EV Grieve

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

East Village to somehow get frattier: What's coming to the former Telephone Bar

A reader passed along the news of the new bar coming to the old Telephone space... the 13th Step

From the frat-friendly folks behind The Stumble Inn, Off the Wagon and Down the Hatch.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Telephone Bar and Grill closing after 22 years

What's coming to The Telephone Bar space? Some fratty debauchery, perhaps

CB3 says no to 3,000-square-foot bar/restaurant "with an occasional D.J." at 14-16 Avenue B

As we reported in late December... A bar was taking over both the vacant storefronts at 14 and 16 Avenue B at Second Street.... This place was one of the many up before the CB3/SLA last night....

Eater was at the meeting, and they report:

A yet-to-be-named group surfaced with a proposal to utilize the old Butterfly space, a stone's throw away from Sigmund, for a 3,000 square foot Italian restaurant, catering company and lounge "with an occasional D.J." This scenario sounds familiar - and the residents didn't hesitate to show their fresh battle scars from the throes of Le Souk, China 1 and Carnivale, all restaurants-gone-clubs that they say wrecked havoc on the peace and quiet in their 'hood. Needless to say, this was too much for CB3 and the community representatives to stomach, and after a lengthy dispute of pros and cons, the motion was denied.

The Lo-Down was also there... and we can't wait for the rest of their report. As they wrote: "This evening was a bizarre one even for CB3’s SLA Committee. Tomorrow we’ll have details of a series of tense confrontations between CB3’s David McWater and other members of the committee."

UPDATED: Here's their epic McWater report.

EV Grieve readers inspire Aces and Eights to do something worthwhile with the bar's upstairs space

As you may recall from last August, we had several posts on Avenue A's Aces & Eights and the bar's general manager, Tom Michaelsen... (You may refresh your memory here.)

While, for instance, Aces & Eights LES helped raise $1,200 for UNH (United Neighborhood Houses)... they were still serving up the beer pong, as Michaelsen said, "that much maligned representation of jockdom and fratholiness you all despise (possibly because you didn’t make the Varsity team in high school? Don't worry, neither did I.)"

Later, he wrote: "I'd love to get ideas from the community as to how we could improve your quality of life. If anybody has anything constructive to say, I would love to hear it."

And now, starting Thursday...

Well, let's go right to the news release that Michaelsen sent me:

Aces & Eights at 34 Avenue A, brings back the glory days of East Village art with a fun exhibition of evocative, post-pop photographs by Curt Hoppe in a lively, lounge setting. Who could be more perfect for the bar’s first foray into serious art than the legendary Hoppe, who as a young artist was one of the most talked about stars of the notorious “New York / New Wave” show at PS1 which helped launch the careers of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Robert Mapplethorpe and others, back in 1981.

For most of the last twenty years, Hoppe has keapt a relatively low profile steering clear of downtown shenanigans for a lucrative career making exquisite photo-realist paintings of scenes in the Hamptons. Hoppe has always used his own photographs for his paintings. Recently turning his camera on city scenes, he has accumulated a profusion of exciting new images, and began thinking about exhibiting the photographs themselves. When Aces and Eights called, it seemed the perfect opportunity to give the new work its first public test.

Aces & Eights’ decision to show art was an outgrowth of the spirited exchanges on EV Grieve’s neighborhood blog between then general manager Tom Michaelsen and East Village residents concerned about the bar’s Upper-East-Side, preppy reputation. “Our style is sometimes a little different,” says Michaelsen, “but there is much about East Village culture that we share and we’re proud to be part of the community and its history.”

OK. I love Hoppe's work... and I see this as a positive step for the bar...I'm curious what other people think...

Q-and-A with Curt Hoppe: Living on the Bowery, finding inspiration and shooting Mr. Softee

Curt Hoppe in 1977.

