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Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturday Spotlights Caribbean Culture On August 2

The Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturdays event attracts thousands of visitors to free programs of art and entertainment each month.

Aug. 2 SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMS

5-7 p.m. Music
The renowned Amma McKen and her drum and voice ensemble, Omiyesa, perform traditional Orisa music in Afro-Cuban style.

6-7:30 p.m. Dance
Ase Dance Theatre Collective presents "neo-folklore" of the French Caribbean. Free tickets available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

6-7 p.m. Reading
Marie-Elena John reads from and discusses her acclaimed novel Unburnable, a riveting narrative of family, betrayal, vengeance, and murder revealed in Carnival chanté mas songs. Free tickets available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

6:30-8:30 p.m. Hands-On Art
Participants are invited to decorate a Caribbean musical shaker with African patterns. Free timed tickets available at the Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m.

8 p.m. Gallery Talk
Anthropologist Aisha Khan, Director of Undergraduate Studies at New York University, gives a Sign Language-interpreted talk in the Asian galleries on Hindu and Muslim communities in the Caribbean. Free tickets available at the Visitor Center at 7 p.m.

8:30 p.m. Film
See Life Is to Whistle (Fernando Perez, 2000, 106 min., NR), a humorous and insightful take on three young protagonists and their quest for happiness in Havana at the dawn of the new millennium. Free tickets available at the Visitor Center at 7 p.m.

9-11 p.m. Dance Party
Reggae Retro's DJs and live band Judah Tribe play roots rockers, dancehall, and dub from around the world.

Throughout the evening, a cash bar will offer beer and wine, and the Museum Café will serve a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and beverages. The Museum Shop will remain open until 11 p.m.

Some Target First Saturday programs have limited space available and are ticketed on a first-come, first-served basis. Lines for free tickets often form 30 minutes in advance. Programs are subject to change without notice. Free ticket distribution does not apply to the exhibition © MURAKAMI. Those tickets may be purchased at the Visitor Center. Museum galleries are open until 11 p.m. Parking is a flat rate of $4 from 5 to 11 p.m.

For more info and directions....

Free Outdoor Film Series returns Thursday, July 10 for eight-week run.
SCI FI Presents Brooklyn Bridge Park's Movies With A View Every Thursday from July 10 through August 28; DJs at 6:00pm, Movies at Sundown

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation are pleased to announce the line-up for the ninth annual Movies With A View outdoor summer film series presented this year by new sponsor SCI FI Channel.

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy launched Movies With A View nine years ago, and works with a volunteer Film Committee, made up of members of the local community, each year to put together an exciting line-up of films. This year's Committee selected an imaginative group of films organized around a theme of "change."

With a venue noted for spectacular views as well as the quality of its films, the free series attracts thousands of people each summer to the waterfront park. Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park and its immediate neighbor, a city park, constitute the first 12 acres of the larger Brooklyn Bridge which will stretch 1.3 miles along the East River from Jay Street, north of the Manhattan Bridge past the Brooklyn Bridge to Atlantic Avenue. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation has begun construction on the larger park, and when completed, Brooklyn Bridge Park will feature 76 acres of lawns, recreation fields, water access, esplanades, and playgrounds.

As with seasons past, Movies With A View will also screen a short film by an independent filmmaker prior to each evening’s feature. Brooklyn Radio (www.brooklynradio.net) will set the scene with pre-movie mood music from some of New York City's best DJ's. RICE will provide delicious dinners on site, and Transportation Alternatives will be on hand to provide free bike valet parking.

The films start at sundown, but patrons are invited come early, spread out a blanket, grab some popcorn and enjoy a beautiful evening in the park!

COMPLETE SCHEDULE

July 10 - Stand By Me
Is there any change more universally terrifying than puberty? Throw a dead body into the mix and see if you cope as well as Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell in this ‘80s favorite. Also starring Kiefer Sutherland. 1986, Rated R, 89 minutes

Short film: Cupcake by Sean McPhillips
Cupcake is a live-action, absurd comedy in which Candi, an unlikely hero, is torn between her desire for cupcakes and the basic human need to be loved.

July 17 - Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Some people say that true change comes from within. This 1956 cult classic proves once and for all that it comes from outer space. Helpless automatons need not bother. 1956, Not Rated, 80 minutes

Short film: Mr. Parabolic by Jacek Kosciuszko
Mr. Parabolic was shot in stop-motion in the beautiful ancient city of Torun, Poland. Over 24,000 photo stills are spliced together to create the short film of a man riding his chair thru town.

