Showing posts with label Tompkins Square Library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tompkins Square Library. Show all posts

Monday, March 4, 2019

Monday's parting mystery postcard post



Our friends at the Tompkins Square Library on 10th Street posted these photos on Instagram today, noting: "To the mystery person who sent us a postcard with no message, from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, (in North Dakota!) we adore you."



Meanwhile, check out all the free events — classes, screenings, workshops, discussion groups — happening at the branch this month via this link.

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Love and resistance: Stonewall 50 programs at the Tompkins Square Library


[Photo via the NYPL]

In the coming months, the New York Public Library is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

Here's more about the Stonewall 50: "Through a major exhibition, a series of programs, book recommendations, and more, we invite you to learn more about the emergence of the modern LGBTQ movement, as well as culture, issues, and activism today."

The Tompkins Square Library branch, 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, is hosting five of the programs. (Each program has a link for registration at the top of its page.)

• March 14 at 6 p.m.: The Drag March & Other Tales of Glamour and Resistance: A Storytelling Workshop Join Heather Acs and the NYC Drag March for a storytelling workshop, and share your own experiences of LGBTQ life in the Village and LES.

• April 10 at 6 p.m.: SECOND WORKSHOP — The Drag March & Other Tales of Glamour and Resistance: A Storytelling Workshop. There is a separate registration for the second workshop.

• April 20 at 3 p.m.: Queer Black Films: "Looking for Langston" and Two Films by Hayat Hyatt. An intergenerational pairing of film and video works explores black queer inheritance and desire through Isaac Julien’s "Looking for Langston" and two films by Hayat Hyatt.

• May 8 at 6 p.m.: A Drag March Storyslam: Tales of Glamour and Resistance. Join a storytelling performance about the incredible history of the Drag March!

• June 8 at 3 p.m.: Reviving Assotto Saint's "New Love Song" (1989). A celebration of the life and work of Assotto Saint (1957-1994): poet, playwright, performer, editor, publisher, performer, caretaker and trouble-maker.

In 1989, Assato Saint’s multimedia theater piece "New Love Song" put black gay men on center stage in New York City, providing a space for storytelling, ritual, and healing. Join original cast members, collaborators, and friends as we reflect on the 30th anniversary of this undersung production and its "Forever Gay" creator.

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Checking in on the under-renovation Ottendorfer Library



The Ottendorfer Library, 135 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street, closed for upgrades this past Aug. 6.

According to a message to patrons from branch manager Kristin Kuehl, workers are installing a new fire alarm and life-safety system. "Due to the building's age and landmark status, the project is expected to take six months," Kuehl wrote this past August.

Some patrons were hopeful for a February return. A new-ish sign on the library's front door (thanks Choresh Wald!) now notes that they will be closed through "late winter." The first day of Spring is March 20. So there's time left for late winter.

Anyway! Here's some history of the branch, cut-n-pasted from the previous Ottendorfer post...

The Ottendorfer Branch of the New York Public Library opened in 1884 as New York City's first free public library. Designed by German-born architect William Schickel, this landmark building combines Queen Anne and neo-Italian Renaissance styles with an exterior ornamented by innovative terracotta putti. The branch was a gift of Oswald Ottendorfer, owner of the New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung newspaper.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Ottendorfer Library closing for 6 months to install new fire-suppression system

A visit to the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street

Friday, November 30, 2018

A visit to the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street



As we mentioned on Tuesday, the Tompkins Square Library branch is hosting its second annual East Village Arts Festival starting tomorrow and running through Dec. 15.



In total, the library, located at 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, is hosting 36 public programs for all ages, including performances, lectures, workshops, author readings, and films, as well as tables from local organizations, and art installations by 15 local artists and groups. There are also several walking tours.

This link has all the different programs each day through Dec. 15. This link has more info about the Gallery Walk.

Ahead of the start of the festivities tomorrow, EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the library on Tuesday morning as the staff was setting up for the day as well as continuing planning for the East Village Arts Festival....


