Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
"Wild Rumpus" In Brooklyn Tonight To Celebrate Maurice Sendak's Life
By
Jen Carlson
Published May 8, 2012
Modified May 8, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published May 8, 2012
Modified May 8, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Sendak and friend (via the AP)
There's going to be a Wild Rumpus tonight in Brooklyn to celebrate the life of Maurice Sendak, who died earlier today at his home in Connecticut. Ron Lieber, who is helping to get the word out, tells us it will happen from 11 p.m. until midnight tonight at the Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope—"bring books to read, memories, stories, songs, things to eat or drink. We're trying to get a batch of morning cake together, too. Rabbi Andy Bachman will preside."
The morning cake!
Lieber explained that Rabbi Bachman "dreamed this up," as he and co-organizer Cantor Josh Breitzer are both huge Sendak fans. And this afternoon Bachman told us why he was moved to organize the celebration: "Maurice Sendak, a great son of Brooklyn, reminded us all that as children it was perfectly normal to fear the dark and allow our imaginations to provide light and comfort as we moved to other states of mind. His wicked sense of humor and honesty are already greatly missed and since we now live in a world where one can literally see books disappearing, we could not think of a more fitting celebration of his heroic career than to read his words into the first dark night of our grief without him."
They're still pulling things together, but have organized a Facebook page where they'll be posting more information as plans solidify. At press time it states, "celebration of the life and work of this Brooklyn-born children's book artist... with a dark side. In the words of one fan, we will honor his memory by 'drinking/reading/musicking' tonight in our Sanctuary alongside BanG Studio's Jacob's Ladder." You are also invited to bring a can of "chicken soup with rice" to donate to City Harvest.
Tagged
brooklyn
maurice sendak
rabbi andy bachman
wild rumpus
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 11:18 a.m. ET
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .