Grant Shaffer's NY See

Here's the latest NY See panel, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.

Reminders: the 29th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is tomorrow (Sunday!)

[Cleaning up the ERP amphitheater via Dave on 7th]

Tomorrow (Sunday) marks the 29th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade, which, for the second year, is scheduled for the East River Park Amphitheater.


[Photo by Steven]

A few details:

Time: Noon to 3 p.m.

Admission for spectators: It's free!

Dog entry: There is no need to pre-register your pet. Simply arrive between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., per the website

Emcee: 1010 WINS Midday Anchor Susan Richard

Sponsor: The Heart of Chelsea Veterinary Group

Previously on EV Grieve:
The 29th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is scheduled for Oct. 20 in East River Park

A bars at dawn slideshow tomorrow night

[Sophie's at dawn via Daniel Root]

Earlier this year, we highlighted an ongoing project of East Village-based photographer Daniel Root.

While out on morning walks, he began taking pictures through the windows or doors of empty neighborhood bars at daybreak. The shots became part of an ongoing #nybarsatdawn project on Instagram.

Tomorrow (Oct. 20) evening at 6:30 at the Sam & Sadie Koenig Garden on Seventh Street, Root will be sharing a sideshow from this project — which tallied 974 bars! — as well as offering commentary about the ongoing changes in downtown NYC....



The Sam & Sadie Koenig Garden is on Seventh Street (north side) between Avenue C and Avenue D...



Previously on EV Grieve:
After the last call: East Village photographer captures bars at dawn

Head to a local cemetery this weekend (for a visit)!

You're in luck if you've ever wanted to visit one of the neighborhood's circa-1830 Marble Cemeteries: It's a Fall Open Weekend.

Over at the New York City Marble Cemetery on Second Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue the gates will be open each day (Saturday and Sunday!) from noon to 5 p.m. They'll be historical displays available to learn more about the cemetery. You can also read this.

Meanwhile, the New York Marble Cemetery at 41 1/2 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street is open this weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.



Both photos are from summer visits.

Back in 'Blackout'

The Damned released Final Damnation in 1989 ... an album that included "Wait for the Blackout." The video here is from a live show in 2017 in the UK.

And The Damned is the opening act tomorrow at the Garden (!!!) for the Misfits.

Marc H. Miller on 20 years atop 98 Bowery

Artist and curator Marc H. Miller, who we've featured on EVG through the years (see links below!), will be at Howl! Happening tomorrow (Saturday) night discussing his life downtown ... particularly the years he lived in a loft at 98 Bowery as an observer and participant in the changes taking place in art and music.

A quick overview of what to expect:

Drawing from the site’s archive of photos and video clips, Miller recounts stories about Harry’s Bar and CBGB; the seminal 1978 Punk Art show; collaborative work with Bettie Ringma, Curt Hoppe, Alan Moore, and Paul Tschinkel — all residents at 98 Bowery; his year in Amsterdam; and the varied roles he played in the East Village art scene and in the rise of hip-hop culture in the 1980s.

Miller is the curator of the Hey! Ho! Let’s Go: Ramones and the Birth of Punk exhibition at the Queens Museum (2016), and for his video interview with Jean-Michel Basquiat in Paul Tschinkel’s Art/new york series. His online store Gallery 98 has reanimated vintage art ephemera.

Miller will also be unveiling an an updated version of his website 98 Bowery: 1969-89.

The presentation begin tomorrow (Oct. 19) at 7 p.m. at Howl! Happening, 6 E. First St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

You can also read a Q&A between Miller and Eric Davidson at Please Kill Me right here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Life at 98 Bowery: 1969-1989 (Q&A with Miller)

Revisiting Punk Art

On the Bowery: CBGB and its impact on the visual arts and downtown nightlife

The Earth School's annual Fall Fair is tomorrow in Tompkins Square Park

Here are the details about the annual Fall Fair via The Earth School tomorrow... via the EVG inbox...

WHERE: Tompkins Square Park at 10th Street and Avenue A
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19 from Noon to 5 p.m.

Come join our community and enjoy:
• Arts & Crafts
• The Photo Booth with a selection of crazy costumes to choose from for a wacky portrait
• International foods — both homemade and from East Village restaurants
• Games — mini-golf, bean bag toss, basketball and more
• Face painting
• Rummage Sale

The proceeds help support enrichment programming at the school on Sixth Street and Avenue B.

Butch Judy's pops up behind Performance Space 122 on 1st Avenue

Butch Judy's is ready for another weekend behind Performance Space 122 on First Avenue at Ninth Street.

Here's more about the pop-up venue, which arrived here on Oct. 4...

Butch Judy's is a Brooklyn-based Queer-owned bar concept with a passion for natural wine. Our focus is on creating a more accessible and inclusive space to enjoy good wine and good company.

