'My Brooklyn' chronicles changing character of the borough

On the heels of "Battle for Brooklyn" comes another borough-centric film, "My Brooklyn," that tags itself as "the battle for the soul of a city."

This fight is one over character. The film, by longtime borough residents Kelly Anderson and Allison Lirish Dean, chronicles the changes in Brooklyn in recent years, and the role of public policy in shaping them. In production since 2006, the film was shot in Downtown, Williamsburg, Park Slope and Bed-Stuy.

The film is currently in post-production. Check out the trailer below, and if you'd like to see more, the filmmakers are raising money through Kickstarter to help finish it. 


My Brooklyn trailer - Watch First please from Kelly Anderson on Vimeo.

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Raise your toes, raise some funds

All those kegstands will finally come in handy.

On May 16, LAVA, a Prospect Heights-based performance troupe, holds its annual fundraiser — the Handstand-a-Thon.

The studio encourages young and old, pros and novices alike to come out and see the world from a new, upside-down perspective while raising money for the cause.

“It’s really community-based,” said Diana Greiner, managing director of LAVA. “People love it, we love it, there’s so much smiling and laughing that happens throughout the day.”

Last year’s fundraiser saw a collective three hours of handstands, with $20,000 raised for the studio’s scholarship fund and community programming. This year, they’re looking to raise the same amount, but with even bigger handstand goals: three hours and 45 minutes.

In forming a handstand, the support of a wall or spotter, thankfully, counts. Creativity is also encouraged: previous years have seen people come together for a handstand formation of the Brooklyn Bridge.

For most, though, a mere minute goes a long way.

“Every little bit counts,” said Greiner. “We’re changing Brooklyn one handstand at a time.”

Handstand-a-Thon at LAVA [524 Bergen St. between Sixth and Carlton avenues in Prospect Heights, (718) 399-3161], May 16 from 2-5 pm. For info, visit www.lavalove.org.

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Rock the Bowl tonight

Some African flavor is coming to Williamsburg tonight with the first “Rock the Bowl” fundraiser at Brooklyn Bowl.

Afrobeat band Antibalas, Geologist from Animal Collective, and the casts of “Fela!” and “The Lion King” will perform to raise money for the Ubuntu Education Fund, which supports children in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

The event will feature South African-inspired cuisine by Blue Ribbon Restaurants, an open bar and surprise guests. This night of entertainment, food, drinks and bowling will help to provide over 40,000 children and their families with life-saving HIV support services.

Rock the Bowl at Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wyeth Ave between 11^th St. and 12^th St.) tonight at 7 pm. Tickets $99 general admission, $199 VIP. For more information, go to brooklynbowl.com or call (718) 963-3369.

-Elizabeth Dana

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A taste of Red Hook tonight

Explore the Red Hook culinary scene tonight as the Red Hook Initiative (RHI) hosts the third annual “A Taste of Red Hook” fundraiser, from 6-9 p.m. at Kidd Yellin Gallery, 133 Imlay Street.

More than 20 local restaurants have confirmed their participation, including The Good Fork, Baked, Kevin’s, Brooklyn Botanica, Calexico, Home/Made, Hope & Anchor, Defontes, Fort Defiance and Fernando Martinez, a neighborhood favorite vendor from the Red Hook soccer fields.

The best restaurants in Red Hook and vicinity will serve a sampling of the signature dishes that have made them local and critical successes. Aside from enjoying culinary delights from Red Hook restaurants, attendees also have a chance to bid on items from the silent auction such as designer clothing, accessories, signed books, gift certificates, and more.

The event is being coordinated by Roquette Catering in Red Hook. Local Red Hook musicians who regularly play at Sonny’s and other local music venues will provide the music.

All of the proceeds from the evening will go to the Red Hook Initiative, a community-based organization run by more than 50 residents of the Red Hook Houses who are working to create their own social change. RHI employs more than 30 teenagers, many of whom will be present at the event to share their work.

Tickets are $100.

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