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Staten Island remains the most shamefully under-visited of the city’s five boroughs, even with a ferry service that has that rarest of NYC transport qualities: it’s free. But for those looking for a nostalgic-slash-music reason to visit our southernmost district, the Maker Park Music and Art Fest this weekend promises a millennial Brooklynite’s heaven, headlined by Dan Deacon and Jon Spencer.
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The event celebrates eight years of Maker Park Radio, a local Staten Island streaming station founded by Kristin Wallace (David Byrne’s longtime promoter) and Tom Ferrie. Since its launch in 2017, the station has hosted over 120 DJs, some of whom will spin live between sets.
Maker Park is on the island’s northeast coast, with a lovely view of Bay Ridge just across the water for Brooklynites who might get easily homesick. But the festival’s all-ages vibe will draw you right back into the moment with live portrait photography, local food and crafts vendors, and several art installations.
Friday will kick off at 5 p.m. with NYC trash rockers Balaclava, followed by a “sweet and amazing set” (Maker’s words!) from Horsegirl and capped by Baltimore’s Dan Deacon entrancing audiences with his electronic compositions. (If his name sounds familiar, you might have seen his name in the music credits for Venmo: The Last Dance or Francis Ford Coppola’s Twixt.) Known for his audience-interactive shows, Deacon will have you feeling right at home.
Night two packs an even bigger punch, highlighting Staten Island’s indie outfit The Parallel Lines right off the bat, and Maker Park continuing their collaboration with Coney Island Sideshow artists with “Priestess of Pyromancy,” the enchantress Sage Sovereign. The retro sounds of SKORTS will blend into The Thing—both NYC groups—before NOBRO, a Canadian band that just won the Best Album Juno (i.e. Canadian Grammy), takes the stage. Jon Spencer will close out the two-day festival with a three-piece band to deliver his soulful rock and roll.
Tickets are $20 to $25 per day, and the organizers are careful to note that this is an outdoor event, so wear your comfiest shoes and prepare to check off music, community and outdoorsiness in one go.