LOCAL NEWS::BROOKLYN "POOL PARTIES" MOVES TO WATERFRONT LOCATION

Spring is officially here, which means the famously popular outdoor concerts are near, too. Unfortunately, McCarren pool (in Williamsburg, Brooklyn), one of the most well known pits for musical viewing is sadly kaput starting this summer. The “pool” is still in the early stages of construction for an actual pool and will no longer host concerts and weekend flea markets.


Future pool of pee.

So where else can you see the girls with suspiciously good hoola hoop talents nose dive into pavement? The answer is Williamsburg Waterfront. Beginning this summer, concertgoers will have the opportunity to see their favorite bands play back dropped by New York cityscape and BBQ grilling. We'll finally be able to catch some of the cooling summer breeze while sipping on $6 beer.

Read more info after the jump!


And the future. Minus the white guy in a turban.

EVENTS::BJORK AND THE DIRTY PROJECTORS TO PLAY AT HOUSING WORKS

This might be the best collaboration to kick off the Spring season.

"In a never before seen or heard collaboration with The Dirty Projectors, Björk will perform a suite of new music composed for her by David Longstreth of The Dirty Projectors. The suite, written for five voices, will pair Björk with the Projectors (Dave Longstreth, Amber Coffman, Angel Deradoorian, and Haley Dekle)."

All ticket proceeds benefit Housing Works that help those living with HIV and AIDS.

BUY::BJORK AND THE DIRTY PROJECTORS PLAY HOUSING WORKS

FILM::WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, DIRECTED BY SPIKE JONZE

Back in 1988, Maurice Sander wrote a whimsical tale of a young boy whose imagination runs wild with the help of inventive forest creatures. The book is a perfect depiction of the inner workings of a child’s mind. So, when it came to adapting the story from book to screen, none other than visionary director, Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich) was called upon to take on the task.

The first glimpse at “Where the Wilds Things Are” is finally up for viewing via Apple, and after various re-edits for being deemed “too scary” for youngsters, the film is finally nearing its fruition. James Gandolfini and Catherine Keener star in the film set to come out this October.

VIEW::WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE DIRECTED BY SPIKE JONZE

LOCAL::THE CASSANDRA MOVIE THEATRE SET TO OPEN IN WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN

Like most residents living in Williamsburg, you know that the L train on the weekends is the most unreliable portal to transportation known to man. This, in effect, leaves many limited to a three-mile radius of things to do. But don’t get your hipster beards and flannel in a bind, The Cassandra, opening this year will alleviate some of your boredom and add to the list of weekend activities. Plus, they'll have booze.

“THE CASSANDRA’s primary mission is to serve as a place where people meet and spend time being stimulated, entertained, and engaged by the moving image.”


Booze central

MORE INFO::THE CASSANDRA 136 METROPOLITAN AVENUE

FILM::DREW BARRYMORE - AN OVERDUE TRANSFORMATION

Barrymore as "Little Edith" in Grey Gardens


Up until this point, Drew Barrymore has never proved to be a standout actress. Sure, she comes from a long line of Hollywood lineage, but her career has survived on quirky, fluffy and romantic comedy roles, leaving much to be desired. But her upcoming role in Grey Gardens as Edith Bouvier Bealer, “Little Edith”, may be the perfect transformation role for Barrymore to take on, catapulting her from a lowbrow box office moneymaker to a well-respected actor. The film is the true story of a mother and daughter who escape to the confines of their East Hampton home in isolation from the world outside. And in the new issue of W, Barrymore exposes her readiness to tap into her dark side.

READ::DREW BARRYMORE

BEAUTY::NEW YORK SPA WEEK APRIL 13TH-19TH

NYMag recently polled that out of all the states feeling the effects of the recession, New Yorkers are by far the gloomiest and emotionally affected.

Thankfully, every year spas around the city take pity on our tired (and broke ass) souls and offer major discounts on some of their best treatments. This year’s Spa Week will last from April 13th – 19th and includes plentiful of eco-friendly and stress busting treatments. You see, aren’t you feeling better already?

