“The transformation of a century-old sawdust factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, into a new music center is nearly complete: organizers said Friday that the hall, National Sawdust, would open this fall and host three concerts in the New York Philharmonic’s Contact! series,” writes Michael Cooper in Saturday’s (5/9) New York Times. “The new venue—which is envisioned as a concert hall, nightclub and recording studio and musical hangout—will work with contemporary composers and establish partnerships with some of the city’s top cultural institutions, including the Philharmonic…. National Sawdust said that it first class of artists in residence would include … Beth Morrison Projects and Brooklyn Rider; as well as 1b1, a Norwegian string ensemble; Hotel Elefant, the new music group, and Netsayi, a Zimbabwean singer-songwriter. Paola Prestini, a composer who is the creative and executive director of National Sawdust, called the chance to lead the space ‘a dream come true.’ She will develop programming along with a lineup of advisers that span many genres, including the composers Anna Clyne, David T. Little and Nico Muhly; musicians including the pianist Simone Dinnerstein and the countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo; and musicians from the worlds of rock and pop including Bryce Dessner of The National and Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire.”
Posted May 12, 2015
