The Dumbo Improvement District invites you to attend their Annual Meeting:

Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 5:00PM
Galapagos Art Space, 16 Main Street, DUMBO

Please RSVP now! rsvp@dumbonyc.org * 718.237.8700

Past:
{Annual Meeting 2008}
{Annual Meeting 2007 Recap}
{Annual Meeting 2007}

What: BoConcept Dumbo Art Show in supporting of Artfully Unforgotten
Where: BoConcept, 79 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
When: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 6-9PM (opening reception); Exhibition dates 9/17/2009 – 10/22/2009
Who: Artists: Ted Southern, Maximilian Pelzmann, Rodney White, Malena G, Alexandra Renee, Fiyel Levent, Margeaux Walter, Craig Anthony Miller
Sponsors: BCakeNY, Keshot Photo Booth, Sonu Water, Artfully Unforgotten

Free complimentary drinks and desserts.

(Photo by Julie Mack for New York Magazine)

Locals have known that Hecho en Dumbo has been looking for a while for a suitable location in the neighborhood to open a dedicated restaurant. Unfortunately, they have not been able to do so, according to Village Voice:

“Ethan Smith, one of the owners of the Mexican restaurant that for the past two and a half years has been doing evening-only service at Dumbo’s General Store, confirms that they’ll be setting up shop in the old Marion’s space at 354 Bowery come December or early January.”

The challenge for Hecho’s search in the area is limited restaurant space and restrictions on using gas equipment in many of the historic buildings in Dumbo. In an email to Ethan Smith a while back, they were looking for a Dumbo-like loft atmosphere that suited their food and music nights, so they had to rule out newer locations such as J Condo or 85 Adams Street.

“We’re absolutely heartsick to be leaving the neighborhood,” Smith says. “We have the best regular customers we could hope for; they’re the ones responsible for giving us our start. That said, I think a lot of them are really excited for us as well.”

We’ve loved the food there for two and a half years, and viewed Hecho as a unique asset to the neighborhood, with great drinks, music, and good food. It is very sad to see them cross the river and a real loss for Dumbo. The name will stick as “Hecho en Dumbo” as they were made in Dumbo Brooklyn and proud of where they came from. They will close by October 31 and reopen on the Bowery in late December. The Dumbo General Store will expand dinner service to fill the void, says Village Voice.

Hecho en Dumbo is having a Mexican Independence Day Celebration on Wed, September 16th with live music directly from Mexico. (111 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY)

Related:
{Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Hecho en Dumbo, 05May2008}

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

The Dreidel Hustler at Heeb Magazine (of Dumbo) landed an exclusive interview with Raekwon of The Wu Tang Clan recently, talking about upcoming projects, why he (and his family) doesn’t live in NYC anymore (what?! He lives in Los Angeles?), what’s wrong with his home borough Staten Island, and his career. When asked about why he doesn’t live in a “bougie neighborhood like Dumbo, like his friend Busta” (who, btw, helped produce his new album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II), his response to the Dreidel Hustler was, “You can give your family everything in the world, but if you’re not there with them, it’s worth nothing, so. They just want to be able to enjoy with you. That’s how my family is, they don’t really get into all that money thing. They just want time. And that’s the most important thing: time.” Speaking like a wise man, time is the best gift you can give your family.

Read the interview with Raekwon at heebmagazine.com.

Dumbo resident and entrepreneur Romy Horn started Dough Re Me Kids while following her passion for food and cooking with her daughter. After discovering that many other parents in Dumbo have similar interests and a desire for children’s culinary classes in the neighborhood, she started her business on her free time while working as an attorney. She pursued her passion and dedicated her time to Dough Re Me Kids full time last summer. Their fall season starts this week, so if you’re interested in enrolling your child, do so quickly! They have two classes scheduled for the Fall; Monday September 14, 4-5PM and Thursday September 17, 4-5PM. Will consider partial session if space is available. Fall Apple Workshop – Friday September 18, 6-8 (ages 6 and up). Parents can go out for dinner while the children make their own meal. Fall Apple Workshop – Mommy or Daddy and Me – September 30, 6-7:15, timed so that working parents can participate in a cooking lesson with their child.

