FLOAT

Yesterday I embarked upon the long inter-borough journey of taking the G to the 7 to the N train in order to get to Astoria. I then walked 10 minutes on Broadway to Vernon to finally arrive in LIC and escape into the FLOAT exhibit at the Socrates Sculpture Park. For those of you not familiar with the Sculpture Park, it is a large open space located on the East River just across from Roosevelt Island. It was a landfill until 1986 when a coalition of artists and community members transformed it into an open studio and exhibition space for artists and a neighborhood park for local residents. The fascinating history of the park is told eloquently in this short video that you can watch here:




I had no idea what to expect when I arrived at the park. I was just excited to have a Sunday evening off and be able to enjoy the beautiful weather. I picked up a brochure detailing the 2 day exhibit which explained that it is the 4th in a biennial series of "interactive installations and ephemeral sculptural works." The artworks were to be presented as "encounters and interventions for the passerby" and would feature performances and temporary sculptures created by 15 artists specifically for Socrates Sculpture Park. Although I did receive a BFA in Drama from Tisch School of the Arts and took my fair share of classes in the Experimental Theater Wing, I've always had a hard time understanding "performance art." As strange as it may seem to me (as my brain just does not work like that), it fascinates me. I love to see what people create and how they choose to express themselves within these mediums.

As I entered the park I was immediately distracted by screeching sounds on the microphone. It was "open mic" hour and small children were approaching the stage to take a stab at their own form of "performance art," by making bizarre sounds and occasionally singing, encouraged by a middle-aged man wearing a skirt who was the creator of the Silk soymilk sculpture (pictured below). "Strange" I thought, but it seemed to go with the theme of the day (starting them young, right?) There were also artists demonstrating dying techniques and if you brought an article of clothing to them they would transform it into a vivid indigo hue. There also was an arts and crafts table for children which was a big hit.

(The photo below shows you the Silk soymilk sculpture, and if you look in the distance the man in the blue skirt was the creator)

Now on to the "sculptures." One of the ones that caught my eye was Megumi Tomomitsu's Fantastic Plastic Collection based on her photography series. On Saturday she apparently wore a customized bag costume and then proceeded to wash, hang to dry, and fold her growing collection of plastic bags. (We all have to have a hobby, right?) Then on Sunday she placed small plastic fruits in the bags before hanging them on a tree. The bags were intended to "amplify the wind blowing through the branches for the rest of the day" and pillows were placed around the base of the tree to "encourage a momentary rest surrounded by the meditative sound of the wind." I missed the "performance" part of the art but I managed to capture a photo of the final product.



What I am sad that I missed was Paint Box, performed by Nellie Fleischner. Nellie was twisted up on a tree swing that hung in the middle of a 10ft tall wood structure wrapped in fabric. The performance was slated to happen while I was there on Sunday, but as her assistants were twisting her up to the proper height before she was to be released, the swing broke and she fell from 10 ft. high. Thankfully she bounced up immediately from her fall and was unharmed, but the performance was postponed an hour and I was unable to stay. I have a "before" photo of the box below. In order to visualize the "after" picture, imagine that when she was released, the paint cans that were hanging from the bottom of her swing were lifted by centrifugal force and paint was spun onto the fabric to create a "uniform abstraction". Sounded pretty cool, if anyone has a photo of the colorful "after" paint box, please e-mail it to me!


As I was leaving, I saw two people drilling and digging in the grass. I wasn't sure if they were doing construction on the park, or if it too was a version of "performance art." Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between a daily task and "art." Do we need an audience for it to be considered art? Or is "art" simply a state of mind? It is all up to interpretation and intention. It was a bizarre day, but an exciting one nonetheless. I have posted some more photos below that I took yesterday of other installations in the park. Although FLOAT is over, the Socrates Sculpture Park hosts many other exhibits year-round. For a complete list of events, visit their website by clicking HERE.