[Branch manager Corinne Neary]

Here's the staff on duty (from the left) Olga Estevez, Gerritt Reeves, Neary, Nefertiti Guzman, Romulo Paez and Roxmin Lopez...













Stacie also took the time to walk around parts of the four-level library — which has been serving the neighborhood from this location since 1904 — before it officially opened for the day...

















Tuesday, November 27, 2018

The Tompkins Square Library hosts the 2nd annual East Village Arts Festival starting Saturday



The Tompkins Square Library branch is hosting its second annual East Village Arts Festival starting on Saturday.

Here are a few details via the EVG inbox...

We will have 36 public programs for all ages, including performances, lectures, workshops, author readings, and films, as well as tables from local organizations, and art installations by 15 local artists and groups.

In addition, we are also working with local galleries and organizations on our first ever Gallery Walk. Stop by the library to pick up a Gallery Walk flyer, which you can have stamped at each gallery you visit. Visit at least four of the participating galleries between Dec. 1 and 15, and you can enter a library raffle for some fabulous prizes!



This link has more info about the Gallery Walk. This link has all the different programs each day through Dec. 15.

The branch is located at 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Friday, November 2, 2018

November at the Tompkins Square Library



Here's an ad for English classes at the Tompkins Square Library from 1920 ... found it in the NYPL Digital Collections here.

Anyway, 98 years later, the branch at 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B continues to offer an array of free activities — classes, screenings, workshops and discussion groups. Find the full list of November activities for kids and adults here.

And starting on Dec. 1: it's their second annual East Village Arts Festival, featuring artwork from more than a dozen local artists on display, 30 public programs spanning two weeks, and a gallery walk highlighting neighborhood galleries. Details TK.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

The Tompkins Square Library hosts 'A Look Back on the East Village of the 1980s' starting Friday


[Via the Tompkins Square Library branch]

On Friday, the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B is opening an exhibit titled “A Look Back on the East Village of the 1980s.”

Some details via the EVG inbox:

This vigorous and enthusiastically researched show will focus on the creative counter-culture of the surrounding neighborhood in the 1980's. It will present important, vital highlights from the night club scene, along with the music, theater, and art activity of that period — a period in which the East Village was recognized nationally and internationally for its sometimes famous and sometimes infamous personalities and places.

In conjunction with the show, the Tompkins Square library has been working with material from the New York Public Library special collections, and with the Fales NYU Downtown archive. Of significant interest are the many photographs and fascinating ephemera and reproductions from the East Village in the 1980s.

In conjunction with the show on Friday night (at 6), the library is hosting a discussion, The East Village in the 1980s, featuring Penny Arcade, Clayton Patterson and Chris Rael. Andy McCarthy, a reference librarian at the Milstein Division of U.S. History, Local History, and Genealogy at NYPL, is the moderator.

"A Look Back on the East Village of the 1980s" will be at the library until Nov. 1. This link has more details on branch hours, etc.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

East Village history at the Tompkins Square Library branch this month

There are several local history programs of interest on the schedule this month at the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B

Here's an overview via the EVG inbox...

• Wednesday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m.: 16mm Film Screening: La Dolce Festa (1977; 28 mins.) Dir: Kathleen Dowdey. A documentary on the traditions, preparation and rituals of the San Gennaro Festival. 16mm film from the special collections of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

• Wednesday, Oct. 10, 5 p.m.: Author Talk: Alice Sparberg Alexiou and Kerri Culhane. Culhane, an architectural historian who wrote the report that led to the designation of the Bowery as a historic district in 2011, will engage Alice Sparberg Alexiou (author of "Devil’s Mile: The Rich, Gritty History of the Bowery") in conversation about the Bowery’s past, present, and future, followed by time for questions and answers. The program is presented in partnership with the Bowery Alliance of Neighbors.

• Friday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m.: The East Village in the 1980s: a conversation with: Penny Arcade, Clayton Patterson, Chris Rael. Moderator: Andy McCarthy, a reference librarian at the Milstein Division of U.S. History, Local History, and Genealogy at NYPL, and a former NYC doubledecker bus tour guide.

• Exhibition: From Oct. 19 through Nov. 1 the Tompkins Square Library will present “A Look Back on the East Village of the 1980s.”

