More tributes to RBG

EVG regular Lola Sáenz shared these tributes to the late Supreme Court Justice... as seen at the Modern Love Club on First Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street (above) ... and on the Bowery...

Comedy Club owners get serious about plans to allow them to reopen

In case you were wondering about all the media activity outside the New York Comedy Club on Fourth Street yesterday (thanks Derek Berg for the photo!).

Comedy club owners as well as comedians and assorted elected officials gathered here between Second Avenue and the Bowery to ask the state to let them safely reopen.

Organizer Kambri Crews, the owner of venue Q.E.D. Astoria, had this to say, as reported by Gothamist: "We are holding this rally to ask New York state to give live entertainment the same consideration they've given other industries... For over six months, there's been no rent relief and no plan for us to reopen. New Yorkers can go indoors to the gym, bowling, go gambling in casinos, [but not] a comedy club — it makes no sense."

Their request of Gov. Cuomo: Allow for venues to be able to allow ticketed outdoor live performances (with fewer than 50 people), and either allow clubs to resume indoor shows at 25 percent capacity (similar to restaurants) or at 50 percent but without food and beverage services (similar to bowling alleys).

A Cuomo spokesperson told Gothamist that they hope "to put together guidance where these performances can resume in a way that also keeps New Yorkers safe."

Vulture has more coverage here.

You can read the New York Comedy Coalition's reopening proposal at this link (Google doc!).

A visit with Urban Russian Doll NYC

 
Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Over the past few months I’d been watching with interest as artist Urban Russian Doll NYC created her large murals around the neighborhood. 

I first noticed her dog portraiture (with one pastel calico kitty in the corner) piece outside Dream Come True K9 on Houston and Attorney, which features a cameo of her own pup. Then I spotted her and Lecrue Eyebrows doing a shared piece on the wall outside of Parkside Lounge, and more recently, a composition as part of East Village Walls on Second Street near First Avenue.

After a day spent painting, I toured the completed works with the artist as she answered some questions about her name, her tag, and why she loves the neighborhood.

You go by the name Urban Russian Doll NYC — why did you choose that as your non de plume?

Though my parents are originally from Ukraine and have multiple ethnicities within them, they moved to Moscow before I was born. At the time, Ukraine and Russia were still considered USSR.

My parents are former musicians, and my sister and I grew up listening to every kind of music, except for rock and metal. When I was about 15, I enjoyed Russian rap and hip hop. Usually their music videos were filmed in an urban setting with old buildings full of graffiti in the background. 

Even the word, “urban,” which sounds very similar in Russian, was used frequently by Russian hip hop artists. When I decided to become a street artist, I had to choose a name for myself. I was talking to my friend about it and she said, “Why don’t you name yourself Russian Doll?”

I immediately added “Urban” to Russian Doll and it just felt right and organic. The Russian doll is the most popular souvenir that represents the authentic tradition, femininity and beauty of a Russian woman. It is a kind of nesting doll and can have many different dolls inside. To me, they represent layers of a person. Depth is good. Layers are good. Everything about that souvenir is wonderful, so why not?
 
How did you get involved in the East Village Walls project? Why choose the East Village and Lower East Side as the site of your street art murals?

Right before COVID-19 hit the city, I went to an art show curated by fl00d at 198 Allen St. That day, I met Kristy Calabro, who introduced me to Manny, owner of the Doggy-Sitters Club, Lecrue Eyebrows, Token, who curated the event, and other amazing artists. I became friends with many of them. 

Manny and I had a lot of conversations throughout quarantine, and I shared with him that my dream was to paint a wall by myself. When the BLM protests began, I was painting on plywood in Soho. Manny hit me up and asked if @art_by_eyebrows and I wanted to paint for East Village Walls. 

He said they were seeking artists immediately and, of course, we said yes. Then, I met Ben, an art lover who curates East Village Walls and started my work on the wall on First Avenue and Second Street, which was also my first solo wall work. After that, I just could not leave the East Village. Because to me it’s like the soul of NYC. And I’m in love with NYC.

What has the experience of working in the neighborhood been like? How do the locals react to your work?

After painting a couple of murals around the neighborhood, I want to say that streets are streets. They teach you where to be careful and where to relax. I had different, but mostly great experiences painting in the neighborhood. I learned not only about the wall painting flow, but also that once the neighbors get to know you, they become your family. 

Once, when my mural was defaced, I felt like someone just did me a favor — because I’ve never felt as much support as I felt the day when I was fixing it. The mural is about unity. And it proved my point. Because people care and unite and they were uniting for me. 
 
Your tagline is “Why wait? Love now.” How did that come about and how is it reflected in your work?

Through the message “Why Wait? Love Now,” my art represents the transition from vulnerability to strength — a quality that all brave souls possess. As we emotionally evolve, we expose ourselves to diverse levels of emotional transcendence and open up to engagements with others, which is a courageous and an extremely vital thing to do. 

This allows us to take risks that lead us to meaningful experiences of love, joy, and happiness through others and ourselves. Having gone through emotionally abusive relationships, I was able to preserve my formula of happiness, and my art is a visual expression of that formula. 

“Why Wait? Love Now” is a whole movement I created to support people on their journey towards joy that’s immune to all externalities, in a whole-hearted way. I invite people to rid themselves of fear and let themselves love

It is also about healing invisible pain and soothing hurtful scars through accepting love, strength of soul, and building self-resilience. It’s about every kind of love, just like my art.

You can keep up with the artist here.

Renovations underway on the new Foxface Commissary on Avenue A

In some positive-for-a-change local restaurant news, the owners of Foxface recently started renovations at their new storefront at 189 Avenue A between 11th Street and 12th Street.

East Village residents Ori Kushnir and Sivan Lahat, who opened the hit sandwich shop at Theatre 80 on St. Mark's Place in late 2018, will keep that outpost. 

