The demise of the Jelly parties ended the idyllic summer tradition of raucous, free concerts on the Williamsburg waterfront. But now instead of that unsustainable utopia of outdoor music, slip n’ slides and dodgeball, you have a chance to actually work for your music, like the responsible adult you hope to be. Get free admission to this year’s ticketed waterfront shows by volunteering to pick up litter on the streets after the concerts. It’s a partnership of the Open Space Alliance and BurnedGreen, a new site for one-off volunteering opportunities in north Brooklyn. Here’s how to litter-patrol your way into hearing free Sonic Youth, TV On the Radio, Fleet Foxes and more this summer:
The OSA is offering free admission to volunteers who help clean up North 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th streets from Kent to Bedford avenue for about an hour at the end of each show. They give you gloves, trash bags and grabbers to start picking up litter at about 9:45pm, which means missing a few songs at the end of the set. But you have the option to either attend the concert the night of your volunteering or get free admission to a later concert, plus you can volunteer at more than one event (they need volunteers for the free shows too).
If interested in volunteering, email the following information to info[at]burnedgreen[dot]com with the subject line “Williamsburg Waterfront Volunteer:”
Full Name:
Cell Phone Number:
Concert(s) You Wish To Volunteer At With Corresponding Arrival Time(s):
Concert(s) You Wish To Attend:
Prospective volunteers will be sent a confirmation email with more details.
Not only is this a free chance to earn your music, it helps improve the town-gown relations that have threatened the future of the waterfront concerts. Imagine if area residents actually saw those massive rock and roll crowds helping to clean up and improve the neighborhood before they left? Ho boy!
The offer is good for all the waterfront shows, which, as the OSA lists, do get a bit pricey throughout the summer.
6/11 – Coheed & Cambria w/ Adrian Belew Power Trio and Tigers Jaw (FREE SHOW)
6/24 – Thievery Corporation w/ Raphael Saadiq and Dam-Funk & Master Blazter ($52 TICKET VALUE)
7/6 – Kid Cudi w/ Chip Tha Ripper ($60 TICKET VALUE)
7/22 – Death From Above 1979 ($43 TICKET VALUE)
7/29 – They Might Be Giants w/ Eugene Mirman & Pretty Good Friends featuring Patton Oswalt, Kristen Schaal and special musical guests (FREE SHOW)
8/2 – Death Cab For Cutie w/ Frightened Rabbit ($47 TICKET VALUE)
8/12 – Sonic Youth w/ Wild Flag and Kurt Vile and the Violators ($40 TICKET VALUE)
8/31 – Bright Eyes ($43 TICKET VALUE)
9/8 – TV On The Radio w/ Broken Social Scene ($48 TICKET VALUE)
9/17 – Widespread Panic ($53 TICKET VALUE)
9/24 – Fleet Foxes w/ The Walkmen ($47 TICKET VALUE)
Too bad the New York Dolls aren’t playing this year.