As most know by now, there has been terrifying news of recent attacks of women in Bushwick. Though the number of occurrences seem to vary depending on which source you read, there is no denying the seriousness of this matter. Of course the typical rules of safety need to be followed by residents of the hood: travel in groups, be wary of your surroundings, don't going wandering around wasted in the middle of the night, and so on. We at the Bushwick Dream would also suggest taking some ass-kicking lessons. Luckily there are a number of places that provide self defense courses in the vicinity. Just blocks away from the area of the recent attacks are two studios; one that teaches Traditional Okinawan Karate and another, Ving Tsun Kung Fu. Ladies, study up and if anyone ever messes with you, knock them the fuck out.

It has been quite a while since the Factory Fresh Gallery has opened it's doors to Bushwick. For nearly a year the future of FF, one of the neighborhood's flagship galleries, was up in the air as owner Ali Ha worked to bring the beloved gallery back from the brink (even amid Bushwick Daily's premature and oddly confrontational declaration of the gallery's demise). It is certainly official that we will no longer be able to enjoy FF's street art offerings but now the question is; what will fill the space of the once cultural hub of our neighborhood? Most have assumed that the corner storefront would host yet another trendy bar or restaurant. Happily we can report, that is not the case. At this very moment the location is abuzz with activity as the former gallery takes on it's new role; a full fledge art store! We are very excited it see such an offering in the neighborhood, as they join the ranks of Low Brow Artique to locally supply the tools and supplies for creative expression. These are the types of businesses we need in the hood to keep Bushwick Bushwick.

(photo of the new space, taken under the rolling gate; all ninja style)

UPDATE (11-14-12)

This morning the Factory Fresh Gallery send out an email discussing their current state of affairs:

"As of October 2012, Factory Fresh will no longer host a public space, instead we are working with our artist on a larger global scale. As our artist careers have grown so have their opportunities. We have found they and many other artist need our help to protect their rights and future careers as artists.  Factory Fresh advises and consults corporate clients and private collectors as an advocate for the artists bringing urban art to their collections and projects."

They were also nice enough to include a sneak peek photo of the new art store coming soon:

Video thanks to local artist and resident Oliver Warden

Hurricane Sandy is upon us. For those of you hiding indoors from the wind and rain, that still have power, please enjoy some weather related music to go with your booze.(You do have booze, don't you?)

The grand renovation at Associated Grocery on Knickerbocker has been quite awesome so far, introducing wider isles, a growing selection, growlers, and an overall improvement in atmosphere. It seems that the one thing they are missing so far though is waterproofing. The rainfall yesterday (09-18-12) was quick to prove that, as the brand new roof gave way to water. Giant rifts began appearing in the vaulted ceilings above the produce section and all over the store tiles began drooping and falling out; the floor soon became littered with containers catching the torrents of water falling from above. Somebody better call the contractor!  

So there you are in the only bodega on your block, and they don't speak a lick of English.  What's a hipster to do?  HOW AM I GOING TO ASK IF THEY CAN MAKE THE CUBANO SANDWICH VEGAN???  Well, here at The Bushwick Dream we have taken the time to tackle such burning questions.

As many of you may already know, Associated Grocery; located on Knickerbocker, is undergoing a major reformation. The interior of the place has already been recently renovated beyond recognition with wider isles, vaulted ceilings, and an ongoing introduction of new products. This is a major step past the initial grocery gentrification they enacted years ago. The most exciting part of the Associated reboot is the introduction of Growlers, and by Growlers we mean large refillable beer containers, as opposed to the Urban Dictionary definition. You can purchase a 64oz Growler there for $5.50 or bring your own. Their beer selection is quite nice and affordable. Happy drinking.

For those of you that didn't make it out last Friday (08-10-12), here are some shots of the neighborhood art goings-ons of the evening. Firstly the fine folks at Storefront Gallery unveiled a collection of atmospheric work by artists Karen Marston and Kerry Law. 

And then there was the Salon Show opening at Active Space, displaying a wide array of art covering what seems like nearly every medium, including a horse!

Fun times.

Last Friday night (08-03) was humid as fuck. A thick wind blew carrying the sound of motorcycles and random sirens in the air. People were abuzz in the streets going who-the-hell-knows where, hurrying along in tank tops and flip flops as is there was a beach somewhere near. Armed with cheap beer, a boom box and flood lights, we were up above on a roof with the pleasure of chilling with artist Jon Burgerman as he took on a rooftop mural. Check out the photos and video below of the man as he puts down a frenzy of intertwined cartoonish characters. What you see here is just phase 1. Next is filling in the color.

And also, if you happened to miss it, here's the video:

Bushwick seems to have become a location of choice for music videos as of late. With its industrial grit-and-trash lined streets, mural strewn walls, and skies dotted with spiraling flocks of pigeons, it's easy to see how this backdrop can inspire wonder and maybe even lend to a bit of street cred. We've already shown you the hilarious Anxeteam video, shot in Morgantown, but here are even more videos shot in the hood. See if you can spot your block.

And as a bonus, check out this video by Bushwick's own Charles Bradley. He's incredible.

Northeast Kingdom is getting an overhaul; revamping their kitchen and making room for in-house whole-animal butchering. As one of the first Bushwick fine-dining restaurants, they've always been a forerunner in providing residents with the most exquisite of meals. Remember, when they opened back 2005 (when most of you were in high school) such a venture in this hood was very risky gamble — one that certainly paid off, in that they are among the few that paved the way for the reformation of this neighborhood. Upon their return, we are very excited to see what tasty morsels that plain to come out with next.

