Friday, October 31, 2014
EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition
[Head, St. Mark's Place, via Bobby Williams]
How Katz's stays in business against the odds (Slate)
Parcel of five buildings on the Bowery sold for $45 million; more luxury on the way (BoweryBoogie)
Photo Cut-Outs: From M. Henry Jones’ animated film Soul City, 1977-79 (Gallery98)
Looking for Pussy Galore in Tompkins Square Park (Flaming Pablum)
The latest on on the plight of the Siempre Verde Community Garden (The Lo-Down)
A noon-to-midnight marathon tomorrow of 7 rarely-screened, bona-fide horror classics (Anthology Film Archives)
A fall scene in Tompkins Square Park (Gog in NYC)
More photos and video from the last concert in Tompkins Square Park for the year (Slum Goddess)
Upscale floral designer lands on Avenue B (Women's Wear Daily)
About the latest NYC graffiti crackdown (Vice)
A look at "Sometimes Overwhelming," Arlene Gottfried's black-and-white shots of the people of New York in the 1970s and 80s (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)
Hipster heat map? (Business Insider)
Celebrities who wear Ramones T-shirts (Dangerous Minds)
... and tomorrow is the last day to see the work of Jane Wilson at DC Moore Gallery at 535 E. 22nd St. ... in celebration of her 60-year career. The exhibition will feature a group of rarely seen 1960s cityscapes inspired by Tompkins Square Park... the Times wrote about the exhibit today here...
[Rain on Avenue B, 1965. Oil on canvas]
At the 35th anniversary of the Pyramid Club
Photos and text by EVG contributor Stacie Joy
The 35th anniversary party Tuesday night for the Pyramid Club was filled with more media and PR people than guests.
Sponsored by Stoli vodka (whose new marketing campaign is targeting East Village mainstays), there were Stoli drink specials as far as the eye could see and several famous people to gawk at, like Taye Diggs (he played Benny the landlord in the first Broadway production of "Rent," in case you wondered about the connection), Andrew W.K. (the Stoli “Professor of the Party”), and Andy Rourke from The Smiths (DJ’ing ’80s hits when I left).
Truthfully, though, I was there for Lady Bunny. She was the life of the party — singing and dancing and then secreting me away downstairs for some one-on-one time.
Lady Bunny told me that she started go-go-ing at Pyramid in 1983 by undercutting the other drag queens by $10 (they normally made $50 and she only charged $40), and quickly became a resident go-go dancer at the club at 101 Avenue A for the next 15 years.
She said the manager was a junkie and she felt he’d be happy with the extra money to put toward drugs. Of course this was before the Giuliani years when cabaret licenses were impossible to score. The East Village’s underground scene was exploding, and bringing its music, drag queens, drugs and culture to the masses.
A low-rent Studio 54, with poor but always-fabulous people is how Lady Bunny described the Pyramid Club. She informed me that we couldn’t sit around crying and bitching for what has changed, what we’ve lost; that we should acknowledge it, celebrate it, and create policies that will create change for the future.
Social media got a chunk of her blame: so many people out there documenting everything with their phones instead of being in the moment and enjoying what’s occurring in real time. We talked about how depressing the news can be and how she recommends that we log off, go out and enjoy what’s happening now in the city.
The John's of 12th Street documentary premieres next month
John's of East 12th Street, the 106-year-old East Village treasure, is the subject of a new feature documentary that premieres next month.
Here are details on the 68-minute film via Vimeo:
JOHN’S OF 12TH STREET is a portrait of a century-old Italian-American restaurant in New York City, one of the last of its kind in a rapidly changing East Village. This observational documentary loosely follows the rhythm of the restaurant’s day, which swings between boredom and frenzy as the old rooms empty and fill. No one who works at John’s is actually Italian, but some have been here for 40 years, including two pairs of brothers and a father and son. JOHN’S OF 12TH STREET catalogues the overlooked details of working life and a vanishing New York City.
The documentary is from Vanessa McDonnell, a filmmaker and editor based in Brooklyn.
The film debuts on Nov. 12 at Spectacle in Williamsburg. Details here.
Previously on EV Grieve:
About the new ownership for 105-year-old East Village institution John's of 12th Street
Report: Deal for East Village treasure John's of 12th Street is off
Out and About in the East Village with Nick Sitnycky Part 1 and Part 2
Gutting the check-cashing shop on East 5th Street
The saga continues for three small businesses on East Fifth Street just east of Second Avenue... back in July, the shopkeepers had to vacate their storefronts due to a structural issue in one of the apartments above in 300 E. Fifth St.
This week several readers noted that Jamie's check-cashing storefront has been gutted... as these photos via Derek Berg show...
