7th Annual Columbia Waterfront District Tree Lighting

Show the love to our fantastic neighborhood by......... eating free food, dancing to awesome music, and winning fun prizes! 

December 13, 6pm-7:30pm, marks the Columbia Waterfront Tree Lighting Party, hosted at the Human Compass Garden by Carroll Gardens Association Inc. 

There will be yummy food provided by outstanding and generous restaurants including Mazzat, Jake's BBQ and Brooklyn Southern, toe-tapping fodder by the Dan Kurfist Trio, and, of course, a beautiful Christmas tree. Into fire trucks? Well, the FDNY local 202 will be escorting none other than Mr. Santa himself to the party, complete with surprises for the little ones.

To view the poster and see more information go to:

http://www.carrollgardensassociation.com/7th-annual-columbia-waterfront-district-tree-lighting-on-friday-december-13th-from-6pm-to-730pm/

Columbia Waterfront Fall Festival and garden tours Sept 14

Carroll Gardens Association is holding its Fifth Annual Columbia Waterfront Fall Festival on Saturday, September 14, 2013 from 12 PM to 6 PM. 

The Fall Festival runs from Degraw Street to Union Street on Columbia Street and from Columbia Street to Hicks Street on Union Street in the Columbia Street Waterfront District of Brooklyn. This is a free community event that's always a lot of fun. Last year the local restaurants were selling food outside, local hula hooper Celia was demonstrating techniques for the kids, and there was a stage with live music.

To complement the festival this year, from 12:00-1:30 pm, all of the community gardens in the Columbia Waterfront District will be part of a walking tour. The guided tour will begin at the Human Compass Garden on the corner of Columbia Street and Sackett Streets and will make a stop at each of these gardens along the way: the Amazing Garden, Summit Street Garden, Pirate's Cove Garden, the Backyard Garden, the Urban Meadow and then will end at the South Brooklyn Children's Garden. At each garden there will be current members to give a presentation about that garden, answer questions about what is going on in the garden and how to get involved. 

Red Hook Fest (May 30 - June 1) Begins Festivities Tonight!

This evening kicks off the festivities for the 20th Annual Red Hook Fest! 

This free 20th annual festival's theme and truly Red Hook's undercurrent in the past months has been "Rebuild, Restore, Rebirth: Resilience after Sandy."  The annual Red Hook Earth and Surf Parade has even been reborn this year - after an 11 year lull! Check out their website www.redhookfest.com for more info.

Festivity Lineup:

• Thursday, May 30th from 6pm - 8pm at the Miccio Center (110 West 9th St) - Youth Kick-Off Event

• Friday, May 31st from 6pm - 9pm at PS 15 (71 Sullivan St)  - Community BBQ & Dance Party

• Red Hook Rebirth Parade begins from Coffey Park (Richards St & Pioneer St) at 10 am on Saturday, June 1st  

• Saturday, June 1st from 12pm - 7pm at Valentino Pier & Park (Coffey St & Ferris St) - Mainstage Performances
• Brown Rice Family - Winners of the 2012 Battle of the Boroughs
• Gangstagrass -  Emmy nominated for the theme song on FX's Justified ('nuff said! I love that song!)
• Camille A. Brown & Dancers - Dance... Amplified!
• Avenida B - Live Salsa Dura Band
• Nicholas Leichter Dance - NYC based company with performances in 50 cities and 12 countries 
• The Hungry March Band - Street brass march band from Brooklyn who will lead the Parade

The mainstage performances will take place at Valentino Pier & Park and the festival will include special activities such as free Kayak rides in New York Harbor thanks to the Red Hook Boaters and other various fun and activities for all ages sponsored by community partners. 

Karen K & the Jitterbugs Sing-along at the Children's Garden

Next Thursday, Karen K & the Jitterbugs will be doing a special sing-a-long at the South Brooklyn Children's Garden, 204 Columbia Street (corner of Sackett and Columbia Streets)

Thursday, May 23
11:30 am-12 noon
$10 suggested donation

Karen K & the Jitterbugs have been delighting families up and down the east coast since the release of their debut album, Pancakes for Dinner, last year. Donned "The Kiddie Queen" by the Brooklyn Paper, Karen K's well-crafted, catchy tunes combined with the band's high-energy highly-entertaining shows make them rising stars on the "kindie" music scene - a term coined for the blend of kids music and indie rock.

