Release Date: November 8, 2007
Contact: Michelle Karshan
Tel: 212-613-6033
Email: Michelle.Karshan@gmail.com
Growing by Leaps and Bounds, Brooklyn's Downtown Atlantic Avenue keeps its small town charm and neighborhood holiday events
Annual Atlantic Avenue Holiday Window Design Competition
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Officiated by Council Member David Yassky
Christmas Caroling and Dance Performance by PS 38 and 261
Special guest appearance by Santa Claus
Brooklyn, New York - November 8, 2007 - On Thursday, November 29th, 2007 at 6:00 p.m ., the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation and the Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association will host this year's Annual Atlantic Avenue Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Belarusian Church, corner of Atlantic Avenue and Bond Street, in downtown Brooklyn. Although the event is located in Boerum Hill, it brings together residents, families, merchants and local representatives from the various neighborhoods (Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Downtown Brooklyn and Boerum Hill) along and around the stretch of Atlantic Avenue running from Hicks Street to Fourth Avenue. The Tree Lighting event is free and open to the public with complimentary holiday treats provided by local Atlantic Avenue restaurants.
Council Member David Yassky will once again join the festivities by officiating the tree lighting. Council Member Letitia James and Female District Leader Jo Anne Simon will also be present. The winners of this year's Annual Atlantic Avenue Holiday Window Design Competition, decided by a panel of prominent judges (Elizabeth Koch, Ben Gibberd, and Chris Piazza) will be announced. Children from local public schools, P.S. 38 and 261 will lead guests with Christmas carols and dancers from P.S. 261 will perform. Santa Claus will also make a guest appearance to participate in the festivities, greet children and receive their Dear Santa letters.
Background on Annual Window Design Competition
The Annual Atlantic Avenue Holiday Window Design Competition is based on artistic merchandising and creative window display. The award is given to merchants for their aesthetic contribution to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Downtown Brooklyn and Boerum Hill.
Competitors must have their window designs installed by 6 p.m. on November 28, 2007 when the panel of judges will walk along the avenue to view and judge individual store windows based on the following criteria: original creative concept; use of materials; display technique; merchandising acumen; execution on a holiday theme and eye catching appeal for pedestrians.
The panel of judges was selected based on their artistic merit, diligence and accomplishments in the fine, visual and media arts or community development and beautification -- and must live and work in Brooklyn. This year's panel consists of judges who have demonstrated great interest in the economic and visual development of Brooklyn's commercial districts, and, they all love Atlantic Avenue!
The judges for this year's competition:
• Elizabeth Koch, serves as the Arts and Culture Specialist for Borough President Marty Markowitz;
• Ben Gibberd, author and journalist whose profiles, essays, and news stories appear regularly in the New York Times' City section. In May 2007, his book New York Waters: Profiles From the Edge, about the men and women of New York City's waterfront, was published by Globe Pequot Press. His guide book to Manhattan, The Little Black Book of New York, was published last year by Peter Pauper Press. He lives in Boerum Hill with his wife and two young children; and
• Artist Chris Piazza has been a recipient of Ludwig Vogelstein and George Sugarman grants. She is represented by Tria Gallery in New York City, where her second show at the gallery, concentrating on photo-based collages, opened on November 1st. Originally from Pittsburgh, Chris has lived in NYC since the early 70s and has been a Brooklyn resident since 1979. Chris lives and works in a 19th century carriage house in Boerum Hill which was the focus of a New York Times article in 2006. Her work can be seen at www.cpiazza.com .
The Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (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 the Atlantic Antic, one of New York City's major cultural attractions, and the annual Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk, 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 Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corp. is charged with bringing to fruition the Atlantic Avenue Master Plan which was conceived by the Atlantic Avenue Leadership Conference, a collaboration of 50 local community groups and businesses including the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation.
The Atlantic Avenue Betterment Association (AABA), a not-for-profit membership organization, representing a partnership between local businesses and the community on and around Atlantic Avenue between Hicks Street and Fourth Avenue was founded in 1993 and is dedicated to preserving the historic character of the Avenue, as well as improving its quality of life and works on issues such as safety, traffic calming, zoning issues, sanitation, and Avenue beautification. http://www.atlanticavenuebkny.com
Directions: (2,3,4, 5 to Nevins Street, A,C to Hoyt Street, R to Lawrence Street, F to Jay or Bergen Street)
For further information, please contact the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation at 718-875-8993
