backYart

2009-11-29T23:18:00.000-08:00

So we have a new web address. Blogspot has been fun; it has treated us well, but it was time to move on to greener pastures. We hope you'll come and join us there. The new page doesn't have quite as much information...yet...but I can promise that over the next week, our new page will be full of links to artists, pictures of past events, hopefully some video, and lots, lots more.

Thanks for hanging with Backayrt and we're looking forward to seeing you around the new hood.

Come on by: http://backyartbrooklyn.wordpress.com/

New Mission statement for 2010?

2009-11-24T19:18:00.000-08:00

We know its been a while...
And yes, we feel delinquent.

But exciting news is afoot.

Not only are we
co-producing an awesome event along with the CSNY Invitational
on December 17th and 18th
(more info to come very soon),
we are revamping our submission process,
creating unifying themes for our Summer Series events,
developing new ways to give back to our artists,
refurbishing our studio space,
and
updating our
MISSION STATEMENT!!!!

Here it is below:

Read it, and let us know what you think!
Feedback is welcome...for now.

"A multi-disciplinary arts event on the last Saturday of the month from January to August, Backyart provides artists with a non-traditional space which emphasizes the absence of commercial pressures and encourages collaboration, community and the development of new work among NYC artists. Originally created in the backyard of a private home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Backyart has since expanded its commitment to the arts by providing studio space and materials for participating artists, teaming up with other companies and spaces to provide Backyart artists with more opportunity for exposure and reaching out to art communities in other regions of the US and Europe. For more information you can email Backyart at backyart@gmail.com or check out our blog at http://backyartbrooklyn.blogspot.com."

please send your comments and suggestions to:
backyart@gmail.com

And share this link on your Facebooks and Twitters.
We are looking for as much feedback as people are willing to give.

Thanks!

Come start your Halloween off right with Backyart!!!!

2009-10-27T01:46:00.000-07:00

Still don't know what to do on Halloween?

Announcing

(drum roll please...)

backyart "Sweater Series"!
Halloween Hoopla!

October 31st, 2009
5pm-7pm
music, food, drinks, costumes, tarot, art, and so much more...

649 Metropolitan Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11201

(L train to Lorimer)
$5.00

7pm-9pm
join us as we parade across the Williamsburg bridge!!!

A "parlor- esq" evening brought to you by art makers and booty shakers inside backyart's toasty warm studio space

Come join us in our studio space from 5pm-7 pm:

Still don't know what to be?
***Last minute costume making materials and workshops with our domestic queen and sexy seamstress Bodacious Bronwyn Flemming Jones!!!

***Professional theatrical makeup by make-up artist Dangerous Diana Federico!!!

***Tarot Card Readings from our own Gypsy Vampire, Stephany Cardet!!!

***Music by The Hey!
(they rock out hard BTW)

***Housle, a short film directed by Tristan Love and James Longmire, winner of PBS Reel 13
(don't watch it yet!)

Plus...creepy art installations, delicious treats, candy of course!, goodie bags (of course), warm your belly up-drinks, and other things I am sure...

Then come join us as we parade across the Williamsburg Bridge into the big City:
(leaving at 7pm)

*** "Chapter 10: "Halloween" of Belated Apocalypse
written by J. Anthony Roman
New York City author J. Anthony Roman presents the next chapter of his 12-chapter novel in this, the tenth segment of a year long Backyart reading series. (in different spots along our parade)

***Live music either by a band or by you with kazoos, pots and pans, and tambourines!

and who knows... maybe baton twirlers, cartwheels, songs, and other festivities?!?!?

We will then be walking to see our own Max in a public reading of Beautiful, by David Anzuelo, directed by Lou Moreno, going up at The Public @ 9:30pm on October 31st as part of LAB's Live Nude Plays series.
Come join us!!

and then go party hard!
What a celebratory day you will have had!

Come on by for backyart's first Sweater Series this Saturday!

2009-09-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

Announcing

(drum roll please...)

backyart "Sweater Series"!

September 26th, 2009

8pm-10pm

649 Metropolitan Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11201

(L train to Lorimer)

No Cover!!!

Donations accepted on a sliding scale from $2-100

Complementary shot of vodka or rum

Free treats and goodie bags * BYOB

A "parlor- esq" evening brought to you by art makers and booty shakers inside backyart's toasty warm studio space

FEATURING

"Chapter 9: Labor Day" of Belated Apocalypse
written by J. Anthony Roman
New York City author J. Anthony Roman presents the next chapter of his 12-chapter novel in this, the eighth segment of a year long Backyart reading series.
http://janthonyroman.com/

The Comedy of Liz Days
Comedian Liz Days will have you peeing your pants. Backyart requests you bring your own baby wipes.

"How to Kill Your Girlfriend's Cat"
written by Alan Fair, directed by Kevin Hall
(and featuring Backyart's own Max Woertendyke)
A short film that asks, "Just how far would you go for LOVE?"

Thanks for coming out and info on artists!

2009-09-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out for Backyart's last event of the 2009 "Summer Series"!
(We dodged a hurricane and had a great time if I may say so myself!)

And a huge thanks to all the artists who made it happen!
(We couldn't have done it without you!)

***If you wanted to share your thoughts on Mike Poblete's NY Monologues, but didn't have the chance to at Backyart,
feel free to drop us an e-mail and we'll make sure to pass your thoughts on to Mike.***

***Also, congratulations to participating artist Hannah Davis for winning the free headshot/portrait session raffled off by other participating artist Caitlin Greer! We can't wait to see the shots!***

If you enjoyed what you saw you can get more information about the artists:

J. Anthony Roman
http://janthonyroman.com/
Also check out:
A Situation on the Moon: 3 Plays that shine at night by J. Anthony Roman
@ Center Stage, NY
48 W. 21st Street, 4th fl
212-929-2228
This Thursday thru Saturday, September 10th-12th @ 8:00pm.