Jamie, whose family has owned the business for 67 years, has moved his operation to a secure van outside his shop... He is understandably frustrated, but remains hopeful that he can return soon... workers are strengthening the ceiling and floor joists.
Previously on EV Grieve:
3 small businesses temporarily closed due to structural issues at 300 E. 5th St.
Empire Biscuit turns 1
On this occasion Wednesday night, the owners closed the storefront at 198 Avenue A between East 12th Street and East 13th Street for a celebration …
Previously on EV Grieve:
Incoming Empire Biscuit on Avenue A launches Kickstarter campaign (122 comments)
Report: Empire Biscuit opens today (65 comments)
A new boutique for kids and families on East 9th Street
As you can see from the above flyer, an.mé — a boutique for kids and families — has its grand opening today at 328 E. Ninth St between First Avenue and Second Avenue from noon to 7 p.m.
Business partners Melissa Scott and Annie Ju opened the shop several weeks ago ...
"We are really excited to be able to open a store in the East Village," Scott said. "We have lived her for almost 15 years and wouldn't want to be in business anywhere else."
And the store has extended a special discount to readers for 10% off their entire purchase when they mention EV Grieve today through Sunday.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
A Taylor Swift, 'Welcome to New York' mash-up courtesy of Clayton Patterson
Longtime LES documentarian Clayton Patterson has re-imagined/re-edited Taylor Swift's much-maligned "Welcome to New York" video … with archival footage from his archives circa the 1980s and early 1990s, including the Tompkins Square riots… there's also some footage of GG Allin writhing around on Avenue B for good measure.
Per Clayton's message via email:
Are there no NYC songwriters or musicians who could write a song and be a face representing the city? There is no talent in NYC? What is the message to struggling or successful artists? Where are our politicians on this corporate insult to NYC talent? Where are the agencies that represent NYC talent? What is the message to struggling or successful artists? What is the message to the average NY'er? Tell me DeBlasio is different from Bloomberg. It is one thing to make NYC into a corporate mall filled with cookie cutter corporate businesses, but now we have an individual with almost no relationship to NYC as the face and voice representing the city. It is like we have lost our mind?
November CB3/SLA highlights: The return of Lucky Cheng's
CB3 released its November calendar of meetings yesterday ... including the two nights of fun for the SLA licensing committee. Lots of items on the agenda this month, including a new home for Lucky Cheng's on Ludlow Street.
Here's a look at some of the applicants over the two nights. We'll pass along more info once it becomes available.
Monday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 pm
Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. (between Second Avenue and The Bowery)
Renewal with Complaint
• Percy's Tavern, 210 Ave A (op)
Applications within Saturated Areas
• Vintage B Inc, 56-58 Ave B (aka 235-237 E 4th St) (wb)
This is the former Vella Market (and Kate's Joint) space at East Fourth Street.
• To be Determined, 137 Ave C (op)
This is the new bar/restaurant going into the Sunburnt Cow quarters. The building is currently getting a head-to-toe renovation.
• To be Determined, 206 Ave A (op)
• To be Determined, 137 Ave A (op)
We went through this last month. It was a mistake then.
• Table 12 (188 Ave A Take Out Food Corp), 188 Ave A (upgrade to op)
Alterations
• Cornerstone Cafe (AO Cafe & Restaurant LLC), 17 Ave B (aka 241 E 2nd St) (alt/op/convert service counter to patron bar with 5 seats)
New Liquor License Applications
• Parmys Kabob and Grill Inc, 124-127 1st Ave (upgrade to op)
We noted this change a few weeks back.
• 41 1st Avenue Rest Corp, 41 1st Ave (op)
This is the address of d.b.a. Dennis Zentek, who opened d.b.a. in 1994 with friend Ray Deter, died on March 23 from injuries he suffered in a fall. Deter died in July 2011 from the injuries he suffered in a bicycling accident.
• To be Determined, 188 2nd Ave (wb)
Looks like there's a taker for the former Shima space at East 12th Street. We noticed that the for rent signs were down the other day.
Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 pm
University Settlement at Houston Street Center, 273 Bowery
Applications within Saturated Areas
• Lucky Cheng's (Red Room Hospitality LLC), 154 Ludlow St (op)
Lucky Cheng's, which closed its Midtown location last summer after the death of owner Hayne Suthon, looks to be making the move back downtown permanent. (They had been operating out of the DL on Delancey Street.)
The Living Room was the most recent tenant at 154 Ludlow St.
New Liquor License Applications
• Lucille (Little Rebel Inc), 134 1st Ave (op)
Hmm, this is the address of Simone Martini Bar.
