Saturday, September 15, 2012
At the East Ninth Street Block Party
Always a pleasant neighborhood gathering here between Avenue A and First Avenue... photos by Bobby Williams...
Why we still need Big Gulps and Double Gulps
Handy outdoor urinals, of course... So thank goodness they are exempt in the big soda ban!
For further reading:
Health Board Approves Bloomberg's Soda Ban (The New York Times)
For further reading:
Health Board Approves Bloomberg's Soda Ban (The New York Times)
Check out J. Kathleen White's excellent peephole dioramas for 2012
Since 2005, East Village artist J. Kathleen White has created a set of peephole dioramas and displays them along the fence outside the Ninth Street Community Garden at Avenue C ... Her 2012 set went up yesterday, and Bobby Williams took a look... and make sure that you stop by to appreciate them in person...
See her 2011 work here.
See her 2011 work here.
Jimmy McMillan will run for NYC mayor in 2013
Catching up on some political news here. Yesterday, the Observer reported that Jimmy McMillan announced that he will run for NYC mayor in 2013. He made his announcement at Tammany Hall on Orchard Street, where he was performing a few musical numbers.
Per the Observer:
Mr. McMillan decided to launch his mayoral campaign at the concert ... after meeting two of the women who were performing in the show at a Dunkin’ Donuts in the Lefferts Garden section of Brooklyn. Dion McKenzie and Erika Buestami, who perform as Kowabunga Tyga, said they instantly recognized Mr. McMillan.
“We met Jimmy McMillan at Dunkin’ Donuts when Jimmy was doing his thing, campaigning and the rent is too damn high,” Ms. McKenzie said pointing towards her bandmate. “She just went up to him like, ‘Hey Jimmy, What’s up.”
He will be keeping with his Rent Is Too Damn High Party line. Before tossing his hat into the mayoral race, McMillan was running a presidential campaign as a Republican. He said that he will now support President Obama.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Opening tonight, Pouring Ribbons on Avenue B, featuring drink matrix
The bar is by the people at Alchemy Consulting — described on its website as "a firm based on increasing the profitability of bars and restaurants around the country through innovative beverage design." New York clients include Bar Seven Five at the Andaz Wall Street
As Zagat notes about Pouring Ribbons:
Each beverage is plotted on two scales, one ranging from refreshing to spiritous, the other from comforting to adventurous. Booze hounds are sure to go for the Hagar and Helga, the most spirit forward and exciting of the bunch — it's a mix of Linine Aquavit, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, cumin syrup and cinnamon bitters.
You can find that drink menu here.
Meanwhile, how many artisanal cocktail bars can one neighborhood possibly support?
[Photo via Zagat]
What you have to do sometimes to get back into your own locked apartment
Go to the deli on the corner, borrow that cherry-picker thing, and retrieve your keys through the open window. Starring artist-musician-all-around-folk-hero Paul Kostabi.
EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition
More about the proposed East Village nightlife district (The Villager)
The Landmarks Preservation Commission hears plans for proposed hotel on East Fourth Street (Curbed)
A history of the East Village in 10 objects (Off the Grid)
New additions to Jeremiah's Dreams of the Vanishing New York website
New look for TeaNY on Rivington (BoweryBoogie)
Final hearing for SPURA next week (The Lo-Down)
Photos of the Feast of San Gennaro in recents years (The Gog Log)
... and too late for you to attend the VIP event, but you can still smell like Lady Gaga...
Next Saturday: Tour the East Village and Lower East Side Bike Friendly Business District
Via Felix Salmon, we learn about this event happening next Saturday, Sept. 22, starting at 11 a.m.
Join Transportation Alternatives' Bike Ambassadors on a bike tour of some of our favorite Bike Friendly Businesses to commemorate the launch of New York City's first Bike Friendly Business District, in Manhattan's East Village and Lower East Side. We'll ride through the East Village and Lower East Side stopping by our favorite Bike Friendly Businesses and arts destinations along the way, including Pushcart Coffee, Veselka and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. The East Village and Lower East Side Bike Friendly Business District — the first of its kind — is a network of more than 150 businesses and cultural institutions dedicated to promoting safe bike riding and better bike infrastructure in their neighborhood. Free food provided, but bring your bike.
