Paul Kostabi at the 2nd Avenue F stop

Here's a look at Paul Kostabi's new mural outside the Second Avenue F stop at East Houston ...



This Instagram account has all the murals that have been in this space the past few years...

RIP Toyo Tsuchiya

[Image via Facebook]

Toyo Tsuchiya, a well-regarded artist and photographer who documented the Lower East Side art scene of the 1980s, died in his East Village apartment on Nov. 23. He was 69. Friends said that he died of heart failure.

Here's more about him via Howl! Happening, which presented a selection of his work in November 2016:

Tsuchiya is best known for his photographs of NYC’s Lower East Side art scene in the 1980s and as an originator of the legendary Rivington School. In these highly personalized images of New York’s Lower East Side since 1980, Tsuchiya documented what was happening around him —the people, performance art, and the Lower East Side art scene — and especially the legendary underground movement of the collaborative Rivington School.

Born near Mt. Fuji in Japan, Tsuchiya grew up in Kyushu and Yokohama. After graduating from the Kanagawa Ken Technical High School for Industrial Design he began his career as an artist. Living in Osaka, Yokohama, and Tokyo, he studied and exhibited paintings, drawings and collage within a small circle of the 1970’s art world in Tokyo. In the late 70s he turned to photography, and soon moved to New York City.

Tsuchiya was a creative force behind the No Se No Social Club, the stage for many art happenings, including the 99 Nights, a marathon of free performances and exhibitions. In his photographs, Tsuchiya captures the style, energy, and free-spirited creativity of the time, and contextualized these happenings in a fine-art lineage.

On Tuesday, fellow Rivington School artist Monty Cantsin honored Tsuchiya on an East Village rooftop, where he painted the "6 O'Clock" Rivington School logo and Toyo's name before roping the piece off with (legally acquired) police tape.


[Photo by Adrian Wilson]



The following is courtesy of Adrian Wilson:

Cantsin spent four years working with Tsuchiya to collate photographs, posters and other ephemera relating to the Rivington School artists, publishing the first comprehensive book on the oft-lamented art group. Many of the Rivington School artists spread into the East Village, notably Linus Corraggio, who ran the Gas Station gallery on Avenue B at Second Street for a decade from 1985.

Longtime East Village resident Roman Albear was working closely with Toya on a Rivington School documentary, and only three weeks ago managed to bring six of the artists together for the first time in over 30 years to discuss their memories on film.

Sadly, this would be the last time Toyo appeared on camera (far left).

[Photo by Adrian Wilson]

NYPD searching for man who exposed himself in Tompkins Square Park

Last week, we wrote about a man who was seen exposing himself in Tompkins Square Park near the children's playground.

One reader said the man is known in the Park and was spotted rubbing his genitals in front of two women last fall. (See this post.)

The NYPD is now seeking info on the suspect... the 9th Precinct tweeted this yesterday morning...

Recognize him? He is #wanted by the #NYPD for exposing himself & performing lewd acts in Tompkins Square Park. Any info ☎️ #800577TIPS @NYCParks #EastVillage pic.twitter.com/1LzgWWwSBD

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) December 6, 2017

He was last seen carrying his pants and wearing red lipstick on First Avenue at 13th Street.

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online.

GG's looks to be yielding to Emmy Squared on 5th Street

The owners of Emmy Squared are applying for a new liquor license at 511 E. Fifth St. — the current home of GG's, the pizzeria between Avenue A and Avenue B, according to paperwork on file at the CB3 website. (PDF here.)

The paperwork filed ahead of Monday night's CB3-SLA meeting describes this as a sale of assets. The method of operation looks about the same with seating and hours (noon to midnight daily).

Emmy Squared in Williamsburg serves Detroit-style pizza via the wife-and-husband team behind Emily on Downing Street. (Neither of the owners, Emily and Matt Hyland, happen to be from Detroit.)

Eater once wrote that Emily and Emily Squared are "two of NYC's most exciting pizzerias."

A post shared by Emmy Squared (@emmysquaredpizza) on Nov 19, 2017 at 1:18pm PST

The Hylands are currently involved in a lawsuit with some investors.

