rich4468
Tuesday, Feb 24th 2004, 01:56 PM
HALCYON TO CLOSE 227 SMITH STREET LOCATION AFTER 5 YEARS
On April 1,2004, halcyon will mark the end of an era in the New York City underground. From it's humble beginnings as a laid-back, modern-day salon rooted in a small community of artists, halcyon grew into a cultural phenomenon at the vanguard of the recent Brooklyn renaissance. Since opening the 1500 sq. ft. location at 227 Smith Street, halcyon's unique integration of DJ Lounge/Cafe/Store/Gallery has attracted an ever-growing audience. It is now poised to expand its operations into new, more spacious and better-equipped Brooklyn headquarters. Reflecting on the dynamic blend of elements that made halcyon such a success, co-owner Stephen Schwartz explains, "We would never have achieved this milestone were it not for the outpouring of encouragement and enthusiasm from our customers every day." Co-owner Shawn Schwartz adds, "credit must go to the many DJs, producers, visual artists, writers and other talented individuals," for earning halcyon its reputation as an epicenter of underground culture.
"The Brooklyn Store That Never Sleeps," (Daily News) established an environment enriched by the most creative forces in underground music, art and design, "a gathering place for devotees of the many music scenes in New York City" (BPM Culture Magazine). The award-winning halcyon Sound System, named the "Number One Bar Sound System in NYC" by Time Out, played host to a list of legends, ground-breakers and local heroes alike, including Tony Humphries, Lil' Louis Vega, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Talking Heads' Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, Kool DJ Red Alert, Arthur Baker, Danny Krivit, Ian Pooley, Timo Maas, Four Tet, Christian Vogel, DB and Ultra Nate. Additionally, halcyon helped "change the attitude-drenched reputation of New York record shops" (XLR8R) by serving imports and independent releases to top DJs and neophytes alike, earning the title "Best Place to Listen To and Buy Music" by New York Magazine in 2003.
Music is only one of the synergistic elements that made halcyon "the great unifier." (Time Out New York). The "Wordsmiths" Reading Series showcased a wide variety of literary talent, including voices from the pages of Barrow Street and best-selling authors like Jonathan Lethem. Montreal's HVW8s were among the maverick graffiti artists, painters and visual artists featured in the rotating gallery. Indeed, even the continual sale of Mid-Century Modern furnishings made for an ever-changing, cozy living room environment. This trademark design aesthetic made halcyon an in-demand location for independent films and photo shoots for MTV, Conde Nast Traveller, Lucky Magazine, Teen Vogue, Blender and W Magazine. Finally, although the look may have screamed retro, halcyon was known for it's high-tech edge, offering the neighborhood's first wireless Internet hotspot and streaming its nightly events live on the Internet.
The remainder of 2004 will be a busy time for halcyon as the preparations begin for a January 2005 grand re-opening. Until then, halcyon DJs will continue to produce, promote and appear at superior events around NYC and the world-famous halcyon Sound System will be available for private parties and functions. The re-launch of the Website, www.halcyonline.com, will provide information about new ventures including the first release from the long-anticipated halcyon record label, a mail-order music subscription service, and of course, the announcement of the new venue details. Co-owner Ben Wild reflects, "Although we must admit a touch of sadness over leaving a place we have called home since 9/9/99, we know that opening a bigger and better space will only provide more opportunity for the open exchange of ideas that lies at the core of the halcyon experience."
For more information, please contact jasoncharles@earthlink.net or call (917) 846 9849
halcyon: 4+ Years: "Great laid-back vibe, great sound system, great people..." (TimeOutNY Clubs Issue, 2004)
DJ Lounge Cafe/Bar Record Store Modern Furniture Sales
Wordsmiths Spoken Word Series Gallery ...since 9/9/99...
