THE DTE BLOG HAS MOVED

The DTE Blog Has Moved!

2009-02-02T15:42:00.006-05:00

Check us out at our new home, DestinationRedHook.wordpress.com

The new blog looks nicer (I think) but will be much of the same, with a bit of a broader focus- if it's going on in Red Hook, we will try to be on top of it as DestinationRedHook.

DTE Youth Council

2009-01-30T15:09:00.006-05:00

Hi it’s La’Saen.

Emily and I have been given a new task, which is to create a youth council for DTE. A youth council would give young people in Red Hook (and other places in Brooklyn where DTE programs) a chance to inform us what we can do to help them in any way- offering new programming, services, or even providing space for their own projects.

I’m hoping that this youth council will help me develop my skills in planning events, and that it will help DTE respond better to the needs of the young people in its community.

Red Hook High Reunion

2009-01-26T16:00:00.002-05:00

This Saturday, January 31st.
Screening, food, and more, at Rocky Sullivan's.
3pm-6pm

Chat with the cast and crew (and if you are cast and crew make sure you're there!) about this unique TV pilot and the pre-professional training program that created it.

ADVOCATE FOR CULTURE AT ARTS DAY IN ALBANY

2009-01-26T15:50:00.002-05:00

Alliance for the Arts continues their work advocating for the arts in New York. Head over to their website to read about their plans for "Arts Day" in Albany, coming up February 3rd.

And don't miss their profile of Why arts matter to NYC

CB6 Meeting Tonight

2009-01-26T10:12:00.002-05:00

A bunch of different people are on top of tonight's Community Board 6 meeting.

Get some details about the air quality initiative up for discussion.

Need a tutor?

2009-01-23T13:56:00.000-05:00

Free Tutoring at the Red Hook Initiative.

The Day After

2009-01-21T18:03:00.002-05:00

Scott Turner of Rocky Sullivan's post-inaugural address on Only The Blog Knows Brooklyn reminded us of some things from an old New York Magazine article about the "de-gentrification" of Red Hook.

According to a pre-inauguration piece in the Chicago Tribune:

The 48-mower contingent will include one topped with a 5-foot replica of the Washington Monument, another with a well-endowed mannequin wearing a T-shirt declaring "D.C. or bust," and another called "Obama the self-starter." It features two hands emerging from the mower and grabbing the starter rope.

Read the blog to see why that bizarre quote might make you feel a little brighter about the future.

Another new face @ DTE

2009-01-19T15:16:00.002-05:00

Head over to the website to (electronically) meet our newest intern, Emily.

While you're there check out the new pages for BIHS and (a long overdue update for) Red Hook High, and get a first peak at this year's Red Hook Waterfront Arts Festival.

On The Waterfront on the waterfront

2009-01-16T14:29:00.002-05:00

No typo- just a chance to see a wonderful play in a truly unique setting.

The Brooklyn Paper reports today that Budd Schulberg's play, "On The Waterfront," will be produced aboard Red Hook's own Waterfront Museum & Showboat Barge.

The play is part of a series of productions of works by Brooklyn-born writers presented in interesting Brooklyn locations. Check out Brave New World Rep for details.

Tony says Good bye

2009-01-12T10:32:00.003-05:00

DTE had to say goodbye last week to our wonderful intern Tony. Though we'll continue to work with him at the Brooklyn International High School and at our major events like the Red Hook Waterfront Arts Festival, this will be Tony's final entry to the DTE blog. We wish Tony the best of luck through high school and beyond, and give him big thanks for all his hard work around the office and at events ranging from Angels and Accordions to Added Value's Harvest Festival.

As some of you know I was an intern at DTEtc. I was there for three months. I did many things with them. I got to watch a show called Angels and Accordions and learn more about it. What is the purpose of the show? To bring people to Green-Wood Cemetery to appreciate the history and the beauty.

I like working with Martha and everyone else because it’s not boring here. I work like I’m in a real job. I have my own computer and always have my task to complete. I challenge myself. When I’m done with my task I ask them, “Do you have some more work?” I like to work, not just sit here. This was my first job experience. I think I did great-I had no trouble just being me. One thing I liked about my internship was writing for the blog. I write a lot so that’s good for me. I will take the English Regents Test at the end of January and my writing is getting better and better.

