The second I walked in the door to the Brooklyn Blogfest 09, with friend and literary agent, Deirdre Mullane, I found myself deep in conversation with a charming and passionate politician-in-the-making. Medhanie Estiphanos is running for New York City Council to represent District 35. He said the public school system is broken, and as an educator in the CUNY system, I agree. In his words, “We need to instill a culture of accountability.” Truer words were never spoken, my friend.

Next I looked for the free white wine, but instead found water and raffle tickets. I prayed for the digital camera. Melanie Hope Greenberg said hi, even though I had never met her. She’s read my posts on arts and culture in the 11201 and beyond. She writes a blog called Mermaids on Parade. I took her card as D. and I found our seats in the cavernous Powerhouse Arena Bookstore; the festivities were about to begin. The crowd was humming, a baby was crying, a man on the floor was twittering.

Louise Crawford of Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn took the stage. I thrilled to the words, cash bar and free food at Galapagos. She said in the year 2006, 100 bloggers attended. From the size of the crowd around me, this had certainly changed. It was a sea of bloggers in the bloggiest burb in America. She said we do this, the blogfest, for insight, to continue to create community for writers— and that this year the evening was dedicated to the memory of Robert Guskind, and his amazing blog, The Gowanus Lounge.

Next up: Picture Brooklyn: A Tribute to the Borough’s Photobloggers by Adrian Kinloch, Brit in Brooklyn. My favorite was a shot of a storefront, Lone Wolf Liquor. Loved it. Loved all the images— the yellow Volkswagon, the Coney Island Wedding, the Smith Street Subway mosaic. I loved Blogs-Of-A-Feather; group sessions led by notable bloggers like Jake Dobkin of Gothamist. I ran into an old friend of mine, James M. Vogel who now works for Senator Velmanette Montgomery from the 18th NYS Senate District. Back in the day, twenty years ago, we were on tour together with the cheesiest Broadway revue ever.

Final Stop: Galapagos for the after-party. The pizza was excellent. I didn’t win the camera, but I did get a chance to meet the faces behind the URL’s at The Brooklyn Heights Blog. Yes. The Brooklyn Blogfest 09 fulfilled its mandate. As a newcomer to this arena, I had fun, felt part of a larger community, made new friends, found old friends. I was a Blogfest Virgin, and I still had a good time.

This review was written by guest writer, LA Slugocki (laslugocki.blogspot.com). Hide of the Dumbo blog attended, but felt crappy from a flu, so unfortunately had to leave early. Hope to meet other bloggers sometime soon. Thanks to LA for the review. For anyone who attended, how did you like the event?

BKLYN DESIGNS, an annual contemporary design exhibition for consumers and members of the trade presented by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is being held starting today through the weekend in Dumbo Brooklyn. The show, in its 7th year in Dumbo, allows attendees to meet designers and industry leaders and to see new, affordable, eco-friendly products. The show’s main venue is at St. Anne’s Warehouse (38 Water Street), with exhibitions at Thermador, Bosch, Gaggeneau Showroom curated by Christopher Coleman, a children’s furniture show located at Jane’s Carousel, The DWELL Brooklyn Home Tour.

In an article published in yesterday’s NY Times on Brooklyn based designers, many Brooklyn design stores and businesses are flourishing (including many of Dumbo’s designers). BKLYN Designs supports these designers and provides emerging designers support and publicity for their new and cutting edge designs. For full schedule of events, go to bklyndesigns.com.

{Magasin Totale: New Designer Collective in Dumbo, 24Mar2009}
{BKLYN Designs 2008 Photo Recap, 13May2008}
{BKLYN Designs 2008 to Showcase Designers In Dumbo This Weekend, 08May2008}
{Dumbo-Based Furniture Craftsman Bruce Marsh Interview, 07Dec2007}
{BKLYN Designs 2007 Recap in Dumbo, 04May2007}

There are always gallery exhibitions, live music, screenings, events, festivals, and parties in Dumbo Brooklyn. Tonight is no exception and Dumbo will be busy with several major events. A few ones we posted about. We know there are others, and apologies to those we missed. (Please email us your events for future posts). Hope to see some of you at any of these events TONIGHT, Thu, May 7:

• Fourth Annual Brooklyn Blogfest in Dumbo, 7pm at powerHouse Arena, 37 Main Street
• 1st Thursdays DUMBO Gallery Walk, 7pm at various galleries in Dumbo
• BoConcept DUMBO ‘Brooklyn Scenes’ Art Show, 7pm at BoConcept, 79 Front Street
• Open Studios at 68 Jay Street, 6-10pm at 68 Jay Street
• Site Launch and Art Exhibition: Republic Brooklyn, 6-10pm at 20 Jay Street, 11th Floor
• Press Play Series at Smack Mellon, 7pm at Smack Mellon, 92 Plymouth Street
• BAC Gallery Film/Video Screening, 6:30-8pm at Brooklyn Arts Council, 55 Washington Street

Major upcoming events in Dumbo include:

BKLYN Designs May 8-10, NY Photo Festival May 13-17, Cynthia Hopkins returning to St Ann’s Warehouse for another show run starting May 22, PEN World Voices Festival of international literature all over Dumbo (Apr 30-May3), MediaStorm’s May 18th inaugural Dumbo public documentary screening at Galapagos, a workshop for artists at Dumbo Arts Center May 29-31, Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls, a music camp carnival May 30-31.