Starting Thursday, legendary hyper-realist artist Curt Hoppe is showing his latest work, "Photographs For Your Kitchen," at the Aces & Eights lounge, 34 Avenue A near Third Street. I connected with Hoppe via Facebook, and was honored that the Minneapolis native, whose work was shown alongside Jean-Michel Basquiat and Robert Mapplethorpe in the early 1980s, agreed to answer some questions on the eve of the new exhibit...

What inspired you to move to NYC from Minneapolis in 1976?

Minneapolis, while a great place to grow up in and get an education, was just a starting line. I can't say that I was inspired to move here more like gravitated or pulled. I grew up listening to the likes of Dylan and the Velvets. I followed Warhol and loved the whole POP art movement -- it was just so America.

I had an uncle living here who was an art dealer and I would come to NYC to visit periodically in the mid to late 1960's. He was the director of the Betty Parsons Gallery and he encouraged me to pursue my artistic interests. He introduced me to Max's Kansas City and got me into the Factory where I was actually was given a silver coke bottle. (I lost it). I grew up in the whole "hippie" period but never really related to the earth child "go west with a flower in your hair" stuff. There was always something deeper darker and more alluring about New York that appealed to me.

It was on one of these NY visits that I stumbled on an ad in the Village Voice for a Bowery Loft, so I slapped down some key money and decided to move here in 1975 to pursue my artist career. Finding the space at 98 Bowery was one of the luckiest events of my life. Through the years it has been a home or stopping place for an array of artists in all fields. I quickly fell in with Marc Miller and Bettie Ringma, my upstairs neighbors who at the time were combing the streets and clubs photographing a lot of New York celebs. One of those clubs was CBGBs. I would hang with them on their nights out and that would eventually lead to the three of us collaborating together. One of such collaborations was a portrait of Bettie and the Ramones at CBs. The painting was autographed by the Ramones and exhibited at the Washington Project for the Arts in what was billed at the time "Punk Art"

Where do you find your inspiration today?

Why I paint what I do stems simply from what I am interested in or how I am feeling at any given time. I always say I paint where I am. That includes my thoughts or where my head is at. What's weird is that inspiration usually comes when I feel a total void and a lack of any interest in anything. I can't live with boredom for very long. I am like a child with a new toy when it comes to my work. When I first get it I love it to death but after a few years need a new toy or fix. My attention span is about 5-7 years with any subject. I like to move on when I feel I have covered the subject and I think it has becomes a formula which tends to cheapen it. There is always a new visual adventure out there waiting to be discovered.

We (me and my fellow LES/EV bloggers) spend a lot of time writing about change in the neighborhood. Instead of focusing on what's no longer here... what do you think has remained a constant in the neighborhood through the years? What makes you feel as if it may be the same place as, say, 30 years ago?

For starters, the residents. In a lot of ways the Bowery is pretty much the same. The Bowery is a street. But it’s the gang that lives here that makes it it what it is. You’d be surprised at how many of the stores have not changed or are just updated versions of stores that have always been here. What is happening now is that advertising has begun tapping into the myth of the Bowery.

The Bowery and LES always had bars, on my block alone there were two -- Harry's and Al's. They're gone but have been replaced by newer establishments and different clientele. There were drunks then and there are drunks now. What's changed is that the smokers have to go outside causing noise. I can’t imagine Harry or Al saying to Jimmy and Jerry, "fellas you can't smoke in here," as they drank White Rose or Night Train. CBs is gone but it was never the Bowery it was CBs on the Bowery. CBs became a caricature of itself after 1982. Most of my neighbors still live here and the neighbors are what make the neighborhood.

While some of the artists have left as in my building others have taken their place. Marc and Bettie left a long time ago and Maya Lin moved in and then moved on. Now a couple of talented gals, Brooke Arnao, a filmmaker, and Elisabeth Bernstein, a photographer, are living and working there. Elisabeth is currently exhibiting at The Wild Project on East 3rd Street with a show titled "Scapes." So in many ways the Bowery is the same. Maybe my building is an exception.

