MCA Day 2014 Comes to a Close @MCADAYNYC @beastieboys @adrock

MCA Day 2013 was awesome.  MCA Day 2014 was even better.

This year’s MCA Day began on Friday with a really cool promotion in Union Square.  It featured breakdancing monks.  It was a lot of fun and I was able to zip down there during lunch to see it.  After Union Square, they headed to Washington Square Park (I couldn’t attend).

MCA Day was Saturday at Littlefield, Brooklyn, New York (same venue as last year).  It’s the perfect venue for this type of event. It’s only a 5 minute walk from the R train.  There are two exhibition areas, one in the front next to a bar (good beer and liquor) and one in the rear of the venue, along with the stage.

Panorama of the stage area. Kevin Bednarz seen working on the left.

Panorama of the stage area. Kevin Bednarz seen working on the left.

You know you’re in the right area because Dave Sussman’s car is parked right out front.  This same car was used to pick up Danny Boy of House of Pain from the airport.  As you approach the front door, the first thing you see if Danny Boy sitting with some folk at a table (how cool is that ?!?!).

Dave Sussman's car

Dave Sussman’s car

When you walk through the front door, the bar is on the right.  To your left is a table with a guest book and lots of free schwag (stickers, buttons, flyers). The room is full of amazing art, including a piece that Cey Adams had been working on for seven days straight trying to get it done in time…and had just finished the night before.  Cey had told Mike Kearny (the founder of MCA Day) to leave space on the wall for his piece.

People posing with Cey Adams in front of his art work

People posing with Cey Adams in front of his art work

I saw Cey walking around talking to and taking pictures with fans.  Cey is a super-friendly nice guy.

Seldom seen photos

Seldom seen photos

Seldom seen photos

Seldom seen photos

Delta Bravo Project photos

Delta Bravo Project photos

Delta Bravo Project photos

Delta Bravo Project photos

Delta Bravo Project photos

Delta Bravo Project photos

Great art work

Great art work

Seldom seen photos

Seldom seen photos

Free flyers, stickers, buttons and sign-in book

Free flyers, stickers, buttons and sign-in book

By noon, the place was packed. Twice as many people as last year. They ran out of beer and had to order more. Long bathroom line. After last year’s MCA Day, word must have gotten around that Beastie fans can’t miss this event. People flew in from around the world. MCA Day founder, Mike Kearny, took to the stage to say how appreciative he was.

People hanging out

People hanging out

Punk rock is good for you

Punk rock is good for you

Mike Kearny appreciating the huge turnout

Mike Kearny appreciating the huge turnout

DJ Hurricane was in attendance last year, but I wasn’t sure if he’d be here this year. Then, I found out that he had just RSVP’d the day before. He didn’t want to miss it. He talked to and took photos with fans, interviewed by reporters.

DJ Hurricane being interviewed

DJ Hurricane being interviewed

Mike Kearny, Dave Sussman, DJ Hurricane, Cey Adams

Mike Kearny, Dave Sussman, DJ Hurricane, Cey Adams

DJ Hurricane, Cey Adams

DJ Hurricane, Cey Adams

DJ Hurricane, Cey Adams, Michelle Lawlor

DJ Hurricane, Cey Adams, Michelle Lawlor

DJ Hurricane  talking with Mike Kearny

DJ Hurricane talking with Mike Kearny

There were a few breakdancing groups in attendance, including the most adorable couple of kids. I couldn’t believe how good they were.

Breakdance masters

Breakdance masters

People were standing in the back room watching a compilation of Beastie Boy vids, listening to jams being mixed by a number of DJs, including Dante, who generously donated their time. IMG_8924

Spinning tunes

Spinning tunes

Spinning tunes

Spinning tunes

People watching a compilation of Beastie Boy vids

People watching a compilation of Beastie Boy vids

People watching a compilation of Beastie Boy vids

People watching a compilation of Beastie Boy vids

Cey Adams took the stage briefly to talk about Adam Yauch, as well as the art piece he had been rushing to get finished for MCA Day.

Cey Adams recalling MCA and talking about painting he just finished working on.

Cey Adams recalling MCA and talking about painting he just finished working on.

Then, Bill McMullen ‘Billions McMillions’ took the stage. He spent a good 15 minutes talking about working with Adam Yauch and how brilliant he was. Adam would call him in the middle of the night with different ideas he had running through his head. Yauch was a big fan of Peter Sellers. He called Bill one night doing one of Sellers’ characters, calling Bill ‘Billions McMillions.’ This is how the name was coined.