American Beer

Brooklyn Based, one of my favorite thrice weekly e-mail list-serves that delivers pointers on the "best food, art, shops, services, and people in the County of Kings," is hosting it's last outdoor event of the summer tonight. Yes people, I said LAST, it is almost September and the summer is coming to a close (and I haven't even had a chance to don a swimsuit and hit the beach yet, how depressing is that?) and I can't think of a better way to end the heat wave and welcome in the fall than by sitting outdoors enjoying local brews and taking in a flick made by one of Brooklyn's own.

Barcade and Gutter bar owner Paul Kermizian, made a documentary called "American Beer". It chronicles a road trip that he and five friends took across the USA in June of 2002. Their mission? To visit 38 breweries in 40 days. The journey was so inspiring to one of the guys in the minivan, Mr. Jeremy Goldberg, that upon returning from the trip, he started his own brewing company, Cape Ann. Haven't tried Goldberg's Gloucester, MA made brews yet? You are in luck because if you attend the screening tonight at Hope Lounge in Billyburg, your ticket includes a complimentary glass of Cape Ann's Fisherman's Bavarian Wheat, yum!

All info and advanced ticket sales can be found by clicking HERE. As a bonus, the 50th attendee will win two "American Beer" pint glasses and a copy of the DVD. Reviews of people who have seen the film can be found on imdb. One user writes, "It's the Anti-Budweiser movie. . . . . I rushed out to a bar immediately and downed a cold one. Cheers to good beer. " Doors open at 6:30pm and the film screens at 8pm. What a fabulous Brooklyn "brew-ha-ha" evening!

2009 NYC Couch Crash Festival

A few weeks ago I wrote about the fabulous Couch Surfing website that I just found out about (if you missed it you can read the blog HERE.) Since then, I made a profile, joined the network and became a member of the NYC group. Yesterday I received an e-mail alerting me that this week is the 2009 NYC Couch Crash Festival. Couch surfers from all over the world are flying into NYC this week to participate in the largest Couch Surfing Music festival in the United States. The events kicked off on Sunday, but you've still got six more days to take part in the festivities, make some new friends, and get some couches in line for the next time you impulsively book a plane ticket to say Sweden and realize you've got no place to stay.

Picnics, Free Hugs, museums, galleries, walks around the city, bike tours, acoustic shows, dinners, large gatherings, concerts from Couch Surfing Traveling Bands, and after-parties at night are just a few of the activities on the menu. Highlights from the events list include free Bronx Zoo Day, a French dinner party, a 3 borough bike tour, $1 Food Tour, concerts at Southpaw, a Bollywood House Party, a Bulgarian Dance Club, and it all ends with a picnic on Governor's Island on Sunday afternoon. If you want to see the entire event list and find out how to get in on all the action, check out the official website by clicking HERE. Have fun!

Jenny and Jimbob Jewelry

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the NY International Gift Fair (NYIGF) at The Jacob Javits Center in NYC. As I am no stranger to conventions, it is quite refreshing to be an attendee instead of an employee. NYIGF is a huge show ranging from home goods to stationary to accessories. I had the opportunity to walk around the Handmade section, where tons of artisans set up shop to showcase their original wearables, fine and fashion jewelry, handbags, scarves, leathergoods and travel accesories. Shows like this provide a forum to meet the buyers of boutiques and large chain retailers in hope that they will love the products that they poured their blood, sweat, and tears into creating and in turn, buy them to sell at their own stores.

A friend of mine from Los Angeles, actress and artist Jennifer Hall, was displaying her line at the show. She has been developing a "recession line" of jewelry for about a year now with her husband Jimbob Pellitteri, master jewelry designer known for his custom-made wedding rings. They've been selling their new line at farmer's markets and street fairs throughout LA, but this is the first time that they've debuted their merchandise in a trade show setting. The show has been an overwhelming success and they have received orders from over 62 stores from all over the world (USA to Canada to Iran).