GG's opened here in September 2014... after owner Nick Morgenstern decided to revamp his Goat Town space. Morgenstern told Eater that business is good at GG's, but he and his partners want to focus on new projects, such as a restaurant for the Ace Hotel on the Bowery.

GG's will close after service on Dec. 23.

The December CB3-SLA committee meeting is Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Perseverance House Community Room, 535 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Goat Town is closing to make way for a pizzeria

The transformation of Goat Town to GG's on East 5th Street

GG's announces itself on East 5th Street

New storefront reveal on 2nd Street

The plywood recently came off at 201 E. Second St., where workers had been putting in a new storefront here at Avenue B.

The space, formerly an office for C & R Construction & Renovation Inc., is going for $4,500 a month for 500 square feet, according to the listing at Eastern Consolidated.

Here's a rendering, showing a potential coffee shop...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A new storefront for 2nd Street

Winter Craft Fair tomorrow at the Children's Workshop School

The Children's Workshop School (CWS) is hosting a Winter Craft Fair tomorrow (Friday!) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be a variety of handmade items for sale to the public at the school, 610 E. 12th St. between Avenue B and Avenue C. The CWS website has more info here.

'It's a Wonderful Life' at Ciao for Now on Dec. 15

Ciao for Now is hosting a free holiday screening of "It’s a Wonderful Life" next Friday, Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Via the EVG inbox...

We will be collecting unwrapped toy donations at the door for the NYPD 9th Precinct’s Annual Toy Drive. Seating is limited so we strongly recommend reserving your seat by calling 212-677- 2616 to RSVP. There will be delicious food and beverage available for purchase and plenty of holiday cheer!

The family-owned restaurant is at 523 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. This is the latest film screening for Ciao for Now, who earlier this year showed "Carnival of Souls" and "What About Me?"

Wednesday's parting shot

Back to this morning on Avenue A via Derek Berg...

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 or Lower East Side.



By James Maher

Name: Holly DeRito and Tulip
Occupation: Owner, Waggytail Rescue
Location: Avenue B between 10th and 11th
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 28

I’m originally from the sticks of Pennsylvania. I grew up with horses on a small farm next to Allentown. I came here for the music scene. One of my friends was a roadie for a band, and I started seeing shows. I just became addicted to New York. I’ve been here for 24 years. I was into hardcore punk, alternative. The first show that I drove up to myself was Bad Brains at the Wetlands.

I was bold but I probably should have been more scared than I was. I was always a little bit fearless. I’ve always been a little bit shy but then I’ve been bold. I like challenges — so one of my friends dared me to go into one of those S&M places and try out to be a dominatrix.

I was going to school and working two jobs. I just did it for shits and giggles, and they were like, ‘Oh, you’re blond, you’re hired.’ So I ended up doing that and that’s how I put myself through college with no debt. And then I did a dominatrix workout program that was on HBO and VH1 Real Sex — it was called Slaversize.

I got really sick with Lyme disease, so I didn’t start that again, but I adopted my dog Taco, and he was just magical. The day that I adopted him, two of my friends died in a murder-suicide, and I just remember he was so scared and I just clung to him. He was my soulmate dog.

Then I fostered a dog for another group, and the second that dog was adopted, Taco just looked so sad. So I road my bike up to the city pound to jailbreak him a friend. There I ran into a girl I had worked with as a dominatrix. She was running a pug rescue.

She pulled me into the back to where all of the dogs were on death row that the public didn’t see. She was like, ‘These are the ones that aren’t going to get out, who can you take? Can you help me?’ And I went home with seven dogs that night. I couldn’t leave any of them. So I went home and called my friends and said, ‘Hey can you watch a dog for a few days?’

I had no idea what I was doing — and that’s kind of how I started. It became like — I can save more. I was so passionate, and it was a challenge. I officially formed a rescue in 2004 and it’s just grown from there. The city has changed a lot in that there are almost no small dogs or family friendly dogs in the city shelters, which is great because people have started spaying and neutering. They have started taking better care of their pets. The city has become really pro-dog and dog friendly in comparison to what it used to be. Here for dogs to breed and have puppies, you almost have to make a conscious effort. They have to be in heat and find each other down the hallway and down the stairs. In Los Angeles, Dallas, and elsewhere in the south, they don’t spay/neuter and the dogs are just running in yards. They’re just completely overwhelmed with dogs.

