Fort Greene Park Conservancy Wine Tasting Fundraiser!

On Monday, October 5, 2009, the Fort Greene Park Conservancy will hold their third annual Portfolio Wine Tasting Fundraiser from 6-10pm at the Irondale Center, 85 South Oxford Street, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

The event will feature VIP Wine Tasting Classes led by Brooklyn-area wine experts and General Admission Tastings of over 100 wines from around the world. Accompanying the wines will be a variety of appetizers created by Rick's Picks, Plan B foods, as well as cheeses, charcuterie, hors d'oeuvres and fresh fruit and bread from Greene Grape Provisions. A local DJ will provide musical ambiance, with special surprises.

Admission to the event is through tax-deductible donations to the Conservancy. An $80 in advance/ $90 at the door donation includes general admission to the event from 8-10pm. A VIP donation of $150 features a wine tasting class from 6 to 7pm and priority access to the wines from 6 to 8pm as well as general admission to the tasting from 8 to 10pm. To purchase tickets visit the Conservancy website.  Tickets are also available at The Greene Grape, 765 Fulton St., between South Oxford and South Portland Ave in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, and at The Greene Grape Downtown, 55 Liberty St. at Nassau St. in the Financial District of Manhattan. We look forward to seeing you.

An Important Discussion about Shem Walker

In the CHB inbox: Remember Shem Walker Please join us for an important evening of conversation. Shem Walker was shot and killed on July 11, 2009 in front of his house at Lafayette Ave. near Classon Ave. by an NYPD undercover a cop.

Wednesday, September 23, 7pm Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church (At the corner of Lafayette Avenue & So. Oxford St., Brooklyn)

Program includes: Shavone Walker, Shem Walker’s Daughter Kirsten  Foy (Walker Family Spokesperson) Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (57AD) One Hundred Blacks In Law Enforcement Who Care Question and Answer period included

Sponsors: Fort Greene Peace,   Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE),    Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (57 AD)

For information email: fortgreenepeace@gmail.com This is a free event open to all. Thank you and peace, Fort Greene Peace.

Fashion Show at Culyer Gore Park

Check out Culyer Gore Park (corner of Greene and Fulton) on Saturday between 12 and 8 for a fashion show, live music, local wares and "invited celebrities."  (No word as to who those are.) Here's the info:

Blaze Television Network, a premium brand digital multi-channel television network, partners with The Frett Knott Group and Those Brothers Entertainment to bring NYCs up and coming fashion trailblazers to Brooklyn: The Future of Fashion Designer Expo, sponsored by Park Slope Dermatology and Caribe News.

This event features three fashion shows with the spotlight on the hottest emerging designers and models. Witness the fresh fall collections of Sammy B Designs, Pyper San by HVB, Devosh, Swagger 360°, Gifted Apparel, Fashion Gods, Alador & Smith, Seeing Stars Ent., Rock n Torpedo, MAAT Fashions, Benjii Jeans, US Currency. Enjoy live musical performances from independent artists. Peruse and shop with exhibitors and vendors of the finest selections of clothing and accessories. Meet invited celebrity guests.

Art at Tillie's: Maya Edelman

Maya Edelman has gained a loyal local following since her first show at Tillie's.  Check out her drawings and paintings on wood this month at the coffee shop.

September 8th – October 10th 2009

In her youth Maya Edelman was known to say that when she grew up, she either wanted to be a ballerina, a little boy named Igor, or an artist. She is currently pursuing the latter of these goals.  After emigrating from her native Russian city of Rostov in 1993, she landed in New York, and has been living and drawing in Brooklyn since.

She received her BFA from Pratt Institute in 2008, and has since taught media arts and worked on various projects, most recently an animated “pitch” for a new film by director Michel Gondry. Though she received her formal training in animation, she has never lost her love for traditional media such as painting and drawing.

Her current materials of choice include wood she finds in the dumpster, pieces of furniture, and acrylic paint. Her art is focused on expressing alienation and awkwardness, and the juxtaposition of organic and mechanical objects. Her subjects often include birds, typewriters, and rotary phones. Reception: Wednesday, September 9th, 7 – 9 p.m.