Jenny and Jimbob's line consists of a series of charms on chains, in your choice of sterling silver or gold. They are all made by hand by a process called lost-wax casting. There are six different collections to choose from, "feel-good", "club", "garden", "retro", "number", and "kitchen." When I asked Jennifer what inspired her to create her humorous line of collectible pendants, she told me, "I was sick of seeing girls walking around wearing the same charms and I thought that I could create something new and original. I want to make people laugh with my designs while blowing their mind. I guess I like to make the ordinary extraordinary." Three of her best selling designs are a light switch charm for "a major turn on", a toilet for "the shit," and a cell phone which reads "my real boyfriend."



What's even more special about her jewelry is that she and Jimbob also create their original packaging. It's a matchbox design that slides open to reveal the charm which is set atop of colorful printed fabric swatches. It's very school-girl retro cool and made with 100% recycled materials (fabric scraps, matchboxes from the dollar store, and the backing from old Corona beer boxes). The dynamic duo have their workshop in their home and they are constantly creating together. Coming soon they will also carry a line of sorority mascot charms which were inspired by Jennifer's sister who is a student (and sorority sister) at The University of Alabama.

If you like what you see, check out their website www.jennyandjimbob.com where you can make both retail and wholesale purchases. Jenny and Jimbob jewelry will also be coming to a store near you this fall and we Brooklynites can look forward to picking up their pieces at Loom, a cutesy trinket gift shop in Park Slope, that will carry her designs in both silver and gold.

Check out the video interview with Jennifer Hall below. Enjoy!

Stand-Up @Seaport

Looking for a hilarious way to spend an evening as the summer comes to an end? You have two weeks left to stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge and check out some raw, uncensored comedy at The South Street Seaport.

Mark DeFrancis, company manager of the Dog Run Repertory Company, was approached by producer/comic Marshall Stevenson to provide a space for his tribe of comics to perform on Friday nights. The core group of six met in a class at The Comic Strip and have been performing together for the past two years. Marshall wanted a space where the comics could not only perform, but hone their craft. Here @Seaport, they have the opportunity to perform longer sets and experiment with new material unlike traditional open mic nights that enforce strict time limits (and sometimes content restrictions). Since the show takes place in a theater and not a comedy club, there are no bitter cocktail waitresses and overpriced cocktails. In fact, although they do sell what DeFrancis calls the "high school collection" of booze (Jack Daniels, PBR, Bud Light, Coors Light, and not-so fancy wine), there is no drink minimum, prices are cheap and you can even b.y.o.b. That's right, a ten dollar cover charge and you can even bring along your very own bottle of Jack! No need to hide that flask in your purse, or as comedienne Micia Mosely states in her set "in your boot" (her reason to wear boots to "the club" in the summer).

It is a fantastic show with rotating hosts and a very talented core group of comics that includes Jose Vega, Aksash Bhasin, Marshall Stevenson, Justin Williams, Lance Rizzo, and Wilson McDermott as well as weekly guests. Many have performed at The Comic Strip, Carolines and regionally on college comedy tours. They also give newer comics the opportunity to perform without having to hit up an open mic night. But getting up on stage comes with a price. New comics are expected to do some "barking," the comedy world's term for street team guerilla marketing and solicitation of audience members.

But they aren't complaining, these guys are all willing to do their part, as Akash Bhasin told me, "I've been doing this pitch for two hours and it doesn't get any less embarrassing as time goes on. I feel like I'm selling products on t.v. that no one wants. And that's basically what stand-up comedy is, you don't have a product to sell, you're selling yourself. It's hard to get people to take a look at your product and even if they like your product in the end, it's hard just to get them to look at it. At least on t.v. you have somebody who doesn't have anything else to do. . . . but this is New York, everyone is on their way somewhere and it's really hard to get them to come in and sit down. . . . Stand-up comedy is art in its purest form, it's completely original. . . . . When you put on a play you have time to rehearse, when you are doing stand-up comedy if you have a couple of new jokes it's the first time anybody besides yourself has ever heard it. . . . and it's nerve racking, are they gonna like it, are they not going to like it? If they like it what did they like about it? If they didn't like it what did they not like about it? I've been killing myself for 2 hours just to get people in seats to tell jokes to, if I could do this at home in front of a mirror I would, but stand-up comedy, you need an audience, and it's tough.. . . . .but I'm gonna get that audience."

