Friday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

The mini trees have arrived at Lime Tree Market on the SE corner of First Avenue and Ninth Street... not quite the mid-November spectacle of Whole Foods Market® Bowery....

Gut check

 

They are Gutting a Body of Water (TAGABOW) dropped their fourth album, Lotto, a few weeks ago — a more guitar-forward turn for the Philly noise collective. 

The above video is for "rl stine," a track about a friend navigating a rough stretch. 

TAGABOW plays the Bowery Ballroom on Dec. 11. (Live, the band performs facing each other in a tight circle — always something to see.)

Openings: B-Side on Avenue C

Photo by Stacie Joy 

The longtime neighborhood bar reopened last Friday at 131 Avenue C between Eighth Street and Ninth Street, bringing its familiar dive-y vibe (plus a touch of 1980s decor), a pool table, and happy hour deals to its new home. 

Community art shows are on the way too — starting tonight...

 

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After a fire at 204 Avenue B in June 2023, B-Side and the building's landlord parted ways later that fall.

If it's the middle of November, then it must be time for Christmas trees at Whole Foods Market® Bowery

EVG reader Chris F. shares these photos from outside Whole Foods Market® Bowery... where he wrote that "the entire front of the store [is] lined with Christmas trees, caged behind the scaffolding, as if waiting for the word to be released onto the sidewalk."

Friday's opening shot

Along the Ninth Street pathway in Tompkins Square Park this morning... enjoying the foliage while we still have it. 

And if you don't like foliage, then move back to...

Thursday's parting Instagram post

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Looking at St. Mark's Place while crossing from the NW corner of Third Avenue... the original location of Trash & Vaudville is visble in the background...

Glitter, Grover and good stories: Drag Artists for Expression NYC returns to the Tompkins Square Library

Photos and interview by Stacie Joy

I'm in the "green room" at Tompkins Square Library branch, watching drag artist and educator Double put on their makeup in preparation for a storytelling event for preschoolers and young kids.

After checking in with children's librarians Nefertiti Guzman and Petra Kolokotronis (below from left), the kids file in and get settled before Double leads them through some get-to-know-you exercises, followed by reading books about self-expression and imagination.

We get a chance to chat after the event is over. 

How often does this storytelling event happen? When is the next one? 

We have story hours frequently all around the city in schools, libraries and community spaces. 

The last one at Tompkins Square Library was back in December. They're not recurring here on a consistent basis, but the librarians expressed interest in having us back soon, so keep an eye out for that. You can join the library's email list for events specific to Tompkins Square Library, and Drag Artists for Expression (DAE) NYC's email list [admin@daenyc.org] for more story hours around the city. 

Are you always the storytelling artist? 

At the Tompkins Square Library, I am usually booked as the storyteller, as they know I am a local and that this is the branch I frequented as a kid. I also started my drag career right across the street in Tompkins Square Park with Lil Park Drag Show, so storytelling here is always very special to me. 

We have a great team of drag artist storytellers who also get booked for events at other locations. At other DAE NYC events, I sometimes tell stories, teach drag or fiber arts workshops, facilitate others' story hours, build curriculum, or design coloring pages. 

How do the kids usually respond to the reading?

I tell stories for all different age groups, but the little ones are always my favorite to read to. They're so enthusiastic about the books and in awe of the glittery human in front of them. I get to be silly and show them the magic of drag. 

Many of the students I read to have never been around drag before, so I get to introduce them to this whole new way of expressing themselves, while also sharing the love of reading and teaching important lessons that the books address. 

Drag is such a powerful tool for teaching that there are many different ways to be human, and that all of them are worthy of celebration and love. I love the work that I do, and events like this always remind me of that.

What books did you read this time? Are there any favorite books that you return to time and again? 

Today I read "I Am! A Book of Reminders" by Juana Medina, "Rooster Wore Skinny Jeans" by Dr. Jessica Miller, "The Monster at the End of This Book" by Jon Stone, and "Life Doesn't Frighten Me," the picture book adaptation of a Maya Angelou poem with illustrations by Jean-Michel Basquiat. 