Back to School Bash at Habana : TOMORROW

From Habana Outpost:

Our second annual Back to School Bash is upon us and this year’s is going to be even bigger than last year’s! Habana Outpost owner Sean Meenan invites you to bring the kids over on Labor Day for a day of family fun and to stock up on back to school goodies, hang out with other area kids, get some education disguised as play (shhh … don’t tell them!), a dance party, story time, and more. As always, Mom and Dad can enjoy our famous frozen drinks and the whole family can chow down on our delicious Latin-inspired cuisine. See you there!

Habana Outpost’s Back to School Bash Monday, September 7^th 2009 – Labor Day 12 noon – 5 pm FREE!

Schedule of Events

All Day (12-5 pm): -Face Painting

-Recycled Arts & Crafts -Coloring Pages & Crayons

-Free Habana Spiral Notebooks

-Live kid-friendly DJs

-Beanbag Toss, Bubbles, and Games!

Kid’s Corner brought to you by Habana Works and Leadership Learning Lab – Join Marivi as she creates, inspires, and turns recycled materials into fun, usable “new” items! www.cafehabana.com/planet

The Scrap Kins - Kids will make crafts like bookmarks and memo pads from recycled goods and decorate them for the upcoming school year! www.thescrapkins.com

Brooklyn Public Library – Librarians will be on site signing kids up for library cards … and the best part is - anyone who signs up for a library card at the event gets a free piece of corn! www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org

1:30-2:30 pm: Storytime with Brownstone Books – Join storytellers for books out loud (geared toward the under 6 crowd). Titles will include: “Llama, Llama Misses Mama,” “Jazz Baby,” “A Fine, Fine School,” and “Miss Bindergarten.” www.brownstonebooks.com

2:30-3:30 pm: John Howe, The Bee Man – Join John in a hands-on, kid-friendly workshop called “Pollinators: Honeybees Make a Difference,” where children will learn how bees pollinate flowers in an interactive way. www.thebrooklynbee.com

3:00-5:00 pm: Cherub Rock: Dance Party for Kids – Join DJ Juice E for a kid-friendly dance party in the Lowpost (downstairs in Habana Outpost). www.djjuicee.com

Move About Myrtle: Updated Schedule

Below is the updated schedule of events for this Sunday's Move About Myrtle extravaganza!  Clinton Hill Blog will co-sponsor the ROLLER RINK between Emerson and Grand. Come on over with your blades or old school skates and help take over the street!  SKATING STARTS AT NOON.

Greening Your Urban Jungle... a workshop for Your Budding Concrete Cultivator Join local food educators and activists for an afternoon of easy and exciting urban greening. Come learn the basics of starting your own plants from seed, building raised beds gardens, food recycling from scraps to soil and the diversity of New York's growing season. All activities take place on the Food Block on Myrtle between Hall and Ryerson. (Led by Eric Rodriguez, Eric Thomann, Vandra Thorburn and T. I. Williams)

Myrtle Windows Gallery – Opening Reception Come celebrate the newest installation in the Myrtle Windows Gallery series at Pillow Café (505 Myrtle) from 4pm-8pm. The reception is free, and light refreshments will be available! Meet and support local Brooklyn artists!

The BRANCH Project The Citibank parking lot at Clinton and Myrtle will be transformed into a temporary library branch, free to everyone! On September 6th, volunteer designers and librarians from Branch will work with local residents and visitors, kids and adults, to plan and design the space. Come out and tell us how the library should look and what kind of books and activities it should offer. Architecture For Humanity will also display ideas generated from a design competition on the temporary library.

Free Screen-Printed Tote Bags by Pratt’s Pressure Print Collective Pratt’s printmakers will be silk screening LIVE onto canvas tote bags that will be given away to the visitors (while supplies last)! Support sustainability by picking up a reusable shopping bag at Move About Myrtle (between Ryerson and Grand, beginning at 11am)

Brooklyn Urban Arts Market & Roller Rink! The Brooklyn Urban Arts Market returns! This annual open-air market anchored by live music, DIY fashion, and local creative culture. Rock out with youth band School of Rock All Stars at noon, or dance to the old-school jams of DJs Soul Summit at 3pm. A temporary roller rink (which has a special guest co-sponsor this week – the Clinton Hill Blog )will bring some additional ‘throw back’ flavor to this year’s events. Get your trendy back-to-school shopping done too with local favorites like Harriet’s Alter Ego and Coup d’Etat Brooklyn (Myrtle between Emerson and Grand).

