'Afro-Punk' screens at MoRUS Thursday night

Via the EVG inbox... this is happening Thursday evening...

Prior to its emergence as a global brand, Afro-Punk was a grassroots community of Black musicians, artists, skaters and activists existing within the punk rock scene as captured in the eponymous documentary shot and released by James Spooner in 2003.

As part of its Political Punk Exhibit, the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) will screen "Afro-Punk," the 66-minute film that inspired the AfroPunk festival, co-founded by Spooner and Matthew Morgan. Spooner will be in attendance to introduce the film and for a post-screening talk; all of which will take place on Thursday beginning at 8 p.m. Suggested donation is $5 per person.

MoRUS is located at 155 Avenue C between Ninth Street and 10th Street. Read more about the screening and the Museum's political punk exhibition here.

Today on St. Mark's Place

A Con Ed crew here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... a bike ready for more rain...

Photo by Steven

Full reveal at 253 E7

We have a full reveal now at 253 E. Seventh St., the new 6-story condoplex — aka 253 E7 — here between Avenue C and Avenue D.



You can see how it stacks against the rendering...



Two of the units hit the market a few weeks back, as noted here.

Per the Streeteasy building description: There are "8 superbly appointed apartments with soaring 9’ ceilings, ranging in size from 709 to 1,653 square feet. Most apartments feature a private outdoor space and an allotted few have access to private keyed elevator landings. The Penthouse apartment boasts a private paved roof; the Townhouse apartment features a private grass planted garden."

The available units range in price from $1.275 million (one bedroom) to $2.795 million (three bedrooms).

Workers tore down the former four-story residence that stood here back in late 2015.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Options for this lovely East 7th Street townhouse include demolition

New building in the works for 253 E. 7th St.

The disappearing 253 E. 7th St.

253 E. 7th St. is now a pile of bricks

Property at 253 E. 7th St. now for sale; perfect for a 'dream custom mansion townhouse'

New plans for a 6-story building at 253 E. 7th St.


[Image of No. 253 from 2014 via Massey Knakal]

Met Fresh now open on Avenue D

The Met Fresh Supermarket opened Saturday at 119 Avenue D between Eighth Street and Ninth Street.

Met Fresh is part of the Associated Supermarket Group, whose brands include Associated, Compare, Met Fresh, Met Foodmarkets, Pioneer and Gourmet a'Fare.

Anyway, here's a look at the store... the produce looks pretty solid... there's also a small deli counter...







The cereal selection is fairly limited ... most of the Kellogg's brands are represented ...





They also carry the Avenue A brand of products (exclusive to the Associated Supermarket Group) ... like the seltzer water (four for $3)...



There are grand-opening sales, like, four 10-ounce packs of Café Bustelo for $10 and two boxes of Kellogg's Raisin Bran (13.7 ounces) for $4. Oh, and these are 10 for $5...



Lastly, they don't have any beer just yet. A worker said it will be another month before it arrives. THEN maybe we can do an all-important price comparison!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Met Fresh Supermarket announces itself on Avenue D

About Joya Loves Louie, opening soon in the former Café Orlin space on St. Mark's Place

Work continues over at 39-41 St. Mark's Place just east of Second Avenue... where Joya Loves Louie is expected to open this fall in the old Café Orlin space...


[Reader-submitted photo]

New York magazine featured the new establishment, a vegetarian cafe-market combo, in its fall preview.

The chef is Joya Carlton, whose résumé includes the Orchard Grocer.

Per New York:

In tribute to its predecessor, the neighborhood standby Café Orlin, this all-day restaurant, bar, and store next door has christened a dish “The Orlin”: berbere-roasted cauliflower with rosehip harissa, olive tapenade, labne, eggs, and greens. It’s not only a nod to Orlin’s North African roots, but an example of the multicultural inspirations on chef Joya Carlton’s vegetarian menu. There’s falafel waffles with whipped maple and fruit, jackfruit osso buco with polenta and coconut gremolata, and an eggs Benedict served with the carrot “lox”...

The magazine notes that Louie "was Carlton’s Italian grandfather and culinary role model."

Aside from a café, there will be a market in the adjacent space (next to Dallas BBQ)...


[Reader-submitted photo]

According to Patch, the other people involved the project are Bob Perl, fellow Tower Brokerage executive Steve Dunaif and restaurateur Darin Rubell (Boulton & Watt, Drexler’s, among others).

Cafe Orlin closed last October after 36 years at the address.