Last night (7-14) on the corner of Central Ave and Willoughby, doors opened to a new neighborhood art spot; Low Brow Artique. A storefront unique in that it not only functions as a gallery but also an art supply store, currently boasting and expansive collection of spray paint. We hear that soon they will be extending their inventory to canvases, paint markers, and all the tools-of-the-trade for traditional and street artists alike. Finally a neighborhood art store!  The opening itself was a fun affair with food, drinks, art and chillin out front; enjoying the cool Summer evening with red plastic cups in hand.

"Wait a second," some of you may be saying. "There already is a Bushwick art store!" And its true. Located on 36 Gardner Ave there has been a tiny art supply store sitting hidden for years. Of course they don't seem to have any posted hours or employees. But it is a good spot to hit up if you need some emergency supplies. You just have to ask the workers in the warehouse next door to open it up for you.

Has anyone noticed the recent up-crop of murals at St. Nicholas Ave and Troutman St. by the Bodega Bar? Hell, there is some major paint going up at this very moment (8:24pm); some quality work.

Ah, what a beautiful weekend we all had in Bushwick, wandering the streets and viewing the cornucopia of work the neighborhood has to offer. Even with a bit of rain on Sunday, Bushwick Open Studios was a huge success and proved that the Bushwick community has grown into a formidable force (almost scarily so) in the art world.  Us at The Bushwick Dream would like to thank all of those who participated in, and came to view our own little foray in curating; Residential Takeover. We had such fantastic feedback and a great time doing it. 

The smell of paint was in the air Sunday night, as artists Jon Burgerman and Ad Deville took to the Bushwick rooftops to do what they do — you know, art. Working in front of a small gathering, they hit the front of two buildings, taking breaks to enjoy some BBQ and the evening spring air.  

Has anyone noticed the recent prevalence of all-things-hipster in current tv commercials? It's scary. It seems that marketing companies have found themselves a new demographic. And now nationwide when people watch television, their product spokesmen sport full beards, horn rimmed glasses and skinny jeans. It kind of bleeds the "hip" out of "hipster" doesn't it?  

But on the brighter side it makes for a wonderful drinking game. Every time an ad comes up and you spot a thrift store wardrobe, asymmetrical haircut, ironic facial hair or fedora, take a shot. For those of you who don't own a tv, see examples below.

It looks like Bushwickbk is waking back up. It was a shock to many to see them shut down last October. The website had long been a staple of the community; providing an extensive events list, reliable news, and reviews on nearly everything. At this moment they are raising money to bring that all back for all of us. They have the most amazing and diverse arry of rewards for backers, from art to food to a church pew! Go check it out. Give a bit of money. Its worth it.

This past Friday Factory Fresh was the site of Skewville's 80th: A Retro Retrospective. The Queens-raised twin art-duo showed how to properly fill a galley; thoroughly covering every wall floor to ceiling. Anxieteam played to an enthralled crowd and people from Nuart stopped buy to present the brothers with a copy of Eloquent Vandals, featuring some of their previous exploits. Oh, and there was beer. Cheers.

After a bit of neighborhood disapproval over Swallows new mural, it seems that the cafe took heed of neighborhood opinion and yesterday altered the painting, covering over the silly statement "welcome to morgantown". A good call.

As many of you may know, Swallow has gotten a face lift with a new mural. Now a large bird (let's assume it's a swallow) on a black background dominates its exterior and in big bold letters it proclaims "Welcome to Morgantown".  Many long term Bushwick residents don't seem so comfortable with this murals statement and it's easy to tell why.

The label "Morgantown" popped up sometime in the early 2000s describing a small oasis of artists in an otherwise strictly industrial and Puerto Rican area. This geographical term was only known to locals and created a sense of community, being not only a location but a cultural marker amongst its first wave of residents, many of which looked to deny mainstream culture and the trappings of the Chelsea style art world. But then the hype went into action. As Bushwick grew in reputation, Morgantown, it's fledgling epicenter, also gained great popularity. The term first appeared on the internet around 2005, possibly on justseeds.org, and by 2007 became widely used in flyers, craigslist ads and local blogs (this one included). Now references to "Morgantown" can be found in many large publications, tv shows and tourist guides. It is becoming a tourist destination, a magnet for posers, trust fund kids and outside forces looking to set up shop and make a buck (Swallow included).

"Mogantowns" legitimacy is being eclipsed by it's marketability, and there is no better proof then relative newcomer Swallow declaring "Welcome to Morgantown"; identifying itself with a community it took no part in forming, creating nothing more than a perfect spot to check maps and pose in front of for photos. Bad form.

Bushwick, with its thriving art community and ever growing selection of bars and restaurants seems so very safe now-a-days. But nevermind all the magazine write-ups and influx of young artist types, this place is still with its dangers. Case in point, Just today (11-25-11) long time Brooklyn resident Steven Harrington (pictured below) had himself quite a run in. While entering the Jefferson L train stop he was confronted at the top of the stairs by two men in their early twenties, one possessing a gun. While menacing, they made for a fairly bungling pair and Steven was able negotiate his way through the situation, only parting with his cell phone. As you can see he is smiling in his photo. That's because he's alive. Though he made it fairly unscathed it's good to be wary. Go ahead and tell your parents that of course Bushwick is safe but while walking around, watch your ass.