Owners Katie Zanin and Cassidy Gardner say they'll be here until the first sign of snow.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by last Saturday afternoon for a look at the space ...








[Co-owner Cassidy Gardner]

Butch Judy's serves several natural wines as well as a few specialty beers ... including Gay Beer and the Butch Judy's canned cider collaboration called LoverBoi ...





There are also French fries...


[Butch and Judy's bartender Kat Lopez]

Butch Judy's is open Friday from 2-10 p.m., Saturday from noon-10 p.m. and Sunday noon-8 p.m. ...



This piece at Time Out has more background on the owners, who aspire to open their own bar called Butch Judy's in Brooklyn one of these days.

Three Seat Espresso will close by the end of 2019 on Avenue A; founder blames Starbucks

After three years at 137 Avenue A, Three Seat Espresso is planning its departure by the end of 2019 here between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.


[Photo by Steven]

The owners made the announcement on Instagram yesterday:

Three Seat Espresso will be closing for good. Not immediately but before years' end. Halloween marks our 3rd and last birthday. We have tried to serve the community as best we can, however, ultimately we can no longer do so.

Thanks to everyone who has supported and continued to support us — staff, investors, customers, friends, family, vendors and partners.

Please stop in when you can, as the staff and I would love a chance to say our goodbyes before throwing you back into the coffee abyss!

---

Updated 12:30
Aaron, the founder, added more background about the closure this morning in an Instagram post:

Three Seat wasn’t perfect. Nothing ever is. A lot of shit went down in those four walls. Starting as a cafe and barber concept, along with the barber aspect came physical fights between barbers in front of cafe customers, theft, police involvement, plus more. Barbers and barber shops are a culture unto themselves. I could write a book on this!

At the same time, the cafe was pretty busy and it made sense to expand into the barber shop area, removing the barber service.

It didn’t work. Over the last year, the cafe has only become quieter and quieter, significantly reducing sales — our Achilles heel. The Shitbucks effect has hit hard and they have only become busier and embraced by the community. They opened approx 50 feet from me. I have people say to me every day 'I just don’t get it, why would people go there?' Fact it is, it doesn’t matter. People do and increasingly so. There is nothing I can do about it, having tried so many things already. The mega-billion-dollar-shit-in-a-cup-boheimouth has worn my business down and now out. This is a case of where having the best coffee, the best aesthetic, the best service, the best music etc. doesn’t matter.

But, what an experience it has been! Working with staff and investors who have become dear friends, customer who have become mates and wonderful cafe and hospitality partners. When thriving, Three Seat was a wonderful part of the East Village community.

---

Per EVG reader Nick, who shared news of the closure: "I enjoyed going there of the past few years — they were always very nice and friendly, and the coffee was good. Curious to see what will be next."

Another reader who chimed in about the pending closing wondered what impact Starbucks, which arrived a few storefronts away in August 2017, may have had.

After two-plus years of life as a coffee shop-barber combo, Three Seats expanded the cafe in place of the barber last November.

The previous tenant here, the always-busy Top A Nails, moved next door to No. 139 in May 2016.

5 Napkin Burger unveils 5 Napkin Burger Express next door on 14th Street

[Photo from last month]

Toward the end of the summer, the 5 Napkin Burger outpost on the southwest corner of 14th Street at Third Avenue shrunk its dining-room space ... with workers carving out a new storefront next door. There wasn't any indication of who the new tenant might be.

The mystery was solved yesterday when the signage arrived for the new biz — 5 Napkin Burger Express, a quick-serve outpost for the chainlet ...


[Photo by EVG reader Jodi]


[Photo by EVG reader Laura]

This 5 Napkin location opened in February 2012.

Dog-gone: Kimomi Pet opening on St. Mark's Place

[Photo by Steven]

Signage arrived yesterday for Kimomi Pet at 22 St. Mark's Place. This is said to be an actual pet store (and not, say, a bubble tea shop) opening soon on the block between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

The Kimomi Pet owners also ran the previous business here — Chi Snack Shop, which moved to a larger retail space a few storefronts away at 4 St. Mark's Place, as reported here.

We'll post more details about Kimomi Pet once we have them.

Lastly, dog signage on St. Mark's Place has gotten more subtle since the glory days of Spots' Cafe in 2009...


[From the bowels of the EVG archives!]

Marriott buys the W Union Square

Of possible local interest from the EVG inbox yesterday — Marriott International announced that it has purchased the 270-room W New York Union Square on Park Avenue South and 17th Street.

To the news release!

The company paid $206 million for W New York Union Square, with plans for a significant renovation. Marriott International will transform the existing hotel into a cutting-edge W Hotels showcase, advancing the company’s strategy to redefine and reinvigorate the brand in North America.

