What: Opening Reception for Splash!
When: Thursday, April 30, 2009, 6-8pm
Where: Klompching Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 206, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Renate Aller, Tessa Bunney, Elaine Duigenan, Cornelia Hediger, Paula McCartney, Simon Roberts, Lisa M. Robinson, Vojtech V. Slama
Exhibition dates: April 30-June 19, 2009

WORKSHOP is a Dumbo based design firm that helps companies communicate by environmentally responsible means. They find solutions that are efficient for both their clients and the planet. Each year, WORKSHOP hosts a Kentucky Derby Party and for the first time, it is in Dumbo. The Derby party is invite only, and will take place at Dumbo Loft (155 Water Street) from 4-8pm with an after party at reBar where they will be serving an $8 Southern Blue Plate Special for dinner.

Although their popular event looks like they are maxed out, you can email them to petition for an invitation. Two of the founders, Jessi Arrington and Creighton Mershon live and work in the neighborhood (Josh Stewart is the third founder), so it’s a great opportunity to meet the talented people at WORKSHOP and enjoy a Kentucky Derby Party with some Maker’s Mark bourbon, Brooklyn’s own Sixpoint Ale, wines from Marble Hill Cellars, and Jones Soda.

WORKSHOP
147 Front Street, Suite 219, Brooklyn, NY 11201
info@workshoplovesyou.com.

Dumbo chocolatier Jacques Torres launched an online campaign yesterday to “save Jacques’ Champagne Kiss”. According to NYMag’s Grub Street blog, Torres received a letter from a lawyer for Hershey’s Chocolate telling him that the “Champagne kiss” he’s been serving for two years (a $1.50 bonbon made with pink Champagne) is an infringement of the Hershey’s Kiss copyright. Per Grub Street:

““I don’t call it kisses — I call it kiss,” Torres continues. “And I put the word Champagne in front so there’s no misunderstanding.” Torres says he respects what Hershey’s does (“those companies do something right, because they’re worth billions and my company isn’t”), but he in no way intended to be associated with Hershey’s (“That’s not what I do!”). “They are the biggest company in America regarding chocolate and they go after the little guy,” he says. “They don’t own the world! No way am I going to give up on [the kiss] — it’s completely unfair!” Torres’s lawyer (who is prepared to defend the matter in court) has already shot back a response telling Hershey’s to kiss off.”

To show how different the Champagne Kisses are, Torres is giving away 10,000 free Champagne Kiss chocolates at his three NYC locations (hurry, from noon to 3pm!). If you’re in Dumbo, stop by his store and let him know why you think Jacques should be allowed to continue using the name Champagne Kiss (or why he shouldn’t).

Jacques Torres Chocolate
66 Water Street (Between the Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridges)
Brooklyn, New York 11201
718.875.9772 phone

{The bubble keeps growing: Savejacqueskiss.com, TONY}
{‘STOLEN’ KISS RILES HERSHEY, NY Post}
{Hershey’s Tells Jacques Torres to ‘Kiss’ His Champagne Bonbons Good-bye, NYMag}

(Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Heights Blog)

The Brooklyn Flea announced yesterday that they will be launching a second outdoor market at a location in Brooklyn Bridge Park, directly under the Brooklyn Bridge in the Fulton Ferry Historic District on the waterfront (Water Street and New Dock Street). The “Brooklyn Bridge Flea” will take place on Sundays, starting June 14, and the Fort Greene Flea will continue on Saturdays. The last date of the Flea’s indoor Dumbo locations will be Sunday, May 31. Brooklyn Bridge Flea will feature between 80 and 100 vendors and will feature existing vendors as well as new additions.

Congratulations to Eric Demby and Brownstoner on this partnership with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation (BBPDC). The Fort Greene Flea has attracted 10,000 visitors each Saturday, and the Brooklyn Bridge Flea will likely draw even more, with the Empire Fulton Ferry State Park next door, and other nearby businesses such as Jacques Torres, who is planning to open an ice cream parlor this summer (as early as June) next to his chocolate shop.

The new location was the site of the landmark Art Deco Purchase Building (Brownstoner link). The Brooklyn Paper reports that the building was torn down to make way for a piazza only to lose control to the Department of Transportation, “which says the tract is needed as a staging area to overdue repairs to the historic suspension bridge.”

Click here for the BBPDC Press Release (pdf)

(Photo Credit: William Alatriste on Flickr)

A group of elected officials, historic preservationists, neighborhood associations, and residents went to the City Hall yesterday to protest the Dock Street Dumbo development near the Brooklyn Bridge. The proposed property is not located in a historic district, sandwiched between the Fulton Ferry Historic District and the Dumbo Historic District, but historic preservationists say the proposed tower will crowd the historic Brooklyn Bridge, the Tobacco Warehouse and Empire Stores. According to a story published by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, the common arguments against the Two Trees plan were:

• That it would ruin the view of and from the Brooklyn Bridge;
• That the bridge is a historic monument that shouldn’t be compromised;
• That the School Construction Authority hasn’t seriously investigated other sites for the much-needed school;
• That Two Trees has allegedly used the power of money to lobby and influence public officials;
• and that This administration shouldn’t be responsible for making a decision that will be regretted for generations.