Karen K and her Jitterbugs have been featured in the New York Times and in New York Magazine's Best of New York 2011 issue. They were also chosen as a Critics' Picks in Time Out New York Kids. Jitterbugs retro-style music classes for kids ages newborn to age 5 operate in NYC and Boston, MA. Visit www.jitterbugsnyc.com for more info. 

The South Brooklyn Children’s Garden is a community garden founded in August 2012 with a mission to provide a physical and educations space for local children to learn about gardening, food cultivation, how it effects the environment and our local ecology. It is a member of New York City’s Green Thumb Program, a division of the Department of Recreation and Parks. www.southbrooklynchildrensgarden.org.

Red Hook Jazz Festival 2013

The 6th Annual Red Hook Jazz Festival comes back to our neighborhood at the Urban Meadow on June 9th and June 16th. Plenty of time for you to save the date and come out and enjoy not only the beautiful weather and the company of our lovely neighbors, but some wonderful sounds they have lined up for us.

Here are the details, but be sure to check back (https://www.facebook.com/RedHookJazzFestival) to ensure they haven't changed it up:


WHAT: 6th ANNUAL RED HOOK JAZZ FESTIVAL

WHEN: TWO SUNDAYS IN JUNE: 9th & 16th

WHERE: in the Urban Meadow - on the corner of President & Van Brunt streets

HOW MUCH: $10.00 per day & kids are FREE

LINEUP:
SUNDAY, JUNE 9 from 1pm - 6pm

CLARENCE PENN QUARTET
Ben Street - bass
Adam Roger - guitar
Seamus Blake - sax
Clarence Penn - drums

FAY VICTOR ENSEMBLE
Fay Victor – voice, compositions
Anders Nilsson – guitar, effects
Ken Filiano – bass, effects

WILLIE MARTINEZ' LA FAMILIA SEXTET
Willie Martinez - drums & vocals
Misha Tsiganov - keyboards
Jennifer Vincent - bass
Renato Thoms - percussion
J. Walter Hawkes - trombone
Maximilian Schweiger - baritone saxophone

JAMES CARNEY GROUP
Peter Epstein - soprano & alto sax
Ralph Alessi - trumpet
Tony Malaby - tenor sax (maybe)
Josh Roseman - trombone
James Carney - acoustic & electric piano
Chris Lightcap - bass
Mark Ferber - drums

THE NOWTET PLAYS ZEPPELIN
Adam Kolker - sax
Andy Gravish - trumpet
Jeremy Manasia - piano
Carlo De Rosa - bass
Al Street - guitar
Richi James De Bonis - drums


SUNDAY, JUNE 16 from 1pm - 6pm

ROB MOSHER'S POLEBRIDGE
Rob Mosher - soprano sax & clarinet
Micah Killion - trumpet
John Marcus - violin
Stephanie Nilles - piano
Andrew Small - bass and fiddle

LARK
Kris Davis - piano
Ralph Alessi - trumpet
Ingrid Laubrock - sax
Tom Rainey - drums

MIKE PRIDE's FROM BACTERIA TO BOYS
Jon Irabagon- alto sax
Jonathan Moritz- tenor sax
Alexis Marcelo- piano / keyboard
Peter Bitenc- bass
Mike Pride- drums

ALLISON MILLER's BIG MOLASSES
Brandon Seabrook - guitar
Hagar Benari - bass
Allison Miller - drums

BAD TOUCH
Loren Stillman - sax
Nate Radley - guitar
Gary Versace - keyboards/nord
Ted Poor - drums

PAUL KOGUT TRIO
Paul Kogut - guitar
Drew Gress - bass
Vinnie Sperrazza - drums

*RHJF is sponsored by the
BROOKLYN ARTS COUNCIL
&
THE HOUSE OF PIZZA & CALZONE
URBAN MEADOW

Bayou n' Brooklyn Cajun Music Festival May 11-13

This year's Bayou n' Brooklyn Cajun Music Festival starts tomorrow at Jalopy!

