News Archive

Congratulations, Filmmakers!

2008-08-25T20:15:00Z

Last week, over 200 film enthusiasts filed into BAM Rose Cinemas to watch the world premieres of 826NYC's latest productions, Man for the Job, Children of the Iron Monkey, 2168: Modified, Knock the Hustle: The New Movement, Me, the People, Stop the Madness: The Collection, Monsters and Angels, and Kid Named Carrot. This year's Erasers for Breakfast was an enormous success, treating viewers to their fair share of celebrity sightings (including the complete casts of Kid Named Carrot and Man for the Job!).

We'd like to extend enormous congratulations to all of the writers, filmmakers, editors, directors, gaffers, guests, grips, producers, and parents who worked with us all summer to create eight amazing, original films (within 4-6 weeks!). Also, special thanks to BAM for generously hosting our 2nd annual screening. We look forward to seeing everyone again, next year!

Erasers for Breakfast: Sold Out!

2008-08-05T21:39:59Z

Tickets have just sold out for Erasers for Breakfast 2008! The 2nd Annual 826NYC Film Festival features short films by 826NYC students, including the world premieres of Children of the Iron Monkey, "Kid Named Carrot," Man for the Job, "Monsters and Angels," Knock the Hustle, Episode 1 of 2168: Modified, and more!

The Insound 20(+1)

2008-07-16T21:43:28Z

The good people at Insound have just launched a new series of designs (printed on posters, hoodies, and T-shirts) for 20 of their favorite bands, and have decided to include 826NYC as a special 21st--and to give 100% of the proceeds to us! The project, called The Insound 20, features new designs by Jason Munn, of acclaimed design studio The Small Stakes, for 826-favorites (and all past fundraisers) Death Cab for Cutie, Grizzly Bear, Spoon, The New Pornographers, The Decemberists, along with Dept. of Eagles, Beirut, The National, and more.

You can buy posters and T-shirts of our design HERE. And you can see all of the other amazing designs HERE.

Special thanks to Matt Wishnow, Ami Spishock, and everyone at Insound for making this happen.

Introducing STEW!

2008-06-30T14:51:49Z

The first issue of STEW, The Magazine About Et Cetera, is now available! The writers, eleventh graders at the Secondary School for Journalism, celebrated STEW's release just last week at the 826NYC writing center. We are especially grateful to Seth Mnookin and our many sponsors who made our publication possible.

Copies of STEW are available at the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company. Pick one up today!

More Summer Workshops!

2008-06-22T18:21:09Z

It's official - summer is here! We've just added three new workshops to this summer's roster. Keep reading for more details:

Starting July 1: Dance Dance Rock Band Hero!, taught by director Patrick Daughters and They Might Be Giants's John Flansburgh, challenges Brooklyn's best to create an original song and music video in just four sessions. No musical experience is necessary - but spaces are extremely limited (and the class begins next week!). Be sure to sign up today!

Starting July 13: Writing Short Fiction, taught by author Matthew Goodman (founding editor of Sonny Paine), focuses on plot and character development within the short story. Please click here to sign up!

Starting July 14: I'm SOOOOO Bored, taught by Kate Ackerman, helps New Yorkers banish boredom by writing a kids-only guide to exploring NYC's five boroughs. Click here to sign up!

826NYC on NPR!

2008-06-05T22:42:53Z

Be sure to check out Fighting for Truth, Justice and Creativity - a story about 826NYC's popular Storytelling and Bookmaking field trips. The story aired June 4th on NPR's All Things Considered!

Announcing the 826NYC Art Show, 2008

2008-05-07T21:21:36Z

We are very pleased to announce The 826NYC Art Show, our second auction of original work by contemporary artists to benefit 826NYC. The auction will take place at David Zwirner in Chelsea on Thursday, May 22 at 8pm, and will include new work by 21 contemporary artists, a limited edition set-of-postcards-as-catalog, and of course audio tours with commentary by 826NYC students. For all information, including previews of the work and registration materials, see the auction website.

826NYC Congratulates Martha Plimpton!

2008-05-05T21:35:55Z

Martha Plimpton, 826NYC advisory board member, has been nominated for a Tony Award - Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play - for her performance in Caryl Churchill's 1982 play, Top Girls. Martha's recent theater credits include Shakespeare's Cymbeline and Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia.

Here is a photo of Martha hosting our June 2007 fundraiser, Tiny Smooshy Sunday on Fire!

A Benefit for 826NYC: Dungeons and Dragons (With Girls!)

