And learn more about Lower East Side History Month at this link.
Saturday, May 6, 2023
The return of Godzilla
However, after 30 live-action movies, you figured we hadn't seen the last of Godzilla... and today EVG reader Joem spotted the King of the Monsters alive and well outside the Wingstop on 14th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue...
Noting
One note for anyone concerned that the trailer would take the ping-pong table out of commission... there looks to be enough room ... just go easy with the sidespin on the ball...
Saturday's opening shot
Friday, May 5, 2023
Hellbound
We had a chance to see local trio TDA (Tits Dick Ass) last night at the Mercury Lounge opening for Crocodiles (and on a bill with Licks).
The video is for "GF From Hell." Read more about the band here.
And this Friday-at-5 video post includes two photos from last night via Stacie Joy...
On this 5th of May
Coming attractions: Prep work underway for the renovation of the Tompkins Square Park field house
One reader believes this setup will also render the ping-pong table useless [Updated: there looks to be enough room between the trailer and the table for matches] ...
As previously reported, the field house and the space behind it — dubbed the Slocum area as it includes the Slocum Memorial Fountain — will be closed during this time. In addition, the Tompkins Square mini pool will be out of commission for two consecutive summers.
The Parks Department website lists a September 2024 competition date for the $5.6-million project (PDF here), which will:
• Upgrade existing restrooms to code
• Upgrade Parks and maintenance and operations space
• Add first aid and lifeguard locker room spaces in the building
• Reconstruct interiors
• Clean and partially repoint exterior brick
Porta potties are expected on the scene at some point... as the Park bathrooms will be closed. (Get your stall selfies quickly!).
To be continued for sure...
RIP Bill Brady
He opened the ATM Gallery on Avenue B in 2001... before relocating to Chelsea. Brady and William Leung launched another ATM Galley on Henry Street in 2020.
The gallery released this statement:
Bill Brady was a gallerist for over 25 years. During that time, he made a profound impact on the art world with his ability to bring new artists to the forefront of the art scene. He believed in young talent and devoted much of his career to identifying and nurturing that talent. Whether he was working with emerging artists or established masters, Bill had a knack for identifying work that was fresh, exciting, and thought-provoking. His support and guidance helped many of them achieve great success.
His contributions to the art world were numerous and far-reaching, and his impact on the careers of many artists cannot be overstated. As we mourn the loss of Bill Brady, it is important that we also celebrate his life and legacy. We can honor his memory by continuing to support the artists he championed.
A memorial is in the works.
Photo courtesy of ATM Gallery
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Thursday's parting shot
Photo by Jose Garcia
In Tompkins Square Park, remembering food writer Josh Ozersky who died on this day in 2015. He was 47.
The homicide of Jordan Neely
Photo from the Broadway-Lafayette station by Jeremiah Moss
On Monday afternoon around 2:30, Jordan Neely boarded the uptown F train at the Second Avenue station. [Early reports mentioned that he entered the train on Second Avenue. That narrative has seemed to change.]
According to the Associated Press, "he was yelling and pacing back and forth on an F train ... witnesses and police said, when he was restrained by at least three people, including a U.S. Marine veteran who pulled one arm tightly around his neck."
Video taken by a passenger shows the unnamed 24-year-old former Marine holding Neely in a chokehold while other riders restrained him on the floor of a train. The former Marine was taken into police custody but later released later Monday without being charged.
Neely, who was 30, died from compression to his neck as a result of the chokehold, the medical examiner ruled yesterday.
Per the Times: "The episode, filmed on a nearly four-minute video that shows other riders helping to pin down Mr. Neely while others looked on, has led to a police investigation and spurred advocates for the homeless, city officials and others to call for an arrest."
And from The Guardian: "Advocates argued that the circumstances surrounding Neely’s life and death — his struggles with homelessness, food insecurity and mental health struggles — reflected longstanding failures to provide social services to impoverished New Yorkers."