We had a waiting list of people who wanted to adopt dogs. I went to Los Angeles to dogsit for one of my friends and saw the shelters there. I decided to form a program called One-by-One. We supply the carriers, we pay for the ticket for the dog as well as the leashes, the harnesses — everything. We drop off the dog at the airport, pick it up on the other side and a person just flies with the dog. Everybody said it couldn’t be done, and it seemed like it was impossible, but people love it. Everybody who’s done it has done it again. We’ve gotten about 500 dogs that way — one by one.

I have a little bit more faith in humanity. We get adoption donations. The dogs that are coming in tonight on American Airlines are from the highest kill shelter in Dallas, and then all the fosters are going to pick them up. I’m going to microchip them myself. I have my own little branch in Los Angeles with my system and my setup with the shelters and the veterinarians and we also partner up with a few groups. We take in dogs about every two weeks. I formed a buddy system where people who have fostered help the new [dog owners].

I really like anything hands-on. My mom was a nurse and my grandmother was a lab tech. I grew up going into the lab, visiting my grandmother and being fascinated by tumors when I was 6 years old. That stuff is kind of normal to me. I grew up next to a wildlife sanctuary, and because my mom is a nurse, we used to take in all types of orphaned animals and birds with broken wings. It’s an addiction, and it’s also a little bit of a gamble because I agree to a certain amount of dogs. If I don’t find fosters, then I’m out on the street with the dog. Hasn’t happened yet but I’m at the max amount allowed in my building – so yeah, I’d be sleeping at Remedy diner.

If people want to help we have a little fostering section on Waggytailrescue.org. For support we have trainers who we work with. A lot of the fosters end up adopting. A lot of people are considering adopting a dog and they’re not sure it’s the right time, so they’ll foster for a week or two and see if they’re ready for the commitment. If they’re not ready, they’ll maybe foster again until the right time or the right dog, so it’s a good system.

James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.

A campaign to #SitOutSantaCon

SantaCon is scheduled for Saturday... ahead of that, DiMassimo Goldstein, an NYC-based ad agency, along with Crew Cuts, a broadcasting and media production company, launched a #SitOutSantaCon campaign. (The website notes that the campaign is also brought to you by "Decent People Everywhere.")

And there's a video, described this way:

This year, tens of thousands of people will flood the streets for SantaCon in cities across America. Like every year, adults will see overserved Santas, inebriated elves and reckless Rudolphs.

But what will the children see?

The #SitOutSantaCon website features a variety of posters and GIFs to share...



Not taking part in SantaCon is one thing. It's a choice. One problem with SantaCon, depending on where you are, is that you don't have much of a choice of being surrounded by it if you decide to venture outdoors.

As Jason Gilbert wrote for the Times in 2013 (in calling for a ban):

Perhaps most distressing about SantaCon is its size and the way that it shuts down and befouls dozens of blocks. Any East Villager (I am one) can tell you that the event makes doing absolutely anything beyond one’s front stoop an impossibility, unless you own swamp waders and a riot shield.

And...

For a New York City event of its size, however, SantaCon is distinctive, and arguably impressive, in that it contributes absolutely zero value — cultural, artistic, aesthetic, diversionary, culinary or political — to its host neighborhood. Quite simply, SantaCon is a parasite.

As for SantaCon 2017, organizers have yet to divulge what neighborhoods they'll congregate in this year.

Hot Pot Central closes on 2nd Avenue

[Photo via @jcastro_nyc]

After nearly a year in business, Hot Pot Central has closed on the southeast corner of Second Avenue and 12th Street. They closed after service on Sunday night. No word on why they shut down.

This was the third attempt by the owners here since March 2015 ... following DumplingGuo and, previously, Dumpling Go.

Shima had a good run on the corner here until January 2014. After Shima, the asking rent for the prime corner location had been $25,400 per month.

