Weekly Construction Bulletin 10/20/14

The Department of Design and Construction (DDC) just released this week’s Weekly Construction Bulletin. Crews will begin working on a manhole on Hall Street, south of Myrtle Avenue. They will excavate and install a new sewer in this area.

There will be parking restrictions in effect on Hall Street between Myrtle Avenue and Willoughby Avenue Monday-Friday 7am-7pm.

If you have any construction-related questions, please contact the DDC Community Construction Liaison (CCL) Ronnell Madison at myrtleplazaccl@gmail.com or 718-857-3283.

If you’d like to receive updates on plaza construction and its impacts on Myrtle Avenue, please sign-up here.

123 Vanderbilt: Home to Baseball Legend Lipman Pike

Lipman Pike. Source: Detroit Jewish News.

Did you know one of baseball’s greatest legends was born and raised right here in Clinton Hill? Lipman Pike grew up at 123 Vanderbilt Avenue, between Myrtle and Park Avenues. At the age of 21, Lip began his professional baseball career in 1866, which lasted for 15 years. According to most sources, he was the first professional baseball player in America – meaning he received payment to play, which at the time was technically against league rules. His first payment was for $20, which lead him to move from his home in Brooklyn to play for the Philadelphia Athletics.

Not only was he perhaps the first professional baseball player, but he was one of the best. Known as the “Iron Batter,” Lip led the league for a couple of seasons in home runs. In addition to being a great hitter, he was also known for his speed. In 1873, he challenged a racehorse to a 100-yard sprint and won!

On top of all of this tremendous skill was also the fact that Lip was Jewish. His parents had immigrated to Brooklyn from Holland in the early 1800’s, when Brooklyn’s Jewish population was quite small. While baseball played a large role in helping Lip assimilate into American culture, he had to face prejudices throughout his professional career. Despite this, he maintained his position as one of the best players in the nation.

To learn more about Lipman Pike, you can visit Moment Magazine or check out the biographical children’s book Lipman Pike: America’s First Home Run King, written by Richard Michelson and illustrated by Zachary Pullen. You cannot however visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame, because he has not yet been inducted. Although, if you’d like to see the “Iron Batter” become a Hall of Famer, you can sign this online petition.

Lipman Pike, circa 1870.

Park Ave Changes in Process

DOT is in the process of implementing safety enhancements to Brooklyn’s Park Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. As you can see in the above photo, DOT has painted temporary lane markings that will “rationalize” eastbound traffic from two lanes to one. These will be painted with permanent lines shortly. Eastbound traffic volumes are low and the previous configuration encouraged speeding, a leading cause of crashes.

Westbound Park Avenue will retain two lanes because traffic volumes are high enough to warrant that. However, the merge from Williamsburg Street into westbound Park Avenue will get improved lane markings. DOT already implemented safety measures under the BQE last month.

These changes are based on recommendation made in the Park Avenue Pedestrian Safety Plan, published by MARP in 2012 after several years of community engagement.

The Runner’s Dine-In Brooklyn Special

Join The Runner for its first Dine-In Brooklyn event. Stop in for a $25 prix fixe dinner or $15 prix fixe lunch. The Runner is located at 458 Myrtle Avenue between Waverly and Washington and can be reached at (718) 643-6500.

DINNER

First Course

Risotto, sweet potato, mosello cherry, feta, watercress

Chicken Liver Mousse, bread & butter pickles, crostini

Flatbread, speck crème fraiche, red onion

Cherrystone Chowder anisette, lemon

Escarole Salad, rolled oats, grilled fig

Second Course

Salted Baked Trout, scallion aioli, black olives, preserved lemon

Half Roasted Chicken, watercress, fennel, lemon

Pan Seared Ribeye, chimichurri

Garden Pasta, spinach papardelle, granapadano, fresh veggies

Third Course

Chocolate ancho crème brulee

Guinness chocolate cake

Wildberry terrine

LUNCH

Small Plate

Smoked Bloody Mary Wings celery seed mayo

Cherrystone Chowder anisette, lemon

Escarole salad rolled oats, grilled fig

Flatbread speck, crème fraiche, red onion

Mac & cheese blue cheese, bacon

Large Plate

Burger & fries served with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, pickles

Short rib melt, gruyere, coleslaw

Shrimp wraps tempura, papaya salad

BLT pork belly, lettuce, tomato

Garden pasta spinach papardelle, grana padano, fresh veggies

Reservations strongly suggested.

