Take a walk down the Morgantown Catwalk. Prance, flaunt—sashay if you please, and strut your amazing Bushbaby self. You’ll soon make your way across Bogart Street, past Flushing and over to Wilson Avenue, perhaps for a peek inside the neighborhood’s newest creative venue, Morgan Town Bar (but really, isn’t the location more like Jefftown?).
The setting was once Bushwick Coffee House. Following that, it was turned into The Collective. Now the vast space that occupies 44 Wilson Avenue is Morgan Town Bar, a playing ground for music, art and film. Now under new management by Don Portolese, a Bushwick resident and writer/filmmaker/actor, the establishment has been newly renovated to become a local event space hosting talent from near and far. Don has observed the many changes in the neighborhood over the years and feels that Morgan Town Bar is a clear example of that.
Don grew up in Carroll Gardens and years back left New York to travel for some time through Europe, eventually returning and choosing Bushwick to open up a new venue. Don has been busy implementing an calendar of events, starting with short films and several bands playing throughout February.
On Saturday March 1st, Morgan Town Bar will host an opening reception for the group photo exhibition Leave the detritus of the industry outside, featuring intriguing neighborhood scenes by local artists and photographers. The current photo exhibit, Living Streets by Sarah Rubio, runs through February 28th, with provocative images of street art and everyday people captured in various cities across North and South America.
With their own mixologist on site, Morgan Town Bar is creating a menu of seasonal cocktails, with original concoctions ready to be imbibed come Spring. Right now we are loving their flameworthy Lousiana Mule—drinking it involves a lighter!
Morgan Town Bar invites filmmakers, musicians and other artists in the community to actively participate in upcoming events, which will expand to include theatrical projects, improv, open mic nights, stand-up comedy and poetry readings.
Venue hours during February are Wednesday through Saturday – 5:00 pm to 4:00 am and Sunday – 3:00 pm to 2:00 am, and soon to expand in March.