Lately, all that my nerd friends have been yapping about is DUMBO. Seriously, grab any young entrepreneur in the technology field and ask them if they’ve been to DUMBO and I’m willing to bet that, not only did they hop on the C Train that very DAY for a nerd herd luncheon, but that they are beat from the rest of the afternoon they spent there playing with their nerd toys together. Modern Humorist’s Mike Colton couldn’t be happier about his move from Manhattan to Dumbo:
“The area is ‘industrial, but artsy, and seems to be on its way up.’
Other tech startups in Dumbo include Gothamist, Element Inc., Drop.io, Big Spaceship, The Knot, Free Verse, and Carrot Creative, just to name a few. Hoping to find out why the nerd herds are all flocking across the river, we went straight to Mike Germano, the creative director of Carrot Creative to find out. He lets us in on the reason tech want to be in DUMBO, the culture of the area, and why we should care about l33t speak.
Why did you decide to be based out of Dumbo? Our main reason for relocating to DUMBO was the real estate cost relative to Midtown, the former cardboard-box factories that line the streets of DUMBO make for perfect loft-like office space. This type of environment is a boon to our creativity and even makes it possible for computer nerds like us to engage in our primary form of exercise: Nintendo Wii.
Today is July 1st, which means that the countdown until the ever-anticipated July 4th weekend is winding down. Not all of us can escape the heat of summer in the city, whether it be because of monetary or time constraints.
So over the next couple of days, I’ll be posting some short, little day trips (though you could spread them out for longer if you so choose), which you can take for a little breather this Independence Day weekend, instead of spending it inside your cramped air-conditioned (if you are so lucky) apartment. First Stop: Beacon, New York
Where: Caroline's on Broadway, 1626 Broadway, New York, NY (map)
Admission: Ticketed Event
Discription:
Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) proudly announces the two honorees for their 8th annual TRU Love Benefit, which will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2009 from noon to 4pm at Caroline’s on Broadway, 1626 Broadway at 49th Street, NYC. Elysabeth Kleinhans of 59E59 Theatres will receive the TRU “Spirit of Theater” Award for her ongoing generosity towards TRU as well as the off-Broadway producing community in general; and Allan Buchman of Culture Project will be acknowledged with the TRU Humanitarian Award for his dedication to bringing politically and socially conscious works to life in New York theater, and successfully using the arts for social change.
The theme of this year’s benefit is “Opening Doors” in recognition of both the nurturing homes the honorees have provided for the development of new work and new opportunities; and for their dedication to keeping open doors of communication for political and international conversations in New York theater. The event will start with a cocktail hour at noon, followed by a full luncheon. Performances will include representative scenes and songs from shows developed at 59E59 or The Culture Project, including “Gutenberg the Musical”, Prospect Theater’s bluegrass musical” Golden Boy of Blue Ridge”, “Clean Alternatives” with writer Brian Dykstra and “The Exonerated” excerpts performed by celebrity guests. TRU will also present songs from upcoming musicals being developed by TRU producers. Nancy Anderson will perform a song from “Yank!”, the musical debuting off-Broadway in February 2010, and previewing a song from the upcoming Broadway musical “Pure Country”. In addition Brian Dykstra will perform a piece from his play “Clean Alternatives” and Radiotheatre will perform from one of their radio pieces.
The TRU Love “Opening Doors” Benefit will take place Sunday, November 8, 2009, at 12 noon, at Caroline’s on Broadway, 1626 Broadway at 49th Street, NYC, with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at noon, luncheon at 1pm and performances and awards ceremony starting at 2:15. Tickets are $175 for Premium Patron level seats in the first tier, $150 for Patron level 2nd tier and $100 for general admission. Tickets may be purchased at www.truonline.org/store-new.html. Inquiries may be made by phoning 212/714-7628 or emailing TRUnltd@aol.com.
For more information, visit www.truonline.org or call 212-714-7628.
Where: BARNES & NOBLE, 150 East 86th Street, New York, NY (map)
Admission: Open
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Barnes & Noble will host a book signing in celebration of the national launch of Park Avenue Potluck CELEBRATIONS, authored by members of The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and New York Times food columnist Florence Fabricant. A POTLUCK of cider, sweets and other treats for the family celebration will be brought by many of the authors’ favorite purveyors including Eleni’s Cookies, Smithfield, Dean & DeLuca, Taste Caterers, William Poll, Williams-Sonoma, Gristedes, MrsMonogram.com and others.
A percentage of net sales of products in Barnes & Noble stores nationally will support ‘Kids Express’, an individualized program -- funded by The Society of MSKCC – designed to help adult cancer patients communicate with their children about their illness.
Where: La Venue and The Tunnel, 608 west 28th Street, New York, NY (map)
Admission: Ticketed Event
Discription:
California wine country is heading east to New York with the Robert Mondavi Discover Wine Tour. Ted Allen, Robert Mondavi Private Selection Brand Ambassador, is thrilled to engage consumers in the Big Apple with live cooking demonstrations at the Tour and to encourage foodies to open up about their food and wine questions. Additionally, guests are invited to join Robert Mondavi Private Selection’s Avram Deitch and other wine experts at the Robert Mondavi Discover Wine tour to learn anything and everything - from wine making to wine pairing.
Where: SVA Theater, 333 23rd st , New York, NY (map)
Admission: Invite Only
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Edward R. Pressman Alan & Gabe Polsky
and
First Look Studios
Eva Mendes
special screening of
BAD LIEUTENANT
PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS
A FILM BY WERNER HERZOG
screenplay by William Finkelstein
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mike commented on BREAKING! The Email Scandal That Just Shook Cornell’s Campus: "Does anybody else think this looks a bit fake? The email trail is 62 messages ... if nothing else they clearly weren't doing much actual work that day. I'm wondering if we'll see this on snopes.co..."
NOT holier than thou commented on BREAKING! The Email Scandal That Just Shook Cornell’s Campus: "They are going to deal with enough criticism and embarrassment. They are two adults who have to face the consequences. If they want to be together, then they will be, unless this outing ruined the..."
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Go HERE for some gnarly photos of DUMBO.
[Image via thefishingline.com]
