Saturday, December 3, 2011

Check out Theatre 80's documentary series and short films from Occupy Wall Street

From the EV Grieve inbox...



Theatre 80 and WingFlix present a documentary series of films from around the world and shorts from Occupy Wall Street. Tickets are $10 and may be ordered online here. Come in and have a drink at Theatre80’s William Barnacle Tavern and talk to the filmmakers. Charles Krezell curates this series.

Monday, December 5 @7:30pm

“The Battle for Brooklyn” 2011, 93 minute documentary. Brooklyn

BATTLE FOR BROOKLYN follows the story of reluctant activist Daniel Goldstein as he struggles to save his home and community from being demolished to make way for a professional basketball arena and the densest real estate development in U.S. history. To be shown with “Month One” 13 minute an Occupy Wall Street documentary short. Filmmaker, Michael Galinsky will attend.


Tuesday, December 6 @7:30pm

“Medium Hot” 2008, 88 minutes experiment film that straddles the line of documentary and fiction. NYC

MEDIUM HOT is a digital update of Haskell Wexler's 60s classic film, MEDIUM COOL. Ethan and Mac take a road trip to Manhattan for the Republican National Convention. They plan to party, sleep in their car and make fun of the political process. But when they meet Naomi, a passionate political activist, they are introduced into the underground world of radical independent media. Filmmaker, Charles Krezell will attend. To be shown with “Right here All Over” 9 minute an Occupy Wall Street documentary by Alex Mallis.


Wednesday, December 7 @7:30pm

Toxic Soup” 2010 documentary 88 minutes West Virginia, Kentucky

It’s the politics of pollution as giant corporations manipulate the system to delay environmental reform, endangering the lives of people all over the world for increased profits. “Toxic Soup” shares the stories of everyday folks fighting to keep their blood, water and air safe from pollution. With “Mountain Man”, a 10 minute documentary short. Co-Producer Sergei Krasikov will attend.


Tuesday, December 13 @8.00pm

“The Orange Chronicles” 2006, documentary 98 minutes Ukraine

The 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine was a massive demonstration of people for democracy and against electoral fraud. Millions braved freezing weather conditions to fight against stolen elections.

THE ORANGE CHRONICLES is a powerfully moving and unique examination of Ukraine's Orange Revolution from the perspective of an intrepid Ukrainian-American filmmaker, recording the build-up to what turned out to be one of the most astonishing bloodless political turnarounds in recent history. Filmmaker, Damian Kolodiy will attend.

Wednesday, December 14 @7:30pm

“Granito, how to nail a dictator” 2011, documentary 103 minutes, Guatemala, Spain, U.S.

GRANITO is a story of destinies joined by Guatemala’s past, and how a documentary film intertwined with a nation’s turbulent history emerges as an active player in the present.

Thursday, December 15 @7:30pm

Bigger than the Beatles, Obama and the Peeps” documentary 81 minutes, Washington, D.C.

Bigger than the Beatles takes you to Washington, D.C. for the week of January 20, 2009, and Inauguration of Barack Obama. It captures the energy and spirit of that historic event as seen through the eyes of Everyday People.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Big Red


Today in Tompkins Square Park. By Bobby Williams

Where old ping-pong balls go to die in Tompkins Square Park


By Bobby Williams.

We got Sax appeal



Fear with "New York's Alright If You Like Saxaphones" from 1982. Via New Wave Theater.

Not even a film shoot can move this motorcycle

This motorcycle on East Fourth Street near First Avenue has been stationary and chained to the signpost for at least a year, EV Grieve reader @bndo figures.


Meanwhile, today, all the cars on this block (and others) were moved or towed to make way for the "Smash" film crews. For some unknown reason, as @bndo points out, the tow people spared the motorcycle.

Also: Earlier today on St. Mark's Place: Someone who didn't pay attention to the No Parking signs that "Smash" crews posted earlier in the week...

Oh, on second thought, André Balazs only paid $67.5 million for the Cooper Square Hotel

And not the $91 million that was previously reported. This news comes via Roland Li at the International Business Times. Read it here.

