainability, and charity, as all remaining goods will be donated, and proceeds from the door and sales of the Score! / Hasselhoff totebags support City Harvest. Swap categories include clothing and accessories, music, art supplies, books, DVDs and media, housewares and miscellany.

The (Makers) Market
Sundays
(OA) Can Factory (3rd Street at 3rd Avenue)
11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Free admission

Thirty vendors bring you jewerly, clothes, art, soaps and even violins every Sunday at this Gowanus market, which has a focus on art and design. Not to mention sweets from Nunu.

The 2009 Handmade Holiday Craft Fair
Saturday, December 12
3rd Ward (195 Morgan Ave.)
Noon to 9 p.m.
Free admission

The Williamsburg space will host another market, this one featuring goods & treats from over 50 local artisans, craft mavens & culinary masters, with wares including everything from LED Hula hoops and dog costumes, to custom cut clothes and jewelry, furniture and vintage ware, cookies and chocolates, wrapping paper, pillows & body soaps, custom electronics and more. There will also be live music, treats, drinks and workshops.

Lyceum Holiday Market
Saturday, December 19, and Sunday, December 20
Brooklyn Lyceum (Fourth Avenue at President Street)
11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Free admission

Vendors offer handcrafted merchandise to fit any budget, size and taste. Whether for Chanukah, Christmas or Kwanzaa you can find it all at the Park Slope venue's second annual holiday market.

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Paper Garden playground at 3rd Ward

By Aaron Short

3rd Ward Brooklyn is quickly becoming the go-to venue for vibrant, multipurpose arts and music performances.

In the past month alone, 3rd Ward hosted the Last Supper Festival and The Nonsense List had its 10th anniversary party, both of which featured performances across multiple artistic mediums that lasted into the wee hours of the morning.

Add Paper Garden Records’ “Multiverse Playground” to the list too. The multimedia event comes to 3rd Ward on November 7, starting at 6 p.m., for eight hours of live music and art exhibitions.

According to Paper Garden President Bryan Vaughan, colleagues began brainstorming an event to show off their favorite musicians and raise the profile of their record label.

“As the record label is expanding into more artsy things, we wanted to have this in an actual art gallery space,” said Vaughan, who noted Williamsburg’s history of art and culture. “We’re actually going to get more people drawn to a place like 3rd ward in Williamsburg, as opposed to somewhere in Manhattan.”

Bands as diverse as Emanuel and the Fear’s classical orchestral electronica, acoustic pop singer-songwriter Peasant, and eccentric carnival-rock group Darla Farmer will be performing sets, along with Das Racist and Boy Crisis, declared by Pitchfork Media last year as “the absolute worst band in the world right now.”

Vaughan assures that they have improved.

The centerpiece of the party is a neon light installation created specifically for the event by Larry Mayorga, which will combine elements of music and art in the same exhibit, a challenging feat for any artist.

“We are really creating an atmosphere specific to the music that will incorporate the music with the artwork,” said Vaughan. “(Mayorga) is even changing the light for each band.”

And if that is not enough, in the side rooms there will be a photography exhibit by Brooklyn photographer Heidi Greenwood displaying the musicians in concert, a comedy set by Comedy Central’s Kurt Metzger, and live concept paintings on large canvasses hosted by the NYC art-collective Art Battles.

“What we’re hoping is a branding thing for Paper Gardens where everybody can get along and have fun together, even if they don’t typically hang in the same circles,” said Vaughan. “Ultimately we want everyone to have fun, come away with it saying, ‘Wow, that was an incredible thing from start to finish.’”

Paper Garden Records’ Multiverse Playground will take place at 3rd Ward Brooklyn (195 Morgan Ave.) from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. For more information, call 718-715-4961.

Photo: Emanuel and the Fear, by Heidi Greenwood

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Lots to feast your eyes on at this Last Supper

By Aaron Short

The worlds of art, food, music and film often intersect, but rarely converge all at once. When they do, you can be sure it is one heck of a party.

Such is the mission of artist Coralina Meyer, who is bringing the 5th Annual Last Supper festival back to Williamsburg, where 3rd Ward Brooklyn (195 Morgan Avenue) will host this truly multimedia party for the second time on September 26.

This time, Meyer feels the festival may have finally found a home.

“I think we really found a space that already has such a strong relationship with the creative community in general,” said Meyer. “They host bands, artists, art projects, and a film series and they have resources there that allow for an interchange among the media. Also, the fact they’re about grassroots, bottom-up DIY movement is important to us.”

The Last Supper incorporates the works of scores of visual and performance artists, musicians, filmmakers, and chefs around a theme regarding food policy and social justice.

Last year, artists make work representing the global food crisis and this year, Meyer has set the theme to address consumption and the economy of means.

“We wanted to choose a topic that deals with something that relates to everyone that is on everybody’s mind,” said Meyer. “It makes the show more accessible because it deals with contemporary issues.”

This year’s festival will feature cooking demonstrations from Apartment 138 chef Simon Lange, who heads the popular Cobble Hill restaurant, live music from the emerging electro-funk Latin band Navegante and disco beats from Midnight Magic, as well as artwork by Tom Stanford and intricate money collages of torn legal tender bills by Annie Weinmayr.

Meyer is particularly excited to debut an installation she calls a “hand cycle” which references the cycle of consumption by incorporating plants and sewing as well as observing an installation project by artists Eve Biddle and Bowie Zunino called “Edible Ghetto.”

“It’s gingerbread project housing that you can eat and destroy,” said Meyer.

The social activism component of the festival is something that Meyer and other participating artists want to emphasize, and it is something that everyone attending can get involved with. The ticket price for the event is $15, but there is a reduced admission for $10 if guests bring in three canned goods, which will be donated to The Food Bank of New York.

“Hunger (as a theme), is something we keep going back to. Hunger is a direct representation of consumption,” said Meyer. “Bringing your canned goods activates the audience’s participation in this larger issue. Were exploring ways of getting involved.”

Meyer hopes that the artists, musicians, filmmakers and foodies interact and learn more about different fields of creative culture in Brooklyn, which she believes is the ultimate purpose of Last Supper.

“It’s really about looking at the way people speak about their work, the way that they work, how they want to show their work and what’s important to their peers and what’s important to the audience,” said Meyer. “We want to have that level of discussion that you would find in a Chelsea art gallery, as well as a more basic and accessible discussion about art. For filmies and foodies, who don’t normally go to art shows, this is perhaps a way for them to access work.”

Last Supper will take place at 3rd Ward Brooklyn on September 26 from 6 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $15 or $10 with three canned goods. For more information, call 718-715-4961.

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Designing Brooklyn

With the advent of BKLYN Designs this weekend, the New York Times looks extensively the borough's flourishing design scene, with the DUMBO event "drawing renewed attention to this neighborhood of former factories and warehouses, and its vibrant design scene."

It's not just home furnishings that are flourishing in the borough. The coming of spring inevitably brings a craft fair every weekend to schools and parks, with the creativity of Brooklynites evident in its weekly indie and flea markets, and makes the borough a destination for annual events like the Renegade Craft Fair (coming to McCarren Park this June 6 and 7).

You can get in on the fun tonight at 3rd Ward with the social mixer Craft on Draught: Get Felt Up at our Springtime Social, brought together by the gallery and the craft store Spacecraft Brooklyn, as well as STC Craft, Etsy.com and Bags for the People.

Learn how to make felted drink coasters and cozies from old sweaters, with the materials provided to turn something old into something new, cute and unique.

The event runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 3rd Ward, and costs $10 ($5 wtih a friend).


Recently:
Get crafty
Shop smart on the cutting edge at Bklyn Designs

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