Photo by Derek Berg
A gripping moment on Second Avenue and Seventh Street on this first day of May...
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
The Ukrainian Museum revisits the early work of East Village-based photographer Peter Hujar
Peter Hujar, Young Self Portrait (IV), 1958
Courtesy The Ukrainian Museum/©The Peter Hujar Archive
The Ukrainian Museum on Sixth Street presents 75 photographs that feature some of the earliest work of iconic East Village-based photographer Peter Hujar (1934-1987).
Here's more via the Museum:
He was born to an immigrant family, and his Ukrainian grandmother raised him exclusively in the Ukrainian language until he was 5 years old. His difficult and unstable upbringing in a troubled household influenced his artistry and vision significantly as Hujar turned to a career in photography.
And...
The life and art of Peter Hujar were synonymous with a downtown New York that no longer exists. From the 1960s through the 1980s, the East Village was an urban buffet of creativity and danger, yet always vibrant and inexpensive. Private by nature, combative in manner, well-read, and widely connected, Hujar inhabited a world of the known and unknown.This exhibition at the Ukrainian Museum will feature 75 of Hujar’s earliest photographs — from 1955 until 1969. Portraits, country landscapes, and city life will be the focus of the exhibition. Yet, three important vectors or series that appeared in his work during this period will also be highlighted in-depth for the first time: the Southbury (1957), the Florence (1958), and the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo (1963).
"Peter Hujar: Rialto" opens tomorrow (May 2) and will be displayed through Sept. 1.
The Ukrainian Museum, located at 226 E. Sixth St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square, is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. (Several members-only events related to the exhibition are also available here.)
Hujar died of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1987. He was 53.
Hujar lived and worked above the Louis N. Jaffe Art Theater (today, the Village East by Angelika) on Second Avenue at 12th Street. Read more about the space where Jackie Curtis and David Wojnarowicz lived before and after Hujar right here.
An extension for 'Houses and Hotels' at O'Flarherty's on Avenue A
"Houses and Hotels," featuring longtime East Village resident Donna Dennis, part of the architectural sculpture movement of the early 1970s, spotlights a selection of the early work that helped launch her career.
Dennis created these pieces while living on St. Mark's Place (they were assembled elsewhere). She now lives in Germantown, N.Y.
The show has been extended through Sunday.
Gallery hours are today through Friday, 11 a.m. (or so) until 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 2-7 p.m.
Previously on EVG:
On Avenue B, a there-goes-the-neighborhood building sells for $43 million
Photo by Stacie Joy
The Villager, the 6-story apartment building that anchors the NW corner of Avenue B and Second Street, has a new owner.
According to TradedNY, Skyline Developers sold the 61-unit complex at 194 E. Second St. to Benchmark Real Estate Group for $43 million.
The building's completion in 1997 was seen by some as an (another) end-of-an-era/there-goes-the-neighborhood moment. (In reporting on the sale this week, Crain's called this a "Neighborhood-defining East Village rental.")
Previously, this corner was home to a gas station... shooting gallery ... and then, for a 10-year run, The Gas Station, aka Art Gallery Space 2B (or Space 2B Art Yard), a freewheeling arts and events space.
Per the Times:
For 10 years, the Gas Station, with its towering sculpture built from discards ranging from a 1970 Plymouth Valiant to department store mannequins to television sets, has been a symbol of the Lower East Side's Bohemian ways and artistic resolve.
Alex at Flaming Pablum has written about the Gas Station and this part of its history:
The Gas Station is probably most notorious for being the site of the final, calamitous performance by G.G. Allin & the Murder Junkies. After the show in question ended in a riot (not an atypical situation for the Geeg), Allin tromped off into the East Village afternoon with some new friends, only to overdose on smack later that evening, undermining his oft-stated intention to kill himself onstage.
The Gas Station was cleared out in 1996.
Kōbo by Nai has not been open lately
There isn't any notice of a temporary or permanent closure on the storefront or online. The Mediterranean restaurant no longer accepts reservations, and Kōbo has been removed from the main Nai website.
Meanwhile, someone looks to be packing up the interior...
The restaurant opened in late 2022.