Dine In Brooklyn celebrates the five-star flavors that make Brooklyn a ‘must-taste’ destination. Brooklyn restaurants fuel our borough’s economic engine, and this event is an opportunity to support their continued growth while encouraging diners to discover – or rediscover – their favorite Brooklyn dish. Most importantly, Dine In Brooklyn fosters the connections and memories that make ‘One Brooklyn’ like no place else on the globe.

Dine In Brooklyn 2014 will take place from Monday, October 20th through Thursday, October 23rd, and from Monday, October 27th through Thursday, October 30th with prix fixe dinners costing $25, and prix fixe lunches costing $15.

Drawing Democracies: Free Workshops at Pratt 10/25

This Saturday – Drawing Democracies is a day of FREE workshops, films, exhibitions, and special drawing activities – open to community members of all ages! The second Drawing Democracies event will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2014 from 11:30–4 PM.

Drawing Democracies is an interdisciplinary collaborative project spearheaded by the Pratt Institute’s Fine Arts, Foundation, and Art and Design Education departments. It serves as a community collaborative project designed to engage with all the departments on campus through our students, alumni, faculty, as well as the broader local community in Brooklyn.

This year’s schedule includes:

11:30 AM: The Future of Collaborative Drawing with Paper Explore iPad drawing with Paper by FiftyThree and try Mix, Paper’s new collaborative platform. First 30 participants receive a free Pencil Bluetooth smart stylus! Bring your iPad or borrow ours to draw throughout the day. Location: Student Union.
12 noon: Lunch for all! Generously provided by Student Activities. Location: Student Union.
12:30–4 PM: Join in on the FREE Drawing workshops and exhibitions.
Fashion Comes to Life: The Foundation and Fashion Departments team up for a life drawing workshop. Models clothed in dramatic costumes pose in pairs, creating dynamic relationships to be drawn in a variety of materials. Location: South Hall room 301.
Monoprint Workshop hosted by the Fine Arts Printmaking Club. Location: Engineering Quad in front of Chemistry Building. In case of rain we will be located in the Etching Studio, hosted by the Fine Arts Department Printmaking Club.
“Tools for Drawing”: Take part in a large scale wall drawing using a variety of drawing materials from markers, pencils, craypas and pastels, hosted by the Fine Arts Drawing Club. Location: Student Union.
“SCULPTURE, IMPROVISE, MOVE, AND DRAW”: Dancers from Brooklyn and Queens Dance Companies performing among the sculpture on Pratt’s Campus; Salma Allam, Despina from DWebb Dance Wear and Moe-tion Dance Theatre, organized by Fine Arts Faculty Mona Brody Location: Pratt’s Campus grounds.
SuperImposition A collaborative drawing workshop hosted by the Architecture department’s Faculty Mark Parsons. Location: Dekalb Gallery.
“Gestures in Time” Explore the animation process as live models do via “key-frame” poses, a method of deconstructing motion hosted by the Keyframe Club from the Digital Arts Department. Animators and non-animators of all ages are encouraged to join! Location: South Hall room 303.
FAMILY WORKSHOPS Presented by the Department of Art and Design Education:Transcending the Page: Text and Handwriting as Art, This workshop will focus on using script, calligraphy, and text in order to create drawings as unique as one’s own handwriting. Location: South Hall 201from 2–4 PM*13 Ways of Looking: This multimedia workshop will focus on exploring different ways of seeing by combining drawing with video. Participants will collaborate on creating mini art videos using drawing, filmmaking techniques, and simple technology like cell phones or tablets. Location: South Hall 205 from 12:30–2:30 PM**No previous experience in art required. Students must be accompanied by an adult. Limited to 30 participants. Please RSVP to: lwilso13@pratt.edu Walk the Line: Walk the Line is an interactive game to map and interact with Pratt’s campus during Drawing Democracies. A central “cartography” office located on the Library Patio will offer maps, tour guides, and opportunities to play the game. Location: Library Patio from 11 AM–3:30 PM.