Previously on EV Grieve:
1st sign of activity at the former Cafe Orlin space on St. Mark's Place

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

Cafe Orlin will close after 36 years in business (34 comments)

Reader report: Avenue B Cleaners Cromanated

Several readers shared the news that the Avenue B Cleaners between Fourth Street and Fifth Street abruptly closed last week... one reader believes it shut down on Thursday evening — with a for rent sign via Steve Croman's 9300 Realty showing up on Friday.

There's still clothing inside the dry cleaner and drop-off laundry ... a sign on the door instructs customers to call Kapri Cleaners on East Houston...

Cholo Noir space now for rent on 6th Street

A for rent sign now hangs in the window at 503 E. Sixth St., which apparently brings an end to Cholo Noir's 13-month run here between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The Chicano-inspired bar-restaurant had been closed since Aug. 19, with handwritten notes indicating the trusty "closed for renovations."

There's isn't any mention of a closure on Cholo Noir's website or social media properties.

As previously reported, CB3 twice denied a liquor license for the proprietors in 2016 ... among other reasons, there are 20-plus full on-premises liquor licenses within 500 feet of the address. CB3 members also didn't see much public benefit from the concept on a mostly residential block in a nightlife-saturated neighborhood.

Given the amount of work that they already put into the space, ownership went to the State Liquor Authority for a license. As DNAinfo reported in February 2017:

[T]he owners remain positive the eatery will be a good presence in the neighborhood, claiming Cholo Noir will be centered around the food, with cocktails to complement the menu.

“Most people don’t go into a Mexican restaurant and say, ‘Let’s go get wasted,’ but people do go for good Mexican food and they like to have something to complement it,” said Paul Le Mos, who plans to run the restaurant alongside Lennard Camarillo, former operator of West Village eatery Florencia 13.

The proprietors don't want to bring another noisy bar to the neighborhood, he said, but want to serve the community with great food and culture.

To the contrary, a few nearby neighbors felt as if they were, in fact, a drinks-first establishment ... offering all-you-can-drink brunch specials... and other happy hour deals ...

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there. Come celebrate @cholonoir with a special #brunch menu. #eastvillage

A post shared by CholoNoir (@cholonoir) on May 13, 2018 at 11:16am PDT

In 2014, the owners received $15,000 by winning the New York Public Library’s New York StartUP! Business Plan Competition.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Another no for Cholo Noir

'Low and Slow' on 6th and A

Sunday's parting shot

The Burberry bear inflatable is gone... Photo of Astor Place today by Lola Sáenz...

Week in Grieview

[4th and A the other day]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Jimmy Carbone is on the mend (Friday)

Report: Developer Gregg Singer says Mayor de Blasio lied about city's P.S. 64 outreach (Wednesday)

RIP Kenny Shopsin (Tuesday)

Last weekend for Matcha Cafe Wabi on 4th Street (Saturday)

On 6th Street, the Brant Foundation's inaugural exhibit will feature the work of Basquiat (Friday)

This week's NY See (Thursday)

Brick Lane Curry House closes ahead of move down the block (Tuesday)

Time for the new clock faces at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery (Tuesday)

Hardware store replacing hardware store on 4th Avenue (Friday)

Emmy Squared's owners are bringing grilled pizza to the former GG's space on 5th Street (Thursday)

Free things to do at the Tompkins Square Library branch in September (Monday)

Porto Rico Importing Co. reopens after 2-week rehab on St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

Openings: Pizza Rollio on 9th Street; Afandi Grill on 1st Avenue (Wednesday)

Möge Tee bringing bubble tea and other teas to Cooper Square (Tuesday)

Gotham Pizza looks closed (Thursday)

Who let the dogs in: Expanded Boris & Horton debuts on Avenue A (Monday)

Rite Aid signage arrives at the Niko East Village on Avenue D (Tuesday)

A free buffet for voters at 99 Favor Taste on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

Weekend hunting trip with the juvenile red-tailed hawk in Tompkins Square Park (Monday)

The Squirrel Whisperer (Monday)

The Detox Market now open on East Houston (Thursday)

StuyFitness shaping up on 14th Street (Tuesday)

... from the Citizen app this weekend...



... and this sounds better at 3 a.m. ...

The soothing sounds of 2nd Avenue (at 7th Street) pic.twitter.com/5C2ij1QBxp

— evgrieve (@evgrieve) September 8, 2018

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Summer freeze: City pools close today

[Dry Dock this morning]

With the drizzle and cool temps, it's not really a great day for the pool ... in any event, the city's outdoor pools close today for the season. (Hours 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a pool-cleaning break from 3-4 p.m.)

