Out of the Pool and Into the River

North Brooklynites anxious for free outdoor fun in the sun finally got a first glimpse into this summer’s hotly anticipated reincarnation of the beloved Jelly NYC concert series, which went off on Sunday afternoon under a crystalline blue sky and beside the calm waters of the East River—quite a different scene than the epic concrete bowl where the Pool Parties originated.
This year’s kick-off concert featured performances by Ponytail, Fucked Up and Mission to Burma, in addition to a stunning view of the Manhattan Skyline—a backdrop truly emblematic of Greenpoint/Williamsburg’s natural beauty. Despite the significantly smaller stage, the seven-acre waterfront park offered concertgoers plenty of space to rock out while also providing non-partygoers with designated areas for picnicking.
“I think having the concerts here instead of McCarren Pool really opens it up to a wider variety of age groups and the potential for diverse activities,” said Julia Morrow of the Open Space Alliance, who, along with Jelly NYC, the Department of Parks and Recreation and a score of local elected officials, was instrumental in securing the permits necessary to host the concert series in East River State. “Even though the stage is smaller, this is much more of a nature-oriented space, and it’s more interesting in a lot of ways.”
Jelly NYC began planning and producing free concerts in McCarren Pool in 2006. The series was so popular it continued for the following two years, but after the plans to turn the WPA-era swimming pool, abandoned for nearly 25 years, back into a functioning community swimming hole were officially approved, the plug on the concerts was pulled. Luckily, with the help and dedication of community members, groups and elected officials, the notorious Pool Parties have found a new home on the river—for this summer at least. Though the new location seems to fit the bill, the permits are good for one summer only and will require renewal if the eight concerts planned July and August run smoothly.
Jelly NYC’s Sarah Hooper, one of the central organizers of the Pool Parties, expressed her appreciation to state park officials for being such gratuitous hosts, but doesn’t necessarily believe East River State Park to be a suitable permanent home for the series.
“I am really happy. Everyone has been so cooperative. We’re rock n’ roll kids and they dig our vibe and have been so sweet to us,” Hooper said of those in charge of the park. “But I’ll always miss the pool. We knew it wasn’t forever, and this is beautiful, but I just hope that someday soon there will be permanent place for concerts in Williamsburg.”