Art21: Art in the Twenty-First Century, Access Screening of Season 7 artists: Leonardo Drew, Elliott Hundley, and Joan Jonas; Location: Library, Alumni Reading Room, 3rd Floor.

Exhibitions on View:

“Drawings By The People” Steuben Gallery and third floor Pratt Library; The exhibition will feature works by the Pratt community, which will include staff, students from all departments, faculty and alumnus. Organized by The Drawing Club, whose motto is “Everyone Draws”.
*The Banned Book Cart*, an Installation of circulating books within the Library’s collection that have a history of censorship in the U.S. and abroad. A collaboration with Fine Arts Faculty Lisa Bateman and Pratt’s Library, 1st floor, main entrance to Stacks.
Jewelry Design Renderings, 1st and 2nd floor Pratt Brooklyn Library
Drawing with Media Selections from Film/Video Department and Department of Digital Arts curated by the Keyframe Club, Location: Pratt Library / Alumni Reading Room and 3rd floor landing monitors”
Drawing Democracies Exhibition: Transcending the Page. Selections from Edward R. Murrow High School Students and Alumni, who are current undergraduates at Pratt, Curated by Art and Design Education Alum and Artist-Educator, Sarah Grace Holcomb Presented by the Department of Art and Design Education. Location: Nancy Ross Project Space, Main building 2nd floor.
Drawings along Myrtle, Take a self guided tour of the locations on Myrtle Avenue from Classon to Adelphi streets: Gnarly Vines, Brooklyn Sweet Spot, DC Optics, Splitty, Peck’s, Corkscrew Brooklyn, Wray’s, Pillow Café, Brewklyn Grind, and The Emerson.

Funded in part by a RiDE grant.

Photo credit: Pratt Institute

Pic of the Week: Scarves at 21 Tara

‘Tis the season. Stop in to check out 21 Tara’s Fall into Winter collection. Colorful, fashionable batik and tie-dyed scarves are amongst the store many items.

Other store items include quilts, hats, rings and bracelets with semi-precious stones, shoulder bags, wallets and decorative masks and more.

21 Tara boasts a cornucopia of wonderful store items, stop in!

21 Tara is located at 388 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Adelphi. Please call the store at (718) 237-0737 with any questions.

El Cofre’s Lunch Specials

Baked chicken, moro de habichuelas [one pot yellow rice and beans] and platanos maduras.

Did you know about the $5 and $6 lunch specials at El Cofre? Lunch specials are available everyday, 11am-4pm. If you haven’t stopped into this popular treasure chest (‘cofre’ is the Spanish word for treasure chest) of Dominican cuisine, what are you waiting for?

We usually order the avocado salad w/grape tomatoes, romaine lettuce, red onions and El Cofre’s homemade special vinaigrette; or baked chicken, mixed veggies and mashed potatoes; or fresh fish with a side of tostones (sliced green plantains) or platanos maduroas (fried ripe plantains); or pollo guisado (stewed chicken); or a plate of rice and beans….so many choices! Most of the heaping plates of delicious cuisine at El Cofre can be shared by two!

El Cofre is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

El Cofre is located at 454 Myrtle Avenue between Waverly and Washington Avenues. They can be reached at 718.935.1153.

Dine-In Brooklyn Kicks Off on October 20th

The 11th annual Dine in Brooklyn event is set to kick off next Monday, 10/20 with two-for-$15 lunch and $25 dinner deals at more than 150 restaurants, including some right here Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, including The Runner, Zaytoons, Maggie Brown and Five Spot.

Dine in Brooklyn will take place Monday, October 20, to Thursday, October 23, and again from Monday, October 27, to Thursday, October 30.

Organized by the Brooklyn Borough President’s office, the event is about exposing neighbors to their local restaurants and supporting one of the borough’s most prodigious industries.

Bon Appétit!

Please visit the Dine-in Brooklyn website for a complete list of participating restaurants, including up to the minute additions!

Have Your Voice Heard – Fort Greene Park Greenmarket Survey

The Myrtle Eats Fresh Community Corner is coming to end, our last day will be October 25th. We have met so many of our neighbors and received invaluable feedback about what is and what is not working for residents to access quality, affordable fresh food in our community.

