Bushwick Open Studios 2015 Guide: 22 Super-Epic Parties to Attend This Weekend

By Whitney Jordan & Katarina Hybenova

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Photo via Roberta’s Tumblr

It is not an exaggeration to say Bushwick Open Studios weekend has never had this many (excellent) parties.

As much we love to stroll endless artist studios, we love to party and play just as much–in a backyard, on a roof, or simply in the streets. Enjoy our list of best events and parties during Bushwick Open Studios 2015, and don’t forget to hydrate–ideally in an open fire hydrant (if you must open it safely).

1. Bushwick Collective Block Party

Troutman St between St. Nicholas & Wyckoff Aves

SAT 12-6PM, indoor events 6PM-midnight

Transport yourself to another world with the staple of Bushwick fun, Bushwick Collective Block Party. Held on the block with amazing street art murals (and rad bars!), get ready for some live painting action, beer tent, food trucks, street performers, raffle and giveaways. After 6PM, head indoors to see bands.

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2. Color Me Bushwick

Pickthorn, 61 Wyckoff Ave

FRI-SUN 2-10PM

Pickthorn, a hair and coloring salon is famous for two things: one is that they color hair of the baddest models and actors, and two they organize purely amazing Color Me Bushwick, a three day festival featuring 27 bands, vendors, activities, food and drink. You don’t want to miss this one!

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3. Grattan Street Performance Block Party

12 Grattan St

SAT 12-6PM

Traditional block party featuring gallery and food trucks, performance installations as well as live music is organized by Pine Box Rock Shop, Spread Art and thingNY on a closed off Grattan St between Bogart St and Morgan Ave. Fun!

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4. Bushwick Open Soul

Pine Box Rock Shop, 12 Grattan St

SAT 8PM-2AM

After the Grattan Street Block Party stay at Pine Box Rock Shop a little bit longer, ideally sipping on a craft beer, for their soul and hip hop showcase curated Alec Stephens III. The bands performing will include I AM THE THIRD, Gentleman Brawlers, or Kassapurush.

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5. Slideluck Bushwick IV

The Living Gallery, 1084 Broadway

SAT 1PM (BBQ potluck); 2:30PM (slideshow)

Local non-profit organization, Slideluck, usually travels the world to put on food, art and community events featuring slideshows of art works submitted through open calls. During BOS they’re staying at home, playing slideshows of art dedicated to Bushwick. Come by early for a BBQ potluck!

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6. Bushwick Open Studio Rooftop Party Presented by Sugarlift & Livestream

Sugarlift, 200 Morgan Ave

SAT 12-5PM $10-35

Local online gallery Sugarlift is inviting you all for a good old rooftop party. They’ll be feeding you with delicious BBQ from Arrogant Swine and getting you tipsy/sober with Sixpoint beer/Bruce Cost Ginger Ale–all that for free, so hopefully you won’t mind the cover. A gallery show of some of the Bushwick’s best street artists will be on view as well (Rubin, Elle, Sonni, ASVP, Eelco Virus, London Kaye, ChrisRWK & Veng, and more).

7. Roll Up Brooklyn Party

Roll Up Brooklyn, 382 Jefferson St

FRI 6-8:30PM (art opening), 8:30-12PM music

Newly opened motorcycle garage, Roll Up Brooklyn, is inviting every tough guy and gal in Bushwick to their kickoff party. All their bikes will be parked on the curb, so that you can admire 15+ artists exhibit and enjoy three awesome bands from Brooklyn, DC and Montreal (Guerilla Toss, Loud Boyz, JACKIE); free beers/booze/refreshments from Six Point Brewery, Hendrick’s Gin, Bruce Cost Ginger Ale with cheap food from Little Mo.

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8. House of Screwball’s 3rd Annual Bushwick Open Studios Rooftop Party

142 Stockholm St

FRI 8PM-late

Did you say you want to chill in a gentle breeze overlooking Manhattan skyline more? Then you must attend 3rd annual BOS party organized by a party & tarot collective, House of Screwball. They will have DJs, performances and a cake to celebrate the birthday of co-founder Darcy Leonard.

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9. Grand Opening Weekend at The Shop Brooklyn

The Shop Brooklyn, 234 Starr St

FRI-SUN

Motorcycle BBQ joint, which reincarnated itself in Bushwick after it closed in Williamsburg in 2011, has been one of Bushwick’s most awaited establishments to open. Teasing us with their 5,000 square feet warehouse, since 2013, The Shop Brooklyn is finally opening in a grand style during the BOS weekend. They will have King Holiday and few other bands playing on Friday night, and all weekend they’ll be serving awesome meat and drink specials. Be on a lookout for some free samples of sausage and other goodies on the street in front of the The Shop.

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The Shop Brooklyn by KHybenova-8

10. Arts in Bushwick Community Day

Maria Hernandez Park

SAT 11AM-4PM

Organized by Arts in Bushwick’s tireless Community Projects committee, the long-running Community Day Festival can always be counted on for being a dynamic showcase of the neighborhood’s vibrant dance and performing talent, and this year is no different, with performances from Good Yoga, Brooklyn Acts, Still Waters, and more.

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Maria Hernandez Park

11. Rooftop Dance Party at The Vasquez

The Vasquez, 93 Forrest St

SAT 9PM-1AM $20 ($10 for artists participating in BOS)

Norte Maar and The Vazquez Building are hosting a rooftop dance party celebrating BOS 2015! Dance to DJ JoJoSOUL and drink beer from Bushwick’s own Braven Brewing.

