Mapping the wisteria

[EVG photo from early May]

The wisteria outside 35 Stuyvesant St. at 10th Street is a thing of beauty each spring...



And there are plenty more to take in... local artist Pixie Yates created this wisteria map for the East and West Village...



Something to file away for when they are in bloom again next spring — or you can still admire the greenery and architecture at these addresses .... you may find more of Pixie's art on her Instagram.

Sunday breakfast

Steven captures a moment with family this morning in Tompkins Square Park as red-tailed hawk father Christo delivers fresh food to the nest ... where he and Amelia's three baby hawks have grown quite larger since our last look a few days ago ...

Bowery-based gallery hosting online 'Collect For Cause' exhibition

Pop International Galleries, located at 195 Bowery, is hosting a group charity exhibition titled “Collect For Cause” through June 22.

Here are details via the EVG inbox...

Due to COVID-19, Team POP and its family of artists are taking all necessary precautions by working remotely and staying safe at home. Our hearts and gratitude go out to all essential workers, as well as all those brave frontline workers, doctors and nurses fighting the virus everywhere.

We deeply empathize with those who have been impacted and lost loved ones during this difficult time, and we are particularly mindful of the hunger and homelessness that this pandemic has wrought upon our country.

“Collect For Cause” will support and protect those experiencing hardship and hunger by donating 20 percent of all sales from this exhibition to Feeding America.

Below is the list of participating artists for the “Collect For Cause” exhibition:

Al Diaz

Antonio Reonegro

Boudro

Claw Money

Craig Alan

Dom Pattinson

Fernando “SKI” Romero

Gillie & Marc

Jenna Morello

Mike “2ESAE” Baca

Remi Rough

Robert Mars

Ron English

Sean Sullivan

SEN2

Solus

A special performance and discussion tonight for the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts

The Theater for the New City's 25th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts is taking place online this weekend.

A highlight to note this evening at 8:

A live concert of performances by David Amram, William Electric Black, Phoebe Legere, F. Murray Abraham, Penny Arcade, Austin Pendleton and Charles Busch.

Following their performances, these major LES artists will do a virtual "sit around" and discuss theater, politics and “where we go from here.”

Find the Vimeo link for this program here. And find the full program (PDF) here.

Mikey Likes It returns, and now with delivery

[Photo the other day by Lola Saénz]

Mikey Likes It is back open on Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street ... today through Monday, you can order a pint of ice cream via the shop's website and pick it up in person... they are also offering deliveries in Manhattan.

Holiday weekend hours: 2-8 p.m. You can follow along on their Instagram account for updates.

8 blocks of Avenue B are now open for pedestrians and bikers (and local traffic)

Avenue B will be closed to through traffic today and tomorrow from Sixth Street to 14th Street — .39 miles in total ...



This stretch is part of the 13 miles of open streets citywide this weekend that Mayor de Blasio announced yesterday... all being done in an attempt to help residents get some fresh air while social distancing.

Local traffic for pick ups and drop offs as well as deliveries are allowed behind the police barricades.

The hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Reopening day at McSorley's

McSorley's reopened yesterday for take-home service here at 7 E. Seventh St. near Cooper Square.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by and, with permission, took a few quick photos inside ... where owner Teresa Maher de la Haba was busy filling growlers for people to take home...



...and the interior of the saloon remains the same after the longest closure in its 166-year history ...





Patrons aren't permitted inside... you can put in your take-home order at the door ...

Creators of the Mermaid Parade are wrapping up their COVID-19 mask design contest this weekend

View this post on Instagram

We are proud to announce the first of our Mask Design Contest Celebrity Judges: - Former Queen Mermaid Karen "Duff" Duffy - NY State Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus - Actress Debi Mazar - Actress Marisa Tomei How's that for a group of incredible women? Stay tuned for announcements of more judges...maybe even some musical ones! And tell your friends about the contest (https://www.coneyisland.com/mask).

