Gowanus Open Studio 2013.

We've blogged about the Brooklyn Studio Tours, which was based in the Red Hook and Carroll Gardens area back in June.  Now Gowanus is having a an open studio tour as well.  It is what it sounds like.  Artists open their studios to the public.  The dates are October 18th-20th.  Studios will be open over the weekend from noon-6pm.  Click here for more info.

The Total Gowanus Immersion.

Check out this event that we're sponsoring! The Total Red Hook Immersion was so much fun we're psyched to meet people out to have the same awesome time in Gowanus.  This neighborhood has so many great bars, shops, restaurants and venues.  If you haven't explored this hood now is your time.  It isn't until October 5th so mark it on your calendar.  You can find out all the info you'll need on BrooklynBased. 

Fact or Fiction Trivia Tonight.

Thought we'd share this really awesome sounding (and free!) event that's happening tonight at The Bell House, 149 7th Street.  It's called Disalmanac Fact or Fiction Night.  It's a trivia night with a twist (more on that in the description below).  It starts at 8pm but you may want to get there early and claim a spot for you and your team. 

In a truly special event, TrivWorks - NYC's corporate team building specialists and producers of the largest public trivia nights in NYC - has partnered with Disalmanac, the Web's home for fact-like facts, to present the ultimate test of trivia knowledge at The Bell House in Brooklyn!
TrivWorks founder David Jacobson leads a high-energy team trivia competition on a wide range of topics ranging from history and science to pop culture and current events, while comedienne Sharon Spell tests individual audience members' ability to discern facts from deceptively "fact-like facts." Disalmanac creator Scott Bateman will be on-hand to hand out a trove of theme-appropriate prizes, as well as talk a bit about Disalmanac: A Book of Fact-Like Facts coming out in September 2013!

Calling all Artists!

Brooklyn Boulders, at 575 Degraw Street, is having an art show.  They are asking for submissions from anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of it.  The deadline is June 28th.  Here's the info that they sent out in their newsletter:

We're excited to announce our very first community art exhibition! Since those graffiti guys get all that wall space, we thought you should get some too. We know you're creative,
show everyone what you've got!

If you'd like to participate, submit up to five works with up to three images of each in PNG, PDF,             or JPG to ArtShow@Brooklynboulders.com. If your work is selected, you're in!
                                 Opening night will be held here on Thursday, July 18th.

The Pianos are Coming to Our Hood in June!

Have you heard of the Sing for Hope Pianos program?  Here's a brief summary.  88 artist-designed pianos will be placed around the city starting in June.  Not only are these beautifully designed from them spontaneous performances will occur daily.  After their time with the public they will be donated to under-served schools,and other community organizations in need.  A couple of these pianos are coming pretty close by.  One will be at Columbus Park near Borough Hall, one in Brooklyn Bridge Park and another in Gowanus at 336 3rd Street.  Check out their site for more info.

Here Comes the Mega BBQ Joint!

We passed this sign last weekend on Union between 3rd and 4th Ave.  A big sign for a big restaurant.  This seems like the last step in opening when places start the hiring process, although the hiring is at a portable office near the site (a few buildings down) and not actually at the site so we guess renovations are still in progress.  They were supposed to open in March but damages from Hurricane Sandy, the loss of their roof for a start, have changed those plans.  There have been so many BBQ spots opening in the area over the last year or so and you can add this chain to the list soon.

Theater in Gowanus.

We passed this sign for the play Enemy of the People by Ibsen.  It's very ironic, or making a statement or at least befitting, that this play is being performed in a warehouse in Gowanus very close to the canal.  The play is about a "quaint waterside village" which "is set to become the next tourist destination when the town doctor finds deadly contaminants in the local water supply". The play runs from May 2nd-5th.  You can buy tickets here.

Gowanus Canal Winter Fest Benefit.

Saturday night, January 12th, is the 2013 Winter Festival, although the flyers around town mistakenly say 2012.  It's a benefit for the Gowanus Canal Conservancy with proceeds on ticket prices (ranging from $10 for kids to $45 for membership plus admission) going towards "specifically assisting with its Clean & Green Volunteer Program, Composting and Rain Garden projects".  The night will consist of dinner, drinks, and music.  Read more about the event, including how to get tickets, below.  Or for more info check out this site.


Join us for a very Brooklyn evening of friends, food, music and libations with performances by Mike Doughty, Avan Lava, and Superhuman Happiness.

Dinner will feature:
- Artisanal hot dogs from Brooklyn Cured
- Porky Melts from Pork Slope/TALDE
- Toppings by Mama O's Kimchi, Crock & Jar and Brooklyn Brine
- Cole slaw by Lot2
Sixpoint Brewery is the official beer sponsor, and there will be a selection of the local craft brew available.  Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided by GuS and Plan Tea.
Dinner will be accompanied by a DJ set by DJ Abby Klein and silent auction, featuring items such as Brooklyn Butcher Blocks, art work, gift certificates, and more to be announced!

Purchase tickets here

Party at Bell House tonight!

