BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260424T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260424T220000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260326T153725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T161441Z
UID:10001111-1777055400-1777068000@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:A Climate Justice Benefit: Lumberob\, Blanket Approval\, Outer Shapes & Arlo Indigo
DESCRIPTION:COLLECTIVE SCREAM x EELPIT PRESENTS \nA Climate Justice Benefit Show\nLUMBEROB\nBLANKET APPROVAL\nOUTER SHAPES\nARLO INDIGO \nFRIDAY APRIL 24\, 2026\n6PM DOORS | 6:30PM MUSIC\n$15 – 20 Suggested Donation [Tickets]\nALL AGES \nAll proceeds will be donated to local organizations Gowanus Dredgers and UPROSE. \nGowanus Dredgers promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY. Since 1999 the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. \nFounded in 1966\, UPROSE is Brooklyn’s oldest Puerto Rican and Latino community-based organization and a nationally recognized leader in climate justice. We build a Just Transition in Sunset Park through community organizing\, energy democracy\, and cultural expression. Learn more at uprose.org. \n(🎨 Flyer by Youngshim Gontijo @artofpoiesis)
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/a-climate-justice-benefit-lumberob-blanket-approval-outer-shapes-arlo-indigo/
CATEGORIES:Arts,Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SnapInsta.to_657590052_18398104210145213_8167944776535371835_n.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260426T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260426T180000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260316T184926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T175947Z
UID:10001100-1777219200-1777226400@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Yacht Rock Pop-Up Choir: Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)
DESCRIPTION:Yacht Rock Pop-Up Choir: Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) \nSunday\, April 26 • 4–6pm \nIn this two-hour\, open-to-all singing experience\, we’ll learn “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass— entirely by ear — and then perform it together outdoors by the water. \nParticipants will also have the option to join the Yacht Rock Choir for a community performance at the Boathouse on Sunday\, June 28 at 5pm.\n\nYou can check photos and videos from past pop-up choirs (such as Sade’s “Smooth Operator” and “I Can’t Go For That” by Hall & Oates) at this link: http://www.yachtrockchoir.com/pop-up\n\nSuggested donation $10 \nRSVP here \nWhat is Yacht Rock Choir? \nYacht Rock Choir is a Brooklyn community choir dedicated to the smooth sounds of late-70s and early-80s soft rock – artists like Michael McDonald\, Toto\, or Hall & Oates. \nFounded by Michelle Neuringer\, the choir brings together singers of all levels to learn rich vocal harmonies in a relaxed\, welcoming environment. \n\n@yachtrockchoir\nwww.yachtrockchoir.com
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/pop-up-choir-yacht-rock-by-the-water/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/brandy-pop-up-choir-newsletter-IG.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260428T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260428T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001015-1777399200-1777408200@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-04-28/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260429T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260429T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000851-1777485600-1777494600@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-04-29/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T220000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260317T145908Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260420T141253Z
UID:10001123-1777744800-1777759200@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Ukulele Cabaret
DESCRIPTION:Spring is finally upon us\, so it’s time to shake off those winter blues and let loose! Dust off your ukuleles\, grab your wildest costumes\, and join us back at the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse for our season kickoff. Expect an unforgettable evening of wild abandon\, mischief\, treachery\, and absolute mayhem. Who’s ready to get crazy? \nPerformers include:\nMakalina\, Liz Rabson Schnore\, Carol Weirzbicki\, Brook Dramer\, Lloyd Gold\, Pete Sturman\, Agnus Loten\, Dana McCoy & Rikki Bates(Blush)\, Evy Meyer & Jean\, Amie Amis\, Rush Kress\, John Vitale\, Rick Bruner and The War Scandal \nFor twenty years the Ukulele Cabaret has provided a stage for musicians\, artists and performers from New York’s underground ukulele scene. \n\nTed and Jason of Sonic Uke started the cabaret in May 2005 in the back of Julius bar in West Village. After outgrowing our stage there we settled in for a residency at legendary East Village gastropub Jimmy’s 43\, with cameos at Barbes\, The Zipper Factory and Banjo Jim’s before moving to The Red Room at the KGB Bar — an East Village speakeasy that in 1914 was the headquarters of Emma Goldman’s Secret Society of anarchists.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/ukulele-cabaret-2/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ChatGPT-Image-Mar-26-2026-11_14_20-AM.