Tim Kent’s home studio at last year’s BOS. (Photo: Alexandria Glorioso)
Bushwick Open Studios is happening this weekend and once again local artists will open their private studio doors to the public for a few days of art consumption, mingling, and performances. This year’s 600 related events stretch all the way from Decatur Street to just north of Grand. But don’t freak out just yet, because we’ve planned a pretty solid weekend for you below.
If you fear that all the drinking might dull your sense of direction, we recommend downloading the BOS iPhone app to navigate the studio sprawl, or pick up a printed map (and use the restroom!) at one of the festival’s “hubs” (Norte Maar, Little Skips, Outlet, English Kills, Silent Barn, SIGNAL, Wayfarers, OUTPOST, and Radio Bushwick).
Here’s where we’ll be this weekend (our proclivity for free food and drinks may be evident in some of these picks).
Friday
+ BOS kicks off Friday with a launch party at Radio Bushwick, where 10 bones gets you in the door to see local acts like Broke MC and Life Size Maps. Doors are at 8 p.m. and the party goes until just before dawn.
+ There are just too many rad parties going down and a ton of awesome art to hover in one spot for too long. After Radio Bushwick, head to House of Screwball for a rooftop dance party. Cover is just $5 if you can swing it.
+ Drop in at the old 3rd Ward space for Do It Yourself – a show featuring as many, if not more, artists (40+) as you’re likely to see at the bigger studio complexes (566 and 592 Johnson, 1013 and 1027 Grand, 119 Ingraham, 41 Varick, and 1717 Troutman). Opening reception is 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
+ Definitely stop into EXIT Room at some point. There’s going to be a live painting competition, bands for those of you who “like music,” and most importantly FREE BEER (with $3 admission price) from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday
+ Start your day out right with “Art Brooklyn,” an exhibition hosted by New York Studio Factory. Judging by these creative monikers you probably won’t be required to think very hard at this show. But, hey, you can get your brain moving again with FREE DRINKS. Opens at noon.
+ Keep your eyes peeled while wandering around Bushwick and hopefully you’ll catch pop up performances by Spread Art (visiting from Detroit) and Indus Truck Works Ltd. Stay tuned for exact locations.
+ Be sure to stop by Sulphurbath Productions on Flushing for “Odds and Ends, Gods and Friends,” a show featuring photography, paintings, and sculpture by several local artists. And at 8 p.m. the studio is hosting an old-school sci-fi radio broadcast featuring live music and storytelling.
+ After hoofing it around Bushwick all day, head to Bizarre on Jefferson for the Electronic Music Showcase, another late night party featuring local producers.
+ Our second pick for Saturday night is Pissed Jeans and Lost Dreams. Stretch your legs and hike up to Troutman for free drinks (!) and a set by Psychic Twin.
Sunday
+ Round out your weekend with Animamus Art Salon, held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Starr Street Studios. Several artists will present their work prior to performances from the likes of the Metal Ballerina. Drinks and food will be available for purchase, but it might be wiser to snap something up from the Floating Wall of Affordable Works.
+ If film is more your thing, from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Bizarre hosts Cinema Sunday, a mini film festival. You can find us chilling out in the bar’s backyard for the BOS closing reception.
And don’t forget: The first annual NEWD art fair and Bushwick Open Studios Community Day