Memorial Day Alert! June's Gonna Be Busy!

We hope that wherever you are today, you're thinking about Like the Spice's events calendar. But just in case you're not, we're using this post to give you a heads up. Because we've got a lot happening in June, and you need to be here to enjoy it!

First up, on June 5th and June 6th, Like the Spice is turning four years old. Can you believe it? How the time flies! Our two day party will overlap with the final days of Greg Haberny: The Homeless Boys Social Club and you can read about all the exciting party details right here. Here's the short version: June 5th, 6pm-10pm is the birthday party. June 6th, 1pm-6pm is the hangover brunch.

Then, on June 11th, we're throwing ANOTHER party! This time, it's opening night for Marked, a show of figure. Featuring work from Alison Bickle, Dean Goelz, Brendan Lott, Jenny Morgan, Reuben Negron and Robin Williams, Marked is going to be absolutely beautiful, and you can see an advance sneak preview right here.

But that's not all! We've also got our next RSVP only Monthly Dinner, Figure Ates on June 25th, the wonderful Northside Music Festival running June 26th and June 27th with music here at the gallery each and every day, and did we mention that Marisa's going to be blogging from Europe? Yeah, we all hate her too. But more on that next week.

For now, just trust us when we say June's going to be packed with great stuff, and you're going to be a part of it. That's right, we're giving you no choice in the matter. If you don't make it out, we'll come get you.

We Didn't Forget! We Didn't Forget!

It's just that we've been so busy lately, what with all the work we've been doing at the Affordable Art Fair (which, incidentally runs until Sunday) that we haven't had time to recap Stone Soup, the wonderful dinner featuring artist Greg Haberny, the man behind our current show, The Homeless Boys Social Club. It was a sold out event, and even though we hated to do it, we were actually turning people away.



Of course, some of that was because we got the nod from Time Out, but mostly everyone was there to see Greg. And we gotta say, Greg makes for a great reason. He's been working so hard on this show, with new pieces turning up every day, but we were still amazed he took the time to created a special flag, brand new for the dinner, just for our guests to enjoy.



In keeping with the style of Greg's work, we broke out the checkered tablecloths and had ourselves a little BBQ. Fette Sau and Fatty Q provided the meat and fixins, and judging from what we saw on our guest's faces, they both got everything just right. All our guests seemed clever and happy and ready to talk. Nothing creates good fun like good food.



As you can see, here's Marisa, introducing the man of the hour. Doesn't Greg look shy in this picture? You wouldn't think he had so much to say, about art, his life, his decisions and technique and... well, everything! If you were there, you understand. If you weren't, you can get a taste of what Greg is like by hitting up our Like the Spice podcast on the iTunes store. This month we've got an interview with Greg about the show, and we think everybody will be interested. Sign up and get them coming right to ya.



If you missed out on this great, great dinner, we're so sorry. One day, when our gallery is the size of a city block, we'll be able to let everybody in. But for now, you just have to remember: get in early for the next one! And speaking of the next one, it's a good time to warn you to get ready for June, because that's when the next installment of our Monthly Dinner Series lands. Also keep in mind that The Homeless Boys Social Club will be open until June 6th, so there's plenty of time to come and enjoy the work of Greg Haberny.

Everyone Loves The Homeless Boys

Everybody knows that Greg Haberny's Homeless Boys Social Club has currently got us swelling with pride. But just in case you DON'T know, we just wanted to mention that we've extended the show to June 6th, which means you've got NO excuse for skipping out. What? You need more incentive? Okay, well, then, take a look at all these favorable reviews.

First up, and we mentioned this before, we got the nod from AnimalNewYork, which made us very happy. And we were just as happy with being seen on ArtCat. All those internet beasts are paying attention to us at last!

We also got some notice from Brooklyn The Borough (do you think it's a coincidence that they listed us first?) and we were a featured opening on NYArtBeat. Thanks so much for the attention, everybody! We're so happy to be noticed.

And speaking of notice, look who just got listened on Time Out's Feed Blog! Like we said before, this Friday's dinner with Greg Haberny's gonna be really, really big. So stop stalling, because you're almost out of time for you to RSVP. We'll be serving here in the gallery, and featuring some delicious BBQ from Fette Sau and Fatty Cue. Competition is such a harsh term, so let's just call it a delicious cooperation in which our dinner guests will vote to decide which restaurant wins a small piece from our current show, The Homeless Boys Social Club. And remember, Greg himself will be telling us all about his work and life. We're close to full right now, so RSVP ASAP!