Meanwhile, Goggla notes the end of the mural (Balazsification) on the side of the former Cooper Square Hotel... now called The Dradnats Standard East Village


The Shepard Fairey mural went up in April 2010.

Meanwhile, some fallout...

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

[Photo by blue glass]

Celebration at St. Mark's Bookshop (DNAinfo)

The latest post at the EV Grieve animated GIF tribute site will scare the hell out of you (EVGIF)

History of an old East Village butcher shop (Off the Grid)

New use for an old metalworking shop (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

Opening night party for “Out Harvey Wang’s Window” (BoweryBoogie)

Why you may want to avoid the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges this weekend (The Lo-Down)

New owner for Stuy Town? (Stuy Town Living)

A Flipper flap (Flaming Pablum)

And several readers have sent me this photo... I have no idea what train this is... or when it happened. I'm also disappointed that some people think I would actually post something like this. Because I wouldn't.


Original source seems to be I Love NYC AfterHours on Facebook.

RIP Joe

Our friends at East Village Eats have confirmed what we heard from several regulars... Joe, the owner of Joe's Bar on East Sixth Street, has died. One regular told us that Joe passed away on Thanksgiving...


No word just yet on what will happen to the bar. It remains closed for the time being. Our best to his wife Dot and the Joe's family...

Previously.

Come let us dance in Tompkins Square Park in August 1981



Via the YouTube description:

Outdoor concert crowd cavorts at New York's Tompkins Square Park (East Village) on August 9, 1981 during the "Avenue B is the Place to B" concert. Bands performing at the park band shell (since torn down) that day included Pierce Turner, Essential Bop, Liquid Liquid, Science, and Certain General. The event was produced by Una Johnston and Phelan.

This video footage originally aired in late 1981 on the Manhattan Cable public access television show "New York Entertainment Scene"

Via the PreFab Int'l Videos Archive.

Lux Living punches the clock at the Meatball Factory


Our blogging friend Lux Living has written a few reviews hereabouts. The new Phoenix. And IHOP. We suggested that he review Papa John's or the new Cheesy Bacon Bowl at KFC on the corner of Second Avenue and 14th Street. He mentioned something about angioplasty or stents or something. Whatever. Despite our directive, he instead walked across the street and tried something else. So I wouldn't dig in if I was you. Next one might be at your head. I don't know where it's gonna go. Swear to God.

By Lux Living

I had originally planned on writing a review of the atrocious pizza coming out of the Papa John's on First Avenue, but really, how much can one say about pizza too heavily seasoned with oregano and a sauce made with more sugar than a Cadbury Egg?

Instead, the other night I went to The Meatball Factory, which recently opened on the corner of Second Avenue and 14th Street. The Meatball Factory should not be confused with their rivals, The Meatball Shop, located on the Lower East Side. Ask and they’ll let you know!

The menu breaks down like this: Choose your meatballs and choose your sauce for $8 or $9. There are eight choices of meatballs made from ingredients that will please everyone from the tree- hugging vegans to the blood-sucking, red-meat lovers and everyone in between. Once you choose your flesh - or vegan option – you can match it with a choice of eight sauces including a Fire Roasted Marinara, Shroom Central and Hells Bells Vodka Sauce. Pizzas, salads, fries and other side dishes are also on the menu.

Knowing I’d be ravenous in 20 minutes if I didn’t include a carb with my dinner, I ordered the fettuccini with two Meatzza, Meatzza meatballs (braised certified Angus beef brand short ribs, hanger steak and filet, buffalo, potato & parmesan) and the Hells Bells Vodka Sauce – of course – (Absolut Peppar, spicy cappicola, red bells, San Marzano tomatoes, oregano and cream) and a Chardonnay. They only serve beer and wine which is why I did not order a Jack and Coke.

