Last we spoke to JellyNYC's jack-of-all-trades Chris Goldstein, he had high hopes for the agency's second go of Rock Beach, a free series of concerts at the Aviator Sports Complex adjacent to the Rockaways. At the first date on July 9, Goldstein said "around 500 or so people" showed up, which may have been considerably less than their Pool Parties, but around what they were seeing at their Rock Yard events in Williamsburg. But according to the Brooklyn Paper, Rock Beach's second effort on July 24 was a "beach-blanket bomb" after "little more than 150 people showed up." 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 ›

Since the Open Space Alliance has stepped in, there's been a lot of whispering about what's going on with the Pool Parties—the summer concert series created by JellyNYC. It began five years ago at McCarren Park Pool, and has since moved to the East River State Park. The concerts have remained free to the public during each transition, but they aren't free to put on, and NPR recently found out from Sarah Hooper—the co-owner of JellyNYC—that they come with a pricetag of around half a million bucks. 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 ›

The Pool Parties officially kicked off their 5th annual free concert series yesterday—with Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof performing Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures following performances by openers Why?, Fang Island, and Pictureplane. The JellyNYC organizers got pushed out of their former home at the McCarren Park Pool after the summer of 2008, and last year wasn't looking too promising when they set up shop in Williamsburg's East River Police State Park. This year there are some differences worth noting, however: more ›

To the desperate audiophile strapped for cash, thou shalt not fear: This summer there are free concerts aplenty, featuring names both MTV-friendly and ruthlessly obscure. Just make sure to get there early, to avoid getting shut out (or worse, risk being trampled by a mob). We've selected various shows to look out for, but visit the concert series' websites for full details. Tonight, be sure to check out DJ Brennan Green and Delorean at Stuyvesant Oval's Music on the Oval, or hear Dark Dark Dark provide a live score to the road movie Flood Tide: Remixed at Socrates Sculpture Park! more ›

The Pool Parties are just about a week away, and the lineup has finally been announced... maybe. Here's what the schedule allegedly looks like; it was posted yesterday but the organizers at Jelly then wrote something about "the person posing as one of us, the elusive non-existent 'hacker' and the fake line up." What? Anyway, we happened to see a confirmed lineup earlier this week that looked very similar to this, so there's a pretty good shot it's what you'll be hearing at the Williamsburg waterfront this summer: more ›

Earlier this month we looked at a whole bunch of state parks on the chopping block due to budget cuts, but we just got word that Williamsburg's East River State Park is safe... thanks to the hipsters. Or Senator Schumer. Or indie rock or something. more ›

Senator Schumer has saved the Brooklyn Pool Parties! We just received a press release announcing the news that will surely put a smile on disaffected hipster's faces borough-wide. more ›

After Senator Schumer spearheaded a movement to save JellyNYC's Pool Parties, word is that they will indeed keep their head above water this year. more ›

Senator Schumer sent out a press release today regarding the future of the Jelly Pool Parties, which has been looking pretty dark as of late. Over the summer Schumer attended two of the parties, which he totally happened upon by accident whilst riding his bike down Kent Avenue on a scorching hot day in pants, a long-sleeve button-up, and not a drop of sweat on him! Now he will attempt to bring that sort of magic to the parties. more ›

Now that Williamsburg has become a popular destination for tour groups and fashion students, the hipsters who took over the neighborhood years ago are losing their precious Pool Parties. Circle of life. We're told that with the deadline quickly approaching to find a new spot, there's no agreement in place and "the end could be near." As such, Senator Chuck Schumer is requesting that the community show some support—this summer the very same Senator Schumer pledged to the audience at one show that the free concerts would be back on the waterfront in 2010. more ›

Sigh, as today's weather hints at: summer is nearly over. This means that the outdoor concerts are coming to an end, with the Pool Parties having their last hurrah on the waterfront yesterday afternoon. Brooklyn band Grizzly Bear helped send off the season, providing a soundtrack with sounds from their latest release Veckatimest as well as their previous effort Yellow House. more ›

The Wiliamsburg Pool Parties will wrap up next Sunday with Grizzly Bear and Beach House, but in many ways yesterday's blowout with Girl Talk felt like the real explosive climax to the summer. Fifteen minutes before Girl Talk went on, the line to get in stood still from the entrance at N 8th Street and ran well past the corner of N 11th. Parks officers seemed constantly on the run throughout the set as the hordes of people shut out of the fun became unruly and threatened to push through or turn over port-a-potties. One reader left a report of a chaotic scene from the front gates where allegedly hundreds of people cut the line and were allowed in by security just as the set was getting under way. more ›

Yesterday's free concert on the Waterfront (the third of the weekly Pool Parties this summer), was one of the many events that succombed to the weather gods. I'm Not Sayin speaks up and reports back from the frontline saying "the State Park management told the promoters to pull the plug—before headliners Trail of Dead could plug in and play a single power chord." Smart move, and the crowd made the best of it, running off to nearby bars, and snapping windblown shots for their Facebook pages. more ›

Click on the images for more about this Week in Rock; this week features Dirty Projectors at the Williamsburg Waterfront, Andrew Bird at Green-Wood Cemetery, and Ted Leo at Pier 54. more ›

Yesterday afternoon the Pool Parties made their debut off the McCarren Pool grounds and on the Williamsburg waterfront, at East River State Park (Mission of Burma, Fucked Up, Ponytail and Jemina Pearl all played). This new home is even more temporary than the last—which is currently undergoing a $50 million makeover—only one summer of shows will be held here before it's time to find a new home. In the meantime, the crowds from yesterday were aTwitter with thoughts on the new space. Most of the reviews have been positive, and for the most part the same elements are there, with some slight changes. more ›

