Celebrate Brooklyn's series of free, live music dances parties returns to Brooklyn Bridge Park this month, or tonight (5/10) to be specific. Starting at 7PM, tonight's show features DJ Rich Medina followed by a performance by Booker T Jones. Full schedule below...

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Southpaw: End of an era (Closing Event)
Southpaw: End of an era
Hosted by: Combat Jack
Live interview & slide show from 5-7pm w/ Danny Castro & David "Chino" Villorente
Live interview & brief performances from 7-10pm w/ Artifacts, Jean Grae, Keith Murray & Masta Ace
Cypher with Live Backing Band Dujeous
6 turntable DJ Cypher featuring DJ Eclipse, Rich Medina & Stretch Armstrong
Southpaw Forever

21+ w/ ID
admission: Free, Please arrive early
door time: 4:30pm

Just three days ago there was nothing listed at Southpaw for Monday, 2/20, the rumored actual final night. As you can see above (thanks Matt), that has since changed, as has the status of this past Wednesday's event as the last hip hop show at Southpaw.

Meanwhile, you can also still head to the Park Slope club for its second-to-last night, one that will be filled with Americana, tonight (2/19).

photos by Amanda Hatfield and Bao Nguyen

Little Dragon @ MHOW (by Amanda)

After a tight opening DJ set and great band introduction by Rich Medina, Sweden's Little Dragon played a set of vocal-driven live dance music to a sold out crowd last night (8/16) at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. It was a BV-presented show in honor of the release of their great new LP Ritual Union which they played many tracks from - most notably for me, the title track, which sent shivers down my spine when they played it early on.

Little Dragon @ MHOW (by Bao)

The four-piece band's approx-100 minute set included a mix of old and new and two encores, which even if planned, felt fan-driven. The room was going nuts - cheering as the band entered the stage, cheering even louder when otherworldly frontwoman Yukimi got on stage, and continued loud cheering throughout the show. Yukimi returned the love, letting us know multiple times how happy she was to be back in Brooklyn, and saying the crowd inspired her. People danced and sang along, and we all were brought to another place (the early 90s) when Little Dragon ended the first encore with a spot-on cover of Crystal Waters' "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)", mixed with a bit of the instrumental parts of Robin S's "Show Me Love".

If you missed,the band will be back as part of a tour before the end of the year. We have two sets of pictures from the Brooklyn show. Bao was backstage and on the stage while Amanda covered the front of the stage and balcony. Check 'em out, below...

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The new Escape to New York festival is happening Southampton, NY this weekend. As mentioned, the music lineup features artists such as Patti Smith, Best Coast, Mates ot State, Psychedelic Furs, The Vaccines, of Montreal, and others. There will also be an acoustic stage with sets by Savoir Adore, Dead Leaf Echo, and many others we aren't too familiar with, and a dance tent, and a "dance off area" with sets by VHS or Beta (Live), Andy Rourke (of The Smiths), Alex English, Mister Saturday Night, "DJ Scotto of NASA", Rich Medina, and many others (also a lot of unfamiliar names). Tickets are still on sale and include weekend pass and camping options.

Escape to New York is not to be confused with Music To Know Fest which is in East Hampton one weekend later.

For the Psychedelic Furs, the Sothampton festival appearance is one of two upcoming NY shows. The other is at Irving Plaza with Tom Tom Club.

Rich Medina DJs in the Main Dance Tent at Escape to New York on Sunday. He has also been added as the opener to the BrooklynVegan-presented Little Dragon show happening at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Tuesday, August 16th. The show is sold out, though tickets are on sale for Little Dragon's upcoming show at Terminal 5. Meanwhile catch Rich at Le Poisson Rounge TONIGHT (8/3).

Best Coast, who play Escape to New York on Friday night, have a new Drew Barrymore-directed video which you can watch below...

Continue reading "'Escape to NY' this weekend, Rich Medina opening for Little Dragon @ MHOW, Drew Barrymore directed Best Coast video"