Find more details at BikeNYC.org. The group will meet at Veselka, Second Avenue at East Ninth Street.
And you're pleased with this...? Not pleased? Being part of the first Bike Friendly Business District and all.
Looking at the Church of Saint Emeric on East 13th Street
Catholic churches are coming and going these days in the East Village. Parishioners held the last mass this past Sunday at Mary Help of Christians on East 12th Street. (The Villager has a nice farewell feature in this week's issue.)
The Catholic Archdiocese is selling the church property, which includes the Don Bosco Salesians rectory adjacent to the church and the church's former school on East 11th Street. No official word just yet on the new owner.
Meanwhile, renovations continue at St. Brigid's on Avenue B at East Eighth Street.
And then there the Church of Saint Emeric. As The Villager first reported in June, St. Emeric’s, built in 1950 at 740 E. 13th St. at Avenue D, will close and merge with St. Brigid's.
Per The Villager, Father Lorenzo Ato, priest in charge at St. Emeric for the past four years, will be the pastor of the new parish and has already moved into the Brigid's rectory.
Joseph Zwilling, archdiocese spokesperson, said there weren't any immediate plans for the St. Emeric’s church building or the two-story parochial school built in 1952 next door on East 12th Street and Avenue D.
In any event, I figured this was a good time to visit St. Emeric's ... located down a rather lonely stretch of East 13th Street, which dead ends at the Con Ed power plant. The church sits next to the Manhattan Pumping Station that's currently being refurbished ...
... and across the street from the Con Ed power plant...
On the morning that I walked by here, there were a handful of men huddled atop the sidewalk bridge sleeping...
... and here's a look from the East 12th Street side...
The church building itself is fairly unremarkable (I haven't been inside) and the chunk of real estate is in an unglamorous spot — surrounded by the Con Ed plant, pumping station and public housing. Not sure what would work here outside of some utilitarian purpose or nonprofit use. In other words, no dorms or condos.
But!
Things being what they are these days in Manhattan, I could see some enterprising restaurateur open an eatery and offer an East-River-to-table small plates Tasting Menu for thrill-seekers who desire a real "gritty" East Village meal (don't worry — the eel with be flown in fresh daily from Nihonbashi) ... or a developer launch a boutique hotel with Super Charged Weekend Packages for travelers who yearn what it's like to work at a power plant. Other authentic "street" touches include the housekeeping staff who push their supplies in imitation C-Town grocery carts (for sale in the gift shop for $1,695) and the bar that sells craft beers in brown paper bags.
Yeah, anyway — this is the Church of Saint Emeric
The Catholic Archdiocese is selling the church property, which includes the Don Bosco Salesians rectory adjacent to the church and the church's former school on East 11th Street. No official word just yet on the new owner.
Meanwhile, renovations continue at St. Brigid's on Avenue B at East Eighth Street.
And then there the Church of Saint Emeric. As The Villager first reported in June, St. Emeric’s, built in 1950 at 740 E. 13th St. at Avenue D, will close and merge with St. Brigid's.
Per The Villager, Father Lorenzo Ato, priest in charge at St. Emeric for the past four years, will be the pastor of the new parish and has already moved into the Brigid's rectory.
Joseph Zwilling, archdiocese spokesperson, said there weren't any immediate plans for the St. Emeric’s church building or the two-story parochial school built in 1952 next door on East 12th Street and Avenue D.
In any event, I figured this was a good time to visit St. Emeric's ... located down a rather lonely stretch of East 13th Street, which dead ends at the Con Ed power plant. The church sits next to the Manhattan Pumping Station that's currently being refurbished ...
... and across the street from the Con Ed power plant...
On the morning that I walked by here, there were a handful of men huddled atop the sidewalk bridge sleeping...
... and here's a look from the East 12th Street side...
The church building itself is fairly unremarkable (I haven't been inside) and the chunk of real estate is in an unglamorous spot — surrounded by the Con Ed plant, pumping station and public housing. Not sure what would work here outside of some utilitarian purpose or nonprofit use. In other words, no dorms or condos.
But!
Things being what they are these days in Manhattan, I could see some enterprising restaurateur open an eatery and offer an East-River-to-table small plates Tasting Menu for thrill-seekers who desire a real "gritty" East Village meal (don't worry — the eel with be flown in fresh daily from Nihonbashi) ... or a developer launch a boutique hotel with Super Charged Weekend Packages for travelers who yearn what it's like to work at a power plant. Other authentic "street" touches include the housekeeping staff who push their supplies in imitation C-Town grocery carts (for sale in the gift shop for $1,695) and the bar that sells craft beers in brown paper bags.
Yeah, anyway — this is the Church of Saint Emeric
Are you missing a cat?
Bobby Williams spotted this cat in Tompkins Square Park yesterday... a stray? Someone's pet? Anyone...?
Bobby noted that someone had given the cat food and water ...
Spotted mid-block on the East Seventh Street entrance...
Bobby noted that someone had given the cat food and water ...
Spotted mid-block on the East Seventh Street entrance...
The Big Gay Ice Cream Shop raising money today for the Bea Arthur Residence
As previously reported, the Ali Forney Center will develop housing for up to 18 homeless LGBT youth at 222 E. 13th St., which will be formally named the Bea Arthur Residence.
Today, the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop is raising money for Ali Forney and Bea Arthur ... (Co-owners Doug and Bryan are longtime fans of both... they even named a cone for Bea Arthur.)
So... to the Big Gay Ice Cream blog:
We are proclaiming Friday, September 14 “Golden Girls Day” at our shop. That day marks the 27th (!!!!) anniversary of the show’s premier. God, don’t you wish shoulder pads would finally come back?
Come by our shop that day if you can — we’ll be collecting money for the Bea Arthur Residence. Here's how you can give:
- Pick up a Bea Arthur cone. 100% of the proceeds from every Bea Arthur cone sold will go to Ali Fornay
Tomorrow: Block Party on East Ninth Street
Annual 9th Street A-1 Block Association Block Party
(9th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A)
Saturday, September 15, 11 am – 5 pm (no rain date)
Live Music (from noon - 4 pm) featuring
* Bluesco Band
* Navivan
* Nick Palumbo & the Flipped Fedoras
Resident artists, crafts people and photographers will be showing and selling their work, and residents will be selling a la "stoop sale" — antiques, bric-a-brac, clothing, accessories, music, jewelry, etc.
Raffles for gifts, discounts or coupons from block businesses, who will also be offering their wares
Block businesses include:
* Boutiques and Antiques: Bridal Veil Falls, Cloak & Dagger, Devorado, Dorian Grey Gallery, Dusty Buttons, Enchantments, Flower Power, Grey Era Vintage, Ollie's Place, Pink Olive, Polytima, Pork Pie Hatterie, Puppy Love Kitty Kat, Reason Outpost, The Upper Rust
* Restaurants: Cigkoftem, Dirt Candy, Empanades, Exchange Alley, Good Beer, Kajitsu, Whitman's, Zucker Bakery
* Hair Salons/Barbers: Lovemore & Do, Maria Mok Salon, Neighborhood Barber
Things to do on Avenue A weekend nights that don't involve bars
Browse through the used book selection at Mast, 66 Avenue A between East Fifth Street and East Fourth Street...
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Giant grasshopper spotted on East First Street
Not to alarm you ... spotted outside 21 E. First St. today by Bobby Williams...
Likely one of the giant grasshoppers accidentally created at the NYU experimental farm. Or else it's a piece of construction equipment.
Likely one of the giant grasshoppers accidentally created at the NYU experimental farm. Or else it's a piece of construction equipment.
Here's Garland Jeffreys and East 14th Street in 'The Contortionist'
Here's the new single/video by EVG favorite Garland Jeffreys — "The Contortionist," which Devereux Milburn shot near Jeffreys' Stuy Town home ... and featuring East 14th Street and Avenue C. Background vocals by Lou Reed and Savannah Jeffreys.
The Collisions tonight at the Stand
Lori Der Hagopian, the proprietor of The Stand, the gallery kiosk on East Seventh Street at Avenue C (a former newsstand), is hosting her first opening here tonight... she is presenting work by Brennan Cavanaugh...
The Collisions are collages made from one edition of The New York Times. Per Lori: "Images from that day's paper are chosen and re-assembled, with x-acto knife and gluestick, to create a personal and surreal revisioning of the day's news."
The opening starts at 7 p.m. The exhibit is up through Sept. 30.
We wrote about The Stand back in May. You can find that post here.
Looking for the elusive Wacky Wok menu dropper
At some point, every single home or business or church or structure of any kind — empty, under-construction or abandoned — in the East Village has had a Wacky Wok menu placed on the front door. Multiple times. Maybe daily. Probably daily. I'd argue that there are more Wacky Wok menus around than any locksmith cards combined.
I've spent too much time thinking about this through the months. (Years?) Do the Wacky Wok menu droppers work on commission? Are they paid by the gross tonnage of menus delivered? Does Wacky Wok have a printing press in their basement on Avenue D at East Ninth Street? Is Wacky Wok a better name than, say, Wok and Roll?
Anyway, I always seem to run across the locksmith people bombing the doorways. But I've never seen anyone from Wacky Wok leaving the menus behind. Once, I walked into my building and, about 45 seconds later, decided to run another errand. In that time, someone put a Wacky Wok menu on the door. I quickly scanned the street with the enthusiasm of a child catching Santa in the living room (preferably late on Dec. 24). There wasn't anyone in either direction.
Anyway, I started taking photos of the WW menus. A sampling.
Well, you get the idea.
Then, the other day, I spotted this fellow pulling the cart thing stick a menu on the front door of 100 Avenue A, the former grocery that has been sitting empty for seven months now...
He turned east on Seventh Street. I followed to watch him work. When I rounded the corner ... he was gone. Into, presumably, the Wacky Wok time continium vortex.
Now this isn't anything against Wacky Wok, a healthyish Pan Asian eatery. For me, it's a curiosity, not an annoyance. And I've ordered food from here, and have mostly found it agreeable. And I have four or five menus to choose from every time that I call.
I've spent too much time thinking about this through the months. (Years?) Do the Wacky Wok menu droppers work on commission? Are they paid by the gross tonnage of menus delivered? Does Wacky Wok have a printing press in their basement on Avenue D at East Ninth Street? Is Wacky Wok a better name than, say, Wok and Roll?
Anyway, I always seem to run across the locksmith people bombing the doorways. But I've never seen anyone from Wacky Wok leaving the menus behind. Once, I walked into my building and, about 45 seconds later, decided to run another errand. In that time, someone put a Wacky Wok menu on the door. I quickly scanned the street with the enthusiasm of a child catching Santa in the living room (preferably late on Dec. 24). There wasn't anyone in either direction.
Anyway, I started taking photos of the WW menus. A sampling.
Well, you get the idea.
Then, the other day, I spotted this fellow pulling the cart thing stick a menu on the front door of 100 Avenue A, the former grocery that has been sitting empty for seven months now...
He turned east on Seventh Street. I followed to watch him work. When I rounded the corner ... he was gone. Into, presumably, the Wacky Wok time continium vortex.
Now this isn't anything against Wacky Wok, a healthyish Pan Asian eatery. For me, it's a curiosity, not an annoyance. And I've ordered food from here, and have mostly found it agreeable. And I have four or five menus to choose from every time that I call.
Webster Hall now home to the exclusive Hanky Panky Club
From the EV Grieve inbox ... a news release slightly edited for length ... the place opens tonight...
