Wednesday, October 11, 2017

A wedding in Tompkins Square Park



On Sunday, East Village residents Yael Kanarek and Gili Getz, surrounded by friends, family and the neighborhood they love, were married in a ceremony in Tompkins Square Park (near the Slocum Memorial Fountain) ...





Following the short ceremony, the guests went to a celebration at Abraço, the cafe on Seventh Street where the couple are regulars.

Photos by Daniel Efram

Noted



EVG reader Brad212 notes an addition to the monument-sculpture along Avenue D here between Sixth Street and Seventh Street... there, up top...





The person/people responsible might say that the addition speaks for itself...

RIP Bonnie DeWitt



Bonnie DeWitt, an artist and teacher who lived in the East Village, died on Oct. 1. She was 34.

Here is part of her obituary, which does not mention the cause of death:

Born on August 11, 1983 in Plainview, NY, she was a daughter of David and Sara Dewitt. After graduating Old Beth Page John F. Kennedy High School in Plainview, she continued her education in Massachusetts at Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, graduating in 2005. In 2007 she earned a Masters in Fine Arts at the New York Academy of Art.

Bonnie went on to pursue her passion for art in Manhattan, working as curator of the Kraine Gallery in the East Village. She then redirected her love of art towards teaching. She taught at the New York Academy of Art for nearly a decade, specializing in figure drawing. Her innate artistic abilities and dedication to her craft fueled her desire to share her talent and knowledge.

She loved to explore New York's museums and would often take her art students on field trips to the Met. Outside of museums, she spent her free time in her beloved neighborhood, the East Village. She had a vibrant personality and a great sense of humor. Full of compassion, she loved animals, and was always a helping hand to others in a time of crisis.

Bonnie had a radiant presence; anyone who had the opportunity to cross paths with Bonnie would agree that she was someone everyone wanted to know. She was a true rarity, someone who was and will always be unforgettable.

This Saturday from 3-5 p.m., her friends and loved ones are gathering for a celebration of her life at the Fish Bar on Fifth Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square. Find more details at Facebook.

Ai Weiwei on 7th Street


[Photo yesterday by EVG reader Russell K.]

As previously reported, artist-activist Ai Weiwei's installations titled "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors" are going up around the city.

Yesterday, workers were installing the site-specific fencing at 48 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (Other local installations include 189 Chrystie St., 248 Bowery, Cooper Union and the Essex Street Market.)


[Photo by Derek Berg]

The press materials note that "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors" is "a reflection on the growing hostility toward immigrants and the rise of nationalism throughout the world."

This collaboration with the Public Art Fund is officially on view starting tomorrow through Feb. 11.


[Photo by DB]

The Dessert Kitchen opens on St. Mark's Place



The Dessert Kitchen is up and running (in soft-open mode) at 94 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue.

They serve "homemade Asian-fusion-styled desserts from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan," per their Facebook page.(Menu here.)



The Dessert Kitchen was previously over at 192 Bleecker St. near Sixth Avenue. I do not know the circumstances behind the closure there and move here.

This space on St. Mark's adjacent to Fun City Tattoo was previously a residence. Workers converted it into a storefront back in the late winter and early spring.

The return of the WASP


[On the Bowery]

You've probably seen the many No Parking-filming notices on parts of Sixth Street and Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... and on the Bowery for WASP2017...


[7th Street]

WASP2017 is short for Woody Allen's Summer Project, a still-untitled movie starring Elle Fanning, Selena Gomez, Jude Law, Diego Luna and Liev Schrieber, among many others. Crews will be filming in parts of the East Village today and tomorrow.

Last year, Allen filmed a few scenes for "Wonder Wheel" around here ... and in 2009, he was here shooting "Whatever Works" with Larry David.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

DA: Man sentenced to 40 years in prison for November 2015 rape in East River Park

A man who attacked and raped a 26-year-old woman jogging near the FDR Drive and Cherry Street in November 2015 was sentenced to 40 years in prison today.

Here's part of the news alert from the DA's office:

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the sentencing of Paul Nies, 30, to 40 years in state prison and 20 years’ post-release supervision for raping and robbing a 26-year-old woman who was jogging in East River Park in November 2015.