Many have commented that it is difficult to find affordable, quality food and that traveling outside of the community is necessary. We are encouraged, however, to hear that after a tour to the Fort Greene Park Greenmarket most respond that they had “no idea so many affordable options were available” and they did not know that their food benefits are accepted at market. Many have reported that they will return and share the information with family and friends.

We have also learned that many residents living north of the park did not even know that Greenmarket was there! Earlier this year we shared that GrowNYC has been approved by CB2 to change the formation of the Greenmarket into one lane, allowing for increased accessibility and visibility to Myrtle Avenue. This formation will come once the proper signage from the NYC Department of Transportation is installed. When sharing this news with residents they have responded favorably and feel it will encourage increased usage of this existing, thriving market; promoting better health for residents as well as supporting our regional farmers.

Thank you to all who have visited, taken a tour of the Greenmarket and provided your input. We want to hear from more of you – please take our on-line survey or come by this Saturday, 10/18 or 10/25 and share your thoughts. We are on the corner of Washington Park and Myrtle Avenue 10am-3pm. Collectively we can make a difference!

THANK YOU: Photos from Brewklyn Grind Ribbon Cutting

Brewklyn Grind Ribbon Cutting_sized for blog 620 x 350

From left to right: Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, Assemblyman Walter Mosley, Councilman Robert Cornegy [36th District, Council’s small business committee head], Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and Alain Farrelly, Craig Farrelly, owners of Brewklyn Grind and family.

Big CONGRATULATIONS to Myrtle’s newest business, Brewklyn Grind on their ribbon cutting on 10/3/14. Big THANK YOU to our elected officials and neighbors for stopping through to help celebrate!

Click to check out more ribbon cutting pics on Flickr.

New Citywide Speed Limit

Effective November 7th, 2014, the default New York City speed limit will be reduced from 30 MPH to 25 MPH.

According to NYC DOT, drivers who drive 25 MPH or slower are better able to avoid crashes. Pedestrians who are struck by vehicles traveling at 25 MPH are half as likely to die as pedestrians who are struck by vehicles at 30 MPH.

This change will improve traffic safety throughout the entire city, including Brooklyn’s Park Avenue, where DOT is making safety improvements after years of advocacy from MARP.

Pic of the Week: DC Optics Helps Choose the Perfect Pair

It’s good to know that we have professionals like Dr. Dennis Cheng, owner and optometrist at dc optics to help us choose the just right pair of glasses and contacts.

dc optics provides the most comprehensive eye examinations, stylish eyewear and latest innovations in contact lenses in a relaxed and friendly environment. DC also looks to provide community outreach in the form of school screenings and exams for children in need. At dc optics, proceeds from every eyewear purchase goes toward helping children in the local area who need glasses but cannot afford them.

Stop in at DC Optics today, 390 Myrtle Avenue between Clermont and Vanderbilt
(347) 504-1121.

Stop in at Liberty Pizza

Have you had a chance to stop in at Liberty Pizza at 482 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street? If not, you really should. Choose from a range of good, hearty and affordable selections like calzones, chicken parmigiana, sausage rolls and baked ziti. Weekday lunch special include the ever popular $5 lunch: 2 slices plus a medium soft drink. A variety of pizza pies, slices and squares (Sicilian-style) available from $2.25.

Liberty Pizza is located at 482 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. The store can be reached at (718) 789-0600.

Myrtle Avenue Reconstruction Begins Soon

According to the Department of Design and Constrction (DDC), the reconstruction of Myrtle Avenue between Hall and Emerson will begin on 10/20/14, culminating in the creation of Myrtle Avenue Plaza in 12-18 months. Contractors have already started saw cutting the pavement in preparation to repair and/or replace the existing water main.

There will be water service interruptions during this initial work, possibly beginning as soon as 10/20/14. Impacted residents and businesses will be notified by the DDC Community Construction Liaison (CCL) Ronnell Madison. For construction-related questions, you may contact him at myrtleplazaccl@gmail.com or 718-857-3283.

If you’d like to receive updates on plaza construction and its impacts on Myrtle Avenue, please sign-up here.

The following direct mail piece will be delivered to nearly 3,000 local addresses in the coming weeks.

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NY1 Visits Brewklyn Grind on Myrtle Avenue

NY1 reporter Jeanine Ramirez at Brewklyn Grind on Myrtle Avenue.

As part of their coverage on Hurricane Sandy recovery, NY1 stopped by Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill to speak to one of the district’s newest businesses: Brewklyn Grind. The coffee business opened its first storefront location this past month at 557 Myrtle Avenue, after spending the last couple of years rebuilding their Red Hook-based wholesale operations, which was damaged by Sandy.

When Brewklyn Grind was looking for a place to open a storefront cafe, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership was able to use a state-funded grant program to attract them to Clinton Hill. Through the New York Main Street grant program, the Partnership provided a matching grant to the business to help with costs associated with building-out the formerly vacant commercial space. Prior to their arrival, the space did not have a restroom, heat or A/C system, very little plumbing and the entire electrical system needed upgrading. The bare bones of the space made it difficult for prospective businesses to sign a lease, but thanks to the matching grant funds, the space become a viable option for new lease signers. After submitting an application and having their plans reviewed, Brewklyn Grind was approved for a grant and began work in the space.

Over the past 10 years, the Partnership has awarded more than $800,000 in New York Main Street grants to 36 different properties along Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. The grant has not only served as a tool to attract businesses, but has also supported many existing businesses who renovated their commercial spaces or made storefront improvements.

Brewklyn Grind, 557 Myrtle Avenue, between Emerson and Classon.

Cool Like That: Leisure Life Voted One of Brooklyn’s Coolest

Men’s clothing, accessories and art store, Leisure Life NYC, located at 559 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue is included in Brooklyn Insider’s article, released today, titled “the 25 Coolest New Businesses in Brooklyn.” (thanks Fort Greene Focus)

The business and technology news website stated that they “scoured 71 square miles, as far north as Greenpoint and deep as Bay Ridge, to find the shops, restaurants, bars, and startups” to seek out. The article focused on businesses that opened within the last 5 years.

Leisure Life specializes in quality lifestyle products, from men’s clothing, leather goods, accessories and art. Many of the store’s fashion and art collection are designed by the store owner. The store is a haberdashery men’s club that is inspired in large degree by the owner’s love of vintage fashion and sports memorabilia.

Stop in for yourself, to pick up a gift for a loved one or to just hang out and enjoy– the design, artwork, customer service and backyard are simply lovely! The business hosts regular arts and culture events.

Leisure Life is located at 559 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue. Stop in or contact the shop at: (347) 725-3167.

New Bike Racks on Myrtle Avenue

NYC DOT installed 32 much-needed “U” bike racks (pictured below) on Myrtle Avenue between Flatbush and Classon in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill. DOT also moved some of the existing “W” racks to areas of high need (above at Vanderbilt Avenue).

These racks are generally painted black and match Myrtle Avenue’s black streetlights and tree guards. Some of the recently installed racks are not painted but will be shortly.

Bicycle infrastructure, such as bike parking and bike lanes, allows more customers to visit and shop on Myrtle Avenue. This is especially true for an area with a substantial biking community.

Myrtle Drug Care ‘Re-Grand Opening’ Celebration, 10/8

Please stop by Myrtle Drug Care Corp, located at 355 Myrtle Avenue at the corner of Adelphi, to celebrate the store’s, what they are calling their ‘re-grand opening” celebration from 10:30am to 2:00pm.

“Now that we’ve been on Myrtle Avenue for over year, we’re settled in. We’ve gotten to know our neighbors and they’ve gotten to know us–now is the time to really celebrate again,” shared Maha Maldonado, the store’s pharmacist.

Myrtle Drug Care is partnering with WellCare Health Plans in the celebration. WellCare, like Myrtle Drug Care, offers a variety of health services for families, children, seniors and others.

Balloons and trinket giveaways will be available to all who stop by. Assurance Wireless will be on hand to sign up eligible customers for free mobile phones and minutes. And FREE warm apple cider and health snacks from 12pm to 1pm. Be sure to stop by!

