• Features

    Brothel Rolls onto Island, Poetry Fans Are Customers

    With the annual New York City Poetry Festival coming up on July 25 and 26, we are checking in with some of the groups that are participating. The Poetry Brothel is returning to Governors Island and bringing the poetry whores to Building 407 on Brick Row, an 1894 officers’ quarters. We spoke to co-founder Stephanie Berger about what to expect in her house of ill-fame. Don’t forget to bring cash to have a poem read to you. What is the history of The Poetry Brothel and how did it start? What is your mission? Nicholas Adamski and I started The Poetry Brothel in late 2007/early 2008 to revitalize the concept…

  • Features

    Better Than Jam Brings Unique Items to Pop-up Island Shop

    Second in a series. One thing that Governors Island is not short on is creativity. For the past five summers, visitors could meet Karin Persan, who makes her own silkscreen and clothing for pop-up shops. She runs Better Than Jam, a Bushwick, Brooklyn, shop that specializes in unique items. Karin curates a group of fellow artists and designers who make handmade items that are for sale in her pop-up shop. For 2015 BTJ will be in Building 410, the former 1917 Officers’ Quarters, on Hay Road, South of Comfort Road. Karin was nice enough to tell us about what’s coming to the island this season. How would you describe the…