BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
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:20260502T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260502T220000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195726
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:20260424T195726
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:20260424T195726
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:20260424T195726
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:20260424T195726
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:20260514T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260514T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195726
CREATED:20260420T170443Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260420T173408Z
UID:10001124-1778785200-1778792400@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Guided Sunset Paddle
DESCRIPTION:Join the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club for a secret\, one of a kind\, personal sunset cruise in canoes above Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal. Meet at the the Gowanus Dredgers Bunker\, at the end of 19th St / off 3rd Ave\, 11232 – NOT our 2nd St. boathouse.\n🎟️ Tickets required\, get yours here. 🎟️ \nAfter a short presentation where you and your crew our outfitted with safety gear\, we embark on a narrated voyage filled with questions and conversation on how recreation can have a positive influence on improving and encouraging environmental awareness and activism in an urban setting. \nSunset 8:05 | Civil End 8:36 | Nautical End 9:14 \nPaddle along our Gowanus Canal to see a hidden side of Brooklyn\, including the underside of bridges and our transforming industrial neighborhood. Discover the fun of canoeing as you explore the history of our Brooklyn neighborhood’s rich past\, present\, and future. \nClose-toed shoes and a light jacket are recommended\, and wear clothing you don’t mind potentially being splashed. Use a restroom before arrival\, as we have limited facilities on-site. \nDue to EPA cleaning of Gowanus\, voyage will head towards the 9th St bridge and return to Gowanus Bay and our new South Gowanus Bunker. \nIf raining or threatening weather by 6:30 pm\, we may cancel or reschedule. \nTickets are nonrefundable for any event that proceeds as planned. We will offer the option to transfer your ticket to another event if we have to cancel for weather. Transfer must be requested before the tour starts. If you choose not to transfer\, the cost of your ticket becomes a tax-deductible donation to the Gowanus Dredgers.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/guided-sunset-paddle-6/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.)\, 2 19th St.\, Brooklyn\, NY
CATEGORIES:Guided Tours,On the Water
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SunsetPaddle.jpeg
GEO:40.66731229192;-74.000079337986
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.) 2 19th St. Brooklyn NY;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2 19th St.:geo:-74.000079337986,40.66731229192
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260519T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195726
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:20260424T195726
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:20260424T195726
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:20260424T195726
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:20260424T195726
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:20260530T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260530T140000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195726
CREATED:20260326T163158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T132404Z
UID:10001117-1780135200-1780149600@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Canoe Camp (for Grownups!)
DESCRIPTION:Are you excited to get on the water this summer? \nCome to Canoe Camp for two weekends of on-water adventure\, skill-building\, and summer camp vibes! Gain skills for feeling more confident on the water! Get ready to volunteer\, lead trips\, and make your own events. Plus earn badges for new skills! We’ll learn practical skills for exploring our urban waterways: paddling\, radio communication\, knots & line work\, trip planning\, chart reading\, tides & currents\, weather\, water safety\, and event planning. \nThis four-session program runs over two weekend — May 30-31 and June 6-7 (Saturday & Sunday) — from 10am -2pm. Sessions will build on one another\, so participation in all sessions is expected.\n18+ only \nRegistration is a sliding scale fee: \n\nRegular: $200 — this is the full cost of the program for participants\nSupported: $100 — for those unable to pay the full cost\nPay-It-Forward: $300 — for those able to help support the program.\n\nSign up now! New members (at any level) who complete the full program are also eligible to receive a free\, one-season upgrade to Steward-level membership.  \nIf you’d like to attend and even the reduced cost is a hardship\, or if you’d like to sponsor an (adult) canoe camper\, email us.\n \nAbout the Instructor \nDanielle Butler is an avid water and summer camp enthusiast. She has sailed across the Atlantic\, run a creative residency on a historic tugboat in Alaska\, and spent over a decade creating on-water events and boating in New York Harbor. Danielle teaches design at Fordham University and creates elaborate experiences\, both celebratory and educational. \n  \nReviews from last year’s camp\n“Not to set expectations too high — but I can confidently say that Canoe Camp 2025 changed my life! Two weekends of skills education\, canal observation\, paddling\, laughing\, and so much nerding out on everything from barges to bacteria counts\, with some of the coolest\, smartest\, quirkiest\, most fun people you’ll have the pleasure to meet in this city. And then getting to hang out with them for the rest of the summer\, on sunrise\, sunset\, and full moon paddles\, helping New Yorkers get on the water for the first time\, and so much more. Having a home you can go to all summer on the water with great folks really improves life in this city\, even if it is part of a Superfund site. :)” \n\n“I loved the playful camp spirit along with all the amazing skill sharing and diving (not literally!) into the historical and present-day stories of the Gowanus Canal. Making drizzly morning observations of the canal (herons! fish! mussels! condoms!) and watching the tides (we are a coastal town!) made me feel connected in a way I never experienced before. Danielle built a lovely community and inspired us to keep canoeing all season long!”