Take a visit to New Orleans without leaving Brooklyn, and bring your dancing shoes! Sounds of Cajun fiddles, and zydeco rubboards will fill the air for three days and nights of music and dance.

"Dancehall bands, workshops, Culture & Community Jam sessions, and Gumbo dinner (the real deal!) I'll be one big party,” says Jesse Lége, who's giving over his Gumbo recipe again on Saturday.



Friday May 11

7:00 PM Opening

8:00 PM Catahoula Cajun Band

9:00 PM Dr. Zsa’s Powdered Zydeco Band

10:30 PM Forest Huval & Al Berard

Saturday May 12
12 Noon Al Berard Cajun Fiddle Workshop
1:30 Community Jam
2:30 Empty Bottle Ramblers
4:00 Zydegroove
5:30 Cajun Trio
7:00 C'est Bon!
8:30 Johnny Ace & Sidewalk Zydeco
10:00 Al Berard Bayou Brew and High Bidders

Sunday May 13

11:00AM Workshop: I Love Cajun Fiddle!

12:00 PM  Workshop: Traditional Cajun Music From the Heart: Fiddle, Guitar and Song

12:00 PM OffShore Aces for Kids-Family Dance

1:30 PM Un-Written Stories-Louisiana Music and Culture

2:30 PM Community Jam

3:00 PM  Jesse Lege & Bayou Brew

4:30PM Krewe de La Rue

6:00PM Forest Huval & Al Berard

7:30PM Johnny Ace & Sidewalk Zydeco

Day passes are $15 or $35 for all three days. Children under 12 years old are admitted free. Workshops are $25 or two for $40. Festival pass includes all night dance hall bands, community jam sessions, art show, and 'Un-Written Stories' culture session. Sponsored in part by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and Louisiana Culture, Recreation & Tourism celebrating 200 years of Louisiana.

Bayou n' Brooklyn Cajun Music Festival
Jalopy Theatre @ 315 Columbia St between Woodhull and Rapeleye
More info: www.bayou-n-brooklyn.com
Pre-order your tickets

The Red Hook Jazz Festival June 10 and 17

Celebrating its fifth anniversary presenting the most forward-thinking musicians and composers in modern jazz, the Red Hook Jazz Festival, produced by big bang productions, will take place this year at its usual location, the Urban Meadow in Red Hook on two consecutive Sundays, June 10 and June 17 starting at 1 PM. Both days are sponsored as in years past by both the Urban Meadow and the venerable House of Pizza & Calzone which has also provided food and drinks for festival goers for many years. A suggested donation of $10 per adult per day for each day of the festival will be requested, and all children will be admitted free of charge.

[Update 5/10: The festival has launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign. Contribute here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/150612466/red-hook-jazz-festival-2012-brooklyn-ny - ]

The Red Hook Jazz Festival prides itself on being a homegrown jazz festival featuring an amazing line-up of mostly local talent. Where other festivals rely on corporate sponsorships and donations, the RHJF is an all-volunteer event proud to support a wide variety of superb figures in NYC jazz, both young and old. The RHJF has truly developed a tradition of presenting great music with a laid back vibe, an outdoor setting, and a strong family-friendly focus, while striving to develop the next generation of jazz audiences.

Details, event schedule and directions follow below. For up to date announcements on the RHJF, visit: http://www.facebook.com/RedHookJazzFestival and the Urban Meadow's website: http://urbanmeadowbrooklyn.blogspot.com/p/directions-to-urban-meadow.html. For more information about the Red Hook Jazz Festival and/or big bang productions, please contact Mike Golub at:917-751-9347 or golub.mike [at ] gmail.com.