This book felt very right for today's story hour, Basquiat being a local artist, and the book relating to today's theme, which was bravery, [perfect for] Halloween. I always intentionally choose the books, my drag looks, and the songs we sing to be part of a cohesive theme. 

My favorite book to read is always "The Monster at the End of This Book." It was one of my favorites as a kid, and I've found that a lot of today's kids still are familiar with it, which makes me happy. When I read it, I love to play up the suspense and get really theatrical with it, and encourage lots of audience participation. The kids get really into it! 

Do you have a favorite moment from the event? Is there anything that surprised you? 

My favorite moment from today was when the kids helped me turn the page during "The Monster at the End of This Book," after Grover built a brick wall to keep us from reaching the end of the book.

I told them the page was too heavy for me to lift alone because of all the bricks, so we needed to use teamwork to turn it. Everyone grabbed the page and helped flip it, and of course, the page ripped, which I should've expected. It was OK, though; it wasn't a library book, and the taped-up page will certainly tell a story the next time I read it. 

The librarians are always super welcoming and recognize how special and personal it is for me to be storytelling at that branch. The Tompkins Square Library readings always end up being my favorites. 

Have there been any issues with the storytelling? 

Our public events used to get protested by various hate groups. Thankfully, these protests have died down quite a bit recently, and we haven't had any issues in the past year or so. As drag is increasingly under attack in this country, it's important that we continue to educate and celebrate queer self-expression wherever we can. 

Find out more about Drag Artists for Expression NYC here. You can keep up with their events on Instagram.

The Marshal takes legal possession of Baar Baar on 1st Street

Baar Baar, the self-described "Indian gastro bar," closed back in September at 13 E. First St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery... a development we realized we didn't note. 

This past week, the Marshal paid a visit, taking legal possession of the space on behalf of the landlord...

Baar Baar opened in late 2017...taking over for the high-end Italian restaurant L'Apico. 

We tried Baar Baar once. Let's just say it had strong “mall in Vegas" energy, and not in a good way. The recent arrival of more interesting Indian restaurants, such as Bungalow and Adda, likely didn't help business. 

And this is the second restaurant here in the Avalon Bowery Place complex to close this fall... joining Kobano around the corner on the Bowery...

TikTok-famous dancers up next at the Orpheum Theatre on 2nd Avenue

Photos by Steven 

Signage (Post-its!) arrived yesterday for the next production at the storied Orpheum Theatre — "11 to Midnight."

This marks the Off-Broadway debut of viral TikTok dance duo Cost n' Mayor (Austin and Marideth Telenko). 

The piece is set at a New Year's Eve apartment party in New York City, where seven friends gather to celebrate the new year. Expect theatrical street-style dance and a genre-jumping soundtrack from Jacob Aviner, Spencer Novich, and Steve Toulmin, according to the press notes for the show. 

"11 to Midnight" begins previews on Jan. 28, officially opening on Feb. 11. Tickets are now on sale. The five-week run will conclude on March 1. 

The Orpheum is at 126 Second Ave., between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• After 29 years playing in the East Village, I finally decided to see 'Stomp' before it closed

This evening in news alerts

According to the Citizen app, the theft happened on St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

Who steals dentures? Is there a market for them? Were they in the person's mouth at the time? In a glass? 

Anyway. Not cool. They are expensive! Plus, the person won't be able to eat much without them... 

Thanks to the EVG reader for the screengrab...

Today in craft services

The craft services truck for the Hulu series "Furious" set up shop this morning right in front of the notoriously mucky tree well on Avenue A near Sixth Street. 

Any crew member looking for a wrap and a soda would need to navigate the stagnant stew of filthy water, soggy bread, and assorted pigeon snacks. 

A few hours later, the truck had relocated a block south. No word on whether any PAs or extras were lost in the process. (Did anyone happen to fish a Motorola CP200 out of the pit?)

About Banshee, the Irish-leaning bar debuting on 1st Avenue

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

After spending ten years living and working on the Lower East Side, Jen Murphy is opening her own bar.

Her Irish-leaning neighborhood spot at 143 First Ave. just south of Ninth Street is set for a soft opening on Friday. (The bar occupies part of the former Paquitos space.) 

