The Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lighting is Dec. 8!

[Photo by Steven]

Well, while you're waiting for one holiday to begin... here's some save-the-date info — the 28th edition of the Tompkins Square Park tree lighting happens on Dec. 8 from 4-5 p.m.

Expect caroling, refreshments, etc.! Always a good time. More details next week!

Meanwhile, in a bit of good news, that mysterious hole that arrived near the tree last Christmas Eve eve was filled in on Nov. 6 after nearly 11 months ...


[Photo from Nov. 6 by Steven]

(Of course there are those smaller mysterious holes now...)

ArtisanFEST returns to The Neighborhood School on Sunday

From the EVG inbox...

The Neighborhood School’s ArtisanFEST: Art, shopping, snacks and all your holiday gifting under one roof!

The Neighborhood School’s ArtisanFEST is back! On Sunday, Nov. 24, from 10 am to 4 pm, come out to support a local public school and get all your holiday shopping done in one fell swoop. Admission is free and open to the public. Scoop up silk-screened clothing, hand-printed linens, sample-sale items, home decorations, jewelry, fine art and more.

Confirmed artisans include: Lucky Fish (gorgeous screen-printed clothes and home goods); Vale (edgy yet dainty vintage-y jewelry); Wovenplay (imagination-sparking clothes and accessories for wee adventurers and artists); Interior Provisions (affordably luxurious home products with a conscience; Small Trades (men’s and women’s classic clothing inspired by Irving Penn’s 1950s photos); Winter Water Factory (boldly printed organic clothing and accessories); Atsuko & Akiko (exquisite and playful clothing, home décor and jewelry); Jillian Sherry (delicate ripped silk paintings and textile prints); Billie Beads (polymer beaded, bejeweled objets and killer tchotchkes); MUNY (Indian, boho, fair-trade, handcrafted textiles evoking both Mumbai and New York – hence the name); Odette Williams (delightful retro-hip aprons, kid clothes and wall art) and many more. There will also be homemade treats, kids selling their own beaded and Rainbow-Loomed jewelry, and some of those groovy food trucks.

A portion of the proceeds goes to Studio in a School, the wonderful organization that brings together professional artists and public school kids, and to The Neighborhood School PTA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. The Neighborhood School is at 121 East 3rd Street, between First Avenue and Avenue A in the East Village.

A petition and holiday card campaign to help return the former PS 64 to the community

A few updates about the former PS 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center on East Ninth Street.

Back in September, the Department of Buildings put a stop, for now, to developer Gregg Singer's plans to convert the long-emtpy building between Avenue B and Avenue C into a dorm.

City Councilmember Rosie Mendez's office recently launched an online petition asking Mayor de Blasio to return the building to the community. Per the petition:

The building at 605 East 9th Street had an impact on many generations of the Lower East Side / East Village residents. [The] landmarked building that was auctioned off by Mayor Guiliani 16 years ago and the building has been empty for more than 13 years. This building has been a beacon of hope, inspiration, culture, and community for the residents of the Lower East Side.

We need to bring back the building for community use and ensure that our history is not forgotten or erased. Our community still needs this building for engaging in the arts, educating each other of our history, and providing social programs for the children, young people, adults, and seniors that make up this beautiful neighborhood.

We’re asking Mayor Bill de Blasio to use his power to undue an injustice perpetrated by Mayor Guiliani and listen to the Lower East Side/East Village community by returning this building for community use.

You can find the petition here.

Meanwhile, the grassroots organization SOCCC (Save Our Charas Community Center) has been collecting holiday cards from neighbors to deliver to Mayor de Blasio in person on Tuesday (Three Kings Day). Find out more details about this here.