They showed me how to run your own business and how you get money to have it keep going. I also learned some computer skills that they taught me. So I just want to drop by to say goodbye. I am going to work with DTE in the Red Hook Festival and any other upcoming events if they would like me to. Who doesn’t want a great worker like me? I am also going to Drama Club next semester because it’s a good thing for us. We are international students, so it’s a good opportunity for us to have to work with new people. I can’t miss that next semester- I have to be there.

Safe Harbor Pics

2009-01-09T10:21:00.003-05:00

Here are just a few of the wonderful pictures taken by Edwin Anglero at our Safe Harbor Benefit in December. If you'd like to see more send an email to jon@dtetc.org or stay tuned to the blog.

DTE Community & Culture Youth Award winner Solomon Goodwin and Martha.

Solo artist Tiye Giraud performs

DTE board members Trac Vu and Pat McGillicuddy announce the winners of the Safe Harbor Raffle.

Community & Culture Award winner Ray Hall poses with Martha.

Introduction from La'Sean

2009-01-07T10:15:00.002-05:00

My name is La’Sean Brooks. I am a student at South Brooklyn Community High School. I’ve been an intern here at Dance Theatre Etcetera now for about a month. I found out about D.T.E because of a program taught at my high school named Theatre Works. I intend on continuing my internship here until the end of the school year, which is also when I plan on graduating.

I basically started my internship because I know that soon I'll be starting college and I wanted to be prepared for the real world. As an intern you get a lot of duties that can help prepare for that. This is my second internship. My first was for the Obama "Brooklyn for Barack" campaign, which involved a lot of the same things I do over here at D.T.E . Before I started interning, I didn’t really know too much on how to go about helping others out- especially not adults. I wasn’t used to being sort of in charge and not being treated as teenager. At my D.T.E internship, some things I’ve done were help with the annual benefit , look after the area while other programs were occurring, and day-to-day maintenance. Here at Dance Theatre Etcetera they treat me as an equal and no less .

Some things about me - I plan on attending college in the Fall of 2009 studying Communication. I love to laugh…I love listening to my ipod, hanging with my friends and…I am very friendly and I love and have no problem with trying new things.

Tony Talks About Performing With Drama Club

2008-12-19T15:59:00.002-05:00

On December 8th Drama Club had a performance at BIHS, in the gym. The performance went really well- our students are very talented, and the NYU students are also amazing. The only bad thing for us was the audience. We did wonderful work, and it felt like only 6 people showed up. I felt remorse about that. I was kind of feeling bad because I thought the NYU students were going to think that the school doesn’t care about drama club. After the show we served the audience food and talked to them. The performance was great- I feel like next semester I can’t miss drama club.

After we performed for our school, BIHS, we went to NYU to perform. We had a performance at NYU on December 15th. We had one hour to practice before the show. When I entered the NYU Theater it was nice and clean- it wasn’t really a big theater, but for our performance it was awesome because when you talk the audience can hear you nice and clear.

After we had practiced, we opened the doors for the audience. I thought 30 people were coming to watch us, but at the first performance it was the same thing- only about 6 people showed up. Now I was kind of feeling confident about myself, because we had the same number of people that came to watch our performance at BIHS.

The show at NYU was great. Afterwards, when we were talking to the audience, we asked them if they had any question for us. Someone asked how it felt to work with the NYU students. I said it was fun because you get to learn about them- what they like to do, what its like being in college- and they learned about our culture. My buddy and I once went to get a coffee to talk and learn more about each other.

After the show we had a party for the actors, and that’s the last time we got to see the NYU students. It was hard to say goodbye, but everyone knows everything has an ending. So we talked to each other, took pictures and ate. At the same time it was a member of drama club’s birthday, so the NYU students surprised her with a cake. It was awesome. I wish we could see each other again, act together, sing and be in drama club again. NYU students- we miss you guys.