This vigorous and enthusiastically researched show will focus on the creative counter-culture of the surrounding neighborhood in the 1980's. It will present important, vital highlights from the night club scene, along with the music, theater, and art activity of that period — a period in which the East Village was recognized nationally and internationally for its sometimes famous and sometimes infamous personalities and places.

In conjunction with the show, the Tompkins Square library has been working with material from the New York Public Library special collections, and with the Fales NYU Downtown archive. Of significant interest are the many photographs and fascinating ephemera and reproductions from the East Village in the 1980s.

Find the branch's full rundown of October activities here.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Register to vote today at the Tompkins Square Library branch



Today is National Voter Registration Day (happy National Voter Registration Day!).

On this occasion, all 216 of the city’s library branches will have voter registration drives.

Locally, the Tompkins Square Library branch at 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B will have a voter registration table available from 3:30-5 p.m. to get you ready to vote on Nov. 6.

Meanwhile, enjoy this vintage photo of Bette Davis...

Monday, September 3, 2018

Free things to do at the Tompkins Square Library branch in September



As always, there are like 500000000 free activities — classes, screenings, workshops and discussion groups — at the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Here is a partial list for September, in case you're planning your month out today... via the EVG inbox...

• Wednesday, Sept. 5, 4 pm-7 pm: Meet your Assembly Member: Harvey Epstein. 74th District Assembly Member Harvey Epstein will be visiting Tompkins Square to meet constituents. Epstein represents the East Side of Manhattan, including the East Village.

• Thursday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 pm: Meditation in Tompkins Square Park. In partnership with Science of Spirituality Center. The group meets outside the library. Please bring a mat, a blanket, or a chair. In case of rain, the classes will be moved inside the library. Use the link to register.

• Fridays, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 at 3pm: Knitting Circle. Not a class, but a knitting group. Participants must bring their own supplies.

• Saturday, Sept. 8 at 2 pm: Russian Culture Club. A Russian language discussion of poet Yuriy Mandelshtam.

• Monday, Sept. 10 at 1 pm: Matinee Movie: "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" (1961; 103 mins.) Dir: José Quintero. A faded actress moves to Rome, where a countess introduces her to a virile young gigolo and much to their surprise, the affair between them becomes deeply felt, much to the anger of his madame. Starring Vivien Leigh and Warren Beatty.

• Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10:30 am: Walking Tour: Immigrants of Tompkins Square Park. With Tompkins Square Library manager Corinne Neary and street photographer Michael Paul. Register using the link.

• Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 6 pm: Speaking Techniques and Vocal Exercises. The quality and use of the voice is a fundamental factor in life. This program can be helpful to anyone interested in making the most of their speech delivery.

• Thursday, Sept. 20 at 5:30 pm: Writing / Performance Lab. The intention is to provide artists in the community the opportunity to develop works-in-progress of writing pieces, theater texts, performance pieces and related projects. In addition to writers and performers, musicians, singers, dancers, etc., are welcome to participate.

• Monday, Sept. 24 at 1 pm: Matinee Movie: "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1951; 125 mins.) Dir: Elia Kazan. A faded Southern belle moves in with her sister and brutish brother-in-law in New Orleans, where he torments her delicate sensibilities, and she becomes disconnected from reality. A Best Picture nominee. Starring Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh.

• Tuesday, Sept. 25, from 3:30-5 pm: Voter Registration Table. Are you registered to vote? September 25 is National Voter Registration Day, and we'll be helping people register from 3:30pm-5pm. Just stop by to fill out the form, and you'll be ready to vote on Nov. 6!

Wednesday, September 26 at 5pm: Film Screening: "Purple Noon" (Plein soleil) (1960; 119 mins.) Dir: René Clément. A ripe, colorful adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's vicious novel "The Talented Mr. Ripley." Tom Ripley, a duplicitous American charmer, is in Rome on a mission to bring his privileged, devil-may-care acquaintance back to the United States. What initially seems a carefree tale of friendship soon morphs into a thrilling saga of seduction, identity theft, and murder. Starring Alain Delon.