__________ Wireless Internet Access_____________________
227 smith st brooklyn NY 11231 btwn butler/douglass
F/G to bergen st p/h: 718-260-WAXY fax line: 718-643-2031
www.halcyonline.com
On April 1,2004, halcyon will mark the end of an era in the New York City underground. From it's humble beginnings as a laid-back, modern-day salon rooted in a small community of artists, halcyon grew into a cultural phenomenon at the vanguard of the recent Brooklyn renaissance. Since opening the 1500 sq. ft. location at 227 Smith Street, halcyon's unique integration of DJ Lounge/Cafe/Store/Gallery has attracted an ever-growing audience. It is now poised to expand its operations into new, more spacious and better-equipped Brooklyn headquarters. Reflecting on the dynamic blend of elements that made halcyon such a success, co-owner Stephen Schwartz explains, "We would never have achieved this milestone were it not for the outpouring of encouragement and enthusiasm from our customers every day." Co-owner Shawn Schwartz adds, "credit must go to the many DJs, producers, visual artists, writers and other talented individuals," for earning halcyon its reputation as an epicenter of underground culture.
"The Brooklyn Store That Never Sleeps," (Daily News) established an environment enriched by the most creative forces in underground music, art and design, "a gathering place for devotees of the many music scenes in New York City" (BPM Culture Magazine). The award-winning halcyon Sound System, named the "Number One Bar Sound System in NYC" by Time Out, played host to a list of legends, ground-breakers and local heroes alike, including Tony Humphries, Lil' Louis Vega, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Talking Heads' Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, Kool DJ Red Alert, Arthur Baker, Danny Krivit, Ian Pooley, Timo Maas, Four Tet, Christian Vogel, DB and Ultra Nate. Additionally, halcyon helped "change the attitude-drenched reputation of New York record shops" (XLR8R) by serving imports and independent releases to top DJs and neophytes alike, earning the title "Best Place to Listen To and Buy Music" by New York Magazine in 2003.
Music is only one of the synergistic elements that made halcyon "the great unifier." (Time Out New York). The "Wordsmiths" Reading Series showcased a wide variety of literary talent, including voices from the pages of Barrow Street and best-selling authors like Jonathan Lethem. Montreal's HVW8s were among the maverick graffiti artists, painters and visual artists featured in the rotating gallery. Indeed, even the continual sale of Mid-Century Modern furnishings made for an ever-changing, cozy living room environment. This trademark design aesthetic made halcyon an in-demand location for independent films and photo shoots for MTV, Conde Nast Traveller, Lucky Magazine, Teen Vogue, Blender and W Magazine. Finally, although the look may have screamed retro, halcyon was known for it's high-tech edge, offering the neighborhood's first wireless Internet hotspot and streaming its nightly events live on the Internet.
The remainder of 2004 will be a busy time for halcyon as the preparations begin for a January 2005 grand re-opening. Until then, halcyon DJs will continue to produce, promote and appear at superior events around NYC and the world-famous halcyon Sound System will be available for private parties and functions. The re-launch of the Website, www.halcyonline.com, will provide information about new ventures including the first release from the long-anticipated halcyon record label, a mail-order music subscription service, and of course, the announcement of the new venue details. Co-owner Ben Wild reflects, "Although we must admit a touch of sadness over leaving a place we have called home since 9/9/99, we know that opening a bigger and better space will only provide more opportunity for the open exchange of ideas that lies at the core of the halcyon experience."
For more information, please contact jasoncharles@earthlink.net or call (917) 846 9849
halcyon: 4+ Years: "Great laid-back vibe, great sound system, great people..." (TimeOutNY Clubs Issue, 2004)
DJ Lounge Cafe/Bar Record Store Modern Furniture Sales
Wordsmiths Spoken Word Series Gallery ...since 9/9/99...
__________ Wireless Internet Access_____________________
227 smith st brooklyn NY 11231 btwn butler/douglass
F/G to bergen st p/h: 718-260-WAXY fax line: 718-643-2031
www.halcyonline.com