Yes, We DO Have That Here: Bay Ridge Poets Society

By on March 20, 2013  Arts & Entertainment, Featured story
Mar 202013
 
The Bay Ridge Poets Society at The Owl's Head wine bar in January. (Photo: Matt Shelly, courtesy Bay Ridge Poets Society)

The Bay Ridge Poets Society at The Owl’s Head wine bar in January. (Photo credit: Matt Shelly, courtesy Bay Ridge Poets Society)

“I didn’t even know we had cultural things like that here.”

That’s what a friend of mine told me a few years ago at the former Mooney’s Pub. I was explaining that before coming out for drinks, I had been at the Alpine to see a screening of “Ajami,” one of the movies in the 2010 Other Israel film festival.

The news that such a thing had a footprint in Bay Ridge was met with surprise.

Fun fact: we totally have such things. Here’s another cultural/artistic program that might surprise you, but will make you glad that it’s here – the Bay Ridge Poets Society, now prepping for its third monthly open mic night this Sunday evening (March 24, 6pm) at The Owl’s Head wine bar (479 74th Street). Continue reading »

VIDEO: BK Independent TV Profiles Bay Ridge

By on January 28, 2013  Arts & Entertainment
Jan 282013
 

Although this video was originally posted over the summer, I just stumbled upon it yesterday.

The 28-minute segment features a nice cross section of the Bay Ridge universe – from local soap manufacturer Megan Brame-Finkelstein of Metropolis Soap Company; restaurateurs Raiwa and Jmana Bishara of Tanoreen and entrepreneur/artist John Avelluto of the Owl’s Head wine bar, as well as a glimpse at Bay Ridge’s music scene with homegrown punk band the So So Glos and jazz composer/ traditional Arab musician Amir El Saffar.

Enjoy.

5th Avenue SAW Opens Tomorrow!

By on May 17, 2012  Arts & Entertainment
May 172012
 

Artwork in the Enchanted Florist window during last year's Storefront Artists Walk by Dan Porcella. (Photo courtesy Bay Ridge SAW).

The annual Storefront Artists’ Walk (SAW) – an emerging Bay Ridge tradition – is gearing up for its third year on 5th Avenue.

It all starts on Friday, May 18 – which is tomorrow [!], and according to co-founder John Avelluto, it’s looking even better than the two years before.

We had a chance to briefly speak with Avelluto last week, and he tells us that the Bay Ridge SAW had 60 applicants for this year’s edition. Click Here For More, Including A Map And List Of Stores