-Tony St. Hilaire, BIHS Student, DTE Intern

Benefit Teaser

2008-12-17T11:30:00.002-05:00

Last Friday night's Safe Harbor benefit was a really fun (and, for the staff, really Long!) evening!

Thanks to everyone who played a part in making the night what it was, whether that meant volunteering your time, getting your organization to partner with DTE for the event, or just showing up and adding to the good vibes in the room.

Stay tuned to the blog for a full re-cap of the Safe Harbor Benefit, with pictures from DTE friend and Red Hook resident, Edwin Anglero.

Ray Hall

2008-12-09T10:40:00.002-05:00

This post is the third in a series leading up to Dance Theatre Etcetera's Safe Harbor Benefit. In each post we will profile one of the awardees of this year's DTE Community & Culture Awards. Today we profile Raymond Hall*.

After working for Honeywell International for over a decade, Raymond Hall went to work for Pier 41 Associates in his hometown of Red Hook, Brooklyn. In 1994, Ray and his brother Earl- unhappy with the crime and overall condition of their neighborhood - organized a touch-football league at Coffey Park to engage teens that were not involved in productive after-school activities.

This was the beginning of their organization, Red Hook Rise. A few years later, in order to reach more youth in the area, Ray and Earl organized a basketball league at Coffey Park. Next, Red Hook Rise started the literacy program "Read a Line to Educate Your Mind,” where participants received toys and other gifts during the holiday season as a reward for reading.

Having already made a large impact on local teens, the group set its sights on younger children, from ages 8 to 11, and started the program "Books and Basketball." They set up a reading area near the basketball courts- young athletes were not permitted to play until they had spent time reading - either to themselves or by listening to one of the guest readers invited in from the community. The program is so popular that Borough President Marty Markowitz has stopped by more than once to speak with the children about the importance of reading.

Ray describes his organization’s purpose as meeting whatever needs arise in the community, be it through his annual turkey drive for local families or his extensive work helping with job placement for people in the neighborhood.

For his dedication to the Red Hook community and his commitment to addressing local problems through outreach to local youth, we are happy to recognize Raymond Hall as a recipient of the 2008 Dance Theatre Etcteera Community & Culture Awards.

*portions of this biography were borrowed from a profile done by Partnership for Parks

Tini Wine Bar

2008-12-02T15:03:00.003-05:00

Among the fun to be had at DTE's Safe Harbor Benefit in December will be a Best of New York Raffle, where you'll have a chance to win prizes from gems in the neighborhood and around the boroughs. Each week on the blog we'll highlight one of the donating organizations and let you know what you might win. This week we feature Tini Wine Bar:

The Village Voice has this to say about this local Red Hook spot-
"Tini is everyone's secret restaurant dream: Open a comfy little place, uncork
the wine, invite your friends, and voila!—the instant good life."

To get a taste of that good life go to Tini for dinner, brunch, or drinks, or hire them to cater your next event.

Tini gets an extra thumbs-up for supporting local artists.

DTE thanks Tini for their donation to the Safe Harbor Benefit Raffle as part of a dinner & a movie package with Cobble Hill Cinemas. Buy your benefit ticket today to try your luck at the raffle and enjoy an evening full of great food and entertainment.

Brooklyn Brewery

2008-11-25T10:38:00.002-05:00

DTE's Safe Harbor Benefit could not happen without the support of our community partners. Each week on the blog we'll highlight one of the organizations donating to the event. This week we feature Brooklyn Brewery:

From The BB website:
"In 1984, Associated Press correspondent Steve Hindy returned from a six-year stint in the Middle East and settled in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood. Hindi had caught the homebrewing bug from diplomats stationed in Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia Kuwait and where alcoholic beverages were forbidden. With his downstairs neighbor, Tom Potter, a former lending officer at Chimical Bank, Hindy quit his job and found the Brooklyn Brewery. Their initial goal was to bring good beer back to New York City."

To make a long story short, and as you already know if you live in New York City, the two men achieved that goal. Today Brooklyn Brewery beer is everywhere. You can pick it up (or request it!) at your local beer distributor, bar, and probably at the bodega on your corner.