What is Dough Re Me Kids?
We teach kids ages 3-14, how to cook for themselves in a fun environment that includes lessons in math, science, health, etiquette and cooperation using organic and greenmarket ingredients. It is never too early to get children comfortable with the ingredients they will be exposed to for the rest of their lives. Classes are held Monday and Thursday 4-5pm. But as a working mom, I was never really able to attend some of the mommy and me classes offered, so we’re offering a couple of options for other working parents (6-7:15pm, Wed 9/30 where parents and kids can do a workshop together – a great way to socialize with neighbors and not have to cook; and also a 6-8pm class this Friday 9/18 for ages 6 and up, where parents can drop their kids off go out for dinner on their own and pick up their kids when they’re done – a great night out without the need for a sitter).

Does a 3 year-old child really learn to cook?
Yes, they actually learn a great deal from repetition and hands-on activity. Each class is an hour and the goal is to keep them interested and engaged the entire time. This requires recipes that are age appropriate. By the end of the session techniques are learned, for example: they can crack an entire dozen of eggs without getting shells in them and are able to knead their own dough. They even know difference between parsley and basil.

What happens if a child doesn’t like a variety of foods?
The group setting relaxes the kids so they will try foods that their classmates try. No one is forced to eat, but they are always encouraged to have a taste. And they do, quite often with excellent results. When they are able to add a new food to their list of “acceptable” dishes, they are so proud of themselves. It’s so amazing to be a part of their growth.

What about Dumbo makes it beneficial to have a business here?
More families are coming to Dumbo and the number of children has steadily increased since we moved here. As a Dumbo parent, I know how grateful I am when new options for my child open up so close to home. I wanted to be able to give parents another choice. And since Dumbo is located in a relatively small geographic area, when you get to know other families in a comfortable and easy social setting (it doesn’t get any more social than eating and cooking) you contribute even more so to the fabric of the neighborhood that already has a small town feel.

Tell us about yourself.
After many years of working as an attorney, I am so grateful to be engaged in my true passion – cooking. I have been cooking since the age of 7 and learned the most valuable lessons from my own (Armenian) and my husband’s (Italian) family – trying new things has opened up a world of experience and interests for me. I wanted to do the same for my daughter and other children. And I know how difficult it is to get children to try new foods (figuring out how to make new foods attractive is a full time job). I began teaching when my daughter expressed an interest in cooking and have wanted to open a cooking business ever since. My passion turned out to be a fun way to get children interested in trying and eating healthy foods.

What advice would you give to those starting businesses in Dumbo?
Two things I have learned are that (1) nothing happens overnight and (2) you must have a website. I had mine created by a local mom and web designer, Kathleen Gates, which looks amazing. The Dumbo community has a goldmine of talented people and if you are looking for assistance with any aspect of starting a business, use one of them. As a future business owner, it’s essential to support the community you will be part of as much as possible.

—

For more information, please contact romy@doughremekids.com.
doughremekids.com.

On Sunday, Brooklyn Flea is host to Superstar DJ Record Fair, under The Archway (Pearl and Water Street). This is a special one day only event that runs from 11am-6pm.

The Flea’s Superstar DJ Record Fair is combined with the Vintage Fashion Bazaar. Top Record Fair vendors include DFA Records, DJ Rekha, Def Jux Records, Other Music employees Bert Q and Mikey Jones, former Ave. A shop Etherea, music journalists Andrew Parks (Self-Titled), Doug Mosurock (Dusted), and Piotr Orlov (NY Times), DJs db, Dara, Ulysses, Selway, McBoing Boing, and of course the Flea’s top weekly record dealers.

Fashion vendors include Vintage Loft NYC, I Heart NYC (former Nolita vintage boutique), Estate of Art Vintage Lifestyle, and Treasures + Pleasures (top vintage jewelry and handbags).

The Flea’s partners for the event include Time Out NY and the Dumbo Improvement District, and old friends Halcyon (whose shop is located adjacent to the event in DUMBO) and Other Music (who partnered with the Flea for last year’s Record Fair). The popular Record Fair game will be back, where every vendor can DJ on the sound system for 20 minutes, with every record they play for sale on the spot.