On September 12, 2017, the defendant was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury of the top counts in the indictment against him, including Rape in the First Degree, Robbery in the Second Degree, and Strangulation in the Second Degree.

“This was a brutal stranger assault, and I commend the victim for her bravery in bringing her attacker to justice, as well as the prosecutors and members of law enforcement who worked tirelessly on this case,” said District Attorney Vance.

As proven at trial, at approximately 7:30 p.m. on November 25, 2015, NILES attacked a 26-year-old woman as she was jogging in East River Park and forced the victim to move to a different area of the park, where the defendant sexually assaulted her. Following the attack, Niles took the victim’s phone and credit card, which he later used at a fast food location in Brooklyn.

As The Lo-Down reported, at the time of the attack, "local residents complained about poor lighting in East River Park." A reader told the Lo-Down today that the new lighting is not working at this time.

Image from November 2015

First sign of upcoming renovations at the former Webster Hall


[Photo from Sept. 30]

The new owners of Webster Hall are taking the first steps toward renovating and updating the landmarked building at 125 E. 11th St. for use as a live-music-only venue.

Reps of the owners will be meeting with Community Board 3's Landmarks Committee next Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Here's the agenda item:

Certificate of Appropriateness, Webster Hall, 125 East 11th St: addition of three new doors at street level within the historic façade to improve ingress and egress, provide accessibility for the disabled, and allow more efficient load-in and out of performers.

And a notice of the meeting is posted on the building here between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue...



Adding three new doors doesn't sound like the most exciting-controversial development ... just one that's necessary to help upgrade the facility and make it ADA compliant. To date, work permits have yet to be posted with the DOB.

Webster Hall closed on Aug. 10. Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, along with AEG-backed The Bowery Presents, bought the building from the Ballinger family for $35 million in the spring.

The new owners will renovate the space, dropping the club nights to focus on live music. Some reports suggest that the new venue won't be ready until 2020. Billboard reported that there may be a name change here too.

Previously

[Updated] Construction watch: 421 E. 6th St.


[GIF via Meredith Rendall]

Late last week, workers removed the scaffolding on the west-facing wall of 421 E. Sixth St., the former Con Edison substation and Walter de Maria studio that Peter Brant is converting into an exhibition space.

This reveal provides the first look at the renovated circa-1920 building, which will reportedly host a few exhibits a year as an extension of the Greenwich, Conn.-based Brant Foundation Art Study Center ... and serve as a home for some of Brant's private art collection.

It might be worth taking a look at the progress here between Avenue A and First Avenue... starting with the Sixth Street side...





... and from the Seventh Street side...



Renovations are in the second year year. I don't even remember hearing about a completion date. "We plan to open it in a few years," Brant told the Times in October 2014 before the start of the construction.

The construction didn't really get going until April 2016. After complaints about the ongoing noise — particularly the jackhammering — the construction crew started posting a "weekly look ahead" schedule in August 2016 that outlines the work taking place.

Brant bought the building for $27 million in August 2014.

Updated 10/12

I haven't walked by in a few days... and the scaffolding is down on the Sixth Street side...



Previously on EV Grieve:
About that "giant-robot laboratory" on East Sixth Street

RIP Walter De Maria

What is your East Village dream home?

Walter De Maria's 'giant-robot laboratory' going for $25 million; inside is amazing as you'd expect

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

Work on disaster protection for Haven Plaza underway



Work started this past week on a natural disaster-resistant infrastructure to protect Haven Plaza in case of another destructive hurricane such as Sandy.

The project was announced back in the early summer for the affordable-housing complex on Avenue C at 13th Street.

Here's is a recap via the media advisory:

This new two-story structure plus basement and the upgrades throughout the complex are in direct response to 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, when the nearby East River overflowed its banks, the Con Edison East River Generating Station adjacent to Haven Plaza exploded, and, as a result, Haven Plaza lost all electricity and steam for heat. Residents – many elderly – were trapped without elevator service, electricity, heat or water. Men and women of the National Guard shared their field rations with residents until the power returned.



