Photos by Steven
The chess tables inside the Seventh and A entrance to Tompkins Square Park remain behind barricades since the fatal double shooting on July 12.
And we couldn't help but notice a new barricade on the scene...
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Openings: Gizmo on 14th Street
Photos by Stacie Joy
ICYMI: Gizmo is now open in its new storefront at 626 E. 14th St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.
Rosa Malmed and Hossein Amid, the husband-and-wife owners (far right below), debuted the space last Tuesday. They hosted a small gathering for neighbors ...
The sewing supply and repair business is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The phone number is (212) 477-2773. (A new website is in the works.)
Until the end of February, Gizmo lived at 160 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street for 32 years. Their landlord did not offer them a lease renewal.
Breaking the blockchain: Crypto drama hits East Village stage
Here are details via the EVG inbox...
Set in the East Village, "Happenstance" follows the story of a man facing prison time for his role in the early development of Bitcoin. As he grapples with his fate, his family and girlfriend pull him in different legal, financial and spiritual directions, exploring themes of freedom, morality and the human impact of cryptocurrency.Schiller runs the features and opinion desks at CoinDesk, the crypto-journo outlet that broke the FTX scandal. He drew inspiration from real-life figures like the disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried to craft a human story within the often technical world of Bitcoin."Happenstance" breaks new ground as one of the first plays to make Bitcoin a central theme, boldly bringing cryptocurrency to the stage in New York City.
The play is scheduled for five performances tomorrow through Saturday at the Red Room/KGB Bar, 85 E. Fourth St., between Second Avenue and the Bowery. Find times and tickets here.
A $1 store for Avenue A
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Incoming new store alert!
The under-renovation (and long-empty) retail space at 33 Avenue A will be a "Family Dollar-style store," per the workers on the job.
So maybe like the 99-cent store at 73 First Ave. next to Rite Aid? Dunno!
We're trying to remember what was last here between Second Street and Third Street — Venus Body Arts, which closed in 2017?
Anyway, keep an eye on the storefront between Joyful Nails and 31A Laundromat in the retail spaces of First Houses.
Closings: A-Roll Bar and Grill on St. Mark's Place
A for-rent sign is now in the front window.
The sit-down skewer shop, operated by Nobu vet Kacey Yeh and part of a Chinese chain, seemed to have a lot of potential. (Eater gave it high marks.)
Unfortunately, until very recently, the storefront was mostly obscured by the sidewalk bridge and scaffolding of the neighboring 9-story office building, which has seen a long slog toward completion. Plus, there are many casual food options on this block of St. Mark's Place.
Monday, October 21, 2024
Noted
Photos by William Klayer
Someone has placed a screen over these LinkNYC kiosks along First Avenue... with one noting: "And so the most powerful country in the world has handed over all of its affairs to a carnival barker" ... while another reads: "See Your Country Clearly."
Updated 10/22
William Klayer provides an update, noting that workers have removed the screens over the two LinkNYC kiosks, which caused no damage, and are returning us to our usual programming of trivia and ads.
Canines, crowds, cops and chaos: At the annual Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Given the many unknowns and last-minute approvals (we documented this here), the 34th edition of the Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade on Saturday was as chaotic as expected — at least behind the scenes.
This year, the event was reduced to a parade processional only — there were no contests, judges, emcees, stage, or prizes. Anyone interested in walking in the parade with their dressed-up pooch had to register at 13th Street and Avenue B. The parade started on Avenue A and 13th Street and ended at Seventh Street.
The city placed barricades along Avenue A for parade watchers — and they turned out in droves.
The city seemed to underestimate how many people might be interested in watching a well-known and publicized event featuring adorable dogs in costumes on a picture-perfect fall day.
First, let's look at the participants... there were many clever and creative costumes (nicely done, given the last-minute scramble to announce how to participate)...
The beginning of the parade got underway OK at 12:30 p.m. (30 minutes earlier than advertised), though it was slow going. The NYPD's Community Affairs unit led the march on Avenue A. (In hindsight, letting the participants go one at a time instead of in a mob may have been better.)
While there was a heavy police presence, sources told us that the NYPD called in law-enforcement reinforcements who were previously working the National Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Parade on 26th Street and Madison Avenue.
