Friday's parting shot

Always a solid holiday window display, the Sock Man, 99 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue...

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Eden 

Getting into the Christmas spirit early this season... right to the curb on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...

It's 'Time for Christmas' with the book man of Astor Place

Chris Santana, aka "the book man of Astor Place," has released this seasonal single — going as SantanaClaus — filmed from his spot outside Cooper Union.

Please enjoy "It's Time for Christmas." (You can find more from him on SoundCloud.)

 

A Lou Reed Christmas scene on St. Mark's Place

A holiday scene on St. Mark's Place... with Invader's Lou Reed mosaic still in place from late 2015 (and via the Lisa Project) ...

Dec. 25's opening shot

A recent arrival outside the Second Avenue F stop... a collaboration featuring @turtlecaps ... @chrisrwk ... @zeroproductivity ... @citykittystreet and @outersource ...

He'll be coming through the air conditioner...

AC Santa is coming to town ... as seen on Fifth Street...

Another holiday visit with Frankie Christmas

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

We last checked in with the undisputed king of East Village Christmas, Frank “Frankie Christmas” Bianco, at this time last year. 

This year Bianco, a Brooklyn native who has lived here since 1980, welcomed us back to his winter wonderland apartment on Avenue D with an update on the lighting schedule...   

“This year, I shattered my previous record and was able to put up a total of 11,875 lights, about 1,500 more than last year. To finish by Dec. 1, I usually start decorating as soon as the Labor Day weekend finishes. For the last couple of months, it took me about 200 hours to complete each room in my apartment. I usually spend an hour or two each night of the week decorating and get the bulk of it done on the weekends, where I may spend up to eight hours decorating.”

What else is new?

“It’s a tradition to get at least a half dozen Christmas tattoos every year since moving down to the LES. I have 11 new snowflake tattoos and the Grinch’s hand holding an ornament. Similar to my Christmas tattoos, I always make sure to add a few new decorations to my apartment as well. I purchased a Christmas Tree from Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the largest Christmas store in the world located in Frankenmuth, Mich., and my favorite new addition, a Swarovski 2021 snowflake ornament.” 

...and now take a tour...

 

What can we look forward to next year? 

“In 2022, I’m somehow putting up more lights than I did this year! It’ll be tough, but I’m confident I’ll be able to [string more than] 12,000 lights. I’ll also be returning to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland to find new additions to my collection, and most important spread the Christmas Spirit!”

Read our Q&A with Frankie from last year at this link. 

Saturday's parting shot

A moment from the 9th Precinct's annual holiday party today on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue ... photo by Derek Berg...

Saturday's parting shot

A familiar holiday scene on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...

Friday's parting shot

Nice to see the windows again this holiday season at the 99-cent store at 73 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street... the sidewalk bridge came down here this past summer after nearly five years for the condoplex next door. 

Thanks to Goggla for the photo today!

A Visit with Frank 'Frankie Christmas' Bianco

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

It’s hard not to get excited about Christmas when visiting Frank “Frankie Christmas” Bianco. 

The 52-year-old longtime East Village resident, who moved here from Brooklyn in 1980, welcomes me at the door of his fully decked out apartment on Avenue D, where he lives and works as the boutique building’s manager.

He’s painstakingly laid out more than 9,300 lights and six Christmas trees, ranging in height from 2 to more than 7 feet tall, and has a winter wonderland inside the one-bedroom space, complete with music, lights, pine scent, decals, garlands and ornaments.

Drinking a (perhaps) nontraditional beer, Frankie shows me around his space, pointing out special ornaments and his Christmas stockings, and his 30 snowflake tattoos, and custom Santa backpiece, which is truly amazing, in addition to flash pieces dedicated to the holiday elsewhere on his body.

We have a seat at his holiday-themed table to chat about Santa and Christmas and how his obsession with the holiday came to be.

 
When and how did your fascination with Christmas start?

My fascination with Christmas started with my mom who always made Christmas special. As a teenager I started helping my mom with decorations and then I always wanted to go bigger and better. 

Can you walk us through the process of decorating your apartment? When do you start/finish?

I start decorating in September, as it takes close to 100 hours to decorate. It’s more about laying things out and ordering what I need.

What’s Christmas Eve and Christmas Day like for you and your family?

My family is so spread out these days that I won’t know what I’m doing until a couple of days before Christmas. 

What do you friends, family and neighbors think of your decorations? 

Everyone loves it. My family and friends love it and they all know where to go to get into the Christmas spirit. Most of my neighbors stop by and bring their friends to see my apartment. 

Any other holidays pique your interest the way Christmas does?

I enjoy all the holidays throughout the year, but nothing even comes close to Christmas!

Have you ever decorated other locations — commercial, residential, or religious spaces?

I’ve never decorated anywhere else. 
 
Do you have any special plans for next Christmas?

I’m already thinking about how I’m gonna decorate next year…I want to do a tree with Swarovski crystal snowflakes.

Tuesday's parting video

In case you haven't seen this... the "It's A Bad Brains Christmas, Charlie Brown" video has been making the rounds again this season...

Saturday's parting shot

Christmas at Stuy Town, as seen on 14th Street and First Avenue...

The pop-up bar before Christmas: Miracle on Ninth Street returns for 5th season

[Image via Facebook]

For the fifth consecutive year, Miracle on Ninth Street — a Christmas inspired pop-up bar — is open for the season (as of yesterday) inside Mace, the cocktail bar at 649 E. Ninth St. at Avenue C.

And what started on Ninth Street is now worldwide. Per Facebook:

Miracle Owner/Cocktail Kingdom Founder & CEO Greg Boehm, Beverage Director Nico de Soto, and Manager Joann Spiegel have partnered with over 80 renowned bars (and counting!) across the world to launch sister pop-ups in cities as far-flung as London, Panama, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and many more.

Miracle on Ninth is open through Dec. 24, with the following hours: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Sunday's parting shot

Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...

Take part in the 129th candlelight service at St. George's Church on Stuyvesant Square

Now that Rutherford Place has been cleared of the Russians... this is happening tomorrow...via the EVG inbox...

You’re invited to join the Parish of Calvary-St. George’s, one of New York’s longest continuously operating episcopal parishes, for its annual Candlelight Lessons and Carols service on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m, with a prelude at 3:40.

The parish’s tradition of congregational carol singing began in the 19th century when The Reverend Dr. William S. Rainsford established a Christmas festival for the neighborhood. Though the Candlelight service has taken different forms in the many decades since, it remains a special offering to the community, convening thousands of people to joyfully sing a celebration of Christmas!

Last year’s attendance was the highest ever at 901 people, but we anticipate many more friends of the neighborhood will come along this December for the anticipated and momentous unveiling of the newly renovated clock towers at Stuyvesant Square, with Clarion Chimes incorporated into the service!

Located at 7 Rutherford Place on Stuyvesant Park, east of Third Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets
Admission is free.

The East Village Holiday Shopping Night — is tonight (and today)

[Photo last month on East 9th Street via Steven]

The East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA) is hosting its second annual Holiday Shopping Night tonight.

Nearly 20 shops are taking part in the event ... and with some discounts for shoppers. Here's the list via the EVIMA website... (and these deals are good all day, not just this evening...)






There's also a free holiday party at Ballaro (no Taylor Swift xmas song requests please), 77 Second Ave. between East Fifth Street and East Sixth Street, from 6 to 9 p.m. (You can RSVP here.)

EVIMA is an offshoot of the East Village Community Coalition.

Cleaning up the fake movie snow from Tompkins Square Park

A crew (not with the city) was out cleaning up the fake snow from Tompkins Square Park this morning... leftovers from last night's shoot in and around the Park for Untitled Christmas Eve project, a comedy starring Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie.



Come back again some day... maybe for Untitled Christmas Eve project 2...?!?!



Photos by Derek Berg

Previously on EV Grieve:
Christmas returning to the East Village this week with Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (again) for Seth Rogen comedy filming tonight

No trees yet, but...

There are holiday wreaths on display outside the Whole Foods Market® Bowery on East Houston…

Speaking of holiday trees … soon, everyone's favorite inflatable Santa should (oh Lordy we hope!) return to its familiar holiday home on East 14th Street at First Avenue…

We're guessing that the tree stands will arrive on Wednesday… the actual trees on Friday and Jolly ol' Trailer Park Santa on Saturday…

Previously on EV Grieve:
In case you are looking to buy the ol' [insert your name here!] family holiday tree on Thanksgiving