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/canoe-camp-for-grownups-2/2026-05-30/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.)\, 2 19th St.\, Brooklyn\, NY
CATEGORIES:On the Water
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/canoeCamp_portrait2-2-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Danielle Butler":MAILTO:dfunkadelica@gmail.com
GEO:40.66731229192;-74.000079337986
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.) 2 19th St. Brooklyn NY;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2 19th St.:geo:-74.000079337986,40.66731229192
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260530T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260530T190000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195726
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:20260531T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260531T140000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195726
CREATED:20260326T163158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T132404Z
UID:10001118-1780221600-1780236000@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Canoe Camp (for Grownups!)
DESCRIPTION:Are you excited to get on the water this summer? \nCome to Canoe Camp for two weekends of on-water adventure\, skill-building\, and summer camp vibes! Gain skills for feeling more confident on the water! Get ready to volunteer\, lead trips\, and make your own events. Plus earn badges for new skills! We’ll learn practical skills for exploring our urban waterways: paddling\, radio communication\, knots & line work\, trip planning\, chart reading\, tides & currents\, weather\, water safety\, and event planning. \nThis four-session program runs over two weekend — May 30-31 and June 6-7 (Saturday & Sunday) — from 10am -2pm. Sessions will build on one another\, so participation in all sessions is expected.\n18+ only \nRegistration is a sliding scale fee: \n\nRegular: $200 — this is the full cost of the program for participants\nSupported: $100 — for those unable to pay the full cost\nPay-It-Forward: $300 — for those able to help support the program.\n\nSign up now! New members (at any level) who complete the full program are also eligible to receive a free\, one-season upgrade to Steward-level membership.  \nIf you’d like to attend and even the reduced cost is a hardship\, or if you’d like to sponsor an (adult) canoe camper\, email us.\n \nAbout the Instructor \nDanielle Butler is an avid water and summer camp enthusiast. She has sailed across the Atlantic\, run a creative residency on a historic tugboat in Alaska\, and spent over a decade creating on-water events and boating in New York Harbor. Danielle teaches design at Fordham University and creates elaborate experiences\, both celebratory and educational. \n  \nReviews from last year’s camp\n“Not to set expectations too high — but I can confidently say that Canoe Camp 2025 changed my life! Two weekends of skills education\, canal observation\, paddling\, laughing\, and so much nerding out on everything from barges to bacteria counts\, with some of the coolest\, smartest\, quirkiest\, most fun people you’ll have the pleasure to meet in this city. And then getting to hang out with them for the rest of the summer\, on sunrise\, sunset\, and full moon paddles\, helping New Yorkers get on the water for the first time\, and so much more. Having a home you can go to all summer on the water with great folks really improves life in this city\, even if it is part of a Superfund site. :)” \n\n“I loved the playful camp spirit along with all the amazing skill sharing and diving (not literally!) into the historical and present-day stories of the Gowanus Canal. Making drizzly morning observations of the canal (herons! fish! mussels! condoms!) and watching the tides (we are a coastal town!) made me feel connected in a way I never experienced before. Danielle built a lovely community and inspired us to keep canoeing all season long!”