MORE INFO::NY SPA WEEK

FASHION::JIL SANDER DESIGNS LINE FOR UNIQLO

Jil Sander is set to design a new collection for the Japanese, low-cost and contemporary retailer, Uniqlo. Sander has big hopes for the upcoming line, “The dream is to make a line everybody can buy. We make no exceptions and I’m sure there’s room in the world for a certain aesthetic and a quality product at a reasonable price. So that’s what fascinates me”. Jet setting between Toyko and her home in Hamburg, diligently working on the line, she’ll continue to divide her time between the two cities until the line becomes available for the Fall/Winter lineup in Uniqlo stores.

OFFICIAL SITE(S)::JIL SANDER/UNIQLO

FASHION/FILM::"VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR" OPENS IN SELECT THEATERS TODAY

Chances are that you can’t talk about the evolution of haute couture without mentioning iconic fashion house, Valentino. And the latest from the fashion and film documentary pool is about none other than the influential designer, whose work over the decades has transformed the way women dress and the way future designers approach their work.

“VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR, directed by Matt Tyrnauer, follows them [Valentino and longtime partner, Giancarlo Giammetti] for the final two years of their careers, and show the struggles the two men face as they confront the final act of a nearly 50-year career at the top of the world's most glamorous and competitive game. The struggle of art against commerce is at the center of the film. In the end, however, the story proves to be not one about money or expensive clothes, but about love.”

OFFICIAL SITE::VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR

FILM::JOAQUIN PHOENIX HOAX FOR DOCUMENTARY FILM

Some may be familiar with news that actor, Joaquin Phoenix has lost his marbles. First, there was the mumbling, then the caveman beard, then the switch from successful actor to…uh, really bad rapper? But before we all jump to the “he’s on drugs” conclusion, know that Phoenix was seen in Miami last weekend with partner in crime, and now, documentarian, Casey Affleck in his latest rap performance at the Fountainbleu in Miami Beach. Phoenix got into an altercation with an “audience member” as Affleck filmed for the production of his untitled Joaquin Phoenix documentary. Which sparks the question: is this a hoax? If so, could it be the best possible form of method acting since Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire? It’s a possibility, yet not confirmed. Either way, it should make for an interesting depiction of Hollywood politics or the tragic downfall of an A-list actor.

RELATED::UNTITLED JOAQUIN PHOENIX DOCUMENTARY, DIRECTED BY CASEY AFFLECK

LOCAL::TIME OUT NEW YORK, BARS ISSUE

In the current issue of Time Out New York, Platform writer, Karina Cifuentes, reviewed best bars in NYC to bust a move in – legally! Yes. This is true. There are in fact places in New York City that actually have that pesky Cabaret license, enforced by party pooper and former Mayor, Rudy Giuliani. So, if you’re looking for the next go-to spot to showcase your best Fosse impersonation, then read on after the jump!

READ::TIME OUT BARS ISSUE

DESIGN/EVENT::ICFF COMING THIS MAY 16-19TH

If you’ve ever been in the throws of an all out home renovation, you know that one of the first things to go is outdated and musty furniture; hence the futon couches solemnly sitting on curbsides so frequently. But what’s the next step in taking a home interior from dull to awe-inspiring? The answer is ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) : A yearly event in which hundreds of emerging and established contemporary furniture designers showcase dozens upon dozens of their most recent designs. The four-day event that will commence May.16th (and last through the 19th) will take place at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. So, if you're looking to spend your tax return wisely, look no further because choosing suitable furniture options for your "Summer project" will finally be a bit more bearable.

MORE INFO::ICFF

DESIGN/HOME::JASON MILLER FLOWER TEACUPS (SALE)

These off-kilter floral designed porcelain teacups are the perfect home accent for any vintage and antique-inspired collector.

THE PURPOSE:: The "Seconds" series challenges the rules surrounding modern day consumer items. Do decorations always need to be centered? Is a whole flower better than a half? These elegant "mistakes" are artfully and carefully applied.

