An afternoon of 'M E L O D Y' at 9 Avenue B

Over at 9 Avenue B between Houston and Second Street, 2B&2C: The Ken Cro-Ken Memorial Foundation continues to offer a variety of arts and programming for the community. 

Here's more about an afternoon performance tomorrow (3 p.m. Sunday) via the EVG inbox...

"M E L O D Y" is a new work that brings together an ensemble of acclaimed local musicians to perform an improvisation structured around a text by Mikhl Yashinsky. The text is inspired by a story by I.L. Peretz, "Migrations Of A Melody," which follows a melody from the moment it is born from the cries of the first child born in ancient days to its arrival here in New York City. Peretz's story explores music's spiritual nature and capacity to be reincarnated in various forms. 

The music is presented by 2B&2C to the public for a suggested donation of $10, which includes a glass of wine or free for those who choose not to donate. 

Per its website, "2B&2C: The Ken Cro-Ken Memorial Foundation cultivates and nurtures a thriving creative community engaged in interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, and environmental activism through visual arts, music, and dance." 

Ken Cro-Ken died in July 2020 of cancer.

9 Avenue B is for rent for the first time in eons

Eons! You may have noticed the recent arrival of the for lease signs outside 9 Avenue B between Houston and Second Street.

No. 9 watchers think that this storefront hasn't been in use for retail in more than 30-plus years. It was an office/storage space for Michael Chang, the previous landlord, according to one source.

Here's how the space was looking on the inside yesterday, courtesy of Stacie Joy...

The new era coincides with the sale of the building this past summer. Centennial Properties — aka the new 9300 Realty owned by convicted felon Steve Croman — is now the landlord. (You can read about Croman's post-prison dealings here.)

The retail space at 9 Avenue B — 1,000 square feet — has a monthly ask of $7,495.

No. 11 next door, also now owned by Croman, has been home for 40-plus years to Raul's Barber Shop. More on them in another post.