A cloud of unease has surrounded social media for as long as it has existed. An AOL screenname could hide all kinds of nefarious characters. Anyone can look at your myspace. Pictures posted to Instagram could be used to disqualify you if you run for president (or is that one just me? My mother thought very highly of me when I was a teen.).
Social media paranoia came to a head in 2016 when news broke that a data collection firm called Cambridge Analytica may have used information gathered from Facebook to influence major election campaigns, including the 2016 US presidential election.
The Great Hack tells the story of the investigation into the UK-based company, following crucial figures and whistleblowers in real-time as the story unfolds. In a story equal parts unnervingly personal and deeply abstract, filmmakers Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim keep the story grounded in the personal and professional struggles of those who took part in the search for truth.
The film primarily followed the stories of David Carroll, a professor who was suing CA for the rights to his data; Carole Catswallldr, a journalist with The Guardian who was investigating CA; and Brittany Kaiser, a former CA executive turned whistleblower. The intertwining stories unraveled the mystery behind the military-contractors-turned-election-consultants and their roles in electing Donald Trump and the vote for Britain to leave the European Union.
The film is part of the Rooftop Films summer series. Rooftop Films airs independent films like The Great Hack on rooftops across New York and gives the audience a chance to hear from the filmmakers. Kaiser joined Amer and Noujaim in an interview/Q&A after the film. The three explained how the film had come together (a 5-year journey) and how the couple–Amer and Noujaim are married–had first reached out to Kaiser (personal introductions, facebook messages, and a last-minute flight to Thailand).
Kaiser spoke to the crowd about data rights and “psychographics,” or the use of data to predict behavior. She founded the Digital Asset Trade Association, which advocates for the expanded use of distributed ledger technology.
Rooftops Artistic Director in conversation with Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Brittany Kaiser and THE GREAT HACK’s directors Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim.
The Great Hack is a Netflix original which will be available for streaming July 24th. For more information on data and improving your DQ (Data Intelligence), Kaiser recommends visiting digitalasset.org and designgood.tech.
To purchase tickets for the next Rooftop Films showing or to become a member, check out their website here.
Movies with a View in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo Credit Etienne Frossard
Brooklyn Bridge Park is celebrating their 20th anniversary of free public programs with their Movies With a View event and if you’re looking for something relaxing to do this summer, this is perfect. They will be showing several public movies on Pier 1’s Harbor View Lawn throughout July and August.
Bring plenty of blankets for seating to get a view of the movies featured in Brooklyn Bridge Park, which are some of the more popular films over the 20-year history including Selma, Girlfight, Crooklyn, and Pariah. Pariah, directed by Dee Rees, which is also based in Brooklyn, is about a teenage, African American who is struggling to bring out her identity as a lesbian to her friends and family.
The event will begin at 6 pm with food vendors, a DJ, as well as a short film put together by BAM Cinematek. Some of the food vendors that will make their return to the park are Burger Supreme, Home Frite, and Bona Bona Ice Cream along with some new food vendors including Groundlings Pizza, Destination Dumplings, and Vayalo Cocina.
Here is a list of dates and movies that will be shown at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Bring your friends and family for a movie night under the stars.
July 11th: Pariah
July 18th: Girlfight
July 25th: It Happened One Night
August 1st: Crooklyn
August 8th: The Big Lebowski
August 15th: An American Trail
August 22nd: Selma
August 29th: Public Vote (The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Groundhog Day, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
‘Movies with a View’ event in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo Credit Etienne Frossard
Christian Cowan brought the party to NYFW! Playing off his club kid days in London and combining that with inspiration from strong New York City women, he created a vibrant and modern collection. With watch embroidered pieces and bright neon checkerboard tulle, his one of a kind techniques wowed this season. The embellishments were to die for, and I know so many Downtown moms who would love to rock the heels that he designed with Giuseppe Zanotti. Remember the ones that Cardi B wore with the special watch strap? They are already a go-to for stylists and celebrities but are now recreated with a fluorescent coating, giving them a more urban feel. The energy at this show was off the charts! – Marry Wassner, @downtownchicmoms
It’s Friday, Downtowners! Looking for a fun way to unwind on your long-anticipated Friday in the sun?
Well, you’re in luck, because Lyft is partnering with Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar this weekend to provide you with a unique way to have fun, with a discount! Between 1-4 p.m. on June 1st, 2018, Lyft will be providing discounted rides to the Conrad Hotel (up to $10 off!). For the first 120 Lyft passengers, access to a secret menu item (I’ll take a Pink Lyft prosecco and ice pop, on the rocks, please!), and a complimentary pair of Loopy Doopy Rooftop sunglasses will be provided. It’s simple: just show the bartender your Lyft receipt, and make sure to use the promo code LOOPYDOOPY on the Lyft app to receive your discount!
The Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar is well-known for its ice pop infused, instagram-worthy cocktails. What better way to kick off the summer than with a refreshing drink and an unbeatable view? Located in the beautiful Downtown neighborhood of Battery Park, the Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar provides beautiful panoramic views of the Hudson River. Some of the fan-favorite flavors that you might enjoy include Blueberry Peach, Strawberry Lemongrass and Empire Apple (YUM!).