Here are some of the headlines about the death of Jordan Neely and the aftermath...
• NYC subway chokehold death ruled a homicide, as groups demand justice for Jordan Neely (NBC News)
• Possible charges against Marine in chokehold death of Jordan Neely as NYPD and Manhattan DA confer (Daily News)
• Who killed Jordan Neely? (Hell Gate)
• Mayor Adams and police criticized for lack of action over Jordan Neely's death (The Guardian)
• Outrage grows after Jordan Neely was choked to death on the subway (New York)
• Jordan Neely NYC subway chokehold death sparks outcry: 'We've got a deep problem' (USA Today)
• Who was Jordan Neely? Friends recall 'sweet kid,' talented performer killed in subway chokehold (Gothamist)
• Eyewitnesses react to subway killing of Jordan Neely (Gothamist)
Heady psychedelia: A conversation with East Village musician Franzi Szymkowiak of Lukka
Text and photos by Stacie Joy
I was especially keen to hear East Village-based singer-songwriter-composer Franzi Szymkowiak and her band Lukka with Ashley Gonzalez on bass and Simon Fishburn on drums. Lukka’s dreamy and immersive sonic landscape was the perfect fit for an indie-pop/shoegaze showcase at Arlene’s Grocery on March 11...
It was mostly my mum who pushed me to take classical piano lessons. I didn’t enjoy it that much as a teenager but I guess years later it paid off when I started writing songs. I started playing and singing my favorite songs, and that’s when something sparked. I guess it was the combination of both that gave me the endorphin rush.
Just as a side fact, I recently found out that my great-grandmother, who was a waitress, would also from time to time grab her guitar and start singing popular German folk songs for her dining guests to make an extra buck. That was in the 1930s, so maybe it’s in the genetics after all.
You taught yourself how to play guitar at age 15. Did you have aspirations to be a musician then or was this more for fun?
I started learning the guitar to be able to sing my favorite songs at the time. I think I knew then that I wanted to make a living as a musician, I just didn’t know how. I got into music from the ’60s back then, I loved the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other bands from that time period.
If I remember right, I already imagined having my own band to perform my own songs. When I was younger, I hoped to make a living on that but you know it’s really hard nowadays.
You spent years busking around the world. How did that experience shape you? Did you ever tire of the constant hustle?
After I finished high school in Germany, I traveled to Australia and ended up staying there for almost four years. I played a lot in the streets there. I actually got quite professional having an amplified music performance.
Of course, it takes a lot of strength to carry all that shit around the city. I am talking about two big heavy batteries, an electric power converter, an amplifier, a microphone and stand, cables, a keyboard, and a seat. I had one trolley that carried everything.
Once that thing got stuck in between the subway train and the platform, the doors closed and the train started moving but luckily stopped after a couple of seconds. I think that’s when I had enough!
However, playing in the streets connected me to a lot of people, which was great. The experience also taught me not to give a damn what strangers think of me.
January marked your 10th year in NYC. Was it always a goal or dream to live here?
I came to New York when I was 22. Back then I was naively thinking that this is the place to be to ‘make it’ in the music industry, which of course right now I know is not true. But I loved the scene and I connected quickly with really talented artists and musicians who would inspire and support me. I have never been as creative in any other city as here.
I think that the city’s energy feeds you. (I actually have a song “Feed Me” that is derived from that.) The East Village always had a special vibe to me. What I love is that there are so many music venues and lots of live music. Lots of interesting and strange people do walk the streets, it’s entertaining in a way. For me, there is The Accordion Lady, for example, the rock’n’roll guy with the chihuahua dog, the Lady with Pink UV protection visor and too-long toenails. So many characters...I do like that.
You’ve described the tracks on your Something Human record as “heady psychedelia and nostalgic 1980s new wave.” Who have been some bands that influenced you?
