Showing posts with label Astor Place. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Astor Place. Show all posts

Friday, February 28, 2020

Today in ads for Zipcar on Astor Place



A reader shared the above photo from Astor Place this morning... showing a car under what's meant to be a mound of snow (remember when it used to snow here in the winter?)

Here's a closer look at what turns out to be an ad for Zipcar... here are photos via EVG Zipcar Ad Correspondent Steven ... showing some details on the snowbank...









Noticeably missing — a design by one of the many Penistrators ...

Monday, February 24, 2020

[Updated] Report of a fatality at the Astor Place station


Several readers have passed along information that there are extensive delays on the 4, 5 and 6 trains this afternoon (as of 3:30 p.m.).

According to the MTA and various social media users, a man on the tracks was struck by a southbound 6 train at Astor Place around 3 p.m.

In an alert at 4:18 p.m., the MTA reported that service was resuming. However, the MTA says southbound 6 trains are skipping Astor Place as the NYPD and FDNY continue their investigation.

Will post more information as it becomes available.

Updated:

Per the Post:

Monday’s victim was already on the roadbed in the East Village station when a southbound No. 6 train ran over him around 3 p.m., cops said. He was declared dead at the scene.

It was not immediately clear how the victim ended up in the tracks, police said.

A man was also struck by a train at Astor Place yesterday morning. He was walking along the tracks, according to published reports. He was expected to survive his injuries.

Updated 2/26

According to Gothamist, the victim was an 80-year-old man, who jumped on the tracks to retrieve an item he dropped.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Lubing the Cube



EVG contributor Derek Berg came across this scene today on Astor Place... where workers from the Village Alliance were lubricating the Alamo, an annual event to keep the Cube able to spin on its pedestal.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Police looking for suspect who spraypainted swastikas on Astor Place

Here are details via the 9th Precinct's Twitter feed...

Here's the full photo that the NYPD released...



Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Is Facebook leaving Astor Place?



Facebook is reportedly in talks to lease space at the revamped Farley Building (the former James A. Farley Post Office) across from Madison Square Garden, according to Lois Weiss at the Post.

The company had also been said to be looking at Hudson Yards.

So why are we writing about this? To the Post!

It’s unclear what will happen to Facebook’s current NYC offices, including 758,000 square feet at 770 Broadway and 266,000 square feet at 225 Park Avenue. So.

Both Farley and 770 Broadway are owned by Vornado and its chairman Steve Roth, who has been wining and dining tech companies for years in an effort to lease them the top floors of the post office.

Roth, whose reps didn’t immediately return a request for comment, could cut Facebook a deal for Farley that also lets it off the hook for its current East Village lease, which expires in 2025.

Oh!

As you may recall, Kmart downsized its space at 770 Broadway, the landmarked building on Astor Place, in early 2018. There were reports in late 2017 and early 2018 that Vornado bought Kmart out of its lease on the second floor, which was revamped from low-price to high-tech for Facebook.

The smaller Kmart still has 82,000 square feet in building, including most of the property's ground-floor retail space as well as basement level.

Also, as you'll see in the top photo, Kmart recently unveiled a new logo on the building.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Kmart staying on Astor Place, minus the 2nd floor (for Facebook?)

Saturday, July 13, 2019

At the WitchsFest USA — A Pagan Street Faire



The eighth annual WitchsFest USA — A Pagan Street Faire took place today on Astor Place from Lafayette to Broadway... EVG contributor Steven shared these photos from the event, which included a variety of mystical energies...







---

And via Derek Berg...







... and also on-hand... not part of the actual Street Faire, but drawing attention ...



The WitchsFest USA — A Pagan Street Faire is today on Astor Place



The WitchsFest USA — A Pagan Street Faire is happening today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Astor Place between Broadway and Lafayette. Here's what to expect via the WitchsFest website:

On July 13 please join us ... as we present in its 8th Year, WitchsFest USA – A Pagan Street Faire: Join us for a Magickally Enchanted day charged with mystical energies in the heart of New York City’s East Village ...

We invite you to come dressed in your favorite costume of the woodland creatures of the Realms of the Fae, Nymphs, Satyrs, and much more. For a Magickally Witchey day of workshops meant to expand your knowledge of the Arts of Practical Magick and Witchey performances that will keep you spell bound throughout the day, culminating with a Summer Blessing Ritual.

Feel the Magick, feel the power, feel it here as it begins with the Gathering of Witches, Voodoo Priestess, Warlocks, Psychics, Pagan Information Groups and other teachers of their own Crafts, from within New York and around the United States as they share their wisdom with us. You’ll enjoy shopping from our many array of magickally enchanting vendors where you can purchase books signed by your favorite authors, jewelry, enchanted ritual tools, spells handmade by true beings of their own spiritual Crafts, and much, much, more!

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Monday, June 24, 2019

Is this the real life? Watch a group singalong of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on Astor Place at 3:30 a.m.



An EVG reader shared this video clip that was uploaded yesterday... showing a group singalong at the Sing for Hope piano on Astor Place. The description says this was at 3:30 a.m. Very, very frightening?

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Sunday's parting shot



Tonight's sunset from Astor Place by EVG reader Doug...

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Astor Piano



Thanks to Jefferson Siegel for this action shot of the Sing for Hope piano in use today on Astor Place... the piano, titled "Community of Dreams" and created by Joan Dilieto, will be here through June 23.

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Kick out the jams: The 'Community of Dreams' piano arrives on Astor Place



One of the 50-plus pianos that Sing for Hope is placing around the city this month has arrived on Astor Place... on the north plaza near the uptown 6...