July 24 - Wallace & Gromit: Curse Of The Were Rabbit
The annual Giant Vegetable Competition is days away and Wallace & Gromit’s humane pest control service, “Anti-Pesto,” is doing big business. But who exactly is changing into the mysterious Were-Rabbit, trashing and eating all the prized veggies? Find out in this 2005 Academy Award winner for Best Animated Feature. 2005, Rated G, 94 minutes

Short film: Hedgehug by Dan Pinto
A lonely hedgehog searches for someone to love.

July 31 - Ace In The Hole
Billy Wilder's cynical classic envisions a world where tragedy makes for media gold and once-respected journalists change into self-serving desperados…a full half-century before blogging and TMZ. Kirk Douglas stars in this New Mexican noir. 1951, Not Rated, 111 minutes

Short film: The Deadpool by Ryan Muir

August 7 - Pleasantville
Back to the past imperfect. Pre-superstardom Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon time travel to a black-and-white ‘50s sitcom world, and the times, they end up a-changin’. With William H. Macy and Joan Allen. 1998, Rated PG-13, 124 minutes

Short film: How to Build a Spaceship by Russell Jacobs

August 14 - Cabaret
“What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play….” Winner of 8 Oscars, Bob Fosse's masterpiece immerses the viewer in the demimonde of Berlin's Kit Kat Klub as Germany changes from "divine decadence" to Hitlerism. Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey star in this dark yet entertaining musical. 1972, Rated PG, 124 minutes

Short film: Play With Me by Yuliya Lanina

August 21 - Being There
Peter Sellers shines in Hal Ashby's 1979 cult classic about an illiterate gardener who inadvertently becomes advisor to Washington's elite, changing the world while remaining his simpleton self. Also starring Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas in an Oscar-winning performance.1979, Rated PG, 130 minutes

Short film: John and Karen by Matthew Walker

August 28 - The Shining
Ah, the transformative power of new digs. Jack Nicolson loses his mind after moving his family into an isolated, haunted hotel in Stanley Kubrick’s chilling adaptation of Stephen King’s best-seller. Careful, don’t spill any red rum. 1980, Rated R, 143 minutes

Short film: All Saints Day by Will Frears
The morning after Halloween, a young man and a young woman sit on his East Village stoop and watch the Halloween stragglers stumble home as they possibly do-or possibly don't-fall in love.

Movies with a View website for more info

For more info and directions....

A major new work of temporary public art by internationally acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson, The New York City Waterfalls, will be on display in New York City from mid-July to mid-October 2008. Commissioned by the Public Art Fund, the project consists of four monumental, man-made waterfalls installed for three months at four sites along the shores of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Governors Island.

Two of the falls will be on the site of the future Brooklyn Bridge Park: one by the Brooklyn anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge, the other between Piers 4 and 5 at Furman and Joralemon Streets. A third waterfall will be located in Lower Manhattan at Pier 35, and the fourth on the north shore of Governors Island. The 90 to 120-foot tall installations, which have been designed to protect water quality and aquatic life, will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, and will be lit after sunset, adding a striking element to New York City’s iconic skyline.

The New York City Waterfalls will be constructed using building elements that are ubiquitous throughout New York: scaffolding is the backbone of the structures, and pumps will bring water from the East River to the top; the water then falls from heights of 90 to 120 feet back into the river. Fish and aquatic life are protected by filtering the water through intake pools suspended in the river.

The New York City Waterfalls will be visible by land and boat, and because of their proximity to one another, viewers will be able to see multiple waterfalls from various vantage points in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Governors Island. Dedicated boat journeys to view the Waterfalls, organized by the Public Art Fund in partnership with Circle Line Downtown, will leave from Pier 16 in Manhattan and will provide up-close views of the installations. The Circle Line will provide free and discounted trips daily for the public.

The always free Governors Island and Staten Island Ferries will also provide views of the Waterfalls at Governors Island and at the Brooklyn Piers. The Staten Island Ferry runs daily, and the six-minute Governor’s Island Ferry will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the duration of the project.

About the Artist
Born in Copenhagen in 1967, Olafur Eliasson has taken inspiration from natural elements and phenomena, such as light, wind, fog, and water, to create sculptures and installations that evoke sensory experiences. He is perhaps best known for The weather project (2003) at Tate Modern in London, a giant sun made of 200 yellow lamps, mirrors and mist that transformed the museum’s massive Turbine Hall and drew over 2 million visitors during its five-month installation.

For more information, see www.nycwaterfalls.org

For more info and directions....

For those of you who know don't know much (or anything) about Rooftop Films, here is a brief introduction:
Rooftop Films is a non-profit film festival and production collective that has been screening and producing independent films since 1997. We are most famous for our annual Summer Series, a summer-long outdoor film festival that features more than 35 screenings each year. All of our summer screenings take place in stunning outdoor locations--either on rooftop or in parks, along piers, or in other scenic outdoor locations all over New York City (and occasionally beyond). We have screened more than 1500 films over the last twelve years, and the work we show includes everything from award-winning films and world premieres by established filmmakers, to home videos by amateur and part-time film enthusiasts.

