Brian Dewan drew the record jackets for Neutral Milk Hotel and They Might Be Giants, and he also collects and sings little-known folk songs. Here he spends about forty minutes at the edge of Snug Harbor's pond singing sea shanties and river ballads at Serpentine Sibyls, Daniel Rothbart's sculptural vessels floating on the water. If you like live music strange, small and outdoors, this is the most specific forty minutes on the calendar.
What to expect
The performance happens outdoors at the pond between the P3 and P4 parking areas, not in a hall. You stand or sit close to the floating sculptures while Dewan sings maritime songs for around forty minutes, after which Rothbart's invited collaborators continue with their own short performances against the same installation.
Good to know
- Snug Harbor is roughly a ten-minute S40 bus ride from the St. George ferry terminal, so factor the crossing into your plan
- Registration is required even though it is free — reserve through Snug Harbor before you travel
- The pond sits between the P3 and P4 lots; follow the campus site map rather than guessing from the main entrance
- It is outdoors and largely standing, so bring sun cover, water and shoes you can wear on grass
- The set is short, which leaves the botanical gardens and the Newhouse Center galleries for the rest of the afternoon
- Suits adults and older kids who can stay quiet through a folk set; this is a listening event, not a singalong
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Common questions
Do I need to register?
Yes. Admission is free but Snug Harbor lists registration as required, so book a spot in advance rather than arriving cold.
How long does it last?
Dewan sings for about forty minutes. Daniel Rothbart's Meditation | Mediation performances follow, so the full afternoon programme runs longer.
Where exactly on the campus is it?
At the pond between the P3 and P4 parking areas. Snug Harbor's site map, linked from the event page, marks the spot.
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