Rock and Roll Grammar School..(and other music too)

This might not be the utopia that the Ramones envisioned in their 70s classic but it's pretty close. In two weeks the first Ditmas Park Concert Series kicks off. Per the fliers in and around Ditmas Park this was supposed to kick off on last night (4/3/08). However, per their MySpace page the concert series will kick off on 4/17/08:

"The Ditmas Park Concert Series, with the help of a grant from the NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs and the Brooklyn Arts Council, presents a series of five concerts and workshops connecting the world-class musicians living in the Ditmas Park area of Brooklyn with the students and residents of the community. The DPCS features five bands whose bandleaders live walking distance from our venue: the beautifully renovated 600-seat auditorium of arts magnet elementary P.S. 217. Each group presents a free music workshop to 120 pre-registered 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students on the afternoon before each concert, and a concert open to the public from 7:00-8:00pm. The concerts are free for students with a pay-as-you-wish donation for adults. The DPCS highlights the diversity of musical genres in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn by programming five diverse bands. Each of these bands plays creative, original music composed by the bandleaders."

The bands are quite an eclectic mix. The Alan Ferber Nonet (Jazz); Fire in July (Art Song/Improvisation); Shayna Steele (10-piece R&B band); Clare and the Reasons (Indie Band); Osso (Classical/New music). Sadly a Ramones-esque band is not on the roster.

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Now playing: The Ramones - Rock 'n' Roll High School
via FoxyTunes

Sufjan Stevens and "The BQE"

Kensington based folk-indie rocker Sufjan Stevens is performing his half-hour-long music-and-video composition entitled "The BQE" described as a "symphonic and cinematic exploration of New York City's infamous Brooklyn-Queens Expressway." "The BQE" will premiere at BAM starting on November 1st for 3 nights.

Further along in the interview Sufjan sounds like a local real estate broker touting the uniqueness of Cortelyou Road...

GO: Speaking of parties, how do you like living in Kensington?

SS: I like it a lot because it’s remote and … it’s extremely diverse. I think Cortelyou Road is one of the most diverse streets in the entire country. There’s no consensus in terms of the ethnicity and the kinds of people who live there, it’s so mixed. There are little boutique shops coming in and some great restaurants — you should go to The Farm [on Adderley]. It’s two blocks down on Cortelyou. That’s the place to be; it’s really good food.

Let's sign him up....

11.6 miles of Bad Road [The Brooklyn Paper]
Playing in Traffic [New York Magazine]
Sufjan Stevens [Asthmatic Kitty Records]
The BQE [BAM]
A Shout Out from Sufjan [Ditmas Park Blog]

Inaugural Concert at The Victorian Place Cultural Center

Sunday October 21, 2007 3:30pm

featuring
The World Renowned
Harlem Blues and Jazz Band

(photos by Daniel Newman)

Tickets can be purchased at site on day of the event (cash preferred) or send money order to: Victorian Place Cultural Center / Temple Beth Emeth.

• Two 45 minute sets with intermission

• Adults $25 - Seniors $20 - Children $15

• Not for profit event dedicated to bringing the arts to Flatbush
  

Brought to you by Marjorie Belson and Wendy Weller Jones at The Victorian Place Cultural Center. For more information call 917-846-7386. Tickets can be picked up prior to event or held at ticket office. Wheelchair Accessible.

The Harlem Blues and Jazz Band
Temple Beth Emeth v"Ohr Progressive Shaari Zedek
Victorian Place Cultural Center [Ditmas Park Blog]
Do You Want to see a Performing Arts Center in Victorian Flatbush? [LIVF Archives 1/4/07]

Send local Ditmas Park event news to admin@livinginvictorianflatbush.com

Buju Banton Music Video "Driver A" in Midwood Park

Anyone recognize the green house in the video?

60 DeKoven Court [Recent Sales -MKG Real Estate]

Buju Banton Wraps "Driver A" Video Shoot In Brooklyn [Jamaicans.com]