_______________________________________________

SUNDAY, JUNE 10
Max Johnson Trio
Max Johnson, bass
Kirk Knuffke, trumpet
Jeff Davis, drums

The Flail
Dan Blankinship, trumpet
Stephan Moutot, saxophone
Brian Marsella, piano
Reid Taylor, bass
Matt Zebroski, drums

Nick Gianni's Evolution
Nick Gianni, saxophones, flute
Rick Bottari, keyboards
On Ka'a Davis, guitar
John Trent, bass
Dalius Naujo, drums

Hot Cup Chili Pepper 7 (aka: Mostly Other People Do the Killing + 3)
Peter Evans, trumpet
Jon Irabagon, saxophones
Dave Taylor, trombone
Brandon Seabrook, banjo
Ron Stabinsky, piano
Moppa Elliott, bass
Kevin Shea, drums

Travis Sullivan's BJORKESTRA
Travis Sullivan, saxophones
Shayna Steele, vocals
Ian Cook, laptop
Sean Nowell, tenor sax
Lauren Sevian, baritone sax
Ravi Best, trumpet
Eli Asher, trumpet
Alan Ferber, trombone
Andy Hunter, trombone
Art Hirahara, piano
Yoshi Waki, bass
Joe Abbatantuono, drums


SUNDAY, JUNE 17

Rick Parker Collective
Rick Parker, trombone
Yayoi Ikawa, keyboards
John O'Gallagher, saxophone
Sean Conly, bass
Ziv Ravitz, drums

Harris Eisenstadt's Canada Day Octet
Nate Wooley, trumpet
Matt Bauder, saxophone
Chris Dingman, vibraphone
Garth Stevenson, bass
Ray Anderson, trombone
Jason Mears, alto saxophone
Joe Daley, tuba

SPOKE
Andy Hunter, trombone
Dan Loomis, bass
Justin Wood, saxophone
Danny Fischer, drums

Nate Wooley Quintet
Nate Wooley, trumpet
Matt Moran, vibes
Eivind Opsvik, bass
Harris Eisenstadt, drums

Mike Baggetta Quartet
Mike Baggetta, guitar
Jason Rigby, saxophone
Eivind Opsvik, bass
George Schuller, drums

Screening events coming to Jalopy

ExScEX (Expanded Screening Experience) events will include the projection of a film plus a short, live music, or an activist presentation, or a panel. Each event will have a theme: activism, fashion, or music. 


Two events are coming up at our own Jalopy Theater on March 20 and April 24. The film Vodka Rocks! will have its Kickstarter Premiere at  in Brooklyn on March 20, 7:45. Free to Kickstarter donors and crew & cast,  the screening will be accompanied by a performance by G.R.A.S.S., the ska and reggae band featuring on sax Michael Blake who wrote the score for Vodka Rocks!, a vodka tasting, Twitter competition, and Q&A with director John Rubino, DP James Callanan, Music Composer Michael Blake. 


Jalopy, 315 Columbia St
Tuesday March 20 at 8pm. $10
http://www.vodka-rocks.com 
http://skuflix.com/ 


The second event's theme is "actitainment." It will look into the expansion of a movement which joins entertainment with performance: adbusters, Yes Men, Reverend Billy, etc. There will be a panel discussion, a band, and a screening. Plus Twitter competition & vodka tasting! April 24, 8pm, also at Jalopy. 


Reverend Billy is a hero of mine (neighborlujah!) so I'll be sure not to miss that one.

Coming up at the Urban Meadow

Good times ahead! Here are the upcoming events at the Urban Meadow.

Sunday September 18 Red Hook Star Revue Music Fest
Noon - 6 PM
$10 at the door

Saturday September 24 Super Sonic Kindie Music Fest
Noon- 4:30 PM
tickets available in advance and at the door http://www.tonickids.com/

Sunday October 30 9th Annual Columbia Waterfront Halloween Party and Parade
10 AM - 1 PM
 
More details on the Urban Meadow blog: http://urbanmeadowbrooklyn.blogspot.com/

The Super Sonic Kindie Music Fest September 24

Mark your calendars for this music fest for kids! Sounds super fun.

