3 posts tagged “williamsburg”
McCarren Park Pool
is one of north Brooklyn's bright spots. Opened in the mid-'30s, it's
one of but a handful of surviving pools in the New York area built by
the Works Progress Administration. Closed since the early '80s, the
pool has been the subject of several redevelopment proposals,
some of which have involved tearing down part or all of the edifice.
Despite its abandonment, the pool is an impressive structure and quite
beautiful in terms of decrepit urban infrastructure. And it's worth
saving.
Recently, the pool has become the epicenter of a cultural
renaissance of sorts. First, Noemie Lafrance staged her location-based
dance performance Agora. And this summer, the pool is hosting a number of parties featuring bands such as Les Savy Fav, Pretty Girls Make Graves, and the Walkmen.
To further that end, Pool Aid is organizing a video shoot at 6 p.m., Monday, July 31, to show the neighborhood and arts community's support for the pool. Members of Nada Surf, Wrens, the Redcoats Are Coming, Rana, Loser’s Lounge, Lovedown, Career Cub, Giraffes, Vibration, Boy Genius, Breakup Breakdown, Maplewood, Koester, Naked Highway, and other musical groups will help commemorate the 70th anniversary of the pool’s opening -- as well as call for community control of the pool.
I'm not sure using the pool's remains for rock concerts is the best sole use of the
complex, but I think the arts events could help foster some solid
mixed-use thinking. Regardless of whether it's economically feasible to
redo the pool as a pool, in part, a mix of arts -- music, theater,
mural art, urban sculpture -- and activities -- perhaps a skatepark,
expanded exercise and fitness trail, rock climbing wall -- could be
interesting and of benefit to all area residents.
A local cause to get involved in!
Jim Munroe, one of my
favorite Canadians, will be in Brooklyn in early August for one of
the Rooftop Films screenings. This weekend'spromising Animation Block Party is closer on the horizon, but Aug. 6's program also looks solid. Jim's four-minute short "Yoga Deathmatch" will be among more than a dozen independent shorts shown.
Cinders (103 Havemeyer St., Williamsburg) will host an issue release party for the eighth edition of The Drama, an art magazine, at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 22. Meet the staff and pick up a free copy of the new issue. There will also be musical performances by Colin from usaisamonster, Benji Cossa, and Jacob from the Double.