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260505T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260505T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001016-1778004000-1778013000@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-05-05/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000852-1778090400-1778099400@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-05-06/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260512T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260512T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001017-1778608800-1778617800@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-05-12/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260513T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260513T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000853-1778695200-1778704200@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-05-13/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001018-1779213600-1779222600@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-05-19/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260520T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260520T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000854-1779300000-1779309000@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-05-20/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260523T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260523T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260422T181419Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T183002Z
UID:10001133-1779562800-1779570000@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Unheard-of + Dredgers present videogame Funk band Discocactus
DESCRIPTION:Cultural Ecologies Series: Unheard-of and Discocactus \nDate: May 23rd\, 2026\, 7PM Canoe Launch\, 7:30PM Music \nLocation: Gowanus Dredgers Bunker\, 2 19th St\, Brooklyn\, NY 11232 \nCanoe Seats: $15 donation to Dredgers\, Shore seating Free \n \nJoin Unheard-of Ensemble\, the Dredgers\, and special guests video game jazz-funk ensemble Discocactus to open the season! Unheard-of opens the show with new premieres written for them by Annika Socolofsky and Discocactus’s own keyboardist Ben Wallace. Unheard-of also performs new video game music arrangements from Ben and Unheard-of’s violinist Matheus Souza. Discocactus closes out the night performing some of their hits joined by members of Unheard-of! \nDiscocactus Bio: \nDiscoCactus is a collective of composers\, performers\, and arrangers. They play video game music. Sort of. They use video game soundtracks as a jumping off point for a party\, a nonstop display of kinetic musicianship that blends contemporary art music with dozens of pop styles\, steeped in the language of the Internet. \nEstablished in 2014\, the band’s core is made of six game audio professionals that serve as the primary arrangers and performing mainstays. But\, like a frightened cat\, Discocactus can grow up to four times its normal size when threatened (or for big projects). \nEach of DiscoCactus’s members is a world-class performer in their own right. Their members have studied at some of the world’s top conservatories\, written music for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales\, toured the world with Video Games Live\, and more. You’ve heard some of them in games like Celeste\, Destiny 2\, Sid Meier’s Civilization VI\, and Final Fantasy XV. You’ve heard SEVERAL of them in Anew: The Distant Light and Mortal Kombat 11. \nWhen it’s time to play as DiscoCactus\, these six performers form like Voltron\, bringing all of their experience and power down on one glorious purpose: To make you shake your ass. Some of us have debuted operas. Some of us study Brazilian pop. Some of us improvise. All of us combine our unique perspectives to make a show that transcends genre and transforms the music we play in fresh\, exciting ways. You don’t have to know a thing about video game music to enjoy DiscoCactus. You don’t even have to know a thing about music! You just need to strap in for a rollicking\, avant-garde nerd carnival. \n—— \nThis performance takes place on the Gowanus Canal\, from the 19th St. Bunker location. The audience can immerse themselves in the experience on the Gowanus\, enjoying the program from on land or on water. Limited boat access and on-water support are provided by The Gowanus Dredgers. Attendees may arrive in their own vessels\, as well. \nWeather may postpone event. \n—— \nThis program is supported\, in part\, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. \nUnheard-of’s Cultural Ecologies Series is a recipient of a 2026 Chamber Music America Artistic Projects grant. The Artistic Projects program is administered by Chamber Music America and made possible with funding from the Howard Gilman Foundation. \nUnheard-of was supported by New Music USA’s Organization Fund in 2025-26. \nUnheard-of’s performances are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. \nWeather may postpone event or move it to 165 2nd Street
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/unheard-of-dredgers-present-videogame-funk-band-discocactus/
CATEGORIES:Arts,Music,On the Water
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260526T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260526T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001019-1779818400-1779827400@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-05-26/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000855-1779904800-1779913800@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-05-27/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260530T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260530T190000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260316T001543Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T132247Z
UID:10001097-1780160400-1780167600@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Pop-Up Choir: Yacht Rock by the Water