The NYPD stopped the parade at 1:19 p.m., and after all the wristbands were dispersed, no more attendees were permitted. Regardless, several people either created fake wristbands or snuck into the parade.
The police formed a human chain to move everyone back and set up barricades to prevent people from entering Tompkins Square Park from Avenue A. 
People eventually streamed into the Park anyway, which isn't set up to handle large crowds without more than three porta-potties.
The Park field house remains under renovation. The city will supply additional porta-potties for events like the Dance Parade and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, though no one thought to do this for the Dog Parade. (Last year's edition was initially canceled, then revived and included a parade on Avenue B and a costume contest in the center of Tompkins.)
There were other issues, such as the fact that no volunteers from the New York City Community Emergency Response Team (NYC CERT) showed up to assist as promised.
Joseph Borduin, the volunteer parade producer, was left frustrated and angry over the city's ongoing lack of cooperation and the long wait with bureaucratic stumbling blocks to get the event up and running in the hours before.
Officials dragged their feet on scheduling a walkthrough with city agencies to approve the parade route, which meant Bourduin and his organizers couldn't release any details for participants until the last minute.
It's possible that we saw our last Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade. The event and the crowds it attracts have simply outgrown the Park — even when large swaths aren't closed for construction.
The Dog Parade/Festival occurred in East River Park in 2018, 2019 and 2021. A mostly tree-less East River Park, currently gutted with few available amenities, is several years away from being usable.
Ultimately, finding volunteers willing to endure the thankless chore and stress of navigating the maze of city bureaucracy may be difficult.
About a new home for Baker Falls on the Lower East Side
Photo and reporting by Stacie Joy
After a year at 101 Avenue A, Baker Falls is heading south.
East Village resident Nick Bodor has signed a lease to take over 192 Allen St. between Houston and Stanton — the former Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 — where he'll create his "decrepit-manor in the woods fever-dream alt-rock concept."
Bodor received his approval for a liquor license at a recent CB3 SLA committee meeting and expects to have the new license in hand in about three months. He may open a cafe in the interim, but plans are in flux.
He told us he wants to showcase performance art in the venue, which will have a 150-person capacity, affordable tickets, and a focus on "old-school EV/LES performance art."
"I'd like to book acts like an absurdist clown or a Victorian shadow-puppet theater" with "two to three acts per night of curated content and experimental programming. An indie space, a social club for weirdos," he said.
Baker Falls, which featured a bar, cafe and some live performances, anchored the latest iteration of the Knitting Factory at the longtime former home of the Pyramid Club between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.
That space is currently closed (as of late July) for extra soundproofing.
While Bodor will still be involved with the Knitting Factory (he has a percentage), a known operator is taking over and rebranding the space, hoping for a legacy name. We will have more on that story soon.
Previously on EV Grieve:
• Generation next: Baker Falls will bring together a cafe, bar and the Knitting Factory at the former Pyramid Club on Avenue A (Nov. 28, 2022)
Houston Village Farm hasn't been open lately
There isn't any signage up about a closure, temporary or otherwise. (The Sunday papers were attached to the entrance.)
Items for sale inside the shop had dwindled this past month (another development that sparked speculation).
Houston Village Farm closed in the spring of 2022 due to slow business and high rent. New owners took over the space in 2022, but the store name remained unchanged.
H/T Stacie J., Steven and Tia for photos this past week.
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Sunday's parting shot
The artist-illustrator will do a slide lecture and cartoon concert at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery on 10th Street and Second Avenue on Tuesday evening at 7:30.
He'll be in Tompkins Square Park early Saturday evening (6:30).
Find more Drooker here.