This is the second establishment from Chef Ruben Rodriguez to close in the East Village in recent months, following Emilia by Nai on First Avenue.
Rodriguez still operates the original Nai at 84 Second Ave. near Fifth Street and Bad Hombre at 29 Second Ave.
Also on the block, Borrachito Taqueria & Spirits will not reopen at 206 Avenue A. It has been dark since January. Someone painted the marquee and added Bar TBA on March 30. (Thanks to EVG reader Joe for this photo from March.)
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
A new 'Prime' time for East Village burlesque host Tabby Twitch
Photo by Stacie Joy
Earlier this month, we featured Tabby Twitch's live burlesque show "Prime," which has found a home in the back room at the Gray Mare, the pub at 61 Second Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street.
"Prime focuses on performers at the height of their powers because I came to burlesque later in life. I want to show what it means to be 'in your prime,' with all the richness and experience that entails," Cortney told EVG's Stacie Joy. "Though I highlight burlesque performers, there is a salon feel to the evening. A vocalist performs, and I weave poetry throughout the night. My goal is for the audience to leave my show feeling relaxed and reinvigorated, in their prime regardless of their actual age."
The April 4 show was postponed... the next one is now set for this Thursday (May 2) at 8 p.m. Details here.
6 posts from April
• The untold story of Snack Dragon's attempted East Village comeback (April 23)
• D.A. Bragg announces indictment of suspect in 2 March shootings In Tompkins Square Park (April 16)
• East Village native Anna Colombia on pursuing photography and growing up in the neighborhood (April 11)
• Essex Card Shop robbed on Avenue A (April 6)
• The solar eclipse with the Second Avenue Star Watchers (April 8)
• Turn it up: East Village Radio returns this spring (April 1)
On the CB3-SLA docket: New operators for East Village classic Lucy's on Avenue A
With reporting by Stacie Joy
The owners of Golden Age Hospitality, whose portfolio includes buzzy establishments like Le Dive, The Nines and Deux Chats, seek to take over Lucy's, the decades-old East Village favorite that has been closed since late November.
According to public records, Golden Age reps are on Community Board 3's SLA committee meeting docket for May.
To date, only the application is online. The questionnaire, which includes more details about the method of operation, has yet to be posted.
Multiple tipsters have told us that Golden Age Hospitality's Jon Neidich was a big fan of Lucy's and was interested in buying the bar. (We're told Neidich once lived in the apartments above the bar at 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.)
During several conversations in February, Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that she had many potential suitors for the bar and may have a role in the new incarnation.
Neidich did not respond to previous emails about taking over Lucy's. We also contacted Golden Hospitality partner Craig Atlas, whose name appears on the CB3 application.
We also have not reached Lucy, who has owned her namesake bar since 1987, this spring. (Her home phone does not have an answering machine, and we have not seen her at the bar in more than six weeks.)
Meanwhile, there has been some activity inside the bar... in recent weeks someone has been stacking boxes and cleaning...
As we first reported, attorneys for the building's new landlord served her with a 30-day Notice of Termination in early February with a demand to vacate the space by the end of the month.
Her lease expired in May 2015, and she was on a month-to-month arrangement with the previous landlord. Lucy told us that her last rent was $8,000 per month, and the new landlord, as of late December (West Lake 135-139 Avenue A LLC), is asking for $25,000, though there might be some willingness to negotiate.
The bar (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern) has been closed since November when some paperwork issues forced what was to be a temporary closure.
From February: Lucy with Avenue A bookseller Jen Fisher. (Photo by Stacie Joy)
Previously on EV Grieve:
A ceremony to honor acclaimed photographer Saul Leiter on 10th Street
Per Village Preservation:
We will hear about Leiter’s approach to street photography, much of which took place in the East Village, and about the painterly quality of his color work and the features that made him one of the key figures in the New York school of photography.
This marks Village Preservation's 24th plaque unveiling ... including markers on the homes of notable figures such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Allen Ginsberg and Charles Mingus.
Learn more about the Leiter ceremony and program here. The event is free, though Village Preservation asks folks to register in advance.
A Luscious new market option on 2nd Avenue
Top photo by Stacie Joy
Luscious Market Deli has debuted at 68 Second Ave. on the SE corner of Fourth Street.