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/canoe-camp-for-grownups-2/2026-05-31/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.)\, 2 19th St.\, Brooklyn\, NY
CATEGORIES:On the Water
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/canoeCamp_portrait2-2-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Danielle Butler":MAILTO:dfunkadelica@gmail.com
GEO:40.66731229192;-74.000079337986
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.) 2 19th St. Brooklyn NY;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2 19th St.:geo:-74.000079337986,40.66731229192
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260531T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260531T220000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195726
CREATED:20260420T185740Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260420T185740Z
UID:10001132-1780257600-1780264800@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Full Moon Gowanus Voyage - MAY
DESCRIPTION:Join our Crew on a full-moon guided adventure!! Meet at the the Gowanus Dredgers Bunker\, at the end of 19th St / off 3rd Ave\, 11232 – NOT our 2nd St. boathouse. \n🎟️ Tickets required\, get yours here. 🎟️ (Tickets go on sale Friday\, May 1 at 12:00 PM) \nSunset 20:19 |Moonrise 21:11 | Civil End 20:52 | Nautical End 21:33 \nThe stars should be on display along with harbor lights. We will provide lights for each canoe\, you’re welcome to bring/wear your own head lamp as well. Each canoe will have up to 3 people. Solo paddlers are welcome\, you will be paired with other members of the group based on experience and comfort in a canoe. Close-toed shoes are recommended\, and wear clothing you don’t mind potentially being splashed. Use a restroom before arrival\, as we have limited facilities on-site. \nDue to EPA cleaning of the Gowanus Canal\, voyage will head towards the 9th St bridge and return to Gowanus Bay and our new South Gowanus Bunker. \nIf raining or threatening weather (high winds\, lightning) by 6:00 pm we may cancel. Attendees will be notified via the email used to purchase tickets. Tour is not cancelled due to clouds but let’s hope for a clear sky for the moon rise! \nTickets are nonrefundable for any event that proceeds as planned. We will offer the option to transfer your ticket to another event if we have to cancel for weather. Transfer must be requested before the tour starts. If you choose not to transfer\, the cost of your ticket becomes a tax-deductible donation to the Gowanus Dredgers.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/full-moon-gowanus-voyage-may-2/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.)\, 2 19th St.\, Brooklyn\, NY
CATEGORIES:Guided Tours,On the Water
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FullMoon-Paddle.jpg
GEO:40.66731229192;-74.000079337986
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.) 2 19th St. Brooklyn NY;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2 19th St.:geo:-74.000079337986,40.66731229192
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260602T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260602T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195726
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:20260424T195726
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:20260606T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260606T140000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195726
CREATED:20260326T163158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T132404Z
UID:10001119-1780740000-1780754400@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Canoe Camp (for Grownups!)
DESCRIPTION:Are you excited to get on the water this summer? \nCome to Canoe Camp for two weekends of on-water adventure\, skill-building\, and summer camp vibes! Gain skills for feeling more confident on the water! Get ready to volunteer\, lead trips\, and make your own events. Plus earn badges for new skills! We’ll learn practical skills for exploring our urban waterways: paddling\, radio communication\, knots & line work\, trip planning\, chart reading\, tides & currents\, weather\, water safety\, and event planning. \nThis four-session program runs over two weekend — May 30-31 and June 6-7 (Saturday & Sunday) — from 10am -2pm. Sessions will build on one another\, so participation in all sessions is expected.\n18+ only \nRegistration is a sliding scale fee: \n\nRegular: $200 — this is the full cost of the program for participants\nSupported: $100 — for those unable to pay the full cost\nPay-It-Forward: $300 — for those able to help support the program.\n\nSign up now! New members (at any level) who complete the full program are also eligible to receive a free\, one-season upgrade to Steward-level membership.  \nIf you’d like to attend and even the reduced cost is a hardship\, or if you’d like to sponsor an (adult) canoe camper\, email us.\n \nAbout the Instructor \nDanielle Butler is an avid water and summer camp enthusiast. She has sailed across the Atlantic\, run a creative residency on a historic tugboat in Alaska\, and spent over a decade creating on-water events and boating in New York Harbor. Danielle teaches design at Fordham University and creates elaborate experiences\, both celebratory and educational. \n  \nReviews from last year’s camp\n“Not to set expectations too high — but I can confidently say that Canoe Camp 2025 changed my life! Two weekends of skills education\, canal observation\, paddling\, laughing\, and so much nerding out on everything from barges to bacteria counts\, with some of the coolest\, smartest\, quirkiest\, most fun people you’ll have the pleasure to meet in this city. And then getting to hang out with them for the rest of the summer\, on sunrise\, sunset\, and full moon paddles\, helping New Yorkers get on the water for the first time\, and so much more. Having a home you can go to all summer on the water with great folks really improves life in this city\, even if it is part of a Superfund site. :)” \n\n“I loved the playful camp spirit along with all the amazing skill sharing and diving (not literally!) into the historical and present-day stories of the Gowanus Canal. Making drizzly morning observations of the canal (herons! fish! mussels! condoms!) and watching the tides (we are a coastal town!) made me feel connected in a way I never experienced before. Danielle built a lovely community and inspired us to keep canoeing all season long!”
