Saturday, August 27, 2022
Saturday's opening shots
Friday, August 26, 2022
Keyapalooza! Key Food is hosting a 6-day 'RE-GRAND Opening' next month
Photo by Stacie Joy
After nearly a year of renovations and some changes, some subtle (the non-dairy milk brands moved across aisle 2) and not-so-subtle (we still can't find the bacon), Key Food is hosting a "RE-GRAND Opening" during the first two weekends of September.
That's six days to celebrate Keychella and the upgrades (we haven't even posted about the new lights, which are pleasantly soft and don't cause seizures, as far as we know).
At this moment, we don't know what to expect over these six days other than to celebrate our appreciation of the grocery on Avenue A and Fourth Street.
We will see you there for all six days of this Keyapalooza.
P.S.
Yes, we have never heard of a "RE-GRAND Opening" and don't know if this is some kind of transpose glitch. (If so, collector's item!)
P.S.S.
Key was never actually closed during any of the renovations, other than shaving a few hours off the open and close times. We love you Key.
The replacements
A new single/video dropped today via local musician-artist Ruby Trademark (aka Ruby Aldridge) ... enjoy the noirish noise-pop of "My Replacement."
The ever-changing East Village skyline's newest addition is a 32-foot-tall Link5G tower
So what the *(*&#^%%$$@@ are these?
Per amNY:
The new structures are operated as a public-private partnership by consortium CityBridge, and are a revamp of the old 10-foot kiosks the firm set up under former Mayor Bill de Blasio starting in 2015 with free Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, a tablet, a 911 button, and calling capabilities.
We remember!
The old ones were supposed to be funded by digital ad displays on the side and the city originally hoped to build 10,000 of them, but the screens did not bring in the promised revenue, which brought the program to a halt with some 1,800 units built largely in Manhattan.
Read more about the supersize LinkNYC and the plans to revive the broken promise to bridge the digital divide in NYC at The City.
Currently accepting nicknames for the Link5G towers in the comments.
People keep stealing catalytic converters
Top photo from 6th Street
Catalytic converters remain a hot property. (Background)
Meanhile, the 9th Precinct tweeted this back on Saturday morning...
There is a big market for catalytic converters and these thieves know that. Great Police work by Officer Ramos and Officer Foster. They responded to a 911 call of a man stealing a catalytic converter from a car and after a brief foot chase the individual was arrested. pic.twitter.com/o8IH7zYQqT
— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) August 20, 2022
Reminders! The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is back in Tompkins Square Park on Sunday
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival is taking place this weekend... with a return to Tompkins Square Park from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday.
An abbreviated version of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival took place last year in Harlem; the 2020 slate was canceled with the pandemic.
Here's what to expect here via the SummerStage 2022 program:
Archie Shepp and Jason Moran are two avant-garde jazz musicians from different generations that nonetheless share a penchant for pushing the envelope. Shepp is a veteran saxophonist who has been called both a musical firebrand and a cultural radical, standing out even amongst myriad talents in the free jazz generation. Moran is pianist 37 years Shepp’s junior, with an equal respect for tradition and trailblazing. Their 2021 collaboration Let My People Go is a warm and intimate collection of duets recorded live in 2017-2018, a pristine portrait of two masters at work.The bill also includes the Grammy-nominated Chilean tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana, who plays with a ferocious energy and deft musicality; Bria Skonberg, a Canadian jazz trumpeter and bandleader once described by The Wall Street Journal as one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation; and Pasquale Grasso, a master be-bop guitarist known for elevating the instrument through his pianistic approach, showing the influence of Bud Powell and Art Tatum in a revolutionary hard-swinging way.
The festival started in Tompkins Square Park in 1993 ... taking place near or on Parker's birthday on Aug. 29. Additional dates were added in Harlem in 2000.
Parker, who died in 1955 at age 34, lived at 151 Avenue B from 1950-1954. That residential building between Ninth Street and 10th Street is landmarked.
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Thursday's parting shot
The ABC mural is the work of Brooklyn-based artists The Yok and Sheryo. And there was a little bit of controversy when this mural first arrived.
A liquidation sale at La Sirena on 3rd Street
Photos by Stacie Joy
A liquidation sale continues at La Sirena, the longtime Mexican artisan shop at 27 E. Third St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.
In an email about the in-shop-only sale, owner Dina Leor said: "Long story short, we have enough for four stores, and we want to empty. We'd rather you enjoy it than have it saved."
Here's more:
Everything is handmade by artisans from many regions of Mexico. Our mission has always been to help and support artisans and craft traditions.We have a lot of embroidered clothes, textiles, ceramics, hand-carved wooden masks, jewelry (handmade silver earrings and others too), Talavera ceramics, Gorky Gonzales ceramics, home decor, wall art, tin art, leather and fabric wallets and purses, Halloween art, sombreros, good luck charms, statues of saints, Mexican wrestling masks and souvenirs, baskets, market bags, hand woven blankets, paper flowers and much more.
