Addition by subtraction at East Sixth Street church

We've been curious about Iglesia Pentecostal Sarepta at 701 E. Sixth St. (just east of Avenue C) for some time... the church has not been in use of late ...

[Google Street View]

And the corner lot adjacent to the church has been empty for as long as we can remember...

All this always leads to speculation of some sort of new development... Several weeks ago, a sidewalk shed appeared here...

According to the DOB, the city approved work way back in October 2001 to "build a new 2nd story over exiting one-story masonry building."

Regardless, it was a little jarring to see that workers actually removed the existing second level late last week...

[Top two photos by Bobby Williams]

The DOB permits say that the second floor will hold the church offices and an activities room. We hope to talk with someone from the church about the plans and renovations...

Plus, maybe we can find out more about the empty lot...

[Bobby Williams]

And how was your weekend?

A few observations via Twitter... perhaps a new weekly Monday feature.

Dustin hoffman and jonah hill walking in the east village together. Strange couple?

— Paige Davis (@paigeDav) May 19, 2012

3am, 13th St: Awakened by hooting and applause at a volume that implied toplessness #eastvillage

— Handel (@handelsaurus) May 20, 2012

I know the East Village is dead, but did I have to see 2 popped collar preppies with bags of golf clubs on Ave A? Sheesh!

— Greg Garry (@GregGarry) May 20, 2012

Water store opening on East 10th Street

Here we are on East 10th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A ... previously the brief home to Cowgirl's Bakery... Molecule is opening soon here...

Per the sign on the front window, it's "a better way to buy water." They will sell "hyper-filtered, perfectly pure, eco-conscious" water... looks as if they'll sell some organic, vegan and raw food too...

'No bar/restaurant' for former Habibi Lounge space

The former hookah bar here on Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street closed some time last November... for rent signs are up now... specifically — "no bar/restaurant."

A call that should make some nightlife-fatigued neighbors of this stretch of Avenue A happy...

Last day to vote for your favorite NYC 'historic places'

Today is the last day to vote in the Partners in Preservation contest in which 40 New York landmarks are competing to win grants (awarded based in part on the number of online votes each organization can gather).

Per the news release about all this: "The program will infuse $3 million in grants to preserve the city’s historic buildings, icons and landmarks."

And there are two East Village historic places in the running...

• DMAC - Duo Multicultural Arts Center on East Fourth Street
Project: Restoration of 6 murals, decorative tin ceiling

• St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery
Project: Restoration of the portico

Supporters can vote for the place of their choosing at the Partners in Preservation website.

Previously.

Today

Photos by Bobby Williams.

Also today

By peter radley in Tompkins Square Park.

To atone for yesterday's sinning.

Week in Grieview

When W.H. Auden was displeased with the new liturgy at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery (Thursday)

Looking for a quiet block to live on (Wednesday)

A petition to have the north side of Delancey co-named for Deshane Santana (Thursday)

The future of 260 Bowery (Friday)

We learned about the proper way to open this door (Tuesday)

St. Brigid's exposed (Wednesday)

Alan Rickman will play Hilly Kristal (Tuesday)

A bat-shit crazy story on East 14th Street (Sunday)

Alphabet City Beer Co. opens (Wednesday)

Kita goes swimming, maybe accidentally (Friday)

Car fire (Wednesday)

So long Friend House (Monday)

Here's Max Fish in Asbury Park (Tuesday)

Another chance to read my Joe Strummer dream post — woo! (Friday)

An interview with the topless advocate

Moira Johnston, the activist who has been raising awareness that it's OK and perfectly legal for women to be topless in the city, continues to receive attention. (Amazing, huh?)

The Post has a brief today about her...

Also, via Gothamist, we learn that Joey Boots filmed a video interview with her the other day at Union Square. Highlights include the man who says she is "going against God's law." She's topless here, so NSFW...



Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] There is a woman who has been walking around the East Village topless

Painting Calliope

And leftover from yesterday... a few photos of the freshly painted Calliope on Second Avenue at East Fourth Street... People involved with the Waverly Inn and Prune are behind the new venture at the former Belcourt...

At the Ukrainian Festival

Day 3 of the The Ukrainian Festival gets under way this morning... on Seventh Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square... here are a few scenes from yesterday via Bobby Williams...

About a crime scene on St. Mark's Place

Several readers this morning pointed us to the front of The Saint on 56 St. Mark's Place between First Avenue and Second Avenue... there is a crime scene of sorts in front of the steps. According to a neighbor, police here say that someone fell down the stairs and cracked his or her head on the sidewalk. Detectives were called in earlier to make sure there wasn't any foul play associated with the fall, the neighbor said.

The barricades in front of the building were leftover from yesterday's Dance Parade. Workers have since removed the barricades.

Speaking of barricades along St. Mark's Place...

Rainbow maker in Tompkins Square Park

No LSD necessary.

Dance fever

Here are scenes from the DanceParade and DanceFest today via Bobby Williams... down St. Mark's Place and in Tompkins Square Park...

Dance Fever II

Via EV Grieve regular peter radley ...

Dance Fever III

Crossing Second Avenue at 11th Street via EVG reader Peter Niessen...

A pre DanceFest Tompkins Square Park

Photo via ~ Joan

Opening today: 'Music Machine' in Artist Alley at Extra Place

From the EV Grieve inbox ...

Running May 19, 2012 - November 2012

Works by Sonni
Curated by Keith Schweitzer of MaNY Project
Presented by FABnyc's ArtUp Program

Artist Reception
Saturday, May 19 @ 2PM
Artist Alley @ Extra Place

Music Machine is the second exhibition for FABnyc's ArtUp Program site, Artist Alley @ Extra Place. Artists create work on the pavement alley of the former CBGB's, a cultural marker in NYC's Punk and No Wave scene and fertile ground for a new generation of creative exchange.

About the Artist
Sonni was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began his career by painting murals in different neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, creating a following with his cheerful "characters de faciones" painted in primary colors. He is considered to be part of the first generation of street artists in Argentina. He was commissioned to do a public mural in Buenos Aires subway stations and the Glace Palace Museum. He was also invited to participate in solo and group shows in Argentina, Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, The United States, Canada and Taiwan. In 2008, he was invited to work with art company FriendsWithYou as Senior Art Director.

Also going on this weekend... NoHo Design District ... here's a map of what's going on where.

[Updated] Street fair! Street fair! Street fair!

Today's street fair festival is on Third Avenue from East 14th Street on down to East Sixth Street (we think!)...

...vendors were just setting up when we walked through around an entirely too early hour.

With the Dance Parade and the Ukrainian Festival, traffic should be nice and snarly...

Updated: Noon

An aerial view via @AndrewPettit ...