One of the plays, "Last Chapter" is about Mikey and Gerald of Belated Apocalypse fame.
Go check it out! But close your ears for parts if you don't want any Belated Apocalypse spoilers.

Mike Poblete
If you had thoughts, compliments, criticisms or anything else about NY Monologues, you can write to us and we'll pass it along to him,
or you can write him directly at anotherwriter@gmail.com.

Hawke & Owl

Hawke & Owl are currently planning to record this fall, so please stay tuned.
Until then, check them out @ Pates & Traditions French Restaurant on N6th & Havemeyer on Sept 25th!
Live Videos to be posted on our myspace soon!

http//www.myspace.com/hawkeandowl

Caitlin Greer
Check out her website, www.caitlingreerphotography.com, for all your headshot/portrait needs.
Also stay tuned for an exciting interactive exhibition to be shown at Backyart later this year!

Craig Judelman
(fiddler with Alysha Shaw playing Middle Eastern and Balkan music)
Check out Craig's myspace: www.myspace.com/judelman

IF you are interested in contacting visual artists Lucien Pellegrin or Hannah Davis, or Balkan Singer Alysha Shaw drop us an e-mail and we'll put you in touch!

Next Backyart
the premier of the "Sweater Series"
September 26, 2009
4pm-7pm

Featuring:
An interactive photography presentation by Caitlin Greer
Chapter 9 of Belated Appocalypse by Anthony Roman
and...
Special Musical Guest

Make sure to follow us on twitter!

Also - anyone interested in presenting visual or performative art during next summer's backyart events, or during our Winter Series (January-March), please contact us at this e-mail address.

We look forward to hearing from you.
See you next time!

Backyart - August 29th!!! Come on out for the last event of our 2009 Summer Series!!!

2009-08-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

The last event of our Summer Series. And it's gonna be hot!

And now we Tweet. Follow us at:
http://twitter.com/backyart

backyart
summer series

August 29, 2009

6:30pm-11pm

649 Metropolitan Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11201

(L train to Lorimer)

This month, just by coming, you will have the chance to win a FREE headshot or portrait session from fantastic photographer and participating artist Caitlin Greer!!! (more info below)

Art Opening w/ complimentary hors d'oeuvres and music 6:30-7:30pm
Performances Start @ 8:00pm.

$10 entrance/$5 unltd. beverages.
Snacks and more also available.
And with our new tent, don't let bad weather deter you from coming out!

"Hot town, summer in the city..."

FEATURING

NY Monologues
written by Mike Poblete, featuring Max Woertendyke
After a highly publicized run in Dublin, Ireland, New York native Mike Poblete finally brings an excerpt from this highly successful play to his hometown.

"Poblete is full of sharp one liners - it's a play alive with laughter, but also has the power to provoke reflection."
- Irish Theater Magazine about NY Monologues

Hawk & Owl
The collaborative musical stylings of John Dyer and Hilary Hawke, with fellow musicians Mike Brown and Brian Geltner. This alt-bluegrass, oldtime, Americana rock band was recently featured at the Roosevelt Live Festival, NYC.
http://www.myspace.com/hawkeandowl

Chapter 8: Mikey's Birthday of Belated Apocalypse
written by J. Anthony Roman
New York City author J. Anthony Roman presents the next chapter of his 12-chapter novel in this, the eighth segment of a year long Backyart reading series.
http://janthonyroman.com/

"Meeting Bernard"
written and directed by Joonas Rutanen
A short film from Finnish director Joonas Rutanen. A romantically odd comedy about a New Yorker who travels to Finland to meet the girl of his dreams.

Art Installations by:

Caitlin Greer
NYC photographer Caitlin Greer has been published in NY Magazine and will be exhibiting selected works from her ongoing series, "In My Backyard."
http://www.caitlingreerphotography.com/

***Caitlin has generously donated a FREE headshot/portrait session to Backyart. Everyone attending our August event will receive a raffle at the door, which if they fill out with their name, number and e-mail, will automatically enter them into the drawing. Extra chances will also be available for $1 each. And the winner will be announced over the course of the night!!!***

Hannah Davis
Visual artists and musician Hannah Davis combines two passions in her "Painted Guitar" series. Meant not only to be looked at, but to be played as well.

Lucien Pellegrin
Seattle based multi-disciplinary art works - 2 dimensional and tactile.

Steve Pavlovsky
Psychedelic light show to live music.

and more.

Click on backyartbrooklyn.blogspot.com for more info on this month's exciting artists

And now we Tweet. Follow us at:
http://twitter.com/backyart

backyart "Sweater Series" events:

September 26, 2009

October 31, 2009 (spooky!)

Want to be part of backyart?

If you're a filmmaker, a painter, a playwright, a musician, a poet, a dancer, an actor, a comedian, a photographer, a mime, a puppeteer, an acrobat, a carnie or anything else under the sun and you're interested in presenting some work at an upcoming backyart summer event, drop us an e-mail and we'll be in touch.

To find out more about July artists and upcoming event info

2009-08-06T11:54:00.000-07:00

If you wrote something inspired by Mike's workshop,
"Beating the Blank Page"
please send it to us so we can read it at a future Backyart!

If you enjoyed what you saw you can get more information about the artists:

J. Anthony Roman
http://janthonyroman.com/
Also check out The Center Stage Invitational
co-produced by Anthony Roman and featuring a wealth of wonderful Backyart artists
@ Center Stage, NY
48 W. 21st Street, 4th fl
212-929-2228
August 5th-15th
(more details below)

Mike Poblete
Check out his group, The Attic (who we teamed up with for our 1st Intl. Film Fest)
www.theatticstudio.net
Also, if you wrote something inspired by Mike's workshop, make sure you send it over.