DESCRIPTION:Join the Yacht Rock Choir at the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse for a pop-up choir by the water. \nIn this two-hour\, open-to-all singing experience\, we’ll learn a yacht rock or nautical-inspired song in four-part harmony — entirely by ear — and then perform it together outdoors in the lovely Gowanus Waterfront Park. \nWant to help choose the song?\nTake our quick survey \nParticipants will also have the option to join the Yacht Rock Choir for a community performance at the Boathouse on Sunday\, June 28 at 5pm.\n\nYou can also check photos and videos from past pop-up choirs (such as Sade’s “Smooth Operator” and “I Can’t Go For That” by Hall & Oates) at this link: http://www.yachtrockchoir.com/pop-up\n\nSuggested donation $10 \nRSVP here \nWhat is Yacht Rock Choir? \nYacht Rock Choir is a Brooklyn community choir dedicated to the smooth sounds of late-70s and early-80s soft rock – artists like Michael McDonald\, Toto\, or Hall & Oates. \nFounded by Michelle Neuringer\, the choir brings together singers of all levels to learn rich vocal harmonies in a relaxed\, welcoming environment. \n\n@yachtrockchoir\nwww.yachtrockchoir.com
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/pop-up-choir-on-the-water-yacht-rock-at-the-boathouse-2-2/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/event-page-dredgers.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260602T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260602T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001020-1780423200-1780432200@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-06-02/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000856-1780509600-1780518600@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-06-03/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001021-1781028000-1781037000@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-06-09/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260610T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260610T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000857-1781114400-1781123400@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-06-10/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001022-1781632800-1781641800@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-06-16/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072429
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000858-1781719200-1781728200@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-06-17/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260623T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260623T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072430
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001023-1782237600-1782246600@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-06-23/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260624T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260624T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072430
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000859-1782324000-1782333000@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-06-24/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260630T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260630T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072430
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001024-1782842400-1782851400@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-06-30/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260701T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260701T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072430
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000860-1782928800-1782937800@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-07-01/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260707T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260707T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072430
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001025-1783447200-1783456200@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-07-07/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260708T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260708T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072430
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000861-1783533600-1783542600@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-07-08/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260714T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260714T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072430
CREATED:20260306T202919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160755Z
UID:10001026-1784052000-1784061000@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Gowanus Jug & String Band Sessions
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday evenings\, 6-8:30 April through October. \nAt the Gowanus Dredgers Boathouse 165 2nd Street between Bond and the Gowanus Canal. We are excited to expand our musical offerings with this new weekly jam.\nDredger Host: Liz Rabson Schnore\nJam Leader: Papa Ernie Vega \nWhat Jug band and String band music?