Porcine lovers filed into the Morgan Avenue studios this past Sunday in search of free Colt 45s, pork, rice, beans and Mexi slaw at 3rd Ward’s Second Annual Pig Roast & Dance Party. The 195-pound pig—prepared by cult butcher Tom Mylan and chef Eric Sherman of Marlow & Sons—was in such demand, an hour-long line wrapped through the courtyard, back into the building, down a hallway and into the main lobby.

Bluesy punk rockers Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers kept everyone’s minds off their growling stomachs with their high-energy set prior to the food’s arrival, followed by Brooklyn rock band In Cadeo, who hasn’t had much luck avoiding the rain this summer. In Cadeo’s last three gigs have ended in downpours and yesterday’s show was no different: The heavens opened at the end of their first song, forcing the crowd of hungry masses to wait out the storm, drinking spiked lemonades blended by Artistic Evolution until their voracious appetites were, at long last, sated with $3 plates of pork taco. Pig power.

Says Amelia Koethen, TONY’s advertising finance clerk: “With cozy tree-lined streets, two great parks, its own historic district and more, Greenpoint feels like nowhere else I’ve lived in the city—home.”

Her favorite restaurants:
Manhattan 3 Decker Diner, 695 Manhattan Ave at Norman Ave (718-389-6664) “There aren’t any bells and whistles here, just an intense breakfast menu and a retro vibe that makes it a great stop for those mornings when you need a little extra pep in your step.”

Restaurant Pyza, 118 Nassau Ave at Eckford St (718-349-8829) “This Polish cafeteria-style restaurant is food just like (I wish) Mom used to make. Their borscht will cure the common cold, and someday I’ll be brave enough to try the tongue.”

Bar Matchless, 557 Manhattan Ave at Driggs Ave (718-383-5333) “When they opened a full kitchen, I was excited about having fries to soak up their great drink specials. They went above and beyond standard bar food and have become my favorite place for mac and cheese.”

Her favorite shops:
B.E. Yarn, 784 Manhattan Ave between Calyer St and Messerole Ave (718-383-8907) “The crafting geek in me was so excited to find this yarn shop nestled in with the bakeries, jewelry shops and dollar stores populating Manhattan Avenue. The no-attitude service and advice was an added bonus.”

Big D, 777 Manhattan Ave between Calyer St and Messerole Ave (718-389-0181) “There are hipper places to write about in Greenpoint, but I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t include this value-store behemoth. They compete handily with the other discount clothing, furniture and gift shops on the avenue, and the sensory overload is enough to keep me coming back for more.”

Jaslowiczanka Bakery, 163 Nassau Ave at Diamond St (718-389-0263) “This traditional Polish bakery is the real deal. It’s always bustling with customers looking to grab some fresh paczki. It’s also the perfect place to pick up some babka for your mama.”

Retro gaming at The Loom

On Saturday afternoon, New Yorkers flowed in from across the boroughs to celebrate the completion of Bushwick’s up-and-coming Loom Arts and Commerce complex (1087 Flushing Ave between Knickerbocker and Porter Aves), a massive 25,000-foot Chelsea Market–esque space that promises to emerge as Flushing Avenue’s newest see-and-be-scenester spot. Since most of the retail spaces remain up for grabs, they were invaded by installation artists for the occasion: Skateboarders, DJs and drag queens took them over, each “room” providing ogling visitors with a unique experience. Whether one required karaoke or cupcakes, double-dutch or dress-up, there it was for the partaking. We particularly enjoyed the old-school video-game lounge (pictured)—and watching drag queen sensation Shaquanda dole out prizes, such as “Best Crackhead Walk,” to runway-strutting partygoers. Now to see if the retail shops (once they materialize) live up to their artsy beginnings.—Lauren Otis

Sarah Small, like TONY, has tapped into the ancient wisdom that nudity turns heads. Last Saturday, in a Greenpoint studio, the photographer, who snaps group studio shots of visually diverse figures, assembled a bunch of her models and enlisted the sponsorship of a vodka company, throwing a tableau vivant mixer replete with cocktails. This marked the first time I witness performance art tipsy.

After everyone had their drinks, the models strutted out in a line to chanting music and took their poses on stage with resident taxidermies. Most were naked, a few not; bodybuilder Michelle from Connecticut wore her bikini, and another chick sported nothing but heels, topless lingerie and a giant, blond Afro wig.

While the naked folks did really kept my attention going—especially when Small occasionally directed them to make out or shake their fists in anger—what was most interesting about the performance, artistically speaking, was not necessarily the models, but rather the audience. They were going nuts, taking pictures with their iPhones and whispering to each other, “You think they’re gonna fuck?” I happily passed on the tidbit I’d heard from one of Small’s Bulgarian folk-singing buddies that she had given them permission to do just that. Whatever one’s feelings about the project in general, that certainly would have been art.–David Levitz

Photos courtesy David Rosenzweig