Mauricio Alexander
Check him out in all his full online glory:
www.mauricioalexander.com
facebook.com/mauricioalexander
myspace.com/mauricioalexander

GJ Lee (fish and insects)
Take a look at more of GJ's stark and stunning work at: http://neonjelly.net

Grace Jung (poet)
Make sure to friend her at http://www.facebook.com/aechjay

KMBS
Hear, and watch, Kate, Matt, Ben and Sara play some killer tunes and make some killer art:
http://www.myspace.com/katesmackles

"Thru"
Check out all the exciting news surrounding this incredible film:
www.wastedpotentialproductions.com
www.myspace.com/thrufilm

Also check out Thru's upcoming screenings:
The West Hollywood Intl. Film Festival, August 7th @ 2:10pm
The SoCal Film Festival sometime in September 2009
The Beloit Intl. Film Festival in February 2010

Next backyart
the Summer Series continues
August 29, 2009

Featuring:

Chapter 8 of Belated Apocalypse by Anthony Roman
The New York premier of excerpts from "NY Monologues", by Mike Poblete, featuring Max Woertendyke
The musical stylings of Hawk & Owl
A new one act from NYC playwright, Maya Macdonald
A live, interactive light show created by Steve Pavlosky
and much much more.

Stay tuned and check out our blog (http://backyartbrooklyn.blogspot.com/) for more details!

Also - anyone interested in presenting visual or performative art during the backyart summer events, please contact us at this e-mail address.

We look forward to hearing from you.
See you next time!

photos- more and better to come!

2009-08-06T11:22:00.000-07:00

Mike, Jesse, Maya and rando street crew sporting their 'staches in good spirit!

not sure who this is but boy oh boy do I love this pic!

Mike inspiring us to write and hitting a baseball?

Maria and Coryn looking summery and happy

Elizabeth Murray (writer, producer and actor in past backyart screened films)

Maddie writing away...

Douglas Ljungkvist photo

GrillMaster Flash!

GJ picking a mustache

GJ Lee's surreal installation

crowd(plus nana and gramps!)

Anthony and crew

belated Thanks for coming to July!!!

2009-08-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

A belated Thank you to everyone who came out to July's backyart!

Some highlights:

-It was our longest event yet

-Mike Poblete led a witty, dark and yet oh so inspiring writer's workshop. Send us your stories...I already secretly know of some people who were so inspired they went home and wrote whole stories! (Mike's play will be going up next month starring our own Max Woertendyke!),

-more wonderful poetry by Grace Jung(get ready for a backyart published poetry book with pictures by me!)

-Chapter 7 from Anthony Roman where we heard about the debauchery of a 4th of July pool party where Marcy and Gerald made out for a hot minute - some kid in the pool stared Gerald down and Mikey might have hooked up with one of the young-uns. Also, uncle showed up and got the boys coked up.

-Mauricio Alexander, a backyart vet, came and performed some awesome jams about love, ladies, NYC, and music (and led sing a longs- boy oh boy do i love sing a longs!)

-KMBS came and knocked our socks off with their interdisciplinary music/art shenanigans. It was amazing to watch both Sarah draw and Kate's singing faces! And that cover of one minute man- you serious!?!?! AMAZING! And backyart bought Sarah's drawing- it will be up next month.

- Christopher Ewing's film Thru was shown with lovely actor and audience member Lila Green, who gave a really awesome and unexpected "support backyart" speech. Once again, this was not prompted, just awesome. Beautifully shot, Thru explored love, death, and art- we can all relate huh?

-Julia made homemade veggie burgers! Yes!!

-Janine Wallach's mustache extravaganza brought tons of spirit and mustache-ness as people sported their 'staches on their arms, necks, foreheads, upper lips of course, and probably other parts too... And we got randos to wear 'staches too bringing the party to the street!

- Stephany Cardet got our eyes and minds going with her beautiful inkblot paintings. And we all stood around saying what we saw- Rorschach got it right (oh and she is a Psychology and Art major- way to combine it girl!) And she also showed her awesome handmade jewelry- I got a beautiful stone necklace that matched my dress perfectly!

- Douglas Ljungkvist reminded us of the beauty in the trash with his series of photographs depicting found and lost objects in international cities.

- GJ Lee gave us our first multi level installation, installing her colorful fish and insects on the ground(how do you cut these girl? it's impressive!)

- We displayed our birthday quilt!

- Max's computer broke which kinda sucks but like the silver lining in every cloud... that meant he had to get a new one...which means his old now fixed lap top is an OFFICIAL backyart computer. Woop Woop!

Pictures coming soon.

Love to you all!

Lia

Come join us on Saturday for July's backyart! (and info about participating artists)

2009-07-21T13:57:00.001-07:00

backyart
summer series

July 25, 2009

6:30pm-11pm

649 Metropolitan Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11201

(L train to Lorimer)

Art Opening w/ complimentary hors d'oeuvres and music 6:30-7:30pm
Performances Start @ 8:00pm.

$10 entrance/$5 unltd. beverages.
Snacks and more also available.
And with our new tent, don't let bad weather deter you from coming out!

FEATURING:

"Thru", a short film written and directed by award winning Christopher J. Ewing
An agoraphobic musician cures his fears via a relationship with a conceptual artist, until she creates an art piece out of his past tragedies.
Christopher J Ewing is a director and screenwriter living in Los Angeles with a girl and a 13-pound dog. In addition to his film work, Christopher is a published author and journalist
For more info, go onto the film's official website:www.wastedpotentialproductions.com

“Beating the Blank Page” an interactive writing workshop presented by Int’l playwright Mike Poblete
New York bred and Dublin based playwright Mike Poblete takes his celebrated crash course in writing across the pond to Backyart. Within minutes he will surprise you with the volume and complexity of writing any person can generate. Bring pen, paper and something hard to write on: this is art at its most interactive.