A post shared by Coney Island USA (@coney.island.usa) on May 19, 2020 at 2:10pm PDT

If you're looking for a rainy-day (weekend?) project... there are two days left to submit entries to the Coney Island USA "Put on a Funny Mask Contest."

Here's some info via the contest page:

Coney Island USA, the not-for-profit arts organization that presents the Mermaid Parade and many other programs, have announced that they have created the "Put on a Funny Face Mask Design Contest" — the world's first COVID-19 mask design competition. The online contest will honor the creative efforts of mask makers from around the world.

The contest, which is presented by Spectrum News NY1, will be judged by celebrities from Coney Island and beyond.

Awards will be presented in a wide range of fun categories — with the top category being Best Overall Mask. There is also a special People's Choice category. The general public will have a chance to vote for the People's Choice via an online form that will go live when the entry period for the contest ends on
Memorial Day. Winners are expected to be announced on or about June 1.

Entries are due on Memorial Day. Find details here.

East Village resident Mark Alhadeff, whose Coney Island USA titles include Board Secretary, Contest Czar and Chief Justice for Life of the Mermaid Parade, shared a few of entries so far...

Anthony Whitaker, a 9/11 first responder, created a mask that includes many symbols from his time at Ground Zero...



Based on an upcycled New Orleans Jazz Fest Shirt by Sue Thomas...



From Clash Vicente of the Furies Revenge (a Warriors Cosplay Group) ...



From Annie Rich ...

[Updated] At the COVID-19 testing site at St. Brigid

[Dr. Yomaris Pena]

As noted last week, Somos Community Care opened a temporary COVID-19 testing site behind the former St. Brigid School at 119 Avenue B between Seventh Street and Eighth Street. This testing site, under the guidance of Dr. Yomaris Pena, is just open through this coming Tuesday.

---

Updated 5/26

Th temporary COVID-19 testing site has been extended by a few more weeks.

The site also has new hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As EVG contributor Stacie Joy reports, walk-ins are still possible but they would prefer that you make an appointment. Somos reps also promised better staffing of the phone lines. (Several readers reported that they couldn't get through to make an appointment.)

---

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by for a test. Here's what she had to say about it:

The entire process was quick, free or covered by insurance, and relatively painless. Two phlebotomists were there to take blood — both were very good and kind. Nasal swab COVID testing is available too.

Antibody test results in about 48 to 72 hours, delivered by phone. All in all, a good experience. No appointment necessary, although I had one. You will need ID.

[The phlebotomists]

You enter on Avenue B between the school and the rectory...



Free lunches are available as you leave ... along with free face masks...



Here's the number for an appointment: 1-833-766-6769. The site is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. [Updated: I just went by at 12:30 and it was closed.]

Brick through the front door delays Bali Kitchen's reopening by a day

Bali Kitchen on Fourth Street was set to reopen yesterday for takeout and delivery — until owners David Prettyman and Jazz P. Souisay learned that someone threw a brick through their front door window Thursday night.

As they report: "Fortunately, nothing of value was taken."

They will now be open today at 11:30 a.m. here at 128 E. Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. You can order their Indonesian cuisine in advance via the BK website. You can also be old school and call them at (646) 678-4784.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A visit to Bali Kitchen on 4th Street

Hang on to your Ego

Here's "Ego" from the L.A.-based Moaning's March release Uneasy Laughter on Sub Pop...

Reopenings: Emmy Squared, Swift Hibernian Lounge, Tacos Cholula, Starbucks on 1st Avenue

Emmy Squared returns to service today on First Avenue at Fifth Street for delivery and takeout... they set up the front window for easy pick ups... they are open today through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. ... Emmy Squared will be back then on Wednesday...



... also back for another weekend... Swift Hibernian Lounge is open over on Fourth Street between the Bowery and Lafayette ...



...they're serving food and drinks to take home from 2 to sundown...



And from the EVG tipline: the Tacos Cholula cart returned earlier this week on Avenue A at Second Street...



Also from the tipline: Starbucks reopened Monday on First Avenue at Third Street...