We think you may need to practice your partying skills for New Years Eve.  So before you party like it's 2013 you may want to go to tonight's event at The Bell House (149 7th st in Gowanus), "Party Like it's 1999".  It starts at 9pm and runs until 3am.  If you've got cabin fever or have family in town that you'd like a break from, this party is perfect.  More below from the event's facebook page.


Party Like It’s 1999: The Post-Christmas Edition. You won’t hear any Christmas songs, just the best of 1990s rock, pop, dance, R&B and hip-hop that get you shaking off those post-holiday blues. And as always, it’s free in the Main Event Hall at The Bell House!

Made in Gowanus Tour.

The first "Made in Gowanus Tour" will be kicking off this weekend.  Owner and producer, Dom Gervasi, has been giving his "Made in Brooklyn Tours" for a while now, focusing on different areas like Dumbo and Williamsburg.  You can add Gowanus to the list starting Saturday.  The groups he takes out are pretty small and it looks like this one is already sold out.  But don't worry, there will be more to come.  Just keep an eye on this website.

CAG Meeting tonight.

There will be a Gowanus Canal Community Advisory Group (CAG) meeting that is open to the public tonight starting at 6pm.  Senior level official from the NYSDEC will be there to discuss canal clean-up.  You'll have an opportunity to get some questions answered as CAG will be collecting questions and asking them as time permits.  For more info on what to expect read the excerpt below from a CAG email about the meeting.  


December 4 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at PS 32, 317 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn.

Your presence at this meeting will help demonstrate the community’s strong support for a comprehensive clean-up of the canal.  The CAG will be asking NYSDEC officials pointed questions about the state’s role in the enforcement of Clean Water Act requirements to eliminate sewage overflows, whether and how the state is coordinating with EPA’s Superfund cleanup process, and other issues of vital importance to a proper clean-up of the canal and protection of public health.

NYSDEC is the only agency that has the right to review and provide comments to EPA on EPA’s Superfund clean-up plan prior to its release, which is expected by the end of 2012.  The CAG encourages a strong public turnout at this meeting to show NYSDEC the community’s concern that the clean-up be done right. 

Gowanus Meeting with EPA.

Tonight Gowanus residents can meet with the EPA about hurricane aftermath topics, including water samples and any other questions residents and business owners may have.  NYSDEC, FEMA, and OSHA will also be represented at the meeting.   More info is below.


Monday November 26, 2012 at 6:30 pm
P.S. 32 – 317 Hoyt Street near Union Street

Pat Kiernan at Bell House Benefit!

This "Anything But Politics: Pop Culture Trivia" hosted by Pat Kiernan at The Bell House next Tuesday will not only be the last of it's kind for the year but has been transformed into a benefit for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.  In fact 100% of the proceeds will be donated.  So, if you were ever curious about this event now is the time to check it out.  8pm show, 7;30 pm doors.  Tickets are $15 and you can purchase them here in advance.

BBQ the new burger?

About a year or so ago there were burger joints springing up everywhere.  Although, half of them are gone now, there seemed to be a big trend in the neighborhood involving this American classic.  We blogged about the possibility that seafood was the new big trend.  Kittery on Smith and Brooklyn Crab are merely a couple of the "crab shack" inspired restaurants opening or recently opened in the borough.  Well, we have a runner up.  It's BBQ!  Fort Reno leads the pack as others, such as Fletcher's Brooklyn BBQ and Dinosaur will follow.  The newest we discovered is coming to 445 Van Brunt and Beard.  Not sure of the name yet, we just know it's a barbecue bar and restaurant.  The chance all of them will last doesn't seem likely but for now...bring on the smoked meats and sticky sauces!

New restaurants coming soon!

The NY Times recently put out a fall preview for restaurants coming to different areas.  You can check out their list below.  We've blogged about a few ourselves.  Red Gravy was on their list but since we've already written about it we left it out. Check out Nightingale 9! (Pic above taken from their facebook) There's been a big buzz around this restaurant, which shares owners with neighborhood favorite Seersucker!

FLETCHER’S BROOKLYN BARBECUE Matt Fisher, known in barbecue and chile cook-off circles, will be the pitmaster, and Bill Fletcher, who had a Brooklyn advertising and design agency, will run the show. (Late September): 433 Third Avenue (Seventh Street), Gowanus. 

GANSO Ramen is the name of the game for Harris Salat, who met the chef Ryuji Irie at Matsuri when he was writing cookbooks with the former Matsuri chef Tadashi Ono. The two go beyond a ramen repertory with Japanese fried chicken, steamed short-rib buns and shrimp tempura by way of Buffalo, with a blue cheese sauce. The setting, with a counter and booths, is done in pale woods. (Sept. 17): 25 Bond Street (Livingston Street), Downtown Brooklyn, (718) 403-0900.
 
NIGHTINGALE 9 Robert Newton of Seersucker and Smith Canteen has been nurturing a passion for Vietnamese food and recently ate his way from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City to try his hand at the cuisine. (December): 345 Smith Street (Carroll Street), Carroll Gardens.