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/canoe-camp-for-grownups-2/2026-06-06/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.)\, 2 19th St.\, Brooklyn\, NY
CATEGORIES:On the Water
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/canoeCamp_portrait2-2-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Danielle Butler":MAILTO:dfunkadelica@gmail.com
GEO:40.66731229192;-74.000079337986
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.) 2 19th St. Brooklyn NY;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2 19th St.:geo:-74.000079337986,40.66731229192
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260607T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260607T140000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195727
CREATED:20260326T163158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T132404Z
UID:10001120-1780826400-1780840800@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Canoe Camp (for Grownups!)
DESCRIPTION:Are you excited to get on the water this summer? \nCome to Canoe Camp for two weekends of on-water adventure\, skill-building\, and summer camp vibes! Gain skills for feeling more confident on the water! Get ready to volunteer\, lead trips\, and make your own events. Plus earn badges for new skills! We’ll learn practical skills for exploring our urban waterways: paddling\, radio communication\, knots & line work\, trip planning\, chart reading\, tides & currents\, weather\, water safety\, and event planning. \nThis four-session program runs over two weekend — May 30-31 and June 6-7 (Saturday & Sunday) — from 10am -2pm. Sessions will build on one another\, so participation in all sessions is expected.\n18+ only \nRegistration is a sliding scale fee: \n\nRegular: $200 — this is the full cost of the program for participants\nSupported: $100 — for those unable to pay the full cost\nPay-It-Forward: $300 — for those able to help support the program.\n\nSign up now! New members (at any level) who complete the full program are also eligible to receive a free\, one-season upgrade to Steward-level membership.  \nIf you’d like to attend and even the reduced cost is a hardship\, or if you’d like to sponsor an (adult) canoe camper\, email us.\n \nAbout the Instructor \nDanielle Butler is an avid water and summer camp enthusiast. She has sailed across the Atlantic\, run a creative residency on a historic tugboat in Alaska\, and spent over a decade creating on-water events and boating in New York Harbor. Danielle teaches design at Fordham University and creates elaborate experiences\, both celebratory and educational. \n  \nReviews from last year’s camp\n“Not to set expectations too high — but I can confidently say that Canoe Camp 2025 changed my life! Two weekends of skills education\, canal observation\, paddling\, laughing\, and so much nerding out on everything from barges to bacteria counts\, with some of the coolest\, smartest\, quirkiest\, most fun people you’ll have the pleasure to meet in this city. And then getting to hang out with them for the rest of the summer\, on sunrise\, sunset\, and full moon paddles\, helping New Yorkers get on the water for the first time\, and so much more. Having a home you can go to all summer on the water with great folks really improves life in this city\, even if it is part of a Superfund site. :)” \n\n“I loved the playful camp spirit along with all the amazing skill sharing and diving (not literally!) into the historical and present-day stories of the Gowanus Canal. Making drizzly morning observations of the canal (herons! fish! mussels! condoms!) and watching the tides (we are a coastal town!) made me feel connected in a way I never experienced before. Danielle built a lovely community and inspired us to keep canoeing all season long!”
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/canoe-camp-for-grownups-2/2026-06-07/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.)\, 2 19th St.\, Brooklyn\, NY
CATEGORIES:On the Water
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/canoeCamp_portrait2-2-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Danielle Butler":MAILTO:dfunkadelica@gmail.com
GEO:40.66731229192;-74.000079337986
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.) 2 19th St. Brooklyn NY;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2 19th St.:geo:-74.000079337986,40.66731229192
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195727
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:20260424T195727
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:20260610T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260610T213000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195727
CREATED:20260420T173556Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260420T174208Z
UID:10001125-1781119800-1781127000@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Guided Sunset Paddle