[T]he 20-story hotel features historic Beaux Arts architecture, panoramic views of Union Square’s namesake pedestrian plaza and lively park, and a “W Union Square” rooftop sign that stands out on the Downtown skyline. The property first opened its doors in 1911 as the headquarters of the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, and in 2000 opened as W New York – Union Square.

The renovation seeks to unlock the property’s untapped potential with plans for a signature, socially-charged spa and an expanded restaurant on one of New York City’s most bustling street corners.

No word on what a "socially-charged spa" is at the moment.

The Marriott recently opened an outpost of its Moxy brand over on 11th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

Thursday's parting joke

Spotted today on Second Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street... the note on the fridge reads:

This refrigerator is running!

(Please catch it 😃)

(It works.)

No word if they have Prince Albert in a can.

Photos by Derek Berg

Psychology Today

Spotted on an ad for the LES luxury residential building Sioné ... someone wrote "Inside Me Is a Scared Child" here on Second Avenue at Fifth Street. Thanks to EVG reader Daniel for the photo.

New playground repairs happening now in Tompkins Square Park

Repairs at the recently refurbished Tompkins Square Park playground at Seventh Street and Avenue B are underway this morning.

An EVG tipster spotted a Parks Department vehicle and several workers on the scene... it appeared they were focused on a broken swing seat...



We've heard from several concerned parents in recent days about the equipment breaking down less than 10 days after the refurbished playgrounds debuted on Oct. 4.

As one parent noted: "One of the tethered swing seats has already come undone and is swinging freely and dangerously due to a bent bracket and missing locknut." On Sunday, the parent asked an NYPD officer who was in the Park for crime-scene tape to prevent anyone from using the broken swing.

The upgrades, which took 12 months to complete, included the reconstruction of two playgrounds with new safety surfacing, spray showers, seating and fencing. According to the Parks Department website, funding for the reconstruction cost $2.57 million.

And some reaction to what has transpired in the new playgrounds...

We're glad for these upgrades, but @NYCParks needs better accountability when it comes to quality control. Our office has asked for fixes, but also answers to what happened to this playground equipment. https://t.co/FtNXezv8tg

— Carlina Rivera 利華娜 (@CarlinaRivera) October 17, 2019

More great work from @mitchell_silver. First he got us the $3 million park bathroom. Now a $2.5 million playground upgrade that broke after two weeks of use. https://t.co/jz536SoLly

— Boerum Hill Neighbors (@boerumhillnbrs) October 17, 2019

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reader report: New playground equipment already falling apart in Tompkins Square Park

Doctor's orders: Halloween night at Exit9 on Avenue A

The folks at the Exit9 Gift Emporium at 51 Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street are once again hosting a Halloween night Window Theater.

Here's what to expect via the EVG inbox...

THE DOCTOR IS IN…SANE!

Gore-hungry East Village tricksters (and their parents) will bear witness to an insane doctor’s gruesome medical malpractice. On Oct. 31, the window of Exit9 Gift Emporium will be converted into an operating amphitheater as the demented doctor performs live surgery before your very eyes.

The doctor will start seeing patients at 7 p.m. on Halloween. Revisit the scene from 2015 right here.

A memorial today for Lucien Bahaj at his namesake restaurant

[Photo by Steven]

As reported last week, Lucien is hosting a memorial today for its founder, Lucien Bahaj, at the bistro at 14 First Ave.

Patrons are asked to stop by between noon and 7 p.m. here between First Street and Second Street.

Bahaj, who opened Lucien in 1998, died in Florida on July 29. He was 74.

Previously on EV Grieve:
RIP Lucien Bahaj

Hitchcocktober movie of the week — 'The Birds'

The Hitchcocktober movie of the week is... "The Birds" tonight (Thursday!) at 8:15 and 10:25 (The 7:30 screening is already sold out!) at City Cinemas Village East on Second Avenue at 12th Street.

A refresher on that plot...



And upcoming:

• "The Lady Vanishes" — Oct. 24

• "Psycho" — Oct. 31

Find advance ticket info at this link.

Wednesday's parting shot

Today on Second Avenue and Ninth Street via Derek Berg...

[UPDATED] Rusty Bell is missing

Updated: See below... Rusty Bell was found safe.

This past Saturday evening, Dumbo resident David Buccola was with his dog Rusty Bell on Second Avenue just north of Houston when a car struck him. In the aftermath of the collision, Buccola became separated from Rusty Bell.

Since then, a heartbroken Buccola hasn't seen the dog, a 12-pound female Chihuahua wearing an orange harness, collar and tags. A witness reported spotting her later that night running north on Avenue C near Third Street.

Buccola is offering a $1,000 reward — no questions asked — for her safe return. Details are on the flyer below.



--

Three friends on 12th Street and Avenue A had found Rusty Bell ... and there was a happy reunion tonight...