Tuesday, August 13, 2024

'The Big Gay Jamboree' announces itself on the classic Orpheum marquee on 2nd Avenue

"The Big Gay Jamboree," described as "a new comedy trapped inside of a musical," is up next at the classic Orpheum Theatre on Second Avenue. 

And yesterday, the marquee signage arrived here between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.
Derek Berg caught the changing of the show signs in action...
As we previously noted, previews start on Sept. 14 ... with a run through Jan. 19. Ticket info here

Meanwhile, workers left signage for the last production, Eddie Izzard's "Hamlet," lying on the sidewalk... and now likely part of a traveler's encampment down the block.
And another angle via Derek...
With "Stomp" playing at the Orpheum for 29 years, we didn't get many chances to announce the changing of the marquee signage.

Monday, August 12, 2024

Waiting on the Hard Quartet video on St. Mark's Place and 1st Avenue

The Hard Quartet, a new supergroup with local ties, was spotted a few weeks back shooting a video outside 98 St. Mark's Place and around the corner at the International Bar on First Avenue near Sixth Street, per these photos shared by an EVG reader. 

Group members Emmett Kelly, Stephen Malkmus, Matt Sweeney and Jim White are apparently paying homage to the 1981 Rolling Stones video "Waiting on a Friend." The classic clip saw Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (and friends!) on the stoop next door at 96 St. Mark's Place. (Yes, the building at No. 96-98 is also famous for this.)
After meeting on the stoop, Messrs. Jagger and Richards head to the corner of St. Mark's Place and First to meet the rest of the Stones inside the old St. Mark's Bar & Grill (now the Lions Bar & Grill). 

It looks as if Malkmus and Sweeney are taking a similar, though not exact, path...
The International Bar also has a starring role. (In the Stones video, Richards is seen walking by the iBar when it was on St. Mark's Place).
 

No word on what Hard Quartet song this video might for... you can check out their first video here

The Hard Quartet play Webster Hall on Oct. 17. 

Demolition watch: 50-64 Third Ave.

TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen shut down after service last night at 58 Third Ave. "due to the pending demolition."

The restaurant was the last tenant (retail or residential) in the six buildings at 50-64 along Third Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street.
As PincusCo. first reported in May 2023, Kinsmen Property Group — a joint venture between State Building Group and another Toronto company, Madison Group — bought the walk-up buildings over several years, paying more than $60 million for the parcel. 

We saw some demolition prep work late last year (64 Third Ave., where the Ainsworth was, looks hollowed out), though the work has tapered off this year. 

Last August, according to Straus News, which publishes several local weekly newspapers and associated websites, including Our Town — Eastsider, a spokesperson for the DOB said "that outstanding objections" have interrupted the developer's plans. 

While various demolition permits are on file with the Department of Buildings, there is still no sign of paperwork for the new development. 

A rendering of the new building appeared on the State Building Group's website last September. It is listed under the company's "residential" portfolio. 

At first glance, the building looks more commercial/office. Here's the information included with the listing: 
50-64 3rd Avenue is a 6-building assemblage located at the nexus of the East Village, Greenwich Village and Astor Place. The site allows for 160,000 sq. ft. of new construction and has a land area of 16,500 sq. ft.
Only one building will remain on the block after the demolition—48 Third Ave., the four-story property owned by Isfahany Realty Corp. on the northwest corner of 10th Street, which has Healthy Greens Gourmet in the retail space.
Meanwhile, Kinsmen Property Group owns a stalled development on the west side of the Bowery between Delancey and Kenmare.
New building permits dating to 2022 are on file for a 72,441-square-foot mixed-use commercial building via Real Estate Equities Corporation (REEC) at 156-166 Bowery. 

However, this project will likely remain stalled after the death of REEC's Brandon Miller. Here's a rendering of the new Bowery building via Perkins&Will Architects ...

More unlicensed weed shops shuttered, and one return

With photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Law enforcement continues to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops throughout NYC.

The most recent victims in the East Village include Smoke House at 44 Avenue A at Third Street. (Tough few weeks for them — they were also burglarized on July 29.)
The Villager Smoke Shop at 445 E. Ninth St. at Avenue A was also busted (next two photos via Steven)...
And there have been others, as local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera noted in an X post this past Thursday... Still, despite the efforts of local law enforcement (under the New York City Sheriff's Joint Compliance Task Force), the fines, the restraining orders, etc., some places find a way to return. 

For instance, the Grab & Go Convenience at 23 Avenue B, which was shut down in May, returned as Camino.
Apparently they won their court case, bringing them back from the dead. This is the first time that we've seen a smoke shop come back from a sealed, multiagency court order. 