DESCRIPTION:Join the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club for a secret\, one of a kind\, personal sunset cruise in canoes above Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal. Meet at the the Gowanus Dredgers Bunker\, at the end of 19th St / off 3rd Ave\, 11232 – NOT our 2nd St. boathouse.\n🎟️ Tickets required\, get yours here. 🎟️ (Tickets go on sale Sunday\, May 10 at 12:00 PM) \nAfter a short presentation where you and your crew our outfitted with safety gear\, we embark on a narrated voyage filled with questions and conversation on how recreation can have a positive influence on improving and encouraging environmental awareness and activism in an urban setting. \nSunset 8:26 | Civil End 8:59 | Nautical End 9:41 \nPaddle along our Gowanus Canal to see a hidden side of Brooklyn\, including the underside of bridges and our transforming industrial neighborhood. Discover the fun of canoeing as you explore the history of our Brooklyn neighborhood’s rich past\, present\, and future. \nClose-toed shoes and a light jacket are recommended\, and wear clothing you don’t mind potentially being splashed. Use a restroom before arrival\, as we have limited facilities on-site. \nDue to EPA cleaning of Gowanus\, voyage will head towards the 9th St bridge and return to Gowanus Bay and our new South Gowanus Bunker. \nIf raining or threatening weather by 6:30 pm\, we may cancel or reschedule. \nTickets are nonrefundable for any event that proceeds as planned. We will offer the option to transfer your ticket to another event if we have to cancel for weather. Transfer must be requested before the tour starts. If you choose not to transfer\, the cost of your ticket becomes a tax-deductible donation to the Gowanus Dredgers.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/guided-sunset-paddle-7/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.)\, 2 19th St.\, Brooklyn\, NY
CATEGORIES:Guided Tours,On the Water
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SunsetPaddle.jpeg
GEO:40.66731229192;-74.000079337986
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.) 2 19th St. Brooklyn NY;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2 19th St.:geo:-74.000079337986,40.66731229192
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195727
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:20260424T195727
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:20260424T195727
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:20260424T195727
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:20260628T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260628T150000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195727
CREATED:20260326T155354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T155354Z
UID:10001112-1782644400-1782658800@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:First Aid & CPR Class for Mariners
DESCRIPTION:Add valuable rescue skills to your toolbox by taking this certification class. CPR & First Aid is required to be a Trip Leader\, we hope you join us! \nYou can register for the workshop here. Members get a discount so now is the perfect time to join or renew! \nWe offer this CPR and first-aid training at cost. After completing the course\, you can opt to receive your AHA eCard\, which you can use as proof that you have successfully completed training.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/first-aid-cpr-class-for-mariners-4/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse\, 165 2nd St\, Brooklyn\, NY\, 11231\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CPR_Mariners.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260629T201500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260629T221500
DTSTAMP:20260424T195727
CREATED:20260420T184218Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260420T184440Z
UID:10001129-1782764100-1782771300@gowanusdredgers.org
SUMMARY:Full Moon Gowanus Voyage - JUNE
DESCRIPTION:Join our Crew on a full-moon guided adventure!! Meet at the the Gowanus Dredgers Bunker\, at the end of 19th St / off 3rd Ave\, 11232 – NOT our 2nd St. boathouse. \n🎟️ Tickets required\, get yours here. 🎟️ (Tickets go on sale Monday\, June 1 at 12:00 PM) \nSunset 20:30 |Moonrise 20:47 | Civil End 21:04 | Nautical End 21:46 \nThe stars should be on display along with harbor lights. We will provide lights for each canoe\, you’re welcome to bring/wear your own head lamp as well. Each canoe will have up to 3 people. Solo paddlers are welcome\, you will be paired with other members of the group based on experience and comfort in a canoe. Close-toed shoes are recommended\, and wear clothing you don’t mind potentially being splashed. Use a restroom before arrival\, as we have limited facilities on-site. \nDue to EPA cleaning of the Gowanus Canal\, voyage will head towards the 9th St bridge and return to Gowanus Bay and our new South Gowanus Bunker. \nIf raining or threatening weather (high winds\, lightning) by 6:15 pm we may cancel. Attendees will be notified via the email used to purchase tickets. Tour is not cancelled due to clouds but let’s hope for a clear sky for the moon rise! \nTickets are nonrefundable for any event that proceeds as planned. We will offer the option to transfer your ticket to another event if we have to cancel for weather. Transfer must be requested before the tour starts. If you choose not to transfer\, the cost of your ticket becomes a tax-deductible donation to the Gowanus Dredgers.
URL:https://gowanusdredgers.org/event/full-moon-gowanus-voyage-june-2/
LOCATION:Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.)\, 2 19th St.\, Brooklyn\, NY
CATEGORIES:Guided Tours,On the Water
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gowanusdredgers.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/FullMoon-Paddle.jpg
GEO:40.66731229192;-74.000079337986
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Gowanus Dredgers Bunker (19th St.) 2 19th St. Brooklyn NY;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=2 19th St.:geo:-74.000079337986,40.66731229192
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260630T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260630T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T195727
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:20260424T195727
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
END:VCALENDAR