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

PortSide has found many ways and places to run our distinctive H2O arts programs.

Some high points

Summer 2010
We ran events in three locations, Sunset Park, the Red Hook Container Port, and Atlantic Basin where we 44 events during our two-month stay. Event list and photos.

A Book Launch Where Ships Launch
The Graving Dock by Gabriel Cohen
November 2007, we ran the first cultural event in GMD Shipyard, in their Tailshaft+Valve Shop. "Best book event I ever attended," said one book publisher. Attendees ogled and photographed the huge graving dock where welding was underway on the tugboat exhaust stacks. Inside, guests 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.  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. 

Tanker Opera
September 2007, we inaugurated our H2O Arts program with this unprecedented, staging of Puccini's Il Tabarro. This was the first public performance in a Port Authority terminal.  The tanker Mary A. Whalen was the main 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.