L-R GZA, BP Markowitz, Daniel Stedman and Scott Stedman announce this year's line-up Kathryn Kirk

Northside Festival to Return Thursday

In just a few short days, Greenpoint and Williamsburg will be inundated with a sea of music, film, and art enthusiasts as Northside, a festival organized by “L Magazine”, gets underway. Starting on Thursday, June 14th the week-long event will showcase a wide range of talent, from world-class musical acts to emerging local filmmakers, and everything in between.

Started as a music festival in 2009, Northside has since evolved into a celebration of all the creative forces that lie within North Brooklyn and beyond. As in the past, the headlining musical acts will take center stage in McCarren Park during the first weekend, while neighborhood music venues host a plethora of bands. In accordance with its growing maturity, the festival’s coordinators have layered on new aspects to its schedule. Artists will open their studios throughout the neighborhood, interactive art installations are slated for Bedford Avenue, and a collective show will highlight the works of more than 20 artists. The film festival, added to the itinerary in 2010, will explore a multitude of genres while presenting local auteurs. Northside will also feature panel discussions exploring topics based on creative business.

With so much happening in the neighborhood and over 80,000 attendees to the festival, many businesses, particularly those directly involved in music and art, are looking forward to the impacts of Northside. Among those include neighborhood stalwart Warsaw, participating in the event for the first time this year. Founder and managing director Mark Chroscielewski is looking forward to the event. “(It’s our) first time in the festival,” he said. “Lots of excitement so we expect to sell out all three shows. Obviously that’s good for business.”

With the popularity of the Northside growing from a local event to a citywide and in some cases nationwide level, attendees will undoubtedly have the opportunity to rediscover their neighborhood. Dana Keith of L Magazine says, “We really hope that by introducing people to Northside Festival we are simultaneously introducing them to a venue they’ve never stepped foot in, a restaurant they never knew was on their block, a ferry ride they’ve been meaning to take, and encouraging them to hear that local band, check out that local filmmaker and engage with the burgeoning entrepreneur who lives next door.”

As Northside’s identity has strengthened over the last few years, its scope and impact have expanded, bringing more activity and more attendees into the local area. The festival creates yet another reason for New Yorkers to descend upon North Brooklyn and experience all it has to offer.

This year’s Northside Festival will take place from June 14th through June 21st. For further information, go to northsidefestival.com.

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