The cross-disciplinary musical stylings of KMBS
Kate Logan, Matt Logan, Ben Deibert and Sarah Valeri are "kate, Matt, Ben & Sarah," or “KMBS” in short. Joining forces over the course of 2005-06 the group began blending poetic lyricism, acoustic guitar, cello and visual art into their own brand of independent expression.

Drawing inspiration from such diverse subjects as Greek drama, nervousness, and leukocytes, singer, lyricist, and guitarist Kate Logan approaches songwriting in a way that is at once uniquely complex and poignantly straightforward.

Cellist Matt Logan adds classical sensibility with a modern twist to the material. His cello is not merely a pretty background, but a driving force, fueled by the wide scope of Kate's songwriting. At times, it sings; and at others, it growls and rasps.

Rounding out the high end is guitarist Ben Deibert, whose intuitive simplicity complements the melodic nature of the backing instruments.

In addition to the world of aural expression, KMBS also encompasses visual art. At all live performances and in rehearsals, NYC artist Sarah Valeri draws and paints her unique artwork, a process in which the two art forms are mutually inspired.

"Chapter 7: Independence Day," the seventh segment of Backyart's year-long reading of Belated Apocalypse by NYC author Anthony Roman
Previously on Belated Apocalypse: Father's Day
Mikey visits Aunt, who shocks him with their opinion that their lifestyle is not going to last forever. She also recounts the day his father Michael dies, we travel back to 1988 where we follow Michael on his deliveries, trouble with Leah, and ultimately, his assassination at the hands of a local crack head. On his way home, Mikey attempts to write down everything he can remember from his aunts story.
To learn more about Anthony, you can click on www.janthonyroman.com

The poetry of Grace Jung
“Poetry for me is like journaling. It whittles down or expands my day then melds fiction in certain areas with or without my knowing.”
Lives in New York City. Will be researching abroad for a year in South Korea on a Fulbright Grant starting this fall. Hopes to continue being a part of backyart.
The audience revving music of backyart vet, Mauricio Alexander

Mauricio Alexander is a Brooklyn-based producer, director, writer and performing artist whose work has been featured at Southpaw, the US Social Forum, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Studio Theater,

Theater J, Young Playwrights' Theater, Arts on Foot, D.C. Hip-Hop Theatre Festival, Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Symphony Space, Center Stage, and the Joseph Papp Public Theater. He has appeared on stage with performance artists Rebel Diaz, Tahani Salah, Climing Poetree, SOUL Purpose, DAM (Palestine), K Salaam, Hassan Salaam, Open Thought, Akim Funk Buddha, Mental Notes, Red Clay, Mind Spray, and Caridad de la Luz (La Bruja) and also continues to work as a commercial, voice-over and film talent, most recently with John Leguizamo, Edgar Ramierez, John Ortiz and Rick Gonzalez. Mauricio is a graduate of Oberlin College, and a former student at the School for Film & Television and the LAByrinth Theatre Company. For more about Mauricio, click on: www.mauricioalexander.com

Art Installations by:

Stephany Cardet

“ink blot”, paintings and photographic slideshows

California native Stephany Cardet currently resides in Brooklyn, NY where she pursues her love of adornments. Whether you hang it on your wall or wear it around your neck, Stephany finds her inspiration in the organic and abstract to create unique inkblot paintings and natural gemstone jewelry. Launching in September 2009, you'll be able to find her at scardet.etsy.com

GJ Lee,

"Reconstructing the natural landscape with large scale outdoor imagery"

gj lives in jersey city. animation and comics are her main sources of inspiration. in her work, bits and pieces of shapes come together and form environments to reflect in or escape to. she doesn't like referring to herself in third person but finds that it makes writing a bio a little bit easier.

Janine Wallach

Mustache extravaganza interactive installation

Steve Paylovsky

live projected light show

Steve Pavlovsky is a musician and visual artist from Queens, NY. He first began doing liquid light shows for bands after finding digital projection equipment to be too costly and the results unsatisfactory. "Digital projections look cheap" he says, "you almost always end up seeing pixels, and the images lack the variation and fluidity you'd want to go along with live music". He decided to begin experimenting with old-school overhead projector and colored oil techniques used in the 1960's during the psychedelic era. With little information available as to how to put together these types of light shows, Steve has developed his own style, absent of any mentorship, which provides a stunning level of organic brilliance rarely found in today's hyper-technological world.

Douglas Ljungkvist

urban photography

I’m a self-taught Brooklyn based photographer, originally from Sweden. Photography for me is all about self expression. My personal work is more about feeling and mood than a decisive moment. I strive to make the ugly beautiful through my appreciation for the ordinary and keen sensitivity to natural light.

My color photography studies the urban landscape. I search for scenes that appeal to my eye or invoke certain feelings, including, familiarity, alienation, or eeriness. My work is mostly void of people. Attributes to describe my photographic voice include intuitive, urban, graphic, vernacular, and quiet.

Lara Goetzl

self portrait series

Lara Goetzl was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY where she currently resides, pursuing photography. She graduated from the Institute of Collaborative Education in 2007 and headed for art school at The Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2009 she received her Associates Degree in Arts and Science and decided to continue her educational pursuits and is now currently enrolled in the BFA program. Lara works with many NYC based artists, and, has had her worked published and shown all over NYC. She is currently a contributor at Chief Magazine. She is proud to be a part of Backyart.