Myrtle Drug Care offers 10% senior discounts everyday. They offer 20% off on all store items every Thursday. Additionally, they offer free coffee everyday and well as a lot of other gifts to first time customers and well as more regular customers.

Myrtle Drug Care Corp is located at 355 Myrtle Avenue at Adelphi Street. They can be reached at 718.855.2292.

Gnarly Vines’ 30/30/30 Sale thru October 10

This is the final week of Gnarly Vines’ 30/30/30 Sale. That is, a selection of 30 wines that are 30% off for 30 days. Stop in and taste what Gnarly Vines has been up to. Reds, whites, roses and sparling wines. This great sale ends October 10th, so hurry!

Gnarly Vines is located at 350 Myrtle Avenue between Carlton and Adelphi. Gnarly Vines can be reached at (718) 797-3183.

Pic of the Week: Brooklyn Sweet Spot’s weekly cupcake specials

If you too just can’t get enough of Brooklyn Sweet Spot’s delicious, melt-in-your-mouth confections, then do not forget to check out the bakery’s weekly specials.

“Mini Mondays” feature mini-cupcakes, 2 for $5. Mix and match or double up on your faves.

“Super Tuesdays” feature cupcakes $5 for two mouthwatering red velvet cupcakes or mix and match any of your mouthwatering full sized favorites for $3 each.

“Thirsty Thursdays” spotlights a large array of cocktail cupcakes such as chocolate grand marnier seduction or coconut rum punch.

Brooklyn Sweet Spot is located at 366 Myrtle Avenue between Adelphi and Clermont and can be reached at (718) 522-2577.

Drawings Along Myrtle: October Exhibition

Drawings Along Myrtle is a collaborative project between Pratt Institute’s Fine Arts and Foundation department with the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project (MARP), featuring works from alumni, students and members of the local community. Exhibitions will take place within ten businesses along Myrtle Avenue, engaging the diverse and culturally rich community as a canvas of mutual expression.

Download the Art Walk map here.

This exhibition series focuses on drawing as an expanded medium, seeking to identify and showcase works by contemporary artists who are both challenging and engaging the traditional definition of drawing. From sketches, to sculpture, installation, mark-making, and mechanical means, each artist explores the notion of drawing as an ever changing and evolving medium.

Exhibition: October 4 – October 25
Art Walk: Saturday, October 4th 5-7pm (all locations)
Meet artists and curators on a self-guided tour of all ten sites
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 4th 7pm, Splitty (415 Myrtle)

Exhibition locations, curators and participating artists:

1. Gnarly Vines 350 Myrtle (Carlton & Adelphi)
Curator: Jen Shepard, MS 12’
Artists: Sandra LaPage, Goldie Salimkhan MS 12’, Lucas Fuller BFA 05,’ Nathalie Collins MFA 09,’ Jinwha Kim MFA 15’ candidate

2. Brooklyn Sweet Spot 366 Myrtle (Adelphi & Clermont)
Curator: Bianca Hildebrand, MFA 14’
Artists: SeoKyeong L. Yoon (SKY), Jérémie Sarbach, Zezi Zhao

3. DC Optics 390 Myrtle (Vanderbilt & Clermont)
Curator: Ada Potter, MFA 15’ candidate
Artist: Will Hutnick MFA 11’

4. Splitty 415 Myrtle (Vanderbilt & Clinton)
Curator: Susan Luss, BFA 13’
Artists: Dakota Sica BFA 13’, Susan Luss B.F.A. ’13, Milo Wissig B.F.A. ’13, Jennifer Shepard M.S. ’12

5. Peck’s 455A Myrtle (Waverly & Washington)
Curator: Bianca Hildebrand, MFA alum 14’
Artists: Colombine Zamponi, Kelly Larsen, Paul Butterfield

6. Corkscrew Brooklyn 489 Myrtle (Hall & Ryerson)
Curator: Will Hutnick, MFA 11’
Artists: Maria Dimanshtein, Jen Shepard MS 12’