You can take a tour of the brewery Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 12pm-5pm, and they also offer a regular Friday night happy hour. You have to check out the Brooklyn Brewwery website for info on all their other events, and to find out where you can buy that essential design piece for every bachelor pad (or bar)- the neon beer sign.

DTE thanks Brooklyn Brewery for their commitment to their community, whether it's their progressive movement to wind-generated power (they were the first NYC company to do so) or their support of Brooklyn-based companies and artists. We thank them, most of all, for their generous sponsorship of the Safe Harbor Benefit. Buy your ticket now to guarantee yourself an evening in early December spent with good people and lots of good beer.

Our Journeys …and what will you bring?

2008-11-21T15:58:00.002-05:00

A collaborative, original production created by the Brooklyn International H.S Drama club and NYU students.

Monday, December 15 at 4:30 PM (Doors open at 4:15)
Jerry H. Labowitz Theater at NYU
(715 Broadway- enter on Washington Pl.)

Monday December 8th
3:30 in the BIHS Gym

This performance is drama club’s final project of the fall of 2008. If you want to come you are welcome to. If you do, you will see what Drama club is about. You will see what we have been doing since September 17.

This performance is our idea from Drama club. It is our work from Mondays, when we meet, where we split everyone into small groups. At the end of each week we perform to the class what we had been working on. That’s how we make the smaller pieces that make up this big performance.

The performance is very cool, you should see it- the NYU students are amazing to work with. You should see us perform.

Performed by BIHS Students:
Mariama Jalloh, Djane Joseph, Aissitou Barry, Djussica Carzo, Patricia Etienne, Wilbenson Eugene, Nadine Fleurival, Rahilou Jalloh, Nebojoth Jean, Christopher Leger, Fedia Louis, Rosenerlyn Morisset, Dieunie Morisset, Agathina Nozy, Donald Jean Pierre, Gregory Pierre, Quan Tang, Christina Cadeau, Michel Franski, Awa, and Jean Tony Sthilaire,

And NYU Students:
Angie Crain, Ava Houshmand, Keri Lyons, Tegan McDonough, Jessica Muise, Emily Rozanski, Rachel Shapiro, Sloane Taylor, Rebecca Thom,

Facilitators:
Martha Bowers, Greg Manley, Lindsay Shields

Mark D. Phillips

2008-11-21T11:23:00.004-05:00

This post is the third in a series leading up to Dance Theatre Etcetera's Safe Harbor Benefit. In each post we will profile one of the awardees of this year's DTE Community & Culture Awards. Today we profile Mark Phillips.

Mark D. Phillips, president of South Brooklyn Internet, Inc., has had a front row seat for the
digital revolution. A leader in the Internet age, SBI develops and creates marketing
strategies for traditional businesses making their first forays onto the World Wide Web.
SouthBrooklyn.com, the company’s local website, provides information and events from
brownstone Brooklyn to the world.

As an award-winning photojournalist for the Associated Press in New York City, he worked
with the earliest digital cameras and computers. During 1995, Mark completed one of the
first digital photo transmissions from the interior of China while publicizing the world’s
greatest high wire walk over the Yangtze River (jaycochrane.com).

Mark is a winner of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Photography contest in 1992, winning
First Place, Sports Action. “Safe” is part of the permanent collection. In 2001, his
photograph “Satan in the Smoke” from the World Trade Center attack was a world-wide
phenomenon, and is still published on a regular basis.

He is married to Andrea Peyser, an award-winning columnist for the New York Post, and has
a beautiful 9-year-old daughter, Eliza Rose.

For his dedication to supporting businesses and cultural programmers in Red Hook, his unique ability to connect the worlds of media, business and non-profit organizations, and his long-time support of Dance Theatre Etcetera, we are happy to recognize Mark D. Phillips as a recipient of the 2008 Dance Theatre Etcetera Community & Culture Award.

2008-11-18T11:27:00.003-05:00

Among the fun to be had at DTE's Safe Harbor Benefit in December will be a Best of New York Raffle, where you'll have a chance to win prizes from gems in the neighborhood and around the boroughs. Each week on the blog we'll highlight one of the donating organizations and let you know what you might win. This week we feature Culture Project:

"Blending prize-winning theater with urgent moral drama, Culture Project brings the national political conversation to life on the New York Stage."