Free dance and yoga classes Brought to you by local yoga and dance studio Move with Grace , this block will feature free yoga, dance, and themed dance parties on each of the four Sundays. The first Sunday includes Mom and Me Yoga (11am), African Dance with drummers(1pm) and Caribbean Flag Celebration! (Myrtle between Washington and Hall)

Hoopdancing Class for All Ages! For kids (and the inner child in all of us), Myrtle between Ryerson and Grand (note change in location) in front of the Post Office will be devoted to good old-fashioned fun! Street games (think: four square), hula hoops, jump ropes, and sidewalk chalk will be on hand for open use throughout the day. From 1pm-3pm, take part in a free Hoopdancing Class with Fitnotic trainer Sheryl Wilson. Learn a few tricks and get a great workout!

Mmmm…Cooking Demos and Free Tastings! In front of Associated Supermarket (between Hall and Washington), we’re setting up a cooking station where all kinds of healthy food will be prepared by local chefs of all ages! Teen Iron Chefs (12pm-2pm) will be hosting interactive cooking demonstrations with seasonal, locally grown produce donated by Greenmarket farmers. Taste the fare of soon-to-open Sans Souci, a new Caribbean restaurant on Myrtle between Washington Park and Carlton, from 2pm-4pm.

Merchant Specials + Promotions -Five Spot is hosting an eating competition (food category still TBD) and music throughout the day outside the restaurant to celebrate their 13th Anniversary (Myrtle at Washington) -Enjoy free smoothie samples at Karrot (Myrtle between Clinton and Waverly) -Come to Green in BKLYN to recycle your batteries and cell phones (Myrtle between Clinton and Waverly) -Learn how to make your own pesto at Anima (Myrtle between Washington and Waverly) -NYCPet.com is providing a treats and a pet pool so that your animal friends can enjoy themselves too (Myrtle at Washington)

Stay tuned for these programs at upcoming Move About Myrtle events.... ...Parks Department Mobile Units featuring free skates and the Wii Fit! ...New York Transit Museum brings historic photos from their collection to preview their upcoming Myrtle Avenue El exhibit, "Last Day of the Myrtle Avenue El: Photographs by Theresa King," opening on September 29th. (A preview here in the NYTimes Local blog.) ...Design Workshops for the upcoming Myrtle Avenue Pedestrian Plaza ...Recycled arts & crafts projects with Livable Streets Education ...A mobile farm in the back of a truck! ...Bike safety lessons for kids from Bike NY ...and much more!

Thanks to our sponsors: Pratt Institute, Associated Supermarket, and Society for Clinton Hill.

Expanded Summer Streets Comes to Myrtle Avenue

Last summer, the DOT initiated an exciting new program that shut down a major Manhattan thoroughfare to automobiles, creating safe street space for people to walk, bike and play.

Through September, 14 street locales will play host to a Summer Streets event, including an event right here in Clinton Hill!

Move About Myrtle will be held Sunday September 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. on Myrtle Avenue between Clinton Avenue and Emerson Place,  and is sponsored by Myrtle Ave Partnership.

Pretty great, especially since September is one of the most beautiful months in the city.

So far, there are several really creative activities planned, including a roller rink in the street!

Here's a block-by-block summary of the activities planned for September 6th:

Emerson-Grand The Brooklyn Urban Arts Market returns! This annual open-air market anchored by live music, DIY fashion, and local creative culture. Rock out with youth band School of Rock All Stars at noon, or dance to the old-school jams of DJs Soul Summit at 3pm. A temporary roller rink will bring some additional throw back flavor to this year's events. Get your trendy back-to-school shopping done too. Brought to you by MARP, Rebel Music Management, BAM, Deutsche Bank.

Hall-Ryerson Celebrate local farmers, local restaurants and local food initiatives with your neighbors on Myrtle between Hall and Ryerson, a block dedicated entirely to a delicious topic: food.

