By Joshua Davis
It’s never easy finding a proper environment for a party in this city. It’s sort of like the three bears—the porridge is too hot, too cold or just right. Similarly, if you’re throwing a party in the city, a venue can be too big and sterile, too small and awkward or, if you’re lucky, its character and vibe can fit just right. Fortunate for DJ Chris Annibell the porridge in Brooklyn is top notch. Annibell is no stranger to the party circuit. As a longtime music producer and deejay, he has, for the last couple years, been throwing underground dance parties under the name Afrokinetic. He found a niche in the scene by being more diverse and eclectic in his musical and environmental choices than the next guy and he has fought off the mainstream clubs with his underground-cred. Later this month Annibell, who resides in Boerum Hill, will be teaming up with fellow Brooklyn art cat, Jan Larsen, to celebrate the convergence of art, dance and music with a party called, “Brooklyn Bridges.” The attitude of “Brooklyn Bridges,” reads Afrokinetic’s website, is to “promote a dialogue between creative people from different artistic backgrounds and to bridge the gap between each respective group.” The mix of dance, music and art is somewhat unconventional, though we see it more and more lately—especially in and around Brooklyn. The union between Afrokinetic and Larsen, of Jan Larsen Art, Inc. is particularly noteworthy. Both Annibell and Larsen are professional artists who look to push the envelope of what they can do creatively. Neither have typical day jobs. Art and music consume their time and the events and parties they throw help to provide their means. And judging by the manner in which they speak, each emit the impression that they give deep consideration to any and all ideas that come before them. A successful party, says Annibell, must have the right vibe. And, he goes onto say, that the physical environment of a party has a lot to do with finding the right vibe. Brooklyn Bridges will be found just under the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO in an old garage and welding shop (a former home to graffiti legend REVS). Larsen converted the space into a living art studio, which he calls “gallerie.” The ongoing show of painting, photography and sculpture is called “theXpo.” Larsen and Annibell came together at a block party under the Manhattan Bridge two Fourth of July’s ago and began talking about a possible joint venture. To a scenester or outsider the two appear to be an odd couple. Larsen considers himself a fine artist, interested in “craft” and “discipline” in somewhat of a “museum” aesthetic. Annibell is more of a rock and roll junkie, strung out on the roots of his favorite musical genres: old school hip hop, classic rock, house and Afrobeat. It is the fusion of these genres that excites Annibell, as he believes that all music share similar roots and a good party should not limit itself to genre-specific music selections. “I really show people at these parties how [music genres] are all loosely connected,” says Annibell. “It’s not nearly as severely pigeonholed. You didn’t used to have to listen to hip-hop on one station and rock and roll on the other. Essentially it’s all dance music. [Afrokinetic tries to] bring it back to the roots and tie it all together.” On a similar note, Larsen sees different art media in the same vein, saying that most contributions to society are considered fine art. “I would extend [the fine art label] to all disciplines of work, be that any time of service work, communication, design, even reporting,” says Larsen. “Any discipline of work is a form or art. And that’s the spirit that’s behind this show.” The show is a one-off event, as opposed to the many weekly and monthly parties that Annibell has done in the past and will do in the future. Though Annibell is the featured DJ, he is not without his special guests: DJ/producer WAAJEED of the Platinum Pied Pipers and Bling47. Plus Amon on Afro-Latin percussion will be performing live. Live percussion, says Annibell, is yet another way to diversify a party and up the energy level and vibe of the night. “Brooklyn Bridges” also features live dance, including a performance from Afromosaic Soul, another party spark. And, of course, the party invites all to absorb the art surrounding them from wall to floor to ceiling. Close to fifty artists (a good half, Larsen says, are Brooklynites) have contributed to the visual art show, including REVS and Larsen. “We’re delighted to have [Afrokinetic] here to bring the best out of their work and they to bring the best out of ours,” says Larsen. “It’s great to be coming together to be bridging the gap for this show.” “It’s a great way for us to get all these artistic people together that wouldn’t normally hang out,” says Annibell. “I definitely feel in the deejay dance scene there are a lot of old school dancers who are set in their ways. I think it is good for them to experience a dance, a more formal dance. We all have a lot more in common than we think. There’s a lot more to talk about than just the art itself it’s the experience that’s missing. That’s the idea behind the ‘Brooklyn Bridges’ situation.” Check out “Brooklyn Bridges” at Jan Larsen’s gallery, 63 Pearl Street in DUMBO, Saturday, January 14 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. The damage is ten bucks and the show is 21 and over with ID. More information is available online: www.afrokinetic.com and thexpo.com/expo_1000.html.