Banshee is described as a neighborhood bar with an Irish touch, where the East Village's punk roots meet an Irish cottage vibe. (The name "Banshee" is drawn from gothic Irish folklore.) 

There's also a backyard with a small garden.

Banshee will celebrate the classic Irish pairing of Guinness and oysters, along with martinis and other cocktails. The menu will feature a small rotating selection of light plates, including a shrimp cocktail served with traditional Irish Marie Rose sauce and brown Irish soda bread. 

Murphy is originally from Ireland and has been part of the LES bar-and-restaurant community for the past decade. She's joined by a small team of familiar faces from around the neighborhood.

"My business partner Jason Corey and the late Molly Fitch [co-owner of the International] have each shown me how a bar can add to a neighborhood," Murphy said. "Banshee wouldn't have come to life without either of them. Jason is an exceptional mentor, and I hope to do them both proud." 

Corey added: "This is Jen's vision, Jen's concept and her work."

Hours: 

• Monday-Thursday: 4 p.m.-1 a.m. 

• Friday: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. 

• Saturday: noon-2 a.m. 

• Sunday: Noon-midnight 

Opening weekend hours will likely be 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

You can find Banshee updates on Instagram.

Signage alert: Afterword Bookshop on 6th Street

Photos by William Klayer 

Signage is up for Afterword Bookshop at 216 E. Sixth St., just east of Cooper Square.

Its Instagram account describes the incoming business as "a peerless bookshop serving New Yorkers of all ages." 

We'll share more details as they become available, and having more bookstores in the neighborhood is always a good thing.

Getting to know... Daniel D. Tompkins

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The conversation about the founder of Tompkins Square Bagels is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Register here. 

The Tompkins Square Library branch is at 331 E. 10th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Group show 'Persevere' featured now at Theater for the New City

A new group show, "Persevere," is now on display through Jan. 4 at Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

The opening reception is tomorrow (Wednesday) night from 5:30-8.

The work is installed in the theater's lobby gallery. TNC is open every day, making it easy for neighbors to stop by and see the art. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Theater for the New City is a community space, and visitors are welcome any time the doors are open. The theater's regular performances take place Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 3 p.m.

Pop-up food market at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery tomorrow amid SNAP uncertainty

With uncertainty over SNAP food benefits, St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery is hosting a pop-up market tomorrow (Wednesday) to provide assistance to local residents in need. 

According to the organizers, "We're responding to the food crisis spurred by the government shutdown by offering food and supplies to our neighbors." 

The market takes place in the Parish Hall starting at 11 a.m. The church is at Second Avenue and 10th Street. 

This event is in conjunction with the East Village Community Coalition, Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, educator-activist Katrina T. Monzón, and Middle Church. 

You can volunteer to help here... or donate here.

Tuesday's opening shot

A morning look at this freshly milled section of 10th Street along Tompkins Square Park... crews last night milled the street from Second Avenue on east...

Monday's parting shots

Alongside and inside the New York City Marble Cemetery on Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue today. (The second photo is through the fence — the cemetery was not open.)

No water on 7th Street (but plenty of DEP notices from the de Blasio era)

Residents and businesses along Seventh Street, between First Avenue and Second Avenue (and parts of Second Avenue), remain without water after a break in the early morning hours.

The rupture occurred on the east side of Second Avenue at Seventh Street around 2 a.m., one EVG reader said.

... and the alleged offending pipe..

Businesses on Seventh Street, such as Abraço, were forced to remain closed today...

The city set up a portable water station for residents on the SW corner of Seventh Street and First Avenue (photo by Derek Berg) ...

And the posted notices on buildings from the DEP ...

... still list Bill de Blasio as mayor...

Get Ready for a 'Furious' week on Avenue A

Expect to see crews for the Hulu series "Furious" this week along Avenue A from Third Street to Ninth Street ... plus some side streets. (H/T Salim!)

The crime thriller stars Emmy Rossum as an FBI agent "who uses the secrets from a female serial killer's past to try to find her," per Deadline. 

"Furious" is loosely based on the 1987 movie "Black Widow" with Debra Winger and Theresa Russell (and not to be confused with the 2021 Marvel film).