Friday, February 3, 2017
Only 'Yesterday'
There's a new release of demos from 1982 by the Glasgow-based pop duo Strawberry Switchblade ... these New York Dolls fans only released one proper record in the day, which included the catchy "Since Yesterday" (circa 1984), which is apparently about nuclear war. Enjoy!
RIP Officer Bianca Bennett
With heavy hearts we morn the loss of Police Officer Bennett #dynamic #nypdcadet #nypdexplorer #nypdtraffic #NYPD #finest pic.twitter.com/ZtGxC5qO7s
— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) February 3, 2017
Officer Bianca Bennett, who worked at the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street, died in a single-car crash in the Bronx on Wednesday night, according to published reports. She was 27.
Per the Post:
Sources say Bennett was a passenger in a red Dodge Durango driven by a fellow off-duty officer, who lost control and ran off the roadway. The SUV flipped and burst into flames.
The other officer reportedly sustained trauma and burns to both of his legs. He remains in critical condition at Jacobi Hospital.
The rookie officer was set to marry her high school sweetheart in April.
Thank You everyone for the outpouring of support during this difficult time as we prepare to say goodbye to a true shining star #NYPD pic.twitter.com/Wr1xpgZ3Qh
— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) February 3, 2017
An appreciation: the Village East Cinema
The Village East Cinema on Second Avenue at 12th Street is one of my favorite places to see a movie here or anywhere.
And the theater was the subject of a recent feature at 6sqft, which provides a history of the space as well as details on the restoration of the main auditorium's ornate ceiling.
Per the post, which features photos by James and Karla Murray:
Village East Cinema was once known as The Louis N. Jaffe Theater, built in 1925-26 by the Brooklyn lawyer, developer and prominent Jewish leader Louis N. Jaffe. Jaffe built the theater as a permanent home for the Yiddish Art Theater to be devoted to the work of Maurice Schwartz, a renowned Yiddish speaking actor known as “Mr. Second Avenue.”
The Yiddish theater produced many of the creative figures of the 20th century American stage, including actors, directors, writers and designers, and had a major influence on theatrical form and content.
And!
Yiddish theater was performed at the Jaffe Art Theater from 1926-1945, but the theater itself changed its names numerous times and housed many different Yiddish theater companies. The theater later showed vaudeville productions and was used an off-Broadway theater venue, housing the original productions of “Grease” and “Joseph & the Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which both went on to Broadway.
The theater also was used to show burlesque, dance, concerts, and movies but finally closed in 1988. The interior was converted into a complex of seven movie theaters in 1991 in a way that retains most of the original spaces, but with new uses.
Read the whole post here.
The piece also notes that the theater is on both the State and National Historic Registers and its façade and interior including the lobby and domed auditorium are designated New York City landmarks.
A few other FYI things... all screenings before noon are just $8. And on Thursdays, moviegoers 55 and over can get $8 tickets for all times.
And there's a 75th-anniversary screening of "Casablanca" on Feb. 14.
Coming next week:
I went to the AMC Village 7 and got vertigo looking at the carpet...
Previously on EV Grieve:
At the Village East Cinema
98 Favor Taste signage arrives on St. Mark's Place
The signage arrived yesterday on St. Mark's Place at Second Avenue for 98 Favor Taste, as these photos via EVG Senior Signage Correspondent Steven show ...
The restaurant comes via Liju Lin, who has run the 99 Favor Taste restaurant in Sunset Park since 2011 ... and the Grand Street location since 2012.
The restaurants specialize in traditional Korean-style barbecue and Chinese hot pot meals.
Upon opening on Grand Street, the Voice gave 99 Favor an enthusiastic review... calling it "a feastly orgy: trays heaped with raw meats and fishes, feathery greens and fungi, boiling and bubbling pots, and popping and sizzling meats top every table. Diners crowd around, heads-down, slurping noodles and soup with chopsticks, only looking up to tend the meat, cooking at arm's distance away."
These storefronts have been vacant going on five years now. Timi's Gelateria Classica™ closed at the end of 2011 in one of the spaces… while Michael "Bao" Huynh's Baoguette Cafe shut down at summer's end in 2012.
Previously
Reader mailbag: A call to keep the lights on the holiday tree in Tompkins Square Park
[Photo from Tuesday]
EVG regular Jose Garcia writes in:
I've been wondering whether you think there might be any sympathy for keeping the holiday tree in Tompkins Square Park lit beyond the holiday season.
