A new 'Prime' time for East Village burlesque host Tabby Twitch

Photo by Stacie Joy 

Earlier this month, we featured Tabby Twitch's live burlesque show "Prime," which has found a home in the back room at the Gray Mare, the pub at 61 Second Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street. 

Twitch dubs herself the "friskiest feline in burlesque." Twitch, also known as actor Jane Cortney and a longtime local resident of Ninth Street, produces and performs in "Prime."

"Prime focuses on performers at the height of their powers because I came to burlesque later in life. I want to show what it means to be 'in your prime,' with all the richness and experience that entails," Cortney told EVG's Stacie Joy. "Though I highlight burlesque performers, there is a salon feel to the evening. A vocalist performs, and I weave poetry throughout the night. My goal is for the audience to leave my show feeling relaxed and reinvigorated, in their prime regardless of their actual age."

The April 4 show was postponed... the next one is now set for this Thursday (May 2) at 8 p.m. Details here.

6 posts from April

A mini month in review (with a photo from Tompkins Square Park)... 

• The untold story of Snack Dragon's attempted East Village comeback (April 23) 

• D.A. Bragg announces indictment of suspect in 2 March shootings In Tompkins Square Park (April 16) 

• East Village native Anna Colombia on pursuing photography and growing up in the neighborhood (April 11) 

• Essex Card Shop robbed on Avenue A (April 6) 

• The solar eclipse with the Second Avenue Star Watchers (April 8) 

• Turn it up: East Village Radio returns this spring (April 1)

On the CB3-SLA docket: New operators for East Village classic Lucy's on Avenue A

With reporting by Stacie Joy 

Updated: 5/6 — the applicant has withdrawn the application for the May CB3-SLA committee meeting.

The owners of Golden Age Hospitality, whose portfolio includes buzzy establishments like Le Dive, The Nines and Deux Chats, seek to take over Lucy's, the decades-old East Village favorite that has been closed since late November. 

According to public records, Golden Age reps are on Community Board 3's SLA committee meeting docket for May. To date, only the application is online. The questionnaire, which includes more details about the method of operation, has yet to be posted. 

Multiple tipsters have told us that Golden Age Hospitality's Jon Neidich was a big fan of Lucy's and was interested in buying the bar. (We're told Neidich once lived in the apartments above the bar at 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street.)

During several conversations in February, Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that she had many potential suitors for the bar and may have a role in the new incarnation. 

Neidich did not respond to previous emails about taking over Lucy's. We also contacted Golden Hospitality partner Craig Atlas, whose name appears on the CB3 application. We also have not reached Lucy, who has owned her namesake bar since 1987, this spring. (Her home phone does not have an answering machine, and we have not seen her at the bar in more than six weeks.) 

Meanwhile, there has been some activity inside the bar... in recent weeks someone has been stacking boxes and cleaning...

As we first reported, attorneys for the building's new landlord served her with a 30-day Notice of Termination in early February with a demand to vacate the space by the end of the month. 

Her lease expired in May 2015, and she was on a month-to-month arrangement with the previous landlord. Lucy told us that her last rent was $8,000 per month, and the new landlord, as of late December (West Lake 135-139 Avenue A LLC), is asking for $25,000, though there might be some willingness to negotiate. 

The bar (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern) has been closed since November when some paperwork issues forced what was to be a temporary closure.

From February: Lucy with Avenue A bookseller Jen Fisher. (Photo by Stacie Joy) 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Exclusive: Lucy discusses the future of her iconic East Village bar

A ceremony to honor acclaimed photographer Saul Leiter on 10th Street

Tomorrow (Wednesday) evening at 6, Village Preservation will unveil a plaque honoring acclaimed American photographer and painter Saul Leiter at 111 E. 10th St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue, where he lived and worked from 1952 to his death in 2013.

Per Village Preservation:

We will hear about Leiter’s approach to street photography, much of which took place in the East Village, and about the painterly quality of his color work and the features that made him one of the key figures in the New York school of photography. 

This marks Village Preservation's 24th plaque unveiling ... including markers on the homes of notable figures such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Allen Ginsberg and Charles Mingus.

Learn more about the Leiter ceremony and program here. The event is free, though Village Preservation asks folks to register in advance.

A Luscious new market option on 2nd Avenue

Top photo by Stacie Joy

Luscious Market Deli has debuted at 68 Second Ave. on the SE corner of Fourth Street.

Signage for the market promises freshly prepared items for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

EVG reader Danimal, who shared the following two photos, offered a quick assessment: "It looks like a nice selection of hot food and pantry staples and NOT A SMOKE SHOP!" (Ed note: Woo.)

