Happy Birthday Lenny Kaye

Lenny Kaye, the influential guitarist and composer perhaps best known for his work with Patti Smith, turned 70 today.

On this occasion, EVG reader Jennifer, who lives on 15th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue, hung a Happy Birthday Lenny Kaye banner from her terrace this morning. (Unfortunately, we didn't get a great shot of it. The winds this morning prevented the banner from staying up for too long.)

Anyway, per Jennifer: "We wanted to salute his many talents!"

There's a sold-out 70th birthday concert tonight at the Bowery Ballroom in his honor.

1st tree arrives in Tompkins Square Park mulch pens

As noted yesterday, MulchFest (sold out, but tix remain on StubHub) is Jan. 7-8.

Ahead of that, workers in Tompkins Square Park erected the holding area for anyone to toss their tree in... and as of this morning, we have our first tree-tossing taker, per this photo by EVG correspondent Steven...



As a reminder from mulch officials, remove all lights, ornaments, stands, plastic bags and gifts from the tree.

Updated 5:57 p.m.

A SECOND TREE HAS ARRIVED!


[Photo by Steven]

2 live music venues, Cake Shop and Elvis Guesthouse, closing after New Year's Eve

[EVG file photo of Elvis Guesthouse]

Live music takes another hit as two venues are shutting down after New Year's Eve.

• Elvis Guesthouse, 85 Avenue A

The bar, located in a subterranean space between Fifth Street and Sixth Street, recently confirmed — via Brooklyn Vegan — the rumors of a pending closure.

The venue opened in early 2015 ... and by November 2015 had drawn complaints from neighbors who say the owners didn't do enough to mitigate the noise from the space. At that time they were said to cut back on the number of shows in the space.

Elvis Guesthouse co-owners Zachary Mexico and Billy Jones, who operate Baby's All Right in Williamsburg, are opening a venue on Lafayette near Astor Place described as an "an indie music hall and restaurant."

• Cake Shop, 152 Ludlow St.

The 11-year-old cafe/live music venue between Stanton and Rivington has had its share of financial struggles ... which owners Nick and Andy Bodor were able to overcome with a crowdfunding campaign in 2012.

Earlier this year, the owners were looking to sell the ground floor cafe/bar while maintaining the well-curated live-music spot downstairs.

BoweryBoogie has more on what's ahead for the space via an email from the Bodors...

We will close for improvements January 1, and reopen as soon as possible, but the end of Cake Shop in its current incarnation is this coming New Year’s Eve. Tonight is the start of some very, very special goodbye shows, and we’d love to see you all!!

Location and sustainability in our current and long running model have been an issue for more than a long time, as I’m sure you’ve heard me whine about for years. As beloved to you and me as it is, we are failing to keep up with the bills, we have been for years. It’s been the longest, most fulfillable, most enjoyable project of my entire life.

You can find a list of their final shows here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Comeback special: Arrow Bar owners opening Elvis Guesthouse on Avenue A

Elvis Guesthouse officially ready for occupancy tonight

Report: Live music ends for now at Elvis Underground

Cake Shop will rock on

9th Street residential garage reveal

The plywood and sidewalk bridge have finally been cleared at 327 E. Ninth St., providing a full reveal of Icon Realty’s six-story, two-unit residential building nearly four years now in the making....



We haven't seen any listings yet for the two units at this site of a former parking lot here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Thanks to EVG contributor Steven for the photos!

Previously on EV Grieve:
The big dig begins for 6-story, 2-unit condo on East 9th Street

East Ninth Street parking lot will yield to 6-floor residential building

Fresh & Co. closes 4th Avenue location

After 21 months on the southeast corner of Fourth Avenue and 13th Street, Fresh & Co. has called it a day...



What was the kale-and-quinoa chainlet's 12th NYC location closed late last week. Fresh fans are directed to nearby locations on Broadway at Waverly and Eighth Street at Mercer...