So: Open smoke shop. Bust. Reopen. Bust again. And again. Court-order seal. Slap a new business name on the space and reopen. Rinse. Repeat.

Reader report: the sloppy Joe from the Slopey Joe truck on 14th Street

If you want to relive a favorite middle/high school lunch, we have a food truck for you. 

An EVG reader reviewed a favorite item from the Slopey Joe's truck stationed this summer on 14th Street just east of Avenue A. 

"I love a good sloppy Joe sandwich — it was my favorite school lunch meal. But you rarely see them on menus," said Julie Manis, who shared the above photo. "And this is far and away the best I've ever had. Sauce with just a slight kick. A slice of melty cheese. Kind of a barbecue flavor. They make other things, too, but why have anything else when you can get a sloppy Joe?" 

Slopey Joe also offers several burgers, chicken sandwiches and hot dogs. (There are vegetarian options too.) You can find a menu here. And you can follow them on Instagram.

First sign of Ishq, a new Indian restaurant on Avenue A

Signage is up for the new restaurant coming to 202 Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street. 

The owners of Gazab on Essex Street (just south of Houston) are opening an Indian restaurant here. Previous news reports about this arrival stated that the name would be Jhakaas.

However, the signage — as well as the questionnaire online at the CB3 website for a liquor license — lists the name as Ishq...
Ishq is currently hiring ...
According to the Commercial Observer, Gazab Executive Chef and founder Vamshi Adi would also run Jhakaas. 

The 3,000-square-foot space was previously Kōbo by Nai, which quietly closed in the spring after arriving in late 2022. 

The address, 202 Avenue A, which has a tragic past, received a horizontal and vertical enlargement several years back, adding two floors to the building.

(Pink) Signage alert: Loong Noodles on St. Mark's Place

We noted the coming-soon signage for Loong Noodles at 28 St. Mark's Place a few weeks back. 

Now, the neon signage has arrived, and it's pink. Very pink! 

Here's how it looks at night, providing a menacing glow to this block between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. (Thanks to Jacob Ford for these photos.)
The noodle shop appears to be opening soon. If you're on Instagram, you can find their account here

Until December, No. 28 was Kung Fu Tea for the past 10 years. (Will Loong attract the electric unicyclists like Kung Fu Tea did?)

Sunday, August 11, 2024

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

A summer Sunday afternoon in Tompkins Square Park...

Playing the Apollo?

Photo today from 10th Street at First Avenue at Apollo Bagels... thanks to Rainer Turim for the photo.

Week In Grieview

Posts this past week included (with a ride-share photo on 9th Street by Derek Berg)... 

• Mayor Adams unveils the 14th Street Community Improvement Coalition for long-problematic East Village corridor (Friday

• A visit to Groove Garden, a community music studio on Avenue C (Wednesday

• Ruby/Dakota opens on 2nd Street: Gallery is a tribute to family legacy and personal healing (Friday)

• The end and beginning of curbside dining (Monday

• Little Poland appreciation post (Thursday

• TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen closing as demolition looms on 3rd Avenue (Saturday

• 2 members of Team USA are featured in this local band's new music video (Tuesday)

• About the Show Brain Festival 2024 in Tompkins Square Park (Friday

• Have you been to the new location of Sammy's Roumanian Steak House? (Thursday

• Elisa's Love Bites closes its 9th Street storefront (Wednesday)

• The summer of stolen plaques continues with thefts at New York Marble Cemetery, the former Club 57 (Tuesday) ... The plague of plaque thefts (Thursday

• Manhattan's first medicinal marijuana dispensary is now for lease on 14th Street (Monday

• Coming attractions: Korean rice bowls for 309 E. Houston St. (Tuesday

• Grand openings: G's Cheesesteaks on Avenue B at Houston (Monday)

• 14th Street's twinkling lights tree returns to its roots (Tuesday

• Sidewalk bridge removal reveals a business closure on 1st Avenue (Monday

• The Black Ant has closed on 2nd Avenue (Monday

... and the National Night Out Against Crime took place this past Tuesday. Here are a few scenes from the annual community-building campaign at the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street (photos by Stacie Joy).

The Rock Against Racism concert is today in Washington Square Park

The Rock Against Racism concert is taking place this afternoon in Washington Square Park.

This was rescheduled from the May 5 rainout. (The show was also once slated for Tompkins Square Park.)

Bands playing today from 2-6 include Ten Ton Mojo ... Four Trips Ahead ... Lake Lanier ... Skadanks ... and Butter Brain. 

Saturday, August 10, 2024

Saturday's parting shots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

From Day 1 of the Show Brain Festival 2024 (details) in Tompkins Square Park.

Here are some shots from a rambunctious set by Balaclava...
Back at it tomorrow afternoon with five more bands, including Pinc Louds and Skorts.

TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen closing tomorrow as demolition looms on 3rd Avenue

TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen closes for good after service tomorrow at 58 Third Ave.

The closing arrives as demolition looms for six buildings on the west side of the avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street. 

Despite being on a desolate-looking stretch of Third Avenue with neighboring boarded-up retail spaces, TLK cheerfully remained in service this year mid-block, offering solid, veggie-friendly cuisine. 

Owner Michelle Morgan's menu draws inspiration from her mother, who was born in Hong Kong, and her travels throughout Asia. 

In announcing the closing date on Instagram, TLK also reported that they will continue with delivery and catering along with a pop-up dinner residency this fall on the Lower East Side (you can follow their Instagram account for updates)...
The restaurant opened here in late 2021

TLK opens today and tomorrow at 2 p.m. (Reservations here.) 

As we first reported, a residential complex is expected to rise along this parcel — 50-64 Third Ave. Only one building will remain on the block after the demolition — 48 Third Ave., the 5-story property owned by Isfahany Realty Corp. on the northwest corner of 10th Street with Healthy Greens Gourmet in the retail space. 

We'll have more about the development on Monday.

Saturday's opening shot

#Summer2024 

P.S. 

Info on what this is here.

Friday, August 9, 2024

Friday's parting shot

Downed tree this afternoon on First Avenue between Second Street and Third Street — photo via EVG reader Danimal... was it a victim of today's high winds ... or a car/truck...?

'Birthday' wishes

 

Thus Love is one of the bands playing this weekend in Tompkins Square Park as part of Show Brain's indie rock fest

The video for "Birthday Song" dropped this week and will be included on the band's second record, which is out on Nov. 1. 

Thus Love plays live in Tompkins tomorrow from 5:20-6 p.m.

About the Show Brain Festival 2024 in Tompkins Square Park

Show Brain is hosting a two-afternoon concert this weekend featuring a slate of indie bands.

Here's the rundown:

Aug. 10 

• 2-2:30 Pons 
• 2:45-3:15 Balaclava
• 3:30-4:05 Native Sun 
• 4:25 to 5 95 Bulls 
• 5:20 to 6:05 Thus Love 

Aug. 11

• 2 to 2:25 Chronic
• 2:45 to 3:20 The Thing 
• 3:45 to 4:20 Pinc Louds 
• 4:35 to 5:10 Pop Music Fever Dream 
• 5:25 to 6 Skorts 

Previously on EV Grieve:

Mayor Adams unveils the 14th Street Community Improvement Coalition for long-problematic East Village corridor

Photo from last week on 14th Street looking west from Avenue A 

Mayor Adams yesterday unveiled the 14th Street Community Improvement Coalition, a multi-city-agency approach to address the quality-of-life issues along the problematic corridor between Avenue A and First Avenue and surrounding streets. 

A centerpiece of the plan includes the previously announced $1 million investment in a new Mobile Command Center, which will soon arrive on 14th Street. (The mayor said the command center will not be permanent.) 

Adams made the announcement while flanked by a host of city administrators representing the NYPD, the FDNY, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), and the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (DOHMH), and local elected officials. (You can watch the entire press conference below.)

"When we came into office, we had a clear mission: protect public safety, rebuild our economy, and make our city more affordable and livable, and the '14th Street Community Improvement Coalition' precisely addresses these concerns — enhancing quality of life and making the East Village safer," Adams said at a press conference inside the 14th Street Y. "Our administration does not and will not tolerate an atmosphere where anything goes." 

"Anything goes" has been the order of the day (and night) on 14th Street in recent years, an issue that gained widespread attention following the Sunday afternoon triple stabbing that left one man dead on June 23

Since the stabbings, the NYPD has been a regular presence on the block, both on foot patrols and in patrol cars. The NYPD also installed three light towers south of 14th Street between A and First. Residents have said they've seen improvements along the block.

Per Adams, the city formed the multi-agency coalition to tackle the complicated convergence of public safety issues, including illegal vending, retail theft, substance use and sales, the mental health crisis, and unlicensed cannabis shops.

In recent weeks, teams from various city agencies have conducted walkthroughs to observe these issues firsthand and engage with local community members and businesses. They have also identified individuals needing services, such as housing or medical care, and referred them to the appropriate city agencies. 