Tonic Kids presents
The Super Sonic Kindie Music Fest
Featuring Elizabeth Mitchell, Jon Samson,
Karen K and The Jitterbugs and The New Raspberry Bandits

Saturday September 24th Noon - 4:30pm
at the Urban Meadow in Brooklyn's Columbia Waterfront District
Drum lessons, arts-and-crafts and food!


Former owner of the renowned venue Tonic, Melissa Caruso-Scott has shifted her focus from avant garde jazz to outstanding kindie music.  She and Karen Kalafatas, founder of Jitterbugs music classes, local mom & kindie musician herself, have teamed up to present a full-fledged kindie music festival on Saturday September 24th at The Urban Meadow, a community garden in Brooklyn's Columbia Waterfront District.  Four top children's music performers share the bill on what is sure to become a most anticipated annual event.


Elizabeth Mitchell  -
Winner of the Amazon Critic's Award for Best Children's Album of the Year and won the Parents Choice Gold Award. An Elizabeth Mitchell performance is a warm, family style hootenanny that engages everyone, parent and kids alike, in a fun, all ages interactive event that is part celebration, part learning adventure. “Elizabeth Mitchell has bridged the gap between independent rock and
post cradle kiddo-core…Gorgeously lucid.” - Chicago Reader

The New Raspberry Bandits -
This children's music debut with luscious vocals performed and written by Vanessa Saft boasts folk roots but covers a lot of ground.  Rockin' whippersnappers will be head bopping to "Big Trucks" and seemingly angelic types will soon be belting out "Lula". "Like Bob Dylan for Kids". - John Zorn

Karen K & the Jitterbugs -
A musical theater veteran, Karen began teaching her Brooklyn-based Jitterbugs kids classes in 2008, but later expanded her classroom to the stage with her warm, funny, and utterly delightful original songs. Called “one of the starts of the local kindie scene” by the Brooklyn paper, Karen K & her Jitterbugs have been featured in New York Magazine's Best Of 2011 issue and Time Out NY Kids.

Jon Samson -
South African native and local favorite, Jon Samson produces and
performs "alternative family music" for kids of all ages and has been
featured in Time Out NY Kids and Parenting Magazine.
www.cocreativemusic.com


The Urban Meadow
Corner of President & Van Brunt Streets
in the Columbia Waterfront District
F train to Carroll Street
Tickets: $12 adults, $8 kids in advance
$15 adults, $10 kids at the door
Ages: Best for ages birth - 8 years old
www.tonickids.com

For more information and photos contact:
Melissa Caruso Scott
Melissa@tonickids.com

Registration open for music classes at Jitterbug NYC

From Karen at Jitterbugs NYC, who offer retro-style music class for babies, toddlers and preschoolers:

Calling All Jitterbugs!

Thanks again to all of those who joined us at Carroll Park last week for the Karen K & the Jitterbugs concert.  Over 300 people came out, and we had a ball!  Check out photos on Facebook at Jitterbugs NYC! 

FALL REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!  Classes offered with Karen & Aaron in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens and Red Hook!  Check out the Schedule & Register at www.jitterbugsnyc.com. Classes are already filling up, so be sure to register soon!  10 weeks for $225 / Classes begin Sept. 19th.  $25 / siblings.  Remember, Stroller Strides participants get $10 off. (Sing, wiggle, shake and...exercise with baby!)

LATE SUMMER / EARLY FALL DROP-INS!  $20/family, and FREE if you've never been to a Jitterbugs class before!  Classes offered the weeks of September 6th-9th & 12th-16th.  Check www.jitterbugsnyc.com for details. 

FAQ: Who's teaching what?  Karen will be co-teaching the Wednesday and Thursday morning classes with Aaron this fall, so you'll see her often.  And you'll see Aaron more often on Mondays, Thursday afternoons and Fridays! 


