McCarren Park Pool
15 August 2008, 1930
This is New York. We are known for using every inch of space that we have since space is such a hot commodity around here. Enter McCarren Park Pool. We have a pool that hasn't been used as a pool for a while, so why don't we throw some summer concerts in it, yeah? Lets do it! According to Free Williamsburg, McCarren Park Pool was opened in 1936 during the Great Depression as part of a public works project (thank you once again Robert Moses). The pool was one of the largest in the world touting a capacity for 6800 swimmers at the same time and measured in at about the size of three Olympic-sized pools combined (eat your heart out Michael Phelps). The Brooklynites' summer destination spot closed in 1983 to undergo repairs, but as soon as the gates were shuttered, the residents said no mas. As it is with most political fights, nobody could agree on what to do with the pool. So there it sat, decaying, crumbling, and falling into a state of disrepair until 2006 when choreographer and arts advocate Noémie Lafrance decided to ask permission to host a dance party there. The Parks Department jumped on the idea and put out a request for proposals to other groups that host large concert and dance events such as Live Nation and JellyNYC. Rebirth! This is supposedly the last summer that the pool will be open for music and dancing though, since next year it is slated to return to its roots.
I had the pleasure of seeing Regina Spektor perform there on a lovely, rainy Friday night. Yes, the show does go on if it is raining...pools are meant to be wet, silly. Lucky for me, Shannon couldn't use her ticket, so I threw some money at her and off Michelle and I went to Brooklyn clutching Brooklyn Brewery drink tickets and umbrellas (but not raincoats because that would have been ridiculous). Not enough people know about the Russian-born pianist, if you ask me. Her songs are indie-delicious and her voice is bewitching. After emigrating from Russia, the Spektor family settled in the Bronx, but Regina actually graduated from Fair Lawn High School in Fair Lawn, New Jersey (not far from where yours truly grew up). She is folk, punk, indie, and religious all rolled into one tremendous musical talent. She uses her voice fully, has a dynamic range, and highlights some of her songs with a gentle beatbox of noises that she conjures. Please, please, please look her up and give her music a chance. She is wonderfully talented, a complete natural and absolutely adorable on stage.
100 in 6 budget: $817
Clip from Samson
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