The weekly 11pm Friday night show started a few months ago @Seaport and grew so popular that they added a second seating. There are now two shows, 8pm and 10pm. If after the first show you are left wanting more, have no fear! They will let you stay for the second show free of charge to fully satisfy your laughter fix. And as an added bonus, the next two weekends there will be shows on both Friday and Saturday evenings. Two shows a night plus two more weekends equals eight chances to head on down to the seaport and support live stand-up comedy. Plus, they are going to end the run with a good-old fashioned NYC dance party. In addition to comedy, they will have DJs in the lobby in between and after the shows, and I hear that there will also be jello shots. Jello shots and PBR? It's a no-brainer. What are you waiting for? In the words of Akash, "Make it a great night, make it a late night, have a couple drinks and make it a date night!"

Click here to watch the video interview with producer Marshall Stevenson and comics Jose Vega and Akash Bhasin.



And here is another interview with Mark DeFrancis, company manager of Dog Run Repertory Company (and bartender extraordinaire).



Where: @ Seaport is located at 210 Front St. (between Fulton and Beekman)
When: August 21st, 22nd: 8pm and 10pm and August 28th, 29th: 8pm and 10pm
Cost: $10

Hollister: Flagship Store or Museum?

I was walking west on Houston St. yesterday with my friend Kiko after we had seen Davis Guggenheim's fabulous rock documentary "It Might Get Loud" at the Landmark Sunshine Theater. We were enjoying the beautiful weather and talking about the film as we turned left onto Broadway so I could catch the R train at Prince St. As we approached the southeast corner of Broadway and Houston, I was immediately distracted by the sight of two half-naked young boys dancing in bathing suits at the entrance of the new flagship Hollister store in Soho. I could hear the music from inside the store blasting out onto the sidewalk at what seemed like at least 90 decibels. This combined with the sight of these scantily clad lads beckoning passersby to enter the store was too ridiculous not to pass up (not only were they wearing swimsuits and flip-flops on a NYC street, but the design team also made them don white sunscreen on their noses as if they were lifeguards at the beach, seriously?!?). I turned to Kiko and said, "should we go inside and check it out?" He agreed that we just HAD to see this.

As we walked into the doorway we were immediately greeted by two more model-esque employees, another male in swimming trunks and a pre-pubescent waifishly thin girl in a bikini. Both were dancing and abnormally happy to be at work. Kiko whispered in my ear, "I think you have to do drugs before coming to work here, this shit is just not normal." A few more steps in and I saw a security guard to my left who also looked like he just left a casting call before heading to work. Yes at the Hollister store even the security staff is gorgeous.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the brand, Hollister is So-Cal inspired clothing brought to us by the folks over at Abercrombie and Fitch. The concept is designed to attract consumers aged 14-24 through its surfer-cool image and casual wear with prices slightly lower than the latter. The first store opened in 2000 in Columbus, Ohio (near the company's headquarters) and the brand relies heavily on "walking self-marketing," where wearing an item of clothing from Hollister (the majority are branded with the name, initials, & fictional date of establishment and the flying seagull logo) results in direct advertising. They even take the SoCal theme to the extreme by categorizing the merchandise as "Dudes" (men) and "Bettys" (women).

As we walked through the store I couldn't help but feel that I was at a party in the Hollywood Hills at someone's mansion, with the music blasting, dimly lit hallways, separate room divisions for each "department." I was waiting for a cater-water to turn the corner and offer me a mojito and a spicy tuna roll. Unfortunately there were no models passing drinks and h'ordeuvres, just jovial sales people who popped out of hidden corners constantly greeting me and asking how I was doing as they danced to the tunes. Strange.

