Tits Up Brooklyn, by Medea Hoar

Ah, December is upon us and with it, colder winds, warm fireplace cuddles, and lots of festive gatherings. Starting off this season of joy was Smudgefest 2024 on November 23^rd at Sunset Stoop, put on by a brand spanking new collaborative – The BK MUSES! So, before we delve deep into Smudgefest, let’s talk about these magical muses.

BK Muses is a Brooklyn-based artist’s collective with an edgy feminist perspective, who work tirelessly to promote each other’s work, with steering committee guiding the helm and comprised of four women of a certain age with decades of innovative experience. Their core values: inclusivity, creativity, charity and community support.

BK Muses started as a collaboration in the kitchen of Sharissa Reichert, long time punk rocker and a talented musician in her own right, along with several others including the vivacious Didi Champagne. Didi is a force of nature as a bassist, spoken word and visual artist. She, along with Sharissa, brought in Jeanne Fry, NYC based writer/singer/composer/model, a true renaissance woman, and Deb Noble, go-go dancer and head muse at Blue StingRaye Prod., to complete the quartet that embodies the BK Muses Steering committee.

BK Muses has given a voice to those feminists who may be overlooked by today’s society: older, pissed off, and LOUDLY unapologetic about still raising their voices and some hell. BK Muses Rock! Now, on to Smudgefest…..

Smudging is the process of burning sage in space that needs to have bad energy cleared out.  And that’s what Smudgefest was all about – 9 amazing bands, playing not for fame or fortune, but for the collective positive energy that was created. The bands and solo musicians, in order of appearance:

MILF & DILF (Sharissa Reichert)

Blueberry High Heels (Didi Champagne)

Stephanie M. Hall

PM Edition Ondine

Mimsey Mack

Baikin

Love Conquers All

Mojo Sky

Embarazada (Jeannie Fry)

In a span of seven hours on a sunny day in Brooklyn, paying no cover charge, everyone enjoyed pop, punk, original music, raunchy rock and tender beautiful ballads. There was something for all musical tastes. The performers played their hearts out to an appreciative crowd that ebbed and flowed. The venue, Sunset Stoop was very accommodating and has a welcoming atmosphere. Can’t say enough good things about this venue across from the park. Nice stage, good backline and a workable sound system.