The Rooftop Films 2008 Summer Series will run every weekend from May 31-September 27, screening 19 feature films and over 150 short films in 38 screenings. We’ll be in a dozen spectacular outdoor locations all over the city. There will be world premieres of daring new independent feature films, and screenings of award-winning short films in exciting, themed programs. All screenings include live music before the films, and most screenings include after-parties with free drinks.

Tickets are just $9, or $6 online in advance for select shows. It’s the best deal in town, for new movies, great bands, cool views, awesome parties and more.

Fri., June 20 – Open Road Rooftop (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
All is Fair: Romantic Short Films
Shorts program co-presented by K-Y
Lost souls search for love in illogical places.

Sat., June 21- On the roof of The Old American Can Factory (Gowanus)
The Women of Brukman (Isaac Isitan | Canada & Argentina)
New York premiere feature documentary
The Brukman garment workers in Argentina take control of their factory during the 2001 financial crisis, winning a radical victory for worker-owned industry.

Fri., June 27 – Open Road Rooftop (Lower East Side)
Surreal Shorts
Shorts program and live music, co-presented by the Museum of Modern Art and Premiere Commission
Unexpected juxtapositions evoke the spirit of Dali, preceded by a performance by pianist Bruce Levingston and the world premiere of a score for piano inspired by short films from MoMA's Dali: Painting and Film exhibition.

Fri., July 4 – On the pier at Solar One (23rd & the East River, Manhattan)
Un-American Films
Shorts program
Food, drinks, live music, fantastic fireworks view and explosive political films. A mix of the wacky and the weighty in contemporary America.

Fri., July 11 – On the roof of El Museo Del Barrio (East Harlem)
La Corona y Alguna Tristeza (The Crown and Some Kind of Sadness)
Short film program co-presented by El Museo Del Barrio
The melancholic beauty of Latin America

Sat., July 12 - On the roof of The Old American Can Factory (Gowanus)
Knee Deep (Michael Chandler | Farmington, ME)
New York premiere
Death, conspiracy, betrayal, cattle and irony in a tiny New England town.

Fri., July 18 – On the lawn at Automotive High School (Williamsburg)
Rural Route Films
Shorts program
The rougher side of the rural life. Short films about troublemakers, hell-raisers, and two towns that brawl annually.

DATE TBA – On the roof of The Old American Can Factory (Gowanus)
INDUSTRIANCE™ Short Films: The Livelong Day
Short films about the weirder side of work. Dancing dock hands, desperate CEOs, out-of-control operating system salesmen and radioactive chicken.

Fri., July 25 – On the lawn at Automotive High (Williamsburg)
Animation Block Party
Shorts program presented by Animation Block
Some of the best new animated short films from around the world.

Sat., July 26 – On the roof of The Old American Can Factory (Gowanus)
In a Dream (Jeremiah Zagar | Philadelphia, PA)
New York Premiere Feature Documentary
When the filmmaker set out to put together a documentary about the legendary mosaics his father pieces together, he didn’t mean to take his family apart. An eye-popping and heart-wrenching documentary about art and love.

Learn more about ROOFTOP FILMS

©Tom Callan     For more info, visit Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (AALDC)

The 34th Annual Atlantic Antic Street Festival will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (rain or shine), transforming 10 blocks of Atlantic Avenue into a sea of live performances, one of a kind merchandise, and savory treats from around the world.

This homegrown festival will span from Hicks Street to Fourth Avenue, passing through Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, and Boerum Hill in the heart of brownstone Brooklyn, making the Atlantic Antic one of the biggest street fairs in the country. The Antic spans approximately 1 mile, giving festival goers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the diverse culinary offerings guilt-free. A special map will be provided to let visitors navigate the event by delicacy. After enjoying fare ranging from pulled pork and dumplings to baklava and fried chocolate, vistors can walk it off on your exploration of Atlantic Avenue.

Sahadi's Specialty and Fine Foods will be celebrating its 60th year on the avenue at this year's Atlantic Antic. Owner Charlie Sahadi stated, "When the Antic first started, its motto was 'The Atlantic Antic: It's Gigantic'. God bless it, it's still going strong and we hope it will continue for many years". When asked about this years Antic being held on October 5th, Sahadi said, "We chose October 5th to respect the Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays. Now there is nothing that can rain on our parade!" Sahadi's has participated in 33 of the 34 Atlantic Antics and invites this years festival goers to "come taste the hummus that was voted one of the best in New York by Time Out NY Magazine".

