2.11 A wknd w/ Kahiem Rivera
The rapper on natty wine, your official rooftop picnic invite and his Saturday-night gala at The Sultan Room
Goooood morning. It is (*checks phone*) 52 GODDAMN DEGREES OUT!!!!!! Throw out your SAD lamp, take off your pants and jacket and get ye outside to soak up this almost-spring-like situation and score a big ol’ dose of vitamin D—
But first, obviously, this week’s SETLIST.
As you are well aware, this is a BIG WEEKEND. We’re not talking about the Super Bowl (though we do love a good Doritos commercial) or Valentine’s Day Eve (during which Cupid, uh, comes down the chimney?). We’re referring, of course, to Gala XI, the 11th (!!!!!) edition of Kahiem Rivera’s annual party.
While most recently set for December 23rd, the rescheduled version of the event (good things come to those who wait!) has a slightly diff holiday vibe and you are all invited to ~feel the love~ in the form of a very sick lineup of music, burlesque, drag & DJs, all favorites of the man/myth/legend/rapper/Sultan Room venue manager Kahiem Rivera himself!
Don’t be a “Bummer Boy.” Embrace your “Wanderlust” (at least as far as the Jefferson L stop), and come out with your “Best Intentions” to “Woo!” it up during the final stretch of this “Good Winter.” Bring your friends, bring your fam, BYO-“Booty Calls” and meet Kahiem + crew at one of the most beautiful venues in BK, where at 2 a.m. you might just find yourself “Smokin’ Weed With The Devil” like it’s “Chicago ‘18” again. Then, uh, go home and watch the movie “Memento” ?? As Uncle Jesse once said: Have “Mercy” (k, we def did not finish strong).
ANYWAY! Along with putting together this extremely rad event for, again, the eleventh year (!), Kahiem has kindly constructed a set of plans for the rest of your weekend as well. Read on for three days of music, markets, runnin’ ‘round Ridgewood and more—
It’s gonna be a good (DARE WE SAY WARM?!) weekend. Please go have the best one ever~
[BUT FIRST: PRESS PLAY]
FRIDAY
-Happy Hour at The Turk's Inn ! Turk's Inn (home of the Sultan Room), is the most beautiful dining room in Bushwick, hands down. The cocktail menu is amazing, but the Happy Hour offers delicious $9 natural wines from Slovenia that are subtly complex and extremely chuggable. Try the lamb ribs and definitely try the housemade hummus.
-Speaking of wines, Hearts Wines & Spirits is a black-owned natty wine shop in Bushwick that has an incredible and affordable selection. The owners are sweethearts and really know their stuff. Support them!
-I recently "retired" from 8 years in Bushwick and moved to Ridgewood. It's amazing. Aunt Ginny's is the perfect place to wind down if you need a nightcap. Cheap, down to earth and divey, with good bar food and a pool table that doesn't take 2 hours to get to your turn to play.
SATURDAY
-Start your day off right with a trip out to Fort Greene Park. Most Saturdays the Flea Market is in full swing (say hi to Lorelei!), but either way it's one of my favorite parks in the city. Lots of peaks and valleys in a relatively small park, which really makes you transported without having to travel very far at all.
-While you're there, get some brunch at Walter's. A neighborhood staple for 10+ years and, full disclosure, my former employers. Danny and Dylan are stand-up guys, and all the staff there are extremely special people.
-Once you’re fed, and maybe after a nap, get dressed up in your fanciest clothes and make your way back to Starr Street for Gala XI at The Sultan Room, presented by yours truly. This is the 11th Annual installment of a Holiday Gala that I've been throwing since 2010, but due to the pandemic it has been twice postponed. It's finally happening though for Valentine's Day and will have a stacked lineup of music, burlesque and drag. It'll go from 7pm-2am (maybe later, if it's bumping). Come early for the performances, stay late to dance. I've thrown two big events at The Sultan Room (including the 10th Annual Gala), but this is my first event as the new Venue Manager, so it's an extra special one for me.
SUNDAY
-If you're not all brunch'd out from Walter's on Saturday, make your way back to Ridgewood and hit up Julia's. Love these folks. Big Ridgewood staple.
-After you're fed, head down to Other People's Clothing (OPC). They're by far my favorite thrift shop in the bk/queens area. Super affordable, great selection. I've found innumerable gems for under $20.
-After that, while you're in Ridgewood, just walk around. Looks like a beautiful weekend, weather-wise. I love spending my off days just roaming around this hood. Lots of little gift shops, small businesses, fresh produce, bakeries, all of that. Soak it in. Give me a shout after. Maybe we'll all be picnicking on my roof :)
Itinerary above written + provided by Kahiem Rivera. Follow the artist at @kahiemrivera, buy his music on Bandcamp and add his songs to your Spotify playlists!
Feature image provided by the artist.
MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS
HUGE congrats to our friend Lizzie No, whose podcast Basic Folk has arrived on SiriusXm! Check it out via the app + tune in as Lizzie No plays Guest DJ on The Village this Sunday (2/13) at 10 PM, where in honor of Black History Month, she'll be sharing songs from Black artists previously featured on the pod. Oh, and do yourself a favor and go listen to some Lizzie No while you’re at it.
Another reminder that WE’RE HITTING SXSW! If you’re going down for the fest, plz send details on any shows you’re playing so we can promote, show up and show you love down in the ~lone star state.~
Let’s talk Valentine’s Day events that don’t involve roses, The Notebook or candlelight anything! THICK is hosting Valentines Karaoke at Heaven or Las Vegas on Sunday, while on Monday, TV Eye + Jonathan Toubin are hosting VALENTINES VILLAGE OF LOVE, a Planned Parenthood fundraiser w/ 24 singers singing 25 songs. Grab your tix and pregame the event by scooping up the comp (also raising money for PP) featuring 22 tracks from the participating artists c/o After The Fall Records.
RELEASE RADAR
New(ish) stuff from local (or once-local) artists we love, listed in no order whatsoever:
“Thursday” // Sooner
“Who Put You Up To This?” video // Sunflower Bean
“Past Tense” video // Karmella
“The Queen of Sky” // Hundreds Thousands
“Beside” // No Swoon
“Blue Light Rush” // Illicit Ghost
“Fake Scenarios” // ÊMIA
“Bottom Feeder - V1” // LAPÊCHE
IT’S HAPPENIN’
Here’s a look at the shows we’ve got coming up this month. Mark your calendars and come hang!
2.12 BdBK + EWEL present the 2022 BAND LOTTERY @ East Williamsburg Econo Lodge (details here)
2.15 STRONG LITTLE SONGS living-room show benefiting Sweet Relief Musicians Fund ft. stripped-down performances from Ok Cowgirl, Drive-In, Omer Leibovitz and Arlo Indigo (donation-based; BYOB; DM @bandsdobk for address)
+ ICYMI
Around the blog + on the radio + from the archives:
PREMIERE: “Days” from Project Diem
PREMIERE: “Riper Than Ripe” from O. Wake
Thx 4 reading! Find more fun stuff at bandsdobk.com and @bandsdobk. <3