EV Grieve

Monday, January 5, 2015

Dial-a-Song by They Might Be Giants returns

In 1983, They Might Be Giants published a phone number in the back of The Village Voice that led to the band's answering machine, where callers would find a new song every day. (The service lasted until 2006.)

Now, TMBG's John Flansburgh and John Linnell are bringing back the service starting today with a new era for Dial-a-Song at (844) 387-6962. The band is promising a new song each week throughout 2015.

Per The Wall Street Journal:

“When we first did it, there were tremendous shortcomings to the phone machine in terms of fidelity,” said Mr. Flansburgh, 55 years old. “Actually, if we had any sustained notes in the song, the machine would reject it, mistaking it for the beep at the end of the message. So there were all these odd choices that were nonmusical.”

You can find the band's Dial-a-Song website here ... and their YouTube page.

TMBG became regulars in the East Village performance art scene in the early 1980s, playing steady shows at the likes of the Pyramid and 8BC.

And not a Dial-a-Song. From 1988.

Previously on EV Grieve:
On the phone with John Linnell of They Might Be Giants

Noted

Spotted in Tompkins Square Park this morning... photos by Derek Berg...

NYU neighbors Just Sweet and Everything Bagels have apparently closed on 3rd Avenue

An EVG reader tells us that both storefronts closed at the start of the New Year here in the base of NYU's Third North dorm at East 12th Street…

There aren't any closed signs… but the interiors have that gone-out-of-business look…

We echo the reader, who said "Rent hike? Lease up? Dunno."

There is an auction today at 3:30 inside the Bagels space. (Details here.)

Meanwhile down Third Avenue … two storefronts remain for rent in the base of NYU's Alumni Hall at East Ninth Street.

Updated 2:12 p.m.

Several readers noted that the auction sign, with an unfortunate typo, is now up on the door. The auction starts at 3:30.

[Photo by Dave Whitaker]

Madman Espresso opening new location on University Place

[Photo via Madman Espresso]

Madman Espresso opened two years ago to the date at 319 E. 14th St. near Second Avenue.

Now the folks there tell us that they are opening a new location at 54 University Place (at 10th Street) next month. This will be their third location … in addition to one at West 35th Street that opened back in May.

About tomorrow's PS 64 holiday card delivery to City Hall

Here's more information about tomorrow afternoon's PS 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center holiday card delivery to Mayor de Blasio ... via the EVG inbox...

City Councilwoman Rosie Mendez will be joined by colleagues, community residents and "3 Kings" to deliver frankincense, myrrh and gold (chocolate coins) with more than 1,000 holiday cards, petitions and a letter to Mayor de Blasio requesting one holiday gift — the return of the former PS 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center to the Lower East Side/East Village for community use.

Elected officials and residents of the Lower East Side are urging the Mayor to help return to the community the historic landmarked building that was saved by the community in the 1970s.

The building located at 605 E. Ninth St. was auctioned off and sold by Mayor Guiliani 15 years ago and has now been vacant for 13 years. This past Sept. 22, the Department of Buildings issued a Stop Work Order to halt construction that may have begun under a Partial Work Permit that was reportedly issued based on misinformation filed with DOB by developer Gregg Singer.

Here's a flyer with details about when all this is happening...

[Click on image to enlarge]

Find more info at the website of the grassroots organization SOCCC (Save Our Charas Community Center), who has been collecting the holiday cards with other community groups.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Testimony Of Councilmember Rosie Mendez regarding the former PS 64

[Updated] At the 'Save Our Community Center MARCH AND RALLY'

Landmarks Preservation Commission asks to see modified plans for former PS 64

The Landmarks Preservation Commission approves application for modifications at PS 64

Let's take a look at the New York Sports Club on Avenue A without the sidewalk bridge

Workers removed the sidewalk bridge from outside 28 Avenue A on Saturday.

The address is the new home of a New York Sports Club.

And we can now enjoy the FULL VIEW of the renovated building ...

The Gracefully sign remains (the market closed in November) ... and the storefront remains for rent.

Still no official word on when the gym opens.

Previously on EV Grieve:
New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

Sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrive ahead of planned New York Sports Club on Avenue A

New York Sports Club says hello on Avenue A

Familiar Burger-Klein sign has disappeared from Avenue A

Here is the New York Sports Club building on Avenue A

2 new coffee choices for you

Dave on 7th reports that C&B (Coffee and Breakfast) had a sneak preview Saturday morning here at 178 E. Seventh St. just west of Avenue B.

Ali the owner (who previously ~~worked~~ hung out at 7A see comments) was handing out free coffee. Dave on 7th said that it is a great space.

Not sure of an official opening date just yet. The space was previously home to Korzo Haus, which closed at the end of October.

Meanwhile on East 10th Street (No. 280) between Avenue A and First Avenue…

Cafe Silan, which has a variety of coffee and house-made pastries with natural sweeteners (like silan, a Middle-Eastern date paste), is now in soft-open mode.

BoweryBoogie, who first noted this arrival back in November, reported that the former manager of Tiny's Giant Sandwich Shop is one of the proprietors behind this new venture.

Christmas returning to the East Village this week with Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

At least in the form of a film shoot for an Untitled Christmas Eve project starring Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie.

According to the production notes, the comedy "is about an annual reunion of three childhood best friends on Christmas Eve."

The studio has already given it a Nov. 25 release date.

Crews will be filming overnight Tuesday into Wednesday at 650 E. Sixth St., 108 Avenue B (Vazac's/7B) and Tompkins Square Park, according to the handy fliers on East Seventh Street…