Finally, the sidewalk bridge on East 10th Street is celebrating its 17th month with expired permits…



Previously on EV Grieve:
Testimony Of Councilmember Rosie Mendez regarding the former PS 64

[Updated] At the 'Save Our Community Center MARCH AND RALLY'

Landmarks Preservation Commission asks to see modified plans for former PS 64

The Landmarks Preservation Commission approves application for modifications at PS 64

'Misinformation' cited as DOB issues Stop Work Order at the former PS 64; community meeting set for Sunday afternoon

Breaking: Holiday lights are off again in Tompkins Square Park

Oh no!

@angel_chao just passed along this photo...

And just hours after our post that the lights had returned... Too many holiday lights highs and lows for one night...

Solving the Great Santa Claus Mystery of Tompkins Square Park

Late last night, the rando Santa Claus looked all aglow in an upright position under the holiday tree in Tompkins Square Park, as these photos by EVG reader Jake Bowling show...

As we've been noting this week (here and here), someone brought this Santa figure to the tree in the park sometime Sunday night or Monday morning. 

At one point, Santa was standing proudly... other times, he was flat on his back, per hijinks. 

And through some detective work (our fee: $200 per day plus expenses) and some reader comments, we learned how Santa came to town to the park. (Early reports that Santa was nabbed from a lobby turned out to be incorrect.) 

This Santa had been holding forth outside East Village Social on St. Mark's Place this past holiday season. 

On Sunday night, someone from the bar transported SC to his new resting place... here's a video via Instagram showing Santa on the move (to the gentle strains of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by East Village Social aka EVS (@eastvillagesocial)

Sadly, the trail ends here. Steven, our secret Santa correspondent, reports that there's no sign of the Claus in the Park today...

Hopefully, he'll be back again some day (or is that Frosty?).

Check out the Sirovich Holiday Art Sale TODAY

An EVG reader shared this with us today... the annual Sirovich Holiday Art Sale is happening. 

We missed Day 1. You can stop by today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ... in the auditorium at the Sirovich Center for Balanced Living at 331 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

We've bought a few things here through the years, and the proceeds support the art programs at Sirovich.

Important questions on East 12th Street

A lone Christmas holiday tree stand sits, seemingly discarded, on East 12th Street near First Avenue. Is it from last year? Or in place for this coming Christmas holiday?

Week in Grieview

Posts from this past week include ... (and photo on Avenue A by Derek Berg)...

• The Bowery Mission's 141st Thanksgiving (Wednesday) 

• Bluestockings hosting limited-capacity opening this holiday season in new LES storefront (Monday)

• A visit to Van Da on 4th Street (Thursday)

• A visit to Raul's Barber Shop (Tuesday)

• The Bean reopens on Second Avenue (Tuesday) 

• Here's a look at the final RBG mural on 1st Avenue and 11th Street (Friday) 

• The East Village Holiday Crawl is underway (Friday) 

• This week's Gallery Watch column (Wednesday) 

• Reader reports: E. 10th St. Finest Deli will close next month (Wednesday) 

• San Loco's liquor license has arrived on Avenue C (Friday) 

• This week's NY See panel (Thursday) 

• Tile Bar returns (Monday)

• Two-plus years after devastating fire, Yakiniku West reopens next week on 9th Street (Thursday) 

• AO Bowl softly opens on St. Mark's Place (Thursday) 

• A glimpse of the 10-story condoplex to come to 14 2nd Ave. (Monday)

• High winds damage outdoor dining spaces on St. Mark's Place (Monday) 

• A full reveal at 639 E. 9th St. (Wedensday) 

• Former psychic medium hits the rental market on 2nd Avenue (Monday) 

• Former Mace space for rent on 12th Street (Thursday)

And as seen on First Avenue...... be open, be free! 

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Lucy's is on a holiday break

Oh! Stopped by Lucy's the other late afternoon only to discover… she is on holiday until next Friday. And these signs really do need a smiley face.

City workers remove holiday lights before Easter comes calling

City workers have arrived at Tompkins Square Park this morning to remove the holiday lights... really.

