NEWSLETTER
Brooklyn, NY (May 15, 2024) – Dumbo is host this summer to a large variety of free activities that includes concerts, visual arts programming, and more!
Dumbo Improvement District programming includes the return of:
-Live at the Archway concerts and visual arts programming (Thursdays from June 20 to August 15, 2024 with concerts at 6pm and doors at 5pm)
-Drink and Draw workshops (Wednesdays, 6pm to 8pm from June 19 to August 14)
All beneath the unique setting of the Manhattan Bridge Archway.
Dumbo Family Game Time (Sundays, 11am to 1pm beginning May 19) takes place on car-free Washington Street.
Kicking off the summer’s events is the sixth annual Dumbo Drop on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 5pm and 7pm.
Dumbo Drop is Dumbo’s signature tradition: a flying elephant fundraising spectacle that takes place on Washington Street between Front Street and Water Street. New this year: viewing tickets are required for the 5pm and 7pm Drops (ticketed separately.) Each ticket grants access to the Drop viewing zone + souvenir elephant, and enters the buyer for a chance to win significant neighborhood prizes. Each year’s elephants feature a uniquely designed parachute by a neighborhood artist – this year’s parachute is designed by Noah Lyon. All roceeds from the #DUMBODROP support Dumbo’s Title 1 public schools, PS307 Elementary and The Dock Street Middle School.
Live at the Archway is an annual series of free concerts and interactive visual arts programming in the unique setting of the Dumbo Archway, one of the only covered outdoor spaces in New York City. Founded in 2015, the series reflects the neighborhood’s diversity and commitment to the arts, and showcases a broad variety of music, dance and visual art styles. Programming consists of a headlining act on stage, including music and dance in a diversity of genres, and an interactive experience led by a Dumbo-based visual artist, also in the Archway. Live at the Archway is presented by the DUMBO Improvement District, and curated by Clara Inés Schuhmacher of the DUMBO Improvement District, together with Jan Bell of the Brooklyn Americana Music Festival. Additional partners include Brasil Summerfest.
Dumbo Drink and Draw Workshops are presented by the Dumbo Improvement District with Creatively Wild Art Studio, and give participants the opportunity to work with some of Dumbo’s best artists. Workshops are specially designed for adult artists with all levels welcome. Prior registration is required with two ticket options — free, if you bring your own art supplies, or $20 to get access to all art supplies on-site. Easels or tables are supplied for all participants. Drinks are available for purchase from the Dumbo Station.
Dumbo Family Games features family-friendly games including a Lego table, building blocks, arts and crafts and more, on Washington Street, in partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Parents. Dumbo Family Games is sponsored in part by Leaf Medical & Dental (at 18 Adams Street).
A full June events calendar is below.
Drink and Draw
Craig Anthony Miller (CAM)
Elephants Amongst Bridges: A Juneteenth Painting Celebration
Kick off the season of Draw and Draw on Juneteenth! Celebrated Dumbo artist Craig Anthony Miller (CAM) will lead participants in a project incorporating the symbolism of the elephant—a representation of strength, wisdom, and overcoming obstacles—while capturing the essence of Brooklyn's rich history and the bridges that connect us all. DJ Zemotion will provide a soundtrack for the night.
Art supplies will be available for use for $20, but participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies if they have them. Easels will be provided. Prior registration required.
LA BANDA CHUSKA
Opening by Fogo Azul
Art Wall by Sam Ticknor
La Banda Chuska is re-imagining the vintage sounds of Peruvian cumbia and surf through the lens of their New York City home and diverse musical and cultural backgrounds (Peru/Argentina/USA/Puerto Rico). They take inspiration from the twangy 1960s surf bands of Lima (Los Belkings, Los Siderals) as well as the psychedelic flavors of 1970s chicha (Los Destellos, Los Orientales de Paramonga). The band has been playing their musically expansive and dancey tunes around New York City for the past three years, building up a loyal local following through a monthly residency at Brooklyn's Barbès and opening for touring groups including Meridian Brothers and Son Rompe Pera. The band features Adele Fournet on keys/vocals, Felipe Wurst and Sam Day Harmet on guitars, Erica Mancini on accordion/vocals, Abe Pollack on bass, and Joel Mateo on drums.
Fogo Azul is a New York City-based all-women, trans, and non-binary Brazilian Samba Reggae drum line. Fogo Azul (Blue Fire) was born at the intersection of founder and Buffalo, New York native, Stacy Kovacs’ passion for samba reggae; her deep respect for its cultural roots as a music of protest and resistance; and her belief and activism in support of gender equality and her sense of civic duty in the current environment to publicly awaken and inspire people to resist oppression and exercise their power to uplift society—loudly. Launched in 2016 as an extension of Marcus Santos’ samba reggae-based Grooversity education project, Fogo Azul NYC is an age and ethnically-diverse community that spans the drummer spectrum from novice to professional.
Sam Ticknor focuses on drawing and painting in his Dumbo artist studio using water-based materials including gouache, watercolor, and ink, making imaginative and free-wheeling works on paper. He has put up several painting exhibitions in New York City and is working on 60 watercolor paintings for an upcoming picture book.
Drink and Draw
Cara Lee Sparry
Inspired by Paintchips: Poetry, Collage, and Mixed Media
Local Dumbo artist Cara Lee Sparry (co-owner of Superfine) will lead a mixed media and collage workshop, where participants will draw inspiration from the vibrant world of paint swatch names. From "Golden Glow" to "Ocean Breeze," explore a spectrum of colors, textures, and feelings to create stunning collages with the paint color names as inspiration.
Art supplies will be available for use for $20, but participants are encouraged to bring their own supplies if they have them. Easels will be provided. Prior registration required.
PAISLEY FIELDS
Art Wall by Billie Elise
Paisley Fields was an official performer at SXSW last year and was named one of the best musical discoveries of the festival by the Austin Chronicle and Jambase. His most recently released duet with Mya Byrne was featured on Democracy Now, in Rolling Stone, NPR, and more. Out Magazine also named him one of the 20 queer country artists you should know in 2022. Paisley's music has been played on CMT, SiriusXM, and radio around the world. Nashville Scene and CMT also named him one of 12 artists to watch in 2022.
Billie Elise NY Design Studio and Gallery, located in Dumbo is a creative haven co-owned by partners Billie and Elise. Billie, a published multidisciplinary artist and administrator at Hunter College’s Graduate Art education program, brings a unique artistic vision to the studio. Elise, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in sales and a degree in finance and investments, adds a touch of business acumen and creativity to the mix. Billie Elise’s residency program allows artists to immerse themselves in their work, with the opportunity to design and create in a studio space. Billie Elise is committed to assisting artists with brand development, marketing, promotion and sales.
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Dumbo Family Games
Join the Dumbo Improvement District and Brooklyn Bridge Parents for family-friendly games on car-free Washington Street!
Sponsored by Leaf Medical + Dental.
About the DUMBO Improvement District
The DUMBO Improvement District, founded in 2006, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing and promoting DUMBO, Brooklyn—a bustling enclave on the waterfront where quintessential old New York charm meets creative Brooklyn at its very best. The DUMBO Improvement District showcases DUMBO as a world-class destination, advocating on behalf of DUMBO's businesses, property owners and residents, and amplifying its creative and innovative vibe through The Archway programming, public art, free WiFi, public space maintenance & beautification and the #DUMBOVIP card, among other initiatives. @dumbo_brooklyn
Image at top of release courtesy of Dumbo Improvement District
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