BUY::AREAWARE/JASON MILLER TEACUPS $58.50

FILM::JULIE DELPY DIRECTS "THE COUNTESS"

The Countess, directed, written, and starring Julie Delpy (2 Days in Paris) centers on 16th Hungarian countess, Elizabeth Báthory, who believes that bathing in the blood of virgins will preserve her beauty. Currently circulating film festivals globally, The Countess will release locally June of 2009.

TRAILER::THE COUNTESS

MV::PATRICK DAUGHTERS DIRECTS DEPECHE MODE "WRONG"

.

Patrick Daughters, whose best known for his direction on Feist’s happy go lucky video “1,2,3,4” ventures to the darker side in this video for Depeche Mode’s “Wrong”.

ARTIST::DEPECHE MODE
TRACK::WRONG
DIRECTOR::PATRICK DAUGHTERS
PROD.CO::THE DIRECTORS BUREAU

MUSIC::EXCLUSIVE LISTEN TO DAN DEACON "BROMST" ALBUM

***PLATFORM PICK***

Musician, Dan Deacon, is known for putting on some crazy dance-a-thon shows and literally exhausting his audiences with his energetic movements when performing. His incomparable sounds are a mixture of quirky electro-pop frenetics and experimental synthesizers. His long list of instruments includes piano, glockenspiel, marimba and live drums mixed with his own vocals along with some serious chipmunk belting. NPR streams an exclusive listen to Deacon’s new album Bromst, and to quote, “it’s wildy addictive”.

LISTEN::DAN DEACON'S BROMST

PLATFORM REMINDER::THE ARMORY SHOW BEGINS AT PIER 94

And if you don't know, now you know.

RELATED::THE ARMORY SHOW

FASHION::SHOWSTUDIO INTERVIEW WITH DESIGNER HUSSEIN CHALAYAN

Designer Hussein Chalayan’s garments are undoubtedly feminine and evoke the kind of progressiveness that other designer’s spend their whole life trying to master. His work is beautifully effortless and optimally constructed. In a recent interview, SHOWstudio Design Director Alexander Fury sits down with the designer to discuss his first UK solo exhibition at London’s Design Museum, featuring pieces from his critically-acclaimed S/S 2009 collection ‘Intertia’.

VIEW::SHOWSTUDIO INTERVIEW WITH HUSSEIN CHALAYAN

FILM::MICHEL GONDRY, LEOS CARAX, AND BONG JOON-HO DIRECT "TOKYO!"

Directors Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), Leos Carax (Pola X), and Bong Loon-Ho (Gwoemul) create a triptych of visual stimulation in the film Tokyo!, opening in theatres this weekend.

“In Tokyo!, three of the greatest filmmakers come together for an omnibus triptych examing the nature of one unforgettable city as it’s shapes by the disparate people who live, work (and even run amok!) inside one enormous, constantly evolving, overly populated Japanese megalopolis – the ravishing and inimitable Tokyo.”

OFFICIAL SITE::TOKYO! THE MOVIE

ART::HERNAN BAS, WORKS FROM THE RUBELL FAMILY COLLECTION, NOW ON VIEW AT BROOKLYN MUSEUM

Miami native and artist, Hernan Bas, just could be our generation’s Warhol. A disputed overstatement to the first-time viewer, Bas’ work when intently analyzed depicts a style completely on it’s own. The nature of his work is transgressive and provocative with homoerotic undertones, and boasts full of energy. Above, The Blue Line, 2005–06. Acrylic, gouache, water-based oil, and collage on paper, is just a small taste of his commissioned installation, Ocean’s Symphony, which is now on view at Brooklyn Museum.

VISIT::HERNAN BAS AT BROOKLYN MUSEUM

DESIGN/BOOKS::TASCHEN, ARCHITECTURE NOW!, HOUSES EDITION

A home is a clear representation of one’s personality, taste, and lifestyle. Small details, or larger ones for that matter, can reflect an owner’s affinity for an era, a particular design, or interests. But before a home can become a personalized living space, a unique bond between client and architect develops which then leads to design and construction. Author, Philip Jodido, takes a reader on an in-depth journey into the work of over fifty architecture firms and the work they have conceived. And each page is an illuminating look at design and beauty at its best.

BUY::ARCHITECTURE NOW $39.99