Date: Sunday, August 24th Time: 10:00am Location: Green-Wood Cemetery (25th Street at 5th Avenue, Brooklyn) Cost: Free
The largest battle of the Revolutionary War and the first to be fought after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Battle of Brooklyn, will be remembered through a variety of events today, two hundred and thirty two years after the American rebels, under the command of General George Washington, stood up to British forces. There will be graveyard tours, a battle re-enactment, a parade, and a commemorative ceremony. See the full schedule below and click here for info on the Governor's Island commemoration. All Ages.
10:00 AM: Irish War Hero Tribute - This tribute to George Washington’s Irish Generals, The Bold Fenian Men/The Civil War, Irish Korean War Memorial, Matilda Tone, John Gallagher and Charles Higgins will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at the flagpole near the Gothic Arch, and will be followed by a walk to the graves and monuments of famous Irish men and women interred at Green-Wood.
Admission: FREE; Location: Gothic Arch
12:30 PM: Battle of Brooklyn Re-enactment – Re-enactors in period costume will relive parts of the Battle of Brooklyn in Green-Wood’s Meadow and the surrounding area near the main entrance.
Admission: FREE; Location: Green-Wood’s Meadow near the main gate
1:30 PM: Annual Battle of Brooklyn Parade – Sponsored by the Green-Wood Historic Fund and Untied States Merchant Marine Academy, the procession will meet at Green-Wood’s main gate and end at Battle Hill.
Admission: FREE; Location: Meet at main gate
2:00 PM: Battle of Brooklyn Commemorative Ceremony – This ceremony will honor the Patriots who fought the first battle after the signing of the Declaration of Independence 232 years ago.
Admission: FREE; Location: Battle Hill
Date: Sunday, August 24th Time: 2:00pm Location: McCarren Park Pool (780 Lorimer Street, W'burg) Cost: Free
This is it folks, the last pool party of the summer. So if you've missed out, want to reminisce, or just got to town (hi NYU frosh, we're FreeNYC, you like us!) then make sure you check out some original hipsters this afternoon... local wonderkids Yo La Tengo. They are joined by Titus Andronicus, Ebony Bones, Syd B of Les Savy Fav (DJ set) and David Cross (what?) DJ set. All ages (hurray) and no RSVP necessary (more hurray).
Date: Sunday, August 24th Time: 2:00pm - 9:00pm Location: Pier 54 (W.14th St. and the Hudson River) Cost: Free
New Yorkers have quite a love for their BBQ. Often times, however, the joy if overshadowed by sweltering summer heat while standing in long lines and then being carroled into little beer drinking areas (ahem, Big Apple BBQ). Hudson River Park's annual Blues and BBQ Festival solves all those problem. There may still be lines (note that food is NOT free) but with our nice pre-fall like weather, standing around with your friends and listening to some classic blues doesn't seem so bad. BBQ comes by the way of Brother Jimmy’s BBQ, Dallas Jones Bar-B-Que, Dinosaur Bar B Que and Mara’s Homemade. All ages and the music schedule is below.
Date: Sunday, August 24th Time: 3:00pm Location: Thompkins Square Park (Ave B & East 7th St) Cost: Free
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival annually assembles some of the finest musicians in the world who reflect Parker’s musical individuality and genius, to promote appreciation for this highly influential and world-renowned artist. The two days of free concerts take place in neighborhoods where Charlie Parker lived and worked, in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park and the Lower East Side's Tompkins Square Park. Check below for today's line-up
Randy Weston
Inspired by Jamaican roots and global travels, Randy Weston’s jazz is like none other. Although Weston cites Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk as inspirations, what makes him unique is his unusually percussive and highly rhythmic piano compositions. In 2002, Weston performed with bassist James Lewis for the inauguration of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt. In June 2006, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Music by Brooklyn College, CUNY. His great compositions include "Hi-Fly," "Little Niles," "Berkshire Blues," "African Sunrise," "The Healers," "Blue Moses," and "African Cookbook."
Jerry Gonzalez and Fort Apache
“I am bilingual…I can play blues and I can play Rumba,” says Jerry Gonzalez of his multi-cultural sound. After several attempts at finding a musical home, Gonzalez finally found his voice in his own band. Their 1989 release, Rumba Para Monk, received critical acclaim and was honored by The Academie Du Jazz, naming it “Jazz Album of the Year.” They have also been nominated for two Latin Jazz Grammy’s for Rumba Para Monk and Y Los Pyratas de Flamenco.
Eric Lewis
With profound intensity, Eric Lewis is already a prodigious jazz pianist. A musical contortionist, Lewis’ compositions twist, turn, and careen between styles, sounds, and emotions, resulting in a stunning aural experience. At the age of 22, Lewis began touring with legends Wynton Marsalis and Cassandra Wilson. At the age of 26 he won the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition and became a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Mr. Lewis will perform a work specially commissioned by City Parks Foundation to premier at the 2008 Charlie Parker Jazz Festival.
Gretchen Parlato
Herbie Hancock says of Gretchen Parlato’s voice that it is “a deep, almost magical connection to the music.” She combines classic Sinatra-esque vocals with insightful forays into melodey, unexpected scatting and Afro-Latin rhythms. In 2004 she walked away with first place at the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocal Competition and has teamed up with Diane Reeves, Roy Hargrove’s Big Band and Terence Blanchard. All About Jazz magazine has called Gretchen Parlato’s vocal musings “delicious.”
Date: Sunday, August 24th Time: 7:30pm (6:30pm doors) Location: Music Hall of Williamsburg (66 N 6th St, W'burg) Cost: Free
Another McCarren Pool afterparty over at Music Hall with a couple local indie-blipsters, Heloise & Savoir Faire as well as our favorites, Project Jenny Project Jan. If you didn't get your fill over at the pool, or you never get there on time like me, then this may be for you. 18+