June artists upcoming events and contact info

2009-07-02T23:35:00.000-07:00

If you enjoyed what you saw last Saturday, you can get more information about the artists:

J. Anthony Roman
http://janthonyroman.com/
Also check out his new play, The Mistresses of 1 Centre Street,
featuring backyart member Max Woertendyke
July 2 @ 8:00pm, July 4 @ 2:00pm
Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/7076 6 (Stripes series)

Astrid Andujar (paintings on wood in the studio)
www.astridandujar.com

Grace Jung (poet)
Make sure to friend her at http://www.facebook.com/aechjay

Andrew Berger-Gross and Jacob Isleib
can occasionally be found playing banjo and mandolin at assorted farmer's markets and train platforms.
To hire them for your next party, Bar Mitzvah, or funeral, contact
Andrew at abergerg@gmail.com or Jacob at fortpoops@gmail.com.
http://www.myspace.com/abgbanjo

Fiddler Craig Judelman can be heard playing with the legendary old-timey supergroup The Dust Busters.
http://www.myspace.com/dustbustersmusic

Filthy Glamour
I know you want to be friends with them at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Filthy-Glamour/98382913441
Jed Clarke make you laugh till you peed? Check out his website: www.seriousland.com

Twilight of the Idle
www.myspace.com/twilightoftheidle
Check out their new album "Modesty."
It's available on www.cdbaby.com/twilightoftheidle and www.itunes.com/twilightoftheidle.
And make sure to check out their upcoming shows:
July 5 @ 7:00pm solo show at Bluestockings
August 30 @ 8:00pm Sidewalk Cafe - 94 Avenue A, free
Go see video artist Liz Magic Laser's show "chase" at Heist Gallery, 277 Essex Street (btwn. Grand St. and Hester St., featuring Felicia Garcia Rivera and Max Woertendyke.

Lara Goetzl (photos in studio space)
http://larakatie.carbonmade.com/

If you are interested in contacting Nimmers Stern,
just shoot us an e-mail and we can put you in touch.

June Photos are here!

2009-07-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

Craig, Andrew and Jacob jamming away as Dave blings a square.

Julia, our grill master!

Jed Clark and his buddies- looking cool and being silly

Astrid Andujar- making a quilt square amongst her art- way to be creative girl!

Lovely backyart regulars Tony, Astrid, Jean and buddie

Twilight of the Idle + 1= something very silly happening here

GLITTER!!!!!

Pout those lips...

Oh yeah Hans and girls! Work it!

Bronwyn's beautiful cake with Emily Allison singing Happy Birthday!

Our beautiful crowd on a beautiful day

beautiful beautiful cake- tasted even better.

sewing some quilt squares in my party dress...yeah I'm cool

A double rainbow on our birthday- can it get more special???

Hannah and Dave amongst Astrid's paintings sewing, glue, crafting away

Thanks for celebrating 1 year! Woohoo!

2009-06-30T23:38:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

Thanks to everyone that came out on Saturday night to celebrate backyart's first birthday!

It was an awesome night full of art, music, food, hilarity, sewing, dancing, singing, glitter, cake, collaboration and celebration! It gives us so much inspiration for the next year and many to come.

Some very cool things happened:

- Musicians old and new came together to bring us live music before and after performances- the first time this has happened and it was awesome! Thanks to Andrew, Jacob and Craig- and to Lindsay and Dave for jamming along. That's what I like to see (and hear!)

- We were graced with the presence of Grace Jung who performed in June and read her lovely poetry which wove together stories and experiences in a way I have rarely heard before.

- Astrid Andujar installed her paintings downstairs in the studio, recreating and transforming the space from my home and studio into a visually interactive web of color and shape.

-We created the beginning of a quilt(which will be shown in its entirety next month) sewing together squares which you all made- it all seems so symbolic huh? And funky!

-Twilight of the Idle performed music that made you both wanna dance and question the world around you.

- Jed Clark and his gang made us laugh- ALOT!

-J. Anthony Roman brought us into the past of Mikey's family, revealing a story which was full of sadness, destruction, and as always, idiosyncratic and gritty humor.

- Nimmers Stern brought us a silent film covered with the laughter of the audience, describing the romance of two people brought together on missed connections (we've all had the fantasy!)

- Filthy Glamour covered our yard and all of us with glitter while they seduced us with their sexy and silly shenanigans.

- Bronwyn Flemming Jones made a DELICIOUS cake which we all ate in celebration- (I ate 4 pieces...)

Thanks again to everyone who came out and participated- It was outrageously fun. I can't wait for next year.

Get ready for upcoming posts with photos and upcoming events from our wonderful artists!

Love ya guys,

Lia

Come join us to celebrate backyart's 1st Bday Sat June 27th

2009-06-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

It's backyart's 1st birthday.
Come join us to celebrate this Saturday!
June 27, 2009
6:30pm-11pm
649 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11211
(L train to Lorimer)
And with our new tent, don't let bad weather deter you from coming out!

Art Opening w/ complimentary hors d'oeuvres and music 6:30-7:30pm
Performances Start @ 8:00pm.

$10 entrance/$5 unltd. beverages.
Snacks and more also available.

A little bit about our participating artists and performances:

banjo playing skills of Andrew Berger-Gross
Andrew Berger-Gross was born at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in

Washington Heights. He spent his entire life wandering the five

boroughs. Even his dreams were filled with the sound of the elevated

train and the smell of Halal meat. Then one day, after sustaining a

minor head injury, he awoke with an unexplainable urge to guzzle

moonshine and strum a banjo. Tonight, belly flush with barbeque,

Andrew will present a program of traditional songs and dance tunes

from south of the Mason-Dixon line. To hear some of Andrew's music, click on http://www.myspace.com/abgbanjo

A selection of NYC poet Grace Jung's favorite personal works
Recent Pace University graduate with a BA in English (literature and writing) and philosophy.
Wrote senior thesis on Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” in relation to Postmodernism and Existentialism.
Currently working on a new film, adapted from the short story “Wings.”
Will be conducting research on Modern Korean literature under the Japanese occupation through a Fulbright Full Research Grant in Seoul beginning this fall.

