June 17

Not one but two discarded Christmas trees spotted this afternoon on Avenue A at Sixth Street by peter radley, who asks: "Is that 'Jingle Bells' i can hear?"

Michal Gamily’s 'Mashawsha to go' from an East Village fire escape

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

During the COVID-19 PAUSE this spring, Michal Gamily got creative and launched an old-school "mashawsha to go" business from her fire escape.

"You will find it a very unique East Village experience," Gamily says. Indeed.

I recently texted her to make an appointment and meet neighbors Roni and Peddy Pery there when they were picking up their mashawsha (hummus in the Israeli and Palestinian style). The homemade vegan treat is sold by weight — a medium-size container (you bring your own) is $10.







She started the side business while temporarily out of work during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is an actor, series director and curator at LaMama.

Gamily makes it fresh every day and sells it from her Avenue C fire escape via basket — a contact-free experience. It’s a traditional Middle-Eastern treat made here with organic chickpeas, garlic, homemade tahini, olive oil, cumin, lemon, parsley, and other spices plus the soaking liquid from the chickpeas. She recommends serving it with pita bread, but says it’s also great with pickles, vegetables, falafel, in a lafa (wrap) or served with hard-boiled egg.





Roni and Peddy, who, like Gamily, originally hail from Israel, tell me that the mashawsha "really respects the bean, that she lets the chickpeas speak and be celebrated." Mashawsha or msabbaha means both to mix and swimming in Arabic, and in this style the whole chickpeas are swimming in the hummus.

Gamily asks for a 24-hour order notice, and you can place your order by text at 646.221.5082 or email at gamilym@icloud.com.

She reminds me that she only sells mashawsha, nothing else. And classic style, "No fava bean or one made with pine nuts. The real deal only."

Popeyes getting nearer to unleashing the chicken combo deals on 1st Avenue

Renovations continue inside (and out!) the long-vacant 39 First Ave. here between Second Street and Third Street.

As we noted back in November, a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen was said to be the new tenant.

While there isn't any exterior signage at the moment, EVG reader Ace A Acekin did get a look inside ... and saw that workers have hoisted the sandwich combo deal menus behind the counter...



Popeyes emerged victorious last summer during the Chicken Sandwich Wars, simpler times when people cared about things like this.

No word on an East Village opening date for this Popeyes. There are more than 15 in the metropolitan area.

This retail space has sat empty for four-and-a-half years ... ever since NY Village Deli moved to a smaller storefront on the block.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen for 1st Avenue?

Fortnight Institute leaves 4th Street

When more organizations continue to reopen after the COVID-19 PAUSE, Fortnight Institute will not be among them.

Co-founders Fabiola Alondra and Jane Harmon announced this week that they have left the space, which they billed as a public salon here on Fourth Street.

Via an Instagram post: "Fortnight Institute will continue in a new reiteration and location, by-appointment-only. We look forward to this next phase and finding a new home when it is safe to re-open publicly."

Fortnight Institute opened between Second Avenue and the Bowery in April 2016. The Institute "was the beginning of wanting to do something that was unconditional and a space for artists and books and collectors and ephemera," Alondra said at the time.

Tuesday's parting shot

ICYMI: This has been up the past few weeks on Second Street between Avenue B and Avenue C ... Kermit's word of the day — mask... (thanks to Mark White for the photo!)

Low fly zone

Derek Berg had a close encounter this morning with one of Amelia and Christo's juvenile red-tailed hawks in Tompkins Square Park...

Designer Darrell Thorne is 'Under Glass and In Color' on Avenue A

Darrell Thorne, the Brooklyn-based designer and performance artist (and onetime East Village resident!), is the centerpiece of a new exhibit titled "Under Glass and in Color" in the pop-up gallery on Avenue A and Fourth Street.

The folks behind ChaShaMa, a nonprofit that transforms empty storefronts into galleries, and the National Endowments for the Arts are presenting the work of Thorne, who has collaborated with Madonna, Jennifer Hudson, Blondie and others...



Thorne and his work, including a bespoke mask created for Madonna in the "Living for Love" video, will be on display for sidewalk viewing. Here's more via the official release:

"Under Glass and In Color" combines an exhibition, a residency, and a durational performance into a vibrant celebration of life through costume, makeup, dance, and transformation.

Against a backdrop of feathers, flowers, metal, and mirrors, Thorne will create original headpieces, apply makeup and body paint, perform dance pieces, sing songs and perform lip-synchs, write his memoirs, interact with passersby, and juxtapose everyday mundane activities with transformation, ritual, and elevation.

Additionally, a digital art exhibit featuring video projections of Thorne and his dancers edited and manipulated by multimedia artist Morgan Freeman will play on a loop.

In a moment where we all must live with barriers, "Under Glass and in Color" invites viewers to observe an artist under glass, in a world of his own creation. 24/7 exhibition window viewing, performances happening periodically.

Thorne provided EVG contributor Stacie Joy with a look inside the space ...













The current preview period continues through the official opening on Thursday (June 18!). The exhibit is here through July 12.

Essex Card Shop is moving to a new space on Avenue A

Essex Card Shop, home to one of the neighborhood's greatest business signs — film developing! art supplies! luggage! — is on the move... they are in the process of relocating here on Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street ...



... one block to the north, where the short-lived and currently closed Essex 99-Cent Store (same owners!) was for about nine months...



And here's another look at the Essex Card Shop sign from the personal collection of EVG...

PSA: Today is the deadline to request your absentee ballot for this month’s primaries

Yes, as the headline states: Today is the deadline to request your absentee ballot for this month’s primaries on June 23.

To prevent the community spread of COVID-19, all registered voters — courtesy of the Governor’s Executive Order 202.15 — may apply for an absentee ballot.

You may put in the request at this link.

Per the instructions:

If you are affected by COVID-19, please check the box for “Temporary Illness” on the application. The definition has been temporarily expanded to include those affected by COVID-19 and/or the potential of contracting the virus.

Also! The website can be used only by registered New York City voters to apply for an absentee ballot for the June 23, 2020 elections.

Meanwhile, polls remain open through June 21 for early voting. Find a voting guide here.

Ramen and dim sum for 9th Street

It was signage day yesterday over at 350 E. Ninth St. just west of First Avenue... where workers made the new restaurant official — a ramen-dim sum shop... not sure at the moment what the exact name is... O Ramen Dim Sum M?



The previous tenant, beQu Juice, closed here last November after nearly six years in business. Until 2012, 9th St. Bakery had been in this storefront since 1926.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Updated: Reader intel from the comments: "This is an extension of New Mizu Sushi next door."