WILLIAMSBURGH, BROOKLYN; After 8 years, dozens of events, hundreds of late nights and thousands of conversations about the importance of preserving the collected history of our incredible, indelible city, Dave Herman is stepping down from his post as President of the City Reliquary Museum and Civic Organization. Taking his place will be Vice-President Bill Scanga.

But this is no reason to lament or concern. This is a celebration! We want to thank Dave for his hard work and tireless civic pride in keeping the City Reliquary’s heart beating, its soul pulsing, its energy racing through our wonderful borough to the collections of collectors beyond. Besides, although Dave is stepping down from his post as President, he will stay on as Founder and Auxiliary Board Member. So he aint going anywhere.

We feel that the best thank-you possible is a party during September’s THurd THursday monthly event, featuring Dave, Bill, Dave’s favorite rootsy-rock band Frankenpine, and lots of Brooklyn Beer to drink. Please stop by the City Reliquary on THursday September 16th, 7-10pm for a celebration, concert and Passing of the Presidential Sash from Dave to Bill.

September’s Thurd THursday
September 16th, 2010
7-10pm, with ceremony and Frankenpine performance beginning at 8
FREE! Dontations greatly appreciated.
310 Metropolitan Avenue at Havemeyer; Williamsburgh, Brooklyn.

Third Thursday at the City Reliquary:
New Critics Speak New York
D-Crit Readings at the City Reliquary Museum

Join recent graduates from the Design Criticism program at SVA as they consider design stories, history and ephemera in the city of New York. We will start in Willets Point with your urban adventure guide, Alan Rapp, as he explores a neighborhood curiously missing from the urban gird. Sarah Froelich bridges the Queens/Manhattan divide with her personal essay unwrapping the visual metaphors of the Queensboro Bridge. Midtown mysteries are revealed in John Cantwell’s presentation, as we learn who exactly design the Trump Tower’s signage. The eccentricity of pop-culture is dimensionalized in Chappell Ellison’s look into the transformation of the Movie Palace into the modern day Multiplex. And if you are mourning the loss of cultural icons such as the Roxy Theatre, join Angela Riechers on an audio boat tour of memorial landmarks across the city’s perimeter. This program was organized by fellow design critic Amelia Black and Molly Surno, of the City Reliquary Museum.

D-Crit is a pioneering masters program where students research, analyze and evaluate design and its social and environmental implications. Drawing on the broadest possible definition of design, the curriculum includes graphic, Web and product design as well as fashion, urban planning and network systems. Find more information on the website (dcrit.sva.edu) as well as on our own website at www.cityreliquary.org

Thursday August 19th 2010
7-10pm
FREE at The City Reliquary.
Brooklyn Beer will be sold for a cheap donation.

370 Metropolitan Avenue at Havemeyer

Featured Critics:
John Cantwell
Sarah Froelich
Alan Rapp
Angela Riechers

A Photographic Archive of NYC’s Street Lamposts
Curated by “Forgotten New York” author and webmaster, Kevin Walsh and NYC transit employee and enthusiast, Bob Mulero

THis THurd THursday, July 15th from 7-10pm
at the City Reliquary Museum, 370 Metropolitan Ave.
Join us for the opening reception of a truly illuminating exhibit, “FORGOTTEN CITY LIGHTS: A Photographic Archive of NYC’s Street Lamposts.” This newest exhibit focuses on the often ignored but always overhead variants and styles of NYC street lamps.

With photographs taken over the past 30+ years by Bob Mulero, an employee of the MTA and an avid toy collector, Mr. Mulero has been cataloging hundreds of New York’s lampposts since the 1970s. Mr. Mulero is joined in his historical efforts by the (seemingly) omniscient Kevin Walsh, who’s website www.Forgotten-NY.com chronicles (what appears to be) every single corner, cul-de-sac, dead-end, roundabout, and street direction in New York City.

July 15th, 7-10pm, FREE!
At the City Reliquary, 370 Metropolitan Avenue at Havemeyer Street
Williamsburgh, Brooklyn.
Refreshments by Brooklyn Brewery.
Donations will be gratefully accepted.

NOW: In History!
The monthly live newsreel presentation at
Brooklyn’s FIRST Carnegie Library in Williamsburgh.
Tuesday, July 16th 2010
Refreshments at 6:00 PM, Lecture at 6:30 PM
Williamsburgh Library, 240 Division Ave. at Marcy Ave

The Second installment of: NOW: In History! at the Williamsburgh Library Auditorium
will feature New York City Historian and author of “The Devil’s Own Work,”
Barnet Schecter on the topic of…
The Civil War Draft Riots of July 1863

About “NOW: In History!”… This new lecture series brings prominent authors, historians, and experts on New York City History to this LANDMARK BUILDING in Southside Williamsburgh. Each lecture is themed after a historic event which ocured during that month in NYC history.