All Of Us Are Better Than One Of Us

And how can we be "all of us" without you? After all, you have that one special ingredient we need to make Stone Soup, which not coincidentally is the name of our very next installment of the Monthly Dinner Series, happening this Friday, April 23rd.



Of course, we'll be featuring Greg Haberny, the artist behind our current (and if we do say so ourselves, fantastic) show The Homeless Boys Social Club. Greg's an artist who's steeped in good stories, and it's easy to get lost in them. We're thinking this is a dinner you don't want to miss... especially since places are already filling up!

The meal itself? What's more traditional than a good ol'fashioned BBQ? We've got Fett Sau on board with an exciting menu, but who knows? Maybe in just a few days we'll have an additional surprise guest chef on the side!

As long-time readers need not be reminded, our previous dinners have been tremendous. Served family-style in the gallery itself, our Monthly Dinners offer a night of great food, great art, and great conversation. But the remaining spaces are highly limited, so we urge you to RSVP now! Because if you're not here on Friday, April 23rd... something's going to be missing!

All We Can Say Is WOW

Seriously. WOW. Both in heavy traffic and outstanding sales, opening night of Greg Haberny's Homeless Boys Social Club has performed beyond our WILDEST dreams.



That photo above was taken just before we started, and boy, are we glad we chose to do it then. Because look at the place just a few hours later...



Despite the rain, traffic was HUGE throughout the night, with familiar friends and brand new visitors alike coming to see Greg's two level show. The party kept shifting from upstairs to downstairs and back again, and we were all in motion... even Greg! If you weren't able to catch him unoccupied and talk to him in person, keep an eye out for our podcast interview to appear later this week, because he's quite an interesting guy.





Greg's just coming off a successful appearance at the Philips de Pury auction house, so it's no surprise how well he's performing here. It's exciting to know so many pieces are already destined for good homes, and just as exciting to see all the ones still waiting to be discovered. All night long, we kept hearing "That's amazing!" and "Tell me more about that piece." and we went home tired, but happy. Can you believe we'll be doing this every day until June 6th? That's right, pay no attention to our press release, because we're so in love that we've extended the show!



Greg has also been getting some love from the Like the Spice artists. Below you can see how we caught dear sweet Rachel Beach enjoying the fun.



Greg's got a director's heart, so he approaches his installations in a rather cinematic way, adding music and controlling the light and available pathways for travel. We expect this is why everyone ended up downstairs, talking about everything under the sun. Hip Hop? Politics? Volcanoes? Art Fairs? And that was just our little corner!



There's so much work, we can't possibly cover it all. We'll be doing our best to adding the images to Greg's special preview page as fast as we can, but we think the best way to view the work is to see it is in person! So take advantage of the improving weather and stop in to see The Homeless Boys Social Club. We are certain you will be impressed.

What's He Building In There?

The downstairs is slowly being transformed. Artist Greg Haberny keeps waving at us as he passes by the desk on his way to our basement. Cardboard? Old toys? Is that... the head from a bunny costume? We're not completely sure how Greg's new installation piece is going to end up, but we know that we're really looking forward to this Friday. And we think you should be too.

Already Greg is getting some advance press. Animal New York has taken notice of Greg's in-progress installation, saying:

Greg Haberny unfolds a story board of our national pastime – mid-recession survival – with part movie sets/part art installations, plus a load of mixed media work spanning two floors for his upcoming exhibition at Like the Spice.

and we have to admit, they're on the money. We're also pleased with the nod that came from Brooklyn Street Art and we're glad that Greg is already getting some press, even before he's finished installing!



The images in this post are examples of Greg's previous works, because the official opening of our two level show is on April 16th. However, Greg's been work hard on our downstairs area, so we want to show that off a little early! Our special pre-opening comes on Friday, April 9th, right here at Like the Spice. Clear your schedule to see this ultra-advance sneak at Greg's installation. Then head here to read a little more about Greg and the upcoming April 16th opening night!





We've already been dazzled by him. You should come be dazzled too. Join us on April 9th and see The Homeless Boys Social Club.