Since the dawn of Williamsburg Gentrification, residents have found something to complain about—and recently every summer, without fail, it's the concert series. This used to be held in McCarren Park Pool, but for the past three years has been holding up on the waterfront. Last year things came to a head after jam band Widespread Panic performed and their nitrous-fueled fans terrorized residents by using their "outdoor voices." The Open Space Alliance, who now runs the series, compromised this year by moving down Kent about three blocks, but the move has residents complaining even more. more ›

Earlier this month the Open Space Alliance was looking for design proposals for the 50 Kent space, which will now host the concerts that used to be held a few blocks over, on the Williamsburg Waterfront by The Edge (and at McCarren Park Pool before that). Now they've started up a Facebook page, and earlier today posted a few renderings of what the space will look like come summer. Needless to say, the neighbors complaining about the new location have lost this battle, but expect more come summer. more ›

Last time we checked in with the Open Space Alliance's summer concert series on the Williamsburg Waterfront, they were battling neighbors who wanted them out of the area. Last summer a few locals were traumatized when they mistook nitrous-huffing Widespread Panic fans in the streets as a zombie apocalypse—after that, they pushed for the OSA to make changes with the concert series. The OSA's solution was to move to a new site... about two blocks away. All has been quiet since, and now the OSA has announced they're looking for design proposals to build out the new site, so it would seem they won. more ›

Change was in the air following one woman's account of nitrous-fueled zombie hippies taking over her block after a Widespread Panic concert on the Williamsburg waterfront this summer. Last night a Community Board meeting was held to address the location, and it seems the Open Space Alliance (who host the concerts) and CB1 have come to an agreement: future events will be held a couple of blocks away, at a vacant lot on Kent and North 11th Street. more ›

After a Williamsburg local dashed off a colorful open letter to the Open Space Alliance regarding the "lawless drug nightmare" that "erupted on [the] street after Saturday night's Widespread Panic" concert, we talked to two attendees for their side of the story. And lo and behold, it's a little bit different and a lot lighter on the zombie imagery. more ›

Just days after the Open Space Alliance (OSA) sent out a finger-pointing press release announcing the final Pool Parties show was canceled, thanks to JellyNYC's inability to pay the bills, another press release has been sent out. This time it's from Chuck Schumer's camp, and declares that the Senator "has brought the two sides together to resolve the dispute that threatened the final concert." Thanks, Dad! more ›

Time to towel off! The Open Space Alliance (OSA) and JellyNYC have been sparring all season over the Pool Parties held on the Williamsburg waterfront, and now the last show of the summer has been canceled. JellyNYC started the parties five years ago at McCarren Park Pool, and more recently the OSA (which has a lot of influential board members) has been taking control. Following the publication of an interview that Jelly co-founder Sarah Hooper did with NPR, the OSA folk released a fightin' words filled press release through their lawyer (also an OSA board member) last night. It says, in part: more ›

This year the Open Space Alliance (OSA) has taken over production aspects of the Pool Parties in Williamsburg, making a number of changes and giving the summer concert venue at East River Police State Park a more corporate makeover. Today the Brooklyn Paper reports on one of those changes: you can't bring in your own water. more ›

Who can keep up with all the changes surrounding McCarren Park Pool? One thing if for certain, it will one day contain water. The NY Post notes that the design, to be reviewed by the Landmarks Preservation Commission on September 9th, also "calls for a new U-shaped pool (about 70 percent of the current footprint), an ice-skating rink, a cafe, a community center and an exhibition center" and a performance space. That's right, it's very likely Sonic Youth won't be the last band to play there. The performances will be held during the "off-season," which is likely the Spring and Fall (leaving JellyNYC's free summer shows still searching for a new home). Stephanie Thayer of the Dept of Parks & Rec and Open Space Alliance (responsible for bringing shows to the pool in the first place) says, "It doesn't have to be an either/or. Hopefully we'll have shows at the pool." more ›