Surfbort released a video this week for their latest single, "Big Star" ... from the new release Keep on Truckin'.
Friday, October 15, 2021
How to watch 'Make Me Famous,' a documentary on 1980s downtown artist Edward Brezinski
Here's a description:
Edward Brezinski worked alongside Keith Haring, David Wojnarowicz, and Jean-Michel Basquiat in the Lower East Side art scene, but never reached the same level of success as his contemporaries. "Make Me Faous" uncovers why such a well-connected yet peculiar painter never made it, despite being so maniacally focused in his quest for fame.
What begins as an investigation into Brezinski’s legacy and mysterious disappearance becomes a sharp, witty portrait of NYC's 1980s downtown art scene. Gallery owners and fellow artists dish on insider gossip, name drop, and contradict each other in telling the story, resulting in an irresistible snapshot of an unknown artist that captures the spirit of an iconic era.The film screens at the SVA Theater on 23rd Street Sunday evening at 7. "Make Me Famous" is also available to stream today through Oct. 26.
Details on the in-person screening and home-viewing options are at this link.
Night Market is a place for artists to meet in Tompkins Square Park on Friday evenings
Starting tonight at 6, she's presenting Night Market in Tompkins Square Park. She's inviting artists to bring their materials (as well as a blanket and flashlight) and meet at Tompkins Square Park — the entrance on Avenue A at St. Mark's Place.
Weather permitting, she plans to host these gatherings tonight through Dec. 17... and start them back up again in the spring.
The Stand (2012-2019) was a unique venture, a pop-up gallery and performance space featuring work by mostly unknown artists. You never knew exactly what you'd find there on a given weekend night.
[Updated] It's milling time for Avenue B
Signs note (warn?) that the work will occur from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. tonight and tomorrow.
The city milled Avenue C in early June. That roadway stayed in a fillings-rattling state until late July. Hopefully, Avenue B can be repaved more quickly than 7 weeks.
Thanks to Dave on 7th for the pic!
Speaking of Dave on 7th... he notes that the milling machine lurks nearby...
Updated 10/16 The milling has been moved back to Monday and Tuesday... also, Clinton Street between Houston and Delancey is also in for a milling...
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Thursday's parting shot
Check out the art by Count Slima today at Sophie's
Slima also worked for the Two Boots family for 30-plus years, starting with helping build the original location at 37 Avenue A in 1987.
These days you can find him kicking some ass on the pool table at Sophie's, 507 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B...
The Compost Yard in East River Park is on the move
The Lower East Side Ecology Center had been facing an uncertain future in trying to secure a suitable alternative for its 30-year-old composting program. In June, the city announced that the Compost Yard could return to its current location after the demolition/rebuild of East River Park over the next 3-5 years.
Here's an update via the LES Ecology Center website on what is happening...
Our priority is to continue operating the existing drop-off sites during this transitional period. With the loss of the Compost Yard, we have begun hauling food scraps from our drop-off sites to the Staten Island Compost Site. This shift in our operations also means we’re using a new green bin at our drop-off sites.
We are working with the City to build out a temporary compost site so that we can compost the food scraps we are collecting again in spring of 2022.
Our compost yard volunteer workdays, compost donation appointments, and compost site tours are suspended until further notice. Our 24/7 Compost Yard drop-off will be moving. More details soon!
You might be curious what is happening with all the compost currently at the Compost Yard. The freshest, active compost piles are being moved to the Staten Island Compost Site where they will finish their composting process. The finished compost will also be moved, we hope to donate as much of this material to neighborhood Parks as possible.
Meanwhile, the LES Ecology Center will be working from Seward Park over the next few years.
Workers are expected to start razing the 57.5-acre East River Park in the weeks ahead, cutting down the 1,000 mature trees and eventually rebuilding the park atop eight feet of landfill.
East River Park Action and other advocates say there are better ways to preserve the park and provide flood protection, such as the one mapped out in the years after Sandy. In late 2018, the city surprised community stakeholders by announcing a complete overhaul of a plan discussed over four years of local meetings.
During a weeklong series of protests outside City Hall last week, the advocates (finally) got the attention of Council Speaker Corey Johnson to ask for him to hold an oversight hearing on the East Side Coastal Resiliency project. PIX11 and The Village Sun covered the advocates' impromptu meeting with Johnson.
You can also watch a video of the exchange right here... it's not clear what, if anything, might transpire from the conversation...
Duo NYC now open in its new 9th Street storefront
Photos by Steven
The womenswear boutique, specializing in curated vintage and independent designers, debuted on the block in 2008.
Tom's Juice debuts TOMORROW on 4th Street
Tom's Juice, a made-to-order juice brand available for delivery around parts of NYC, opens its first retail outpost tomorrow (Friday!) at 75 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery. (First reported here.)
Tom Wright started the business in 2019, and it gained popularity during the pandemic as he turned it into a full-time venture.
Hours: noon to 10 p.m. You can follow Tom's Juice on Instagram for updates.
[Updated] Packing up the Urban Umbrella around Cooper Union
Photos by Steven
Updated 10/17: Turns out workers are expanding the sidewalk bridge to the west... there are NOT removing it.
The more aesthetically pleasing Urban Umbrella, made of recycled steel and translucent plastic panel, made its first NYC appearance in the fall of 2017.
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
LiveSounds return to the Third Street Music School Settlement
The series begins this Friday with Third Street faculty member Chiu-Chen Liu and Grammy-nominated pianist Ilya Kazantsev.
While the program is free, you do need to RSVP for a ticket. You may do that here (that link includes details on the other musical guests this fall). You may also watch via livestream.
