Students of the Brooklyn Community Arts and Media High School are showing off their creative masterpieces at a show at the Bed-Stuy Y. The opening reception was last week, but the exhibition will be up until March 25, and is a mix of photography, abstract painting, and graphic design done by 9th-12th graders at the school.
The show is open to all and you do not need to be a Y member to check it out.
Recently, a friend of mine told me about a fundraiser she was working on to benefit the Willie May Rock Camp for Girls, a non-profit music program based in Fort Greene. “Rock Camp? In Fort Greene?” I thought. I chatted with Executive Director Karla Schickele about what they offer and about the upcoming benefit.
1. What exactly is the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls?
Officially, it’s a non-profit music and mentoring program that empowers girls and women through music education and activities that foster self-respect, leadership skills, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. Unofficially, it’s the funnest summer day camp in New York City… and a brand-new arts education center in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill.
2. Who is the camp open to? What age groups?
The camp is open to girls age 8 to 18. No musical experience necessary, and tuition is sliding scale.
3. How did the camp end up in Fort Greene?
We were looking for a year-round home where we could have our office, store our music gear, and most importantly, have a practice space so we could make music during the year. Two of us on staff have toddlers who go to The Coop School, so we heard the school was looking for tenants in their new building on Irving Place, and the space turned out to be perfect.
4. How many programs are offered?
In addition to the summer camp, we do Music Club, which is a weekly after school program for girls here in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill, a D.J. program at the Urban Assembly School of Music and Art, plus we offer lessons and practice space for youth bands.
5. What about grown-ups? Anything for grown up girls?
Glad you asked! We do Ladies Rock Camp for adult women every summer, which is a long-weekend version of the summer camp — instrument classes, band practice, and a big concert at the end. Wicked fun. And all the money goes to the scholarship fund of the summer camp, so it’s a feel-good experience all around. We also do a weekly Ladies Jam drop-in session at our space that’s open to all women!
6. Tell us about your upcoming fundraiser.
Our annual ROCK N’ ROLL AUCTION is next Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. at The Knitting Factory. The hilarious Murray Hill will emcee and serve as auctioneer, Kaki King will perform, Erin McKeown will write a love song on the spot for the highest bidder, and camper bands Saffire and The Awkward Turtles will play. We have amazing items to auction off, including local stuff like party space at Still Hip, kid stuff like Big Apple Circus tickets, and grown-up stuff like a beer party for 40 at the Brooklyn Brewery. We’re also doing an ebay auction of hot items like a mic signed by Tori Amos and a guitar signed by Sheryl Crow. For more information, http://williemaerockcamp.org/auction.html
7. How long have you lived in the neighborhood? What brought you here?
I’ve lived in Brooklyn since I was 3, but I moved to Fort Greene in 2005, five minutes after I met my partner Kate. Now we have two kids and we’re still in the same one-bedroom. The neighborhood is powerful like that!
8. If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be and why?
Now that we have a bookstore? Hmmm….a Westbeth-style living place for artists and (ahem) non-profit leaders, to make it possible for us to remain in the community.
9. What’s your favorite local hangout?
Bittersweet! and Outpost!
10. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what would you be and why?
Well, I don’t know, but my son Emmet and I were playing ice cream stand at playgroup at the Lafayette Church yesterday, and he offered me an imaginary cone with what really sounded like “Sticker Shock Chocolate.” So that’s my new favorite flavor.
***
Who wants to do grown up Rock Camp with me?!
Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls
87 Irving Place
Brooklyn NY 11238
(347) 599-0716
www.williemaerockcamp.org
ROCK N’ ROLL AUCTION
Tuesday, Feb. 9
The Knitting Factory
with Murray Hill and Kaki King
361 Metropolitan Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211
Local knitting group knit+wine celebrates its first anniversary on Sunday! Here’s some info bout the group and this Sunday’s event:
Knit+Wine is a monthly casual gathering of knitters and wine-drinkers at Bar Olivino, a lovely wine bar in Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. We meet on the last Sunday of every month, from 5-7:00 p.m.