Ongoing Tuesdays at 4 pm: Dominoes!

Ongoing Thursdays at 4 pm: Bingo!

Find the full list of activities for kids and adults here.

As a reminder, the Ottendorfer Library, 135 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street, is currently closed for upgrades that will keep the branch out of commission until early 2019.

Monday, August 6, 2018

The Ottendorfer Library is now closed for renovations



As noted last week, the Ottendorfer Library, 135 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street, closes starting today for upgrades that will keep the branch out of commission until early 2019.

According to a message to patrons from branch manager Kristin Kuehl, workers will be installing a new fire alarm and life-safety system. "Due to the building's age and landmark status, the project is expected to take six months," Kuehl wrote.

A little history of the building:

The Ottendorfer Branch of the New York Public Library opened in 1884 as New York City's first free public library. Designed by German-born architect William Schickel, this landmark building combines Queen Anne and neo-Italian Renaissance styles with an exterior ornamented by innovative terracotta putti. The branch was a gift of Oswald Ottendorfer, owner of the New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung newspaper.

Ottendorfer patrons can head on over to the Tompkins Square branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B for all your library needs. Check out their free activities (link here) for August.

The Tompkins branch is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Ottendorfer Library closing for 6 months to install new fire-suppression system

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

The Ottendorfer Library closing for 6 months to install new fire-suppression system


[Photo yesterday by Steven]

The Ottendorfer Library, 135 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street, closes on Monday for upgrades that will keep the branch out of commission for at least six months.

Here's the message via branch manager Kristin Kuehl...

The New York Public Library's oldest branch, the Ottendorfer Library, will close temporarily on August 6 to install a new fire alarm and life safety system. The 8,000-square-foot Ottendorfer Library opened in 1884 as New York City's first free public library.

The upgrades at Ottendorfer Library will strengthen the well-being of a historic New York City building as well as further support nearly 135 years of library service to the Lower East Side community.

Due to the building's age and landmark status, the project is expected to take six months. The branch ... will reopen in early 2019. While Ottendorfer Library is closed, patrons are advised to use the Tompkins Square Library at 331 East 10th Street.

As for the Tompkins Square branch between Avenue A and Avenue B ... check out their free activities (link here) for August.

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Free things to do at the Tompkins Square Library branch this month



There are all sorts of free classes and discussion groups — from jewelry-making workshops to knitting circles — at the Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B...

Here's just a few of the events happening this month. (Find the full list of activities for kids and adults here.) Via the EVG inbox...

• Fridays, July 6, 13, 20, 27 at 3 pm: Knitting Circle. Not a class, but a knitting group. Participants must bring their own supplies.

• Monday, July 9 at 1 pm: Monday Matinee Movie: "My Left Foot" (1989; 103 mins.) Dir: Jim Sheridan. Christy Brown, born with cerebral palsy, learns to paint and write with his only controllable limb — his left foot. Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan.

• Tuesdays, July 10, 24, 31: Vinyasa Warrior Yoga. This class is open to all level practitioners from beginner to expert yogi. Please bring your own mat and towel.

• Tuesday, July 10 1-3 pm, and Monday, July 16 11 am-2 pm: Workforce 1 Job Fair. Workforce 1 will be recruiting for many open positions. Bring your resume and apply for jobs.

• Wednesday, July 11 at 5 pm: Film Screening: "Thoroughbreds" (2017; 92mins.) Dir: Cory Finley. Two upper-class teenage girls in suburban Connecticut rekindle their unlikely friendship after years of growing apart. Together, they hatch a plan to solve both of their problems-no matter what the cost.

• Thursdays, July 12 and 26 at 1 pm: Shakespeare Reading and Discussion Group. The Shakespeare Reading and Discussion Group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 1 pm in the second floor community room. The group will be discussing Richard II. Check at the first floor desk for copies.

• Saturday, July 14 at 3 pm: Saturday Matinee Movie: "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" (1964; 91 mins.) Dir: Jacques Demy. A young woman separated from her lover by war faces a life-altering decision. Starring Catherine Deneuve. In French with English subtitles.