7. Wray’s 503 Myrtle (Ryerson & Grand)
Curator: Jen Shepard MS 12’
Artists: André De Castro MFA 13,’ James Lipovac

8. Pillow Café 505 Myrtle (Ryerson & Grand)
Curator: Will Hutnick, MFA 11’
Artists: Shannon Finnegan, Nick Naber MFA 12’, Dakota Sica BFA 13’

9. Brewklyn Grind 557 Myrtle (Emerson & Classon)
Curator: Caroline Taylor, BFA 09’
Artist: Artist Rodrigo Imaz

10. The Emerson 561 Myrtle (Emerson & Classon)
Curator: Ada Potter, MFA 15’ candidate
Artists: Monica Iancu, Alyssa E. Fanning

Pictured Above: Maria Dimanshtein (artist featured at Corkscrew Brooklyn)

Cover image: Studio of Will Hutnick (artist featured at DC Optics)

Throwback Thursday: Doo-Wop on Myrtle Avenue

A group of men harmonizing on Myrtle Avenue, underneath the elevated train, in 1960. Photo taken from the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership’s photo collection.

This 1960’s photo throws us back to the era when doo-wop music was all the rage. It was alive and well right here in Fort Greene as well, where famous doo-wop singer Little Anthony was born and raised. Born Jerome Gourdine, Little Anthony was the lead singer of The Imperials, who recorded mega-hits such as “Tears on My Pillow” in 1958 and “Shimy Shimy Ko Ko Pop” in 1960. Little Anthony was born here in Brooklyn in 1941 and lived on North Portland Place between Myrtle and Park Avenues in what was then Fort Greene Houses, but now known today as Walt Whitman Houses.

Interested in more local history? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to catch our weekly #ThrowbackThursday posts.

Little Anthony & The Imperials album cover. Photo credit: thewowjonesreport.wordpress.com.

Graffiti Zoo Exhibition

Artwork by Murjani Holmes

Graffiti Zoo is an exhibition at Pushkin Creperie Cafe of urban pop paintings by Murjani Holmes, curated by Joshua Stulman.

Holmes’s artwork fuses the stylized illustration of Brooklyn’s graffiti culture with her profound sense of color and design.

Each of the paintings in Graffiti Zoo begins as layers of thin washes covering the canvas. Holmes then outlines her subject, working between building layers of color and her heavy linear illustration. She often uses vibrant and opaque backgrounds to clarify the image. This technique lends the painting a print-like pop art feel. Click here to read more about the artwork.

The exhbitiion is being sponsored by the Brooklyn Art Review and Pushkin Creperie Cafe.
Pushkin Creperie Cafe, 541 Myrtle Avenue, between Steuben & Emerson.

Pic of the Week: Move with Grace’s Yoga Intro Special

Stop in and check out Move with Grace Yoga, Dance, Pilates & Juice Bar’s introductory special: $45 will get you two weeks of unlimited classes. And while you are at, treat yourself to any number of green and other yummy and healthy fresh juices and smoothies from the juice bar.

Move with Grace Studio offers a wide variety of classes, including yoga (Vinyasa, Hatha and Iyengar and a late night candlelight flow), Pilates and Zumba. Children as well as adult classes are available. Group and private lessons are available.

Click here for the Move with Grace weekly schedule and other class card specials.

Move with Grace Yoga, Dance, Pilates & Juice Bar is located at 469 Myrtle Avenue between Washington Avenue and Hall Street. Please call (718) 230-0013 for further information.

Brewklyn Grind Ribbon Cutting, Fri., 10/3 from 8:30am – 10:00am

Please join Brewklyn Grind and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership for a ribbon cutting on Friday, 10/3 to celebrate the opening of Myrtle Avenue’s newest business, Brewklyn Grind at 557 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue.

Stories of triumph and restoration continue, even now, two years after Hurricane Sandy. One such triumphant story involves Brewklyn Grind. Brooklyn-born brothers, Craig, James and Alain Farrelly, owners, not only reopened their coffee roasting warehouse but their very first retail outlet on Myrtle Avenue.

Please join us—

When:

Friday, October 3rd

Time:

8:30am to 10:00am

Where:

Brewklyn Grind, 557 Myrtle Avenue between Emerson Place and Classon Avenue

Details:

Ribbon cutting celebration, free coffee and assorted baked goods until 9:30am.