Saturday's parting shot

Finally had a chance to see the restored version of "Night of the Juggler" at the IFC Center on Sixth Avenue at Third Avenue... two weeks after its release. 

The unheralded 1980 release starring James Brolin was lost for years, never getting a proper video-DVD-cable release. 

Now's your chance, for at least this coming week at the IFC Center, to see what the Times says is "among the great Gotham movies of its era" in a piece titled "The Great Gritty New York Movie You've Never Seen."

It would be perfect for a drive-in too...

 

Summer road trips: Genre Is Death and Lydia Lunch at TV Eye

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

On Aug. 3, the EVG team went to TV Eye in Ridgewood to see one of our favorite newer bands, Genre Is Death, along with the No Wave legend Lydia Lunch. 

A highly recommended space if you've never been, complete with an outdoor patio...

... where we ran into some familiar faces, including Skeleton Boy ...

...Carmen, the bass player for EVG fave Pop Music Fever Dream...

... and Tom Person, a drummer with several local bands who also fronts Dr. Now ...

Over the past year or more, we've experienced Genre Is Death eight to 10 times, and Taylor and Ty always deliver a powerful wall of sound. (Read our Q&A with them here.)

The two are currently recording a new record with Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Swans), with an East Coast/Midwest tour kicking off right from TV Eye on Nov. 2.

As always, the two — fresh off a West Coast date opening for Gogol Bordello—  once again left it all on stage. 

This backstage shot was taken after their longest set yet.

Backstage, we also talked with the legend, Lydia Lunch, who was playing with Big Sexy Noise alongside Tim Dahl, Kevin Shea and Timo Ellis. 

Lunch was at the forefront of the No Wave movement in the Lower East Side of the early 1980s, unleashing the jagged noise of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks. (Read our 2013 Q&A with her here.)

This show proved she hasn't strayed too far from that lacerating assault.

We watched her go over the set list, then went out and simply enjoyed the vibrant, in-your-face performance...

Check out TV Eye's schedule here. Highly recommended if you want to get out of the neighborhood for some live music. (And Genre Is Death is here again on Aug. 20.)

Saturday's opening shot

An artificial Christmas tree discard from yesterday on 13th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. (Thanks, Jodi!) 

Today's weather won't get you in the holiday spirit (worst transition ever?): Warm and humid with sun and some clouds... with "real-feel" temps in the mid-90s.

Friday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Just 2.5 months until Halloween. This evening, outside Beetle House on Sixth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

In your dreams

 

We are fans of Nabihah Iqbal, a musician, writer and DJ from London. Iqbal has been living locally lately, and on Sept. 8, she will be playing with a full band at Night Club 101 on Avenue A. (Tickets.)

The video here is for the title song from her 2023 release, Dreamer. 

Friday's opening shot

An update (previous post here) on the revived tree well on Avenue A and Sixth Street...there are now a few plants and a tree to go with the croc stump. 

Does anyone know who cleaned up this space? (And who will water it?)

Instagram post of the day

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Andrew Eliopoulos (@retronyc)

'Mistress America' screens tonight in Tompkins Square Park

Giving the screening of 2015's "Mistress America" another go tonight in Tompkins Square Park after a July 31 rainout. 

As previously noted, the Lower East Side Film Festival is bringing its free summer screening series back to Tompkins Square Park.

Here's what is on the docket: 

• Aug. 14 — "Mistress America" 

• Aug. 27 — "Summer of Soul" 

• Sept. 19 — "Birdman" 

Each screening (roughly at 8:30 p.m.) begins with a short film by a LESFF alum, followed by the feature presentation. The screenings take place in the center of the park where the bands usually perform on weekends.

The invite promises "complimentary refreshments and surprises throughout the night." 

Lola Kirke, a local resident and co-star of "Mistress America," will introduce the film, directed by Noah Baumbach from a script he wrote with lead Greta Gerwig.

The series is in partnership with presenting sponsor Searchlight Pictures and local Assemblymember Harvey Epstein ...with community support from East Village Community Coalition, Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), and Loisaida Inc. Center. 

Find more info here. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• About the Lower East Side Film Festival: 15 years of keeping it reel

A rare look inside the Basilio Scientific School Association on Avenue B

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

If you've ever walked along Avenue B between 12th Street and 13th Street, you've certainly passed the two-story Basilio Scientific School Association building. 

The place, which appears to be an industrial business, is rarely open. So when I recently saw someone heading inside, I couldn't resist asking for a look.

The person who let me in gave a quick tour. There's a director who was not here at the time. 

According to the group's website, this is a school (no football team) that follows the Disciples of Jesus of Nazareth. 

To the mini tour ...

Enjoy the mysterious building while you can. Given the price of EV real estate, someday this valuable slice of Avenue B will likely give way to a sliver of a condoplex.

Where gallery meets shop: A look at 'Art Bodega' on 3rd Street

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The recently opened group show "Art Bodega," presented by TW Fine Art and CLLCTV, features a rotating selection of sculptural objects, functional works, and other pieces that sit between art and design. 

Per the organizers: "Shoppers will discover a curated selection of sculptural objects, functional works, and unique pieces that blur the line between art and design." 

The exhibit is up through Sept. 30, with new works appearing throughout the summer. Several artist-led workshops are also planned. You can check the TW Fine Art Instagram account for updates. 

Here's a look inside the gallery...

CLLCTV is at 209 E. Third St., just east of Avenue B. The space is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

P.S.

TW Fine Art was also responsible for creating the felt wonderland of the felt bagel shop here in 2023.