• Wednesday, July 18 at 6 pm: Ukulele Lessons for Beginners. Four 70-minute sessions: 07/18, 08/01, 08/15, 08/29. Please bring your own ukulele. Registration is required.

• Thursday, July 19 at 5:30 pm: Writing / Performance Lab. The intention is to provide artists in the community the opportunity to develop works-in-progress of writing pieces, theater texts, performance pieces and related projects. In addition to writers and performers, musicians, singers, dancers, etc., are welcome to participate.

• Monday, July 23 at 1 pm: Monday Matinee Movie: "Westworld" (1973; 88 min.) Dir: Michael Crichton. In a futuristic theme park, robots fulfill tourists' every fantasy, until they start to run amok. Starring Richard Benjamin, James Brolin, Yul Brynner.

• Wednesday, July 25 at 5 pm: Film Screening: "A Quiet Place" (2018; 90 min.) Dir: John Krasinski. In a post-apocalyptic world, a family is forced to live in silence while hiding from monsters with ultra-sensitive hearing. Starring Emily Blunt, John Krasinski.

The Ottendorfer Library branch at 135 Second Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street has many free activities too. Find that list here.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Go on a free walking tour of Tompkins Square Park this Friday afternoon


[Photo from March 31 by Peter Brownscombe]

The Tompkins Square Park Library is hosting another free walking tour of Tompkins Square Park (the one on March 31 was quite popular) ... happening this Friday at 1 p.m.

Per the NYPL website:

Enjoy a visually informative one hour walking tour of Tompkins Square Park with your hosts, East Village street photographer Michael Paul and Tompkins Square Library Manager Corinne Neary, through the East Village's gathering place for picnics, festivals and community events ever since it opened in 1837.

In the mid 19th century the Square offered reprieve from a hard life for our country's new immigrants, in what was once the most densely populated neighborhood in America. See the statues, memorials, landmarks and yes, the trees that currently play home to our park's 21st century residents, the red-tailed hawks Christo and Dora [Ed note: and Amelia]!

The walking tour starts promptly at 1 p.m. (rain, shine or heatwave — oh, and bring water) in front of the Tompkins Square Library, 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. RSVP here. This neighborhood walking tour is part of Jane's Walk at Municipal Art Society.

Speaking of Tompkins Square Park and the library... here's a photo by P.L. Sperr from the NYPL Digital Collections ... from Avenue B at Seventh Street circa April 1935 ... with the Empire State Building in the background...


[Click to go big]

As we noted in this EVG post from April 1935, the cart on the corner was the last to sell churned buttermilk before being replaced by yet another peanut vendor.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Activities at the the Tompkins Square Park library branch


[Via NYPL]

As previously mentioned, the Tompkins Square Park library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B has a lot of free activities daily... poetry readings... jewelry making... film screenings ... find their schedule of events here.

The library is hosting another free walking tour of Tompkins Square Park on Friday, May 4. Details here.

And a highlight to note happening tonight...


And there are buttons and magnets for $1 that help support the library...



Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Oh Mother! (and there are many free things to do at the Tompkins Square Library branch)

Due to the weather, this evening's free screening of "Mother!" was cancelled at the Tompkins Square Library branch... rescheduled for April 11 at 5 p.m. ...


Really interesting choice for a free library screening ... the film with Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem by Darren Aronofsky (does he still live in the East Village?) is either the best or absolute worst film ever. Not sure what I think, though Kristen Wiig! (Spoiler here.)



And the Tompkins Square Park branch has a lot of free activities daily... poetry readings... jewelry making... film screenings (Tony Richardson's "A Taste of Honey" is an afternoon matinee on March 19 and Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk" is at 5 p.m. on March 21)... find their schedule of events here.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Reminders: The East Village Arts Festival is tomorrow at the Tompkins Square Library



I first posted this back on Nov. 21 ... as a reminder...

The Tompkins Square Library branch on 10th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B is hosting an all-day Arts Festival on Dec. 13.

The day includes a variety of performances, workshops, films and displays by local artists from 11 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. You can find the full rundown here.