The musical stylings of Twilight of the Idle
Twilight of the Idle is an innovative blend of piano-artistry coupled

with politically charged melodies and spoken words. They consist of

songwriter, vocalist, and pianist Rickie Gal, and drummer Lindsay

Haughton. Rickie started the band in 2005, with a different lineup, at

Purchase College. Since then, he has performed all over New York, and

his music has picked up influence from many different genres across

the spectrums of jazz, rock, and folk. Rickie recorded his first

Twilight of the Idle album, "Modesty," this year. He uses music to

inspire change and raise awareness about the issues that he is

passionate about.
To hear some jams, click on www.myspace.com/twilightoftheidle

"Chapter 6: Father's Day," by NYC author Anthony J. Roman
the fifth segment of what will be a year-long dramatic reading series to be presented over the course of backyart '09. To find out more about Anthony, click on http://janthonyroman.com/

Silent film, "Don't Speak."
A silent movie about a couple that meet on missed connections section of Craigslist.
Written & Directed: Nimmers Stern
Cast: Elon Rutburg, Mariana Soares
Musical Score: Michael Slavin
Sound Design: Rob Hubbard

The sketch comedy hilarity of Jedidiah Clarke
Jedidiah Clarke is an actor and writer born and raised in Hell's Kitchen New York City. He is COOL. Past titles of his include "It's Crazy Sometimes", "Emotional Lightning", "Woah Mama (Follow Your Dreams)", "Straight Fire", "Back With Fire", "Slamming Fire", and "I"m Gonna Snap (My Job)" From time to time he collaborates with his friend J. Anthony Roman in a literary performance series called "A Search for a Better Tomorrow". For more information, including many movie reviews, visit www.seriousland.com

The neo-burlesque performance art of Filthy Glamour

Art Installations by:

Astrid Andujar; paintings on wood, exploring environmental and social awareness using vibrant colors and fantastical images
Astrid Andujar (aka AS3) was born in 1989, a native of the Dominican Republic's San Pedro de Macorís before arriving in the New York City borough of the Bronx in the summer of 2003. The Bronx graffiti scene became an immediate influence with many of the Boogie Down's aerosol legends serving as inspiration for her earliest works. Currently earning a degree in Graphic Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, AS3 has already seen her work at the likes of the Museum of Modern Art and the Bronx Museum of Art. Her current pieces consist of acrylics on wood: colorful with a touch of that urban Bronx flavor all rolled up in fun, futuristic and fantastical fit of anxiety that only today's recession-swamped generation can appreciate!

Douglas Ljungkvist; photos from his "The Quiet City" series
I’m a self-taught Brooklyn based photographer, originally from Sweden. Photography for me is all about self expression. My personal work is more about feeling and mood than a decisive moment. I strive to make the ugly beautiful through my appreciation for the ordinary and keen sensitivity to natural light.

My color photography studies the urban landscape. I search for scenes that appeal to my eye or invoke certain feelings, including, familiarity, alienation, or eeriness. My work is mostly void of people. Attributes to describe my photographic voice include intuitive, urban, graphic, vernacular, and quiet.

Lara Katie Goetzl ; selected photos from her "Operator" series
Lara Goetzl was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY where she currently resides, pursuing photography. She graduated from the Institute of Collaborative Education in 2007 and headed for art school at The Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2009 she received her Associates Degree in Arts and Science and decided to continue her educational pursuits and is now currently enrolled in the BFA program. Lara works with many NYC based artists, and, has had her worked published and shown all over NYC. She is currently a contributor at Chief Magazine. She is proud to be a part of Backyart.

Liz Magic Laser and Felicia Garcia Rivera
video installation of their film, "Cold Feet."

A Little Bit About May 30th's Performances and Artists

2009-05-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

15 Minutes of Fame...

(a segment from upcoming theater piece)
...All you need to do is dance the tango blindfolded, jump off a cliff, drink yourself into oblivion, find true love, live on a deserted island, make a dress out of vegetables, eat cow brains, admit how much you hate yourself and your life, have sex with a total stranger, try to win $100,000 all while exposing yourself on National Television in order to become rich, famous, and ultimately die.

Reality TV- it is funny, moving, awful, exciting, action packed, degrading, inspiring, but whether you love it or hate it, it's part of the American psyche. In this physical theater piece you will come to accept that Reality

TV is here to stay. Brace yourself!

"Chapter 5: Mother's Day," by NYC author Anthony J. Roman

The fifth segment of what will be a year-long dramatic reading series to be presented over the course of backyart '09. For more info on Anthony, click on http://janthonyroman.com/

The Dustbusters

Formerly "The Sturdy Beggars" (who performed at backyart's January Winter Series) composed of Walker Shepard, Eli Smith, and Craig Judelman.

The Dustbusters are based out of Brooklyn New York, where they are often found playing Wednesday nights at the Jalopy Theater. They strive to integrate a wide range of blues, old timey songs, fiddle tunes and originals into every performance, and infuse it all with the freewheelin high energy that characterized early string bands in the vein of the Georgia Crackers, Mississippi Sheiks, JE Mainer and His Mountaineers, etc. They are currently working on their

first album.

