Movies Under the Stars
Watch Jawbreakers, When Harry Met Sally, and more at Williamsburg’s SummersScreen this year. Summer is the season where we take everything we like to do inside and move it outside, because, we can. Northside Media just announced it’s lineup of tightly curated cult-classic films for their 13th season of SummerScreen. From mid-July until the end of August, flicks will be projected for free on Wednesday evenings in McCarren Park.
Located just steps from The Williamsburg Hotel, it’s a trendy way to hang with the locals, try a variety of restaurants from food kiosks, and have fresh brews from Brooklyn Brewery. This year you can enjoy Hackers, Love & Basketball, and a surprise musical on August 22nd. The bands haven't been announced yet, so stay tuned. Past years have included performances from Ghost of Saber Tooth Tiger (Sean Lennon), Ducktails, and Soft Circle to name a few. Pack blankets, chairs, and artisanal snacks for an authentic Brooklyn experience.
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A Brief History of Jazz in New York City
New York City may have joined the jazz party late, following Chicago and New Orleans, but it quickly became one of the leading contenders, with jazz styles like the “Harlem Stride” drawing piano lovers from near and far.
Thomas “Fats” Waller, was a New York native, and the most famous of the striders. However, Duke Ellington made Harlem his home after moving from Washington D.C. in the early 1920’s, a time coined “The Jazz Age” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. To say NYC was swinging would have been an understatement, as musicians like Count Basie and Charles Parker made Gotham their new home. Skip to modern day, where residents and visitors still revel in the musical freedom and irregularity of jazz music. The Williamsburg Hotel celebrates the rich tradition with Piano Playing All Night Monday to Wednesdays and Jazz Night on Thursdays. Cozy up with a prohibition-style libation and let the trumpet solos and rambunctious piano playing transport you back in time.
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David Bowie Is, a Sensory Experience Arrives at the Brooklyn Museum
Activate your inner Bowie-fan and spend a day obsessing over the glam rock icon. The retrospective is good, really good, featuring over 400 objects from his life and career, 100 of them reserved exclusively for the exhibition.
Seriously, wandering the corridors experiencing compilations of music videos, TV clips, films, audio recordings, sketches, paintings, 85 handwritten lyric sheets, and 60 custom-made costumes, will be the highlight of your trip. The show is comprehensive without being overly-done and communicates a clear vision of his brilliant life, career, and creative process. Bowie revolutionized how we experience music, which the exhibition seamlessly recreates for visitors. It’s fitting that the show will end its tour in NYC, because the British-born singer lived here for a large part of his life, and spent his last rock n’roll days in the Big Apple. We highly suggest reserving your tickets in advance, trust us, it’s an incredible show on view until July 15th. Please click here for tickets and don't miss out!
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David Lynch’s Festival of Disruption | Coming to Williamsburg March 19th & 20th
Calling all music, art, and movie lovers--David Lynch is bringing his Los Angeles Festival of Disruption for the first time to Brooklyn. With a tightly curated selection of artist, head to Brooklyn Steel for two days of music, exhibitions, screenings, and meditation.
Featuring musicians Angel Olsen, Animal Collective, Au Revoir Simone, Flying Lotus (DJ set), Jim James (solo), Jon Hopkins, and Rebekah Del Rio. It’s a dynamite line-up of introspective and innovative musicians that embody culture-forward thinking and avant-garde dissemination. Lynch will be onsite site and orchestrating the talks and screenings, featuring “David Lynch and Rare Short Films,” including “Blue Velvet” with Isabella Rosellini, and Gregory Crewdson’s “There But Not There.” The exhibits include work from William Eggleston, David Lynch, Sandro Miller, and David O'Reilly. However, to truly elevate your experience follow Bob Roth for Transcendental Meditations or Brian Eno’s REFLECTION for ambient piece of mind. Net proceeds of the event benefit the David Lynch Foundation, an organization dedicated to the accessibility of Transcendental Meditations for every child in America.
Brooklyn Steele is located at 319 Frost St. Brooklyn, Ny 11222, for tickets please visit the Festival of Disruption website.
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Unexpected Valentine’s Day Ideas for Couples in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Some travel the traditional route for Valentine’s Day, while others aim higher. Make Cupid’s holiday memorable and unique with these chill suggestions.
Valentine’s Day Love Series at Nitehawk cinema
Instead of a boring dinner, opt for a dine-in movie with cinema-inspired craft cocktails and local brews. Select from flicks focusing on themes of lust, infatuation, and other things that drive us crazy. True Romance and Casablanca are a just a couple of love-themed movies on the menu. For a full line-up. click here.
Take a Tour of Mast Brothers
Not to be cliché, but chocolates and Valentine’s Day go hand-in-hand. However, there is nothing common about these chocolatiers. Take a tour and treat yourselves to one of the finest and most sustainable chocolates bars you’ve ever had. The wrapping alone is a work of art, printed on thick card stock with designs so appealing you’ll want to collect them all.
Romance is in the air and Brooklyn makes it easy with our charming neighborhood, hip shops, and unique eateries. But if you feel like trying something off-the-beaten path, follow our lead and make reservations in advance.
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New Year’s Resolutions to Kick Off 2018
Start the year off right by challenging your 2017-self to be more adventurous than ever. Every person passing through Williamsburg should add these new year’s resolutions to their list:
Expand Your Culinary Palette
Brooklyn is regarded as a foodie’s paradise--begin the day with hangover-ready deliciousness at Harvey, our onsite restaurant. But if you really want to keep fresh, check out our seasonally rotating pop-up eatery overlooking Wythe Avenue.
Try Experimental Cocktails
Head to the roof for craft cocktails with a view. The Watertower Bar is the perfect scene to take in the steadfast views of Willyb while being adventurous and upping your cocktail game.
Go to More Live Shows
Some of the greatest bands started in BK, and the pulsating culture continues to draw musicians from around the world. Spend an evening at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn Steel, Pete’s Candy Store, Baby’s All Right, Union Pool, or any of the other live music venues on our neighborhood list. Break a sweat or just lay back and enjoy the artistic genius. Music is the heartbeat Williamsburg, take advantage.
Don’t wait another minute, grab your warmest coat and head outside--2018 is full of cultural possibilities and excitement.
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