Dumbo NYC

Almost every gallery, street, and building will be open in Dumbo starting today for the 12th Annual Dumbo Art Under the Bridge Festival. But for those looking to shop in between the galleries and street events, the retail scene in Dumbo will also have its doors open. A few to check out:

• Journey Home is having a 20% off furniture sale starting Friday through Monday. 166 Water Street (between Jay and Pearl) 718-797-9277
• Mikey’s Hookup is having their official grand opening party on Saturday with free wine and a professional table tennis exhibition match with Wally Green at 2pm
• The Workshop, the industrial, urban lifestyle clothing store from Jan Larsen Art is selling labels such as ALIFE, Steez, Revolver, Triple Five Soul, and WeSC. The Workshop is open Saturdays 11-6 and Sundays 11-4.

There are many many more with exhibition openings, sales, and specials you may want to explore:
Retail

• Jacques Torres, 66 Water St.
• powerHouse Arena, 37 Main St.
• half pint, 55 Washington St.
• Peas N’ Pickles, 55 Washington St.
• Blanc et Rouge, 81 Washington St.
• Frameworks NY, 81 Washington St.
• Pomme, 81 Washington St.
• Zoe, 68 Washington St.
• Tivoli Home, 111 Front St.
• Loopy Mango, 117 Front St.
• Foragers Market, 56 Adams St.
• halcyon the shop, 57 Pearl St.
• Blueberi, 143A Front St.
• Sinoluxe, 160 Water St.
• Didi Dog Boutique, 160 Water St.
• P.S. Bookshop, 145A Front St.
• Indigo Handloom, 68 Jay St.
• Jimi’s Grocery, 52 Jay St.
• Ferrigno’s Meat Market, 68 Jay St.
• Bridge Fresh Market, 68 Jay St.
• RR Frames, Inc., 57 Jay St. 2nd Floor
• Stewart/Stand, 165 Front St.
• Modern Tots, 53 Pearl St.
• Melville House Publishing, 145 Plymouth St.
• Recycle-a-Bicycle, 35 Pearl St.
• Zakka Corp., 155 Plymouth St.
• Neighborhoodies, 26 Jay St.
• H&A Upholstery, 141 Front St.

This is just a sample of retail and not a full list. Thanks to the Dumbo Improvement District for the retail list. For more listings of furniture, services, restaurants/cafes, and cultural, go to dumbonyc.org.

(Artists’ rendering of The People’s Triangle)

During the Dumbo Art Under the Bridge Festival, which starts on Friday, Dumbo artist Manuel Mansylla has been working on an installation called The People’s Triangle. According to Mansylla, he is creating a free speech triangle where spectators can transform into orators and will be allowed to speak of any issue. The original Speakers’ Corner was legally established 1872 in Hyde Park England. What used to be a stage for hangings, transformed into a landmark for public speaking.

According to the artist, “The Art Under the Bridge Festival is known for its free spirited art and is a festival where people from all walks of life go to be surprised, challenged and also like to engage with the artist and with the art piece. A salient characteristic of DUMBO is the intermittent train passing through the Manhattan Bridge. The encroaching noise of the train will turn on and off the voices of the orators. This is symbolic of our democratic system that allows only some voices to be heard and others are silenced.”

This installation can interact with other public performances going on in the Pearl Square Triangle, as the purpose is to watch how this free speech zone is used (or not). Come check it out all weekend at the Pearl Street Triangle (Anchorage Place, Pearl Street, Water Street).

{Got something to say? Let’s hear it, 10Sept2008, Brooklyn Paper}

Joseph Arthur, the musician and artist behind the Museum of Modern Arthur, is hosting their last opening party for the final exhibit tonight (Sept 25) at 8pm. The guitarist will be performing with his band. The group’s new album, Temporary People, is out on September 30, 2008.

The MOMAR gallery is closing due to the increased cost of rent. According to relix.com,

“I can’t disclose details but let’s just say, in the immortal words of Kenny Rogers, ‘You gotta know when to fold ‘em/Know when to walk away/Know when to run,” Arthur says. “And the big bad landlord is giving us the boot (We pay our rent but other things factor into this Up and coming thriving metropolis known as Dumbo).”

Previously: {MOMAR (Museum of Modern Arthur) Opens, 10Jul2007}
{Joseph Arthur, Musician and Artist to open The Museum of Modern Arthur, 24Apr2007}

[UPDATE: Due to the weather forecast, tonight's benefit party at Pier 1 will be held at One Brooklyn Bridge Park (corner of Furman and Joralemon Streets). Please join us from 6pm-9pm for great food, music, and company in a beautiful -- indoor -- waterfront setting. Your contribution will help us bring more projects like Pier 1 to the park next summer. We hope to see you there.]

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy is having a benefit party on Pier 1 tonight (Sept 25), to raise funding for future programming and parks (like the interim park they created at Pier 1). They’ve made a lot of progress this year with the temporary Pier 1 park and the demolition of the old piers along the river. In 2007, they brought the floating pool and continue to organize educational programming for kids, Movies with a View, and art exhibitions…all free for the public. Support the Conservancy by attending the benefit party or make a donation online.

When: Thursday, September 25, 6:00-9:00 pm
Where: at Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park One Brooklyn Bridge Park (corner of Furman and Joralemon Streets)

for a benefit party to say goodbye to SUMMER ‘08 @ PIER 1 and help us get started on Summer ‘09.

Enjoy:

• Fancy Food and Drink
• Live music from Matt Munisteri (”Bands like this are why you move to New York” – The Village Voice)
• A remarkable view of the harbor, the Manhattan skyline and all four NYC Waterfalls
• Brooklyn’s largest sandbox

TICKETS

Adults: $50 in advance/$60 at the door
Children: $20 in advance/$25 at the door
More details: brooklynbridgepark.org
Questions: Richard Loyd, 718-802-0603 x13

Grand Opening party at Salon de Quartier
Wednesday September 24, 2008 6-10 pm
43 Washington St. Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-254-8791
salondequartier.com

Previously:
{Salon de Quartier Dumbo Now Open, 08Sept2008}
{Salon de Quartier to Open in Dumbo, 18Jul2008}

From the DumboNYC Flickr Photo pool, a nice shot from EspressoMaker.

“the world’s shortest rail line from the 19th century to the 1950s carried tobacco from the docks near the Brooklyn Bridge to warehouses along Jay St. Remnants of the tracks are still embedded in the cobblestones of my neighborhood in NYC, DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) “ (Photo by EspressoMaker)

With 6 weeks left for the Presidential race on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008, we’ve seen more politics related stencils and art in and around Dumbo area. There’s Barack:

…and Sarah Palin:

…and “the end” for George Bush:

On Friday, Sept 26, 2008 at 9pm, Galapagos Art Space, as part of the Art Under the Bridge Festival with Current TV, will be projecting live, the first 2008 Presidential Debate. Learn more and be sure to vote:

Who will you vote for in the US Presidential Elections?

• Barack Obama / Joe Biden (Democrat)
• John McCain / Sarah Palin (Republican)
• Undecided
• I'm not voting
• Other

View Results

As posted yesterday, Life on Mars will be filming in the area again on Wednesday. Filming will be taking place on Front, Water, and York Streets.

(Photo by epc)

Filming today (23-Sept-2008) for Life on Mars on New Dock Street, Dumbo Brooklyn. Life on Mars premieres on ABC on October 9, 10/9C. “Modern-day NYPD Detective Sam Tyler finds himself suddenly hurtled back to the tumultuous times of New York City in 1973 when he’s hit by a car while chasing down a criminal.”

Previously: {Tax Breaks to Bring More Filming to Dumbo, 28Jul2008}

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

• Final MOMAR Art Show, Sept 25-30 (MOMAR being kicked out), 16Sept08, bumpershine.com
• Brooklyn Modern Discussion at PowerHouse, 20Sept08, Green Brooklyn
• Jane’s Carousel, 19Sept08, peebstuff.blogspot
• The Snow White Project, 17Sept08, NY Times
• Jane Walentas Campaigns for Carousel in Park, 16Sept08, Brooklyn Eagle
• Ray Sweeten at Galapagos, 14Sept08, rhizome.org
• Kim Young-soon at DUMBO Dance Fest, 16Sept08, Korea Times
• SKIZUM Studios at Dumbo Art Fest, 15Sept08, skizumnyc.wordpress
• PS 8 principal: What — the F?, 18Sept08, Brooklyn Paper