We thank Culture Project for their generous donation of two tickets to see Ronan Noone's highly acclaimed one-man play, The Atheist. Directed by Justin Waldman and starring Campbell Scott, The Atheist has been written about glowingly in The New York Times and Boston Globe, to name just a couple. Theatremania.com calls it "the perfect match of magnificent actor and gripping play." Check out this exciting show, and don't forget to buy your raffle tickets at the Safe Harbor benefit for your chance to win this and other great prizes.

"An Opportunity to Help Others"

2008-11-14T12:06:00.002-05:00

That was the subject line on a recent email from Norma P. Munn, from the New York City Arts Coalition. Here was the message:
"I know the arts field has had some really bad news this week, and asking
everyone to do something for others may seem out of place. However, I also know this field and generosity of heart is very much a part of it.

Food banks in the City are experiencing unprecedented numbers of people
showing up for help. Like us, private donations are down at food banks and
the City is not able to do more for them.

This is a simple request. Please collect canned food from your audiences,
visitors, staff, etc. during the first weekend in December.

Ask everyone who walks onto your premises to bring a can of food for
donation to a food bank. There are literally thousands of people visiting
arts events December 5, 6, and 7th all over this City.

Whatever we can do, it will mean a few less people are without food during
the holidays, because as it stands now, many food banks will not make it
through December with enough to go around."

DTE will be participating in this well-timed and very worthy project. Throughout the end of November and beginning of December we will be collecting canned food- if you're coming into the office, going to Fairway, or live in the building, come by to say hello and think about dropping something off. DTE doesn't have the constantly streaming audienes of some arts organizations, but we do have a strong community, and we can do our part to help New Yorkers in need this season.

LeNell's

2008-11-12T10:49:00.002-05:00

Among the fun to be had at DTE's Safe Harbor Benefit in December will be a Best of New York Raffle, where you'll have a chance to win prizes from gems in the neighborhood and around the boroughs. Each week on the blog we'll highlight one of the donating organizations and let you know what you might win. This week we feature LeNell's:

LeNell's Ltd., a Wine & Spirit Boutique, boasts NYC's largest bourbon selection, and has the southern pedigree to match it. The woman who runs it all (you can guess her name) says this:

"I like to think I brought with me many good things from my Southern upbringing that give my shop a totally different feel than most liquor stores. The store extends a warm invitation to chat a spell about wine, whiskey, and whatever. I found the perfect neighborhood for my business in Red Hook, Brooklyn, where everybody knows everybody and folks look out for one another. Of course, PaPa still thinks I'm a "high class bootlegger." Come see me sometime!"

LeNell has been written up too many places to list here, but you can get an idea.

We thank LeNell for her generous contribution to the DTE Safe Harbor Benefit- a private whiskey lesson and bourbon tasting for four. To win that great prize and others, though, you have to be there.

Tom Fox

2008-11-11T10:46:00.002-05:00

This post is the second in a series highlighting the winners of this year's Dance Theatre Etcetera Community & Culture Awards. The awards are given to "visionary leaders who embrace the notion that commerce, culture and education work together to achieve dynamic communities." This week we feature Tom Fox:

Tom Fox is the President and CEO of New York Water Taxi, an innovative small-scale waterborne transportation company linking waterfront neighborhoods, parks and cultural attractions in New York Harbor.

As President of The Fox Group, he consults on parks and open space development and preservation. Tom designed and directed the Mayor Willie Brown’s Park Renaissance Campaign, which generated $300 million in new funding for San Francisco's parks and created a new planning and management structure for the Recreation and Park Department.

Tom has played a leadership role in the redevelopment of Manhattan's West Side waterfront. He was a citizen member of the West Side Task Force and the West Side Waterfront Panel and the first president of the Hudson River Park Conservancy, where he assembled the property along this 4.5 mile waterfront, engaged the adjacent communities in completing the Concept and Financial Plan for this $450 million Park, created interim improvements and facilitated innovative public and private sector projects including the construction of the $120 million Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex.

