Like a tree that grows between sidewalk cracks, Rubulad continues to defy the growing corporatocracy and homogeneity of New York City, persevering in a radical inclusivity, joyful spontaneity, and handmade DIY aesthetic that resists commodification, since 1993. Rubulad is an eclectic wonderland of experiences, from the papier-mâché art installations and wild art murals that dress each room, to costumed revelers, and a madcap array of celebratory performances that could include puppetry, spoken word, marching bands, film screenings, acrobats, burlesque dancers,
jazz combos, and DJ music.
A central part of Rubulad’s mission is the creation of employment opportunity to sustain New York’s artistic community. Each event provides work for 30-50 visual artists, musicians, and performers of all disciplines. Rubulad also helps remedy the extreme lack of affordable arts space in New York City by providing a place where other artists can rehearse, create art pieces, fundraise, gather, and mobilize. Now approaching three decades as Brooklyn’s longest-running underground art space, Rubulad has inspired a generation.
A tiny fragment of the list of thousands of artists, musicians and creators who have performed at, or contributed to Rubulads:
Antibalas
Moldy Peaches
Joey Arias
Phoebe Legere
Ken Butler
The Circus Amok Band
Kenny Wollesen
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
The Budos Band
Les Sans Culottes
Ari Up (The Slits)
Zero Boy
Lady Rizo
The Rogers Sisters
The Wau Wau Sisters
The Reverend Vince Anderson
MK Groove Orchestra
Fly Ashtray
Sxip Shirey
Amanda Palmer
The Hungry March Band
Smack Dab
Darrell Thorne
Christeene
Funkrust Brass Band
The End of World Circus
Terry Dame's Electric Junkyard Gamelan
Vic Thrill and the Saturn Missile
Larkin Grimm
Simone White
Brian Fisherman Band
Puppets Come Home
Jonathan Toubin (Soul Clap)
Mike Simonetti
$mall Change (WFMU)
Wm Berger (WFMU)
John S. Hall
King Missile
Dogbowl
Golem
The Homosexuals
DJ Cherrystone
DJ Dirtyfinger
Anna Copacabanna
God is My Co-Pilot
Machine Dazzle
Viva DeConcini's Rock & Roll Burlesque
Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds
Gary Lucas' Gods and Monsters
Rev. Billy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir
Eric Davis (Red Bastard)
Fur Cups for Teeth
Flaming Fire
World Inferno Friendship Society
Hamish Kilgour (The Clean)
Erica Dawn Lyle (Bikini Kill)
Darlinda, Just Darlinda
Julie Atlas Muz
Tony Torn
The Star Spangles
Big Freedia
Shelly Mars
Challenge of the Future
Jon Spencer
DJ Nicodemus
DJ Shotnez (Balkan Beat Box)
DJ Eugene Hutz (Gogol Bordello)
Jessica Delfino
Billy Syndrome
The Special Moments
Stratotanker
Preacher Mann and the Revival
Moisturizer
Bob Bert
Lisa Carver
DJ Pork Chop
Uproot Andy
Gekko Jones
Theophobia
Cameron Christopher Stuart (plays)
Normandy Sherwood (plays)
Tunde Adipimpe (TV on the Radio)
Dirty Martini
Wooing
Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players
Corn Mo
The Warlocks
Ratas En Zelo
Adira Amram
Oneida
The Smoke Rings
Morricone Youth
Extra Action Marching Band
Gato Loco
Veveritze
Tredicci Bacci
Moonlighters
L train Brass Band
Fulaso