As we noted on Feb. 28, this arrival marks the end of the storefront's usage as a bar, often without success.

In 2021, the English-style pub Queen Vic became just Queen ... before evolving into Watering Hole. The for-rent sign showed up in September 2022. 

Queen Vic had a decent run, opening in September 2010. This ended the revolving door of bars here with awnings, including 2x4, Ambiance and Evolution. 

We don't know the etymology behind Luscious, a name not often associated with Boar's Head sandwiches. Maybe it's an homage to Luscious Jackson, whose members lived in the East Village back in the day.

Monday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

A moment on Avenue A between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place today... tentatively titled You Should Be Dancing.

Today in makeshift fire pits by the Hare Krishna tree in Tompkins Square Park

Top two photos by Joe; FDNY pic by Steven 

We were told some "kids" (teens) decided to start a campfire of sorts by the Hare Krishna tree in the center of Tompkins Square Park (and just as the rain started around 5:15 p.m.) 

The FDNY was there in minutes to extinguish the small blaze...

EVG reader Joe did get yelled at for taking the top photo instead of putting out the fire (even as the FDNY was already in the Park)...

Watch a large raccoon climb down a tree last night on 10th Street

EVG reader Brody Brown shared the video below of a large raccoon making his-her way down a tree on 10th Street just east of Avenue B (and at the M8 stop). 

After carefully exiting the tree, the raccoon scampered into the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center (where we had a sighting back in November). 

The video gets NSFW at the 48-second mark when an onlooker randomly says what the raccoon can do...

 

The raccoon drew a crowd, including someone who remarked, "Oh shit — look how big it is!" 

On the topic of the former P.S. 64/Charas/El Bohio Community Center, there has been radio silence here since news of a sale hit in January.

Iconic East Village gay bar Boiler Room has closed ahead of move to a new location on 2nd Avenue

After nearly 30 years, the Boiler Room has closed (as of last week) at 86 E. Fourth St. near Second Avenue.

As previously reported, the no-frills LGBTQ+ bar is relocating around the corner to 45 Second Ave. between Third Street and Second Street...

The bar's Facebook page states that the new Boiler Room will open at the end of May in the space that was previously Timbuktu. 

According to management, the building's landlord at 86 E. Fourth St. had them in a two-plus-year court battle over pandemic-related back rent payments. A judge ruled in favor of the landlord, who requires a lump-sum payment without negotiations for current and future rent. 

Part of the new outpost will look familiar: Management said they were taking the well-worn bar from Fourth Street with them.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Iconic gay dive bar the Boiler Room is closing later this year ahead of a move to a new East Village space

A Link5G tower for Avenue C

Updated 5/30: There's a petition to remove the tower here. 

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The East Village now has another unsightly Link5G tower, this one on Avenue C between Eighth Street and Ninth Street. 

The EVG reader who shared this photo noted: "I'll never understand what force makes these exist."

Right-o! 

The first 32-foot EV tower arrived in August 2022 on Second Avenue at First Street ... then another on Avenue A at 12th Street. One was in the works for outside 184 E. Seventh St. at Avenue B, though there has been opposition to this one.  

A quickie recap via amNY in 2022: 

The new structures are operated as a public-private partnership by consortium CityBridge, and are a revamp of the old 10-foot kiosks the firm set up under former Mayor Bill de Blasio starting in 2015 with free Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, a tablet, a 911 button, and calling capabilities. 

EVG readers nicknamed these things "Phal-link," "deBlasiooo," and "32feetOfGray," among others. 

There has been political opposition to the 5G towers... read more about the advocacy that Village Preservation is doing here.

Coming attractions: The Oasis Cafe on Avenue A

Signage is up now for an outpost of The Oasis Cafe at 198 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street.

The bakery-dessert shop, which started in Flushing, also has locations in Astoria and Midtown (and they ship their sweets like eclairs, cheesecake and cookies nationwide). 

No word on an opening date. 

The address was most recently Auriga Cafe... and before that, the world-famous Empire Biscuit.

Openings: Hidden Grounds Chai & Coffee House on 3rd Avenue

An outpost of the Hidden Grounds Chai & Coffee House is now open at 36 Third Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street. 

The brand, which now includes eight locations (six in New Jersey and one in Brooklyn), started on the Rutgers campus in 2013. 

This location offers several pastries and a variety of coffee and chai options to go. Find the menu here.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday -Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

No. 36 last housed the coffee chain Blank Street.

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Jacob Ford 

A scene from a conversation today at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery on Second Avenue and 10th Street with East Village native Ada Calhoun.

The author-journalist discussed her work, including the must-read books "St. Marks Is Dead" and "Also a Poet: Frank O’Hara, My Father, and Me."