At 189 Avenue A, they're planning on Foxface Provisions — a smokehouse, tasting room and preservation commissary. (Read more about it here.)

During the start of the renovations, Kushnir reported finding some remains of a previous tenant — Vampire Freaks (RIP 2012)! 

View this post on Instagram

Urban archaeology - ceiling from the @vampirefreaks period

A post shared by Ori Kushnir (@orikushnir) on Sep 8, 2020 at 8:21am PDT

Most recently, 189 Avenue A was home to Harry & Ida's Meat and Supply Co.

SLA temporary suspends the liquor license at Black Emperor

Gov. Cuomo recently announced that the liquor licenses of 33 more NY State bars and restaurants have been temporarily suspended for what he has termed "egregious violations of coronavirus-related regulations."

Of those 33, one was in the East Village —Black Emperor at 197 Second Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street.

Here's what the SLA said in its statement:

On August 31, investigators with the state's multi-agency task force observed in excess of eight patrons standing, drinking and congregating in front of the licensed premises. Inside, investigators observed three patrons sitting and drinking at the bar and one patron standing inside with a drink in his hand, all in flagrant violation of the Governor's Executive Order in place since March 16, 2020.

Updated 11 a.m.: Several readers have noted that Black Emperor had previously announced plans to temporarily close the bar after service on Aug. 31. 

Meanwhile, two other East Village bars-restaurants that had their licenses suspended by the SLA last month are back in service.

Maiden Lane on 10th Street and Avenue B resumed service with alcohol and expanded food offerings on Sept. 10. (They did reopen after their license was suspended in early August for food orders and a non-alcoholic drink menu.)

The Hairy Lemon, 28-30 Avenue B between Second Street and Third Street, also had its license reinstated after nearly six weeks of closure. 

Tuesday's parting shots

From Houston and Clinton...

As EVG contributor Stacie Joy notes, more clear evidence of our well-deserved anarchist jurisdiction designation...

Shoegazing: The life aquatic on 13th Street

Artist Billy Barnacles has been hanging these creative aquatic-themed pieces of art around the city... there are several hanging in the East Village, including here on 13th Street just east of Avenue A...

This map will show you will you can discover other barnacles.

Construction watch: 139 E. Houston St.

Let's take a look through the Blogger Portals here on the plywood along East Houston between Eldridge and Forsyth ... where a 9-story building has been in the works ... so far, workers are still in the foundation stage, putting in the steel beams for support...

East End Capital and K Property Group, who bought the property for $31.5 million in the spring of 2017, are putting in the office complex with retail space. The links below have more details on what has transpired and what's to come.

The plywood rendering still lists Summer 2021 for the completion... safe to say they won't be meeting that previous goal...

As you likely know, the previous tenant, the five-screen Landmark Sunshine Theater closed Jan. 21, 2018, after 17 years in business.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Sunshine Cinema-replacing office building moving forward; demolition watch back on

• Discarded theater seats and goodbyes at the Sunshine Cinema

• The 9-story boutique office building coming to the former Sunshine Cinema space

• A celebratory ad on the purchase of 139 E. Houston St., current home of the Sunshine Cinema

• The boutique office building replacing the Sunshine Cinema will be 'unbounded by walls' with an outdoor space called Houston Alley

Caffe Béne now selling South Asian-inspired groceries and snacks

Rish Sheth, the owner of Caffe Béne, recently expanded his business here on Avenue A at 13th Street  ... adding a line of authentic and South Asian-inspired groceries and snacks, from bags of Masala Munch to boxes of Parle-G biscuits, alongside Caffe Béne's usual fare...

 

EVG regular shared Lola Sáenz shared these photos...

 

 
 

He named this new part of the business Jaleby, which also has an online presence for deliveries here.

Many NYC restaurants have added to their existing services, offering meal kits and establishing pantries to help boost revenue during the pandemic downturn...

47 St. Mark's Place is for sale for the first time in 50 years

This five-story building at 47 St. Mark's Place recently arrived on the rental market. As the Times noted last week, the property on the great block between First Avenue and Second Avenue last changed hands 50 years ago.

Per the listing: 

The property consists "of 6 one-bedroom and 2 two-bedroom apartments. The property is built 25 feet by 63 feet and sits on a 25 foot by 93.92 foot lot with approximately 7,990 gross square feet. The property is zoned R8B allowing for approximately 1,409 gross square feet of available air rights.

The asking price: $6.5 million.

Has Saxon + Parole closed?

Several readers have asked about the status of Saxon + Parole on the high-profile Bleecker-Bowery corner. The restaurant is one of many in the neighborhood that has remained dark since since the PAUSE went into effect in March.

The self-described "equestrian-themed American eatery" has not been open for six months ... ditto for its mezcal bar Ghost Donkey next door... 

Saxon + Parole reps have not responded to multiple requests for information on its status. OpenTable lists S+P as permanently closed. 

The space was looking more abandoned as the summer progressed — the plants on the sidewalk cafe space dried up and were eventually discarded... the storefront has been tagged several times in recent weeks (the top photo is from Sunday) ...

In more positive news for the company, AvroKO Hospitality Group, the Saxon + Parole outpost opened earlier this month in Auckland, New Zealand. 

A pop-up message on the S+P website suggests the Bowery location may return again some day:

And with one dream coming to fruition, another one comes to a pause. Our NYC locations of Ghost Donkey, The Poni Room and Saxon + Parole are temporarily closed due to COVID-19. It has been a pleasure serving you, and we hope to do so again soon.

S+P opened here in September 2011, replacing the company's Double Crown restaurant. 

Monday's parting shot

A shot of the moon in its Waxing Crescent Phase (look to the lower right!) via @tweakz229 ...