The Third Street Music School Settlement is at 235 E. 11th St, between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.
Thanks to the reader for the photo and tip!
Tracking an abandoned Citi Bike on 6th Street
EVG regular Salim started taking photos of it in its various states... 
Per Salim:
It's chained to the station itself, which often has valet staff. It moved around over the weeks and gradually lost some parts (but not been stripped entirely). The bike fascinates me: why hasn't Citi Bike reclaimed it? Who chained it in the first place?
All good questions!
For anyone else keeping tabs on this... as of today, the Citi Bike is no longer chained to anything...
Updated 5:30 p.m.Someone had removed the Citi Bike carcass... 
Demolition continues along 2nd Avenue to make way for an 11-story mixed-use building
In total, three properties on the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street are coming down.
The former La Salle annex was first...
As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development has plans for an 11-story mixed-use building for this newly created parcel.
According to the new building work permit still awaiting approval by the city, the development will feature 88 residences (condos?) and 9,600 square feet for retail.
Last year, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots that they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million.
The Church of the Nativity closed after service on July 31, 2015, merging with Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street. The Cooper Square Community Land Trust had explored buying the former Church of the Nativity to use as low-income housing.
Belse Restaurant makes it sign official on the Bowery
The restaurant comes via the owners of the plant-based Little Pine in Los Angeles, which Moby launched in 2015. (The restaurant reopened last year without Moby's involvement. As Eater reported, the Grammy-nominated musician "was accused by multiple former employees of not doing enough to protect staff during the shutdown." He later apologized to the staff.)
There's a Belse outpost in Dallas. You can find a Belse menu here.
On the Bowery, they look to be open for lunch during the week and brunch on weekends.
The storefront has sat empty since Paulaner shuttered in early 2018 after four years in service.
David Flores next up for the Bowery Mural Wall
David Flores will be starting work this week for Goldman Global Arts...
A California native, Flores got his start as a graphic designer for several skateboard companies... and, per this bio, "is best known for his self-proclaimed stained glass and mosaic style."
This video shows him working on a Bob Marley mural in Los Angeles back in 2019...
The previous work on the Bowery Mural Wall, titled "To Open a Portal," debuted in the fall of 2020.
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Tuesday's parting shot
Remembering William John Lopez
According to his parents, he was a victim of cyberbullying, and he took his own life. He was 18.
This past Saturday, his parents, Ronald and Jeanette Lopez, his sister Jenna and his fiance Sarah Fulton (left in the photo) spoke during a memorial before a free concert in Tompkins Square Park.
As EVG contributor Stacie Joy reports, his family talked frankly and freely about bullying, cyberbullying, and the East Village community that always supported Sharpie.
Here's part of an online tribute to Lopez, who was born and raised on Staten Island:
He was extremely talented and played the guitar and bass. William continually developed his artistic abilities all throughout his life and was a tattoo artist with the family-owned business. William traveled to London which heightened his interest in the punk scene.
He found a life in the hardcore music scene and enjoyed a bit of celebrity status on the Lower East Side as the heart of the mosh pit. He befriended and was accepted by those with addiction issues and was known to have saved at least 3 lives with Narcan.
He was a leader and wise beyond his years in many aspects. He was a kind and giving soul and always caring for others.His family is hosting a celebration of his life on Oct. 17.
If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. STOMP Out Bullying is a nonprofit resource for kids and teens.
A visit to Lovewild Design
Photos by Stacie Joy
This past December, East Village native and current resident Sierra Zamarripa realized a longtime dream — opening her own shop in the neighborhood. She did this with the arrival of Lovewild Design at 136 Avenue C between Eighth Street and Ninth Street. The sustainable gift shop relocated here from South Williamsburg, where it debuted in June 2017.
For starters, it's a legit family affair here with Sierra's daughter Cecilia and mother Thea Boyer helping run the business. (Sierra grew up as an entrepreneur, and her parents and grandmother were entrepreneurs, as she told us in this 2017 interview.)
Lovewild Design is open Tuesday-Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Follow the shop on Instagram for updates. And if you happen to be up in Woodstock, there's a new (as of April 2021) outpost there too.
Cinema Salons — 'a mini-festival of radical films' — coming to the Anthology
Per the Anthology's website:
Each Salon is a mini-symposium organized around a specific theme. Each Salon features three short films and three rounds of arena discussion. Each Salon invites you to come prepared with thoughts, manifestoes, and democratic screeds. Each Salon invites you to engage in ideas and exchange in communion.
Host and curator cherry brice jr. described it this way in an email to EVG:
These Salons are a mini-festival of radical films: a screening and discussion series with rowdy, audience-led debate, moderated by a panel from film, community organizing, and philosophy backgrounds.
The first screening on Wednesday night (at 8) is free:
The Civic Cinema. The enclosure of the commons was a political project long before it was a public health one. Whatever happened to the ancient agora? What became of the public sphere? Can the film theater — especially one closed to the general public — fill the role of a community consciousness-raising space? Featuring three experiments in cross-cultural discourse, the films in this program beg the question of just what the nature of dialogue is.
The subsequent screenings on Oct. 20 and Nov. 3 are each $7. Find more details here.
The Anthology Film Archives is at 32 Second Ave. at Second Street.
A for-rent sign at the renovated former home of Black & White on 10th Street
Following gut renovations and an exterior paint job, a for rent sign arrived on the storefront last week.
The retail listing doesn't yield many details, save for "not vented for cooking" and "all uses considered."
Black & White closed here in the fall of 2020 after 20 years of solid bar service. There was talk of a relocation this year, but that hasn't happened to date.
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