12pm -3pm CSA Potluck Picnics -With blankets and home-cooked food in tow, the Fort Greene CSA will be taking over a plot of the food block each week to host potluck picnics open to all. The first potluck will be an eat-in to raise awareness and take action for real food in our schools, and initiative championed by Slow Food USA.

12pm 2pm Teen Iron Chefs - Every Sunday, a small crew of local teens will be hosting interactive cooking demonstrations with seasonal, locally grown produce donated by Greenmarket farmers.

4pm 6pm Local Chef Cooking Demonstrations-Chefs from newly-opened Myrtle restaurant SanSouci will showcase their tasty Caribbean fare.

All day: Raised Garden Bed Construction - Local food activist Tree Williams from LiveSip will host an all day interactive event constructing and planting a mobile raised bed garden to be donated at the end of the day.

Washington Hall Brought to you by local yoga and dance studio Move with Grace , this block will feature free yoga, dance, and themed dance parties on each of the four Sundays. The first Sunday includes:

11am Mom and Me Yoga Bring your mat! 1pm African Dance with drummers s Bring your rhythm! 4pm Caribbean Celebration Bring your flag!

Waverly Clinton For kids (and the inner child in all of us), this block will be devoted to good old-fashioned fun! Street games (think: four square), hula hoops, jump ropes, and sidewalk chalk will be on hand for open use throughout the day.

1pm-3pm Hoopdancing Class- Join Fitnotic trainer Sheryl Wilson, CPT, for a free beginners' class in hoopdancing - the latest fitness craze sweeping NYC! Class is appropriate for children and adults of all ages. In addition to hoopdancing instruction, Fitnotic specializes in prenatal, postnatal and mommy & me group fitness classes and personal training programs. Learn a few tricks and get a great workout!

Merchant Specials + Promotions

Five Spot is hosting an eating competition (food category still TBD) and music throughout the day outside the restaurant to celebrate their 13th Anniversary (Myrtle at Washington)

Enjoy free smoothie samples at Karrot (Myrtle between Clinton and Waverly)

Come to Green in BKLYN to recycle your batteries and cell phones (Myrtle between Clinton and Waverly)

Learn how to make your own pesto at Anima (Myrtle between Washington and Waverly)

NYCPet.com is providing a treats and a pet pool so that your animal friends can enjoy themselves too (Myrtle at Washington)

Myrtle Windows Gallery - New Works

4pm-8pm Opening Reception at Pillow Cafe (Myrtle between Ryerson and Grand? Celebrate the opening of the fourth Myrtle Windows Gallery installation, which brings the works of local artists to storefront windows on Myrtle between Hall and Clinton. This exhibition is curated by Kennis Baptiste of The Rising Arts Gallery, and includes photography, paintings and multi-media works.

Interested in helping out? Myrtle Avenue Partnership need  a small army of volunteers to make this happen, and they're lucky to have partnered with NY Cares for all four events. If you're interested in helping out give Meredith a shout at Meredith@myrtleavenue.org.

See you there!  (Well, not on the 27th, which is the day after my wedding!)

Homebuying for Hipsters: TONIGHT

Are you a hipster looking to buy real estate?  A hipster broker from Corcoran (is that possible?) will tell you how at local watering hole Rope: Home Buying for Hipsters

ROPE (415 Myrtle bet. Vanderbilt/Clinton)

G to Clinton/Washington, C to Clinton/Washington

Tuesday, August 25th

6:30-8pm

FREE!

homebuyingforhipsters@gmail.com

347-526-1383

Featuring the old crew:

Eve Levine, residential real estate broker, The Corcoran Group

Matt Rogers, real estate attorney

Rob Slifer, residential mortgage specialist, Professional Advantage Financial Group

AND, to answer renovation questions:

Darrick Borowski, architect, Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture

Take advantage of the 2009 prices, historically low interest rates and first-time homebuyer tax credit…get in the game!

Clinton Hill Day

On Saturday, I checked out Clinton Hill Day.  CHC invited me to hang with his family for some BBQ, dinner and dancing, and I was not disappointed.  The PS11 playground was full of people reminiscing, reuniting and celebrating.  A DJ spun crowd-pleasing jams and kids played in bouncy castles.  It was the kind of vibe that brought me to this neighborhood, and I wish I had experienced this kind of community gathering growing up.