Thursday MAY 7, 2009 – 6pm to 10pm
REPUBLIC WEB LAUNCH & Exhibition: Formations
republicbrooklyn.com

POCHRON STUDIOS, 20 Jay St. 11th Floor, Suite 1100, Brooklyn, NY 11201

FORMATIONS: New painting and Sculpture
REPUBLIC presents Formations: New Brooklyn Painting and Sculpture. If REPUBLIC is the meeting of varied minds that transcends the sum of its parts, the first stage in harnessing such a unique array of talents is to begin with a plan for construction. In conjunction with the launch of our new website republicbrooklyn.com, Formations presents the idea that during Spring, as the world itself is focused on building new things out of the remains of what has come to pass we might do well to pay special service to the artists who have concentrated their gifts on the very idea of construction and building something on the foundations of ideas that ripe for reinterpretation by a new eager generation. On May 7th 2009 at the Pochron Gallery in D.U.M.B.O., REPUBLIC brings you an exhibition that will stroke your joy for Spring and excite you with color and energy. Artists include William Rhodes, Lenny Reibstein, Joshua Johnson, Jazz-Minh Moore and Eunkang Koh.

The website goes live and the event begins at 6pm with drinks, T-shirts and posters available to benefit our May 29th collaborative fundraiser Reaching Out: Rwanda in conjunction with Create for a Cause. (createforacause.com)

For more information about the artists involved, Create for a Cause or REPUBLIC, please contact jason@republicbrooklyn.com or call 917. 478. 7513 or visit republicbrooklyn.com.

“OPEN STUDIOS is a chance to meet some of the artists, designers, craftspeople, photographers, filmmakers, architects, and other creative business owners who share the 68 Jay Street address in DUMBO, Brooklyn. We’ll be selling our art, fashion, and designs, promoting our services, and dishing up local food and entertainment. Over 40 artists and businesses are participating in this evening of art, culture, fashion and celebration.”

Enter the building at 147 Front Street or, for elevator access, at 68 Jay Street. Participants include:

• Aimee g
• Arza Design
• Marianne Barcelona
• Blank Slate Factory
• Blue Barn Pictures
• Charm NYC
• Cinderloop
• Mark Crosby
• Kirsten Deehan
• Delirium
• Thea Grant & Nicolas Bazzani
• Steven Harris
• Jonathan Herbert
• Highest Common Denominator Media Group
• Joan Huggard
• Independent Filmmakers Lab
• Journey
• JPDA Architects
• Dale Kaplan
• Stefan Killen Design
• Jan Larsen Art
• MESH Architectures
• Craig Anthony Miller
• naturevsfuture
• Lori Nelson
• Pinhole New York
• Michael Price
• Radka Design
• reBar
• Hagar Sadan
• SamoyLenko
• Aaron Scott Design
• Sencha Center
• Gigi Spratley
• SRF Design
• Star Electric Eighty Eight
• Version Industries
• Marjorie Victor Jewelry
• Debra Vilen
• Marry Wasserman
• Tron Warren
• Lauren Wimmer
• Joshua Wolfe

BoConcept Dumbo will launch the perfect marriage of minimalist design with modern art this May. Debuting at the First Thursday DUMBO Gallery Walk, six local artists including sculptors, photographers and painters will be invited to showcase their works as curated pieces within BoConcept’s retail space.

BoConcept DUMBO’s ‘Brooklyn Scenes’ Art Show event will start on First Thursday, May 7th and continue through June 7th, 2009. The opening reception will be held on TUESDAY MAY 12th, from 6-9PM.

Admission and refreshments are free and the event is open to the public. Please RSVP at rsvp@boconceptny.com.

**Percentage of proceeds are donated towards ‘Keep A Child Alive’ organization**

The campaigning has picked up by both the developers of the Dock Street Dumbo development and the opposition before the public hearing of the City Council, set for Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 10am at City Hall, Manhattan.

Campaign For:

Last week, Jed Walentas Two Trees sent out mailings to locals that “it’s now or never and we need your help one more time to make the project’s new middle school and affordable housing a reality. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the Dock Street Dumbo plan on Thursday, May 21st, so this is the final opportunity to make your voice heard and to let Councilman Yassky and the entire City Council know you want a new public middle school…you want affordable housing…you want Dock Street approved!” The text of the letter can be seen after the jump.

Campaign Against:

Today, the opposition via a media alert sent this email out:

Myths vs. Facts on Brooklyn Bridge-Threatening Dock Street Development from DNA

“Below is a communication from the Dumbo Neighborhood Association (DNA) to clarify some misinformation being disseminated by the developers of the Dock Street Development, a proposed 18-story development adjacent to a world renowned international landmark, The Brooklyn Bridge. Spokesperson from DNA and its many supporters (listed below) are available to speak to the media. A public hearing before the City Council is set for May 21.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Thursday: A festive occasion each month for art lovers. A chance to visit many quality galleries at night in the Dumbo Historic District – galleries showing works from artists of many disciplines, especially photography, while hosting receptions, producing live music performances and curator/artist talks among other highlights.