For more info and to hear a morsel of this great band, click on http://www.myspace.com/dustbustersmusic

Short films: "Humilikey" produced and written by Elizabeth Murray(directed by Olenka Denysenko and Syr-Ivan Bennett and "Timing", produced by Elizabeth Murray and directed by John Des Roches

Elizabeth graduated from the Experimental Theater Wing at the Tisch School of Arts at NYU. As an actor she has performed with various theater companies in New York and New England, and toured with the National Theater of the Deaf, which furthered her interest in silent film.

Three years ago, frustrated by some of the projects and roles she was asked to audition for she began producing her own work. She created,co-wrote and co-directed the web series Cafe Conversations which won the grand prize in fliggeebox.com's pitch contest.

Jennie Booth

Jennie Booth is a Visual Artist working in New York City and Los Angeles. She has exhibited extensively and is the recipient of many grants and international fellowships including the Sharpe Studio Program in NYC and Mano Y Mente in New Mexico. Her mixed-media tapestries and beeswax/oil paintings are glowing iconographic gems, layered with cross-cultural symbolism.

backyart will be featuring tapestry paintings from her current "Speechless" series. This series explores gender politics through the loaded symbolism of "Skirt."

This Fall Booth will be exhibiting in Los Angeles at Poor Dog Art Warehouse and in Chicago at Windows On Armitage Gallery.

Ali Gauss

paintings from the "Cracks in the Sidewalk" series

"Without thinking about the numerous puns and associations that surround “cracks,” such as 'falling through the cracks,' or 'don’t step on a crack,' I just simply wanted my paintings to present the cracks in the sidewalk in all of their natural beauty and organic growth. As I delved into these cracks, I want the viewer to regard the thought that something as minuscule and ordinary, such as faults in concrete, can be seen as momentously beautiful

and captivating."

Katrina Miller

a durational performance and installation piece

Michael Mlekicki

photos and more

backyart is back in the backyard May 30th!

2009-05-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

Announcing

(drum roll please...)

backyart
summer series

May 30, 2009

6:30pm-10pm

649 Metropolitan Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11201

(L train to Lorimer)
(and we're back in the yard!)

Art Opening w/ complimentary hors d'oevours 6:30-7:30pm
Performances Start @ 8:00pm.

$10 entrance/$5 unltd. beverages.
Snacks and more also available.
And with our new tent, don't let bad weather deter you from coming out!

"Ask not what Art can do for you, but what you can do for Art!"
Come out and support an awesome May line-up as we return to the yard.

FEATURING

15 Minutes of Fame...

"Reality TV - it is funny, moving, awful, exciting, action packed, degrading, inspiring, but whether you love it or hate it, it's part of the American psyche. In this physical theater piece you will come to accept that Reality TV is here to stay. Brace yourself!"

"Chapter 5: Mother's Day," by NYC author Anthony J. Roman -
the fifth segment of what will be a year-long dramatic reading series to be presented over the course of backyart '09.

http://janthonyroman.com/

The musical stylings of rockin' bluegrass band
The Dust Busters (formerly The Sturdy Beggars)

"Humilikey" and "Timing"
2 short films from award winning director Elizabeth Murray

Art Installations by:

Katrina Miller -
a durational performance and installation piece

Ali Gauss -
paintings from the "Cracks in the Sidewalk" series

Jennie Booth -
paintings from her "Speechless" series

Michael Mlekicki -
photos and more

Backyart April 2009 photos!

2009-05-16T22:45:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Joe Ahearn- Thanks Joe!

DJ Fraze One with Little Dave

Installation in the Studio

Indiana Hoover playing some jams

An Article about....BACKYART!

2009-05-04T17:54:00.000-07:00

Some very exciting news!

backyart has had its first official piece of press. The Pace Press, Pace University's newspaper, came to April's event and published an article in this week's paper. Pretty cool huh?

Here's the link. Soon, I'll scan the actual article so you can all see the awesome pictures too.
http://www.pacepress.org/home/index.cfm?event=displayArticle&ustory_
id=aed46658-a434-46ad-b4c3-43ebdc03b7ba
Woop Woop!

Thanks for coming out on Saturday!

2009-04-27T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody!

A big thanks to everyone who came and participated on Saturday. Lots of new people came, we heard some great poetry, some wonderful guitar, some dancing jams, a great chapter 4 from Anthony(my favorite actually!), and some amazing dancing from Little Dave Rockers.

Some exciting news from Saturday:

-People were watching from their roofs!
-Artists sold some work!
-I think we'll have Little Dave Rockers back for another jam session!
-All the hot dogs got eaten! (that's a first)
-We made enough money for a tent!

We'll be sending out an e-mail soon to our mailing list with all upcoming info about our April 25th artists and our May event. In the meantime, make sure to check out Breevez who shared some beautiful poetry with us at an event at Pace tomorrow.

Tuesday Poetry Slam
Pace University 8pm
One Pace Plaza
4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, JMZ to Chambers St.

Also, we are still looking for more visual artists to show at our May 30th event. if you'd like to show please let us know. lia.backyart@gmail.com!

Pictures from April 25th coming to flickr soon!
If any one has any pictures or video, send em our eway so we can share with everybody. backyart@gmail.com

Thanks and lots of love
Lia

April 25th Flyer!

2009-04-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

APRIL 25th ART ATTACK

2009-04-19T22:42:00.000-07:00

Our next backyart event is April 25th. Celebrating the end of The Winter Series and the beginning of our second Summer Season, we are hosting an all day art extravaganza with a complete artistic transformation of our indoor space, live painting and performances outdoors, and a live DJ to get us dancing all day long. Specific info below:

Announcing
(drum roll please...)

backyart presents OpenHouse Art Attack!
April 25th, 2009
3pm-8pm
649 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11201
(L train to Lorimer)

All encompassing art installation:
A Crew of Creeps Presents a Collection of "low-brow" Art: from portraiture to fantasy, on found objects.