Since I don't have any family in the city, it was awesome to be "adopted" for the day.  Next year, bring a grill and come on out.

Here's one explanation why block parties like this are so important in communities!

Saturday is Clinton Hill Day

(pic by Clinton Hill Chill)

Clinton Hill Day, a neighbor-organized celebration, takes place tomorrow in the PS11 park.  I asked Clinton Hill Chill, one of the event's founders, to tell me more about the event's history and what will be going on this weekend (the 11th annual event).

1. What is Clinton Hill Day and how did it start?

- Clinton Hill Day is a Community, family and friends BBQ/Park Jam. It started 11 years ago by a group of us, teens to early twenties, initially for one of their birthdays. We pooled our monies together, for a dj, tables & chairs, cotton candy & snowcone machine plus enough food to feed the whole hood. In the 70's to early 80's this kind of thing was commonplace, but there's a whole era, that missed out on this. Seeing so many people, from elders to kids, having a good time, we decided to have it every year thereafter as a day to celebrate the neighborhood and community we come from.

2. What kinds of activities usually take place?

-There's usually some games for the kids. Every year there's also a dance routine put on by some of the neighborhood kids. For me as an adult its just a day to grill out, kick it with family, friends, neighbors, listen to music and absorb everything I love about the hood.

3. If a neighbor wants to drop by and share in the fun, what can we bring?  Food?  Games?

-Everyone is welcome! Unless your coming to challenge someone to a throwdown ala Bobby Flay I don't think bringing food is a necessity. A lot of people bring there own grills-myself included but there's also a community grill to feed everyone...if you want to bring something feel free. Also make sure to bring positive energy and good vibes, there can never be enough of that!

4. Who comes up with the cool t-shirt ideas? [the 'Clinton Hill Chill' t-shirts originated at this event a few years back]

My friend Twin who's been a key organizer of Clinton Hill Day from day and Guz Designs located on Putnam betw. & Grand ave & Cambridge place. The first few years it would have the date and year but since he stopped doing that shirts have become some what of a hood staple.

See you there!

Still Hip Block Party (and 2nd Birthday!)

Another great locally-owned shop is celebrating a birthday, and this Saturday they're celebrating with a block party!  Come by to celebrate Still Hip and mingle with neighbors.

FREE KIDS STUFF 11am - Little Stretch Yoga noon - Private Picassos 1pm - Musica Para Mi 4PM - lantern making with Lango Mandarin TBD - Parents Around the Hill craft project face painting

MATERNITY FAIR doulas acupuncturist nutritionist prenatal massage info from Nu Yu Day Spa

MUSIC 2pm - Rolie Polie Guacamole 5pm - LIG Funk Band + Alex Sniderman [ed note: I have seen Alex and he's great.  Have heard super things about LIG as well!] DJs Catnip + Misbehaviour

FREE goodie bag to first 100 customers @ still hip

Drink specials @ Mirrors

FOOD Le Grand Dakar Luigi's Pizza Choice Market

+ MORE!!!! Still Hip 283 Grand Ave (nr Lafayette)

Green Fort Greene + Clinton Hill Meeting: July 20

Green Fort Greene + Clinton Hill will meet July 20, 7:00 pm, at Irondale (in the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church) 85 South Oxford Street. The Very Good News – Greener and Cleaner

***  Thanks to Council Member Tish James, the City has allocated $130,000 for “Take Back the Pavement,” our project to expand the tree pits which are choking our mature trees.  At least 330 tree pits will be expanded.  Vaidila Kungys organized this project.  Preliminary surveys by many volunteers got the necessary information in the right hands on short notice.  More below.

***  After much encouragement by Green FG&CH, the Departments of Transportation and Parks are about to build two little parks to replace the horrid plastic and striping at 7 Corners (Fulton, South Oxford, Hanson and Greene).  The roadwork will be done in July and August and the planting in the fall.  The plan is attached.

***  The Parks and Sanitation Departments will start recycling on a pilot basis at Fort Greene Park, Cuyler Gore Park and Underwood Playground this month. Green FG&CH volunteers Demetrios Yatrakis (arranged for storage of recyclables) and Ramon Factora (signage) have made it happen.