David McCullough, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Great Bridge spoke at the rally as well as actor Skipp Sudduth, a Dumbo resident who said that “We all own the Brooklyn Bridge, not just Brooklyn, not just the city, but the entire country … The developer [Two Trees] has spent years trying to influence people.” The Brooklyn Eagle article pointed out that:

“Toward the end of the rally, a representative of Two Trees Management distributed material challenging many of the points made by the opponents of Dock Street Dumbo. The developer says that hundreds of local parents and residents have pledged their support; that the project is actually in scale with existing high-rise DUMBO buildings such as the Gair Building and One Main St.; and that the “the bulk of the building is concentrated to the east of the project site, away from the bridge and its view corridors.””

Also the New York City Council posted a photo set on Flickr of the event.

(Photo by Julienne Shaer, courtesy of brooklynbridgepark.org)

Brooklyn Bridge Park announced their 10th year movie line up for their Movies with a View season, which starts on Thursday, July 9, 2009. Movies With A View is an outdoor film series with an ‘eclectic’ lineup of films and views of the NYC waterfront.

“The films are chosen by an all-volunteer Film Committee and each feature is preceded by a short film. DJs from Brooklyn Radio kick off the evening, spinning tunes as the sun sets, and RICE sells delicious dinners onsite. Bike valet provided by Transportation Alternatives. Presenting sponsor: SCI FI.”

DATE: Thursdays, July 9–August 27, 2009
TIME: 6:00pm–11:00pm
LOCATION: Lawn, Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of Brooklyn Bridge Park (FREE!)

• July 9: Raising Arizona
• July 16: The Maltese Falcon
• July 23: Paper Moon
• July 30: To Catch A Thief
• August 6: The Return Of The Pink Panther
• August 13: Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid
• August 20: Catch Me If You Can
• August 27: Edward Scissorhands

(Photo credit: William Alatriste on Flickr)

At 12:30pm today, the opposition to the Dock Street Dumbo development, a proposed 18-story development will be taking their case to the City Hall. According to an email from the Dumbo Neighborhood Alliance, “this event will act as the platform to address the truths and myths behind the project and the direct impact it will have on citizens of New York and around the world. The only way to save the Brooklyn Bridge — whether or not you live in New York City — is to call or email New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn: (212) 788-7210 / council.nyc.gov/d3/html/members/home.shtml (click contact Speaker Quinn) and Mayor Michael Bloomberg: call 311 or email mbloomberg@bloomberg.net.

Also at the event, an Open Letter of Opposition to Mayor Bloomberg [ed: DNA's wording. probably meant to say Dock St project], created in the name of the many preservation groups, historians, citizens and stars including Gabriel Byrne, Gary Sinise, Helen Hunt, Ana Gasteyer and Ken Burns who have strongly voiced their opposition to this controversial project which would forever alter the Big Apple skyline, will be unveiled.“

When: Tuesday, April 28th @ 12:30pm
Where: City Hall, 260 Broadway
Who: Experts expected to attend and speak include two time Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian David McCullough, New York City Council Members David Yassky, Tony Avella and Bill de Blasio, Doreen Gallo, Executive Director of the DUMBO Neighborhood Association (DNA), DUMBO resident and actor Skipp Sudduth (“Third Watch” and “Law and Order”), as well as executives from groups such as The Municipal Art Society and The National Trust for Historic Preservation and Historic Districts Council.

More at Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

Tivoli Home, the Scandinavian home furnishing and gift store in the General Store (aka Cafe Bar) is closing on Sunday (May 3). After opening in the fall of 2006, Tivoli provided unique items from Europe for residents and visitors of the Dumbo location. In an email, the owner of Tivoli, Kenneth Lauritzen, decided to close the store after making a decision to return to his professional background of social gerontology. The tough economic conditions did not help, but was part of the reason for the closing. He told us, “Runnning Tivoli Home has been a pleasure (learned a lot, too). I’m continually reminded in recent weeks about all the lovely people I have come to know in Dumbo.”

Tivoli is having their closing sale starting Thursday, April 30 to May 3, noon to 6pm. Everything will be 25-50% off. Tivoli will open late this Thursday evening with wine and cocktails. Please stop by or take a minute to email him and wish Kenneth luck.

111 Front Street, Brooklyn NY 11201
Inside the General Store/Café Bar (Front Street between Washington & Adams)

Previously:
{Tivoli Home Anniversary, 09Oct2008}
{2007 Summer Sale at Tivoli Home, 18July2008}
{Retail: The Scandanavians Are Coming To Dumbo, 13Sept2006}

The Rickshaw Dumpling Truck is in Dumbo on Front Street near Mikey’s Hookup, per Rickshaw’s Twitter page. They have been in Dumbo every Monday.

Previously: {Rickshaw Dumpling Truck in Dumbo, 16Mar2009}

Jay Street photo shoot on Sat, April 25, 2009 (Photo courtesy of innuendo)

If you were around Dumbo this weekend, you probably saw a dozen model shoots, wedding photographers (was there a wedding meet-up in Dumbo this weekend?), and filmings. The weather certainly helped, and Dumbo is known for its photography studios, galleries, and is known as the “Photo District”. Speaking of photos, The annual New York Photo Festival 2009 is coming up soon in Dumbo (May 13-17, 2009). There will be lots of great programming and events. We’ll be posting more info about it soon.