Stereo exchange: Bright Audio moves on Avenue A

This past weekend, Bright Audio moved out of its storefront of five years at 202 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street ... heading across the Avenue to No. 207...




[Photo by Lola Sāenz]

Owner Kerry Bright, a general contractor specializing in home theaters, first created custom audio and video systems in the basement of 205 Avenue A in the early 2000s. (Sales were by appointment only.)

Bright then opened the storefront selling high-end headphones, amplifiers, turntables, etc., at No. 202 in 2012. (Read more about his business here.)

Now it appears he's moving back to the pre-storefront era. Bright Audio has an online shop and offers custom installation.

H/T Lola Sāenz!

The former Venus Body Arts space is for rent on Avenue A

Venus Body Arts recently cleared out of its 4-year-old home at 31 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street.

And the listing for the storefront owned by the NYCHA arrived on the market yesterday. (The photo in the listing shows the wrong space.) Asking rent is $90 a square foot.

As for Venus Body Arts, owner Maria Tash, whose clients have included Scarlett Johansson, Beyoncé and FKA Twigs, first got her start in a Fourth Street studio in 1992. She moved the jewelry, tattoo and clothing boutique to this storefront in 2013. The locations on Broadway and in London remain open.

Get well soon, Dora!

[Photo last week by Ryan John Lee]

Last week, several residents reported a red-tailed hawk in some sort of distress on Ninth Street at Avenue C. Someone called the NYPD...


[Photo last week by Ryan John Lee]

...and eventually the hawk, believed to be Dora, one of the resident hawks in Tompkins Square Park, flew off into La Plaza Cultural.

In the following days, none of the Park's hawk watchers had seen Dora... raising some concerns about her health.

Goggla provided an update tonight: Turns out that Dora has an injured wing. She was picked up last night by the NYPD on Avenue C between 9th Street and 10th Street and was taken to Animal Medical Center. Her wing is not broken, but she is unable to fly.

You can head over to Goggla's site for more details.

Come home soon, Dora ...


[Photo by Steven]

You Gotti be kidding me: Mobster biopic pulled 10 days before release

[Photo in February by Daniel]

Back in February, crews were out on 10th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue filming scenes for "Gotti," the biopic starring John Travolta, seen above, in the title role.

"Gotti," directed by "Entourage" star Kevin Connolly, was set to open on Dec. 15.

Not anymore. The Tracking Board reports that Lionsgate dropped the film from its schedule and sold it back to its producers. There isn't any word on why Lionsgate decided to drop "Gotti."

Insiders say that "Gotti" would have given 10th Street its meatiest role since "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" filmed between Second Avenue and Third Avenue in 2005.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Mob scene on 10th Street as 'Gotti' crew and John Travolta hold forth

Today in sad-looking bears propped up by a tree on 1st Street

RIP Magdalena Wassiltschuk

Several readers have shared the news that Magdalena (Maggie) Wassiltschuk, a longtime resident on Ninth Street, died early last week.

I don't have any biographical information at the moment. A reader who lives on the same block between Avenue A and First Avenue said that she had cancer.

According to the reader, she lived for at least two decades at 415 E. Ninth St. and prior to that on Avenue B. She came to the city some years ago from Gettysburg, Pa., where she was a registered nurse.

Per the reader:

She was a huge animal lover and daily would sit on the stoop at 415, talking to everyone who passed by (well, primarily if they had a dog with them). She was a great neighbor. She was the first person who introduced herself to me when I moved to the East Village. Then, in typical fashion, she told me I should get a cat — and pointed at Ollie’s, that cat adoption place across Ninth street. When I finally did get a dog, it took her about two days to tell me the dog needed a friend and that I should adopt another!

She had very little, if any, family.

A neighbor created a small memorial, which has grown in recent days, on her building's entryway with a sign reading "Queen of the Stoop."

65 E. 2nd St. now with a little off the ask

Back in July 2016, we wrote about 65 E. Second St., the charming townhouse for sale between First Avenue and Second Avenue across from the New York City Marble Cemetery.

At the time, the asking price was $5.75 million.

