van-dyke-parks-songs-cycled

Big Sur Brooklyn Bridge festival is coming (Philip Glass, Van Dyke Parks, comedy, readings, short films & more)

Songs Cycled

The Henry Miller Memorial Library has done concerts in Big Sur, CA for years, and they’re now bringing the celebration over to NYC for Big Sur Brooklyn Bridge, a weeklong festival which goes down from May 12 – 19 in Williamsburg in multiple locations. The festival ends with a concert at Music Hall of Williamsburg on May 19 with modern classical master Philip Glass and baroque pop legend Van Dyke Parks, plus special guests. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (4/26) at noon.

Other events throughout the festival include a pop-up book store at City Reliquary (right across from Knitting Factory on Metropolitan Ave); literary readings; more music like Jeffrey Lewis collaborator/Holy Modal Rounder Peter Stampfel at Spike Hill on May 15 (tickets); an evening of short film at Videology on May 17; and a UCB-presented comedy show at Knitting Factory on May 18 with Chris Gethard and others (tickets). Full schedule and more details below.

In related news, Van Dyke Parks just reissued his classic album, Song Cycle, and released a new “orchestral fantasy” album, Super Chief, on Record Store Day. He’s also releasing a new album with re-imagined versions of old songs and covers, Songs Cycled, on May 6 via Bella Union. You can read Van’s statement on the album at Bella Union’s site. Stream his re-recording of “Hold Back Time” from his 1995 collaborative album with Brian Wilson, Orange Crate Art, below.

Van Dyke Parks – “Hold Back Time”

Big Sur Brooklyn Bridge Schedule

May 13 – 19th – Pop-up book store, including rare Miller manuscripts, letters, and documents, at City Reliquary, 10 am – 6 pm.

May 13 (Mon) – Opening Night Party at the City Reliquary hosted by Ping Pong, the Henry Miller Library’s literary journal. Readings, food, and beer provided by Brooklyn Brewery. $10-20 suggested donation. Space is limited! 7 – 10 pm. Tickets here.

May 14 (Tues) – Big Sur Brooklyn Bridge Staff Party (open to public) featuring music by guitarist/songwriter, Phillip deGruy, artist Tim Youd who will be “performing” selections from “Tropic of Cancer,” and more. Beer provided by Brooklyn Brewery. $10-20 suggested donation. Space is limited! 7 – 10 pm. Tickets here.

May 15 (Wed) – Always Merry & Bright: Celebrating the Inspiration of Henry Miller with music by Peter Stampfel (Holy Modal Rounders!), Bushwick Gospel Singers, singer-songwriter Al Rose, and Brooklyn violinist Zach Brock at Spike Hill, 186 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, NY. 7 pm – 12 am. Tickets here.

May 16 (Thurs) – Henry Miller: Libertine, Communard, 7 – 9 pm at Spoonbill & Sugartown Booksellers, 218 Bedford Ave Brooklyn, NY 11211. Donations accepted.

Join us for a celebration of the great hero of sexual, spiritual, and literary freedom who grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. As part of the Big Sur – Brooklyn Bridge Event, we will look at Miller’s relationship to a Community of the Free Spirit and the development of Williamsburg and Big Sur. Speakers include:

· Magnus Toren, Director, Henry Miller Library

· Dr Scott Von, Psychoanalyst, Director, New Clinic

· James Decker, Professor, Miller Scholar

May 17 (Fri) – An Evening of Short Film with the Big Sur International Short Film Screening Series and the Brooklyn Short Film Festival at Videology, 308 Bedford Ave #1. Since its inception eight years ago, the BSISFSS has screened hundreds of films spanning multiple genres from all over the world.

This program will include “best of the best,” as decided by its Jury, which includes Philip Glass, Kirsten Dunst, Laurie Anderson, and Oscar-winner Vilmos Zsigmond. Free admission; donations kindly appreciated. 8:30 – 11 pm. $10-20 suggested donation. Tickets here.

May 18th (Sat) – The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Presents “The Tropic of Laughter.” The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre presents an evening of storytelling and improvisation celebrating the life and work of Henry Miller by some of New York City’s funniest performers at the Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211). 7 – 11 pm.

First, renowned storytellers and UCBT regulars will share their stories of censorship, sex, obscenity and more. Featuring Chris Gethard (IFC, The Chris Gethard Show), Adam Wade (The Moth), Dave Martin (Nights of Our Lives) and more. It will be fast, it might be dirty, and it will definitely be stream-of-consciousness. Henry Miller would approve. Tickets here.

May 19 (Sun) – Philip Glass’ Days and Nights Festival, (((folkYEAH!))) and the Henry Miller Library Present the Big Sur Brooklyn Bridge concert event: Philip Glass, Van Dyke Parks and Friends, an epic pairing of two modern-day masters, with special guests at Music Hall of Williamsburg (66 N 6th St, Brooklyn).