Category: Events
Theremin Workshop at WFMU
Went to a fun theremin workshop at WFMU’s Monty Hall in Jersey City with the lovely Dorit Chrysler. I’ve had a fascination with this instrument since I first heard of it in the late 80s — but it always seemed so mysterious and I never had the slightly clue how to navigate playing one. The class opened with Ms. Chrysler playing a piece of her music, which was really moving. After a short talk, she invited folks up to fumble around the 6 thereminis that they had around the stage (each with a pair of earbuds attached) a few times. One interesting point Dorit made was that both trained musicians and non-trained everybodies would be in the same boat playing the theremin for the first time. The one question I had was in relation to Chysler saying she was a “lefty,” so the tone arm of the theremin was on left. This confused me because I couldn’t really comprehend which side of the instrument (the volume or the tone) would be considered the “main” side (e.g., like the frets of a guitar). She confessed that it really hard to say and that you “really need both hands equally”. It was just a matter of what feels right. There were about 60 people in attendance but they said they’ll be doing smaller workshops (one person per theremin) throughout the year 2025.
Film Screening: Born Innocent
There’s a big, shocking reveal in the Redd Kross documentary. Something that I don’t think people generally know about. I’m not gonna spoil it but check it out when you can. It was a fun screening last night at Nighthawk Prospect Park with a Q&A with director Andrew Reich, the former executive producer on the television sitcom ‘Friends’! He did a great job of capturing the dynamic between brothers Jeff and Steven McDonald, and also communicating the macro and micro about Redd Kross, the subtle and unusual reasons they’re such a great rock n roll band. I have a deep love for Redd Kross and so many amazing memories of seeing them play during their peak with Robert Hecker on guitar in the late 80s and early 90s. I’m s fan of their “sell out” period (‘Phaseshifter’ etc ) and I feel like this was semi glossed over, only covered as part of being “out of place in the industry.” But maybe there’s not much more to communicate about how deeply and uniquely they did not give a fuck. I think back to seeing them to seeing them during this period at Maxwell’s and mentioned that someone in the industry called them “the alternative Nelson.” Amazing. Long live Redd Kross.
Coincidentally, strangely and sadly, the @reddkross IG account posted a tribute to their former manager, Joanna “Spock” Dean, who just died. I actually knew her very briefly and we hung out in 1988. Seeing her face brought a few memories flooding back briefly, including traveling downtown to CBGB to see Redd Kross but failing to get in because it was during the CMJ convention and it was filled with CMJ badge-wearing dbags, even though she had considerable pull being their former manager. I didn’t know it at the time but Spock is an LA punk scene legend. She was a member off the all-girl band Backstage Pass and apparently played a big role in developing the Paisley Underground scene. I didn’t know her for long but she was so cool and I feel lucky to have spent the time. RIP Spock!
Brooklyn Wort: Undiscovered Beers, Heartbreak
Q: Why would someone drink from 1-5 in the afternoon on a Sunday?
A: You’re breaking up with me
Brooklyn Wort is an annual homebrew competition sponsored by Sycamore, my neighborhood bar – and Brooklyn Homebrew supplies place. I don’t have an interest in making my own beer but I do like trying experimental hooch, so I rode my bike over to Bell House in Gowanus on Sunday, September 8, 2013
30 home brewers who reside in Kings County poured their soul and hoppy tears into cute little tasting glasses (see above) with the hopes of winning a prize of $1000. The first beer I tried, “Jaded Hipster” APA, was amazing. I figured I had a winner right there — because not one of the next 10 came close. Several didn’t even come close to being drinkable. But then I tried “Fresh Squeezed Orange IPA Not From Concentrate” and I knew I had tasted something even more special and delicious, so I voted for the nice folks behind that one. I have no idea who won but it was great and I’m relieved I didn’t die or get a BUI on my way home.
After I arrived back in Ditmas Park, I sent a gchat instant message to the lady I’ve been seeing the past 4 months. A sweet, beautiful, and sexy young Puertorriqueña — but I guess it’s true I had been pulling back a little on the whole thing and she was starting to notice. She flat out stated that I was breaking up with her. I was so drunk and weary. I guess I was in no position to to be having that discussion at that moment. I think she had a few too. But I realized for sure that I was in fact ending it, though it took another 12 hours. It really sucked to be a part of that. She was clearly hurt but I was relieved, so I guess that’s pretty telling. Then later in the day I ate the last of the mayo that she whipped up freshly and furiously with her sexy arms the week before.
Undiscovered Brooklyn 