As you can see he is smiling in his photo. That's because he's alive.

We at The Bushwick Dream can't help but love the newest song/video by art/music duo Anxieteam. So very awesome.

In this landscape of steal and concrete it's always nice to get a little exposure to some greenery. Artist Kim Holleman has a novel way to supplying such things with her creation Trailor Park: a mobile public park. It is currently located on Bogart St near Boerum. Don't miss your chance to stop by and take a stroll in this 18' X 8'  botanical wonderland.

Eat, drink and be merry. And don't go feeling so bad about those turkeys. If given the chance they'd eat you too. Example:

Those who live off the the L  train will have a special treat during their commute this week. From 8 to 10 am (11/14 – 11/19) riders in the last two cars will have access to a pirate Wi-Fi intranet; the " L Train Notwork" which allows users to share info, photos or simply chat amongst each other. This fun project is brought to us by the good people at  We Make Cool Sh.it and will feature poetry, prose and writing from the writers collective 1441. When you get on the train simply connect to the "notwork" and go to LTrainNotWork.com to join in the excitement.

Picture Via 1441.

Yes it's October and yes it's snowing; a truely great WTF moment for all Bushwick residents. Pity for all the girls and their sexy nurse/police/vampire costumes. They are going to freeze.

This morning the residents of Jefferson St. between Irving and Knickerbocker woke up to a monumental surprise. Crowning the tops of four buildings (spanning 100 ft) bold black letters proclaim "You'r in my hood now!" Take note.

We all know how potentially dangerous the streets of NYC are as motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians alike constantly flaunt traffic laws, but just to further illustrate here is a fantastic video by NYC resident  Ron Gabriel showing the dangerous game we all play.

Located on 222 Montrose, directly off of the L train stop, The Vortex apparently has seen its last days. According to a craigslist ad the junk store will be opening its doors on Fri, June 10th 2-4pm to give away all of its eclectic mix of books, clothing, and mass collection of knick knacks.  If you are lucky enough to be around and not working this is the perfect chance to gather up some fun goodies for the price of nothing.

Photo from Yelp

Olivié Ponce works in the sun. His landscapes, inspired by the scenes of Mexico City, are abstracted. The hard lines of buildings, streets and poles have become organic and ghost like, fading into the distance as if in a thick fog.  Detail is not his concern but rather distance and depth, creating worlds vaguely familiar as if from a long forgotten dream.

His space will be open June 4th, noon - 6pm.

Outdoor photos courtesy of Olivié Ponce.

As the days count down to Bushwick Open Studios our neighborhood is buzzing with creative energy. The people are at work. Art is being made.

Columbia born artist Jessica Angel plays with the building blocks of information, breaking down our forms of communication to their abstract vessels. She strips language, maps, and cityscapes of there meaning, opting to utilize their form and visual strength; rebuilding and redefining. 300 characters become a picture thats worth a 1000 words. Think about that.

Jessica Angel will be sharing her space all three days of BOS; June3 - 5th, noon - 7pm.

As the days count down to Bushwick Open Studios our neighborhood is buzzing with creative energy. The people are at work. Art is being made.

Nestled away in her studio in Bushwick, long time NYC resident Lisa Corinne Davis creates the topography of self. Touching on race and identity, her paintings' underlining geometric structures give rise to chaotic organic shapes and color. The myriad of forms contained within are familiar yet defy definition, with a semblance of microbes, plant life and crystalline formations. A look at a Lisa Corinne Davis painting could just as easily be a view through a microscope as a look out of a plane window. These maps of self contain no key, no markers, no hints of scale. Try not to get lost.

She will be sharing her space on June 4-5th, noon-7pm.

As the days count down to Bushwick Open Studios our neighborhood is buzzing with creative energy. The people are at work. Art is being made.

The BluBox is a place where alchemy is performed.  Within its cavernous space three internationally known artists Peter Simon Mühlhäußer, John O’Reilly and Stephen Shaheen bind material, process, expression and form. The result is a collection of sculptures beautiful in execution and evocative in subject. This is certainly a place where one can go to marvel. The BluBox will be sharing their space  Fri - Sun, noon - 7pm.

As the days count down to Bushwick Open Studios our neighborhood is buzzing with creative energy. The people are at work. Art is being made.

Carolanne Leslie has surrounded herself with glass. Scouring the streets for broken window panes, smashed bottles and cups, she builds portals of fragmented light and color; gateways into self fused with chakra energy and resin. What is broken, rebuilt. What is solid dances with fluidity.

Carolanne Leslie will be opening her studio on Sunday June 5th, noon-7pm, and will be enacting a multimedia performance; Muladhara on the corner of Jefferson St and St Nicholas at 2pm. You should go.

If you are reading this now you've already missed it.  Last evening for a period of a couple hours California based Find Art Magazine opened their mobile art gallery to the people of Bushwick as part of their nation wide tour. Their custom-made truck unfolded to reveal some incredible artwork, and their most recent issue was being handed out; a pocket sized mag stuffed with vibrant photos of art, and great articles and interviews. They will be in NYC for the rest of the day, so go find them.

