Latest news with #Brooklynites


Time Out
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
A two-day indie sleaze music festival is coming to Staten Island this weekend
Staten Island remains the most shamefully under-visited of the city's five boroughs, even with a ferry service that has that rarest of NYC transport qualities: it's free. But for those looking for a nostalgic-slash-music reason to visit our southernmost district, the Maker Park Music and Art Fest this weekend promises a millennial Brooklynite's heaven, headlined by Dan Deacon and Jon Spencer. The event celebrates eight years of Maker Park Radio, a local Staten Island streaming station founded by Kristin Wallace (David Byrne's longtime promoter) and Tom Ferrie. Since its launch in 2017, the station has hosted over 120 DJs, some of whom will spin live between sets. Maker Park is on the island's northeast coast, with a lovely view of Bay Ridge just across the water for Brooklynites who might get easily homesick. But the festival's all-ages vibe will draw you right back into the moment with live portrait photography, local food and crafts vendors, and several art installations. Friday will kick off at 5 p.m. with NYC trash rockers Balaclava, followed by a 'sweet and amazing set' (Maker's words!) from Horsegirl and capped by Baltimore's Dan Deacon entrancing audiences with his electronic compositions. (If his name sounds familiar, you might have seen his name in the music credits for Venmo: The Last Dance or Francis Ford Coppola's Twixt.) Known for his audience-interactive shows, Deacon will have you feeling right at home. Night two packs an even bigger punch, highlighting Staten Island's indie outfit The Parallel Lines right off the bat, and Maker Park continuing their collaboration with Coney Island Sideshow artists with 'Priestess of Pyromancy,' the enchantress Sage Sovereign. The retro sounds of SKORTS will blend into The Thing—both NYC groups—before NOBRO, a Canadian band that just won the Best Album Juno (i.e. Canadian Grammy), takes the stage. Jon Spencer will close out the two-day festival with a three-piece band to deliver his soulful rock and roll.


Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Zohran Mamdani won because too many elites lost
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in International Hell hath no fury like the disappointed haute bourgeoisie. A populist revolt has been brewing among the American left since the global financial crisis dealt a severe economic shock to young college graduates. The surprising primary win of 33-year-old Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani in New York City 's mayoral primary is the latest manifestation of their economic frustration . And it will only get worse. One of the more surprising results of the Mamdani victoryconcerns his base: Younger, well-educated, fairly affluent and living in Brooklyn — especially the more bohemian Williamsburg and Bushwick neighborhoods. Mamdani was much less popular among lower earners who lived in the Bronx. So it's revealing that the relatively well-off turned out enthusiastically for someone who, only a few years ago, promised to seize the very means of production that underpinned their reason may be that Mamdani's supporters tend to be elite, but don't feel elite enough. They are the ones who suffer from what University of Connecticut professor emeritus and complexity scientist Peter Turchin calls elite overproduction . Many children of middle- and upper middle-class households went to college expecting to have a career that brought wealth and status. But there are a limited number of 'elite' jobs. The result is a surplus of aspiring elites who end up resentful and blame a system they deem unfair. Turchin argues that past periods of social unrest were due to an overabundance of disappointed elites. It also explains recent bouts of populism , including the Occupy Wall Street of the problem is that the divide between culturally and economically elite jobs has widened. Culturally elite jobs, such as working at a high-profile non-profit, media (ahem), the arts, or a university, all come with a certain cache but most pay far less than those in finance, consulting or corporate on the government's Current Population Survey between 2022 and 2025, about 12% of the college graduates who live in Brooklyn work in what I call 'creative' industries (arts, media, non-profits). This may seem low, but Brooklyn is one of the largest counties in the country and is very economically diverse. Creative college graduates here take up a smaller share of graduates in other New York Boroughs (between 5% and 11%) and the US's college educated population overall (7%).The creative college graduates in Brooklyn have a median household income of about $125,000. But that does not go far in New York, especially for those from affluent families who expect to replicate their parents' standard of living. When their parents were young, having a college degree ensured much higher relative pay. Big cities were also less expensive back then, and a non-profit job could afford a decent living 30% of creative college-educated Brooklynites are homeowners, compared to 76% of college graduates in the rest of country. And it gets worse when they compare themselves to their peers who became part of the economic elite. Brooklyn also houses many people who work in finance, law and consulting. Their median household income is more than $290,000, and 58% own their home (though they tend to be a bit older).Although the cultural and economic elite have always lived alongside each other, the reason the divide is getting wider is because in the last few decades being in a big city such as New York has become necessary to elite success, be it cultural or economic. But cities have also become much more expensive, mainly as the result of increased demand for housing and limited supply. Economically elite jobs have also become even better paid relative to cultural elite this is why Mamdani's focus on affordability, his promises to freeze rent, subsidize food costs and impose large taxes on the economic elite, is appealing to so many well-educated voters. To some extent, it is hard to feel sorry for them. They chose to work in professions that pay relatively less given their education. And they are hardly the only ones who struggle with the high cost of living. Don't forget that most college educated workers in New York earn more than those who don't have such degrees, with the median household income in Brooklyn (for all education levels) coming in at $73, this is no comfort for those who feel cheated in a job that a generation ago could have afforded a comfortable lifestyle. It is also a legitimate problem that success in their industry requires living where they can't necessarily afford the lifestyle they want and feel they expects the problem will only get worse. Recent shifts in the labor market due to technology suggest the earnings premium from college may shrink further and cause more economic frustration. At the very least, if these voters turn to populism that pushes more price controls on housing and other necessities there will be even more shortages and higher prices for market-priced goods, and the affordability problem will swell, not only for the disaffected cultural elite but for everyone.


