7th annual Winter Wonderland celebration returns to the Knockdown Center on Saturday, December 14th.
ARMEN MIRAN
BRYANT JENSEN B2B SAQIB
DANIEL COWEL
JACOB GROENING
KORA
LOVECRAFT
MADOTA
ROBIN DEY
Soft Power is a performance that combines traditional Polish dance and experimental music by Felicita. The evening will begin with a performance by Speaker Music (DeForrest Brown, Jr.), titled a Black rhythm happening to fill a crease.
Originally from London, Shanghai-based Felicita works with fractured sounds. Soft Power was originally commissioned by Unsound, in collaboration with traditional dancers from Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble, the oldest and most renowned company of its kind in Poland. This unique work synthesizes traditional choreography and costume with new music to create a hypnotic multimedia experience. The concept stems from Felicita’s childhood education in traditional dance, and explores folk culture, national identity, tourism, branding, illusion, and farce. The music itself is a fusion of Polish folk, noise, trap and chamber music, and was released last year by PC Music, fitting beside releases by the likes of SOPHIE and Danny L Harle.
As Ben Ben-Beaumont Thomas wrote in The Guardian: “Folk dances, involving lots of twirling around and dramatised romance, are paired with plangent piano melodies, scorched ambient noise and, most incongruously, wild synthetic pop. Despite (or rather because of) the aesthetic clashes, it hangs together in a supremely atmospheric whole. Devised in the wake of Brexit, it’s a stirring affirmation of how cultures can coexist while retaining their own voices.”
The evening will begin with a set by Speaker Music (DeForrest Brown, Jr.) titled “a Black rhythm happening to fill a crease,” a new improvised composition expanding on the lush ensemble energy music found in his debut album of desire, longing (Planet Mu, 2019). Referencing free jazz trumpeter Eddie Gales’ culturally noteworthy 1969 album Black Rhythm Happening, Speaker Music probes further into the sonic narratives of African American expression towards a novel rhythmic and romantic abstraction of vibration and frequency.
Speaker Music is a digital audio and extended media praxis by New York-based rhythmanalyst DeForrest Brown, Jr. His work is concerned with speculative futures in performative contexts and programmatic intersections of technology and thought. He is a representative of the Make Techno Black Again campaign, and his most recent writing can be found in Artforum, Hyperallergic and Afropunk. In 2020, Brown, Jr. will publish a book related to a talk given at Unsound Kraków, entitled “Assembling a Black Counter-Culture” with Primary Information.
Note: this show was originally part of the Unsound New York 2019 lineup, and had to be moved to this date due to unforeseen reasons.
Organized in collaboration with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute as part of the Polska Music program and POLSKA 100, the international cultural program celebrating the centenary of Poland regaining independence.
Financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland as part of the multi-annual programme NIEPODLEGŁA 2017–2022
They have been a driving force of nightlife for decades, but have never played together. Friday Dec 20, 2019 – an event that has been discussed, dreamed of and hoped for…is finally happening! CHUS & CEBALLOS, BORIS & OSCAR G together for one night only at Knockdown Center.
Tables service contact – Jonpaulpezzo@icloud.com
CHUS + CEBALLOS
As pioneers and creators of the underground movement known as the “Iberican sound,” Chus & Ceballos have established themselves as one of the world’s elite DJ Duos, and never fail to bring “la fiesta” in each and every performance. Touring consistently since 2000, the pair have appeared at most of the world’s elite clubs, including residencies at Space Miami, Stereo Montreal, Ageha Tokyo and Pacha NYC. Chus’ record label Stereo Productions is highly respected by DJ’s as one of the industry most reliable sources of top quality, peak hour House Music.
BORIS
Boris is amongst a select few born and bred New Yorker DJ’s who have managed to remain A List headliners through multiple generations of nightlife. From the infamous Roxy to Crobar to Pacha NYC, Boris has maintained a loyal following that has followed him during his journey thorugh all of New York’s premier venues, and have shown such devotion that they even coined the term “Believers.” Ultimately Boris released a series of high successful Believe In Boris CD’s, and his “Believe” parties even to this day are guaranteed sell-outs. Currently his Transmit record label imprint is a go-to source for DJ’s from Carl Cox to Dubfire to Paco Osuna, all of whom support his music and also frequently reach out to him for tracks for theie own labels.
OSCAR G
With over 25 years as one of the world’s premier DJ / Artists, Oscar G has made his impact both through his productions and his deejaying. As one half of the Murk production team, he has been a force along with Ralph Falcon behind worldwide chart-topping dance hits including Fired Up, Dark Beat and Some Lovin’ along with many more. As a solo artist his album releases are essential additions to music collections of house music fans worldwide, as are his two DVD’s recorded live from the Club Space Terrace. As a DJ he has had residencies at Liquid, Club Space and Heart in Miami, and Pacha, Space Ibiza New York and Output in New York, all of which were defining moments in the history of those two mecca’s of American nightclub culture.
Move Forward Music presents an epic holiday show with a smokin’ line-up and a really lit vibe. The Smokers Club will feature full live performances by Benny the Butcher, A$AP Twelvyy, Flipp Deniro, XanMan, Slayter Odalys, and LowFi. Be part of the cipher, and don’t miss your spot in the rotation! Get Your Tickets Now.