Items not heard at Committee (meaning neighbors don't have any say in these items)
• The Bean (147 First Ave Bean LLC), 147 1st Ave (wb)
• G & Nishi Inc, 54-56 Third Avenue (wb)
• 4T USA Inc, 127 4th Ave (wb)
• Zund New York Inc, 84 E 10th St (wb)
b=beer only | wb=wine & beer only | op=liquor, wine, & beer | alt=alterations
When the jet ski arrived on East 5th Street
EVG regular Jose Garcia shares this...
It showed up about two weeks ago on East Fifth Street near Avenue C. It's not attached to the car in front of it.
It was the subject of a hive of activity when it first arrived. Mechanical repairs, etc.
And now it has become a seemingly permanent fixture on the street. Carefully and tenderly moved according to alternate side parking schedules.
Passersby can't seem to resist sitting on it. I guess I'm having aquatic fantasies. I think the jet ski itself might be sentient.
Veselka celebrating its 60th anniversary with FREE FOOD on Monday night
Veselka has been celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Back in the summer, the restaurant at 144 Second Ave. (at East Ninth Street) turned prices on some items back to 1954. (Surprise! There were lines!)
Now on Monday night from 6 to 11, Veselka is getting rid of its tables and serving free food. Per the invite: "Mirth and Mingling Strongly Encouraged!"
As the Veselka anniversary invite notes, in 1954, a house cost $10,000, rent was $85 and a movie ticket was 70 cents. And Wolodymyr Darmochawal and his wife Olha opened a small newsstand, candy shop and lunchonette that they named after the Ukrainian word for "rainbow."
Hitchcocktober ends tonight with 'Strangers on a Train'
Hitchcocktober wraps its month-long stay tonight at the Village East Cinema on Second Avenue and East 12th Street with "Strangers on a Train."
The films start at 8 p.m. Head to the Village East Cinema website for more info and tickets.
383 Lafayette wrapped ahead of NYU expansion
Workers have erected the sidewalk bridge and plywood around NYU's Academic Support Center (the former Tower video space) at 383 Lafayette St. at East Fourth Street.
As Curbed noted this past summer, NYU plans to expand the building, adding four new floors on the land that previously housed the Plantworks garden center these past 40 years.
[Rendering photo by Evan Bindelglass via Curbed]
Meanwhile, in other NYU expansion news on Lafayette Street, the school paid $157 million for 402-408 Lafayette Street (AKA 708 Broadway) to use as a short-term stand-in for the Coles Sports and Recreation Center. (Crunch used to be on the ground-floor before moving over to 2 Cooper Square.) NYU will use the upper floors for classrooms.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Growing soon in the former Plantworks garden center — an NYU building
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Oct. 29
Yay I win! Sure, there isn't any authentication or whatever on this lush beauty spotted on Lafayette near Astor Place.
But we can discuss when I return from the Grand Prize Trip!
The great pretender
There will never be another EV Lambo, plain and simple.
Still, others try.
East Fifth Street and Second Avenue today via Derek Berg.
Abandoned piano remains abandoned on Avenue A
[7 a.m.]
Slum Goddess spotted the piano last night on Avenue A at St. Mark's Place... and people were stopping to hit the keys throughout the night (neighbors loved that!)
Still there this morning... waiting.
Maybe someone calls George?
Bottom 2 photos by Derek Berg
Out and About in the East Village,
In this weekly feature, East Village-based photographer James Maher provides us with a quick snapshot of someone who lives and/or works in the East Village.
By James Maher
James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.
By James Maher
Name: Gigi Watson
Occupation: Writer, Artist, Cartoonist, Former Club Worker and Owner
Location: 3rd Street between 1st and A.
Time: 1:30 pm on Friday, Oct. 24.
I’m a native New Yorker. I grew up in Ridgewood, on the border between Brooklyn and Queens, which now they can’t decide whether it’s Brooklyn or Queens. It was basically a German, Italian and Jewish neighborhood. The first thing you asked when you met another kid was what was your nationality.
There were places that we didn’t go. Bed Stuy and Red Hook, these were not places to go. In Red Hook, they used to find a dead body every single day. My train was the L, which used to be a horrible, horrible train. The L train connected with the G train, which was murder central. If someone paid me a million dollars in cash and said, ‘Here, get on the G train’, I’d say, ‘No thank you.’
My first apartment in Manhattan was a sublet on Christopher Street in the West Village. I moved in 1979. I then moved to the East Village in 1982, on 2nd Street between A and B. You had to have two or three jobs at the same time just to survive. That’s being a real New Yorker. My rent was so expensive. If I didn’t have two jobs, there would be no way I could cut that rent.