"We love the Antic. It's great for the businesses, great for the community, great exposure for people who may not know about Atlantic Avenue. Bottom line, it's great for everybody," says Chris Sell, owner of Chip Shop. Festival goers who pass by the Chip Shop will not only be able to enjoy a live rock 'n' roll band, but Sell's invention -- the Deep-fried Twinkie -- shepherd's pie, and four lines of British beer as well. "It's a fun day for everyone. With all the great things going on that day, it's hard not to have a great time"

Looking for a one-of-a-kind purchase or experience? From shopping for jewelry, home accessories, and clothing to watching live belly dancing - if you want it, you'll find it at the Antic. Hundreds of local vendors will compliment the avenue's wide array of trendy restaurants and shops. Anchored between Smith Street and Boerum Place, the children's section will offer plenty of family fun with pony rides, face painting, balloon sculptures, puppets, books, kids clothing, and plenty of art activities.

The Antic will feature 10 live musical stages - featuring blues, rock, country, belly dancing, R&B, jazz, a Middle Eastern orchestra and interactive music for kids - to keep you moving and grooving along the avenue. The New York Transit Museum's 15th Annual Bus Festival will once again join and intersect with this year's Atlantic Antic. Running perpendicular along Boerum Place, visitors can board and explore a collection of vintage buses dating as far back as 1917, enjoy hands-on activities at the "Kid's Stop" tent, and purchase unique gifts at the "Bus Shop." Admission to the Museum, around the corner on Schermerhorn Street, will also be free between Noon and 5 p.m.

Closed to traffic for the day, the 2008 Atlantic Antic will showcase the rich cultural, culinary and commercial diversity along Atlantic Avenue. All activities are free and open to the public.

The Atlantic Antic, which is presented by the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (AALDC), and produced by auster*events, gives merchants, residents and street vendors the opportunity to open their neighborhoods to a wider audience during this annual New York City tradition.

21: Contemporary Art at the Brooklyn Museum to Open September 19, 2008

More than forty works from the Brooklyn Museum's expanding collection of contemporary art will go on long-term view on September 19, 2008, in 5,000 square feet of space newly renovated for this purpose. With contemporary works ranging from Andy Warhol's Fragile Dress, 1966, to Mickalene Thomas's A Little Taste Outside of Love, 2007, 21: Contemporary Art at the Brooklyn Museum will focus primarily on work produced since 2000, particularly from the richly diverse artistic community of Brooklyn.

This installation marks the first time in a decade that the Museum has dedicated space to the long-term display of selections of its collection of contemporary art and reflects a renewed emphasis on the acquisition and presentation of recent works.

The Museum's director Arnold L. Lehman states, "The revitalized contemporary art program at Brooklyn is managed by an exceptional team of curatorial specialists under the leadership of Eugenie Tsai, the John and Barbara Vogelstein Curator of Contemporary Art. With the generous support of a number of the Museum's Trustees and friends, this team has already made remarkable progress in acquiring important new works with a particular emphasis on works made in the twenty-first century and created by artists of color. At the same time, our curators have taken a strong lead in the presentation of the Museum's dynamic exhibition program."

Among the recently acquired works in the contemporary installation will be a painting by the Miami-based artist Hernan Bas titled Night Fishing, which will also be included in the Museum's forthcoming exhibition on the artist, on view February 27-May 24, 2009; a sculpture by Kara Walker titled Burning African Village Play Set with Big House and Lynching, 2006, that explores racial stereotyping through imagery drawn from the antebellum South; the Brooklyn artist Valerie Hegarty's painting Fallen Bierstadt, inspired by the Museum's renowned work by Albert Bierstadt, A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie; a mixed-media sculpture by the Jamaican artist Hew Locke titled Koh-i-Noor, similar to another version of the subject in the Museum's recent exhibition Infinite Island: Contemporary Caribbean Art; and twenty-five photogravures by Olafur Eliasson, a Danish artist, who is currently showing New York City Waterfall, a public art project on view in the East River. Other artists represented include Amy Sillman, Kiki Smith, Nari Ward, Chester Higgins Jr., Sol LeWitt, Kehinde Wiley, Terence Koh, Seher Shah, Simon Norfolk, Jules de Balincourt, Donald Judd, Claes Oldenburg, and Do-Ho Suh. A new installation of three wax sculptures by New York artist Petah Coyne will be on view in the fifth-floor lobby gallery August 6, 2008, through July 2009, to coincide with the opening of the new contemporary galleries. Two of the three sculptures are recent gifts that will be on view for the first time.

For more info, visit the Brooklyn Museum on the web