About the Williamsburgh Library… With imminent Brooklyn Public Library budget cuts topping over $20 Million and a massive borough-wide cut back on library hours and resources, the historic Williamsburgh Library is losing critical funding. This new program series aims to bring the attention of those who love our local history to a public institute deserving of its support.

At the Williamsburgh Library, 240 Division Ave. at Marcy Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11211
t. 718-302-3485. Click HERE to download the flier!
Admission to all BPL programs is FREE.
Donations to the “Support our Shelves” Campaign will be accepted!

Stop by the City Reliquary this THird THursday, June 17th, for a musical concert of civic proportions. Performing on our backyard stage, not one, not three, but two luminaries of the Brooklyn lo-hi musical ephemera, to perfectly fit our quirky museum categories. Both acts will be performing to suit your musical ears, and as always, Brooklyn Beer will be served nicely chilled. $5 suggested donation, doors open at 7 and the music gets going promptly at 8.

Rattle is a new band comprising Pat Gubler (guitar), Greg Peterson (guitar), Sue Garner (bass) and Rick Brown (drums and electronics). Its members, all of whom also sing, have played in NY for many years in various groups including The Scene Is Now, P.G. Six, Run On, Batillus, The Shams, Metal Mountains and V-Effect. Rattle uses the classic instrumentation of rock music but the result has touches of ambient electronics and Appalachian harmonies, hints of folk-rock and inspirations as varied as black metal and Haitian rara.

Memphis native Megan Reilly’s Let Your Ghost Go “comes on like a fever-dream, slow, hot and swooning, brimming with love and death and sadness and joy…a voice both hazy and powerfully direct…a wonderful, timeless sophomore record of quiet, haunting country pop.” (Other Music) It received 4-Stars from Uncut magazine. “Drop dead gorgeous, melancholy folk-pop of the highest order.” (No Depression) “… as if Dolly Parton sang in her sleep and occasionally wailed in terror at a nightmare.” (Dallas Observer) She’s currently at work on her third album.

June 17th, 7-10pm
$5 suggested donation
At the City Reliquary, 370 Metropolitan Avenue
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Urban Memory Project and City Reliquary Museum worked with 20 students and their teacher at the Lyons Community School to study the history and trends of Williamsburg, and to capture their observations with photography. The result is a collection of beautiful photographs that document this neighborhood in transition.

The opening will begin at 5:30pm

(more…)

Tuesday, June 8th 2010, 6:30PM at the Williasmburgh Library Auditorium

This is the first installment of the monthly “Live Newsreel Presentation” at Brooklyn’s FIRST Carnegie Library. Hosted by City Reliquary President Dave Herman, this new lecture series will bring prominent authors, academics, and experts on New York City History to this LANDMARK BUILDING in Southside Williamsburgh. With imminent Brooklyn Public Library budget cuts topping over $20Million and a massive borough-wide cut back on library hours and resources, the historic Williamsburgh Library is losing critical funding. This new program series aims to bring the attention of those who love our local history to a public institute deserving of its support.

June’s Spectacular “NOW: In History” Event will feature: The General Slocum Steamboat Tragedy of 1904, with special slideshow presentation by Edward T. O’Donnell, author of “Ship Ablaze: The Tragedy of the Steamboat General Slocum” At the Williamsburgh Library, 240 Division Ave. at Marcy Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11211 t. 718-302-3485.

Admission to all BPL programs is FREE. Donations to the “Support our Shelves” Campaign will be accepted!

Saturday, June 19th 2010, 12:00 noon

The profits from this year’s annual Crest Fest 2010 at Crest Hardware, will support the City Reliquary Museum & Civic Organization!

Join us for the opening day celebration of the Crest Hardware Art Show. Crest Fest 2010 brings the community together with art, food, drinks, live music and local vendors.

3rd Ward will be there with bikes, workshops, a photobooth and food! Located at 558 Metropolitan Ave. between Union and Lorimer Sts.

WILLIAMSBURGH – It’s a block party for your bicycle! Come and celebrate at our sixth annual Bicycle Fetish Day from noon til night on Havemeyer Street between Grand and Metropolitan Avenues. Biking activities, bike competitions, bike rides, bicycle advocacy groups and artists selling their wares. With a BBQ grill and more, how could you miss this yearly celebration of all things bicycle.

(more…)