She said the liquidation runs through Aug. 31.
Asked on Instagram if she was closing the shop, she wrote: "First liquidating storage and then we'll see. I believe in miracles."
Lucky No. 77: Victory Tattoo NYC opens in the former Hells Angels HQ on 3rd Street
Images and reporting by Stacie Joy
The last of the members and/or their entourage moved out of No. 77 between First Avenue and Second Avenue at the end of March 2019. Until then, the Hells Angels had the clubhouse in their possession since 1969.
The two retail spaces, where the Angels once had their bar, entertainment area and storage space, became available in February after the building underwent extensive renovations. (Several pop-up concepts have leased the other storefront.)
Vic Tamian (below), a tattoo artist and entrepreneur, owns Victory Art and Tattoo in Little Falls, N.J. On the shop's fifth anniversary, Tamian decided to expand and open Victory Tattoo NYC.
Tamian liked the location because of the No. 77 address, "which is a lucky number."
They were also aware of the building's history, which "only adds to the appeal that a tattoo shop already has."
Tamian said they messaged the Hells Angels to get their blessing. They got a "hells yeah" in response.
The shop features apprentice Katie Lau (right, below) and piercer Strawberry Reynolds (left).
Senses working overtime: The former Taj Mahal is now home to a psychic on 6th Street
The awnings and signage were covered in blue this week... a small "psychic readings — $5 special" is on the front window. Not open just yet.
In keeping up with the Mahals... Raj Mahal is still open a few storefronts to the east for some live sitar music and reasonably priced food ...
... one of two Indian restaurants left on the block (along with Malai Marke) ...
Signage alert: Pizza Loves Sauce coming to East Houston
Not sure who's behind the pizzeria at the moment. The shop's website describes it as "a New York Style Pizzeria." There's an Instagram account here for updates.
The space (once part of Lucky's Famous Burgers!) was previously an outpost of Il Mattone.
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Wednesday's parting shot
Blek has a new show at West Chelsea Contemporary on 10th Avenue through Sept. 25.
Reports: Dan Goldman is the Democratic nominee for the 10th Congressional District
The Associated Press called it just after midnight...
Goldman also declared himself the Democratic nominee for the open seat...BREAKING: Daniel Goldman wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in New York's 10th Congressional District. #APRaceCall at 12:39 a.m. EDT. https://t.co/2nlgpjiEZK
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) August 24, 2022
According to published reports, Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou trails by a little over 1,000 votes. She has yet to concede the race, waiting until all the absentee ballots are counted, per Gothamist.#NY10, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I am humbled to be your Democratic nominee for Congress. I have immense respect for the other candidates in the field and look forward to working with them to achieve our shared progressive vision for this city and our democracy.
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) August 24, 2022
The crowded field for the open seat saw Mondaire Jones (18.09%) in third and local City Council member Carlina Rivera (16.87%) in fourth, as City & State reported.
Rivera posted her speech to her supporters from last night...
City & State has more election-night coverage here.
Meanwhile, here's a breakdown of how people voted in the different neighborhoods making up the 10th Congressional District...Still proud, still grateful, still here to serve the communities and the city I love. Thank you. I love you. Pa'lante siempre ✊🏽
— Carlina Rivera 利華娜 (@CarlinaRivera) August 24, 2022
Carlina Rivera: Election Night Remarks https://t.co/KYWVASrXDU
The next iteration of the Knitting Factory coming to the East Village
Photo of cumgirl8 at the Knitting Factory Brooklyn from 10/21 by Stacie Joy
After 13 years of hosting live music and comedy on Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn, the Knitting Factory shut down on Sunday night.
In the Instagram post announcing the live music venue's closure in June, the company ended with: "Don’t fret, you'll see us again in the coming months." (Management said the landlord wanted to double the rent in Williamsburg.)
Multiple tipsters have told us that the Knitting Factory would be opening a concept in the East Village in the months ahead.
Morgan Margolis, president and CEO of Knitting Factory Entertainment, confirmed to EVG that the Knitting Factory will be coming to the neighborhood.
However, Margolis, who was born and raised in the East Village, was not ready to reveal where just yet, stating that an announcement would be coming later this fall.
In June, he told Brooklyn Magazine that the next iteration is "going to be a little different in that it's going to be more of a neighborhood bar … we're partnering up, so it's not just going to be Knitting Factory."
Michael Dorf and Louis Spitzer opened the original Knitting Factory in 1987 on Houston Street near Mulberry. The venue decamped for Tribeca before moving to Brooklyn in 2009. (Read more detailed history here.)
Today, the Knitting Factory's operations include venue ownership and management, festivals and events, artist management, recorded music production, and distribution.
A retail wine and spirits store is in the works for the former Black & White space on 10th Street
Christopher Freund, formerly the head sommelier at Gotham Bar & Grill on East 12th Street and Betony on West 57th Street, is behind the retail concept. In an Instagram message, he confirmed that he had applied for a license for the storefront. He didn't have an opening date right at the moment.