Week in Grieview
• Live from 1st Avenue: East Village Radio continues to bolster its programming (Monday)
• A rally to landmark the historic New York Eye and Ear Infirmary (Tuesday)
• After 5-month closure due to fire, a renovated TabeTomo reopens (Monday)
• At the debut of Boycott Sleep, an artist-led collective aspiring to redefine live music spaces (Friday)
• Can you spot the new building going up on 14th Street and Avenue C? (Tuesday)
• The beet goes on: The acclaimed Veselka doc gets a streaming and Blu-ray release date (Friday)
• Celebrating the life of Reagan Youth's Paul 'Cripple' Bakija at Niagara (Friday)
• Scratch that: The random songs of the 80s and 90s return to Key Food (Wednesday)
• The Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade will go on — or will it? Why no one seems to know. (Tuesday) ... Here's what you need to know about the Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade (Friday)
• Signage alert: L&L Hawaiian Barbeque and Tōka Chef Kitchen on Allen Street (Monday)
• This week in milling and paving (Thursday)
• The HEYTEA brand is opening an outpost on 2nd Avenue (Tuesday)
• Openings: Cuts & Slices on Houston (Thursday)
• 1 St. Mark's Place gets lit (Friday)
• Closings: Dora on Avenue B (Wednesday)
• Lollo Ristorante Pizzeria & Bar has not been open lately on Avenue B (Wednesday)
Sunday's opening shot
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Carve out some fun at the Parkside Lounge
Photo and text by Stacie Joy
From left: Sarah Schwartz and Sawyer Mitchell
It's time for the annual BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) event at the Parkside Lounge tomorrow (Sunday!) evening from 6 to 11.
You bring a pumpkin and the bar provides the carving tools... it's free and for all ages (it's mostly outdoors, so kids are welcome). And there are prizes.
The Parkside is on the corner of Houston and Attorney.
Here's what you need to know about the Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade
Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
10/20 FYI update: We'll have our recap from the event tomorrow...
After A LOT of drama and uncertainty, the 34th edition of the Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade is happening today (Saturday) from 1-3 p.m.
The parade starts at 1 p.m. on Avenue A and 13th Street and ends on Seventh and A. The event has been reduced to a parade processional only — there will be no contests, judges, emcees, stage or prizes.
Anyone interested in walking in the parade must register at 13th Street and Avenue B, with the line starting at 11:30 a.m. (You will need a bracelet to participate, and then you will be directed from 13th and B to the wait/line start of the parade at 13th and A.)
"I'm sorry for the late notice of details to those who want to walk in the parade. The city is letting 800 people walk this year [last year was 400], and it's first come, first serve," said Joseph Borduin, the volunteer parade producer. "To the community, I'm sorry if the M14A bus diversion affects you during the street closure."
Organizers previously said there had been a frustrating and ongoing lack of cooperation from the City and a long wait with numerous bureaucratic stumbling blocks.
He continued: "I tried to do the best I could with the dog run's resources, but this parade needs more community involvement to be a successful event from which the entire community can benefit."
Previously on EV Grieve:
Friday, October 18, 2024
'Picture' this
Los Angeles-based trio julie recently released its first record, My Anti-Aircraft Friend.
The above video is for the previously released "pg.4 a picture of three hedges."
The band (and one that we like!) headlines Webster Hall on 11th Street this coming Tuesday night.
Celebrating the life of Reagan Youth's Paul 'Cripple' Bakija at Niagara
A celebration of his life and music will be held on Sunday (4-8 p.m.) at Niagara, 112 Avenue A at Seventh Street.
Read more about the influential early 80s punk-hardcore band here.
At the debut of Boycott Sleep, an artist-led collective aspiring to redefine live music spaces
Photos and text by Stacie Joy
The night of Sept. 27 saw the debut of Boycott Sleep, an artist-led collective creating spaces for live music outside the existing venues.
The event took place at the Pretty Garden Club, 99 Canal St. at Orchard Street, on the fourth floor, which they share with the Banner of Christ Church.
Julia Pierce, lead singer of Tits Dick Ass, produced the show with help from Ozzie at Show Brain...
Pierce wants to showcase more avant-garde sound and art in venue spaces like this loft at Pretty Garden Club.
This show featured three emerging bands — Genre Is Death, Avishag Cohen Rodrigues (who also plays in cumgirl8) and Popular (featuring Pierce) — and one established band, 1980s noise legends Live Skull. Kat Imperial also played a DJ set. (Admission is $11.)
"Artists working together who are like-minded and support each other," Pierce says.
We arrived early to take in the jagged and atmospheric noise pop of Genre Is Death, whose first EP drops on Oct. 13...
We also caught the genre-bending sounds of Avishag Cohen Rodrigues...
... seen here with cumgirl8 bandmate Veronika Vilim...
... and Kat Imperial...
We couldn't stick around for Live Skull's late set, but we did spot vocalist-guitarist Mark C.
... and some faces in the crowd...
The next Boycott Sleep is scheduled for Nov. 1 at 99 Canal St.
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