See "London Cries" in Fort Greene at the Lafayette Presbyterian Church!

I went to see the performance by the Irondale Theater Company of London Cries last weekend with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the venue amazing, this Church, the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church is an amazing venue as it was the center of the Brooklyn abolitionist movement. Many noted people spoke there included Frederik Douglass and Charles Dickens. The church has a vibe which is perfect for this play/musical. I can tell a good thing when I actually pay attention, as I am apt to space out during things like this. I was forced to go to too many Broadway plays as I child (yes i saw Annie with Sarah Jessica Parker in the starring role!) and as result usually have no interest in"theater". Since I have always been a Dickens fan I decided to check this one out and i was RIVETED. Not only was the acting good, the music was too, the whole thing had an old music hall feel and the staging was fantastic (great boxing match!). If you are looking for something to do with family in town or even if they are not that is "special " for the holidaze I recommend this.

The details!

Based on Henry Mayhew's classic book London Labour and the London Poor . From the crumbling walls and recesses of an old London theatre the ghosts of yesteryear step forth to share with us their lives, their loves and the lilting melodies of a bygone Victorian era. Drawn from first-hand accounts of the traders and prostitutes, the sewer- men and flower-girls, the criminals and con-men who hacked a precarious living from the streets of the metropolis, LONDON CRIES speaks to us in words and music of the suffering but also the joys of London life as it was really lived.

The new musical London Cries by Di Trevis and Frank McGuinness has Music by Dominic Muldowney and thirty original songs from the London Music Hall. London Cries is directed by the Olivier Award-Winning Di Trevis.

Performances begin November 19th and run through December 20th, running Wednesdays – Saturdays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM.

Tickets are $40/ $15 seniors and students and can be purchased by going to www.ovationtix.com or by calling 212.352.3101.

The Irondale Center is easy to get to at the historic Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 85 South Oxford St, Bklyn, NY bet. Lafayette and Fulton Street

The Atlantic Antic.A good time was had by all! (I think!)

Sheik Eddie Kojak performing at the Atlantic Antic.
Well as said F.I.B was at the Atlantic Antic and I present to you the fabulous Eddie Kojak and orchestra who has been wowing the crowds for years at the corner of Clinton and Atlantic. This was an unexpected closing number where Eddie, as someone behind me said, “was rapping” in English. A fabulous performer and I love how relaxed his band is. Out of towners hang on till the end, Eddy has an authentic Brooklyn accent (and attitude) despite the Middle Eastern flava of his words. ( Laughter and commentary provided by FIB and friend K.) Earlier on stage and I regret not filming this was the first male belly dancer I ever saw perform. Ends up he came all the way from Pennsylvania. K thought he was a “burning man type” and I thought he was a drag queen that snuck on stage! I thinkit was the black eyeshadow and jewelry. Also note that they have seemed to use the same trailer for years as Independence Bank closed years ago! On the flip side of course F.I.B spent a significant amount of time in front of Last Exit. Missed Susquehanna Tool & Die Co. unfortunately but did catch 2 sets of Les Sans Culottes. Even this elegant lady with the balloon was diggin’ the scene, she was banging her head a little to the sounds of L.S.C! LOVED HER! She looks kind of french all put together and such. Is she someone in L.S.C's Granny?
Also was severely admiring Les Sans Cullotes keyboard players ensemble for the afternoon although the whole band looked fab as always.
See!

Filmed until heads got in the way!

"Big Sky Brooklyn" on TV Thursday night

Big Sky Brooklyn is one of my favorite photo blogs. His photos are a homage to old industrial south brooklyn and he has a thing for cemeteries, factories, eccentric characters, irish bars and the contrast of old and new Brooklyn. I especially like his narrations, check out "Ode to the discarded air conditioner" or one of his many "Industrial Haikus".

Here is what Adam aka Big Sky Brooklyn has to say about the details:

Big Sky Brooklyn will be featured on the show Neighborhood Beat (on BCAT), September 27 at 8:30 pm.
The segment will include an interview with yours truly and a visit to some hallowed Brooklyn sites that appear on the blog (like Backhoe Gulch, the Ninth Street Bridge, and the Gowanus Canal).

The show can be viewed in any of the following ways:
- Time Warner Cable, channel 56
- Cablevision, channel 69
- Streaming live online (scroll to “Watch BCAT Live” and click #3)

The show will repeat October 10, 15, and 19 at 8:30 pm.