While the walls of this neighborhood are the domain of artists, it is the light polls that are fair game for all and may truely reflect Bushwick and its people.  Treated almost as vertical community boards, these steel columns are where the people go to advertise, connect, share ideas and art, and find that missing cat. Next time you're waiting at that traffic light, just take a look.  You may find something interesting.

Below are a few poles spotting during a short stroll through Bushwick.

"While wandering during this week of rain and rapture, I was lucky enough to stumble across these ... wheatpastes around Bushwick, Brooklyn.  Young girls carrying some heavy shit.  While the concept could easily look cheesy, they instead are quite striking, due to their realism, and the piercing expression in the girl's eyes.  The jeans skirt and the pajama onesie are comforting images of innocence, but the bandanas betray our assumptions.  I like to think of them as our lost idealism taking us to task."

Content via Throw Away Art

Last night(5-14) English Kills Gallery opened to reveal The Mother Ship; a diverse collection of art from twenty members of the English Kills family and friends. It was a fulfilling night through aesthetics and libations.

Show runs till June 19th English Kills 114 Forrest St. Ground Floor Brooklyn, NY 11206

As you may have heard, last night gun shoots rang out on Knickerbocker as an undercover police officer killed a gun trafficker. The NYPD immediately went to work shutting down the surrounding neighborhood. It seems that their first action was to come down on a bbq taking place on Jefferson St., grabbing everyone of Latin persuasion at gunpoint as fellow neighbors scrambled to gather the children of those being detained. Everyone was lined up, thoroughly searched and questioned. After about an hour all were released. No arrests were made.

As a side note, while shooting these photos I was grabbed by the police and was told I could not do so without a "license". This is false. In NYC it is legal to take pictures of an officer or a police action at any time, no matter what bullshit they tell you.

Last night (4/29) Factory Fresh put a grin on the people of Bushwick with their first opening of the year; Dark Horse by Sweet Toof, a showing of chompers galore. Now remember, floss.

Fresh from the mad genius web designers at Wefail comes Die Hipster, a humorous and interesting web game that centers on single hipster and his goal of suicide. The gameplay is a bit tricky and can be frustrating at times, but the detail and depth of the game itself is incredible; the landscape being nearly indistinguishable from certain spots in Morgantown. Its certainly fun to explore, to throw your character to his death over and over again, or to spend time furthering his hipter-fication in order to earn trophies in the afterlife. They say the hipster is dead. Go kill him.

If you happen to have the April edition of Juxtapoz Magazine, go ahead and turn to page 30. That photo looks familiar, yes? Thats because you're looking at the facade of Pine Box Rock Shop and the mural painted by Belgium born internationally known artist ROA.

For more images of ROAs work that hung in the Factory Fresh Gallery click HERE.

There is no better way to enjoy this extraordinary weather than a nice round of gallery hopping. Lucky for us the fifth installment of Beat Nite just happens to be going on tonight. Go get some fresh air and look at art. Its good for you.

Add yet another name to the list of recent Jefferson L stop start-ups; Cafe Ghia, a European style cafe currently preparing for launch in about a month. Located on the corner of Jefferson St and Irving Ave, this future eatery occupies a space that was formerly a seedy bar providing only warm beer and prostitutes. Now after major renovation and hopefully lots of disinfectant, Cafe Ghia is sure to draw a less stabby crowd with an offering of "artisanal sandwiches, soups and salads, small plates, coffee + accoutrements, house made teas and treats and a curated selection of seasonal wines and rotating draft and bottled beers." Yum.

Finally the wait is over. After an almost comical amount of time sitting dormant with fully stocked shelves, Hana Grocery, located on Wyckoff Ave between Star and Troutman, is finally up and running. Open 24/7 with shelves brimming with organic and fancy foods, this little market is sure to be a success despite being a bit pricey by neighborhood standards.

Todd Bieber needs your assistance. Recently he found a roll of film in the snow at Prospect Park and seeks to return the photos to the original owners. Help a guy help a guy out.

Twenty seven days into the season, and NYC has already been subjected to a flurry of hard hitting, almost weekly, winter weather. If you're crossing your fingers hoping for clear skies and streets in the near future, good luck. This pattern is going to hold. Expect a next couple of months of very cold temperatures and constant snowfalls, along with the delayed public transportation and trash pickup that comes with it. Get some good boots.

You have to watch out for those fucking rats.

Sometimes its hard to find the right last minute gift for that special someone, especially when you're fairly broke. You could always make a gift; something fun and personal that comes straight from your hands and heart, but if you happen to be lazy or untalented here are five decent cheapish gift suggestions.

1. Fisheye, Macro, and Wide Angle Camera Phone Lenses from Photojojo.

Take that tiny camera on nearly any cellphone and go pro with these crazy lenses. They pop on using a magnet and tah dah, fantastic photos. $40 for a set of all three.

2. Anything at McNulty's Tea & Coffee

If you know a tea or coffee snob, McNulty's is where you should be heading. If you can brew it they have it and at a decent price too. Located at 109 Christopher St. (between Bleecker and Hudson)

3. Monotron by Korg

It may be debatable whether this handheld analoge ribbon synthesisor is an instrument or a toy, but it is surely fun to play with for hours and could easly become the cornerstone of any noiseband's performance. $60.