Karen
_____________

Karen Kalafatas
Jitterbugs, Inc.
www.jitterbugsnyc.com

A Night of Bluegrass and other Delectable Americana at Jalopy Theatre - Sun 24th

An evening of old-time Americana Sunday, July 24th at the celebrated Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook, beginning at 7:30pm. Brooklyn-based string band Union Street Preservation Society's spirited vocals and runaway-train instrumentals breathe fire and soul into their original blend of bluegrass, blues and early jazz. With fellow Americana roots group The Third Wheel Band starting off the evening, it’s sure to be a night of electricity and a rip-roaring, foot-stomping good show.

Jalopy is located at 315 Columbia Street b/w Woodhull and Rapelye (Carroll St. F/G stop)

Sunday, July 24 at 7:30pm

$5.00 cover

Red Hook Jazz Fest 2011 final line-up!

Love Your Library Day at the Carroll Gardens branch - Sat, May 14th

Save the Date for the “Love Your Library Day” book sale

to benefit the Carroll Gardens branch.

Saturday, May 14, 10 AM

4 PM at the library (corner of Clinton and Union Streets)

Thousands of fantastic books at great prices, baked treats, and special guests including Karen K and the Jitterbugs performing free at 10 AM- let her entertain your kids while you browse!

If you have gently used books (especially children's titles) to donate for the sale, please drop them off at the library through May 5.

FCGL’s next meeting is Wednesday, May 4 at 6:30 at the library downstairs – everyone is invited to join.

We’re on Facebook.com/FriendsofCarrollGardensLibrary and check out our new blog friendsofcglibrary.blogspot.com/

Bayou n Brooklyn Music Festival- May 6th and 7th - at Jalopy

First Annual Bayou n’ Brooklyn, NY, Music Festival is May 6th and 7th 2011 at Jalopy Music Theatre. It features two nights of ongoing performances by the renowned Cajun musician Jesse Lege, Bayou Brew, Cleoma’s Ghost, ZydeGroove, and Cathoula Cajun Band.... and surprise guest artists, plus Community Jam Sessions and Workshops to bring driving force Cajun waltzes and two-steps to novice and experienced musicians.

Tickets
$12 Advance / $15 Door
Both Days: $24 Advance / $30 Door
Workshops: $25

Check out http://www.bayou-n-brooklyn.com/ or http://www.jalopy.biz/ for more details

Red Hook Ramblers to accompany Buster Keaton comedies at the Fabulous Jalopy

Who: The Red Hook Ramblers
What: Live Music-Silent Film Screening of Buster Keaton’s “Cops” and “The Playhouse”

When: Sunday, April 10, 8:00 p.m.
Phone: 718.395.3214
Where: Jalopy Theater & School of Music

Cost: $10

Dixieland band teams with acclaimed old-time music venue for jazz-age movie night; screening to include short classics “Cops” & “The Playhouse”

The Red Hook Ramblers, Brooklyn’s premier Dixieland band, will make their first-ever foray into silent film accompaniment when they provide live music for a pair of silent comedy classics at Jalopy Theater & School of Music in Brooklyn this Sunday.

On April 10^th, the six-piece band will perform their New Orleans-style jazz to screenings of Buster Keaton’s “The Playhouse” (1921) and “Cops” (1922), two of the most popular short comedies by the iconic silent film director and actor. Following the screenings, the band will perform selections from their new CD, Something More Sinister, a collection of burlesque-inspired original tracks.

The show is presented by Jalopy Theater & School of Music, a celebrated mainstay of the city’s country, blues, folk, and jazz community located in Red Hook, Brooklyn. In 2008, the Village Voice named Jalopy the Best Old-Timey Venue in New York.

Founded in 2005, the Red Hook Ramblers are among the leading torchbearers of New York's revitalized traditional jazz scene. In past years, they’ve led the Louis Armstrong House Museum’s celebration of the trumpeter’s birthday, toured Switzerland, and played a sold-out concert with the Squirrel Nut Zippers. More recently, they’ve been named the New York Jets’ Home Game Hype Band, and have established themselves as in-demand live burlesque accompaniment through residencies at the Slipper Room and Galapagos Art Space's Floating Kabarette as well as appearances in other neo-vaudeville productions.

