September Art News

Sept 5     

To commemorate Cajun country pioneer Jimmy Newman, who passed four years ago, Jalopy Theater hosts a tribute concert with the Foghorn Stringband (Caleb Klauder, Reeb Willms, Nadine Landry, and Stephen Lind). “Foghorn Stringband continually and obsessively draws from old-time, bluegrass, classic country, and Cajun music traditions in an ongoing quest to present a broad span of American historical music with an unparalleled youthful energy, joy, and virtuosity.” Show at 8:30pm. 315 Columbia St. (718) 395-3214 

Sept 5, 12, 19, 26   

The Red Hook Public Library hosts “Ark for the Arts.” The innovative community-driven project led by Jeannine Bardo and Isabelle Garbani features a bicycle-powered sculpture travelling through the neighborhood to bring people together. “The ark can also be seen as a metaphor, as a place of refuge and safety….potential flooding…has become a real and urgent issue that must be addressed, as it threatens our coastlines and low-lying neighborhoods such as Red Hook. The past year has seen additional assaults on what we hold dear in Brooklyn: our culture and diversity are being attacked with the rise of nationalism, racism, and a war on the arts.” The two will take the Ark for a ride 3-4pm; have decoration time (meant for kids five and up) for the next hour, then a meet and greet in front of the library at 5pm. 7 Wolcott St. (718) 935-0203 

Sept 6     

For the culinary curious, refine your skill in the art of oyster shucking at Brooklyn Crab. The $25 ticket gets you half a dozen oysters and two draft beers, as well as prime seating for oyster shucking demonstrations from a Blue Point Brewery expert. 6-830pm. 24 Reed St. (718) 643-2722 

Sept 6   

Join the community of Pioneer Works for this regular (and popular) lunch-in. This month features works from chef DeVonn Francis, part of the event group Yardy, which “focuses on the series of justices and injustices connected through queer and migrant culture.” 12:30-2pm. 159 Pioneer Street. (718) 596-3001 

Sept 7    

Pioneer Works launches their sprawling exhibit on urban Haitian artists. Claiming each of PW’s sizeable floors, PÒTOPRENS: The Urban Artists of Port-au-Prince “highlights Port-au-Prince’s many diverse centers of cultural production, informal street life, religious heritage, and mythologies to create a compelling portrait of a historically significant and intensely complex city in flux.” And yes, there will be sequined Vodou flags. Through Nov 11. Opening: Sept 7, 7-9pm. 159 Pioneer Street. (718) 596-3001 

Sept 7  

Kentler Drawing Center hosts Brooklyn-based artist Nancy Bowen “For Each Constant Instant,” a title from an Emily Dickinson line. “Imagery taken from almanacs, dictionaries, maps and scientific texts are isolated, altered, and reconstructed to create new associations, often giving insight to our current cultural and political predicaments.” Bowen will discuss the exhibit on Oct 6 at 4pm. Through Oct 28. Opening: Sept 7, 5-8pm. 353 Van Brunt Street. (718) 875-2098 

Sept 8   

440 Gallery showcases “And Now I See” by Brooklyn-artist Leigh Blanchard. These experiments in digital photography use an AI app to cull images from archives, then amplify with hand drawings. Through Oct 7. Opening: Sept 8, 5-7pm. 440 6th Ave. (718) 499-3844 

Sept 9 – Oct 23      

For creative writers, “Cast Off!” at Jalopy Theater offers unique workshops to jump start work for amateurs and professionals. Lead by AWA Affiliate, Leslie Fierro, workshops are based on a sliding scale, $50 for one workshop to $200 for six classes. 315 Columbia St. Sundays (with some exceptions), 11am-1pm. (718) 395-3214 

Sept 10-17  

New York’s largest book fair takes place in (you guessed it) Brooklyn, but with dozens of “bookend” events in every borough. With over 300 authors (Martin Amis, Min Jin Lee Jennifer Egan, Kevin Young) this event could only happen in New York. The fun begins with a dance party at Pioneer Works Sept 10, 7-11pm. Children’s Day is Sept 15 at MetroTech Commons. Sept 16 sees their flagship event around Borough Hall where over 250 large and small publishers present their wares. For schedules and full list of writers, visit brooklynbookfestival.org.  

Sept 12  

Red Hook Labs launches “Soft Criminal,” an international collection on the African diaspora. United by a mythic narrative, the exhibit includes photographer Kristin-Lee Moolman (South African), designer Ibrahim Kamara (Sierra-Leonean) and designer Gareth Wrighton (British).” Through Sept 23. Opening: Sept 8, 7-10pm. 133 Imlay St. (718) 797-1103 

Sept 13-23   

Around Brooklyn Bridge Park, Photoville exhibits more than 600 artists in 90 outdoor exhibitions. There are also tutorials for all ages, panels, artistic lectures. Highlights include “Attacks on Press Freedom in Mexico”; “Future Imagemakers Speak Out”; and conversations between Taslima Akhter, Robin Benson, Miranda Barnes, and Stella Johnson. In its 7th year, the public (including dogs) are welcome. Opening gala: Sept 12, 6-9pm, tickets start at $80. (718) 801-8099 

Sept 16-21 

St. Paul Community Baptist Church hosts several productions of “Eradicating Slavery’s Legacy” reckoning with the Middle Passage. In its 24th year, the event annually attracts more than 3,000 people. Sept 16, 6pm; Sept 17, 7pm; Sept 20, 7pm; Sept 21, 7pm. 859 Hendrix Street. (718) 257-1300 

Sept 24    

“Taste of Red Hook” is a fundraiser for the Red Hook Initiative, which manages research and resources to empower students throughout Red Hook. Now in its 24th year, more than 50 restaurants will be present. “Take in miraculous views of the New York City waterfront and bid in a 70+ item silent auction featuring unique travel experiences, home decor, high-end beauty, fashion and fine art.” 260 Conover Street. 6-9pm. (718) 858-6782  

Sept 26 

Seven comedians come together at Littlefield to celebrate the glorious ridiculousness that is the Real Housewives of New York (RHONY). “The Boat Ride from Hell: a RHONY Live-Read” reenacts a trip taken by a group of rich, vainglorious women to Cartagena. Their boat in paradise had severe engine trouble, and the women freak out in hilarious fashion. Comedians Ziwe Fudmudoh and Liza Treyger lead the debauchery. 635 Sackett St. 8pm. (877) 435-9849 

 *If unspecified, all quotes from respective press releases and company websites.