4. HEATTECH clothes from UNI QLO

You've seen the ads in the subway trains and its no joke. This stuff is from the future. The fabric is ultra light, comfortable and surprisingly warm. Its cold outside. Some people could use this. $19.90 for a long sleeve shirt. Located at 546 Broadway (between Spring and Broome)

5. Ron Abuelo Anejo 7 Anos

Rum is tasty and Ron Abuelo Anejo 7 Anos is a damn fine rum. Its stocked in most liquor stores and is far superiour to anything in its price range, yet oddly remains widely unknown. Go out and spend $20-25 on a bottle and tell people you spent $60. Most will believe you.

You know the mural, glaring down at pedestrians, perched atop a thrift store on the corner of knickerbocker and flushing. Well, here is a video celebrating smart car's little NYC multi mural ad campaign. The mural in Bushwick was produced by Dylan Fracareta from Pin-Up magazine. If you would like to tell Dylan what you think about the job he did you can contact him at dylan@pinupmagazine.org .

Last night (12-10) those willing to brave Autumn's chill headed over to Factory Fresh to take in a night of art and drink during FF's newest offering; Speedy Wonderland, featuring wild vivid wood prints by Polish artist Roman Klonek and a diverse offering of strangely enthralling paintings by returning German artist Jim Avignon. Those attending also had a chance to have their photo taken adorned with props of Jim Avignon's design.

Fuck You If You Don't Like Christmas by CRUDBUMP

Yesterday(12-4) the people flocked to 3rd Ward to check out their 4th annual Handmade Holiday Craft Fair, featuring an impressive two floors packed with venders, selling a cornucopia of handmade jewelry, clothing, art and craft. If you missed it, good luck fighting the tourists buying holiday gifts in Union Square.

Look, the perfect card to send off to your little Jewish grandmother in Florida while still representing your Brooklyn hipness. Go HERE to get a set.

And enjoy "A Thanksgiving Prayer" by William S. Burroughs.

Bushwick please don't walk your dogs in the grocery store. Thats where people buy their fucking food.

Yesterday (11-21) the All City Street Art Block Party, hosted by Factory Fresh and All City, kicked off to great fanfare as Vandervoort Pl became a one day street art mecca, vibrating with booming music, the smell of spray paint amongst other things wafting through the air, as many esteemed artists from the neighborhood and abroad took on the challenge of covering 200+ ft of prime wall space. You were there, right?

In a neighborhood saturated by either outlandish noise bands or fuzzy atmospheric alt rock groups its easy to overlook Bushwicks other, potentially more interesting aural offerings, as exampled by singer/songwriter/pianoplayer Timatim Fitfits newest release; No How, a single discribing the plight of dealing with a slumlord and a slowly flooding apartment. Equal parts haunting and catchy, this playful anxiety driven song may make one require a Xanex after so many listens.

No How by Timatim Fitfit

This Saturday (11-20) Factory Fresh is partnering up with graffiti app All City, taking over Vandervoort Pl to bring us a day of beer, tacos, music, a film premiere, and the live painting of a 200 ft wall. Fun times.

Last night Work That Beat, the forth installment of Norte Maars bi-annual Beat Nite events, got underway drawing bundled up art lovers out to tour the local galleries and art spaces. Heres a taste:

Tonight ten Bushwick Art spaces come alive for your viewing pleasure as organized by NORTE MAAR. Come, tour your neighborhood and take in some art. Its good for you.

The Pine Box Rock Shop, a new bar on Grattan occupying the space of a former coffin factory, opened its doors last night(10-8) and the masses flocked in. With a nice open interior and a fine selection of beer, this bar is bound to be a contender for the attention of the Morgantown residents. One suggestion, the Lake Placid Ubu Ale; 7%,$5.

At roughly 2pm today a fire ignited along the side of the Jefferson St. station entrance, burning away at years of trash that has gathered in a gap between the entrance and neighboring building. The FDNY was quick to handle the situation. So far no terrorist organization has laid claim to the blaze.

Factory Fresh opened its doors last night with its newest gathering of work entitled SEENOEVILSEENOEVILSEE EVIL featuring the art of Jeremiah Maddock, Daniel Trocchio and Amanda Wong. Its a fine collection indeed and moderately pried at that; certainly worth taking a look.

On some streets in Bushwick leaving a car unattended is like leaving a penny in a glass of cola. This little yellow car appeared on Jefferson St between Wyckoff and Irving a week ago, its window smashed and stereo removed. Then came the piranhas. The wheels were soon taken and then the hood. Tags began appearing on the cars exterior. The engine was next to go, to be replaced with bags of garbage. Now the front seats are gone along with much of the interior and Scooby Doo sits behind the wheel peering at passer-byers.

At around 5:30 this afternoon the people of Bushwick were caught off guard by the sudden appearance of a tornado as it tore down the streets bringing howling winds, blinding rain and a wave of debris. Many trees have been torn from the ground. Facades of some buildings have been stripped from their frames. Many of the cars are now pockmarked from the assault of flying objects. It seems that Maria Hernandez Park has suffered the most damage and has been half destroyed.

If you didn't hear about it you must not be paying attention. The first-annual Bushwick Block Party, smack dab in the middle of morgan town, had a special guest who brought a little hip-hop to Moore St.

Maybe not everybody is looking forward to the facebook movie.

The Archive; cafe, movie rental spot and beloved epicenter of Morgantown has been sold. Apparently they have been suffering from financial woes for some time. Its last day open as The Archive will be tomorrow (9-2-10) from 7am-2pm. Get yourself a coffee and say goodbye.

