While it’s not the last concert at McCarren Pool, a short-lived, yet somewhat glorious era in the neighborhood’s history comes to an end this weekend with the final Pool Party produced by Jelly NYC. Yo La Tengo will close out the festivities. The show is actually a fundraiser for Barack Obama. Admission is free, but there’s going to be a suggested contribution of $20, with proceeds going to the Obama campaign. (The show is listed on the Obama website as a fundraiser at McCarren Park Pool.) Everyone from Band of Horse to the Black Lips have rocked out at the free shows.Each year, the parties have gotten more popular and, well, more corporate too, with major retailers and businesses recognizing them as great marketing and branding opportunities. In truth, the lines at many of the shows this year have been insane and the crowds huge. The atmosphere has shifted in a small, yet significant way. Of course, the city is spending a large sum of money to turn McCarren back into an actual pool, which is what it should be, and the search is on for new concert space. Whether some will be found before next year is an open questions. (Let’s just say there are logistical issues and that there are bound to be political and neighborhood concerns.) The last ever Pool Party starts at 2PM on Sunday, although there will be a Clear Channel-produced show with Sonic Youth next week, which will be the actual “last show” at McCarren Pool. Meanwhile, the Obama website says:
On August 24th, Brooklyn for Barack is partnering with JellyNYC to co-host the Last Pool Party (ever) at McCarren Park Pool in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Held one day before the start of the Democratic National Convention, the event hopes to not only raise money for Barack’s campaign but to celebrate the increased participation of youth in this election. The Pool Party is an all day concert, featuring Yo La Tengo, Titus Andronicus, Ebony Bones, and other special guests. Although the Pool Party is free to enter, there is a suggested donation of $20 that will go directly to Obama for America. There will be a free concert poster- designed by Jessica Hische- for the first 1000 people who donate $20 or more.
And so, the Pool Parties go out with a political splash.
4 responses so far ↓
1 If There Were 25 Hours In The Day… // Aug 22, 2008 at 11:19 am
[…] laments the end of the Pool Parties [Gowanus Lounge] Email […]
2 josef // Aug 22, 2008 at 12:14 pm
don;t think clear channel is in the concert biz anymore – its live nation – right?
3 Annoyed // Aug 22, 2008 at 5:39 pm
This concert was not originally planned as an Obama fundraiser. Why can’t they keep politics out of this show? I am a YLT fan and NOT an Obama supporter.
4 Anonymous // Aug 27, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Live Nation has nothing to do with the sonic youth show. try to get your blogging fact checking right before you spout off…