And You

A couple of hours working on a project will make a big difference.  Come to the meeting on July 20 and see how you can help.  Topic A:  explore maximizing the number of tree pits “Take Back the Pavement” will expand with the City’s money.  Set up the surveying and data collection for the project. Go after more money.

Topic B:  Green Practices for Businesses: a group of local business owners have developed a code of green practices.  We now have to take it to the streets and get many businesses to sign on.  We also need graphics for several aspects of the project and a data base to track who is participating and what is working.  In addition to the green practises that are ready to go, research is needed to launch more, bolder ideas.

Topic C:  "No Ad" sign update.  What’s next?

Kelso Brewery Hot Dog Cookoff

The season of grilled meats is now fully upon us, and on July 18, Kelso of Brooklyn is sponsoring a hot dog cookoff to benefit City Harvest!

$25 gets you a ticket for all-day hot dogs and all-you-can-drink beer.  And, it's right here in the neighborhood!  Yum.

Think you make the best hot dog in the Hill?  Enter as a participant chef (or sign up on the day of the event to be on the official taste test committee).

To buy tickets or sign up as a chef, visit http://thegreathotdogcookoff.com/.

Last year's event featured hot dog sushi, so think creatively:

Kelso of Brooklyn 529 Waverly Ave Brooklyn, NY 11238

PACC "Rolls Up the Gates"

Thinking about opening a store in the neighborhood?  Tomorrow, PACC will show several available storefronts on Fulton Street! Come view over 16 available commercial spaces Thursday, June 11th at Pratt Area Community Council’s Rolling-Up the Gates Storefront Stroll. This 1-day self-guided tour will showcase spaces on Fulton St between Flatbush and Bedford Aves from 12:00 noon – 7:30 pm. Welcome reception from 12-1 at Autour du Monde Restaurant, 860 Fulton Street, corner of Clinton Avenue. Presentations of art work by Julia Kito Kirtley at 936, 1110 and other venues along Fulton Street. Tour maps and property info can be picked up throughout the day at the PACC office at 896-900 Fulton St, 860 Fulton St. and at stores along Fulton St.

For more info, call (347) 823-5700 ext.10 or visit www.prattarea.org or the event page: http://pacc.publishpath.com/june2009-storefront-stroll

Brand Us: an Art Show on Clinton Avenue

Apparently, there is an art gallery on Clinton Ave between Fulton and Atlantic!  I guess I need to get down there more often.  Anyway, here's an interesting show going on there, featuring the artists who run the studio: BRAND US. : A ONE MAN/ONE WOMAN SHOW

Opening reception: Saturday, June 13, 2009, 6 – 10 pm

The Capital Hill Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition of new paintings and drawings by Phillip Martin and Theresa O’Neill.

Phillip Martin was born in Kingston, Jamaica on July 7, 1974. As a young man, he moved to Dallas, Texas, where he resided until accepting a soccer scholarship from UCLA in 1992. He began coaching soccer in 1996 and continues to do so to this day. Phillip has been painting with intense dedication since 1998, though his life has always been full of images and Art. Phillip's work is rooted in history, culture, myth and the power. "I paint the things I know and love. I paint heads because anyone can be a head. People need and deserve to be remembered. In the memory of the remembrance of things past. We are the ones who must outlast. Anyone looking at a head can project themselves or whomever they think fits the profile. The heads serve as a way to document the greater narratives of all our lives throughout all of time." In addition, Phillip has been performing poetry in Los Angeles for over ten years under the name Phillharmonic. He has performed with noted luminaries Saul Williams, Lewis McAdams, Wanda Coleman and Kamau Daaood Phillip now lives and works in Brooklyn, York New. He is looking forward to getting his paintings out to the world. “My creative will wills it. We are the ones we have been waiting for.”