So you hate Mondays, right? Then why waste a perfectly good Sunday night resting up for a day thats already going to kinda suck? What you do is get a band, a dj, a keg, bbq and British girls with inflatable boxing gloves. You gather that all on your roof and enjoy. Below are photos of a perfectly good example utilizing Maybe the Welders, DJ B-Rad, and PBR: 

Here is a video of a Die Antwoord photo shoot on Moore St. oddly enough combined with travel footage by Rafael Fuchs.

So if you missed it, Eastern District woke up with a benefit art auction entitled Brooklyn Saves this past weekend (July 24th). Raising money for St. Baldrick's Foundation for Children's Cancer Research, these guys pulled out all the stops. Armed with a myriad of artworks, a number of interesting bands, mountains of beer and a tattoo exhibition, the opening night had a little bit going on for everybody. Bidding on artwork will be continuing at least for a few more days so you should stop by and try to pick something up for a good cause. Here are a few photos of early on opening night:

Why deal with all the ink and needles when you can just etch a design of your choice using a laser cutter?

Featuring work by Tim Kent, SHM Kim, Adam Collison, Amanda Nedham, Mary Kate Maher, Monika Zarzeczna and Paul D'Agostino.

Combine: DJ B-Rad, Grilling, Jungle Juice, Fireworks, Awesome people, A rooftop in Bushwick with a view Result:

Spotted on Bogart St.

Here are a few shots taken last weekend during Bushwick Open Studios. Great art. Great people. Great times.

Located 1 1/2 blocks from the Jefferson St L train stop.

Video, as shot by (((unartig))), on our humble roof.

So we hosted our very first live show this beautiful memorial day weekend, bringing in the undeniably talented Listener, flanked by Fienix and Homeless Gospel Choir. The weather was perfect. The bands were amazing. The burgers were tasty. The jungle juice was thoroughly consumed. A good time was had.

Thank you to Listener, Fienix, Homeless Gospel Choir, DJ B-Rad, and (((unartig)))

Last spotted at the Wreck Room, traded for two cigarettes.

Operation Design; an organization dedicated to giving public school children access to pick the minds of accomplished designers and architects, is currently holding a brilliant online benefit auction called Eames Inspiration. To be sold are a collection of classic Eames molded plywood chairs, each beautifully adorned by an individual street artist. Certainly a good buy for a good cause.

Well you should. Located in The Loom, the Bushwick version of a shopping mall, this new art space packs a wallop, as shown by their very first art opening featuring the likes of Alex Passapera and Dana Bunker. And yeah, they also had a sick blue grass band playing out front. You've got to love it.

Note: video and more photos of this show to come.

Here are a few shots of the newest show by Factory Fresh featuring ROA by way of Belgium. This incredible work will only be up till May 30th so you better get over there and take a look before you miss your chance.

It may be crude. It may be childish. It may be low brow. Regardless its fucking funny.

If you happen to take a stroll down Jefferson Street you may come across this sight. Legs and a hat. Simply odd, no?

Get yours now!

In honor of Joe Biden's eloquence, WNYC is hosting a haiku contest, with the middle line being "this is a big fucking deal." Take a listen for inspiration:

Missing since her Thursday escape from Woodhull Hospital, This girl is reported as off her meds and seriously disoriented. If you see her, call 339-293-3841 or 978-664-1425.

Brianna Zani: 5' 6", blues eyes, blond hair. For more information go HERE.

Scatterbrain; collection of art and objects created, found or stolen by D (Alden) Stover. Including artwork by Skewville, Bobby De Leonibus III, Karl Mann, Daniel Mitchell, Jim Avignon, and many still unidentified. Also, old books and shit for sale. Saturday & Sunday(13th-14th) @ 1-6pm

Apparently evolutionary psychologist Dr Satoshi Kanazawa has found that liberals and atheists tend to be a bit more intelligent than their god-fearing conservative counterparts. The National Geographic has written up a nice article about it. All of a sudden the legacy of George W. Bush makes a bit more sense.

Boris Hoppek and Alex Diamond bring a show sure to be equally sexual, disturbing, and playful. courtesy of Factory Fresh and Heliumcowboy artspace.

Any bicyclist in this city knows that you gotta watch your ass. With all the crazy drivers and poorly marked, if not completely lacking, bike lanes its a risky ride out there. Well thanks to Lazer Helmets being struck by some asshole cab driver may be a bit more survivable. Using "SuperSkin" technology they have created a helmet that better deflects impact and lessens the rotational force caused by, lets say, bouncing your head off the street at 30 mph. The future is now people.

Bushwick's Art Spaces will be open late. You should take advantage.

Thats right, the Associated Super Market on Knickerbocker, long known for not paying their employees and only stocking their shelves with Goya products has now started sneaking in some hipster friendly foods. Bob Dylan was right, the times they are a-changin'

Two teens were apprehended at the Rite-Aid on Knickerbocker for shoplifting today. Four of NYPD's finest arrived to handle the situation. One of the teens were spotted crying. The world is a safer place.

Opening this Fri.(12th) at Factory Fresh.

Don't go to work. Build a snowman.

Created by artist Caleb Larsen, this unassuming black cube, titled "A Tool to Deceive and Slaughter", regularly connects to the internet and puts itself up for sale on ebay. Once sold, its current owner is required to ship it off to the winning bidder. If you would like to try to bid for it, go to www.atooltodeceiveandslaughter.com.