The piano, titled "Community of Dreams," was created by Joan Dilieto in collaboration with Hetrick-Martin Institute and SVA.



The piano is expected to be here through June 23... then it's off to find a new home in an NYC city school.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Here's the Sing for Hope piano for Astor Place


[Image via Instagram]

Starting today, the NYC-based nonprofit Sing For Hope will once again place 50 colorfully decorated pianos in parks and other locations around the five boroughs through June 23. The program is now in its eighth year.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Tompkins Square Park will host a piano as in previous years. (Unless Sing for Hope forgot to add it to the piano map.)

However, Astor Place will have a piano titled "Community of Dreams" created by Joan Dilieto in collaboration with Hetrick-Martin Institute and SVA. Here's more about her:

Born and raised in NY, with studios in both Red Hook and Capri, Italy, Joan has been a painter for many years bridging both cultures into the texture of her work. With the roots of an islander, the sea is always present “as above, so below.” Painting beauty, painting fiction, a mythological narrative emerges. Rich with the ancient art of storytelling, a cast of characters led by the divine feminine lead us into their Byzantine world. Intrigue and identity converge with alchemy and transformation.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Our piano is a collaboration between School of Visual Arts and Hetrick-Martin Institute inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s quote “I dream of painting then I paint my dream.” The youth participants of HMI painted their dreams on tiles that are collaged together onto the rainbow flag. Collage as a metaphor for the extraordinary community of HMI, echoing Sing For Hope’s mantra of #artforall.

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Spencer Tunick brings #WeTheNipple to Astor Place in message to Facebook and Instagram



Spencer Tunick has orchestrated another mass photo shoot, this time on Astor Place early today.

Tunick has joined forces with the National Coalition Against Censorship for a project called #WeTheNipple. As artnet noted last month, "the effort is a direct challenge to Facebook and Instagram’s community guidelines, which prohibit nudity, regardless of artistic merit."

Tunick, who has organized and photographed more than 120 large groups of nude people around the world, has been at odds with the two social media platforms in recent years.

As he told Esquire in April:

"I get it. I don’t want my daughters on an Instagram full of pornography. But there has to be a way artists can have a voice to show their works. There has to be some formula, whether it’s the YouTube way where you’re reviewed and there’s an 18-or-older button that’s pressed. Or, for starters, equalize the male and female nipple and not deem the female nipple as violent."

And this morning on Astor Place, Tunick and between 100 to 200 nude models gathered to send a message to Facebook, who has offices at 770 Broadway (somewhere above the Kmart!).

Per the Instagram post on the action:

"These are all male nipple stickers covering female presenting nipples and male nipple cards covering all the participant’s genitalia. There is no reason for Facebook or Instagram to censor this video or block from hashtags."


H/T Carol from East 5th Street!

Updated 4:30 p.m.

Here's some more coverage of the action (thanks Daniel!)...

• The Daily Mail

CNN


[Image by Fay Fox via]

Friday, April 12, 2019

Boulder patrol: Granite blocks now surround Astor Place


[Photo by Derek Berg]

When the boulders started arriving yesterday at Astor Place, I thought we were in for another immersive fan event for "Game of Thrones" ahead of its premiere Sunday on HBO®.

That's not the case, though. The Astor Place Instagram account explains:

Today the @nyc_dot placed new granite blocks around the perimeter of the Astor Place South Plaza, and soon-to-be portions of the North Plaza. While it wouldn’t be unreasonable to ponder if these might be our latest public art, they are in fact new additions to enhance the safety of pedestrians and visitors using the plazas. The actual public art, cafes and seating remain just as open and accessible as always, except it’s now even safer for all to enjoy.

Friday, April 5, 2019

Blue Bottle Coffee Company coming to Astor Place



A Blue Bottle Coffee Company outpost is opening at 2 Astor Place at Broadway.

As you can see, the BBCC branding is up in the space that previously housed Middle Eastern chain Semson.

No word on an opening date. BBCC currently has 14 locations in NYC, including on University Place.

Monday, February 4, 2019

Brodo debuts on Astor Place this week



The Brodo bone-broth kiosk will have a soft opening today on Astor Place near the uptown 6 stop ... Owner Marco Canora told me they'd be open then "in earnest" tomorrow.

Canora debuted a Brodo to-go window on the First Avenue side of Hearth back in 2014the start of what became a nationwide bone-broth trend. The Astor Place kiosk makes the fifth Brodo outpost in the city.

Brodo temporarily takes the place of La Newyorkina for the early part of 2019. La Newyorkina, which sells Mexican palettas and ices, is expected to return this summer.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Brodo opening a bone-broth outpost on Astor Place

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Brodo opening a bone-broth outpost on Astor Place



The Brodo kiosk has arrived on Astor Place near the uptown 6 stop (thanks to Vinny & O for the photos)...



Marco Canora opened a Brodo to-go window on the First Avenue side of Hearth back in 2014... and bone broth became a thing, with the arrival of three more Brodo outposts (four with Astor Place), as well as a nationwide delivery service.

In an email, Canora told me that the Astor Place outpost is expected to open the last week of January.

Brodo is taking the place of the La Newyorkina kiosk on the north plaza for the winter season. La Newyorkina, which sells Mexican palettas and ices, returns this summer.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

As long as you love me

The story of an NYPD officer singing “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys over the PA yesterday on Astor Place is starting to go viral (with the help of PIX 11 and the Post)...

Here's the clip, via Instagram...