Not sure who (Parks Department?) is responsible for it but for me at least it's become something of a beacon of hope and the beauty of our neighborhood given the toxic political atmosphere.
I'm guessing it would be a matter of costs and also perhaps it would be unhealthy for the tree?
The lights usually remain illuminated until some time in February... like in 2009, it was Feb. 7... in 2014, it was Feb. 17.
It was pretty nice to see it lit up that one St. Patrick's Day.
Some temporary signage for Abraco on 7th Street
Earlier this week, a temporary sign arrived outside the newish home of Abraço at 81 E. Seventh St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
Abraço owners Jamie McCormick and Elizabeth Quijada moved into this larger space from across the street from their former address back in September...
Perhaps the new sign will help those who think that Abraço closed at 86 E. Seventh St.
We've heard from a handful of people, who saw the for rent sign at No. 86 in recent months, asking when/why Abraço was no more.
The cafe, now in its 10th year of business on the block, has an active Instagram account showing some of the daily specials.
Progress at Little Tong Noodle Shop, coming soon to 1st Avenue
[Photos by Steven]
A worker has been painting the exterior of the former Schnitz space this past week on First Avenue at 11th Street...
As we first noted in late December, a self-described "fast causal" restaurant called Little Tong Noodle Shop is set to take over the corner spot.
The applicants were OK'd for a beer-wine license last month. (This item was not heard during the committee meeting on Jan. 9.) According to the questionnaire (PDF!) on file at the CB3 website, the restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m to midnight. The owners also plan on operating a four-table sidewalk cafe with 12 seats from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Simone Tong, who worked for Wylie Dufresne’s now-closed wd~50 on Clinton Street, is the chef. While work continues on the First Avenue space, Tong is hosting several preview dinners this month at Jimmy's No. 43 on Seventh Street, as Bedford + Bowery reported.
Meanwhile, here's a look at how the interior is shaping up via the restaurant's Instagram account...
No word yet on an opening date.
Schnitz, which served old-fashioned schnitzel sandwiches with unconventional toppings, was in operation from March 2014 to August 2016. Something Sweet, the family-owned bakery, was here until July 2012.
Previously on EVG:
Little Tong Noodle Shop taking the former Schnitz space on 1st Avenue
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Last-minute things to do on Groundhog Day: See 'Groundhog Day'
The Bill Murray comedy from 1993 is playing tonight at 7:30 at
Condos at Rite Aid's new neighbor on 1st Avenue will range from $1 million to $6 million
[Pit work at 75 1st Ave. one recent evening]
As you may know, an 8-story condoplex — featuring 22 residences — is coming to the long-empty lot at 75 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.
To date, we'd only seen photos of broker Ryan Serhant's team in suits brandishing shovels at a groundbreaking ceremony ... and not any of the actual new building.
Now though, Colonnade Group, the developer behind the project, has released some renderings, as first posted yesterday at The Real Deal.
Here's an interior shot...
[Image via the Colonnade Group]
HTO Architects designed the building. The prices will range from around $1 million for a one-bedroom to $6 million for a three-bedroom. The amenities include a fitness center, lounge and library, private and common roof deck and bike storage.
As for No. 75's neighbor... the bears have been lined up for Valentine's Day...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Developer: A shorter building in the works now for 75 First Avenue
High-rise for 75 First Avenue back in play
Long-stalled First Avenue site now has a brand-new rendering
Report: Long-dormant 1st Avenue development site changes hands
Plywood report and the future of 75 1st Ave. (Spoiler: condos)
Mr. White bringing 'new Southern cuisine' to St. Mark's Place
As previously noted, February's CB3-SLA agenda includes an applicant vying for a beer-wine license at 121 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue.
Here's more about the space via public documents (PDF) at the CB3 website. For starters, Mr. White will serve "New Southern cuisine." (The online application did not include a sample menu.)
The proposed hours are noon to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday. (The application notes that alcohol service will end at 2 a.m., with the restaurant closing one hour later "to allow the customer to finish his meal.") The configuration shows 10 tables seating 28 patrons, and two bars seating 19 people.
The documents also note that the principals have experience at the Grand National (now the Big Whiskey) and the Whiskey Brooklyn in Williamsburg.
No. 121 was last home to the Belgian Room, which the state seized for nonpayment of taxes in April 2015. (The reconfigured space includes the former Ton-Up Cafe next door.)