Neighborhood bar Black & White was at the address for more than 20 years, closing in October 2020 with plans to relocate (those plans haven't materialized to date).
And not sure at the moment who's renting the second-floor office — space that was once used by Wiz Kid Management (onetime manager of the Strokes).
Here's more about Rabbit and the Fragile Flour, opening next month on 7th Street
A rep for the plant-based hospitality group shared more details about each concept at 122 E. Seventh St. ...
Rabbit:
Exploring the world of raw vegan cooking, Executive Chef Xila Caudillo, takes a global approach offering a 13-course tasting menu, aided by hospitality veterans, Lo Serrano (sous chef) and Katy Blank (GM).The space explores the opportunities of raw ingredients; complimented by a small but intentionally curated beverage program with low-ABV cocktails, non-alcoholic options including fresh juices and infused-waters, and a curated wine list featuring Latinx winemakers.Rabbit seats 12 indoors at the chef's counter. It will be open Wednesday to Sunday, with seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. You can find the Rabbit website here ... and some food pics @rabbit.newyork.
The Fragile Flour:
The dessert and wine bar offers plated desserts, wine pours from across the world (from Brazil to Italy), and light savory bites. The 12-seat space ... is led by Pastry Chef Lady Ashton Warren, with wine selections from Overthrow's wine director, Drew Brady.
No. 122 previously housed Overthrow's Cadence, which moved across the street to a larger space in the spring. The Fragile Flour space was previously slated to be a Cadence annex.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
The Li'l Park Drag Show takes the stage at La Plaza Cultural
Photos by Stacie Joy
On Saturday afternoon, La Plaza Cultural on the SW corner of Ninth Street and Avenue C was the setting for the latest (and last for the summer) Li'l Park Drag Show — "an outdoor celebration of queer performance & gender nonconformity."
Double Mx.Ectomy served as the host for the show, billed as the Gender Euphoria GRAND FINALE...
Aside from sets by Claudi from Pinc Louds ... featured performers included Dimez...
... Oliver Herface ...
... Lena Horné... 
... Bertha Vanayshun... 
... Om3n Onyx...
Other performers were Bad News Bear and Glitter Macabre. You can follow the @lilparkdragshow on Instagram for updates.
Previously
City removes several abandoned curbside dining structures in the East Village
The paperwork attached to the businesses reads in part:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the authorization granted by the City of New York's Open Restaurants Program is HEREBY TERMINATED.As observed by a City inspector on several instances, the seating area in front of your restaurant is deemed abandoned and, as a result, violates the terms and conditions of the Open Restaurants Program.
Last Thursday, a sledgehammer-toting Mayor Adams announced that a few dozen abandoned outdoor shelters would be demolished citywide. (City press release here.)
Per Gothamist:
Standing before a deserted shed in Manhattan, Adams emphasized his support for making outdoor dining a permanent fixture of city dining — an outcome officials have been working toward for months. But he said its longevity had to be safeguarded in a manner that is "safe, clean, and respectable to our neighbors and those who live in the communities."In addition to removing structures that belong to now-shuttered restaurants, Adams pledged to crack down on repeat violators of city outdoor dining regulations. Thirty-seven sheds are currently being investigated, according to his office.
The Open Restaurants program has been operating since June 2020.
A group of city residents filed an Article 78 lawsuit to end renewals of the emergency executive orders that authorize NYC's temporary Open Restaurants program and to end its operation.
"If the City wants to make an improved or expanded sidewalk café program, we're all for it. We'd love to be part of that discussion," said Leslie Clark, a petitioner in a legal action challenging the Open Restaurants program, in an advisory sent last week to local media outlets. "Communities throughout the city should have access to sidewalk cafés. But the Temporary Open Restaurants program has become a blight on our city, and it needs to end."
In any local dining-shed news, the still-open Amigo by Nai removed its structure at 29 Second Ave. between Second Street and First Street...
Thoughts on a new tenant for a former laundromat
A sign on the door makes an appeal for the next tenant (thanks to Steven for the top two pics) ...
Someone! Please open this laundromat!! We need one!!!
Meanwhile, while this won't be of help to the residents who live around the former New Phoenix... a new laundromat (Laundry Mart!) opened in early July at 60 Avenue B between Fourth Street and Fifth Street (just realized that we never noted this arrival)...
Delicore: The line to see Diplo at Katz's After Dark Sunday night
This was billed as "Katz's After Dark" — "Invite only, for the industry by the industry" — and presented by Red Bull, as part of their Summer Sessions series, and the clothing brand Mr. Saturday.
Attendees received complimentary Red Bull cocktails from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. ... and the usual Katz's fare.
There were four DJs on the bill, Joey Saturday, Mona Matsuoka, Gonnie Garko and headliner Diplo ...
This appears to be a one-time event, though there is a Katz's After Dark Instagram account in case there's ever a next time.
Katz's previously hosted Vogue's Pre Met Party this past spring.
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