The city has become way over priced making it difficult for young artists to move in early in their careers and with rents constantly going up it’s almost impossible to create a lasting community. Thankfully, many of the folks fought the good fight years ago when they converted these illegal spaces to legal living. But artists all over the world will find a skid row to live and work in until it becomes fun and the masses will follow like they always do. It happened in the Village. It happened to St. Marks, Soho and Times Square all living off an old reputation that no longer exists but is kept alive somehow by the hucksters. Now what the developers are doing is a different story one I could rant about for hours.

In "Photographs for Your Kitchen," you focus on Mr. Softee ice cream cones and Happy Face bags. Why did you decide to explore these NYC motifs?

I finished a series of paintings last year, portraits of the Gotham Girls Roller Derby and local Burlesque performers.

And after three years of work on the series combined with the sinking economy and hoopla around the Elections I was exhausted. I was suffering sort of a Postpartum thing. One Sunday last summer when returning from a visit to Coney Island my wife Ruth felt like having a Mr. Softee. Well, BINGO! When that arm appeared out of that truck holding that cone and it's big swirl of cold Ice Cream, descending down to Ruth I saw "The Creation." Yup, the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.

So I decided to start hanging out by the trucks and photographing this everyday summertime event. I discovered a treasure trove of humanity around it. I would watch a grown adult turn into an eager child as they awaited their cone. For a brief time the area around that Softee window turned into heaven on earth. I carry a camera everywhere I go -- like when I’m walking my dog Dorothy.

I started shooting smiley bags. They are sort of local residents too. I discovered that no matter what their circumstances they are always smiling at me wishing me a nice day and saying thank you. Tossed in the garbage, or squashed under a car tire stretched over a bicycle seat they always make the best of a bad situation. They make me laugh and deserve some attention. So I wanted to exhibit something uplifting and fun.

Favorite Ramones story?

My best memory about the Ramones has got to be when they signed the painting Bettie and the Ramones back in 1978. You can’t imagine the thrill of carrying that big 4’ x 6’ painting down the Bowery and getting the Ramones to specially come over to CBs in the afternoon just to sign it. Tommy was still in the group. They all just stood there staring at it. I think Joey was the only one who really got it.

Dee Dee was all hyper and kept asking their manager Danny Fields if it was OK to sign it. Then Johnny asked, "Who's Bettie?" I replied, "She's every Fan." When we carried that autographed painting back to 98, Marc, Bettie and I were just flying. I love the Ramones.

Another one of Hoppe's paintings...

For further reading on EV Grieve:
Life at 98 Bowery: 1969-1989

Revisiting Punk Art

Is the Copper Building all sold out?

Haven't paid much attention to the Copper Building (ol' Rusty!) on Avenue B and 13th Street since we were, uh, duped by some phonie interior photos in December... I thought about the Big Copper yesterday after seeing it all gleamy in the distance.

So I went to see how many units were still on the market...and after searching, I couldn't find any active listings......there appear to be eight units in contract right now...

Oh, meanwhile, there are some X's on the windows! Something possibly X-Files related about this?

Witnesses: Plump Dumpling delivery guy punched and robbed last night

An EV Grieve reader sent along this account from last night...

Around 9:30 pm, one of the Plump Dumpling delivery guys was punched in the face and robbed right around 329 E. 11th St. [between Second Avenue and First Avenue] on his way back from a delivery. A bunch of people saw it happen and one guy tried going after the assailant but wasn't able to catch him...

What was even more disturbing was the aftermath. The cops showed up shortly after one male witness reported it and arrived at the restaurant -- basically demanding to speak to the victim. Unfortunately, I had just seen the victim outside getting back on his bike, yelling at another delivery guy; he seemed (obviously) like he was very upset and distraught about what had just happened. Nonetheless, he left to make another delivery as the cops walked into the restaurant.

Next -- the cops were extremely rude and abrasive, asking the manager where the delivery guy was and when the manager assured them that he was coming back to talk to them, albeit in very broken English ... [the cops] started getting irrationally angry. They started interrupting the manager, raising their voices, and eventually just told the manager straight out, "Don't ever report this type of thing again" and walked out.