All levels of knitters & crocheters welcome — this is not a class but an informal gathering to knit, share projects, tips, and drink wine all at the same time!
Knit+Wine Night (1 year birthday party)
at Bar Olivino
in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Sunday, January 31st
5:00 – 7:00 pm
RSVP: knitandwine@gmail.com
or Facebook
899 Fulton Street (Clinton-Vanderbilt)
Speaking of trees, a local art gallery is holding an exhibition that benefits the MillionTreesNYC initiative!
Opening Receptions: February 10 & February 25, 2010 and by appointment
Two original paintings will be raffled off with the proceeds donated to MillionTreesNYC
Brooklyn, NY: Gallery House is proud to present “EARTH,” an environmentally themed group exhibition. This exhibition in both form and function is meant to celebrate and highlight the challenges our planet is currently facing. It is critical for our own survival that we learn to put a priority on the environment’s needs. Many of us have become so immersed with day-to-day responsibilities and possessions that we have begun to neglect the stage that our lives play out on. “EARTH” refocuses the viewer’s attention to nature through the medium of art.
Two receptions will be held during which one original painting will be raffled off with the proceeds donated to MillionTreesNYC, a public-private initiative between the City of New York and New York Restoration Project to plant and care for one million trees across New York City by 2017. The gallery will be open by appointment from February 5th through March 12th.
What: Gallery House Presents “EARTH’”
When: Wednesday, February 10 & Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 7:30pm – 11:00pm
Where: Gallery House 272 Clinton Ave. Brooklyn NY, 11205
About Gallery House
Galley House is a Clinton Hill based organization dedicated to the sharing of ideas pressing our world today. Through our hosted reception, we aim to gather and communicate said ideas through art, music and other types of artistic expression. For more information, visit us at www.galleryhouse.org.
About MillionTreesNYC
MillionTreesNYC is a citywide, public-private initiative with an ambitious goal: to plant and care for one million new trees across the City’s five boroughs by 2017. By planting one million trees, New York City can increase its urban forest – our most valuable environmental asset made up of street trees, park trees, and trees on public, private and commercial land – by an astounding 20%, while achieving the many quality-of-life benefits that come with planting trees.
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (Parks) will plant 60% of the trees in parks, on streets, and in other public spaces. The other 40% – coordinated through New York Restoration Project (NYRP) – will be planted by private organizations, homeowners and community organizations. Parks and NYRP are working with community partners to assess tree planting opportunities on schoolyards, public housing campuses, health care facilities, business districts, commercial and residential developments, front yards and other private lands. For more information about MillionTreesNYC, visit www.milliontreesnyc.org or call 311.
Noticed those green decals on the sidewalks in Fort Greene? The DOT and BAM are behind the project, aimed at helping people find their way to our local cultural institutions.
I think they look pretty neat. Plus, I still get confused going to the Harvey theater. If only they could direct me to the best subway entrance for each line. It gets so confusing down there, with the Q, N, B, D at different platforms.
January’s Artwork at Tillie’s:
January 4 – February 6, 2010
Reception
Friday 1/8/10, 7 – 9 p.m.
Brooklyn-based artist David Macaluso achieved international recognition last year with his portraits of Barack Obama painted with used motor oil, a medium he’s been using since 2005. He regards this technique, one of many at his disposal, as a means of recycling while also serving as a metaphorical undercurrent in his work. The portraits prompted ExxonMobil to become a client. In October 2009 the “Barack Obama: Made in Motor Oil” portraits were published in a hardcover edition called Hope: A Collection of Obama Posters and Prints.
The artist states: “I regard my work as part of a vast and enigmatic evolutionary continuum, a verse in a powerful play. Each work I create, and the body of my work as a whole, seems guided by some overarching vision which is hard for me to define and is often fragmentary. My work rarely seems to fit neatly into any distinct category, but is more like an urge, one that is simultaneously constructive and deconstructive, pushing toward a deeper awareness.”
