THE 35TH ANNUAL ATLANTIC ANTIC STREET FESTIVAL Sunday, October 4th, 2009 from 10am to 6pm, rain or shine Atlantic Avenue from Hicks Street to Fourth Avenue 10 Blocks of Food, Festivities, and Fun Through the Heart of Brownstone Brooklyn..

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Karen Auster
auster*events
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35th ANNUAL ATLANTIC ANTIC STREET FESTIVAL--The Largest The Avenue Has Ever Seen!!

Brooklyn, N.Y., May 28, 2009- The 34th Annual Atlantic Antic Street Festival held on Sunday, October 5, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. transformed 10 blocks of Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn into a sea of live performances, with one of a kind merchandise and savory treats from around the world. All activities were free and open to the public.

Spanning from Hicks Street to Fourth Avenue, passing through Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, and Boerum Hill in the heart of brownstone Brooklyn, the Atlantic Antic proved to be one of the largest street fairs in the country. Closed to traffic for the day, the 2008 Atlantic Antic, which sold out available spaces in record time, showcased the best of the rich cultural, culinary, and commercial diversity along Atlantic Avenue.

The Antic featured 10 stages of live performance -- blues, rock, country, belly dancing, R&B, jazz, a Middle Eastern orchestra and interactive music for kids – that kept people moving and grooving along the avenue. Musical acts included The Windsor Terrors, Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Company, DJ Momotaro, Les Sans Culottes, Go-Go Dancers, Brooklyn Blues Review, Popa Chubby, Big Ed Sullivan, Black Coffee Blues Band, the Dysfunctional Family Jazz Band, Nick Howard, Joe Vicino & the SmokeDaddys, Carl Thompson & Friends, Citizen Band Radio, Graciela Carriqui, and Bonga and the Drums of Haiti.

"It's no secret that Brooklyn is the Cultural Capital of New York City, and one of the premier events that secured our reputation is the 'mother' of all street fairs--the Atlantic Antic, 34 years running and still going strong! From Middle Eastern to Malaysian, Indian to Italian, Turkish to Thai, Atlantic Avenue is your byway to the world's great cuisines--not to mention a shopper's paradise of antique stores and boutiques," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "And the Antic brings out the best in food, music, and family entertainment in the middle of beautiful Brownstone Brooklyn. Atlantic Antic and Brooklyn: How sweet it is!"

After enjoying fare ranging from pulled pork and dumplings to baklava and fried chocolate, visitors walked it off on their exploration of Atlantic Avenue. The Antic spanned approximately 1 mile, which gave them the perfect opportunity to enjoy the diverse culinary offerings guilt-free. A special map was provided to let visitors navigate by delicacy.

Sahadi's Specialty and Fine Foods celebrated its 60th year at the 34th annual Antic. at this year's Antic. "When the Antic first started, its motto was 'The Atlantic Antic: It's Gigantic,' recalls owner Charlie Sahadi. "God bless it, it's still going strong and we hope it will continue for many years". Sahadi's invited this year's festival-goers to "come taste the hummus that was voted one of the best in New York by Time Out New York magazine."

"We love the Antic," says Chris Sell, owner of Chip Shop, another long-time Antic participant. "It's great for the businesses, great for the community, great exposure for people who may not know about Atlantic Avenue. Bottom line, it's great for everybody." Festival-goers who passed by the Chip Shop enjoyed a live rock 'n' roll band, along with the Chip Shop's deep-fried Twinkie, shepherd's pie, and four lines of British beer. "It's a fun day for everyone. With all the great things going on that day, it's hard not to have a great time."

Visitors looked for one-of-a-kind purchases or experiences. From shopping for jewelry, home accessories, and clothing to watching live belly dancing - if you want it, you could find it at the Antic. Hundreds of local vendors complimented the avenue's wide array of trendy restaurants and shops.

The children's section, located between Smith Street and Boerum Place, offered plenty of family fun with pony rides, face painting, balloon sculptures, puppets, books, kids clothing, and artistic activities. Children's book illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg read from her newly released book "Mermaids on Parade" and others at Noon near Gumbo between Nevins and 3rd Street. Signed books were available for sale.

The New York Transit Museum's 15th Annual Bus Festival once again joined this year's Atlantic Antic. Running perpendicular along Boerum Place, visitors were able to board and explore a collection of vintage buses dating as far back as 1917, enjoy hands-on activities at the "Kid's Stop" tent, and purchase unique gifts at the "Bus Shop." Admission to the Museum, around the corner on Schermerhorn Street, was also free between Noon and 5 p.m.

The Atlantic Antic, which is presented by the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (AALDC), and produced by auster*events, gives merchants, residents and street vendors the opportunity to open their neighborhoods to a wider audience during this annual New York City tradition.

The AALDC, originally formed in 1974, is a not-for-profit organization committed to the economic development of the Atlantic Avenue area from Fourth Avenue to the East River waterfront in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to producing special events, the organization's activities include implementation of streetscape improvements, historic storefront preservation, and advocacy on issues of importance to the retail and residential community.

The 2008 Atlantic Antic was sponsored by The Nets, Forest City Ratner Companies, Sovereign Bank, Two Trees Management, Time Warner Cable, Con Edison, Equinox Fitness Club, SixPoint Craft Ales, Independence Community Foundation, Time Out NY, NY Times, CW 11, WCBS-FM 101.9, and Brooklyn Eagle.