Note that there will be no normal Brooklyn Bridge Flea on September 13 only, due to a previously scheduled event.

Largest Turnout for Movies in the Park (Photo by spencerdallen)

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• Superstar DJ Record Fair (Sun), 06Sept09, NY Mag
• Craft Night is Back at the Etsy Labs in Dumbo, 10Sept09, Etsy
• The Break Mission Music Video in Dumbo, 06Sept09, RWE
• welcome etsy!, 07Sept09, moontree
• Halcyon 10th Anniversary, 10Sept09, NY Times
• Central Booking Gallery launch in Dumbo, 07Sept09, nathanielstern
• Dumbo Painting, 07Sept09, NY Street Art
• Gluttony at Vinegar Hill House, 07Sept09, Plato Putas
• VH House Tour, 09Sept09, Apt Therapy
• 70 Wash St, #7E Ask $699k, 10Sept09, Brownstoner
• Superstar DJ Record Fair, 09Sept09, NY Press
• Fulton Ferry’s Urban Classics, 11Sept09, Brooklyn Eagle
• spring: little bits of high and low fun, 09Sept09, cherrypatter
• Buy a Condo at 1 BBP and get a Car, 11Sept09, NBC
• 33rd District’s 7 Candidates, 10Sept09, Brooklyn Paper
• Spiral Pool Takes Shape at Brooklyn Bridge Park, 07Sept09, McBrooklyn
• Halcyon Celebrates 10th, 10Sept09, TONY

 

(Photo by epc)

Brooklyn Arts Council Folk Arts presents its annual September 11th Memorial project, which this year features performances of original songs about the events of September 11th and its aftermath. A selection of songs submitted through an open call will be performed live for the public on the anniversary from 5–7:30pm at Powerhouse Arena, 37 Main St., Brooklyn, NY. (this is the rain location).

More info.

In addition to tonight’s First Thursdays Dumbo Gallery Walk and the chance to meet City Council Candidates, below are a few other events in Dumbo today.

1) EyeSave’s Designer Sunglass sale

What: EyeSave’s Designer Sunglass sale
When: Sept 10, 2009, 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: 10 Jay Street, Suite 601, Brooklyn, NY

EyeSave, a Dumbo-based business moved to a new office. They are having a designer sunglass sample sale (Thurs 9/10 & Fri 9/11) from 12-5pm. Brands include Gucci, Dior, RayBan, Armani, Maui Jim, YSL, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Valentino, and more starting from $25. There will also be a few $5 bins.

2) Media Circus, September 10: “Overlooked: Women in Media”

What: Media Circus, September 10: “Overlooked: Women in Media”
When: Thursday, Sept 10, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: JLA Studios, 63 Pearl St (between Water and Front St.), Brooklyn, NY 11201

The panel will be guest hosted by Mediaite’s Rachel Sklar, and will include Glynnis MacNicol, also of Mediaite, CNET writer Caroline McCarthy, Jessica Grose of Slate’s Double X, and Anna Holmes, founder and editor of Jezebel. The discussion will focus on some of the less obvious challenges facing women in media today.

3) NOS Boutique

NOS Boutique, Dumbo’s newest retail store that offers shoes, accessories, and apparel is open tonight from 6-11p for Fashion Night Out. NOS will be offering 10% off and complementary champagne. NOS Boutique is at 68 Jay Street (next to Bridge Fresh Market).

4) Loopy Mango

Please join the Loopy Mango team in celebrating the Fashion Night Out with champagne and a 10% discount on your entire purchase!
Thursday, Sept. 10th 6 pm – 11 pm. Loopy Mango is at 117 Front St. (between Adams & Washington), Brooklyn, NY (718-858-5930).

Find out where they stand on the issues:
- Development
- Middle Schools
- Traffic
- Neighborhood and Historic Preservation
- Parks
- Local Retail
- Parking

Thursday September 10, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Where:
St. Francis College, Founders Hall
180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn

Moderator: Grace Rauh, NY 1

Sponsored by:
Boerum Hill Association
Brooklyn Heights Association
DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance
Fulton Ferry Landing Association
Historic Districts Council

For info: 718-858-9193