Theresa O’Neill was born and raised in Northern California. In childhood as of now, Theresa’s passion was to tell stories and she spent most of her childhood days creating plays and movies with friends, siblings, cousins and anyone else she could convince to play along in the great spectacle of all creative acts. In 2000, Theresa moved to Los Angeles to study theatre at UCLA and she continues to work as an actress to this day.  Although Theresa has made visual work all along the path, she did not truly begin painting until 2005. Theresa’s paintings and drawings are always a deeply personal chronicling her experiences. The majority of Theresa’s work revolves around a characters she calls the Sensualist:- "To be sensual, I think, is to respect and rejoice in the force of life, of life itself, and to be present in all that one does, from the effort of loving to the making of bread.” - James Baldwin. Theresa currently lives and works in Brooklyn NY. “I love it when it gets weathered and you have to tape it together.  So you do.  Cuz you know you going to want to see it again when you forty. And like the late night Topanga CatSkills hillside, you love every shading and curvature. Because you saw how it was formed. Because you were a part of it.”

For more information, please contact the gallery.

CAPITAL HILL GALLERY

503 ClLINTON AVE. #2   BROOKLYN   NY   11238   T.  310.871.2844

The Capital Hill Gallery is both the studio and exhibition space run by Theresa O'Neill and Phillip Martin.  This is the third show they've have had at the gallery since they first moved in this past September.  The gallery focuses on O'Neill and Martin's work, as well as local artists, most recently Rahkeem Taylor. The last exhibition, Musec Plus Us., was filmed by BCAT. Each show thus far has continued to evolve and grow to what they hope becomes a community staple for a vibrant and vital Brooklyn art destination. They look forward to more good times ahead.

Street Films Profiles St. Edwards Street Painting

Lots of folks came together last weekend to create a community street mural by PS 67 and the Community Roots Charter School.  Street Films, an arm of the Livable Streets Network (as is event organizer Livable Streets Education) created a video of the project:

SONYA Studio Stroll, Photography, Brunch, Street Painting

I can't believe I haven't written about it earlier -- one of my favorite events takes place this weekend!  The SONYA (South of the Navy Yard Artists) Studio Stroll, celebrating its 10th Anniversary,  allows people to visit the studios and homes of local artists.  I think I've purchased something every year- it's nice to watch my apartment fill up with local artistic pieces.

As part of the Stroll, the Fort Greene Photography Organization will be holding a show at Gnarley Vines on Myrtle Avenue.

Download the Stroll map online at the SONYA site.

Several Myrtle Ave restaurants will also be offering a 10% discount on brunch to those with a Stroll map (Anima, Five Spot, La Stalla, Square Root and Tamboril).

And finally, Livable Streets Education is organizing a community mural event called Paint the Pavement, taking place on Edwards Street between Myrtle and Park.  More information:

What: Paint the Pavement - Parents, students and volunteers will be painting a mural on the street in front of their school!

When: Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: 51 St Edwards Street between Myrtle and Park Avenues in Brooklyn

Cost: Free!

About Paint the Pavement

Paint the Pavement is a community mural project that is part of the New York City Department of Transportation’s Urban Art Program, an initiative to invigorate the City's streetscapes with engaging temporary art installations. For this project, students will use the actual street surface in front of the school as their canvas. The mural in front of the school will serve as public art as well as a conduit for bringing together the community to mark the school zone. Ellie Balk, a local muralist and SONYA artist, has worked with Community Roots Charter School (CRCS) art teacher Leslie Elvin to take the CRCS second grade students’ ideas and weave them together into a colorful “kaleidoscope”— a multi-colored abstract map of the immediate area —drawn in temporary materials. Partners

This project is part of DOT’s Urban Art/Arterventions program and is a collaboration between CRCS, PS 67, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and New York Cares, and is sponsored by Livable Streets Education.

Let's hope the rain stays away!

Brooklyn Uncorked

There's an interesting event tomorrow night at BAM, supporting local food and drink!  Sounds delish:

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 BAMCafé, 30 Lafayette Avenue 4-8 p.m., Open to the Public, $40 Buy a ticket now!

Please join us for an evening of Long Island wine and Brooklyn eats at the third annual Brooklyn Uncorked, on Wednesday, May 13, at the spectacular Brooklyn Academy of Music at 30 Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

Last year's event sold out. So now is a great time to buy a ticket for you and friend. We are offering half price tickets to those who purchase a subscription to Edible, so please subscribe or renew today to get a half price ticket. (We'll start your new subscription when your current one ends.)