Leslie J.. Garfield still has the listing... the ask is now $5.2 million. Here's the listing to refresh your memory (pay attention to Apt. 3!):

[T]his 4,600 square foot townhouse has been fully gut renovated into three gracious apartments overlooking the Marble Cemetery, the oldest public cemetery in New York City.

Originally built c. 1834 as a Greek Revival-style row house with cast-iron stoop posts and hand-railings, basket-style iron fire escape, rope moldings and historic wood casement windows and transoms.

65 East 2nd Street is located in the prime East Village, on the cusp of NoHo and the Lower East Side, surrounded by new condominium developments, cafes, boutique shops, and trendy restaurants. This turnkey townhouse is suitable for both end-users and investors alike, with the ability to move into the owner’s duplex with incredibly low annual expenses (Tax Class 2B and tenant paid utilities), while offering longterm upside in a rapidly developing neighborhood.

APT 1: Currently configured as a three-bedroom, three bath garden duplex featuring Central Air-Conditioning, custom chef ’s kitchen and cabinetry, high-end finishes, washer/dryer and two private outdoor spaces. Current tenant pays $8,750 per month. Lease Expires August 2018.

APT 2: Currently configured as a fully renovated three bedroom, two bath apartment featuring central air conditioning, gut renovated kitchen and bathrooms, 11’ ceiling heights, and unobstructed, sunlit views north. Current tenant pays $6,600 per month. Lease Expires July 2018.

APT 3: Occupied by a life-tenancy, this apartment is currently configured as a fully renovated three bedroom, two bath apartment featuring central air conditioning, gut renovated kitchen and bathrooms, 9.5’ ceiling heights, and unobstructed, sunlit views north. Tenant pays $500 per month in perpetuity.

... and two interior shots and the front view...

No trespassing (or hunting or fishing) at the former Cafe Orlin

In recent weeks several readers have noted that some travelers/crusties have been camped out overnight at the former Cafe Orlin outdoor space on St. Mark's Place east of Second Avenue... which prompted the arrival of no trespassing signs that someone (the landlord?) posted ... these particular signs include hunting and fishing along with the no trespassing for good measure ...



News broke in early September that the restaurant was closing after service on Oct. 15.

Grub Street reported at the time that "a new restaurant will open in its place." There haven't been any updates on that just yet, including with construction permits filed at the DOB.

Cafe Orlin opened in March 1981.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Cafe Orlin will close next month after 36 years in business (34 comments)

A milestone for 'Stomp'

[Photo of the new marquee from last week]

Today, "Stomp" celebrates 10,000 performances at the Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

"Stomp" — created in 1991 by Steve McNicholas and Luke Cresswell in England — began its run at the Orpheum in February 1994.

People magazine noted the number of props the cast of the dance/percussion show has used at the Orpheum:

• 19,000 wood-handled brooms (glued, coated with marine epoxy, and covered with nylon strapping tape).
• 5,900 metal trash bins (three varieties of bins are used in the show — two imported from the UK, the third manufactured in the U.S.).
• 2,100 sheets of Masonite
• 600 wooden poles

For awhile, it looked as if "Stomp" wouldn't be holding any milestones here. In April 2015, the owners of the Orpheum were suing the producers of "Stomp" to prevent them from leaving the theater. However, a Manhattan judge ruled that the production was allowed to discontinue its contract and move on to a new theater in Midtown.

But! An arbitrator later ruled that the show must stay put after it tried to relocate to a competing playhouse uptown.

Here's some history of the Orpheum Theatre via Cinema Treasures:

The site on which the Orpheum stands is alleged to have been a concert garden as early as the 1880s and, as such, to be one of the oldest continuously operating places of gathering for entertainment events in New York City.

A 1904 NY Times article describes a visit to the Orpheum as an evening which began with entertainment from a Hungarian orchestra, continued with dinner in the 7 o'clock hour, and concluded with a three-hour stage show by a Viennese theatre company.

The theatre was part of the exploding Second Avenue Yiddish theatre scene in the early decades of the 20th century but was exhibiting motion pictures by at least 1921. By 1926 it was operated by the Meyer & Schneider circuit. Additional references indicate that it continued to do so through the mid-1950s.