PortSide plans to have a maritime interpretive center (aka a museum and exhibit space) where we can create and host exhibits about contemporary water and waterfront issues.  Creating this center can start once we have an operating space in Atlantic Basin. 

In addition, PortSide will host and produce readings, performances, movies etc. about, or inspired by, water and the waterfront.  We have grown our rolodex of speakers, presenters and films since our innovative tanker opera event of 2007, so we can rapidly expand this program once we have we have access to our new home.

We will continue to do mobile programming in various waterfront locations on and off the Mary A. Whalen.

from The Graving Dock by Gabriel Cohen   
A Multimedia Book Event - A Book Launch Where Ships Launch

We promised Literary Culture+Industrial Grit and we delivered it. This event at GMD Shipyard's Tailshaft+Valve Shop was a hit.  "Best book event I ever attended," said one book publisher.  The rain held, the fog lifted, and many attendees ogled and photographed the huge graving dock where welding was underway on the tugboat exhaust stacks.

Once inside, folks chatted over hot cider, beer, wine and sandwiches while a slide show of images, overlaid with quotes from the novel, was projected on the shed wall.  The hangar-sized space became intimate.  A video of the churning waters of the Buttermilk Channel lit up the wall behind Gabriel Cohen while he read. BookCourt did a lively business selling books at the end.  GMD Shipyard cleared space in the shed for us and built a podium for the author  Brooklyn Greenway Initiative provided volunteers to help run the event.

Tanker Opera

We inaugurated our H2O Arts program with this event.  This was the first public performance in a Port Authority terminal.  The tanker Mary A. Whalen was the stage. Gantry cranes and passing ships were the background. The net effect was both innovative opera and a great port appreciation event.

PortSide's presence in the port on the Mary A. Whalen and long term relationship with American Stevedoring opened up the doors for the event. The opera was performed and co-produced by Vertical Player Repertory, directed by Beth Greenberg of the New York City Opera. The performances were sponsored by American Stevedoring. 

PortSide co-produced Puccini's Il Tabarro to rave reviews from local, national, and international press and sell out crowds.  PortSide set up the on-line ticketing (and grew the opera company's audience from 50 a night to over 400), contracted catering for a reception and cash bar, and set up a mini maritime museum for the event.

• tanker tours

• Puccini opera on the tanker

• BCAT TV profile

As of early 2010, Bill Murray of a Better Attitude, Inc is working with us to produce performing arts events. 

If you have an H2O Arts idea for us, to do on the Whalen or some other location, please email
H2Oarts (at) portsidenewyork.org