Time Out
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The 2025 Macy's July 4 fireworks will be launched from NYC's East River
Good news for East Siders and Brooklynites: The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks are returning to the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River for 2025. Specifically, the show will launch from the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and four barges positioned on the lower East River in the Seaport District. Macy's hasn't yet provided a list of best viewing spots, but you can expect miles of prime public viewing. The spectacular display is the largest Independence Day in the nation, which paints the skyline in an extraordinary display of light and sound. It's been a pyrotechnic tradition since 1976 for good reason—the show is truly incredible. Though exact timings haven't been announced, last year's show began at 9:25pm, so keep that in mind when making your plans for Friday, July 4. As for viewing locations, any anywhere with an unobstructed view of the sky above the lower East River should do the trick. In the coming weeks, keep an eye out for additional details on public viewing, as well as a city-sponsored lottery for free public viewing tickets. Last year, the fireworks were hosted on the west side of the city, delighting west siders and New Jerseyans. For a decade prior to that, the fireworks had been launched from the East River, and now they're back. "Macy's doesn't just light up the sky—we ignite a shared tradition," said Will Coss, Macy's 4th of July Fireworks executive producer, in a press release. "By bringing the fireworks to New York City and communities across the country, we create a spectacular event that celebrates joy, unity and togetherness. We are proud to bring people together year after year to honor the traditions that connect us all." While the show brings hordes of New Yorkers to sidewalks and viewing parties, it's also broadcast across the nation on NBC and Peacock for all to enjoy beginning at 8pm.


Time Out
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Where to see Manhattanhenge this week even if you're not in Manhattan
The biggest celebrity sighting in NYC this week? The sun. The twice-yearly solar spectacle known as Manhattanhenge returns Wednesday, May 28 and Thursday, May 29. On these days, the setting sun aligns just so with the Manhattan street grid, creating an Instagram-perfect glow that slices through the city's skyscraper canyons. Wednesday night features a 'half sun' at 8:13 pm, and Thursday delivers the full solar showstopper at 8:12 pm. But good news for outer borough dwellers: you don't need to be elbowing tourists on 42nd Street to get the full Manhattanhenge experience. 'You want to be as far east as you can get,' Dr. Jackie Faherty, astronomer at the American Museum of Natural History, told the New York Post. That means Queens, Brooklyn and even Randall's Island offer top-tier vantage points, without the Midtown mayhem. Hunter's Point South Park in Long Island City is the only outer-borough spot officially endorsed by NYC Parks for Manhattanhenge. Its waterfront perch gives crystal-clear views—and bonus points for East River reflections. A bit north, Gantry Plaza State Park is Dr. Faherty's personal fave: 'It's got a really good long view,' she told the Post. Want even more drama? Head to the pedestrian path on the Queensboro Bridge for panoramic views over the river and the Manhattan skyline. Brooklynites don't have a ton of ideal spots, but Greenpoint scrapes into the viewing zone. Find a west-facing street or rooftop view north of 59th and south of 110th, and you're golden—literally. While it's technically still Manhattan, Roosevelt Island's southern tip at Four Freedoms Park offers a centered perspective on the phenomenon, and you can even catch it from the iconic tram. Over on Randall's Island, head to the ballfields for unobstructed views minus the skyscraper squeeze. And even if you are stuck in Manhattan for the sighting, you don't have to battle the crowds. With more than 150 crosstown streets in Manhattan, you can seek out your own secret spot to frame the sun. So whether you're in Queens, Brooklyn or somewhere in between, cue up your sunset playlist and grab your camera. The solar party is on, and everyone's invited!


Time Out
28-04-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Discount grocery store Lidl is opening a new location in Brooklyn
Brooklynites, ready your shopping carts: Lidl is finally expanding in the borough. The discount grocery giant, famous for its low prices and surprisingly fancy imports, will open a new Brooklyn outpost at 490 Fulton Street on Friday, May 23. Early risers can snag a free croissant and coffee starting at sunrise, with the official ribbon-cutting happening at 7:40am. Already beloved across Europe (and, more recently, the East Coast), Lidl US brings an edited mix of private label products, global treats and household essentials to the area, all wrapped up in a no-frills, easy-to-shop layout. Translation: you can be in and out fast without dodging maze-like aisles. The new Downtown Brooklyn store will feature all the hits Lidl fans rave about: the famous 49-cent croissants, fresh-baked throughout the day; juicy produce and top-notch meats (including their new Butcher's Specialty private label line); and the Midl of Lidl aisle, a rotating treasure trove of limited-time deals on everything from kitchen gadgets to outdoor gear. New to the bakery? Keep an eye out for the "special guest lineup" launching May 2, starting with iced lemon muffins. Dessert fans will also want to raid the freezer for their cult-favorite Bon Gelati Mini Mix ice cream bars and authentic frozen tiramisu. Oh, and for anyone who loves a shortcut to dinner, Lidl's imported pizzas and chilled Italian pastas are here to rescue your weeknights. Shoppers can also score exclusive coupons and rewards through the MyLidl app and every purchase is backed by the 'Lidl Love It Guarantee,' meaning if you don't love it, you can return it for a full refund and replacement.