Wednesday's parting shot

A post-storm stroll through a mostly empty Tompkins Square Park this evening... (and no tree limbs down!).

The entire northern section of East River Park, including the running track, closes on Sept. 8

Beginning Monday, Sept. 8, the entire northern stretch of East River Park, from Houston Street north, will close as crews working on the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project (ESCR) continue clearing the land.

The closure means that the three East Village access points to the Park — from Houston, Sixth and 10th streets — will shutter, and all park access, including the track and field area and esplande off of the Sixth Street Overpass, will no longer be available to residents for the duration of the billion-dollar stormproofing, expected to be complete by the end of 2026. 

The 10th Street overpass and access closed on July 13.

The city spent $2.8 million to upgrade the running track off of Sixth Street during a year-long renovation in 2017-18.

Meanwhile, the Corlears Hook Pedestrian Bridge will reopen on Thursday, Sept. 5, reconnecting the Lower East Side to the waterfront via a new overpass. The day will also bring back the flagpole area at Corlears Hook Park, plus a batch of long-awaited East River Park Phase 1 upgrades: six more tennis courts, a new amphitheater, esplanade and seating areas, and direct access to Pier 42 and the Corlears Hook Ferry Terminal. 

This map shows the areas that will be open and closed as of Sept. 8...

The city has stated that it will maintain public access to at least 42% of the park throughout construction.

The "phased work operations" in East River Park commenced in November 2021, in Project Area 1, located between Montgomery Street and 15th Street. Workers have been burying the park under fill and cutting down hundreds of trees as part of the billion-dollar-plus ESCR. They are elevating the land 8 to 10 feet above sea level to protect the area from future storm surges.

Openings: Gelatin Labs on 1st Street

Gelatin Labs debuted last month at 37 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

This is the first retail storefront (they have a lab in Maplewood, N.J.) for the family-owned business specializing in developing, scanning and printing 35mm film, disposable cameras, and 120 film, in color and black and white. 

Hours: 

• Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

• Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

And because someone will bring this up: The long-closed Pac Lab was in the western storefront at this address.

Owners of C as in Charlie and Kisa ink lease at former Ferns space on 1st Avenue

The owners of C as in Charlie and Kisa are expanding their local footprint.

The hospitality group signed a 10-year lease ($24K per month) at 166 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street for an unnamed new Korean concept, according to broker Meridian Capital Group and the Commercial Observer. 

C as in Charlie opened at 5 Bleecker St., just west of the Bowery, in 2022, while the Korean diner Kisa debuted last year on the SW corner of Allen and Houston. 

The bistro-bar Ferns closed at 166 First Ave. in February after more than seven years in business.

This might be the First great deli name we’ve seen in a while

A new business is now open at 14 First Ave. near First Street — First Things First. Not a bad name! 

The place sells cold beverages, snacks, smoking accessories, and more. 

And this was an ultra-quick storefront turnaround. The last tenant, the dessert joint Tiki Tiki, just closed at the end of July.

Tuesday's parting shots

A late-afternoon photo of 57 Great Jones St. just west of the Bowery... where Basquiat died on this day in 1988. 

Current tenant: Atelier Jolie. 

Also late this afternoon, Basquiat's onetime collaborator Al Diaz left a new SAMO© message here...

Noted

As seen on the NW corner of First Avenue and Sixth Street this afternoon: 

Basquiat — he didn't die — he got licensed. 

Jean-Michel Basquiat died on this day in 1988 while living and working at 57 Great Jones just west of the Bowery.

The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival returns to Tompkins Square Park this Aug. 24

Somehow, it's nearly the middle of August, which means we're getting close to the annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Tompkins Square Park. 

The multi-day event will be here on Sunday, Aug. 24, from 3-7 p.m. (A DJ will start at 2 p.m.) 

Here is this year's lineup (hit this link for details on the performers):

• Bill Charlap / Dee Dee Bridgewater 

• Gary Bartz and NTU Troop 

• Jazz Gallery Allstars 

• Lucía

If you're a big Parker fan, there are many other events taking place around the city beginning on Sunday. 

The festival, which started in Tompkins Square Park in 1993, holds a significant place in the jazz community. It takes place near or on Parker's birthday on Aug. 29. Additional dates were added in Harlem in 2000, further expanding its reach. 

Parker, who died in 1955 at age 34, lived at 151 Avenue B from 1950 to 1954. That residential building between Ninth Street and 10th Street is landmarked.

Croc stump tree well gets a refresh on Avenue A

Yesterday, we discussed the status of the incoming Corner Bistro at 94-96 Avenue A and Sixth Street. 

A reader later informed us that work was happening in the tree well outside the storefront. (The initial report was that the stump had been completely removed.) 

It turns out that workers cleaned up the area, added a barrier, and moved (and anchored) the crocodile-shaped tree stump...

This is the work of Ian Dave Knife, who has created art from dead tree stumps around the neighborhood and other locations. The croc arrived in December 2019. 

In August 2020, the owners of the now-closed August Laura reportedly painted the stump green and gave it a pink tongue. None of this pleased the artist. Article here. The paint has mostly worn away over the following years.

Anyway, we're happy to see that someone values the street art enough to keep it here. 

Monday's parting shot

An EVG reader shared this photo from earlier today... as crews for the Lena Dunham-directed Netflix rom-com "Good Sex" were filming a fire-escape scene with lead Natalie Portman on Seventh Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

Crews will be in the neighborhood for the next two days, as we mentioned in this post.