The $9.89-million project, which received the funding through the New York City Build It Back program, is expected to be complete in August 2018, per the new plywood signage.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Protection for Haven Plaza on Avenue C in case of another hurricane like Sandy

Shake Shack's Death Star branch opens today


[Photo from last Friday]

The Shack Shack for 51 Astor Place/IBM Watson Building/Death Star at Third Avenue and Ninth Street opens this morning at 11.

Here's more via the Shake Shack website:

A reflection of Shake Shack’s relentless focus on excellence, experience and hospitality through innovation, the Astor Place Shack will introduce a new guest flow at the restaurant. Set to open its doors on Tuesday, October 10th at 51 Astor Place on the corner of 9th Street and 3rd Avenue, the Shack is designed to enhance operations and guest experience and will feature kiosk-only ordering, a cashless environment, and an optimized kitchen for greater throughput.

Custom-designed by Shake Shack, the Shack kiosk was developed to allow Shake Shack to serve more guests at peak times – whether in-Shack, for pickup via the Shack App, or even delivery – resulting in fewer lines, less wait time and quicker speed of service at every channel. Several kiosks will line the Shack and team members known as Hospitality Champs will be stationed around the kiosks to assist guests with their orders and answer any questions.

The Shack kiosk replicates the experience of the Shack App with a sharp aesthetic, an intuitive touch screen interface and ease of ordering. Guests simply select their food, place an order and choose to receive an alert via text when their order is ready. The new technology offers guests yet another way to experience Shake Shack – when, where and how they want it – and demonstrates Shake Shack’s commitment to digital hospitality. Earlier this year, Shake Shack launched a mobile ordering app for iOS and Android platforms and introduced the ShackBot, through Facebook Messenger and Twitter DM, to answer guests’ most frequently asked questions.

The Astor Place Shack presents an exciting testing ground for Shake Shack to strengthen operations and experiment with new and innovative ways of connecting with loyal fans. Building a business model to support digital innovation, Shake Shack will lead with a starting wage of $15 per hour to continue to be on the forefront of competitive wages and developing the leaders needed for growth.

A new guest flow... Hospitality Champs... ShackBots...

For some reason I think of this Gary Numan song now...

Monday, October 9, 2017

Monday's parting shot



Photo on Avenue A by Grant Shaffer...

'Crystal' days in Union Square


[Photo looking west via @UnionSquareNY]

In case you didn't already see this... back on Friday, the NYC Parks Department and the Union Square Partnership, in partnership with Marlborough Gallery, unveiled sculptor Dale Chihuly's Rose Crystal Tower in Union Square Park (in the southeast corner).

Here's more via the Parks Department website:

The Rose Crystal Tower stands 31-feet tall and is composed of Polyvitro crystals and steel. Polyvitrois the artist’s term for a plastic material which he casts into individual chunks which resemble glass, but are lighter and more resilient. Chihuly used Polyvitro crystals in the artist’s landmark exhibition, Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem 2000.

The tower is part of the 50th anniversary of the Parks Department's Art in the Parks program.

And here's another angle from Friday (photo by Liz Ligon for Union Square Partnership) to get a feel for where this thing is ...



The piece will be on display through October 2018.

You can read more about it at Town & Village.

Report: No charges for Sudanese diplomat who allegedly groped woman at Bar None

A Sudanese diplomat reportedly groped a woman at Bar None on Third Avenue early Sunday morning, then tried to run from police. However, according to the Daily News, the NYPD had to cut him loose because of his diplomatic status.

Per the News:

The 23-year-old woman told cops that Hassan Salih, 36, pawed her breasts and buttocks about 2:30 a.m. Sunday at Bar None on Third Ave. near 13th St., officials said.

The disgusted woman grabbed a bar security guard to report what happened and they called the police.

The cops arrived and detained Salih as they conducted interviews, and that's when the diplomat tried to make a run for it.

Salih was caught and brought to the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street. Given his diplomatic immunity, though, police released him.

Per the Post:

The website for the Sudanese Mission to the UN lists Salih as a “second officer” — a mid-level position requiring five to 10 years of experience, according to the international group.

In May, he was selected to represent Sudan on a UN committee that oversees non-governmental human rights groups, according to UN Watch.