Widely regarded as one of the best comic actors and film directors of all time, Buster Keaton was among the silent era’s biggest comedic stars, along with Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd. His flair for rapid-fire gags is at its peak in the classic chase farce “Cops,” while “The Playhouse,” which opens with Keaton playing nine roles at once, showcases his genius for special effects.

“Buster Keaton’s comedy was so pure and universal that the humor translates flawlessly today, and that’s the kind of timelessness we try to convey when we perform traditional jazz,” said Jason Benjamin, cornetist with the Red Hook Ramblers. “It’s thrilling to collaborate in this way with an artist from an era so close to our hearts, and there’s no better place to conjure his spirit and share our joy for his work than Jalopy.”

In the burlesque spirit of the band’s new CD, Jalopy will kick off the show by screening a series of short burlesque clips from the silent era, accompanied by selections from Jalopy’s collection of vintage jazz recordings.

Tickets are $10 and will be available for purchase at the door. Jalopy has a limited bar that serves beer, wine, soft drinks, and coffee drinks.

4th Annual Red Hook Jazz Festival in the URBAN MEADOW

Once again the Urban Meadow will be hosting the Red Hook Jazz Festival in June 2011. This is the fourth year of a homegrown jazz festival featuring an amazing line-up of mostly local talent. When we say local we mean they mostly live and work in NYC but these musicians regularly play all over the country and the world - and we love that they also play in their own backyard. The RHJF is known for great music, a laid back vibe, an outdoor setting, and family friendly good times. Adults pay $5 for 5 hours of music each day and kids are free.
Come out for two days of musical fun in the sun. Link to the Urban Meadow website for complete details on this and other activities at the Meadow this year.

Sunday, June 12 1PM - 6 PM
ON DAVIS' FAMOUS ORIGINAL DJUKE MUSIC PLAYERS
pete barr (drums), nick gianni (baritone sax & flute), welf dorr (alto sax), cavassa (bass), ibrahiim muhamad (percussion)
VINNIE SPERAZZA/MATT BLOSTEIN BAND
vinnie sperrazza (drums), matt blostein (sax), jacob garchik (trombone), geoff kraly (electric bass)
MARCO CAPELLI PROJECT
THE WEE TRIO
james westfall (vibraphonist), dan loomis (bassist), jared schonig (drummer)
ANDREA WOLPER TRIO
andrea wolper (vocals), ken filiano (bass), michael howell (guitar), michael T.A. thompson (drums)
JEFF NEWLETT’S NEW TRAD
jeff newell (sax), isrea butler (trombone), dan peck (tuba), brian woodruff (drums)

Saturday, June 18 - 1PM - 6 PM
RENKU
michael atias (sax), john hébert (bass), satoshi takeishi (percussion)
STEPHANE WREMBEL’S DJANGO EXPERIMENT
stephane wrembel (guitar), koran hasanagic (guitar), richard lee (percussions), ari folman cohen (bass)
JEFF DAVIS BAND
oscar noriega (alto sax/clarinet/bass clarinet), kirk knuffke (cornet), jon goldberger (guitar), matt pavolka (bass), jeff davis (drums/compositions)
JOSH SINTON’S HOLUS-BOLUS
josh sinton (sax), jon irabagon (sax), jonathan goldberger (guitar), peter bitenc (bass), mike pride (drums)
INGRID LAUBROCK TRIO
ingrid laubrock (sax), tom rainey (drums), dan peck (tuba)

For up to date announcements on the RHJF, visit Facebook/RedHookJazzFestival.com. For directions to the Urban Meadow go here http://urbanmeadowbrooklyn.blogspot.com/p/directions-to-urban-meadow.html

Image above from the Urban Meadow blog

Ali Marcus at The Fabulous Jalopy Theatre - Feb 17

Ali is a Seattle-based songwriter who tours the country singing songs for people. She has sang at festivals around America, including CMJ, Northwest Folklife Festival, and Noise for the Needy. She has sang in lots of awesome joints, like the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, IOTA Cafe in Virginia, the Evening Muse in Charlotte, the Starry Plough in Berkeley, the Experience Music Project in Seattle.