Let’s not forget the incredible views you can enjoy as you walk from one gallery to the next and the local drink specials afterward. Most of the art is for sale. Printed maps and 1st Thursday cards are available on-site.

Participating galleries may vary each month. For more information contact Zannah Mass at zannah@twotrees-dumbo.com or 718-222-2500 x38.

Check gallery websites for updates.
5+5 Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 210
A.I.R. Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 228
Amos Eno Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 202
Aswoon Gallery, 14 Jay St.
Brooklyn Arts Council, 111 Front St., Suite 218
DUMBO Arts Center, 30 Washington St.
Farmani Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 212
Gloria Kennedy Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 222
Henry Gregg Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 226
Klompching Gallery, 111 Front St.
Kris Graves Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 224
Melville House, 145 Plymouth St.
No Name Gallery, 163 Plymouth St.
Pochron Studios, 20 Jay St.
Powerhouse Books & Powerhouse Arena, 37 Main St.
Rabbithole Studio, 33 Washington St.
Robert Wilson/rw Work Ltd, 111 Front St.
Safe-T Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 214
Smack Mellon, 93 Plymouth St. @ Washington Street
Spring, 126a Front St.
Umbrage Gallery, 111 Front St.
VII Photo, 28 Jay St.

Brooklyn Blogfest 2009 from Blue Barn Pictures, Inc. on Vimeo.

Find out why Brooklyn is the bloggiest place in the US at the Fourth Annual Brooklyn Blogfest on May 7, 2009. Doors open at 7 pm at powerHouse Arena in DUMBO.

Brooklyn Blogfest 2009 is an exciting, idea-filled event for bloggers, blog readers and the blog curious, where you will find: Insight. Advice. Inspiration. Resources. Here’s your chance to meet your favorite bloggers; learn about blogging; be inspired to blog.

“Where better to take the pulse of this rapidly growing community of writers, thinkers and observers than the Brooklyn Blogfest?” ~ Sewell Chan, The New York Times

This year’s event is dedicated to Robert Guskind (1958 – 2009), the founder and editor of Gowanus Lounge.

WHY WE BLOG is the theme of a panel discussion moderated by Brooklyn Independent Television‘s Megan Donis and featuring Jake Dobkin of Gothamist, Anne Pope of Sustainable Flatbush, Tracy Collins of Freakin’ Blog, Bed Stuy Banana, and Melissa Lopata of Hip Slope Mama.

This year Brooklyn Blogfest introduces BLOGS-OF-A-FEATHER, special small-group sessions led by notable bloggers in a wide variety of blog categories, where you can connect with other bloggers who share your interests.

Also on the agenda: A VIDEO TRIBUTE TO BROOKLYN’S PHOTO BLOGGERS by Adiran Kinloch of Brit in Brooklyn, WHY WE BLOG VIDEO SPOTS by Blue Barn Pictures, THE ROBERT GUSKIND VIDEO, and the annual SHOUT-OUT: a chance to share your blog with the world!

Whether you live to blog, blog to live or are just curious about this thing called blogging, you won’t want to miss Brooklyn Blogfest 2009: the best Blogfest yet. To find out about sponsorship opportunities for Brooklyn Blogfest, contact Louise Crawford (e:louise_crawford@yahoo.com, c: 718-288-4290).

Fourth Annual Brooklyn Blogfest
May 7, 2009
Doors open at 7 p.m.
powerHouse Arena
37 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Admission: $10 ($5 for students and seniors)

Brooklyn Blogfest After-Party
Galapagos Art Space
16 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(right across the street from powerHouse Arena)

Cash bar and refreshments

(Photo by Brandon King)

From the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and Dumbo Improvement District:

Beginning the week of May 4, 2009, and continuing for approximately 1-2 weeks, the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) will be excavating test pits along Water Street between Old Fulton and Washington streets and along Washington Street between Plymouth and York streets. Please note that this work is contingent upon the contractor receiving street permits from the NYC Department of Transportation; should permits not be issued next week, the work will be rescheduled. Advance notice of the rescheduled work will be provided.

Why is this Work being Done?
This work is being performed in advance of the Water Street Reconstruction Project and will allow DDC to identify the location of existing sub-surface infrastructure and utility hardware. The information gathered from the test pits will be used to determine the location of the new trunk water main. Please note: All test pit excavations will be restored upon completion.

Community Impacts during Test Pit Excavations
The following are temporary impacts while the work is being performed:
Each work location will be active for only 1-3 days;
Parking may be restricted in certain locations;
Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Thank-you for your cooperation as we rebuild Brooklyn’s infrastructure.

For more information, please contact DDC’s Office of Community Outreach and Notification at 718-391-2347. Outside of work hours call 311 or visit the NYCDDC web site at nyc.gov/buildnyc

{City to cobble together DUMBO streets, 13Jan2009, Brooklyn Paper}