Last Call / the McCarren Park Pool@Lifestyle

On Saturday Sonic Youth played the final concert at the McCarren Park Pool in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, before renovations are expected to begin to return it to swimmers.

Left, Patrick Barr handed out fliers to concertgoers.

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

The pool has earned a reputation as the ultimate boho Brooklyn scene, drawing tens of thousands of people for weekly concerts, movies and other performances each summer, particularly for free Sunday shows put on by the Brooklyn promoters JellyNYC.

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

Raul Roman Sr., right, a Williamsburg, Brooklyn, native, had gone to the pool to swim as a child and visited it recently for an opera concert. He would have gone more often if there had been classic-rock concerts, he said, and he was looking forward to taking his granddaughter to swim.

Still, he said, the changes in the neighborhood exemplified by the crowds in the pool — and the high-rise apartment buildings now surrounding it — had made the area safer.

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

The new energy of the area was part of the attraction for Tina Thor, 45, a jewelry designer and manager for actors, who bought a $750,000 two-bedroom apartment overlooking the park last year.

“I love when there’s that music and there’s music from the kickball” games in the park, Ms. Thor added as she took her dog, Rickson, a Great Dane-boxer mix with a Louis Vuitton collar, out for a walk. “It’s so festive.” But, she added, “I’d still rather have a pool.”

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

Enid’s, a buzzy spot across the street from the park, had to hire extra waiters and cooks to deal with the pre- and postconcert crowds, said Sera McGovern, left, a manager there; now they will have to reshuffle that staff.

“I’m sad to see it go because it’s so good for business,” she said on Saturday, “but I’m kind of relieved that today is the last one. You get the floods of people all at the same time, and the bathroom lines even from people who don’t order. It’s so chaotic.”

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

The audience at Saturday night's concert ranged in age from second-generation rockist kids to 50-something Sonic Youth fans.

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

For many locals, a trip to the pool became as much a weekend tradition as brunch or hangovers, a no-planning-necessary good time and a place to see friends and be seen.

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

The McCarren pool phenomenon was among the best documented of the city’s summertime diversions. It attracted local celebrities: the audience for the last show included the musicians Norman Reedus and Rain Phoenix; the actor and musician Michael Pitt; Craig Finn, the singer of the Hold Steady, which played at McCarren; and Michelle Williams and Spike Jonze.

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

Though Sonic Youth did not sell out, many people picnicked outside or stopped by the gates to listen.

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

One man climbed a tree for a view over the fence.

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

Backstage after the Sonic Youth show, Thurston Moore, whose band, left, has played at the pool every year since it has been open for music, said he would miss it.

“It’s always been kind of sweet — sweet sounding, sweet vibe,” he said. But, he added, “I’m looking forward to coming here and doing the backstroke.”

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

If renovation plans are approved by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, swimmers may return as early as 2011.

Photo: Andrew Henderson/The New York Times

@Source: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/09/01/arts/20080901_POOL_SLIDESHOW_index.html