Art that speaks the 'Language' of sanitation

All Street Gallery has an interesting-sounding new show starting tomorrow that features the work of interdisciplinary artist sTo Len, who was the 2021-2022 Public Artist in Residence for the NYC Department of Sanitation. (This CBS feature has more about his work with the DSNY.)

Here's what to expect at the show, titled "Sign Language" ...

During his residency, Len started the Office of In Visibility, an art project that bears witness to the unseen labor of sanitation and its extensive role in New Yorkers' lives. He has been using this as a platform to research and re-contextualize the department's archival material from film and video to printmaking and photography. 

For this exhibition, Len focuses on his work revitalizing an old sanitation screen printing shop in Woodside, Queens, that housed hand-printed street signs, trucks, and posters dating from the 1960s. 

Reusing the old equipment and leftover designs, Len has created a series of mono prints on paper, aluminum, and wood that remix old DSNY slogans and symbols with his own marbling techniques. The results are bold, messy, and psychedelic updates to the originals with messages that remain relevant and speak to on-going sanitation issues such as illegal dumping and littering. 

The opening reception is tomorrow (Saturday!) evening from 6-9 at the gallery, 77 E. Third St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue (in the former HA HQ). 

City removes the curbside dining space outside Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place

This morning, city workers began removing the curbside dining structure from outside the former Theatre 80/William Barnacle Tavern on St. Mark's Place just west of First Avenue. (Thanks to the reader for these photos.) 

On April 7, the Department of Transportation issued a "Termination" notice for the curbside space — just two days after a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee locked the longtime owners out of the premises. 

Several readers-residents previously noted that it seemed cruel to issue the notice so soon after the court-sanctioned removal of owners Lorcan and Genie Otway. It also showed a remarkable steely precision by the DOT, not known for staying on top of the multiple unused or abandoned streeteries around the neighborhood.

The owners of Foxface, current residents and former commercial tenants of the building housing Theatre 80, were reportedly the high bidders for 78-80 St. Mark's Place during its bankruptcy auction on May 9.

Their new venture, Foxface Natural, debuted in May at 189 Avenue A between 11th Street and 12th Street.

Updated: 

Thanks to Steven for this photo...

The East Village Zine Fair is taking place this weekend

The rescheduled East Village Zine Fair (from June 24 on St. Mark's) is taking place this weekend — Saturday and Sunday — at Performance Space New York, 150 First Ave. and Ninth Street. 

Printed Matter/St. Mark's and 8-Ball Community are organizing this third annual Zine Fair that serves as "a celebration of NYC’s zine-makers, independent publishers, and the East Village’s history of DIY culture past and present."

Hours:

• Saturday, July 8 — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.*

• Sunday, July 9  — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* According to organizers: "Saturday will begin with two mask-mandatory hours and a reduced visitor capacity to ensure that those who are immunocompromised and/or disabled have a chance to browse the Fair. To ensure entry during this time, register via this link."

Last chance for food from New Double Dragon

Photo Tuesday by Stacie Joy 

New Double Dragon was able to get another few days in business at 37 First Ave. between Second Street and Third Street. 

Tuesday was to be the last day... but owner Shawn Lin will be open through today (Friday, July 7)... and serving a limited selection of menu items. You can call (212) 598-0730 or simply stop by. 

As previously reported, 33-37 First Ave. will be demolished to make way for some unspecified new development. 

Photo: East Village-based musician Cheri Leone, who ran the rehearsal space, dubbed HaveAHeart Studio, below New Double Dragon, with Shawn Lin.

Openings: Rosemary Home on 9th Street

Photos by Stacie Joy

Rosemary Home opened its first storefront a few weeks back at 315 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Like its website, the pop-up shop offers "a carefully curated selection of vintage objet and homewares focused on design and quality."

The shop is open daily from noon to 7 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.

If you're on Instagram, you can follow Rosemary Home here.

Thursday's parting shots

Photos by Steven 

As seen outside 128 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place... ground level by the front door — tile art showing a former tenant, Stage Restaurant (RIP March 30, 2015)

There are a few more of these around other now-closed longtime businesses. Not sure who the artist is at the moment.

As for 128 Second Ave., Tony's Pizza, went dark earlier this year after a June 2021 debut. Seasoned Vegan is next for the space.

When the lights flickered last night

We heard from about three dozen residents (mostly via Instagram messages) about flickering lights last night around 8:50, which prompted concerns of a brownout/blackout.

Some of the residents also reported hearing a pop, or as the Citizen app described it, an explosion...

Several readers reported that a manhole cover had been blown off from the sidewalk on the NW corner of Avenue A and Sixth Street. The FDNY promptly responded, and there weren't any reports of injuries. 

The lights also flickered for a second, and cable boxes rebooted. 

Most of the people we heard from live in proximity to Avenue A... with the furthest report coming from 14th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

This morning, a Con Ed crew was working in a manhole on the east side of Avenue A at Sixth Street... just outside the ConEd substation. 

We reached out to Con Ed for more about what happened last night... likely related to the summer heat and excess power usage.

Chrissy's Pizza announces itself on 9th Street

Photo by Steven 

Hand-painted signage is up for Chrissy's Pizza now at 430 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue. 

As first mentioned here, the Instagram sensation (circa Bushwick late 2021) operated by Chris Hansell is opening its first storefront in the former Superiority Burger (now on A!) space. 

For now, the pre-orders for 16-inch pies are apparently sold out for July... though the pizzeria will allegedly be open for normal walk-up ordering later this summer. 

In the meantime, you can pre-order a Chrissy's T-shirt.

Follow the Chrissy's Pizza IG account for updates.

Coming attractions: Cabin on 9th

Cabin on 9th is set to open on Saturday at 312 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

Per the cafe's Instagram account: "your cozy coffee getaway coming soon to the East Village." 

The owners, Cerina Shao and Judy Zhu, opened outposts of Sippy Café in Greenpoint and Brooklyn Heights in 2021 ... offering items with an Asian twist. 

Per Greenpointers: 

"Many of Sippy Café's teas and specialty drinks are based on Asian flavors, like a black sesame latte and an ube latte. Japanese curry sandwiches and a cooked tuna sandwich inspired by a spicy tuna roll also keep the concept." 

At Cabin on 9th, the two said they'll be a more expansive menu with additional food and housemade pastries.

If you're on Instagram, you can follow Cabin on 9th here.

Hours on Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This retail space became available after Meg, the locally made, independent clothing line, relocated its flagship store to Mott Street last year.

H/T Steven!

Full reveal: 699 E. 6th St.

Workers have removed all the construction netting and scaffolding from around the all-new 699 E. Sixth St. on the NE corner of Avenue C.

As previously reported, the residential building will include 11 units, a storefront and space for an unspecified community facility on this long-vacant corner. (A gas station was the last tenant here in the 1980s.)

One reader likened it to "an old-West prison."      

No sign of any listings just yet.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• At the Heap of Ruins Garden Party

• This is the new building slated for the corner of 6th Street and Avenue C