SONG OF BROOKLYN

When Walt Whitman wrote the poem that the Crossing Brooklyn Ferry Festival takes its name from, the ferry served as the main means of transportation between inner city and outer borough. These days, those boats are used more for first dates and Ikea runs, but BAM and the brothers Dessner (of the National) pay homage to them nonetheless, by offering three days of indie rock and left-field movies. Tonight, the Walkmen, Sharon Van Etten, Twin Shadow, and Zs—all locals—kick things off, but stick around because performances by St. Vincent, the Antlers, Ava Luna, Beirut, Atlas Sound, Skeletons, and My Brightest Diamond will make Friday and Saturday equally spectacular.

Thu., May 3, 5 p.m., 2012