Definitely influenced by the ’60s and ’70s bands as I mentioned before The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin. After Bowie died, I got heavily influenced by the Trilogy he did in Berlin, and also the people he worked with: Brian Eno, Lou Reed and Iggy Pop. That period made me experiment with synths much more. Also, bands like Tame Impala and Unknown Mortal Orchestra opened my mind to different guitar effect pedals and sounds.
How has Lukka’s sound evolved? What’s next for the band?
I do have all the songs for my third album ready to record. It is going to be much quieter and synth-affected, and the compositions will be more complex. I am not sure how it will all come out in the end. It’s very experimental in a way. 
You can catch Lukka on June 1 at Rubulad in Bushwick, and keep up with the band on Instagram.
Grass acts: Main lawn in Tompkins Square Park has been reseeded
Top photo by EVG reader Joe; others by Steven
Nest Ball: Amelia and Christo's 2023 chicks make first appearance
Photos by Steven
This 2nd-level retail space is for rent on St. Mark's Place and 2nd Avenue
Previously, 8-Bit and Up, the retro video shop, was upstairs before moving to Third Street in the fall of 2013.
And once upon a time... bring back Kim's!
The above photo is by Barry Joseph, and it was published in Ada Calhoun's book "St. Marks Is Dead."
P.S.
The Gap was on the ground floor from 1988 to 2001...
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Officials: Developer had permission to remove trees from new building site at 1 St. Mark's Place
For starters, workers removed two trees from the north side of St. Mark's Place.
However, the developers had permission to do so — thanks to two city agencies.
A spokesperson from Councilmember Carlina Rivera's office, who looked into the situation, told us that the NYC Parks Central Forestry confirmed these removals were approved by the city.
According to the spokesperson, the DOT and MTA would not allow the placement of a crane on Third Avenue during construction. So the developers need to use the St. Mark's Place side for the staging and placement of the crane. Unfortunately, the two trees were in the way.
"The applicant [developer] will be planting four trees on-site, and they also paid Parks to plant three offsite trees," per the spokesperson.
The developer, Real Estate Equities Corp. (REEC), picked up the 99-year leasehold for the corner lot for nearly $150 million in November 2017. The previous assemblage, which included retail tenants such as Korilla BBQ, the Continental and McDonald's, was demolished in 2019.
The Mermaid Inn won't be returning to its original East Village home
Last fall, after a 7-week reopening stint, Mermaid Inn went dark. A spokesperson for Mermaid Inn said this outpost was "closing for the winter" and would reopen in April.
The "we are closed for the season" sign remains on the front door of the empty space...
Workers removed the remaining contents of the restaurant in January... a not-so-subtle hint that the Mermaid Inn was not returning here.
To recap... Mermaid Inn closed during the pandemic. Co-owner Daniel Abrams and partner Cindy Smith decided to shut down the seafood restaurant in the wake of failed attempts to reach a workable rent deal, Eater reported at the time.
There were later issues with a stringent State Liquor Authority that was delaying the return.
Then there was a grand reopening last September. Seven weeks later, the Inn closed again.
The Mermaid Inn arrived in the East Village back in 2003, with several outposts to follow... most recently a massive space on 10th Avenue in December. No word if there might be plans for another EV outpost some day.
Ichibantei Japanese Soul Food and Steak debuts on 3rd Avenue; closes on 13th Street
The new, multi-level Ichibantei Japanese Soul Food and Steak outpost is now open at 100 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street.
This restaurant has been in the works for awhile... reps for Ichibantei received approval from CB3 last June. (According to the questionnaire on file at the CB3 website, the establishment would feature room for 24 tables/98 seats spread over two floors.) Google lists the hours at 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.
No. 100 last housed the vowel-deficient club VNYL, which shut down at some point during the pandemic. Until September 2015, the renovated building featured the second iteration of Nevada Smiths.
With this debut, the Ichibantei outpost has closed at 401 E. 13th St. near First Ave. ... where it first started serving Japanese soul food in 2010...
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