Tom founded the Neighborhood Open Space Coalition, spearheaded the establishment of New York City's first comprehensive open space policy and played a leadership role in the passage of New York State's 1986 Environmental Quality Bond Act. He directed the design of the award-winning 40-mile Brooklyn/Queens Greenway and was a founding co-chair of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Coalition. Tom served as vice president of the Green Guerrillas and the American Community Gardening Association and was the first Assistant Chief of Interpretation at Gateway National Recreation Area in 1976.

Mr. Fox has received numerous awards and appointments, most recently being honored by the NY/NJ BayKeeper for his contribution to the environment in New York Harbor and by the New York Harbor Schools for his commitment to providing internships and apprenticeships for inner city youth. He currently serves on the Board of Directors, or advisory board, of the State Council on Waterways, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, Friends of the Hudson River Park and Vietnam Veterans of America, Manhattan Chapter 126.

Tom received a B.S. in Biology at Brooklyn College and a Loeb Fellowship in Advanced Environmental Design, at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design.

Tony's Take on A&A

2008-11-07T14:51:00.003-05:00

At the beginning of my internship with DTE I went to Green-Wood Cemetery to work on Angels and Accordions. The cemetery was so nice. The workers did a really good job keeping the cemetery clean. That was my first time in a cemetery in the United States.

Angels and Accordions is a performance DTE has every year that’s celebrating its fifth year. Before the show starts, Martha talked over the microphone with the audience to thank them for showing up. After that we told them we had a train if they felt like they can’t walk, “so feel free to get in the train.” There were two people holding tall umbrellas- we told the audience to follow them and to stop when they stop and walk when they walk.

The cemetery is so big it took us 2 hours to go around it. When we went around the cemetery we saw the actors as angels. They stayed still like statues. It was so beautiful walking with the people who were playing accordion. Some angels climbed on the trees, some were running on the ground- some angels were in the lake, dancing. I had fun there, I hope next year I see it again.

--Tony St. Hilaire, DTE intern

The Sharps Family

2008-11-04T10:35:00.003-05:00

This post is the first in a series leading up to Dance Theatre Etcetera's Safe Harbor Benefit. In each post we will profile one of the awardees of this year's DTE Community & Culture Awards. Today we profile the Sharps family. Stay tuned for the rest of the awardees and for a post highlighting the individual accomplishments of this vital local family.

David, Sarah, Dalia and Sophie Sharps have been living in Red Hook since 1995. When they first arrived the waterfront was a place few people ventured, but amidst the packs of wild dogs, tow pounds and decaying piers, they embraced Red Hook's beauty- its stunning light, its sunsets, full front views of Lady Liberty, beautiful Civil-war era buildings and small neighborhood feeling. They shared a vision that it was a community worth celebrating and fighting for.

NYC EDC & Community Board 6 waterfront town hall meetings were held aboard Barge #79. Garbage transfer stations were defeated. “Save The Red Hook Graving Dock” campaigned to contest the loss of the area’s last remaining shipyard. Through it all, no matter what one’s views might be on waterfront development and Red Hook’s future, the Barge has been a venue where people come together.

The Sharps first worked with Dance Theatre Ecterera (DTE) in 1998 during the production of Safe Harbor, when performers led thousands through the streets of Red Hook. That production featured a vignette aboard the Barge that included Dalia, age 6, reciting Shakespeare, David juggling as a “merman” and Sophie at age 4 rocking in her chair with undeniable conviction. Since then, DTE and the Sharps have collaborated on projects including Red Hook Partners, the Earth & Surf Parade, Angels & Accordions, and the Red Hook Waterfront Festival.
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Also at the benefit, you'll have a chance to enter DTE's raffle to win great prizes from community partners. DTE thanks The Waterfront Museum for its generous donation of a Family Juggling Lesson aboard the barge. Make sure to buy your ticket now for a chance to enjoy the festivities of the Safe Harbor Benefit and to enter in the running for a chance at this one-of-a-kind experience.