It was appalling and so uncomfortable to witness. Unfortunately, the guy who actually called in the report and tried to run after the robber, came in seconds after the cops left to act as a witness. I guess it is a case of "too little, too late" and honestly, a sad display of pulling rank/prejudice.

Fairytale new beginning for Snacklicious Cinderella?

Back in January, we noted that the falafel standby on Second Avenue at St. Mark's Place was being dismantled by a work crew...

Well now. The place seems to be coming back to life, as of yesterday evening. Lots of new falafelly looking equipment has been brought in... a worker said that they'd be "reopening soon."

Reminder: Vanishing City tomorrow night

More details here.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Ninth Street, 4:43 p.m., Feb. 8

There's always next year, Peyton.

Auction at the Telephone Bar

On Jan. 31, the Telephone Bar closed on Second Avenue near Ninth Street... Earlier today, I noticed an auction sign up on one of the Telephone booths...

Here's what was for sale:

MICHAEL AMODEO CO., INC. Auctrs
SELL MONDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2010 AT 2:30 PM
AT 149 SECOND AVENUE, MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY, NEAR 9th ST.
WELL KNOWN RESTAURANT & BAR
600Lb. Ice Machine, Blodgett Electric Convection Oven, Hobart 30Qt Mixer, Hobart Potato Peeler, 1&2 Door Refrigerators & Freezers, 3Ft Charcoal Grill, Deep Fryers, 4 & 6 Burner Stoves, Traulsen Fish File, 2 Head Espresso Machine, Coffee Urns, Upright Broiler, S.S. Sinks & Tables, Hobart Upright Dishwasher with S.S. Drain Boards, Steam Table, Bain Marie, 20 Bar Stools, 40 Tables with Old Fashioned Cast Iron Bases, 100 Chairs, Banquets, 16Ft Chef’s Line, Sound Equipment, JBL Speakers, 3 Flat Screen TV’s, POS System with 4 Screens & 5 Printers, 8x10 Aluminum Walk-In Refrigerator, S.S. Pots, Pans, Trays, China Dinnerware, Glassware Utensils & Much More. Inspection: Day Of Sale 1PM To Sale Time. Terms: Cash or Bank Cashiers Checks. 15% Buyers Premium. DCA#528663. Auctioneers Phone: 212-473-6830 or 917-776-1080.

Nothing about phone booths. Do you think the new owners will keep the phone booth motif?

Dunkin' Donuts celebrates 60th birthday with Donut Cake

Holy donut holes! I had no idea that it was Dunkin' Donuts 60th birthday! I didn't buy a gift! And look! The DD brass celebrated with a Donut Cake!

I will now go celebrate with a cup of coffee and some fries from Ray's...

[Donut cake via]

V-Bar St Mark's now open at former Tribe space

On Friday night, V-Bar St. Mark's opened on St. Mark's and First Avenue... Looked pretty full to me when I snapped this photo...

Last March, The Villager's Patrick Hedlund reported that Danny Rivera, owner of the Crooked Tree around the corner on St. Mark's, was opening a tapas bar in this space.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Peeking inside the former Tribe space

An end to the St. Mark's DOB guessing game

We were just getting started earlier today guessing what the DOB stood for with Michael Huynh's new eatery...I liked Goggla's pick: Douchebaggery or Bust.

Anyway! Those spoilsports at Eater had to actually go get the answer from the man himself. As they reported:

[H]e reports it stands for Date of Birth. Those little ones between the letters represent his d.o.b., November 1 (see also: Bao 111). When the restaurant opens it will serve French Vietnamese fare with breakfast and brunch offered all day. There will be a dinner menu, a late night menu, and a $29 prix fixe. His friend and onetime business partner Pichet Ong is in charge of dessert.

