World of Fire

World of Fire is a pandemic-aware procession that visits a suite of diverse musical and cultural styles on the porches, driveways, yards, and sidewalks of Marlborough Avenue in Brooklyn. It is one neighborhood’s heartfelt response to a city, a country, and a world that is now so full of Fire.

The film World of Fire was directed by Andrew Gurian, with videography by Jules David Bartkowski, Gabriel Garcia, and Gurian. Sound recording was by Jacob Burckhardt and Mike Swoop. Sound mixing was by Hugo Dwyer.

5PM Porch Music short

In 2023, with support from NYC Connect, Brooklyn Porch Music (then called 5PM Porch Music) took place at several locations in Kensington and Flatbush including: weekly lessons and writing sessions on the porches of generous neighbors, weekly rehearsals in the backyard of Jalsa Grill & Gravy, an Indian restaurant located on the border of Flatbush and Kensington and, end-of-season free and publicly accessible concerts.

I’m Sorry Laundry

Coral Dawley and Bam Rodriguez created this beautiful stop motion animation film in 2022, as a side project stemming out of the effort of the 5PM Porch Music program. After finishing one of the group poems, I’m Sorry Laundry, in May of 2021, they began to write music to it. A few of the writers and a few of the music teachers gathered at Roy’s homeand worked on the song played behind the video. Bam stepped forward with his experience with stop motion animation and discussions led to building the character. The group watched movies about laundry for inspiration. My Beautiful Laundrette became the visual inspiration, and out of cardboard and foam the set was created and this film resulted.

Porch Music on Fox5

The Porch Music Program was featured on Fox5 TV in November 2021. This six minute segment shows interviews with students, parents and community members, and features live music and performances. We are so proud to be on our NYC TV affiliate of Fox!