Real Journalism written by people
Inspired by Black History Month, Calvary Baptist Church staged a work of community theater, Brother to Brother, which sought to honor both African-American luminaries of the past and ordinary Brooklynites of the present. The performance took place on Sunday, February 24, at 773 Hicks Street, with a cast of 25 locals. Drama Ministry Director Betty Moorning, a deaconess at the […]
On the last Sunday of each month, at 6 p.m., a potluck for “creatives” – officially the DIN DIN Curated Community Potluck – takes place at 41 Seabring Street. The venue, DE-CONSTRUKT, is a self-described “design studio, photography darkroom, event studio, and project space,” founded by the artist Laura Arena, who has lived in Red Hook for more than a […]
Vice Adam Mckay’s latest film “Vice” begins with a dramatically posed question from an unspecified narrator: how is a man like Dick Cheney (played by Christian Bale)- a man who as the vice-president expanded executive power and drastically increased America’s foreign influence almost invisibly-made? For all its initial emphasis on Cheney’s subtlety and self-erasure from politics, the film mirrors none […]
On January 9, the NewFilmmakers Series at Anthology Film Archives in Manhattan screened Followed, a short by local filmmaker Georg Schmithüsen. New York’s longest-running year-round film festival, NewFilmmakers holds weekly events in the East Village, showing hundreds of movies a year by up-and-coming directors. A cryptic, visually expressive portrait of psychological instability, Followed begins at night at Pier 44, where […]
Arts Calendar Feb 1 NARS Foundation in Sunset Park has two exciting exhibitions coming up. “On Volcanoes and other Transfigurative Bodies” (Feb 1 – 20) showcases startling work by Caitlin Berrigan and Jemila MacEwan. The two artists look at volcanoes, creation, and the idea of becoming. NARS opens a second exhibition, “Women’s Work,” (Feb 8 – 20) on another floor. […]
Netflix says that at least 45 million people saw Bird Box in its first week. If they’re not lying, they’re criminals–they just confessed to wasting the equivalent of 146 human lifetimes. In a just world, I wouldn’t even review this movie–it’s just a A Quiet Place knock-off, like those Transmorphers straight-to-DVD movies that only get made to grift gift-shopping grandmas. […]
Say hello to Pioneer Works 2019 residents Now in its seventh year, Pioneer Works continues to find trend-defying artists. We wanted to forecast a few artists we’re especially excited to see and hear from. The music residents range from the classic virtuoso of Yumi Kurosawa to the powerhouse vocals of Quenton Stuckey. The visual residents show socially engaged artwork with […]
To get into Bitches Talkin, the collaborative exhibition at Black Ball Projects by Eileen Quinlan and Tamar Halper (ET, collectively), you have to call Joe, who’s glad to answer any questions you have, he’ll just be behind the wall over there. It seems fitting that one has to contend with this strange combination of absence and presence just to enter […]
The first shots were fired the day Millie was born. “You’ve finally got yourself a beauty,” was the word in the Kaplan’s Brooklyn neighborhood, where older sister Ruth would be known solely for her intellect. As grown women during the Second World War, the two main characters in The Wartime Sisters (St. Martin’s Press; January 22, 2019; hardcover), prove that […]
Of the very few bookstores in Red Hook, Pioneer Books stands out for its smart curation and clear visibility along Van Brunt. Here are a few titles currently stocked at the humble storefront that we couldn’t help reviewing. Pioneer Books hosts regular events and book clubs. Check out their website, swing by 289 Van Brunt St, or call (718) 596-3001 […]
In retrospect, it was inevitable: Facebook now streams original content that is actually good. Nearly 70 percent of Americans have a Facebook account, and the whole platform is made to like, watch, and share “content.” With the fog light of hindsight, it’s amazing that Facebook didn’t capitalize on their captive audience sooner. Amazon and Netflix both set sail with scripted […]
Jan 2 Start 2019 right with a visit to Peninsula Gallery. Curator Johnny Mullen has put together a smart exhibition of upcoming artists. “Strange Form of Life” features Lars Fisk, Clare Grill, E Hause, Matt Kleberg, Jim Lee, Meg Lipke, and Graham Wilson. Open weekends 1-7pm. Through Feb 3. 352 Van Brunt St. And while you’re in the vicinity, Pioneer […]
2018 has proven itself to be a monumental year, reeking of political devastation far more significant than ever deemed possible. Yet in light of these events, there has been an unmistakable amount of positivity surrounding a particular political figure. On Nov. 23, former First Lady Michelle Obama released her first book, “Becoming.” The memoir is a coming-of-age story about Michelle’s […]