The design team definitely took the Cali beach shack theme to a whole new level with their flagship store. They achieved in making me feel like I was in a jungle and no longer in NYC. Even the faux window panes throughout the store play live-feed from "Surf City" Huntington Beach, CA providing the flavor of the SoCal surf atmosphere. The store is 4 floors and 40,000 square feet and just opened on July 16th. While I was in the store I couldn't help but notice how dumbfounded all of its patrons were. People just walked around aimlessly with wide eyes and gaping mouths. It's as if they were at a museum and playing the role of voyeur. I honestly don't know how you could actually "shop" in a place like this, there are too many distractions and creepily friendly employees for someone like me to concentrate. This of course is solely my opinion, you be the judge.

Couch Surfing (Dot) Org

I was with my friends Nicola and Rebecca the other day and we got to talking about travel. They are both well-traveled Renaissance women that I met on the road, Rebecca at a convention in Nashville, TN and Nicola at an audition in NYC many years ago (whom I've worked with at many special events through the years from NYC to LA to Vegas). All three of us have a fire inside that draws us to living in cities like The Big Apple and have the hunger for adventure. We seek jobs and gigs that give us the opportunity to see the country, the world and experience life 110%.

But sometimes even we freelance workaholics want to travel on our own terms, dare I say "take a vacation"? That's where we have to get creative. When your employer isn't picking up the tab, travel can be quite pricey. The most expensive part seems to be lodging. Where to stay? It's great to have friends in other cities and hostels have been a popular option for many years but can be annoying once you're past the "college backpacking stage". Craigslist offers a "housing swap" section which works fabulously if the city your traveling to and the dates match up, but how else can we see the world when we are broke? With the abundance of social networking sites it seems like there has to be a way. And then Rebecca told us about Couch Surfing.

Couch Surfing is a "worldwide network for making connections between travelers and the local communities they visit". CouchSurfing International is a non-profit organization that started back in 2003 by original founder, Casey Fenton, who bought a cheap ticket to Iceland and then realized that he had nowhere to stay. After spamming 1,500 Icelandic students in Reykjavik and asking them if he could crash on one of their couches and receiving several responses from groups of friends offering to show him 'their' Reykjavik, the CouchSurfing Project was born. With the help of many other founders, a crazy crash, and the CouchSurfing Collective, version 2.0 (which is what we see today) was launched in July 2006. You can read more about the website's history HERE.

The site's mission is not just about free furniture and a free place to crash, it's about community building and participating in creating a better world by "opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives" to "create deep and meaningful connections that cross oceans, continents and cultures." Sounds like a pretty smart idea and goal to me. Now the next question I am sure you are thinking, is it safe? It is definitely a valid reservation to have with the slew of sociopaths and serial rapists out there, but rest assured Couch Surfing has got it covered. They have developed a self moderating community, which means they work like a neighborhood watch program by keeping each other safe. The website provides you with a long list of references to explain how the system works which includes personal references, verification and vouching. For a complete list of FAQ's and to learn how to build your own profile so you can start surfing, click HERE.

As of today, the statistics on their homepage state that there are 1,317,621 current couch surfers using the site, 1,341,748 successful surf or host experiences, 1,518,589 friendships created, 2,432,432 positive experiences, 231 countries represented, and 63,690 cities represented. And if you don't have a couch to host any travelers now, you can still sign up on their website and volunteer to meet for coffee or a drink. It is FREE to join and a great way to see the world through the eyes of a local. I am so excited to have learned about such a fabulous service. Have any of my fellow Brooklynites been part of the Couch Surfing Community? If so, please share your stories and experiences in the comments section. See? There are people out there who truly believe we can change the world, "one couch at a time."

Me @ BBG Photo Contest

Calling all Brooklyn photographers! Once again you have an opportunity to show off your skills in the borough and win a prize. This time the prize is a $20 gift certificate to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden gift shop, but it's not really about the money is it? It's the chance to have your photo featured on their website and show off to all of your friends. And since the folks over at BBG choose a winner weekly, that means you have multiple chances at stardom!

