Andrew Bird will release his twelfth studio album, Break It Yourself, next month—and last night, the insanely talented multi-instrumentalist performed the record in its entirety at The Bell House for the first time. "I knew this was going to be a fun one to play live," Bird noted during the enthralling 90-minute long concert, which also included a couple of songs from his back catalog (the always uplifting "Tables and Chairs" and "Effigy") and a pair of Handsome Family covers. Tickets for the surprise show, which was announced just a day earlier, appear to have landed entirely in the hands of Bird's fans, who soaked up the new sounds with hushed awe. It's rare to encounter such an attentive crowd at a rock club—from bar to stage the entire room was all ears, and Bird seemed more relaxed and comfortable than we've ever seen him before.
Video: Andrew Bird Debuts New Album, Break It Yourself, At The Bell House
Tickets For "Secret" Andrew Bird Show At The Bell House On Sale Now
By the time you read this, the show will probably sell out, but Andrew Bird's fan club just announced a surprise show at The Bell House Saturday night. As we write this, tickets are still on sale for the intimate performance. The magnificent Bird has previously sold out Radio City Musical Hall, The Beacon Theater, and Carnegie Hall, so these tickets will go fast. His publicist tells us Bird will perform with his full band, and the concert seems to be a sort of warm-up gig before Bird goes on the road again after a long break, in support of his forthcoming album, Break It Yourself. Here's a clip from a great documentary about Bird's life on the road, called Fever Year:
Scenes From Last Night's Twin Peaks Party
Last night the Bell House turned into Twin Peaks (don't say we didn't warn you). There was a quest for Laura Palmer, a stripping donut, some damn fine cherry pie, a sexy reenactment of Shelley tied up in the saw mill, and more. Click through for photos from the event—which Nadine, Josie Packard (post-death, stuck in that wooden knob), and Log Lady even showed up to (did anyone ask her about her log?).
Will You Be Crowned The New Miss Twin Peaks?
This Sunday a Brooklyn venue will be transformed into Twin Peaks, or as the organizers behind the event say: into "a creepy logging town in rural Washington, where a beautiful naked corpse awaits discovery." We're told there will be themed cocktails (the White/Black Lodge, the Red Room, and the Leland Palmer), trivia, a screening of the best parts of season two, a cherry stem tying contest, Twin Peaks Burlesque, doughnuts, coffee, cherry pie, owls, a hidden Laura Palmer Barbie doll, and a Miss Twin Peaks pageant! Bonus: being transported to a David Lynch fantasy world will only cost you 5 bucks. Get your dance moves ready, ladies.
Eat Cetera: Stinky Cheese, Smorgasbord, Bartenders & Beasts
Click on the photos for the scoop on the winter Stinky Cheese Festival, Aquavit's All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Smorgasbord, unlimited cocktails at Freemans to keep bartenders healthy, and Sixpoint's not-to-be-missed Beer for Beasts bash.
Eat Cetera
This week in food events, Perbacco serves up a complimentary summer drink just in time for the season to end, Magnolia Bakery makes a special cupcake in honor of Fashion's Night Out, and eat all you want from Brooklyn's best restaurants during Hot Plates Live.
Peace on Earth this Sunday
Come celebrate the holiday season with us, a bunch of musicians and some Egg Nog n' Maker's Mark—it'll be just like grandma's house...in Gowanus. This Sunday, December 21st, we'll be throwing a seasonal soiree at the big, gorgeous Bell House, in partnership with the After the Jump folk.
Gothamist House: Come and Knock on Our Door
We have some more details about Gothamist House (there's even a Facebook page!), open during CMJ next week (October 22nd through 25th). The shows will run from 2:30 to 8 p.m. daily...and you'll want to get there early because we'll have a limited amount of gift bags each day (a reusable grocery bag from Whole Foods with goodies from Babeland, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Penguin and others).
New Venue Alert: The Bell House
- The owners of Union Hall and Floyd, Jim Carden and Andy Templar, along with Union Hall booker Jack McFadden, have been hard at work on their new venue. Earlier this year we got a glimpse of The Bell House while the space was still pretty raw, this week Sam Horine took a look inside to see how things are coming along. Located on 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues in Brooklyn, the venue will be opening in mid-September or early October. Some more fun facts from McFadden:
- Capacity in the performance space is 333
- The stage is 28 feet wide by 17 feet deep
- There's a huge bar in the performance space
- The front lounge bar holds approximately 100 people and will have couches
- There are two entrances, one for the performance space, one for the lounge, with a foyer connecting them
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