Celebrating Community
Donald O’Finn: Artist, Rebel, and Proprietor of Freddy’s Bar The original Freddy’s Bar is one of the great, lost places in Brooklyn. Once a rumored to be a speakeasy during prohibition, it later became a key, cultural hub and ground zero for the resistance to the assault on Brooklyn by real estate developers. The dark front room featured an outstanding wooden bar, red […]
On December 15, New Brown Memorial Baptist Church at Clinton Street and Center Street held its annual Christmas concert, performed by the Sister Helen Lee Keyboard Ensemble and Drum Corps. The concert showcased youth talent honed in the church’s music program, led by the internationally acclaimed author James McBride and fellow instructor Damon Due White. Founded in 1954 by McBride’s […]
The New Year is upon us and there’s nothing like picking up and dusting off that guitar, keyboard, or trumpet that has maybe laid in wait too long. Did you know that Red Hook has many opportunities to play with your neighbors and friends? Bene’s Record Shop, Jalopy Theater, Rocky Sullivan’s, and Sunny’s all offer jam sessions of varying genre […]
* critics pick Bene’s RECORD SHOP* 360 Van Brunt St. 718-855-0360 All Shows 8:30PM, unless noted. Check local listings! IBEAM 168 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave. ibeambrooklyn.com shows at 8PM unless otherwise printed. SAT 12/8 Chris Cochrane’s Collapsible Shoulder Chris Cochrane – Guitar w/ Brian Chase, Kato Hideki, Kevin Bud Jones two sets SUN 12/9 Deric Dickens Presents*: […]
The peaceful brownstone blocks of Brooklyn frequently hide a staggering amount of talented characters. We are often surrounded by unusual people and don’t even know it. As a musician and a writer, I am intrigued by those who should be better known but aren’t. One such fellow is singer-songwriter-guitarist Matt Statler. Originally hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Statler’s Americana sound […]
Walking into the Jalopy last Saturday, November 24th, felt like walking into the world portrayed by the Coen Brothers in 2012’s Inside Llewyn Davis: dimly lit, with red and white tea lights hanging from the ceiling, exposed brick walls, a bright, red curtain framing the stage. Most attendees contributed to the coziness of the décor with thickly knit sweaters and […]
Located on Cortelyou Road in leafy Ditmas Park, Bar Chord has become one of the best places to see and perform live music in Brooklyn. With colorful band posters adorning the windows, proprietors Jonny and Christy Sheehan have created a space that is open to all and hosts live music every night of the week. The Sheehans live by their […]
Before the birth of their daughter but after the two graduated from the School of Visual Arts, the photographer Stephen Lipuma and graphic designer Amy Ng opened Court Tree Collective in Carroll Gardens. Now in its fifth year, the space provides a community center for cooking events, fine art exhibitions, and just about anything else the community finds itself curious about. Court Tree […]
“Hold Still,” Brooklyn local Mary-Elaine Jenkins’ debut album draws on the long traditions of southern folk to examine the perils of romance and loss. As streaming has effectively erased the imperative to listen to albums start to finish, Jenkins’ album constitutes a thorough exploration of men and romance gone awry. Despite the often plaintive lyrics about failed relationships and disappointing forays into love, Jenkins’ balances the tone of the […]
LIZZIE AND THE MAKERS is composed of a rather unlikely looking bunch of rockstars. The median age trends a little older than one might initially suspect of an up-and-coming band, but their rise could hardly be disputed. Their November shows at Rockwood Music Hall and Hometown Barbecue featured guest guitarist Reeves Gabrel, of David Bowie fame, who will be touring […]