David Macaluso has studied at Hunter College, the New School, and Parsons School of Design. He has shown his work at the Athens Institute of Contemporary Art in Athens, Georgia; at the Deborah Martin Gallery in Los Angeles; and at Artists Space, the Paula Barr Gallery, and Art Gotham in Manhattan. He was featured in the Saatchi Gallery online and is a member of the Brooklyn Arts Council.
It’s getting a little late for Xmas shopping, but I know some of you out there need to wrap things up (so to speak).
Here’s another suggestion- this adorable tote, made here in Clinton Hill by two local residents: artist Caroline Hwang and designer Bryn Smith.
$15, http://www.spoonmeloveme.bigcartel.com/
Maybe we can convince them to make a”Spoon Me Clinton Hill” tote.
This just in from RePop:
We can’t believe it, but the holidays are already here again. Why break tradition? Put your merriest foot forward this Friday and take a look at some real buried treasures!
The New Jewels of Miss Ellie will be on view from Dec 3 – 7, for a special trunk show event.
This season, you will find the best impulse gifts to delight your mom, your girlfriends, your babysitter or yourself: the Curious Cocktail Ring: Rare Birds, hands-holding-bouquets, angels and insects: one-size-fits every finger, $29-40 each. Old World Lockets are also the perfect personalized gift.
John Mathias will be showing “Crushing Silence” a collection of photographs and paintings that evoke a quiet and mysterious beauty in landscape and still-life. Images of a post-human world in reverent abstraction from the beaches to the concrete canyons of the city.
This limited collection is vibrant and haunting, offering an ideal gift or decorative option for any interior in need of a conversational splash.
Meet the artists at our First Friday Christmas Party, Dec 4, from 5pm – 9pm. Join us for some good wine, scrumptious appetizers and delightful conversation in one of the most eclectic and festive atmospheres in town!
RePop
68 Washington Ave.
Several people have emailed me about upcoming events in the neighborhood. Here’s a selection of the best:
“Open House” at the Irondale Center, 85 S. Oxford. The piece involves making an entire house with people’s bodies as the walls, windows, chairs and tables. The audience is invited to experience the structure both from outside as well as from within the living space. The event is entirely FREE and open to the public.
www.thelivingroomproject.info
Thursday, 12/10/09 , 8pm
Le Salon des Artistes, from Janna Hyten (The “Halloween Lady” of 313 Clinton Ave.)
A holiday art salon, perfect for gift shopping. A variety of artists’ work will be on display.
Dec 5th-6th
Dec 12-13th
Dec 19-20
Sale times are 10am-3pm
313 Clinton Avenue
between DeKalb and Lafayette
Tuesdays on Myrtle: Free Live Music after Your Holiday Shopping
Consecutive Tuesdays this holiday season, starting at 7:30 pm
December 1st @ La Stalla
499 Myrtle (Hall/Ryerson)
Latin Jazz
December 8th @ Anima
458 Myrtle (Waverly/Washington)
Global Soul and R&B
December 15th @ Sans Souci
330 Myrtle (Washington Park/Carlton)
Funky Percussion
White Wash at Corridor Gallery, 334 Grand Ave. Work by artist Navin June Norling, up through January 7th. The exhibit merges painting, sculpture and performance art to create an unconventional billboard.
Artists are beginning to paint their windows on Myrtle Ave storefronts. Local artist and friend of CHB Ellie Balk will be painting on Sunday and invited readers to stop by:
“HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS”
Please join me at Karen’s Body Beautiful (MYRTLE-BTWN WAVERLY/CLINTON) this SATURDAY/SUNDAY as I create a “Stained Glass” Map on the front window for the MARP Myrtle Ave. Windows Project.
• Holiday windows will be on display through the end of December and all visitors and shoppers will be able to vote via text message for their favorite storefront design from Monday, November 23rd until Sunday, December 13th (winners will be announced shortly afterward).
The Project from Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project (MARP): “We hope that this unique program will help to drive visitors to the avenue to view your works, and to support our merchants (the majority of whom are local, independent, small business owners) during this holiday season by shopping locally.”
Ellie painted the beautiful mural on the side of Tillie’s!