So that will wrap up another season at Hamilton Fish Pool on Pitt and East Houston ... and the Dry Dock Pool on Avenue D and East 10th Street.

The Tompkins Square (mini) Pool closed last Sunday ... and it has already been drained for creative Instagram opps ...

Aeon Bookstore now open on East Broadway

Several EVG readers noted the grand opening Friday of Aeon Bookstore at 151 East Broadway (between Essex and Pike) ...

Per the store's Facebook page:

Aeon Bookshop is an independent bookseller in Manhattan specializing in literature, art, philosophy, occult, music. We have both used and new titles.

The Lo-Down reported that the owners are Karl Bauer, Josiah Wolfson and Benjamin George Friedman.

Anyway, here's a look around the store, which is open daily from noon to 8 p.m. ...







Aeon is the latest new book store for the East Village and LES this year ... joining Codex on Bleecker at the Bowery ... Karma on Third Street ... and Printed Matter at the Swiss Institute on Second Avenue and St. Mark's Place ... plus Mast moved to a larger space on Avenue A.

Images via Facebook

Purple reign (or, today in discarded plush, purple couches on Avenue C)

Between 11th Street and 12th Street. #SundayFunday

Saturday's parting shots

Tree pruning this morning in Tompkins Square Park via Derek Berg...

Vintage Day at the Hester Street Fair

Until 6 p.m. down at Essex and Hester... find the list of vendors here.

The good people from the East Village Vintage Collective are there... with this gem to wear to the picture shows...

View this post on Instagram

Where my movie buffs at?! This amazing hand painted denim vest and much more available today @hesterstreetfair Vintage Day! Come by and see us or stop by the store which is also open regular hours! 👀 our stories for the back view of this little number 🎥 🍿

A post shared by E Village Vintage Collective (@evvintagecollective) on Sep 8, 2018 at 8:51am PDT

Last weekend for Matcha Cafe Wabi on 4th Street

[Photo via Instagram]

Matcha Cafe Wabi will close tomorrow after nearly three years at 233 E. Fourth St. near Avenue B.

The owners announced the news on Instagram:

We thank each and every one of you for the wonderful memories and the the chance to make the best matcha for you. It was truly an honor! Thank you for making Wabi your go-to place. I hope one day soon, we will have the opportunity to open up a new place, with the same name and to make sure, there are plenty of tables and chairs 😂. Stay healthy, safe and happy, all! ❤️

The small shop, serving matcha lattes, sencha tea and other Japanese-style drinks and pastries, opened in December 2014. It's owned by the folks at Pirka Salon next door.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Matcha Cafe Wabi now open on East 4th Street

Open house Sunday at the all-new Matcha Cafe Wabi

Friday's parting shot

Second Avenue and Seventh Street today via Derek Berg...

'Reverser' of fortune

The Oh Sees just released this video for "Overthrown" ... off the latest record, Smote Reverser, via John Dwyer and company. If you're counting, then his Oh Sees/Thee Oh Sees tally is something like 21 full-lengths, eight EPs, two live albums, four compilations and assorted 7-inch singles.

P.S.

The "Overthrown" video may cause a seizure. Maybe this live clip from late 2017 is better...

[Updated] 2 days of shows in Tompkins Square Park this weekend

The Shadow and the Time Warp Zine are presenting free concerts tomorrow and Sunday in the Park.

Here are the band lineups (they'll be guest speakers as well) ...

SEPT. 8:
• The Drew Stone Hit Squad
• The Carvels
• Suicide Sister
• Damn Kids / Hammer Brain
• The Minutes

Updated: Rain has washed out Sunday's show.

SEPT. 9:
• Mora Tao
• Love Pirates
• Night Terror
• VON LMO
• (More performers to be announced)

Find more details at the Facebook event page here.

Jimmy Carbone is on the mend

[Photo via Instagram by @jtaggfoto]

This has been an extremely challenging summer for Jimmy Carbone, the East Village resident and restaurateur.

Carbone, the proprietor of the currently closed Jimmy's No. 43 (and Mugsy's Chow Chow previously), shared the above photo on Instagram this past week of his "new look," featuring a spine brace and wheel chair.

His brother Christopher provide background in this update on Wednesday:

As you know, Jimmy had been in the hospital since June, where they found spinal infection and he had two emergency surgeries.

Since then he had been in and out of ICU and the Acute Rehabilitation wing of the hospital for recovery and rehab. Jimmy was recently shifted to a less intensive facility: NYU Gouverneur Medical Rehab on the Lower East Side.