Performances throughout the day($5):
DJ Fraze One spins old school hip hop and other jams you can dance to

4:00-5:00
*Musical Stylings by Indiana Hoover
*Spoken Word performances by Andrea Cofino, Sade Dozier, and others

6:00-7:00

*"Chapter 4: April Fool's Day" of Belated Apocalypse by J. Anthony Roman
*Old school break dancers, Little Dave Rockers show us a thing or two on the dance floor

First video ever of January 09!

2009-04-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

Hey guys- So here is video of January's Winter Series event with J. Anthony Roman and The Sturdy Beggars (now The Dust Busters who will be joining us at our May event) How exciting! I'll admit- it's a little ghetto and a little shoddy- but that's what this is all about- taking chances, learning new things and being creative. Woohoo!

Anyway enjoy!

Looking for participants

2009-03-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

backyart is looking for artists!

We are always looking for any artists who are interested in submitting any form of creative expression- be it puppeteering, writing, singing, drumming, saxophoning, guitaring, painting, funny face making, etc...

For this upcoming summer season, we are looking for some specific acts as well. If you are a musician, performance artist, or dancer and would like to participate at backyart this summer please let us know. We would love to incorporate more of these types of art and would love to have YOU be who we incorporate.

Also looking for visual artists of all kinds- particularly those artists interested in creating site specific installations in our backyard and using the space as creatively as possible.
Please e-mail backyart@gmail.com if you are interested.

Love as per usual,
Lia

What a great night we had!

2009-03-30T16:13:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

Just wanted to thank everyone who came out on Saturday for our Film Frenzy and give a special thanks to everyone who participated in both NYC and Dublin. It was a really fun night.

J. Anthony Roman read his third chapter of "Belated Apocalypse" in which we met Leah, Mikey's mom and learn about her interests in Mikey's education. We also learn more about Gerald, his jaded look on life and his ability to kill if need be.

We spent the rest of the night eating popcorn and awarding paper plates to participants of The backyart/Attic film festival. We learned a couple of things about these 2 places:

1-Dublin values production value more than we do.
2- NY somehow values bizarre sexuality.
3- Everyone thinks of bravery differently.
4- They don't get drunk in Dublin until after their festivals- CRAZY!

Make sure to check us out next month for April's OpenHouse Art Attack. It will be an all day festival with our first art opening showing off the talents of some boys from Boston and with a DJ, rapper and hopefully some krump dancers. Does anyone know any krump dancers?

More info coming soon.

Lots of love
Lia

March backyart Film Frenzy!!1

2009-03-05T22:48:00.000-08:00

And don't forget, next month is our International Film Fest. Let us know if you want to participate cause we want you to. Here's the info:

Backyart Film Frenzy!!!

Backyart and The Attic Studio in Dublin, Ireland are teaming up for FilmFest in March and want YOU to be a part of it!
Shoot us an e-mail NOW to register yourself or a team!

Here's how it works:

- Teams from New York and Dublin are signing up now. At a predetermined time on March 19th, an independent 3rd party will supply a common theme and image that must be used in all the films.

- All teams will then have approximately 78 hours to put together a film using the given criteria.

- All films must be between 20 seconds and 7 minutes.

-Teams can be comprised of as many or as few people as possible.

- Films can be narrative, abstract, live-action, stop-action, animation or any other thing you can think of!

If you're a film maker, film lover, simply have a camera you've never used and want to see what you can do with it shoot us an email to sign up! No previous film making experience necessary.

If you want to participate but don't have a team, let us know and we'll see if we can set you up with some other folk.

ALL of the videos made will be shown both at backyart's March 28th event as well as at The Attic Studio.

Hope you'll join us!

Here are some details about The Attic Studio...

The Attic Studio

The Attic Studio is a community of actors, directors, writers & producers who have been meeting since early 2002 to explore drama, share ideas and network. The studio is run on a membership basis, with new attendees invited by existing members. We hold a workshop once a week and our priority is to explore and create new work.

http://www.theatticstudio.net/

February 2009 backyart

2009-03-05T22:43:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone that came out last weekend. We had a great night with "Dark Heart of Meteorology" and chapter 2 of Anthony J. Roman's novel "Belated Apocalypse". Love it! Neurotic weathermen and Valentine's Day breakups. That's what I call backyart. Anyway thanks to our wonderful participants and guests. We had a great night with cupcakes, crafts, friends(new and old- silver and gold), and wonderful art. Pictures will be up very soon!

Love
Lia (and Max and Maria in spirit)

2009-02-19T16:32:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Welcome to the backyart blog. Here we will have photos of our past events, announcements of our upcoming events, info about how to become a participating artist and links to all of our past participating artists' websites. Networking baby!

To start off with, I figured I'd post some of the "best of" photos of our past backyart events. To check out all our photos, check out our flickr site:

www.flickr.com/photos/35256220@N05/sets/72157614042095295/

JUNE '08- OUR FIRST EVER backyart

Kenji, one of our very supportive very wonderful backyart audience members and helper- outer. We love you Kenji!

GETTING READY FOR backyart JUNE '08

Backyard Pre- Cleanup for backYart June '08. We spent the day frying eggs on stop signs, posing, and chopping the begeezus out of the jungle to make it into a wonderful outdoor space.
egg cooking- it only sort of worked
Oh Max!

2009-02-09T23:04:00.000-08:00

Well hey everyone. Max here. Looking forward to having this place to keep everyone up-to-date on all the backayrt happenings. Lia will likely be doing most of the typing but I wanted to say hi and welcome and I hope you are all ready for some Backyart awesomeness in 2009. Okay. That's it. See you soon.