Signage for the market promises freshly prepared items for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
EVG reader Danimal, who shared the following two photos, offered a quick assessment: "It looks like a nice selection of hot food and pantry staples and NOT A SMOKE SHOP!" (Ed note: Woo.)
In 2021, the English-style pub Queen Vic became just Queen ... before evolving into Watering Hole. The for-rent sign showed up in September 2022.
Queen Vic had a decent run, opening in September 2010. This ended the revolving door of bars here with awnings, including 2x4, Ambiance and Evolution.
We don't know the etymology behind Luscious, a name not often associated with Boar's Head sandwiches. Maybe it's an homage to Luscious Jackson, whose members lived in the East Village back in the day.
Monday, April 29, 2024
Monday's parting shot
Photo by Derek Berg
A moment on Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place today... tentatively titled You Should Be Dancing.
Today in makeshift fire pits by the Hare Krishna tree in Tompkins Square Park
Top two photos by Joe; FDNY pic by Steven
We were told some "kids" (teens) decided to start a campfire of sorts by the Hare Krishna tree in the center of Tompkins Square Park (and just as the rain started around 5:15 p.m.)
The FDNY was there in minutes to extinguish the small blaze...
EVG reader Joe did get yelled at for taking the top photo instead of putting out the fire (even as the FDNY was already in the Park)...
Watch a large raccoon climb down a tree last night on 10th Street
After carefully exiting the tree, the raccoon scampered into the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center (where we had a sighting back in November).
The video gets NSFW at the 48-second mark when an onlooker randomly says what the raccoon can do...
The raccoon drew a crowd, including someone who remarked, "Oh shit — look how big it is!"
On the topic of the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center, there has been radio silence here since news of a sale hit in January.
Iconic East Village gay bar Boiler Room has closed ahead of move to a new location on 2nd Avenue
As previously reported, the no-frills LGBTQ+ bar is relocating around the corner to 45 Second Ave. between Third Street and Second Street...
The bar's Facebook page states that the new Boiler Room will open at the end of May in the space that was previously Timbuktu.
According to management, the building's landlord at 86 E. Fourth St. had them in a two-plus-year court battle over pandemic-related back rent payments. A judge ruled in favor of the landlord, who requires a lump-sum payment without negotiations for current and future rent.
Part of the new outpost will look familiar: Management said they were taking the well-worn bar from Fourth Street with them.
Previously on EV Grieve:
A Link5G tower for Avenue C
The EVG reader who shared this photo noted: "I'll never understand what force makes these exist."
Right-o!
The first 32-foot EV tower arrived in August 2022 on Second Avenue at First Street ... then another on Avenue A at 12th Street.
One was in the works for outside 184 E. Seventh St. at Avenue B, though there has been opposition to this one.
A quickie recap via amNY in 2022:
The new structures are operated as a public-private partnership by consortium CityBridge, and are a revamp of the old 10-foot kiosks the firm set up under former Mayor Bill de Blasio starting in 2015 with free Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, a tablet, a 911 button, and calling capabilities.
EVG readers nicknamed these things "Phal-link," "deBlasiooo," and "32feetOfGray," among others.
There has been political opposition to the 5G towers... read more about the advocacy that Village Preservation is doing here.
Coming attractions: The Oasis Cafe on Avenue A
The bakery-dessert shop, which started in Flushing, also has locations in Astoria and Midtown (and they ship their sweets like eclairs, cheesecake and cookies nationwide).
No word on an opening date.
The address was most recently Auriga Cafe... and before that, the world-famous Empire Biscuit.
Openings: Hidden Grounds Chai & Coffee House on 3rd Avenue
The brand, which now includes eight locations (six in New Jersey and one in Brooklyn), started on the Rutgers campus in 2013.
This location offers several pastries and a variety of coffee and chai options to go. Find the menu here.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday -Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday's parting shot
Photo by Jacob Ford
A scene from a conversation today at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery on Second Avenue and 10th Street with East Village native Ada Calhoun.
The author-journalist discussed her work, including the must-read books "St. Marks Is Dead" and "Also a Poet: Frank O’Hara, My Father, and Me."
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