To further enhance communication, the 9th and 13th Precincts have launched a WhatsApp chat with business owners along the East 14th Street corridor. The chat allows for real-time identification and resolution of concerns.

Adams outlined the following actions: 
  • Conducting weekly NYPD operations to address homeless encampments, vendors, and persons needing assistance. 
  • Assigning a dedicated NYPD foot post to address quality-of-life issues and maintain a visible presence along the commercial corridor of 14th 
  • Affixing mobile light fixtures to sustain visibility.
  • Servicing litter baskets daily on all three DSNY shifts and addressing homeless encampments.
  • Deploying DSNY graffiti clean-up crews to remove graffiti on private property. 
  • Ensuring availability of mental health units and homeless services outreach teams to support people in need of mental health support through DOHMH and DHS. 
"This is not a problem that's going to come back to this area," Adams said emphatically. "What we saw here is not acceptable. This is not the city that we deserve. We deserve better, we're going to get better, but we're clear on the complexities of the problems that we're facing." 

During the Q&A period with reporters, District 2 City Councilmember Carlina Rivera fielded a question about the weekend flea market at Immaculate Conception on 14th Street at First Avenue, which some residents said contributes to the quality-of-life issues. 

The flea market moved to 14th Street in the fall of 2012 when the Mary Help of Christians property on Avenue A between 11th Street and 12th Street turned into luxury housing courtesy of Douglas Steiner. 

As Rivera explained, the market wasn't a good fit for the space that Immaculate Conception had available.

"It was already too large for this space, so that market spilled onto the street, and people started attaching themselves to [it], saying they were affiliated with it when they were not. So it quickly did get out of control," she said. 

Rivera said officials have talked with church leaders and the Archdiocese of New York, though no action has been taken on their behalf. 

"They are relying on the revenue from that market to help sustain them," Rivera said. "So while the flea market continues, we are looking toward maybe suspending it, finding a different location, or using other means for the church to [generate] revenue. Because it's not working. 

"We brought in the Street Vendor Project to try to organize the vendors. That has not worked. We've brought in faith-based institutions and clergy to speak to people," she continued. "So we've tried so many different approaches and perspectives, but really ... the corridor is just way too busy and there are too many things happening on it for us to have that market continue in the capacity that it is." 

The press portion of yesterday's presentation begins at the 37-minute mark...

   

H/T Edmund John Dunn!

Previously on EV Grieve
• A look at 14th Street this morning after the triple stabbing and homicide (June 24)

• NYPD light tower arrives on a cleaned-up SE corner of 14th Street and 1st Avenue (June 27

• A look at 14th Street and 1st Avenue — 'a New York Block No One Can Fix' (July 10

• From the archives: A documentary short about the intersection of 14th Street and 1st Avenue (July 11)

Ruby/Dakota opens on 2nd Street: Gallery is a tribute to family legacy and personal healing

Photos by Stacie Joy

Ruby/Dakota debuted late last month at 155 E. Second St., just east of Avenue A.

Hannah Studnick operates the gallery and performance space.

"It has been a lifelong dream of mine to open a gallery in Alphabet City, the neighborhood my maternal grandfather was born in, the same place where my first cousin returned many years later and founded C-Squat," Studnick told EVG. "After my twin sister Emma's untimely passing in 2018, my whole world broke open. I slowly started moving toward this physical and emotional space of 'Gallerist.'"

The retail space, whose tenants have included the previous home of School for the Dogs, was the lone storefront that Studnick saw on her EV retail tour.

"In the end, the gallery found me. It was the only space I looked at," she said. "I knew from the moment I walked in this was Ruby/Dakota, a name that manifested from a distant memory — the names my mother would have given us if she had chosen more wisely."

The gallery's first group show, "Home is You, Right Now," is up through Sept. 6. 

Here's a look at opening night back on July 25.
Featured works include "East Village Date Night" by Lee Smith...
Other artists in the show include Kate Awalt-Conley ...
... Sacha Alexandra ...
... and Julia Justo ...
Ruby/Dakota is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and Mondays are by appointment. The gallery's website has contact information and details on other events in the space. (If you're on Instagram, you can find updates here.)

"I do this for my twin sister Emma, my family, myself, and most importantly, the living artists of New York City, who do deserve our support, who make this place alive, and the greatest city on earth, naturally," Studnick said. "Through this room of my own, I am able to tell the truth as I see it and allow so many wonderful artists to share theirs, too. It is an honor and a privilege. I am so grateful to be here. "