If you are a fatalist and are thinking, "why bother? I never win anything!" this may just be your chance to reverse the cycle of bad karma and start a whole new winning streak for the year ahead. Why you ask? Because this time the contest doesn't really revolve around skill or artistic talent, oh no! The BBG staff wants photographs of YOU! You and your friends and family having fun in the beautiful, lavish gardens of Brooklyn. So bring your posse and your camera and have your very own photo shoot amongst the picturesque flora, fauna and architecture. And if you just feel like rolling solo, meet a new friend to take your pic or as BBG's website suggests, you can even "hold the camera at an arm's length to capture your own face." But don't get too crazy now, the staff reminds you to follow all BBG visitor rules and not to "pose in any way that may harm plants" (hmmm. . . .)

More info and complete contest rules can be found on their website by clicking HERE. Broke you say? May we remind you that the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is FREE on Tuesdays? Summer will be over before you know it, enjoy what's left of it by taking in some mother nature and celebrate Brooklyn. Good luck!

Big Daddy Kane Does Prospect Park Tonight

Brooklyn bred Big Daddy Kane (born and raised in Bed Stuy) will be playing a free show tonight at The Prospect Park Bandshell as part of the Celebrate Brooklyn concert series. As an added bonus, the show will be preceded by a screening of the short documentary BDK: The Big Daddy Kane Story, directed by Lyricist Lounge's own Anthony Marshall.

Big Daddy Kane started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group, the Juice Crew. He has always been considered a trendsetting ladies-man, and according to the bio on his website, his unique style was one of the first to bring the "playa" element to hip-hop. He also was the first rapper to sell out not one, but two "ladies only" shows at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. Having collaborated with such artists as Barry White, Public Enemy, Ice Cube, Patti LaBelle, Heavy D, and Quincy Jones, he is considered one of the most influential and greatest MCs in Hip Hop. Oh and did we forget to mention that he also appears half-naked in two steamy photos with Madonna and Naomi Campbell in Madonna's infamous coffee table book: "Sex" ?

You can see the man in the flesh performing live tonight. He goes on at 9:40pm right after the screening. Gates open at 6pm, go early to check out the fab line-up of opening acts:

7:30 Retro Kidz
7:45 Emilio Rojas
8:10 Blitz the Ambassador
8:35 Rahzel
9:00 Ralph McDaniels' Video Music Box
9:25 Big Daddy Kane Film
9:40 Big Daddy Kane

Andy Warhol's B-day Brooklyn Style

Ah Andy Warhol! Born Andrew Warhola on August 6, 1928 in Pittsburgh, PA, the highly controversial pop artist who coined the expression "15 minutes of fame" (who died on February 27, 1987 from complications with gallbladder surgery) would have been 81 years old today. What a better way to celebrate his day of birth than with a Gowanus dance party!

The folks over at The Bell House have teamed up with Cloud City and Swingset Magazine to bring us "Lift", a free celebration equipped with DIY Brillo-style boxes, a DJ table adorned with silver foil, and Warhol's own quirky, perverted films will be projected on the walls for your viewing pleasure while DJ s Steve Lowenthal (Swingset Magazine), Bobbi Lupo (Apartment Show), Miho Hatori (formerly of Cibo Matto) and Cassie (of Vivian Girls) spin tracks so we can dance all night.

So grab some over-sized sunglasses, don a ridiculous wig, wear some leather, starve yourself for a week, pack your cigarettes, and become a Factory girl (or boy) for the night!

More Filming in DUMBO

The Mayor's Office of Film and Television and the "Made in NY" folks must be very happy because there is MORE production in NYC!

DUMBO is seeing tons of Hollywood action all this week.