This just goes to show you, art/concept really can't be owned. Ha.

A little guide of the bushwick/east williamsburg area as created by Offmanhattan

View Brooklyn Graffiti Tour Part 2 (by offManhattan.com) in a larger map

For those of us who don't have cable:

Listener - Ozark Empire, or a snake oil salesman comes to your town.

Die Antwoord - Zef Side

A haunting animation by UK based Mie.

Located on Jefferson St. between Wyckoff and Irving is this banksy knockoff stencil. It is possible that the "S" was replaced by a "$" to imply that banksy has sold out. Wait...take it all in. It really makes you think doesn't it? Seriously, are there not more interesting statements to make? And maybe more clever ways to make them?

AdFreak has compiled a nice list of the 30 freakiest commercials of 2009 , the majority of them being public service announcements. Be warned; these range from interestingly odd to completely twisted. Here is a taste (minus any taste):

Its always better late than never, yeah? Well, here is a selection of shots from the last opening at Factory Fresh, dubbed "Fresh Geezers"

On Friday the 13th Factory Fresh opened their doors to showcase the work of Armer, Darkcloud, Goreb and Deeker. No bad luck except for a slight drizzle outside. No one seemed to care.

He is missing. His parents are looking for him. For more info go to www.dougmissing.com

A brilliant obscure gem from the BBC with a stinging commentary on all hipsterdom. It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It may very well inspire you to set fire to all of williamsburg. Here is a taste:

but we don't. The proof is in this package taped to an apartment building wall.

Last weekend Factory Fresh held a grand opening. You didn't miss it, did you?

This can only mean one thing. A new show is coming. This Friday, October 23rd Factory Fresh will be opening "Grand Champions Forever, Never Say Die", featuring an impressive 30+ graffiti artists hiding under the guise of their real names. Why would you miss such a thing?

Hidden away in our little neighborhood is a yard in which something is being constructed. The question is, what?

alive or dead?

Note: This is in no way product placement for Air Jordans. We endorse neither Nike inc. nor dead homeless people.

Misinformation is flooding the veins of this country. A juggernaut propaganda machine is in place and peoples patriotism is the fuel for a nonsensical fight. Be afraid.

So you have some spare paint in a can in the corner. It has been there for a while and you have been meaning to use it. Pick it up, pop off the top, and pour its contents in the street. Go wild. Make a mess. Liven things up a bit. As example, here is maybe half a can of pink that has been artfully spread on Jefferson St between Irving and Knickerbocker, possibly signed Jay.

Every year the people of Jefferson St between Knickerbocker and Irving get together to have a block party. It is a time for music, BBQing and kids running around like mad. Here is an in the round view.

Remember to scroll. Its a long photo.

Recently the layout of this humble gallery has slightly changed and kitchen equipment has appeared in the back. Could it be a future juice bar? Seems so.

If you weren't at Factory Fresh this Friday, well, sorry. It was night of music, drinking, and dancing. In the line up: Larry Bang Bang, Kim Boekbinder, and Neoangin.

Well it is time for you to get to know Vahge. She lives right in our little neighborhood of Bushwick. You may pass by her on the street every once in a while and not even know it. Vahge was kind enough to fill out an interview/questionnaire for us and share some of her work. Enjoy.

TBD - Where are you from / what kind of place is it?

Vahge - I have a tendency to move every few years, so I've been here and there, east and west and back. I spent my childhood in Clarksville, Maryland, a delicious suburb. It's the kind of place where people judge you based on the car you drive and the grades you get and watch you from their windows. It's very paranoid.

TBD - How did you end up in Bushwick?

Vahge - I was in Santa Fe (New Mexico) and realized that I was not 65 years old, and did not paint desert scenes, and was therefore in the wrong place. New York seemed like a good choice and the best thing I could barely afford was Bushwick.

TBD - What do you do?

Vahge - I make weird collages. I cut out lots of small pieces of magazine and glue them into creepy scenes. They seem to be getting larger.

TBD - Why?

Vahge - I'm obsessive, so the tediousness of the collage process is really satisfying. It's also something I've been trying to be good at since I was little.

TBD - What is it that drives you?

Vahge - New ideas, restlessness, and childhood trauma. A lot of people say that the process of creation keeps them sane, but that's actually not true for me... I kind of go psycho if I'm working on something for too long, the process is just meticulous. The need to accomplish something is a big influence.
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Finally this summer has emerged from its lull and the heat is on. So what is one to do in an area in which the beaches suck and all the pools are crowded with the masses? Well, break open a fire hydrant and you have your own water park. And if a building catches fire and the FDNY can't get water pressure to their hoses, fuck 'em. I guess its going to burn.

If you aren't already aware, these people driving around Bushwick are crazy and just so you know, there is a reason that side mirrors fold in on many models of cars and if you don't use this nifty feature you can't really complain when some reckless asshole rips the mirror off of your BMW.

Curated by Jim Avignon, Factory Fresh hosted an opening Fri showcasing artist representing our near and dear Brooklyn and imports from across Europe. It was a night not only of sight but of sound, as a number of bands blew up FF's back court yard all night. The last performance of the evening was an indoor intimate affair by Jim Avignon and Jon Burgerman's freshly formed music due; Anxieteam. It was good times.

A fine example of graffiti editing on Thames. Technically, six of these people, you can in fact fuck with. The question is, in the end, who is going to end up on top?