Whether you are a long time Edible reader or first-time locavore, Brooklyn Uncorked offers you a chance to wander among tables of vintners bearing bottles made from grapes grown just a day's drive away. Edible has put together an edited selection of comestibles from the very food-focused borough. While sipping a spicy chardonnay, you might wander towards bbq bits being offered by neighborhood standby the Smoke Joint. See what Buttermilk Channel and Get Fresh bring to stand up to North Fork merlots. Towards the end of the night, consider nibbling on Atlantic Avenue-made chocolates or North Fork potato chips, while a sparkling rose tickles your nose.

So, in many ways, Brooklyn Uncorked is about community. And supporting your neighbors. Sample the bounty undiscovered by some, but enjoyed by many that lurks in our backyard.

Buy tickets here or ediblebrooklyn.net.

"Represent Brooklyn"

It is too trite to say, but Brooklyn has art coming out of her ears.  However, Kennis B. Baptiste was extremely surprised about Brooklyn's lack of art exhibitions that focused on the borough's connection to its creative inhabitants.  Luckily, Baptiste lives and works in The Rising Arts (TRA) Gallery, a lovely space tucked away on Claver place.  Needless to say, he retaliated by organizing and holding the first "Represent Brooklyn" exhibition at his homestead last year.  After the success of 08', there was no question about a repeat in 09'. This year's "Represent Brooklyn" contains painting, photography, and sculpture by 40, "Artists from Brooklyn whose artwork is inspired by Brooklyn," as the tagline on the website explicates.  Baptiste organized a panel of 5 judges to pick from the plethora of submissions.  The result is an extremely diverse (duh) aggregation of work that shares a common heart.  The show benefited from Baptiste's natural curatorial eye (he also serves on the board/curates for SONYA (South of the Navy Yard Artists)).  This year, people took notice; including, borough President Marty Markowitz, whose office awarded Baptiste a Proclamation from the city.

While visiting the gallery, I got the chance to speak with one of the featured artists, Katherine Gressel.  Below is her painting, "Flatbush Avenue".  She explained that the work was originally done in 2006 for an exhibition related to the Atlantic Yards Project; however, its relevance to "Represent Brooklyn" was too much for her not to submit to this year's show.

Gressel is very interested in what we glean while traveling in automobiles.  Our scenery is constantly changing, our perception is fractured, we are increasing traffic.  These are some aspects of Brooklyn that interest Gressel.  What Brooklyn offered other artists in terms of subject matter run the gamut from contemporary American religion to pure existential expression (see "Dime Jersey" by Adam Taye and "Contigo" by Nuria Rabanillo de la Fuente respectively, below).

"Represent Brooklyn" ends this Saturday(5/9), but TRA is having a closing reception from 4-8pm to send it out in style.  Baptiste expends a tremendous amount of time and energy on the shows at TRA--he only presents 2 to 3 exhibitions a year--so I suggest a vist, and quickly.  Pertinent visiting info below.  See you Saturday.

The Rising Arts Gallery 35 Claver Place Brooklyn, NY 11238

Hours: M-F Appointment Only Sat. and Sun. 12-6pm

http://www.tragallery.net/

Clinton Hill Library Fundraiser

We all love our little local library on Washington Avenue, and it's currently trying to raise $8,000 for improvements.  Check out the dance party, free snacks and wine/beer party to give our branch a boost! Thursday, May 14, 2009 Brooklyn Vanguard presents:

Party With A Purpose!

Join the Brooklyn Vanguard, Brooklyn Public Library's young donor group, for a Support Our Shelves Fundraiser. Proceeds will help purchase books and DVDs, and support educational programs at Clinton Hill Library.

Where: Franklin Park Bar and Beer Garden 618 Saint Johns Place (near Franklin Avenue) Brooklyn, NY 11238

Time: 6 - 9 pm

Cost: $40 in Advance $50 at the Door (cash only)

Get your dance on with DJ Cosmo Baker. Enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer. Specialty drinks are $5. (Bar is cash only.) Bring your friends and colleagues to help support this worthy cause!

Click here to view the postcard.

To purchase your ticket, click here.

For additional information, contact:

Maggie Beaute-Lucien Manager, Special Events & Donor Relations 718-230-2465 m.lucien@brooklynpubliclibrary.org