The first club I worked at was Bonds International Casino on Broadway and 45th Street. I was working behind the scenes in the office with guest lists, counting money. We had Blondie, The Clash, Blue Oyster Cult, Motley Crue, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who sucked. We had all kinds of punk rock bands. That’s where I developed a fear of crowds because the owner, John Addison, sold double the amount of tickets. We had 2,500-seat capacity and he sold 5,000 tickets per performance, and everybody showed up and was hammering on the door, ‘We want the show, we want the show.’ That place was fabulous.
[After Bonds] I worked at an after hours, where I worked the door. Cocaine was fantastic in the 1980s. That went right along with being at the front door. ‘Here, thanks a lot for letting me in,’ and I’d get a gram in my hand. That meant thank you. The stars I met — Nick Nolte, Grace Jones, Robin Williams, Paul McCartney. The list goes on and goes. Cause they would want to party late too.
I first worked in the cashier booth in Crisco [Disco], which is a famous haunt. We must have taken in at least between $8,000 and $10,000 on a Saturday night. It was a lucrative place.
After that I worked at Page 6. I was working the VIP room one month. Liza Minnelli was there snorting her brains out. Rick James comes in and puts a pile of coke on the table. All of a sudden you hear, ‘Freeze.’ So Rick James gets up, ‘Oh, I ain’t going to be arrested, I gotta get out of here, how do I get out?’ I said, ‘Mr. James there’s only one way out and that’s the way you came in.’ He walked out without a problem. It was the people that worked there that got busted because they didn’t have a liquor license.
After that I opened up my club, Trash. I was working at the time at Club 82, which was another after hours on 4th, and the manager there, John Matos said said to me, ‘Gi, why don’t you start your own club? How much do you need?’ We went shopping for furniture and I got all the stuff. I wanted neat 1960s furniture that was gaudy and cool looking. I wanted to do all the murals inside the club. I made the VIP room. I painted a big huge spider web so when you walked in, it was spinning. They would look up and sway from side to side. It was a cool place to be.
But that didn’t last very long because all the people who were great to look at had no money. Punk rockers do not have any money. Nobody had fucking money. Nobody had money for rent, forget about anything else.
Then one day a Hells Angel — this big Angel came in and went up to somebody at the bar and said, ‘Hey faggot’ and pushed him on the shoulder. The guy was a really cool looking punk rock guy and he was intimidated. Once the Angels come in, then it’s their club, and then it’s no longer my club or Trash. One brought many. Nobody would go there anymore. They were too afraid to go through the door. So that’s how Trash ended. That was about the time that punk rock itself was sort of waning.
Punk rock to me means anti-establishment. Punks saw that people conformed all over the place. It’s somebody with real talent to be unique and wild and out there. People used to come and sketch what I was wearing. The more beat up it is the better. They now have distressed leather. What fucking distressed? If you keep it on long enough, believe me it’ll become distressed. I always wanted to look different. I don’t want to look like anybody else. I want to look like me.
James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.
Reactions to the landmarking of Town & Village Synagogue on East 14th Street
[Image via Manhattan Sideways]
Yesterday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) voted to give the Tifereth Israel Town & Village Synagogue at 334 E. 14th St. landmark status.
The LPC excluded from the landmark designation a rear structure here between First Avenue and Second Avenue that had originally been considered as part of the landmark designation.
Here's reaction to the decision... first from Marianna Mott Newirth, president of the Town & Village Synagogue:
Town & Village Synagogue is a community and a building.
We are an active, egalitarian Conservative Jewish congregation serving Lower Manhattan with pride. We recognize the LPC’s designation of our building and honor the work that has been done by both the Bloomberg and the DiBlasio administrations to carefully review and deliberate on our status. Their decision is a testament to our building’s rich immigrant history in NYC.
Our commitment remains: to serve the 400 families who are the core of T&V and to support the greater community of which we are a part. We look to the men and women who championed Landmark designation to continue their loving support of Town & Village Synagogue. May we work together to strengthen this building so that it will be a beacon of spirituality, a center of Jewish learning and a jewel on 14th Street for current and future generations of New Yorkers.
She went on to tell us that that the building was taken off the market early this year. "We are not selling. We are not moving."
And here's a comment via Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation:
"It's wonderful that after nearly half a century, this venerable piece of our city and our neighborhood’s history will finally receive the recognition and protection it deserves and which we fought so hard for.
"We are disappointed that the Landmarks Preservation Commission excluded [the rear structure] from the designation and believe that their doing so was unnecessary. The Commission could have landmarked the entire site and still allowed construction in the rear, but with designation of the entire site they would have ensured that any new construction did not detract from the valuable historic character of this 150 year old religious edifice."
DNAinfo has coverage of the landmarking here.
Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] East 14th St. synagogue on the market for conversion to residential, commercial use
48 years later, East 14th Street synagogue to be considered for landmark designation
[Updated] Tifereth Israel Town & Village Synagogue faces landmark designation today
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