The service was a bit scattered — my food came well before my wine — but once I had everything I ordered there was no speaking at the table because I was too busy enjoying my mini Italian feast. The Fettuccini was a little over cooked, the meatballs were great and I want the recipe for the sauce. I’d have preferred a basket of sliced bread rather than the two mini slices that come with the dish and the tablespoon of grated cheese delightfully sprinkled on top. Yeah, that didn’t cut it. I’m American. I need a small bucket of grated cheese on my table at all times. I need control of the cheese. And a little pepper maybe? Got it?

Let me be up front and say I am not a fan of eating in cavernous-sounding spaces with multiple TVs. When I go out to eat I want to hear what my friends are saying and enjoy my dinner without listening to a bunch of assholes screaming at a Jets game on the TV. Though nobody was screaming that night — other than the blitzed chick at the bar who drank too much red wine — there are several TVs and nothing on the walls to absorb sound, so even with the room a quarter of the way full it was a bit loud.

I enjoyed my dinner and for the price – two fettuccini dishes with meatballs, a Diet Coke and a stupid Chardonnay coming in at $41 - I’d recommend it. It was nothing fancy but for a quick, decent Italian dish in the neighborhood, go for it. Much better than that damn IHOP!

Inside the new Bean on Second Avenue

Over at the former Crazy Landlord building on Second Avenue at Third Street, work continues at the new home of The Bean, which is expected to open later this month.

EV Grieve regular jdx stopped inside for a progress report...











Previously.

Timi's Gelateria Classica™ facing eviction on St. Mark's Place

We can't recall seeing Timi's Gelateria Classica™ — "a gelato franchise for the 21st century, with true Italian artisanal gelato made fresh daily" — open of late on St. Mark's Place near Second Avenue.

The place took over the Andy's Chee-Pee's space about this time last year.


Now, there are some legal-ly, eviction-y looking papers on the front door...


Per the website, "Timi's Gelateria Classica™ Italiana NYC is the flagship location for the Italian mini- chain, which has successfully launched stores around the world." Unfortunately, the website is on the fritz.

Try some pudding then instead?

Previously.

Kebab Garden becoming Mediterranean Grill, pretty much serving exactly the same stuff, probably

A few Fridays ago, we pointed out that the Kebab Garden on First Avenue near St. Mark's Place had closed... though in the days that passed, we could hear workers inside, uh, working and hammering and stuff.

Anyway, if you saw the new sign yesterday, then you probably know that something very similar (or the same thing) is reopening here ...

Your chance to buy a Union Square subway sign for just $12,500!

Something for all you MTA nostalgists/bargain hunters out there... Look what you can buy now for a mere $12,500 on eBay...


That will be about a quarter of your legal fees fighting the MTA... Thanks to Shawn Chittle for the tip.

Diablo Royale Este is closed for 'renovations' this weekend

Diablo Royale Este was dark last night on Avenue A near 10th Street ...


According to the sign on the door... the Mexican-style saloon is closed for the weekend for some renovations...


On Nov. 14, the CB3/SLA committee voted not to renewal Diablo's liquor license... the bar has drawn the ire of neighbors since it opened in May 2010. (You can read more about that here.)

According to the State Liquor Authority, Diablo's liquor license expired on Wednesday.


Previously, the CB3/SLA committee turned down the request for a renewal from Heathers and TenEleven ... and in both cases, the bars received a renewal from the State Liquor Authority.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

10 Housing Works activists arrested today during World AIDS Day protest

Housing Works clients, staff and supporters joined other AIDS activists, as well as members of the Occupy Wall Street movement, for a World AIDS Day march downtown today.

A group of the Housing Works staff dressed in Robin Hood costumes to demand a Robin Hood Financial Transaction Tax and a Millionaires Tax to pay for housing, treatment and other critical services to people with HIV/AIDS.



East Village resident Andrew Coamey told us that activists — many of them chained together — blocked traffic on Broadway in front of City Hall Park for more than 30 minutes to make their point. In total, 10 were arrested, said Coamey, CFO and senior vice president for Housing, Housing Works.



Housing Works has operated the Keith D. Cylar Residence and Healthcare Center on 9th Street and Avenue D since 1996 and serves more than 150 local residents with HIV/AIDS at this location each day.

Find more Housing Works information here.