Sound off: Looking at the disappearing New York accent

A few weeks back, we excerpted a Fox News story -- based on a presentation at the Linguistic Society of America -- on the disappearing native New Yorker's accent ... (The story prompted a healthy comments section here.)

In yesterday's Post, Sheila McClear wrote a nice piece on the topic titled "Why the classic Noo Yawk accent is fading away."

Here's a little bit from her story:

First, a lesson in rhoticity. What, exactly, is the New York accent? One key component, linguists say, is the "R." Not only do New Yorkers drop Rs (call the doctah!), they add them in where they're not needed, usually when the next word starts with a vowel, which creates "I sawr it with my very own eyes!" and "The sofer in the living room is green." It all started across the pond. The New York accent, with its dropped Rs, is "absolutely from British English," says Kara Becker, a Ph.D. student at NYU who is writing her dissertation on New York City English. Londoners began to drop Rs around the end of the 1600s, according to Michael Newman, associate professor of lingusitics at Queens College.

The East Coast is referred to as the "R-less corridor" by linguists, and other coastal cities have accents with features in common with New York, like Boston and Charleston, S.C. Those cities "were settled around the same time, and the speakers came from a certain place" — South London — "using a certain type of British English," Becker says.

-----

Then there's the curious case of the New York Honk, which Tom Wolfe wrote about in 1976. The Honk was a certain upper-class East Coast accent that persisted after WWII, spoken by wealthy prep-school types such as Bobby Kennedy and Nelson Rockefeller. Wolf called it "derived in the natural Anglophile bias of Eastern social life." The unique way that New Yorkers draw out their vowels is another important feature of the dialect. Raising the vowels is one of the first exercises Gabis does with actors learning the accent.

New York-style vowels are diphthongs — meaning they change into another sound during pronunciation. That's just a boring way to describe the musical "aww-uhh" that New Yorkers bring to their vowels, pulling them apart like taffy, turning "sausage" into "sawww-sage." Words like "talk" and "walk" turn into two-syllable words: "Taww-uhk" and "waww-uuhk." Travis Bickle's famous line from "Taxi Driver" actually sounds more like, "Yoo tawwhkin' ta may?"

So, as she wrote: "Will old Noo Yawk become a museum piece, the subway token of language?"

Devomiting story: No one threw up on the Coop this past weekend, however...

Poor St. George just across Piss Alley from the newish Cooper Union academic building didn't fare so well...

Is this the work of the Serial Vomiter, who is now turning his or her sick attention to one of our favorite churches in the neighborhood?

...or just a random act of drunkeness?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Barfin' at the Coop: The Serial Vomiter strikes again

Cooper Union fit for a Caddy

Speaking of the Cooper Union, the newish building is featured in a new Cadillac CTS ad...I'm trying to get a copy of the commercial... Meanwhile, thanks to EV Grieve reader Jeremy for a screen shot...

Cool that the couple in the ad pulled over to look at the Coop's skateboard ramp. Hope that no one gets the idea to use the ramp for any car tricks...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Gleaming the Coop

Michael Huynh's alphabet guessing game on St. Mark's Place

Well! Finally a clue at the former Australian Homemade ice cream/candy shop on St. Mark's Place near Avenue A...

As Eater reported, Michael Huynh, who's opening 1,784 eateries this year, took over this space. "When asked whether or not that would be the location of his future Asian-Taco joint, Huynh said he wasn't sure, that he has three leases on St. Mark's Place to play with ... However, if he does put the tacos here, he's considering calling it Baorrito. May we also suggest South of the Baoder? Taco Bao?"

So, here's what went up last Friday...

Feel free to guess what DOB stands for... I'm going with Department of Buildings.

Stuy Town neighbors rallying to save a bank branch

At the HSBC branch on First Avenue just past 14th Street... you know, the location that has that seemingly-out-of-place suburban look and feel....

...with the clock that reminds you that you're late for work (again)...

...some HSBC account holders are unhappy that this branch is slated for closure...and moving to the former Bald Fat Chocolate Man location on Second Avenue and Ninth Street...