A peek at Loopy Doopy’s panoramic views
Here’s some more good news: this is just the beginning for Lyft’s deals of the summer. To keep up to date & make sure you don’t miss a discounted ride to a summer hotspot, be sure to check out this link https://sites.google.com/lyft.com/summerfridays/home. Besides, does anyone really want to go for a night out on the town via subway?; high heels, crowded subway cars and high temperatures just don’t mix well for a glam night out (hello, hair frizz).
What’s your favorite, go-to NYC summer venue? Let us know in the comments below!
Be bold, bright and fund with Jocelyn, a new fur company that specializes in fun fur!
Founded by Jocelyn Gordon in 2001 the line has evolved into an essential luxury contemporary, outerwear & accessories brand. Ubiquitous among today’s style icons, Jocelyn has pioneered an approachable take on wearable luxury fur known for combining materials with a playful, modern design sensibility.
The collection encompasses unusual army fabrics adorned with patches and fringe and uses colorful and exciting textured furs like fox, mink, and rex rabbit. The perfect combination of streetwear and luxury. The Jocelyn brand is sold to the luxury stores throughout and U.S and worldwide at the following stockist include: Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Neiman Marcus Cusp, Bloomingdales, Nordstroms, Holt Renfrew, and Intermix.
Jocelyn offers insanely edgy jackets to take any outfit up to the next level. These eye-catching staples retail from $900-$2,000.
When Andrew W.K. put out his first album for Island Records in 2001, a lot of people were confused. After all, I Get Wet featured a unique hybrid of heavy metal guitars, chant-along stadium-style choruses, dance music electronics, and Tony Robbins-style positivity. While no one truly knew how to classify what Andrew W.K. did on that landmark release, he made an immediate splash with hit singles like “Party Hard,” “It’s Time To Party,” and “We Want Fun.”
A second career as a TV personality took off for Andrew in 2004 with the MTV series Your Friend, Andrew W.K., which led to appearances on plenty of other Viacom programming. This ultimately led to him hosting four seasons of the Cartoon Network’s Destroy Build Destroy. Somewhere in between those two shows, Andrew became an in-demand motivational speaker, leading many to initially discover him as an on-air personality rather than as a musician. He also was one of the partners of the popular venue Santos Party House, which had a strong run from 2008 through May of this year.
Andrew W.K. is staying active as ever in the fourth quarter of 2016, embarking on the Power of Partying Tour, which takes him through all 50 states of our country. His New York stop will be at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Nov. 20. Andrew spoke with Downtown about that November appearance and plenty more.
You are most associated with the word “party.” Has your definition of what a “party” is changed over the years?
Andrew W.K.: The main quality that first drew me to the word “party” was that its definition was very pure and almost inherent, it almost didn’t even need to be defined more than “to celebrate a specific event, occurrence, or phenomenon.” In the most expansive and specific way, the event/occurrence/phenomenon that I’m celebrating is being alive. So that’s what partying is to me — deciding to be in a constant celebratory state about life, even when it’s hard or painful or there doesn’t seem to be anything worth celebrating.
It seems like most people understand this idea of a “party mindset,” this party approach to daily life. I like that I don’t have to explain it — in order for someone to have their own version of partying, all they have to do is party. The word “party” communicated a sort of basic visceral power and clarity, while at the same time not necessarily offering too many instructions on how exactly to party. That’s why it’s appealing, because it is synonymous with freedom. It’s really the celebration of freedom. It’s the active expression of gratitude for all those most essential qualities life comes with.
What do you remember about the first gig you ever played in New York?
A.W.K.: I remember a great deal about it. It was in a storefront venue on the Lower East Side that is no longer in business. I believe it was called The Artnet. I had some friends playing there who were visiting New York from Michigan. They invited me to play too. I set up my keyboard and my drum machine and played some early versions of some of the songs from my first album. I think there were about 13 people there. I remember there was also a swing made out of a piece of chain hanging from the ceiling. I’m pretty sure there is a video of it on the computer somewhere.
Andrew W.K.
What should we expect from your upcoming appearance at the Music Hall of Williamsburg?
A.W.K.: Well, people should not expect music, so I guess the venue’s name is a little inappropriate for my event! I’m giving a extemporaneous lecture on the power of partying, and then opening the floor to a free-form Q&A discussion on life. This event in Brooklyn is part of my 50 state U.S. speaking tour, and it informally marks my 10-year anniversary as a motivational speaker. My first ever lecture was in 2006 at New York University’s Skirball Center.
Do you have any plans to perform live music in New York anytime soon?
A.W.K.: I’m currently recording my new album and I look forward to doing an eventual world tour for that. In the meantime, my band and I continue to perform concerts here and there. We played in New York City a couple months ago, at Coney Island, and I had played another show a few months before that. I imagine I will play another New York City concert in a few more months. It’s always on the horizon.
When not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
A.W.K.: I don’t like referring to people as “kids.” I remember adults calling me a kid and it always seemed “off” and meant to be belittling somehow. I guess I was smaller and younger than they were, so maybe they thought less of me and other children. I often hear people describing audience members as “kids,, but sometimes the audience is older than they are. Maybe it’s meant to be complimentary, because youth is seen as being a prized attribute, but of course even children are still people. My last words for any human being who might be reading this is: stay strong, never let down, and party hard.