\nLet’s start with String band music. Black String band music\, which will be our focus\, was created by Southern Blacks and pre-dates the Blues & Jazz. Groups which consisted of mostly stringed instruments (guitar\, banjo\, bass\, violin\, mandolin\, ukulele\, etc) performed a wide variety of songs and styles for all manner of social functions and for personal enjoyment; two-steps\, waltzes and breakdowns for dances\, ballads and love songs\, humorous & novelty songs\, as well as blues\, jazz\, and pop tunes as they came into fashion. This genre\, sadly\, was under-represented by the burgeoning recording industry in the 1920’s and 30’s\, which helped contribute to its already declining popularity in the wake of the success of the Blues and Jazz: though groups like the Mississippi Sheiks and the Dallas String Band did make great and popular recordings. The genre never completely died out\, however\, and is alive and well today thanks to the perseverance of its practitioners and the dedication of its fans\, which has led to a rediscovery and a new appreciation by audiences young and old. \nJug band music developed in the early 20th century within Southern Black communities and was essentially a string band with a jug used as a “poor man’s tuba”\, in the role of a bass instrument. Other household items as instruments were popular as well; washboard and/or spoons for percussion\, washtub bass\, and kazoo. These combined with the guitars\, banjos\, mandolins/violins of the traditional string band\, along with the harmonica\, made for a unique sound that won the hearts of the public in the early days of the recording industry. The Memphis Jug Band and Cannon’s Jug Stompers recorded well over a hundred examples of blues\, ballads\, pop and dance numbers – and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. The genre found new life in the Folk Music Revival of the 1960’s and remains popular to this day.\nThese sessions will be open to Intermediate and above players\, and we encourage you to sing along and bring a song to lead. To lead a song\, you will be expected to sing it loudly enough for those around you to hear\, to know the key you will sing in\, and to explain the chord changes and form of the song if need be. We may also discuss some ideas for performing in an ensemble to help everyone find their place in the music. \nPapa Ernie Vega is a NYC singer\, instrumentalist\, bandleader\, teacher\, songwriter and performing/recording artist. He has over 20 years of professional experience and has performed at the Newport Folk Festival\, the Jug Band Jubilee and the Osaka Jug Band Festival. He also taught and performed at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival from 2016-2021. He is a lover of fine cheap food\, old movies\, humor\, and photography.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/gowanus-jug-string-band-sessions-3/2026-07-14/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2581-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260715T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072430
CREATED:20260306T195758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T160606Z
UID:10000862-1784138400-1784147400@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Boathouse Bluegrass Jam
DESCRIPTION:The Boathouse Jam every Wednesday evening 6-8:30 April-Oct. Just come\, bring an acoustic instrument. \nThe Boathouse Jam is hosted by the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club to activate our shoreline while fostering the continued resurgence of acoustical collaborations in Brooklyn. We are inclusive of all – young & old\, new & seasoned musicians. Just bring a smile and your musical instrument and/or your voice to join our one night makeshift band. \nChristian Apuzzo leads most sessions. He is a Brooklyn-based vocalist\, guitarist\, and music educator. Long Island-raised\, this musician started his journey as a certified public school music teacher but has since found the wide-open pastures of the freelance music world in NYC. Playing mostly folk\, bluegrass\, and country music\, Christian plays with numerous groups all over our five boroughs including bluegrass group Cole Quest and the City Pickers and local supergroup the Grass Messengers. He also teaches music lessons and classes for all ages at Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook\, Brooklyn. \nFree but a $5 suggested donation is encouraged\, limited beverages are provided. \nThe Boathouse is located at 165 2nd Street\, Brooklyn NY between Bond Street and the Gowanus Canal. Sessions are rain or shine\, we gather outside the Boathouse unless it’s cold or raining then we move inside. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSince 1999\, the Dredgers have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy\, conservation\, and education. Our organization promotes waterfront stewardship and is raising awareness of sewer overflow issues that affect our Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn\, NY.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/boathouse-bluegrass-jam/2026-07-15/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/heic:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1751-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T220000
DTSTAMP:20260424T072430
CREATED:20260419T213013Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260419T213551Z
UID:10001102-1784397600-1784412000@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Ukulele Cabaret
DESCRIPTION:For twenty years the Ukulele Cabaret has provided a stage for musicians\, artists and performers from New York’s underground ukulele scene. \n\nTed and Jason of Sonic Uke started the cabaret in May 2005 in the back of Julius bar in West Village. After outgrowing our stage there we settled in for a residency at legendary East Village gastropub Jimmy’s 43\, with cameos at Barbes\, The Zipper Factory and Banjo Jim’s before moving to The Red Room at the KGB Bar — an East Village speakeasy that in 1914 was the headquarters of Emma Goldman’s Secret Society of anarchists.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/ukulele-cabaret-3/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BP_Nightof1000Dollys_042124-23.webp
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR