Monday, October 29, 2018

Here is your new Violet awning on 5th Street



On Friday afternoon, workers hoisted the Violet awning here at 511 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B... another step toward the November grand opening of the grilled pizzeria from the Emmy Squared owners.



These links below have more background details...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Emmy Squared's owners are bringing grilled pizza to the former GG's space on 5th Street

Getting 511 E. 5th St. ready for new grilled pizza venture from Emmy Squared's owners

Countdown to grilled pizza on 5th Street

Name reveal: Emmy Squared's grilled-pizza sibling will be called Violet on 5th Street

Spinners adding pizza to its spin chicken and Texas BBQ arsenal



After two months in business at 536 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, Spinner's, billed as a chicken boutique, has closed... and is revamping the menu lineup to include pizza.

Paper-plate signage in the front window notes the pizza addition and reopening...



The new awning also shows that medium pies will be $5 while medium self-serve coffee will go for $1.

Given that this corridor is pretty much the main staging area for the L-train reconstruction, Spinners could become a go-to spot for workers.

Also, did anyone try Spinners during its first two months?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Spinner's bringing chicken and Texas BBQ to 14th Street

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Sunday's parting shot



A scene from this afternoon's Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in East River Park... we'll post more photos from the dog parade via EVG contributor Stacie Joy tomorrow...

Run's house



EVG regular Pinch shares today's in-progress look at the Run DMC mural going up on 12th Street and Avenue A... the work is via the very busy Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Walk This Way on 12th and A

Week in Grieview


[Photo on 7th Street by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

This is the story of how Geoffrey Weglarz died on 12th Street, and why it took a week to find him (Wednesday)

Boys' Club fast tracks sale of East Village clubhouse as final bids are due Oct. 30 (Tuesday)

Local elected officials continue to press city for alternatives to parking garbage trucks on 10th Street; muggings now a concern (Monday)

An all-new I Am a Rent-Stabilized Tenant (Thursday)

Preliminary demolition work at 99-101 E. 2nd St. is — surprise — in the asbestos-removal phase (Monday)

Nobletree Coffee is the next tenant for 37 St. Mark's Place and 2nd Avenue (Thursday)

Run DMC mural on the way at 12th Street and Avenue A (Friday)

Demolishing the fire-damaged back extension at Uogashi, which appears to be permanently closed (Monday)

Goodbye Dojo (Friday)

Nai Tapas Bar now open in new East Village location (Thursday)

This week's special NY See panel (Thursday)

News roundup: At the SBJSA hearing Monday (Wednesday)

So long St. Dymphna's (Tuesday)

The new Donut Pub on Broadway is now HIRING (Friday)

Mexican restaurant opening on 2nd Avenue called Savor Por Favor (Monday)

Cocoa Grinder bringing coffee and all-day breakfast to 1st Street (Tuesday)

NYPD light tower back in illuminating action on 2nd Avenue and 7th Street (Tuesday)

Mi Tea now serving up the cheese tea on St. Mark's Place (Monday)

210 1st Ave. is for sale; and a visit to Gena's Grill (Wednesday)

Pado in soft-open sushi mode on 2nd Avenue (Monday)

Gym moves: IG-Fit replaces Synergy on 14th Street (Monday)

And as Eden carefully documented Friday, someone on Fifth Street discarded a well-curated scrapbook of Leif Garrett clippings from the late 1970s when the actor-singer ruled the covers of teen-focused magazines (along with his contemporaries such as Shaun Cassidy, Willie Aames, Robby Benson, Rex Smith, Scott Baio and the Bay City Rollers)...



In any event, this is all Leif, all the time, showcasing his life and career to this point in seven parts...



Sadly though, Leif, who turns 57 on Nov. 8, has struggled with drug abuse as an adult.

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A vigil on Union Square for the Tree of Life synagogue



Hundreds of people gathered last evening in Union Square to mourn those killed earlier in the day at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.

Organizers, including Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and IfNotNow, said that the vigil was held in part "to commit to loving and defending each other against hatred."

Attendees participated in the Havdalah ceremony, lighting braided candles and reciting additional prayers to commemorate the end of the Sabbath, as Gothamist reported.

EVG contributor Dan Efram shared these photos...

















A gunman stormed the synagogue during Saturday services, killing 11 worshippers and wounding six other people before he was arrested.

11



On Friday, the Paris-based artist JR unveiled "The Gun Chronicles," artwork featuring images of 245 Americans who represent various viewpoints on the gun debate.

This was done in collaboration with Time magazine's interactive special report on gun violence in America...



This link has more about the cover and how JR got involved in its creation.

Overnight, someone added an 11 — representing the number of victims in yesterday's Pittsburgh synagogue massacre — in red paint...



Updated:

There are now flowers at the scene, as the mural is becoming a memorial following yesterday's hate crime.

Free sample alert: Westville Bakery softly opens today on 9th Street



Updated 10/29 — the bakery is now open...

Westville Bakery debuts today — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — at 433 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Avenue A, EVG contributor Steven reports. (These photos are from Friday.)



They'll be expanding on what you can find at the various Westville locations, including on Avenue A and 11th Street. Eater had more details last month on what to expect:

Westville’s longtime pastry chef Meital Cohen will be in charge of the food, focusing on sweets such as carrot cake, apple and blueberry pies, assorted cookies, and seasonal specials like a dragon fruit smoothie bowl with berries, almond butter, and granola. But there will also be a savory menu featuring sandwiches, tartines, quiches, and salads. Specific tartines include ones with smoked trout, crème fraîche, and chives or marinated fennel and chickpea salad with whipped feta, while quiches may have roasted vegetables and herb goat cheese or grilled onions and mixed mushrooms. Expect vegan and gluten-free options too.

This space was Zucker Bakery for the past seven years. Zucker's owner decided to retire from the business on July 1.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Baking news: Westville Bakery coming to 9th Street

Saturday, October 27, 2018

Saturday's parting shot



A view of the Sock Man at 99 St Mark's Place...

King Kong alive on St. Mark's Place



Here's a work-in-progress look at a King Kong mural going up on St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue (adjacent to David's Cafe) ... Steven spotted @moi.ny at work today...



This will be the second King Kong mural for the neighborhood (the other is via Dragon76 on 13th Street at First Avenue)...



He hopes to have the King Kong skyline completed by the end of the day tomorrow. @moi.ny also painted the Wu Tang logo on the other side of David's...


Updated 10/28

Here's the final work...



Updated 10/30

Someone thought it would be cool to put some dicks on it and vandalize the mural...


[Photo by Steven]

Celebrate Halloween with this show in Tompkins Square Park tomorrow (Sunday!)



Info via the Facebook invite:

PERFORMERS:
2 — Public Serpents (featuring Skwert of Choking Victim)
2:35 — Baby Machine
3:10 — SoulCake
3:45 — GLOB - GORGEOUS LADIES OF BLOODWRESTLING!
4:20 — Night Gallery (featuring Kitty Hawk)
5 — Skull Caster (doomsday punk prophets, featuring Joey Steele)
5:40: — Seth Tobocman political slide show (with Jenny Gonzalez + Eric Blitz)

ARTISTS:
Our Lady of Perpetual PMS from GLOB
No Police State Girl
Sharon Volpe Artwork
jackiehatesyou

Saturday so far, with the sharpening southward plunge of the jet stream



A few rainy morning scenes from Tompkins Square Park and Avenue A courtesy of Vinny & O...





As for this weather, we're having a nor'easter, per sources. As I understand it, and have noted before in similar situations, a sharpening southward plunge of the jet stream slid into the East as an area of low pressure strengthened near the East Coast.

This setup [motioning arms] is allowing rain to spread across the Northeast. Wet conditions will persist through today and into tonight. Cooler-than-average temperatures are also expected and it will feel chilly when combined with the wind. (Yes, I cut-n-paste that from The Weather Channel!)

Friday, October 26, 2018

Friday's parting shot



Another look at today's gorgeous sunrise via EVG Facebook friend Caz Lulu...

Break 'Free'



Here's a track from the Toronto-based Dilly Dally's September release titled Heaven. ... a bit of a Halloween vibe here in the video for "I Feel Free."

Walk This Way on 12th and A



Here's an in-progress look at a new wall mural on 12th Street at Avenue A... the Run DMC work is via Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra...



Kobra has been quite busy in NYC of late with his "Colors of Liberty" project. (The Run-DMC is not part of this project.)