Week in Grieview

Posts this past week included... (with the word from 10th and A)... 

• At NYU, 'Gaza Solidarity Encampment' leads to arrests of over 150 people (Tuesday)

• Police searching for suspect in unprovoked daytime stabbing on 7th Street on April 9 (Monday) 

• The untold story of Snack Dragon's attempted East Village comeback (Tuesday) 

• An early-morning fire at 131 Avenue A (Wednesday) ... assessing the fire damage (Wednesday) 

• Violet times: An Earth Day look at the wisteria on Stuyvesant Street (Monday) 

• From the Poetry Window at East Village Books (Saturday) 

• Dan & John's has closed its original East Village location after 9 years (Tuesday) 

• The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival returns to Tompkins Square Park this Aug. 25 (Wednesday) 

• Celebrating the birth of the Pyramid Club at Howl! Arts (Thursday) 

• A benefit concert for East Village musician Jesse Malin (Wednesday)

• About Stylus, a private members-only club coming to the Lower East Side (Friday) 

• Workers removed a dead elm from Tompkins (Thursday) ... and the city has been planting new trees in the neighborhood (Friday) 

• Closing notices: J-Spec Wagyu Dining and Esora Omakase on 5th Street (Wednesday) 

• Openings: Pizza Pazzo on 1st Street (Monday)

• A retail reset at 20 St. Mark's Place (Monday)

• So long to the longtime sidewalk bridge on 12th Street, and hello to SMØR Bakery (Monday) 

• Sushi Fan has not been open lately on St. Mark's Place (Friday)

• Where to see Films on the Green this summer (but not in Tompkins Square Park) (Friday)

• A smoke and vape shop for the former Gaia Italian Café on 3rd Street (Wednesday) 

• A changing of the bar at 16 1st Ave. (Monday) 

... and beware of those dubious rental listings promising various "doorman amenities" (photo on 9th Street by Steven)...

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Follow EVG on Instagram or X for more frequent updates and pics.

Local students help create a tribute to Basquiat at the 12C Outdoor Gallery

Photos by @galinskynow 

The 12C Outdoor Gallery has been coming back to life with the help of some local students.

Earlier this month, several artists, parents, and grammar school students went to work on a new mural on the corner of 12th Street and Avenue C. 

The piece is titled: "With Love from the LES to the Caribbean: In Memory of Jean-Michel Basquiat."

... and the final product...

The mural is a collaboration led by artists Savannah Zambrano and Andrea Amanda with students at P.S. 188 The Island School ... with the support of Loisaida Inc., Galinsky Coaching, Thrive Collective, Curated Concepts LLC, and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

In early March, Brooklyn-based artist Danielle Mastrion finished the first mural outside the renovated building, paying tribute to Puerto Rican freedom fighter and spiritual luminary Pedro Albizu Campos. (Campos Plaza is directly across 12th Street.)

The 12C Outdoor Art Gallery previously featured a rotating batch of murals curated by Robert Galinsky. One constant throughout the years was the Gil Scott-Heron tribute that Chico created after the jazz poet, musician, and author died in 2011. 

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Creative use of the ping-pong table in Tompkins Square Park today... 

'In the Scheme of Things'

In honor of both National Poetry Month and Independent Bookstore Day...from the Poetry Window at East Village Books... featuring the work of Johnny H., an East Village poet...

"In the Scheme of Things"

What is a cocklebur waiting

For a bear that never comes

What does it do the day

But wave in the wind

At the end of a stem

What nature is this

To have gifted a purpose

Crafted a means

Assigned proper tasks

To chloroplasts and sun

Was it better that one day I,

Yes a mammal with no hair

To speak of

But new jeans and argyle

On a clumsy path

Through loblolly pines

Become a raison d’etre

East Village Books,  99 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue

Saturday hours: 1 p.m. until late

A last spring pop up for 3rd & B’zaar

Photo by Stacie Joy 

From left: Delphine, Autumn and Maegan

Today (Saturday!) from noon to 6 p.m. is the last pop-up at the current incarnation of 3rd & B’zaar, 191 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

There will be some deals inside and out via local vintage sellers, designers and other indie merchants.

The folks at the retail and event space will also be selling furniture and fixtures to make room for the next edition of 3rd & B’zaar coming later in May when vendors Lui & Lui take over for the next year.

Saturday's opening shot

Peak (?) wisteria on Stuyvesant Street...

A fifth of 'baethoven'

 

D.C.'s Ekko Astral recently released its debut record, pink balloons. 

The above video is for an earlier single this year titled "baethoven." 

Read more about the pioneers of "mascara moshpit" music here.

And catch them live at The Sultan Room in Brooklyn on July 19.