Previously on EV Grieve:
On St. Patrick's Day, a Christmas miracle in Tompkins Square Park

A groovy kind of love: 3rd and B'zaar back with a Valentine's Market this weekend

Like Air Supply, if you're lost in love, then you may want to check out the next pop-up market at 3rd and B'Zaar.

The mixed-vendor market and event space at 191 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B will host a variety of local designers, artists, merchants and vintage sellers for this Valentine's weekend.

The Valentine's Market runs Friday-Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.

In a photoshoot with Stacie Joy, organizers (from left) Maegan Hayward, Sara Ann Rutherford and Delphine Le Goff paid homage to some 1980s excess and indulgence ...

3rd & B'Zaar debuted in late 2020 with a month-long Holiday Market followed by Sex, Love & Vintage in February ... Spring Into Pride in May and June ... Summer in the City in the summer and another holiday-themed pop-up late last year. 

You can follow them on Instagram for more info about vendors.

Holiday tree hovel welcomed to the neighborhood

An addition to the holiday tree hovel a day after it arrived here outside St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery...

...and still no trees...

Reminders: The 26th annual Tree Lighting at Tompkins Square Park is Sunday

[Photo by Steven]

It happens from 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday ... once again featuring the holiday stylings of the Carolers of Olde New York (via the Theatre for the New City) and the Mandel & Lydon Trio (every year someone makes the John Lydon joke) ... with refreshments provided by Veselka and C&B Cafe over on Seventh Street. (Go here for info about post-tree-lighting specials at a few local businesses.)

Meanwhile, two different crews have been spotted working on the tree... From yesterday...


[Photo by Ronnie]

And Sunday...


[Photo by Steven]

Not sure exactly what they were doing. Hooking up the power? Some Park regulars thought that the lights were kept on the tree year round...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader mailbag: A call to keep the lights on the holiday tree in Tompkins Square Park

The 6th Annual Wendigo Holiday Group Art Show opens tomorrow night

The work of a few dozen local artists will be on display at the 6th Annual Wendigo Holiday Group Art Show, which opens tomorrow night (7-9) at Art on A Gallery.

The show will be up through Jan. 17 at the Gallery, 24 Avenue A near Second Street.

Check out this link for a list of artists.

Today: Holiday Gift Fair at the LES Girls Club; ceramics sale at the Sirovich Senior Center

Via the EVG inbox...from the Lower Eastside Girls Club

Join us from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for our Fair Trade & Girl-Made Holiday Gift Fair

Items for everyone on your list: Featuring hand made products from the Lower Eastside Girls Club and our sister partners around the globe.

Potholders, aprons, handcrafted soaps, jewelry, ornaments, dog and cat beds, cards, art, baby gifts and more, more, more…shop with us! And all for a good cause: girls and women worldwide.

Address: 402 E. Eighth St. at Avenue D.

Meanwhile, a reader shared this... Day 2 of the ceramics sale over at the Sirovich Senior Center on 12th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue...

Week in Grieview

[Photo on Avenue B by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Affordable housing planned for city-owned buildings at 204 Avenue A and 535 E. 12th St. (Wednesday)

The makeshift memorials at the 2nd Avenue gas explosion site have been removed (Thursday)

Nicoletta Pizzeria closes 2nd Avenue dining room, plans move to a new delivery-only location (Friday)

You'll be back: Look at the renovated Hamilton-Holly House on St. Mark's Place (Monday)

City continues 14th Street prep work ahead of the L-train closure (Thursday)

More about Treetops, the name of the condoplex coming to 14 2nd Ave. (Monday)

Hardware store-replacing hardware store now open on 4th Avenue (Thursday)

Korean food coming to the former Dinah Hookah Lounge space on 2nd Avenue (Wednesday)

Christmas miracle on the Bowery (Saturday)

Signs of new businesses on 3rd Avenue, and an H Mart update (Wednesday)

New signage arrives for Paquito's on 1st Avenue (Friday)

Scrooged: Tompkins Square Park holiday tree remains dark (Saturday)