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12. The Cobra Club Variety Show

The Cobra Club, 6 Wyckoff Ave

SAT 9PM-late

If you’re bored on Saturday night [giggles] head to The Cobra Club for live music, comedy, magic, and burlesque with MC Ralf St. Pierre who is an actor, instructor, comic, and host of mighty popular Kings of Karaoke. Wet Leather is an upbeat rock band, will provide our senses with some “anxiety-pop” and “dork-funk.” The showcase will be immediately followed by karaoke!

13. Fine and Raw’s 3rd Annual Space Boogie Boogaloo

Fine and Raw Chocolate, 288 Seigel Street

SAT 9PM-2AM

Booze milkshakes, local beer and chocolate: the most gluttonous party celebrating Bushwick Open Studios is happening at Fine and Raw. Don’t be fooled by their name, Fine and Raw’s April Waffle Brunch Party was off the hook (and yummy), and with DJ sets by A-Rock and Burchan, expect some space odyssey goodness.

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14. Phony Island Carnival

Scumbags & Superstars, 16 Wilson Ave

SAT 1:02pm-9:37PM

Sometimes, it pays to be a circus freak. Clowns, a bearded lady contortionist, free tequila, BBQ, live animals and DJs, of course round out the lineup for Saturday’s Phony Island Carnival. Presented by Napkin Killa, Espolon Tequila, Famous In Bushwick, and Scumbags & Superstars, there will also be a pop-up shop. Catch the action and a margarita behind the Scumbags & Superstars store.

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15. Roberta’s Art Party

Wonton Foods, 220-222 Moore St

SAT 11PM-6AM

No, wait time!* Say what? Beer, ice cream, pizza and art are promised at Roberta’s Art Party. Dancing is encouraged with sets by DJ Spliffington, DJ Trice Cat and Instagram favorite, Hot Girls Eating Pizza. *Bushwick Daily does not guarantee there will be no wait time*

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16. Official BOS 2015 Launch Party and Seeking Space Exhibition

Be Electric Studios, 1298 Willoughby Ave

FRI 7PM-12AM

As you can see, there are SO MANY parties happening this weekend, but only few can call themselves “official.” Like cheering in the new year, celebrate the start of Bushwick Open Studios 2015 at Be Electric Studios. Presented by Tumblr, the official party accompanies the Seeking Space Exhibition – already recommended by the New York Times – and guests can enjoy drinks from Pine Box Rock Shop, Brooklyn Brewery and Bruce Cost Ginger Ale. A digital photo booth and DJ sets from David Kiss and NSR make this a must-attend.

17. Official BOS Closing Party & Cinema Sunday

Bushwick Community Dark Room, 110 Troutman St

SUN 5PM-1AM

Cinema Sunday, Bushwick Open Studio’s resident film showcase, presents two short film programs screening features from local filmmakers, many of which have had national releases. After the screenings, Pine Box Rock Shop, Sixpoint Brewery, Mominette and Bushwick Bakery will provide refreshments as a toast to the end of another successful Bushwick Open Studios.

18. Maps and Mimosas

Norte Maar, 83 Wyckoff Ave

SAT 11AM-2PM

Maps-N-Mimosas has been around (almost) as long as Bushwick Open Studios so make sure you stop by, grab a Mimosa (and a map) and check out Norte Maar’s group exhibition, Hecho en Bushwick.

19. Meryl Meisler: Paradise and Purgatory: Sassy 70’s Book Launch

Bizarre Bar & Black Box Gallery, 12 Jefferson St

FRI 7PM-4AM

Legendary New York photographer, Meryl Meisler is celebrating her latest book, Purgatory & Paradise: SASSY ’70s Suburbia & The City with drag performances,  go-go dancers, an all-night dance party and open bar (7PM-8PM). The photographs depict Meisler’s coming of age from her childhood in Long Island to the strange underbelly of the NYC street life. Don’t miss the honor of seeing the photographs in person while picking up a copy of her celebrated second book.

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20. Bushwick Open Studios After-Party and Caricatures

Tutu’s, 25 Bogart St

SAT 11PM-4AM

Bushwick darling and dance party du-jour, Tutu’s is throwing an after-party to help sweat off your obligatory BOS day drinking. During the day, stop by the restaurant for a hand-drawn personal caricature and at night, DJs Mr.JPatt and Lukie Kabuki will remind you why Bushwick is the neighborhood all other neighborhoods aspire to be.

21. Unofficial BOS Closing Party

Paper Box, 17 Meadow St

SUN 2PM-late

Looking for a perfect way to cap all the excitement from a very exciting weekend? Head over to Paperbox for a full on day to night music event. Two rooms of music including live performances and nothing but good vibes. This party will feature internationally acclaimed DJ, Jessica Diaz who will be making a one-only stop over for this extra special day.

As a way to show support for all the celebrating artists – BOS registered artists will receive exclusive reduced tickets (with RSVP only) and BOS attendees will also be able to partake in a reduced ticket fee. RSVP to [email protected] for more details. Must RSVP to be listed, so don’t wait another minute.

22. Famous in Bushwick

Tandem, 236 Troutman St

FRI 10PM-4Am

Head over to Tandem for the 2 year anniversary of #TandemFirstFridays by Famous in Bushwick! Performances by Napkin Killa and Mitch Felito. Also celebrating the launch of #SaveArtSpace. Get there early to avoid the line!

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