RUNNER & STONE A brick-and-mortar (or flour-sack-and-concrete) bakery and restaurant on three levels with two kitchens — one for baking, one for cooking — is the work of two men who have been popular vendors in the flea markets: Peter Endriss, who baked at Per Se and Bouchon Bakery, and Chris Pizzulli, who was at the Blue Ribbon Brasserie in Park Slope. There will be a full dinner menu in the evening. (Late September): 285 Third Avenue (Carroll Street), Gowanus.

Kentucky Derby or Cinco de Mayo?

This year the Kentucky Derby falls on Cinco de Mayo. So many will have a very hard decision to make that day. Margaritas or Juleps? Well, we're guessing most of you will pick margaritas and celebrate Cinco de Mayo. For those who are craving a minty julep, however, there is only one place to go, The Bell House. Every year they hold a big party for the Derby and it's always awesome. Their schedule for the day is below. I'm sure the bartender would make you a margarita too if need be.

Colonel Boyd presents THE 138TH KENTUCKY DERBY ALL DAY
Plates by Urban Rustic
Ice Cream by Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
$6 Maker's Mark Mint Juleps

1pm to 5pm
Hats available from Brooklyn milliner La China Loca.

3pm to 5pm
Square dancing led by David Harvey & NYC Barn Dance.
No experience required: all dances taught on the spot!

5pm to 6pm
Call to the Post by bugler Ryan Resky leads to the main room.
The singing of My Old Kentucky Home by The Secret History.
Prizes for Best Formal Hat, Best Informal Hat and runners up
Plus: Sharp Dressed Man and runners up. Hosted by Michael Andrews Bespoke.

6pm
POST TIME -- and they're off!

7pm
Live Band Karaoke with Bunnie England and the New Originals on the big stage.

St. Patrick's Day at Lucey's Lounge

So, Saint Patty's Day is on a Saturday this year. That means we can celebrate all day!!!! By all means pace yourselves. Also, drop by our friends new bar that will have it's grand opening on this holiday Saturday. It's called Lucey's Lounge and it's right around the corner from the Bell House at 475 3rd Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets. It opens at noon and of course they'll have drink specials all day long. They'll also have free food all day long so back to the pacing yourself topic. No better way to do that than by complimenting that green beer (literally or figuratively) with some free food! So, go check them out this Saturday! Have fun and be safe.

BBQ in the Hood!

(Photo: Emily Holbrook)

Blogs around the Park Slope, Gowanus, and Carroll Gardens areas are blowing up about BBQ. For good reason. There is a definite shortage of this meaty, saucy genre of food in our hood. We recently lost Dallas Jones on Atlantic Ave, unfortunately. Well the first of possibly three BBQ joints opening in the Gowanus area (Union and 3rd) has just opened. It's called Fort Reno, 669 Union St, and is owned by the same owners as Palo Santo down the street. (See photo above taken from brooklynexposed). It's got mostly good reviews so far. We'll see how they do as time goes on. Another restaurant coming, scheduled for end of the year or beginning of next, is Dinosaur. This one is a chain, you may have visited their huge space up in Harlem. A lot of buzz about this one. According to eater.com "Wild Whiskey Warthog is trying to get in their own whiskey and BBQ joint" in the area. From a shortage to a bounty! We are stoked!

Super Bowlin'

If you aren't doing the traditional super bowl party at home this year we have a handful of suggestions for the best places to see the game or just hang out and eat wings and pretend like you're watching the game.

The Brazen Head, at 228 Atlantic, will be having their yearly Super Bowl party with free chili and $5 craft beer.

The Bell House has a funny twist to their football fest. Here's a blurb we found online about it.

Gotta watch the Big Game on a big screen, right? Everyone else is, and it's a good reason to party. The Bell House is making it even more fun by adding live color commentary from the funny folks at WitStream. Join Shane Mauss (Conan, Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central) and April Macie (Howard Stern, Last Comic Standing, Just For Laughs) as they host a live feed of Superbowl tweets from the hilarious contributors at WitStream.

So whether you're a serious fan or just along for the ride, you can get your football and funny all in one place at the Bell House! Drink specials + hot food by Urban Rustic!

BW3 at the Atlantic center is sure to be a madhouse but it'll be a madhouse with tons of televisions and an infinite flow of wings and beer.

Last but not least is PJ Hanleys on Court Street. This Carroll Gardens sports bar has plenty of space, good food, and that local neighborhood welcoming feel.

Holiday Shopping this Weekend!

For those of you who have procrastinated a bit or just haven't been able to find that perfect gift, you are in luck. This weekend, December 17th and 18th between 12 and 6pm, do your last minute shopping at the Brooklyn Craft Central Holiday Market. With 65 designers total, although they will have different vendors each day, you'll be sure to find unique gifts for everyone on your list or even a little something for yourself. Littlefield at 633 Degraw Street in Gowanus will be hosting and it's sure to get crowded, especially since there is no cover, so we'd recommend going early. To quench your thirst or appetite mid-way through all this shopping, or in our case usually as soon as we start, they'll have plenty of drink specials and food truck will be hanging outside as well. So come out, both days if you don't check off all those names the first time around, and support Brooklyn's local artisans!