Kobra recently completed the dual Michael Jackson mural on 11th Street at First Avenue.

H/T East Village Walls!

Updated 5:30 p.m.

EVG regular Daniel passes along these photos... with the panels being colored in...





Updated 10/28

Pinch provides a look from today...

Intermission is over at the Bowery Mural Wall; JR brings 'The Gun Chronicles'



Tristan Eaton's Intermission tenure is up at the Bowery Mural Wall.

Workers yesterday painted over the mural, which arrived back in June.

Before the next artist gets started (waiting on confirmation on who it will be), the canvas beckons... and, overnight, Pork arrived...


[Photo this morning by Lola Sáenz]

Updated 2 p.m.

Thanks to the commenter and everyone else who wrote in with the news that JR is working on the wall now... part of a collaborate project with Pace Gallery and Time magazine titled "The Gun Chronicles: A Story of America" ...



A St. Mark's sunrise



EVG reader Allen Semanco shares this photo this morning from St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue...

Reminders: The Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is Sunday at the East River bandshell



The resurrected Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade — No. 28! — happens Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. in its new location, the East River Park bandshell.

A little background if you're confused: In August, organizers were forced to cancel the event after the Parks Department required parade organizers to take out a big $1 million insurance policy to cover the larger crowds that have attended in recent years.

That wasn't going to happen. So no dog parade.

On Oct. 17, City Councilmember Carlina Rivera's office announced that a deal had been worked out with the dog-run supporters and the folks at Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), who will hold the insurance policy.

The parade also moved to the bandshell to accommodate larger crowds. (Plus, there's an actual stage.)

Meanwhile, here a few photos of the bandshell that I took late Wednesday afternoon...







And some history of the bandshell (or amphitheater!) via the Parks Department website:

In 1941, an amphitheater was built in the park, along with an adjacent limestone recreational building, as part of an urban renewal project for the Lower East Side. During the 1950s, the amphitheater was the site of frequent free Evening-in-the-Park concerts. Joseph Papp (1921-1991), founder of Shakespeare in the Park and the Public Theater, staged Julius Caesar there in 1956. Local schools held their graduation ceremonies there, and the Group of Ancient Drama staged free-of-charge performances of classic Greek plays. In 1973 however, the amphitheater closed due to budget cuts. Vandals attacked the neglected theater and by 1980 it was unusable.

The bandshell reopened in late 2001 — with the help of Erin Brockovich.

And allow EV Bendy Arrow to show you where it is...



Or you could just watch it on ESPN with Katie Nolan.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Halloween Dog Parade in Tompkins Square Park this fall has been cancelled

Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is back on; new deal puts the pups in East River Park and on ESPN this Oct. 28

East River Park Bandshell 1992-93

The new Donut Pub on Broadway is now HIRING



Just checking in on the status of the Donut Pub outpost opening on Broadway at Astor Place... they are now in hiring mode...



Not sure about the experience necessary...

In its fall preview, New York magazine had a November open here. Given that staffing is just underway, that doesn't quite seem likely.

The original Donut Pub opened on 14th Street and Seventh Avenue in December 1964.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Donut Pub opening an outpost on Astor Place

Goodbye Dojo



That's it for Dojo on West Fourth Street at Mercer... it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that the restaurant was not going to reopen after sitting vacant following a Sept. 13 DOH inspection that closed its doors. (You can read the previous post here.)

The inspection turned up 62 violation points, which appeared to be correctable items before any follow-up visit.

In any event, the contents of Dojo have been removed ... and the signage has come down.

And a little cut-and-paste Dojo history:

Dojo began in the East Village, first with the Ice Cream Connection on St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue in March 1970. Tony Yoshida's Japanese-inspired vegetarian cuisine came along in 1974. And via the Dojo website:

In 1982, Dojo took over the space next door and expanded even more. Then in 1991, Dojo in the West Village was created – both Dojo East and Dojo West were favorite local gems. Unfortunately in 2007, Dojo East was closed down due to high rent. BUT Dojo West is still going strong!

I posted the news on Twitter yesterday. Seems as if a lot of people have Dojo memories.







...and even if you frequented the place...





Previously on EV Grieve:
Dojo looks to have closed for good

Concern for Dojo, which has now been closed for 2 weeks