The last tenant here, Pie Face, didn't fare much better. Before the renovation and rent increase (to $30,000), the previous tenant, Brothers Deli, didn't seem to have any issues with business.

A psychic departs East 14th Street building accused of being a hotel

Over at 536 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, the Psychic (Psychi) Advisor who has operated out of the storefront for years ...



... has been told to vacate by the city...



The DOB website complaint notes this about the space: "illegally converted (west) store to Class A Apt with psychic office w/o providing required means of egress."

There are also complaints of "illegal hotel rooms" in the building. Per one complaint dated Dec. 11 (and left in the DOB ALL-CAP STYLE):

THERE IS A APARTMENT BUILDING BEING USED AS A SHORT STAY HOTEL.PEOPLE ARE CONSTANTLY COMING AND GOING. I SPOKE TO A RENTER AND THEY SAID THEY WERE STAYING FOR THIRTY DAYS. I HAVE IT ON VIDEO TAPE.

The building's longtime owner is listed as Betty & Lilly Corp.

In any event, this space is likely more attractive these days ... just two storefronts away from the new mixed-used building going in at 524 E. 14th St., where luxury housing and some retail are on the way.

For further reading:
"What Does the Future Hold for the City’s Tarot Card Readers and Fortune-Tellers?" (The Commercial Observer)

Thanks to Michael Paul for the photos!

Dahlia's Tapas Wine Bar appears closed for good

Last week, we noted that Dahlia's Tapas Wine Bar at 214 E. Ninth St. between Second Avenue and Third Avenue had been closed of late during posted business hours.

A look inside yesterday reveals an interior in disarray ...



There aren't any signs up for patrons about a closure... and no one answers the phone.

The owners also operated Dahlia’s, the Mexican restaurant on Second Avenue and Fifth Street that the SLA busted for allegedly serving 50 minors last January. The restaurant closed in May.

Report: 2 people stabbed at 1 Haven Plaza

A man and woman were stabbed by a neighbor who has a history of emotional problems, according to published reports.

The attack happened this morning before 9 inside 1 Haven Plaza on Avenue C near 12th Street.

The suspect, who lives on the 19th floor, reportedly ran down to the 8th floor where he stabbed a man and his daughter, who is deaf, following a dispute.

Per the Post: "The suspect, in his 30s, who neighbors say lives on the 19th floor with his mother and suffers from mental-health issues, was taken into police custody after he led officers on a brief chase."

It was not clear what led to the attack. The victims were taken to Bellevue.

Per one report:

Friends told NBC 4 New York at the scene that the suspected stabber had texted a friend several days ago that he was going to "snap" and wanted to go back into the church where he wanted to be a minister. He may have recently broken up with his girlfriend.

The suspect and the male victim were martial arts partners and played music together, friends said.

Noted

Spotted on Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue by Derek Berg...

Annual Boxing Day Coat Drive today at Jimmy's No. 43

The annual Boxing Day Coat Drive is today (2-11 p.m.) at Jimmy's No. 43. Donate a new or gently used coat, get a free pint. Coats will be donated to the Mary House Catholic Worker on Third Street.

Jimmy's is at 43 E. Seventh St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

Noted

I was walking south on Fourth Avenue this morning around 9:15... I noticed just a few people standing outside the new Tim Ho Wan at 10th Street. Lines had been back to 11th Street when it opened on Dec. 16. Perhaps the holiday season curtailed the lines?

Oh! The line was on 10th Street, maybe 30 deep...



Lunch service during Tim Ho Wan's soft-open phase starts at 10 a.m.

The grand opening for this first U.S. location of the Hong Kong-based, Michelin-starred dim sum parlor is Jan. 18.

The eerie splendor of an abandoned Union Square Holiday Market

The annual Holiday Market was up and running from Nov. 17 through Dec. 24... EVG reader Harry Weiner shared these photos from yesterday, showing the empty structures waiting for removal for another season...