Noted

[Updated] Meanwhile, on Cooper Square...


Updated:

East Village-based photographer James Maher sent this along... visual confirmation...

Vazac's has a new name... for today


Over on Seventh Street and Avenue B, Vazac's (or 7B ... whatever you prefer) has been renamed The Bushwhack (heh) for the day while crews film the NBC series "Smash."

Photo by Dave on 7th.

That was fast: New tenant already in place for the former Quantum Leap space


Jeez, Quantum Leap closed on Nov. 17. Workers at the vegetarian restaurant on First Avenue near 12th Street had told regulars that their landlord hiked the rent.

This morning, EV Grieve reader Gamelan notes that there's a new sign up for a Vietnamese eatery called Sao Mai. We don't even recall a "for rent" sign here.

So where's that horrible-looking hotel coming to 347 Bowery?

Of late it seems that all we do around here is chronicle buildings being demolished. Such as:

51 Astor Place

9-17 Second Avenue

74-76 Third Avenue

185-193 Avenue B

326-328 E. Fourth St.

316 E. Third St.

35 Cooper Square

331 E. Sixth St.

So what's left next?

Our money is/was on 347 Bowery at East Third Street, where that French guy is going to build a boutique hotel at the site of the Salvation Army's East Village Residence. Let's refresh your memory:


Oh, yeah — come to daddy!

On Jan. 12, the Post first reported that France’s Louzon Group bought the former Salvation Army building for $7.6 million with plans to turn it into a boutique hotel with one of their restaurants on the ground floor.

So, nearly 11 months later, we took a look at the DOB to see if Louzon had any permits on file for sidewalk sheds, complete demolition, etc. There is nothing on file. With the exception of someone removing the big Salvation Army sign a few months ago, the place looks pretty good for being vacant for three years.



(Off topic: Is there any address in the area that Wacky Wok hasn't left a menu?) In any event, awfully quiet here. Perhaps the French were scared off by the incoming 7-Eleven next door? To be continued.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reactions to new Bowery hotel: 'It would be cheaper and more useful just to blow up the building and leave a 30-foot crater'

Why do the French hate us?

Speaking of expensive things on the Bowery ...

Back in October, we pointed out John Legend's home that he was selling inside 52E4 — the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street. Unit #9 is on the market for $2.95 million.

Yesterday, #8 hit the market... a similar looking two-bedroom apartment (right next door?) with a $2.9 million price tag. (According to StreetEasy, the apartment originally sold in October 2009 for $2 million.)

You can read the Douglas Elliman listing here. You know the drill: FrenchOakfloorsaccentuatesleekMasterbathfeaturesLeaCeramiche&CiottilewallsventedLGW/D&custom closets...

We just want to look at the pictures.






Open house is Sunday from 1-2:30 p.m. Think that the pool is still open? Cannonball!

And how will the incoming hotel next door block impact the views here?

More on East Village backhouses

Tuesday's post on backhouses — via Off the Grid — piqued our curiosity about other such buildings in the neighborhood ... (A backhouse being residential structures that are separate from and located behind other buildings facing the street.)

We already had our eye on the one here that EV Grieve reader Spike mentioned... just east off Second Avenue between First and Second Street...


Apparently the entry is through 26 Second Ave. ...




Goggla pointed out that there is one off East Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... another reader lived in one at 519 E. 12th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B. There's also one at 325 E. 10th St., which you can see here.

Puddin' due next week on St. Mark's Place


We've been keepin' an eye on Puddin' ... (See our posts here ... and here.) According to the Puddin' website, the place is the creation of Clio Goodman, who worked at Café Boulud, Bar Boulud and Union Square Café before going into business as a private chef.

And according to a typically annoying writeup yesterday at Urban Daddy, Puddin' opens next week, but the pudding pops don't arrive until the spring.

Noted

Yoga guru Bikram Choudhury is suing Yoga to the People on St. Mark's Place. Choudhury claims that founder Gregory Gumucio is illegally using his copyrighted poses and super-heated rooms inside Yoga to the People classes, according to DNAinfo.