"Mettle": Documentary Shot Almost Exclusively In Cobble Hill, To Premiere At Jalopy

On July 28th, "Mettle," a documentary by Brooklyn resident Andrew Arrow will be premiered at Jalopy Theatre on Columbia Street. The film, completed in April 2013, is almost entirely shot in Cobble Hill and shines a light on a little-known fact: that collecting recyclable material on New York City sidewalks is illegal. Those who do so to earn money can be cited, fines and even arrested.

Who knew that people who eek out a living by going through our recycling bins to look for empty cans or heap our old discarded air conditioners onto rusty shopping carts to bring them to scrap metal places like Benson Scrap Metal in Gowanus can be fined up to $10,000.
Through interviews with politicians and those who collect recyclables , Andrew Arrow investigates why this is should be. He writes:
"On a whim, using a $300 Handycam, I interviewed several people in my neighborhood about this phenomenon. The information I received and the incidents I recorded were quite unexpected, and led to the creation of a full-length film that includes interviews with some of New York City's (and the country's) environmental thought leaders and pioneers. The result of this effort is certain to surprise and entertain."

You can find more information about "Mettle" on the film's Facebook page.

"Mettle, The Movie" Premiere

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Jalopy Theatre

315 Columbia Street (corner of Hamilton/BQE)

Brooklyn NY

718.395.3214

7PM reception

8PM screening

9PM brief Q&A with the produce

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Did You Hear The Marching Band In Carroll Gardens Last Night?

Josh Bisker, master of ceremony

For just a short time last night, Carroll Gardens seemed to turn into New Orleans, as a huge marching band came walking up Smith Street from Atlantic Avenue, stopped in Carroll Park and then continued on to Jalopy Theatre on Columbia Street.  

The musicians came from The Church Marching Band of Sonoma County, California and from Environmental Encroachment from Chicago.  The two bands  had recently met up in Boston for Honkfest, an annual festival for activist street-bands.  This week, the musicians are taking part in Honk NY. 

They sounded amazing.

It figures that last night was one of the only times I ever walked out of the house without my camera.  Thanks to my friend Sarah who handed me her cell phone to take the photos above.

To get a little taste of what they sounded like last night, here is a video of The Church Marching Band at Honk Fest West.

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