2008-04-16T19:47:28Z

826NYC hosts a Dungeons and Dragons Game Unlike Any Other to Raise Money for its Free Writing and Tutoring Programs for Children

Friday, May 9th, 7 to Midnight, at 826NYC (372 5th Avenue, Brooklyn)

That's right, fellas. Dungeons and Dragons isn't just for teenage boys anymore. We know you miss those late Friday nights in your parents' basement, with your friends, your Doritos-stained fingers and your lucky D20. And now that one thing that was missing from those perfect Friday nights wants to join the game: girls.

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS (WITH GIRLS!) is a benefit for the students of 826NYC. On May 9th, boys and girls alike will have the opportunity to send their heroic alter-egos into an uncharted dungeon in search of a lost crown. The characters you create will be pitted against monsters, traps, and each other in a contest to be the king (or queen) of an ancient fictitious kingdom (or queendom).

To join the game, all you need to do is visit http://www.826nyc.org/DnD to create your character, then start raising money to buy magic spells, weapons and items, to ensure that your dwarf, warrior, wizard, or thief comes home with the prize. And all the money you and your character raise will go to support the free writing programs at 826NYC.

Who: Anyone 21 or older

What: We're playing Dungeons and Dragons and raising money for 826NYC. There is an entry fee of $25 for boys (girls play for free).

When: Friday, May 9th, 7 to Midnight (Doritos and Pepsi and adult beverages - finally - will be provided).

Where: 826NYC (372 5th Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn, Between 5th St. and 6th St.)

Why: For the kids (all proceeds go to benefit 826NYC), for a real crown, and for the lands, title, and rule of a kingdom that doesn't actually exist!

How: Go tohttp://www.826nyc.org/DnD and all will be explained (For the newcomers, trust us, it's very simple).

Check here for news, rules, and updates.

A Fish Does What?

2008-03-25T22:07:01Z

Anonymous bloggers from drop-in tutoring have created a new website called Fish Slaps a Baby. The blog is updated weekly by a group of artists, songwriters, and wrestling experts, who are obsessed with Wrestlemania XXIV, Naruto, Connecticut, rocking hot dogs, and more.

When asked what message he'd like to send to his fans, one blogger requested, "Please comment every time you check out a post!" Trust us, the site is worth a visit.

826NYC on Transom

2008-02-27T19:49:39Z

View image We're happy to announce that "Running From Myself," a radio piece produced here by our former student and intern Louis, is now being featured at Transom.org. The piece chronicles Louis's attempt to reconcile bad choices he's made in the past, and his struggle to determine if he's really changed for the better. Louis is a great storyteller, and the piece is a great listen, so check it out at: www.transom.org.

Blue Monday

2008-02-11T19:40:53Z

Music lovers will be glad to know that 2008's most anxiously awaited album, Gotta Right to Sing the Blues, has finally been released. The album features the latest songs from such blues greats as Sad Spike C, Four Days of Mazes, Not Fair Beck, Scarred Knee Veeraswamy, Fractured Arden, and Test Hatin’ Christopher.

You'll feel the pain of losing a pet when Fractured Arden sings, "Put him in a shoebox when he died" in White Tree Frog. Also, just in time for Valentine's Day, check out Four Days of Mazes's sad tale of a love lost, The Sad, Sad Story of My Fake Life. Head over to the Writing Gallery to hear these tracks and more from this 826NYC exclusive.

Feeling Blue

2008-02-04T15:58:19Z

Six blues musicians worked through Sunday afternoon to put the finishing touches on their upcoming album. Their sad, sad songs - from the likes of Scarred-Knee Veeraswamy and Test-Hatin' Christopher - will debut next week, during the last session of "Gotta Right to Sing the Blues."

Stay tuned to our Writing Gallery for samples from this limited-release CD. If you're lucky, you'll hear the sad story of the "No Face Fish Blues."

Cheaters DO Win

2008-01-22T03:33:40Z

We're thrilled to announce that The Cheaters Cup is now in the possession of The Fightin' Caziques — Morgan Clendaniel and Gideon Friedman — the winners of 826NYC's Scrabble For Cheaters tournament. Their way with words and slick use of strategy (they lost their first round match and bought back in to the semi-finals via auction) propelled them to victory over all the other generous cheaters. Clendaniel and Friedman hold the title and the trophy until next year.

Thank you to all the cheaters. Your made-up words and your fundraising commitment are inspiring and appreciated. Start practicing for next year!

Deadline for Scrabble Team Signups

2008-01-16T20:09:10Z

Your last chance for signing up to cheat in the Scrabble tournament of the decade ends tonight at midnight. So if you've been on the fence about joining in, now is your last chance to decide.

The good news is, donations will be accepted up until the date of the tournament, so you still have time to give your favorite team the edge they need. And, just in case any of the participants need a little motivation, this is what you'll be playing for.

Go ahead and drool--it's only a picture. If you want to drool on the real thing, you'll have to cheat your way to victory first.

For more information, go to the Scrabble for Cheaters site.