A sushi counter for 4th Street (Thursday)

JR's neglected 'Gun Chronicles' on the Bowery Mural Wall (Friday)

Ravagh Persian Grill currently closed for renovations (Monday)

The 6th Annual Wendigo Holiday Group Art Show opens (Wednesday)

Fashion Pickle has closed (Friday)

Full FULL reveal at 287 E. Houston St. (Monday)

Report: Thirteen East + West on the auction block (Thursday)

1 more post about this corner of Avenue B and 3rd Street (Monday)

For these 14th Street buildings, there's now renovations inside to match the noise outside (Tuesday)

Hanoi Soup Shop's on for 115 St. Mark's Place (Friday)

... and EVG reader OrangeHOWELL shared this from yesterday... Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels was doing a photo opp on 12th Street at Avenue A ... under the Run DMC mural...



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Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a photo on 1st Avenue by Grant Shaffer) ... 

• A visit with Moxie, a nearly 8-year-old East Village photographer with an eye for nature (Wednesday)

• A visit to Azaleas, celebrating 20 years in the East Village (Tuesday) 

• EV Loves NYC preparing for its 3rd annual Thanksgiving event for New Yorkers in need (Friday)

• The tree lighting ceremony in Tompkins Square Park takes place on Dec. 11 (Monday) 

• This morning's community meeting in Tompkins Square Park (Thursday) ... Why is this area of Tompkins Square Park now closed to the public? (Thursday) 

• About 'Bomb Pop 2,' an 'ongoing conversation' at Bullet Space (Friday) 

• The Gallery Watch Q&A: Sneha S. on 'Portraits of the Revolution' (Saturday) 

• Bowery building once owned by Andy Warhol is up for auction (Tuesday) 

• City removes curbside dining structure at Amor Y Amargo on 6th and A (Saturday) 

• While we're waiting for the full reveal at 14 2nd Ave. (Monday) 

• Let there be sidewalk here on Avenue C! (Wednesday) 

• Gratin, a new gallery, debuts on 5th Street and Avenue B (Thursday) 

• That's all for the short-lived Luna Cafe Lounge on 2nd Avenue (Thursday)

• The Union Square Holiday Market is now open on Union Square this holiday season (Friday) 

• Heathily Deli has not been open lately (Monday) 

• Noted, good-God-not-another-one edition (Wednesday) ... Hey, what might be opening in this empty 1st Avenue storefront? (Monday) 

... and an attempt at humor for fans of the Citizen app...

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Playing Santa, Arnold Schwarzenegger looks for his magic bag outside Veselka

Crews were set up today outside Veselka on Second Avenue and Ninth Street, filming scenes for Amazon MGM's holiday movie, "The Man With the Bag." 

An EVG reader shared these photos...

... including a quick shot of Arnold Schwarzenegger in costume as — Santa Claus...

The plot for the action comedy, per IMDB: "When Santa's magic bag is stolen, he turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a former thief, to help him get it back." 

Production trucks were also set up along Tompkins Square Park today. 

Veselka, whose location credits include "Ocean's 8," will be closed today. 

 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Arnold Schwarzenegger filming Amazon MGM's holiday movie 'The Man With the Bag' in the East Village

Jimmy's holiday party is today at La Plaza Cultural

And if you're around today without any plans ... Jimmy's annual holiday party is today from noon to ??? at La Plaza Cultural, on the southwest corner of Avenue C and Ninth Street...



Per the Facebook invite: "There will be food and music and it is potluck. Bring firewood for the bonfire and grill if you can. Bring your musical instruments. It is rain or shine."

And not to be a jerk, but these elves working the mail room at La Plaza totally lost my packages ...

Holiday Fair at the Neighborhood School TODAY

The Neighborhood School's annual holiday fair is today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 121 E. Third St. between Avenue A and First Avenue... highlights include a rummage sale and book fair via McNally Jackson (and BOX MAZE!)...