The February SLA committee meeting is Monday at 6:30 p.m. Location: The Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. at the Bowery.
Sunday is the last day for Turntable Lab before move to new 10th Street storefront
[Image via Turntable Lab]
As we've been noting, Turntable Lab is leaving its 16-year-home on Seventh Street for a new space on 10th Street.
The store has announced that Sunday is the last day in business selling vinyl and stereo equipment here between Avenue A and First Avenue before reopening soon at 84 E. 10th St. between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.
Here's more on the store's early days via their Instagram account...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Turntable Lab reveals new 10th Street storefront
Barber shop cuts into 9th Street storefront
A barber shop has opened on Ninth Street just east of Second Avenue.
For now, Famous Cutz is having a $15 haircut special...
Ambica, a handcrafted jewelry shop, was previously in the storefront at No. 305.
Thanks to Steven for the photos
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
[Updated] Noted
That new Diane Von Furstenberg campaign is pretty edgy... photo today on Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue by Derek Berg
Updated 5:55 p.m.
The signs have been ripped off the plywood...
[Photo by Derek Berg]
Report: Anyway Cafe robbed at knifepoint
Per the Post:
A thief seemed to know what he was looking for when he entered an East Village restaurant and demanded at knife-point that a worker give him “the money from the bottom,” police said Tuesday.
The crook entered the Anyway Cafe ... and barked his demands at a female employee.
When she walked behind the bar, the man got more specific, demanding: “Give me the money from the bottom!” according to cops.
The employee handed over a white garbage bag and white envelopes containing cash, cops said.
The Post only had this description of the suspect: "25 years old, standing about 5-foot-5 and ... wearing a red jacket."
Out and About in the East Village
In this ongoing feature, East Village-based photographer James Maher provides us with a quick snapshot of someone who lives and/or works in the East Village.
By James Maher
In Part 2 next week, Sáenz talks about the influence of 9/11 on her work and thoughts on the neighborhood today. "I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else."
James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.
By James Maher
Name: Lola Sáenz
Occupation: Artist, Poet
Location: 12th Street
Date: Saturday, Jan. 28 at noon
I was born in El Paso, Texas. I always wanted to be an artist. When I left high school, I couldn’t afford to go to art school, so I moved to LA and lived there for about 10 years. I started to do artwork the last few years living there. Then I met this girl who was from here in the gay pride parade and she said, ‘You gotta come to New York because it’s the place.’ I said, ‘Yeah, well, I’ve always dreamt about it.’
I moved to New York in 1990. The first year here I lived on King Street. I was personal training. I had already met a woman in LA who lived in New York City. Her name was Linda Stein, who was a big real-estate broker to celebrities and manager of the Ramones. Linda was the first person who gave me work. I became her personal trainer, for 15 years. She also said that if I needed to move, I could always stay upstairs for free in her apartment where her daughter used to have bunk beds, and I could use their bathroom and kitchen.
So I did, and I moved uptown to Central Park West. It was a tiny little room on the top of the building — a gorgeous view. All I could fit there was a futon and an art table, and it had one window. I would share the bathroom down the hallway with the guys, the doormen. In that building, I met Bill and Judith Moyers and got to train them. Linda introduced me to a lot of clients to train, including the owner of Hess Oil.
Not having a kitchen or a bathroom was tough. So after a year I found this small apartment in the East Village in 1993. I’ve been here ever since. I eventually stopped training Linda to focus on the art, and a few years or so later she was murdered by her yoga teacher. I was shocked and devastated. Most of the magazine and newspaper articles were writing about the story, making it sound like it was Linda's fault. It was impossible that anyone would deserve to be murdered for saying the word fuck or blowing smoke.
I wrote to The New York Times, New York Magazine, etc. in her defense, but no one took my story except Lincoln Anderson from The Villager. And of course I was right. After all the investigation, it was found that the yoga teacher had been stealing from Linda. She remains in prison.
There was a shop called Peter Leggieri's Sculpture Supply Store below my apartment where the record store is now. It became my living room. That’s where I learned how to carve. He would sell stones from all over the world. He would give me a few stones and chisels. It was a great outlet in the East Village because all the artists would stop by and say hello. It was bit rough. There were a lot of drugs on the block. I remember a detective friend would go up on the roof through the back of Peter’s place to spy.