Also this week:

• The King of Pop, Michael Jackson died at age 50
• JetBlue announced a live music series at their new T5 terminal
• We interviewed Dr. Dog (who play a free Celebrate Brooklyn! show tonight)
• We also talked to Thurston Moore
• Lou Reed got angry
• Sound Fix will be moving and bringing back live music (but not with the alcohol)
• Nightlife apparently needs to be saved more ›

Last year as the the McCarren Park Pool parties were coming to an end forever (not forever), we talked to JellyNYC organizer Sarah Hooper about where they might revive their series this summer. At the time she told us that they were working closely with the Open Space Alliance, Parks Department and Marty Markowitz’s office to find a new space, but no matter what, the show will remain free and they'll always have a Slip n' Slide. Well, it's all happening people. more ›

Sure, you've been hearing a lot about it recently, but this weekend's festival is actually a pretty big deal. Historically, local giant fests don't go so well when set up near New York, but this one seems to have the backing and support to actually get done right. First off, it certainly helps to have a band like Radiohead headline two nights. You can count on one hand the bands who have the combination of mass appeal and credibility to truly give a new festival the bump it needs to establish itself. Second, the association with Coachella, which has become the high-water mark for the ever-growing number of American festivals, gives it a pedigree to live up to. The fact that the festival is actually going forward already puts it in rare company, considering the fates of Vineland and Field Day. Whether it will be able to become an annual tradition, rather than an Across the Narrows-esque one and done flop, is still to be seen. more ›

Did you hear that UK retailer Top Shop is coming to town this fall? Before they cross the pond, however, Williamsburg is Dead points out that they have some tips on how to dress for the McCarren Park Pool Parties (where they've temporarily set up shop). Apparently nothing says a sweltering New York summer in a concrete pool like a nice warm woollen beanie! more ›

The NY Times takes a preemptive look back at McCarren Park Pool, on the cusp of its closing, saying "Like every sweet summer fling...this one is destined to end." The empty pool has given some locals fond memories of the Slip n' Slide, dodgeball, this guy, the music. Sure, the beer lines were long at times, and the entry line even longer, but before the pool gets refilled with water, some are shedding tears over it, because let's face facts: the Sunday Pool Parties just won't be the same when they're not held in a quadruple-Olympic-size swimming pool. As for what the future holds, next year JellyNYC will take the Pool Parties to Austin, Portland, San Francisco, and Nashville--but there currently isn't a site secured for New York. In July, however, they told us "The Open Space Alliance, Parks Department and even Marty Markowitz’s office has been very clear that there will be a space for concerts no matter what in Williamsburg" As for an opposition, Phyllis Yampolsky, founder of the McCarren Park Conservancy, says the pools "basic needs are not for the fashionistas of Williamsburg.” more ›

Along with Doug DeFalco, Sarah Hooper co-runs JellyNYC -- the company that brings free concerts to McCarren Park Pool each Sunday of the summer. With the space undergoing some changes in the future, we checked in with Hooper on the status of the parties and where they may go when the empty pool gets filled with water again. Good news: Marty Markowitz promises they'll be sticking around..and could possibly have a water view. more ›

Another week, another free summer concert series announced. One of the most enjoyable ways to spend a summer Sunday in the city in the last couple years has been out at McCarren Pool, with the competitive dodgeball, slip and slides and sweet, sweet music. The lineups for these shows have never disappointed, but this year seems to be bigger than ever. There has been some growing speculation that this might be the last year for the Pool Parties, and recently released plans for the pool added to those concerns. Regardless of the future, they're all go for 2008. Enjoy it while you can. Among many, many more, The Breeders, MGMT, The Hold Steady, Liars, Black Lips and Deerhunter are all confirmed. Dates and complete lineups to come. more ›

The fate of McCarren Park Pool turned around after being landmarked and given a $50 million gift from Bloomberg, yet its future look is still up in the air. Following the February 4th meeting, last night another Community Board meeting was held to discuss The Pool. This time architects Rogers Marvel and The Parks Department were on hand to present conceptual plans. Curbed has the reveal, but they note the renderings are merely "draft images and, of course, the redesign has to be approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission." more ›

COMEDY: This weekend marks the 9th Annual Del Close Marathon. Del Close, if you don't know by now, "was the driving force behind improvisational comedy in Chicago for over 30 years influencing Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Mike Myers, John Belushi, Chris Farley and the Upright Citizens Brigade to name a few." The annual weekend began after Del's passing in 1999. more ›

That's an awful, awful pun and we do apologize. These mini headlines aren't easy! The Pool Parties are officially in full swing, and we took a trip out to McCarren this weekend for the diverse lineup of OCDJ, Dan Deacon, Erase Errata and The Octopus Project. While all four bands put on a solid show, the standout was clearly Deacon, who set up his gadgets and widgets on a fold-out table at the base of the stage on the pool surface. The massive crowd (probably the largest he's performed for yet) all huddled around the table, as per usual, jumping and dancing and cheering along. There will be a constant adjustment period for Dan Deacon over the next year or so as he copes with playing intimate basement music to an ever expanding fan base. If Sunday's show was any indication, there may be some rough patches, but he'll always figure out a way to make it work. (pic via occipital lobe's flickr) more ›

Thousands of people line McCarren Pool on Sundays, standing in place of where water used to be. This summer JellyNYC's Sunday Pool Parties are continuing, in what has become an instant summer tradition. more ›