The NO PARKING sign above is from The Brownstoner and states that "Morning Glory" , a comedy with a star-studded cast including Rachel McAdams (The Notebook, Wedding Crashers), Patrick Wilson (Watchmen, Little Children), Harrison Ford, Jeff Goldblum, Diane Keaton and 50 Cent, will be shooting in DUMBO today and tomorrow 8/5 and 8/6.

What's it about? The brief synopsis according to IMDb reads, "A hotshot television producer is set the challenge of reviving a struggling morning show program, despite the constant feuding of its high-profile anchors." NYC sounds like the perfect canvass in which to paint this picture.

The photo above is from the DUMBO NYC website. This was taken yesterday outside of the PowerHouse Arena on Main St. in DUMBO where Spike Lee was directing a commercial for Rocawear starring Jay-Z. For more pics of Spike mid-shoot, click HERE

As exciting as this may be for our city and it's economy, it makes for some angry Brooklyn auto owners! With NO PARKING signs abundant, where do we put our cars?!?

"Eat, Pray, Love" Shoots in Cobble Hill

Just an update to my post from last week. The crew is shooting once again in Cobble Hill, today (August 10th) they are on Court St. between Atlantic Ave. and Bergen St. All of their trailers and craft service vans are lined up along Atlantic Ave to Henry St. Walk on by and check out the action!

Eat, Pray, Love , one of my absolute favorite memoirs, is being turned into a film starring Julia Roberts and directed by Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck). I have mixed feelings on this project. On the one hand, it will be fabulous to see the wonderful story played out on the silver screen and view the beautiful cinematography of NYC, Italy, India and Indonesia. On the other hand, as much as I love Julia Roberts, she seems to me about 10 years too old to play Elizabeth Gilbert, but if Elizabeth thinks it fits (it is her life story after all) then I say why not?

Eat, Pray, Love also stars Billy Crudup as her estranged husband and Javier Bardem as Felipe, the expat whom she falls desperately in love with in Bali. Sounds like a pretty hot and steamy cast to me! And we Brooklynites are in luck because according to the NO PARKING signs on Smith St. (btwn. Warren and Baltic) the crew will be shooting on location in Cobble Hill from Tuesday August 4th until Friday August 7th. Four full days to catch a glimpse of Julia and possibly Billy and maybe even James Franco (he is rumored to play Steven in the film). So head on over to Robin Des Bois, grab a glass of Lillet and peer out the window to witness all the action!

Sex and the City 2 Casting Call

Calling all Carrie Bradshaw wannabees! The folks over at Grant-Wilfley are casting extras (actually the politically correct term these days is "background actors") for the sequel to the Sex and the City movie. If you have it in you to wait on line for what may be hours, you will have your chance tomorrow, Tuesday August 4th.

They are seeking both SAG and NON SAG actors to play: Fashion Models, Celebrity Types, Upscale Socialites, Fashionistas, Urban Club goers, Gays and Lesbians, International types (Middle Eastern, Arabic, Asian, European, British) and Professional Soccer Players. The open call will take place at The Metropolitan Pavilion located at 125 West 18th St. (btwn. 6th and 7th Ave.) The call for SAG will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and NON-SAG will be from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. If your boss won't let you leave the office for what could be most of the work day, (but you are still dying to be considered) you can email a recent photo and contact info to: sexandthecity2@gwcnyc.com.

SATC2 will begin shooting in NYC on August 19th for two months, and rumor has it they will also shoot for 2 weeks in London. Let's hope they shoot in Brooklyn!

Untitled Warner Brothers Project in Brooklyn Heights

Hollywood comes back to Brooklyn! This time the project is an Untitled Warner Brothers film and will be shooting on Monday August 3rd on Joralemon and Remsen streets between Court and Clinton. I have been unable to find out any more information on the project so if you know anything, please leave a comment. I was tempted to call the phone number to the production office on the sign, but having worked in film production, I know how annoying those calls can be so I held myself back. That being said, I will definitely stop by the set tomorrow and see what more info this secret spy can discover!