It got rough right in my next-door apartment, which was a lady-of-the-night hangout for all the junkies. It was a little weird. I kept thinking where else can I go, so I stuck it out. I didn’t really care what people did with their lives. People would be getting high on the staircase, and I didn’t want any confrontation with any of them. It was like that for the whole first year.
Then Giuliani came to power, and before you know it the marshals came and broke the door, pulled everyone out, and arrested a bunch of people. The undercover cops started arresting a lot of people. The year after that was cool because I didn’t have to bump into anybody living next door to me. I didn’t care about the outside world — it was just what was next door to me.
I’m a self-taught artist. Since I was a kid, all I wanted to be was an artist. I started to watch and study Picasso and Frida Kahlo and Matisse and Diego. I would go to museums and be inspired by the work. I guess you’re born with it or something. The first few paintings that I did in LA, I felt like I had been guided by the hand of God or something. It was me, but it was like somebody else was there.
I decided to create one painting a year. My artwork has four or five layers of paint, and I don’t like transparency — and the paint supplies are very expensive. I do a lot of city-related paintings and a lot of self-portraits. I add a little poetry to an artwork sometimes. I’ll work on a painting like a maniac. Every painting has its own story. I could work on it for a month straight every day and every night with a couple days off a week. If I’m really in it, I will work it until I feel exhausted or I get stuck.
In Part 2 next week, Sáenz talks about the influence of 9/11 on her work and thoughts on the neighborhood today. "I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else."
James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.
Todd Hase brings custom furnishings to 7th Street
Furniture designer Todd Hase has opened a new outpost (a Home and Mid-Century Modern Shop) at 111 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.
Here's more about Todd Hase, who previously had a shop in Soho, via the business website:
Todd Hase Furniture, Inc. includes a full collection of upholstery, tables, casegoods, accessories and textiles. Designed by Todd Hase, the line is distinctly modern. It uses a classic vocabulary of shapes and lines to offer a pared down, simplified yet extremely palatable, ultimately usable line of home furnishings. Old world techniques of manufacturing are applied to these modern products: eight-way handtied springs fill upholstered seating and hand fitted marquetry patterns of beautiful veneers enhance tables, casegoods and lighting.
And!
In 1996 Todd and his wife Amy Hase opened their original showroom in New York. Todd Hase designed products are made in the USA then shipped domestically and around the world. In addition to the Todd Hase Collection, Amy and Todd Hase offer a fine selection of inspiriing French antiques acquired from Paris and the regions near their chateau in Normandy. The Todd Hase showroom and design atelier in the Hamptons offers an eclectic mix of Todd Hase Collection and Textiles, French antiques, lighting, carpets, garden furniture, fine art, and decorative accessories.
The Seventh Street shop is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. There are also Todd Hase locations in West Hollywood, West Palm Beach and Southampton.
Village Style Vintage Shop, the previous tenant here, moved out to Brooklyn last October.
Report: Sugar Cafe closes after service on Sunday
DNAinfo confirmed the closure with three employees last evening. BoweryBoogie had previously heard that a rent increase — perhaps as much as double the current ask — was behind the closing.
We'll always have Paris (Baguette), and Egg Salad Bacon Rolls
Early last September, I noted that an outpost of Paris Baguette was opening in the shoppes of Stuy Town on First Avenue near 16th Street.
And that was likely the last time I walked by this strip of shoppes. Which is why I had no idea that this Paris Baguette had opened earlier in the fall.
As noted, the quickly expanding South Korea-based company has more than 3,000 corporate and franchised stores across multiple countries in Asia as well as in Europe. There are a handful of locations currently in Manhattan.
Anyway, I happened to walk by the other day ... and so I went inside. I recalled DrGecko's comment about the food items:
Oh, god, I love their place on 32nd St. If I'm feeling down, just a quick look at their bizarre stuff always cheers me up.
I haven't seen the doughnut stuffed with potato salad recently, but their skewered hotdog-in-a-roll or their sweet-potato sponge cake will surely brighten up the neighborhood.
P.S. I don't necessarily recommend actually eating any of these things.
This item for sale certainly cheered me up — behold the Egg Salad Bacon Roll (#paleo)...
Anyway, the place looked to be doing pretty good business. There was a short line at the counter and I didn't feel like waiting for
Previously on EV Grieve:
Paris Baguette opening a location in Stuy Town (28 comments)
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
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