You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out
° Killing Joke - Change mp3
Last Friday night I watched the first presidential debate at the new LEED-certified Galapagos space in Dumbo. Outdoing the aquatic entrance of its former Williamsburg location, the new Galapagos is laid out with an undulating archipelago of round booths hovering above an impressive 1600-foot lagoon. Plenty of pix on their site help illustrate. I think it's a good look, even though there's not much open floor space. The seating-focused design signals a shift in programming—toward cultural events that are a bit classier than, say, rocking, raving and titty dancing (all of which are still in full force up at the original space, now Public Assembly.)
° Brian Eno + David Byrne - America Is Waiting mp3
Despite its supper-club layout, the venue was standing-room-only for the debate. I barely made it in, just as they were reaching capacity an hour before the broadcast, and friends who weren't so lucky texted me to say the line outside had become super long. Because CurrentTV's Hack the Debate was hosting, instead of watching pundits and regular folks keep score on CNN , we were watching a real-time feed of Twitter messages as they floated up over the broadcast, "powered by Adobe Flash." Neat idea, but the execution was a little distracting. I found myself reading them during McCain's time but trying to ignore them when Obama was up. (It was also in 3D, apparently, but I was too late to snag a pair of glasses.) Photos of the night, including screen shots, are Flickr'd here .
° Baby's Gang - America mp3
Galapagos is showing the VP debate Thursday, this time with a $5 guaranteed-seat-and-free-drink reservation .
If you're Burg-bound that night, you should try to reserve a spot at MonkeyTown , which will have just celebrated its 3rd anniversary the night before with free food, free drinks and djs. It has teetered on the edge of being priced out (a la Galapagos), and I'm really glad it's still in the hood. (Who doesn't love that place?)
° Devo - Freedom Of Choice mp3
Before the debate, head to Kiosk , where my favorite traveling merchant-curators have cleverly timed the spectacle with their next Opening Party:
The KIOSK American Installment #1, an exploration of sorts into our past, present and the future. With all the activity going on in this country now we could not think of a better place to focus on. Opening Party October 2nd, the night of the Vice-Presidential debates, from 6 - 9 pm. Obama fundraiser comb and hopefully a poster (we are taking sides: OBAMA YES!). Economics and coin rolls, politics and surprise balls, things to fish with and stuff for babies to chew on, it's America after all, we hope you will like our sampling. Opening party starts early this time so we can watch the debate at 9, FYI we hope to have a TV hook-up here and are working on getting reception now. Hope you can pass by! Hope you are hanging in there during these trying times!
° Jupiter - I Love America mp3
Kiosk threatens to move overseas if Obama doesn't win. Make sure you're registered to vote by October 10th and that your friends and fam and neighbors all know what's up.
° Antiballas - Who Is This America Dem Speak Of Today? mp3
See also: The nascent American Design Club has its first show up at Character through Thursday: "The club produces events and socials to improve the lives of designers and the appreciation of American design."
You will not be able to stay home.
° Dead Kids - America (RAC Mix) mp3
