More from this series on the Bushwick Culture photostream.

This past Saturday I invited Anna over for a beer in my newly decked (thank you AB) backyard.  As we were enjoying the late summer coolness, and I had just remarked on the lovely pastoral quality of my thigh high corn patch, a rat as big as a granny cat audaciously slithered up the stairs to my kitchen door. Anna screamed like the shower girl from Psycho, but the rat moved not an inch.  The night got dirtier from there.

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From Daniel Brunet’s photo series on Flickr.

I saw the sign. Bushwick/Berlin local Daniel Brunet’s impressive series of signs and businesses old and new from Grand Street to Flushing Avenue, between Bushwick Avenue and Morgan Avenue.  Also interesting, hilarious, and beautiful is his "English in Berlin" series.

Worthy ventures. Those Third Ward boys are good. They are next level entrepreneurs, recently profiled by New York Magazine …the one with Madonna’s scary puffy mug on the cover.

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Another jam-packed weekend in our little corner of Brooklyn. Too too many music happenings to possibly fit here: art, dance, dancing…. the works.

Tonight and tomorrow take in some global culture at Chez Bushwick — Bandlien & Pelmus (of Norway and Romania respectively) performing new works as part of CB’s residency program Force Majeure. Saturday head to English Kills gallery for the opening of their latest show Maximum Perspective: Contemporary Brooklyn Performance, which “seeks for the first time to create an entirely live environment for expression: at all open gallery hours, at least one performance will be taking place within the gallery.” A challenging task, but I have full faith in curators Peter Dobill and genius Chris Harding. After you’ve taken in some thought provoking live performance, head to Bodega to rock out to Pass Kontrol and No One and the Somebodies.

And Sunday — omg — Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings free at Central Park SummerStage. Have fun out there, kids — the summer is flying!

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I met up with Kevin (one of my fave Bushwick-based artists) at Factory Fresh this rainy Sunday to check out their latest show, “Fresh Meat.” We were lucky enough to have a chance to chat with gallery co-founder Ali Ha — her energy is amazing and she was so enthusiastic about the artists’ work. The exhibit showcases the work of the Factory Fresh team, a talented, energetic, and devoted crew who helped get the gallery up and running this summer.

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As I walked into the familiar junk store/venue Goodbye Blue Monday, I immediately saw Osei Essed, lead singer of The Woes. We exchanged hugs, and “how have you beens” (I know him and a few other band members from college.) It was a quiet night at GBM. My theory is that people are finally sick of the heat, and would rather stay at home in their air conditioning. It’s a damn shame, as the group puts on one of the best shows in Bushwick.

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As we approach the dog days of summer and friends go away on fabulous vacays, it might be time to have a Bushwick “staycation” (I know we probably all hate that media-created buzz word by now, but I couldn’t stop myself). Tonight, 3rd Ward goes to Manhattan (Leo Kesting Gallery) to celebrate the winner of their photography contest: Exposure. “Pete Eckert’s work features explosions of light and teeters on the verge of abstraction, and will be projected on a massive scale on buildings and rooftops within Chelsea, Dumbo and Williamsburg.”

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Thinking about Crystal Stilts, by Jason Gaspardi

Last weekend we moved to a new apartment, a few blocks north of our old place. Since we’re now in the very upper reaches of Bushwick, and right around the corner from Silent Barn, we figured there was no reason not to stop by and check out Woods and Vivian Girls on Friday night.

When we got there the Beets were playing. I don’t know why, but I really don’t like the Beets. It’s short, recycled pop-rock, and all that I can think when I see them is that they sound like sloppy Beach Boys. After my third encounter, I’ve affirmed that I’m definitely not into it. I think my roommate, Jason, best summed up the vibe of a Beets show when he asked, “what’s with all the shaking and lurching?" Good question.

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Last Wednesday, I went to the album release party/fundraiser for Welcome to Bushwick - a 14 band compilation produced by Pass Kontrol. I got my hands on a copy about a month ago and it has been on steady rotation on my ipod — especially when I am in any sort of moving vehicle (excellent soundtrack for subway, bus, road trips or just running really fast). The compilation (available for free download in the right sidebar), is hopefully the first of many collaborations between such a wide variety of Bushwick talent. There is talk of an outdoor show this Fall with some of the bands, more hard copies of the CDs to be released, and hopefully some plays and positive response from local radio and even some small labels.

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Good Wood opening (Village Voice)

Quite a pool party, but…NYT reports today that as plans for McCarren Pool to convert back to its original purpose, the Open Space Alliance has its sights set on the Bushwick Inlet Park.  It’s pretty much North Williamsburg, but close people.

“Bands like these deserve a crowd like that.” Gothamist reviews a Todd P. hot and sweaty show at Market Hotel, after also linking to our very own concerns of an MTV “invasion.”

Bushwick and Chelsea go head to head. Wow. The Village Voice is really promoting our apparent “gallery district” on Flushing.  This is the second article in two weeks on the subject.

Fun was had by all. For those of you who could not make it to the album release party of Welcome to Bushwick, a compilation of fourteen local bands, here are some pictures from the event at Northeast Kingdom.

July ends tonight at midnight.  August is almost here–that month that feels like one long Sunday evening, because you know that soon, everything is going to get all serious again.  Live it up while the days are long and the nights are even longer.  Here are some options: feeling like a wild mother-freaking sweat soaked, body slapping, music shouting good ole time?  Check out Usaisamonster and others tonight at Chief Mag’s new spot on Broadway, Bodega.  Not sweaty enough?  The Vivian Girls will be at Silent Barn on Friday night with an impressive line up.  Get there before midnight or you won’t get in.  Tonight the genius Bushwick marvel duo Jett and Ryan who make up the band Columbia will be at Cake Shop, and so will I.  I also personally recommend Bushwick-based angel/singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten on Sunday also at Cake Shop to make you feel like all is well in the universe because heaven really is a place on earth.

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