The Hanky Panky Club, brought to you by nightlife veterans Lon Ballinger, Gary Spencer and Sameer Qureshi, is accessed through a hidden speak easy type entrance on East 11th Street inside the iconic Webster Hall — the same private entrance used by the likes of Madonna, Mick Jagger and Bill Clinton (just to name a few).
Once inside, guests ascend the marble staircase to a stunning, velvet-walled room. The gorgeously-appointed room is a soundproof, discreet lounge experience, that boasts a full back-line stage always ready for performances. This Thursday, we have music by DJ Thomas D and Friday, a live performance by Eddie and The Gun and Nima Yamini — the man behind Avenue A Soundcheck.
What makes The Hanky Panky Club different than any other New York venue is the access to the Webster Hall balcony. This balcony overlooks the main stage of the legendary music venue ... This balcony gives The Hanky Panky Club goers the option to view the music and crowd below, all from the intimacy of a private party.
The Hanky Panky Club will also be known their commitment to impeccable customer service. Jonas, previously of King and Grove, will be at the warmly exclusive door. If the Hanky Panky Club is at capacity, Jonas will take a phone number and texts guests when the club is ready. The wait staff will be dressed in feminine, sexy tutus inspired by famed London Nightclub Owner Peter Stringfellow, modelesque go-go dancers will fluidly dance about the room and atop the bar. These ladies are trained to not only bring the bottle, but the etiquette of a private lounge from a time when service was the ultimate element.
The Hanky Panky Club, located at 125A East 11th Street, will be open every Thursday - Saturday where each night you will know to expect a well known DJ spinning the vibe of the room to perfection. Thursdays think soul, Fridays think electronic and Saturday night - anything goes... Be prepared for energetic beats and spontaneous live performances.
Are you missing a parrot?
We've seen a lot of missing pets flyers around... but we've never seen one for a parrot matching this description in Tompkins Square Park...
In the past month, Bobby Williams, peter radley and others have heard about this parrot, living in the wilds ... Sort of gaining Urban Legend status. We'd assume that this is an escaped pet.
Bobby finally got the above shot the other day. It was looking for food with some starlings.
Anyway, in case you're missing a parrot, there's still hope.
In the past month, Bobby Williams, peter radley and others have heard about this parrot, living in the wilds ... Sort of gaining Urban Legend status. We'd assume that this is an escaped pet.
Bobby finally got the above shot the other day. It was looking for food with some starlings.
Anyway, in case you're missing a parrot, there's still hope.
Lot of dreams
On Monday, we looked at some dead weeds and new medians along East Houston at Avenue D... On the topic of weeds, the lot on the northwest corner of Avenue D and East Houston remains empty... and it looks like this...
There was talk of a huge development here going on three years ago now... like this, as first reported on by the Lo-Down...
The rendering is still live at the website of Curtis + Ginsberg Architects ... under "unbuilt projects."
Have any tips about the situation here? Please send them our way via the EV Grieve email
Previously on EV Grieve:
Avenue D's future
There was talk of a huge development here going on three years ago now... like this, as first reported on by the Lo-Down...
The rendering is still live at the website of Curtis + Ginsberg Architects ... under "unbuilt projects."
Have any tips about the situation here? Please send them our way via the EV Grieve email
Previously on EV Grieve:
Avenue D's future
Reader report: Car-motorcycle accident on Fourth Avenue at East 13th Street
EVG reader Lauren passes along this photo and information from last night around 11 ... where there was a car-motorcycle accident on Fourth Avenue at East 13th Street. "Not sure how the person on the ground is ... the fireman was just sitting there holding her hand."
We'll see if we can get an update later...
This is what an empty storefront on East Houston looked like on Sept. 2, 2012
This year, we'll post photos like this of various buildings, streetscenes, etc., to capture them as they looked at this time and place... The photos may not be the most telling now, but they likely will be one day...
Former Fu Sushi space for rent
We saw the homemade for rent signs up early last week. And we just spotted a listing for the space at Streeteasy: $4,375 for 700 square feet.
All things considered (crazy rents around here, etc.) this seems ... reasonable?
[Photo via Yelp]
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