WOCS: From what album will you be playing?
Ali Marcus: I'll likely play songs from the Great Migration, my newest release ('09), and songs that have been written since then, which hopefully will end up on the next record, when it arrives!

What is the Great Migration about?

It started in my imagination as the sweeping westward movement of myself and many people around me. Having grown up in Virginia, and gone to college there, suddenly it seemed as though we were all finding ways to make it all the way to the other end of the country. When the time came to name the record, it occurred to me that the memories and other inspirations for many, if not all of the songs we recorded for it sprung from the journeys we had been taking in those years. There is an exploration of America that runs through the images and the songs.

How do you like Brooklyn?

I've been touring in Brooklyn for some years now, and I always have a blast. It reminds me of Seattle in a way, except with real bagels.

Do you have a favorite spot you go to every time you come back?

I always seem to be hunting down the coffee shops, which is no big surprise, being from the Pacific Northwest! However, I am still a born-and-raised east coast Jew - the only true haunt I have is La Bagel Delight in Fort Greene.

You mention how you find Brooklyn similar to Seattle. I've never been there, but it's also the feeling I get from the the stuff I read (food, gardens, urban farming, multicultural families...). Do you have any other thoughts on the subject?
Well, I think that similar kinds of people are attracted to the Pacific Northwest as to Brooklyn - creative class types. Parts of Brooklyn have the "neighborhoody" feeling that is common in parts of Seattle and Portland, where there is a large residential area and a commercial strip, with some locally-roasted coffee somewhere nearby, of course. It's also cheaper and easier to live in Seattle and Brooklyn than, say, Manhattan and San Francisco, and us creative-types are taking risks with our careers that require us to have a lower cost-of-living. We are opening butcher shops, inventing social networking applications, running micro-local farmers market networks, or fostering sustainable careers for musicians. Seattle's had a hang-up about being "the first" or "the best" ever since the grunge days, but i can honestly say that I've seen the Pacific Northwest culture in Brooklyn go from about zero to 8 in the last 7 years that I've lived out here.

Do you have a favorite Brooklyn-based band?

The Rooftops, of course, whom I've invited to share the Jalopy show with me! Also, early Langhorne Slim (When the Sun's Gone Down, '05 I think) was a big influence for me - is he still Brooklyn-based? I might have heard he moved to PDX actually - it's all part of the Great Migration, see?

Ali Marcus will be playing at The Fabulous Jalopy tomorrow night, Thursday February 17, at 10:30pm ($10 cover), read more and listen to Ali here.

Make it an evening of music, and start at 9:30pm to enjoy the Rooftops ($10 cover).

To buy your ticket call 718.395.3214
www. jalopy.biz

Karen K and the Jitterbugs Winter Concert - Feb 13 @ the Jalopy

Karen K and the Jitterbugs Winter Concert

Sunday, February 13 at 4:00pm

at the Jalopy Theatre (315 Columbia street)

Join Karen K and her band, the Jitterbugs, for a family-style concert. They will need all the hand-clapping, toe-tapping afternoon of songs from class and her new album, Pancakes for Dinner, and favorites from her Jitterbugs classes

To buy tickets, call Jalopy (718) 395-3214

$5/child, $10/adults, $20/family

The show is expected to sell out, so please order your tickets soon.

One way to celebrate Valentine's Day as a family!

Artist Robin Hoffman opening at the Jalopy - Feb 11

Local mom, ex-ballerina, ukulele player and artist, Robin Hoffman has been sketching musicians and bands on the stage of the Fabulous Jalopy Theatre since 2009 (you can read about her first exhibit here).
Please join Robin on Friday, Feb. 11 from 6-8pm for the opening reception of her second solo exhibit at Jalopy. The show will run through March 26. It's all new work since October 2010, all drawn live on location at Jalopy.

The East River String Band
John Henighan, Eden Brower, and special guest Robert Crumb
November 2, 2010

The Fabulous Jalopy Theatre is located at 315 Columbia street.

Check out Robin's latest news here.