The Atlantic Antic is back!

By Alex Rush

The granddaddy of all street fairs is back.

On Sunday, Sept. 26, the 1-1/2–mile stretch between Hicks Street and Fourth Avenue will host the 36th annual Atlantic Antic, featuring more than 600 food, art and shopping vendors, 14 performance stages and even kid-friendly activities like pony-rides and a magician showcase.

”The Antic is a New York institution that merchants and attendees anticipate year after year,” said Brooklyn Brewery owner Steve Hindy, who co-sponsors the event.

We can’t wait to pair his beer with the festival’s food, especially Pete’s Waterfront Alehouse’s succulent pulled pork. This slammin’ cue dish even won the Grand Master Award at the Meatopia BBQ competition this past July.

In addition to awesome food and drink, the Atlantic Antic has arranged for a slew of bands to rock the blocks. There’ll be Antic veterans like The Dysfunctional Family Jazz Band, who will play in front of the Brazen Head between Boerum Place and Court Street, as well as festival newcomers like The Windsor Terrors, a classic rock group. These Brooklyn-based old-timers, who met as school teachers way back in the 1970s, channel the British invasion-era bands that they grew up with.

”They’re not quite the Rolling Stones, but they’re pretty good,” said Jimmy Grimason, manager of the Chip Shop, where The Windsor Terrors will be taking the stage.

Atlantic Antic [Atlantic Avenue between Hicks Street and Fourth Avenue, (718) 875-8993], Sept. 26, 10 am–6 pm. For info, visit www.atlanticave.org.

Read more...

Call it Hotlantic!

Atlantic Avenue is sizzling this summer, thanks to an influx of new bars, cafes ands stores in the past few years, especially within the six months.

Check out our guide to doing the strip right, and don't miss our story on Atlantic's old guard - the Arabic shops - which were there before there was a Trader Joes or Crop to Cup.

Graphic by Adam Suerte/Brooklyn Tattoo

Read more...

The Atlantic Artwalk is back this weekend

To call it the Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk is a big misleading.

The annual arts and music festival stretches from the bustling thoroughfare all the way south to Union Street, with about 200 artists opening their studios to the masses.

When the festival returns on Saturday and Sunday, it also includes the newly opened Brooklyn Bridge Park in the festivities.

When the ArtWalk started six years ago, it wasn’t nearly as pervasive, with about 30 artists participating and the “walk” about half the size. Today, the festival has ballooned in participants and miles, but the goal has always remained the same.

“ArtWalk started as a way to support both the artist and local business community,” said founder and event producer Lisa Shimamura, of Colab Projects. “This is a rare opportunity for people to visit artists’ personal workspaces, offering sneak peeks at innovative new works in progress, and to ArtWalk and greet with artists.”

In addition to the studio tours, the Artwalk will feature live rock, country and jazz on the streets, special promotions at area restaurants, the rare opportunity to see the Axelle Fine Arts print space on Atlantic Avenue, and self-guided tours curated by people from The Brooklyn Circus, Proteus Gowanus and participating artists.

With all that there is to do, you may need both days to explore Atlantic Avenue — and beyond.

Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk, June 5–6, 1–6 pm. Free. For info, visit www.ArtWalk2010.com.

Read more...