Bill 'Billions McMillions' McMullen

Bill ‘Billions McMillions’ McMullen

Bill 'Billions McMillions' McMullen recalling MCA

Bill ‘Billions McMillions’ McMullen recalling MCA

Bill 'Billions McMillions' McMullen recalling MCA

Bill ‘Billions McMillions’ McMullen recalling MCA

Bill 'Billions McMillions' McMullen recalling MCA

Bill ‘Billions McMillions’ McMullen recalling MCA

Mike Kearny stalked Darryl McDaniels aka DMC of RUN DMC at a charity event at Lucky Strike bowling in Boston.  He was able to push his way past reporters and get some great MCA stories.  This video also includes tributes from Rakim from Eric B and Rakim, Monie Love, Chuck D and Doug E. Fresh.

NYC Fresh Crew.

Shortly after I left, Mixmaster Mike, came and spoke.  Kicking myself for missing him.

Rest in peace, Adam Yauch.

Kevin Bednarz work in progress

Kevin Bednarz work in progress

Kevin Bednarz finished drawing.

Kevin Bednarz finished drawing.

People soaking up the cool vibes.

People soaking up the cool vibes.

Entrance to the stage area.

Entrance to the stage area.

The bar

The bar

People hanging out

People hanging out

People enjoying the awesome artwork

People enjoying the awesome artwork

Cey Adams art he finished the night before, after working on it for seven days

Cey Adams art he finished the night before, after working on it for seven days

Awesome

Awesome

IMG_8919

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MCA Day 2014 Promo Comes to Union Square @mcadaynyc @dannyboy1968 @beastieboys @mrchuckd @ceyadams

Today, Michael Kearny and company kicked off MCA Day 2014 with a special promotion in New York City’s Union Square.  MCA Day regulars from around the world, including Danny Boy from House of Pain and Coka Nostra waited in anticipation.

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Then, at a little after 12pm, break dancing monks appeared. Their crew performed some kick ass moves.  Watch below.

MCA Day 2014 takes place tomorrow (Saturday) at Littlefield in Brooklyn.  Celebrate the Life of Adam Yauch. This will be the third annual MCA Day.  The first one was impromptu and took place in Union Square shortly after Adam Yauch’s death.  Last year’s was also in Littlefield.

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Bret Michaels at the Hard Rock Cafe NYC

Bret Michaels of Poison and Hard Rock Cafe NYC Bret Michaels of Poison Hard Rock Cafe NYC Bret Michaels of Poison and PJ Farley of Trixter Hard Rock Cafe NYC Bret Michaels of Poison and PJ Farley of Trixter Hard Rock Cafe NYCBret Michaels of Poison performed Every Rose Has Its Thorn today at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City NYC.  He was promoting the Hard Rock’s new menu and Sing for Your Supper.  If you sang karaoke with the Zoo Band, you won a free meal.  The Zoo Band features Trixter’s PJ Farley on bass.  They were chosen best cover band on MTV.

No ticket was necessary.  You just needed to go inside.

Bret Michaels of Poison and PJ Farley of Trixter Hard Rock Cafe NYC

It was a great surprise…going there to see Brett Michaels and getting to see PJ perform, as well.

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Ron Gallagher and Impractical Jokers at Bergen PAC

Saw Ron Gallagher last night at Bergen PAC.  Spotted Brian Quinn and Sal Vulcano from Impractical Jokers in the lobby.  They were there to interview Gallagher for their @WhatSayYouPod podcast.  Gallagher didn’t seem to know who they were and was wondering why they were getting mobbed by fans.

I sat second row, center.  The jokers were right orchestra, fifth row.  There were also two girls with shirts that had Gallagher on the front and What Say You on the back.  The girls were so annoying.  They kept getting up to go for beers and kept bringing the show to a halt.  There were fifty podcast fans there.  They follow Sal and Brian when they have this outings.
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Gallagher plugged the podcast throughout the show.

Brian and Sal wouldn’t keep quiet.  They kept shouting things out and tried to get a chant going with an obscure reference from their television show, “Let’s Go Sexy.”  It was like a Harlem movie theater.

Gallagher was great, as always.  Quick, analytical wit and a messy grand finale…watermelons and all.  Gallagher referenced the fact that this is his last tour and thinks he’ll be dead soon.  He also referred to the videos online of his past on-stage heart attacks.  However, he was still using the Sledge-o-Matic even though his doctors told him no to.

Ron Gallagher says he’s been writing songs and wants to pitch them to Gloria Estefan when he plays their Miami theater this month.  This song is about the Ten Commandments.

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