Gunna live in concert on Thanksgiving Eve at Knockdown Center! (18+)
Without resting much after Unsound Krakow, Unsound is set to return to New York on November 22nd and 23rd. Unsound New York 2019 is the first step toward a new Unsound future in the city, with the two-day event culminating with Knockdown Center as the main presenter and venue. The focus of the 2019 program is entirely on live shows and performances.
22nd November, free opening concert at St. Peter’s Church, Chelsea
Księżyc
23rd November 8pm-2am, Knockdown Center
Abby Echiverri & Leisure Muffin
Amnesia Scanner
Caterina Barbieri
Further Reductions
January Hunt + Octonomy
Nivhek (aka Grouper)
Pedestrian Deposit
rrao + Clay Wilson
Shredded Nerve + Jackson Pratt
The Bug + MISS RED
Tim Hecker + Konoyo Ensemble
Via App + Bookworms present: Asthyna
Resident Advisor: https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/1336293
Unsound New York 2019 is presented by Unsound and Knockdown Center in partnership with Blank Forms, The Bunker and Quo Vadis.
Soft Power is organised in collaboration with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute as part of the Polska Music programme and POLSKA 100, the international cultural programme celebrating the centenary of Poland regaining independence. Financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland as part of the multi-annual programme NIEPODLEGŁA 2017–2022.
Księżyc is presented by Blank Forms and the Polish Cultural Institute New York.
Caterina Barbieri and Miss Red are presented with We Are Europe.
Thrasher x Vans Death Match NYC
Thrasher Magazine’s Death Match brings together music and skateboarding for the ultimate skater’s party and is coming back to The Knockdown Center for a two-day bash in New York City! Thrasher X Vans Death Match NYC will be held October 5th and 6th and as always, it’s a free, all ages event with a first-come, first-served policy – no passes or VIP seating and the ramp is open to all to skate.
Doors open at 3pm each day.
All ages.
Free event w/ RSVP (by-day).
First come, first-served.
Saturday 10/5
Beach Fossils
Protomartyr
CEREMONY
Tommy Wright, III
Downtown Boys
Show Me The Body
MANNEQUIN PUSSY
Collapsing Scenery
Slayter
Phantasia
Sunday 10/6
Obituary
Agnostic Front
Haram
Fiddlehead
L.O.T.I.O.N.
Krimewatch
coke bust
Fuming Mouth
Nosebleed
Bad Shit
Knockdown Center Presents…
Bicep [DJ set] with support from Mor Elian, Hammer, and Max Pask.
Pre-sale Wednesday, September 18 at 2pm. Register here!
Tickets on sale to the general public Thursday, September 19 at 2pm.
◾️ Bicep ◾️ In 2008, Belfast natives Andy Ferguson and Matt McBriar were posting 100+ tracks a week on their blog, Feel My Bicep. Now, the Irish duo have added being DJs, producers, promoters, labels owners and even live performers to their resume – but blogging remains a core part of their artistry. The two have played a crucial role in the development of house music over the past ten years and continue to be icons in the underground community.
◾️ Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/feelmybicep
◾️ Mor Elian ◾️ Tel Aviv born, Berlin based Mor Elian stays busy globally as a DJ, producer, the owner of “Fever AM” label, and the booker for the underground LA party “Into The Woods.” Her DJ sets are wide ranging, drifting effortlessly between house, techno, and minimal electro.
◾️ Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/morelian
◾️ Hammer ◾️ Hammer, a headstrong instrument used for breaking things and driving in nails, much like his sound and his approach to music. Another Belfast native, Rory Hamilton has been friends with the boys of Bicep since childhood and is a co-pilot of the Feel My Bicep blog. After moving to Glasgow to study art, he established his own parties and grew his brand independently.
◾️ Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thehammerhits
◾️ Max Pask ◾️ DJ and label manager of Throne of Blood records, the Brooklyn-based Frenchman spends his time making records, playing records, and helping other people put out their own records.
◾️ Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/maximep
Knockdown Center Presents…
Mall Grab with support from X-Coast and Overland
◾️ MALL GRAB ◾️ Australian born DJ Jordon Alexander, aka Mall Grab, is considered to be relatively new to the scene, releasing his debut EP just four years ago. However, he has made huge strides since then and is not to be underestimated. As the founder of the record labels Steel City Dance Discs and Looking For Trouble, Jordon is constantly on the move, putting out new sounds and proving his place in the world of house music. He has been consistently selling out parties across Europe and is expected to do the same when he lands in New York.
◾️SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/mallgrab
◾️ X-COAST ◾️ Serbian-born, Brookyln-based musician Bojan Cizmic is known for referencing multiple genres in his productions. His smash debut, named Mango Bay EP after the EP’s most successful single, plays with nostalgic sounds of 90’s rave culture and has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Youtube. Cizmic’s productions, along with his ability to effortlessly drift through different genres and musical styles, have earned the artist a ravenous reputation on the internet and beyond.
️◾️ Overland ◾️ Canadian dance music heroine, Jodie Overland comes to New York from her hometown in Vancouver where she works tirelessly as an event producer and DJ. Her sets are always surprising, but you can expect a unique blend of acid, industrial, and Detroit techno.
Save the date on October 25th and 26th for two nights featuring four stages, festival art, and mysterious happenings into the morning.