They don't make them like they used to.

You tired of your trash running away? Stuff it all in a big steel cage; you know, the guantanamo bay treatment.

Located on Jefferson St between Wyckoff and Irving, this once majestic beast lies in ruin, its dismembered body hid amongst the greenery of the Trees Not Trash mini garden. This poor creature obviously met a gruesome fate. And to ad insult to injury, its head is placed on the edge of the street in open view, like a trophy to this abhorrent act. We never knew you, strange kinda purple elephant, but you will be missed.

Watch your step. Someone has taken the nuisance of people not curbing their dogs and highlighted it with a can of gold. One should note that once these guilded turds leave their landing sites, perfect golden outlines will remain; a reminder of their former presence.

If you ever chill near the Morgan stop you may be quite familiar with this guy. Typically shirtless, always quite over weight, this man likes to share his little hobby with the neighborhood. This remote control car of his is no ordinary toy mind you. Gas powered, fast as all hell, and buzzing like a massive insect on PCP, this thing tears down Bogart. Some consider him a menace, as the noise this thing makes is in fact loud. I hear that he has had the cops called on him before. Others like to watch and hope that eventually he will slip at the controls and run his little car under a vehicle. And then there are those who just ignore him and walk on their way in typical NYC fashion.

This may very well be correct.

So we gathered once again. This time with the goal of watching Visioneers. It was a relatively low key night but have no doubts, fun was had. Where were you?

This a simple but important message: Read people. And really read. Surely this artist isn't suggesting you read Vice Magazine or TMZ.com. Read something informative, enlightening, or inspiring; something different that will make you a better person. Having a unique body of knowledge benefits everyone around you.

This box can be seen tucked in a small corner on vandervoort. Its hard to identify what this thing actually is. Standing on caster wheels, its has a strange tube thing sticking out of one side. On the other is a receded mirror box with a single wheel in the center. ...wtf? Take a look and tell me what it is.

It has already been mentioned right here but this is a reminder. This Friday you'll be expected to come to Tandem. You will be required to enjoy music as provided by B-rad, and drink. You like to drink, don't you?

Here is the flyer. Feel free to print it out and hand it out to friends and perfect strangers.

Once again the masses gather on our rooftop thanks to the great people of 3R. Music, dancing, drinking and yes, some falling over. The roof didn't cave in, and though the cops stopped in front of the building, they didn't come in. All in all, a proper way to spend a Saturday.

its all a matter of change in perspective.

As reported in an earlier post shown here, this feline has once again been spotted prowling in front of the Archive. I'm sure once again searching for a hipster with a sandwich that is susceptible to the power of cute. A friendly, clean and apparently well fed feline. Though he/she takes horrible pictures. Always blinking.

If you are "intellectually stimulating, physically attractive..., considerate, love to cuddle, goal-orientated, respectful, giving, and loves to have FUN" you should definitely contact this cute girl. Just go HERE

Once again a lively night filled with drinks, conversation and good art. Loro Verz, Apolo Torres & Mundano did some fantastic work and were amongst the most gracious and engaging artist, enthusiastically mingling and discussing their work with all that came. It was a lovely night that has left myself and I'm sure others with a well worth it hangover.

Here is a look at Factory Fresh one day before the opening of their new show LICHEN by Loro Verz,Apolo Torres & Mundano. See you there Fri(7-10-09) 7-10pm.

You strange funny bastard. What new madness is this that you have graced us with?

Always looking to keep things interesting, the people at Factory Fresh have yet again reached well beyond the borders of NYC, bringing in Brazilian artists Loro Verz, Apolo Torres & Mundano. Here is a peek at them at work as they prepare for the upcoming show, which opens Friday July 10th.

for more information, just check out Factory Fresh

It is completely understandable that you could be sick of all the Micheal Jackson tributes and such. Yes he was an amazing performer. Yes in his private life he was wildly and in some forms dangerously eccentric, possibly fucked in the head. Yes he is dead. How many times do we have to have to watch his life outlined in tv special after special to get it? regardless of your fan/nonfan/superfan status, you have to appreciate this:

possibly a mechanical serpent, a vine from the future, or maybe a stake of metal doughnuts. who's to say? decoration, its not just for christmas trees anymore.

If there are any questions as to what to do with the forth of July. Take a roof. Add equal parts people, food, drink and smoke. Have a top notch dj. Set things on fire. Go wild. Take pictures. Out of the 500+ photos taken last night, here is a taste:

There is no escaping them. No matter how cautious you may be. They will find a way to crawl in your window or ride one of your friends into your apartment. This little bastard I found darting around frantically in my bedroom. It was odd. He must have been lost. His death came by way of the blunt force of a copy of 1984 catching him as he tried to scurry along the edge of my dresser. I am now left with the concern that he may have siblings.

How do you guarantee at least a minimal value to your artwork along with maximum exposure? Draw on money! In no way would we condone such an action. It is illegal, but well, you know.

This bill is worth five whole dollars.

After a night of...lets say "rocking out" at Goodbye Blue Mondays , Greg; singer and guitarist for Maybe the Welders made us some quite enjoyable food on our roof. He provided the drinks also. This is how you spend a Sunday night.

Remember people, those streets are dangerous, especially with this recent dark rainy weather. Not everyone gets struck by a car and comes away with just some scraps and bruises like this lucky bastard.