1. Infection: generally stable, but there is still bacteria lingering in the spine where the rods were installed that can't be cleared out due to the sensitive area in the spine. He will be taking antibiotics for at least another year with the hope there is no relapse.

2. Legs & Spine: Doctors report that Jimmy is very lucky that he was finally diagnosed in June. He was very close to being permanently paralyzed in his legs. Now with ongoing rehab work, he is getting stronger with sitting up with back brace for longer periods of time – and LEGS are BEGINNING to MOVE and get STRONGER!!!

Now Jimmy is STANDING with support for brief periods and Taking SUPPORTED STEPS as well — with Walker/Crutch-support to walk in the future: seeing a chance to cross a finish line, even if it takes a long time… One day, One week at a time.

Financial difficulties forced Carbone to close Jimmy’s No. 43, the restaurant he owned and operated on Seventh Street near Second Avenue for 12 years, in August 2017. (Read more about that here.)

Carbone fell sick last fall and wound up in a hospital. "That was from my 20 years of running a restaurant," Carbone told me on the phone in February. "I let my health go. I had diabetes."

He had lost weight (40 pounds) and was trying to get healthy when doctors at NYU Langone made the spinal diagnosis — stemming from a knee infection last fall. (You can find more information at the Jimmy's Wellness Fund here.)

Meanwhile, the 9th annual Pig Island NYC takes place tomorrow on the Red Hook waterfront. Carbone, who founded the food-and-beer fest, sounded confident of attending via this Instagram post earlier this week:

Hell yeah, I'll be there! I'll take a hospital day pass, practice occupational therapy tasks like: taking a wheelchair in a taxi, using crutches in public, and getting some sun! I've been cooped up in hospitals since June 19, I will not miss this 9th annual event...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Jimmy Carbone and Paloma Rocket collaborating on new venture for the Jimmy's No. 43 space

On 6th Street, the Brant Foundation's inaugural exhibit will feature the work of Basquiat

The Brant Foundation will make its debut on Sixth Street in March 2019 with an exhibition of works by Jean-Michel Basquiat.



ARTnews, whose parent company is owned by Peter Brant, made the announcement yesterday.

The inaugural show will be curated by the Brant Foundation’s founder, Peter Brant ... and art historian Dieter Buchhart. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Foundation Louis Vuitton, will include loans from Brant collections as well as international museums and other private collections.

Brant said in a press release, “Basquiat has been a cornerstone of the East Village art scene for decades, and to bring his work back to the neighborhood that inspired it is a great privilege. Our family is thrilled to launch the Brant Foundation’s New York space with an artist who is central to the collection, and above all to share his legacy with the community that was fundamental in shaping it.”

Basquiat lived and worked at 57 Great Jones St. near the Bowery at the time of his death in 1988 at age 27. (He also lived for a year in 1979 in this East Village apartment, as you may recall.)

Brant reportedly began acquiring Basquiat's work shortly after being introduced to him by Andy Warhol in 1984. "Jean-Michel Basquiat is the quintessential Van Gogh figure of our time," Brant said in a 2013 interview. "He left with us a genius body of work."

The show opens on March 1 and will be on display through May 15. No word at the moment about about hours or admission. (The Brant Foundation Art Study Center in Greenwich is open to the public by appointment and free of charge.)

As for the building, the Brant Foundation at 421 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue features 7,000 square feet of exhibition space over four floors.





Here's a recap from recent years:

Brant bought the building for $27 million in August 2014.

The gut renovations started in April 2016 at the former Con Edison substation and Walter de Maria studio.

Brant's daughter Allison Brant oversees her father's contemporary art collection. This feature on her in the April 2017 issue of Town & Country reported:

Allison will also run this second space, which is in the East Village and will primarily be used to showcase the foundation's permanent collection. "So many artists my father collects have a connection to that neighborhood," she says.

And here are a few more photos from earlier this summer...









... and on the Seventh Street side...



Previously on EV Grieve:
About that "giant-robot laboratory" on East Sixth Street

RIP Walter De Maria

What is your East Village dream home?

Walter De Maria's 'giant-robot laboratory' going for $25 million; inside is amazing as you'd expect

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

When the world's top collectors of Dom Pérignon rosé came to the East Village for dinner

Reader report: 421 E. 6th St. will house Peter M. Brant's personal art collection

Peter Brant's East 6th Street Outreach Tour 2015 continues

Peter Brant meets the neighbors