Bowery-based gallery hosting online 'Collect For Cause' exhibition

Pop International Galleries, located at 195 Bowery, is hosting a group charity exhibition titled “Collect For Cause” through June 22.

Here are details via the EVG inbox...

Due to COVID-19, Team POP and its family of artists are taking all necessary precautions by working remotely and staying safe at home. Our hearts and gratitude go out to all essential workers, as well as all those brave frontline workers, doctors and nurses fighting the virus everywhere.

We deeply empathize with those who have been impacted and lost loved ones during this difficult time, and we are particularly mindful of the hunger and homelessness that this pandemic has wrought upon our country.

“Collect For Cause” will support and protect those experiencing hardship and hunger by donating 20 percent of all sales from this exhibition to Feeding America.

Below is the list of participating artists for the “Collect For Cause” exhibition:

Al Diaz

Antonio Reonegro

Boudro

Claw Money

Craig Alan

Dom Pattinson

Fernando “SKI” Romero

Gillie & Marc

Jenna Morello

Mike “2ESAE” Baca

Remi Rough

Robert Mars

Ron English

Sean Sullivan

SEN2

Solus

A special performance and discussion tonight for the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts

The Theater for the New City's 25th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts is taking place online this weekend.

A highlight to note this evening at 8:

A live concert of performances by David Amram, William Electric Black, Phoebe Legere, F. Murray Abraham, Penny Arcade, Austin Pendleton and Charles Busch.

Following their performances, these major LES artists will do a virtual "sit around" and discuss theater, politics and “where we go from here.”

Find the Vimeo link for this program here. And find the full program (PDF) here.

Mikey Likes It returns, and now with delivery

[Photo the other day by Lola Saénz]

Mikey Likes It is back open on Avenue A between 12th Street and 13th Street ... today through Monday, you can order a pint of ice cream via the shop's website and pick it up in person... they are also offering deliveries in Manhattan.

Holiday weekend hours: 2-8 p.m. You can follow along on their Instagram account for updates.

8 blocks of Avenue B are now open for pedestrians and bikers (and local traffic)

Avenue B will be closed to through traffic today and tomorrow from Sixth Street to 14th Street — .39 miles in total ...



This stretch is part of the 13 miles of open streets citywide this weekend that Mayor de Blasio announced yesterday... all being done in an attempt to help residents get some fresh air while social distancing.

Local traffic for pick ups and drop offs as well as deliveries are allowed behind the police barricades.

The hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Reopening day at McSorley's

McSorley's reopened yesterday for take-home service here at 7 E. Seventh St. near Cooper Square.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by and, with permission, took a few quick photos inside ... where owner Teresa Maher de la Haba was busy filling growlers for people to take home...



...and the interior of the saloon remains the same after the longest closure in its 166-year history ...





Patrons aren't permitted inside... you can put in your take-home order at the door ...

Creators of the Mermaid Parade are wrapping up their COVID-19 mask design contest this weekend

View this post on Instagram

We are proud to announce the first of our Mask Design Contest Celebrity Judges: - Former Queen Mermaid Karen "Duff" Duffy - NY State Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus - Actress Debi Mazar - Actress Marisa Tomei How's that for a group of incredible women? Stay tuned for announcements of more judges...maybe even some musical ones! And tell your friends about the contest (https://www.coneyisland.com/mask).

A post shared by Coney Island USA (@coney.island.usa) on May 19, 2020 at 2:10pm PDT

If you're looking for a rainy-day (weekend?) project... there are two days left to submit entries to the Coney Island USA "Put on a Funny Mask Contest."

Here's some info via the contest page:

Coney Island USA, the not-for-profit arts organization that presents the Mermaid Parade and many other programs, have announced that they have created the "Put on a Funny Face Mask Design Contest" — the world's first COVID-19 mask design competition. The online contest will honor the creative efforts of mask makers from around the world.

The contest, which is presented by Spectrum News NY1, will be judged by celebrities from Coney Island and beyond.

Awards will be presented in a wide range of fun categories — with the top category being Best Overall Mask. There is also a special People's Choice category. The general public will have a chance to vote for the People's Choice via an online form that will go live when the entry period for the contest ends on
Memorial Day. Winners are expected to be announced on or about June 1.

Entries are due on Memorial Day. Find details here.

East Village resident Mark Alhadeff, whose Coney Island USA titles include Board Secretary, Contest Czar and Chief Justice for Life of the Mermaid Parade, shared a few of entries so far...

Anthony Whitaker, a 9/11 first responder, created a mask that includes many symbols from his time at Ground Zero...



Based on an upcycled New Orleans Jazz Fest Shirt by Sue Thomas...



From Clash Vicente of the Furies Revenge (a Warriors Cosplay Group) ...



From Annie Rich ...

[Updated] At the COVID-19 testing site at St. Brigid

[Dr. Yomaris Pena]

As noted last week, Somos Community Care opened a temporary COVID-19 testing site behind the former St. Brigid School at 119 Avenue B between Seventh Street and Eighth Street. This testing site, under the guidance of Dr. Yomaris Pena, is just open through this coming Tuesday.

---

Updated 5/26

Th temporary COVID-19 testing site has been extended by a few more weeks.

The site also has new hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As EVG contributor Stacie Joy reports, walk-ins are still possible but they would prefer that you make an appointment. Somos reps also promised better staffing of the phone lines. (Several readers reported that they couldn't get through to make an appointment.)

---

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by for a test. Here's what she had to say about it:

The entire process was quick, free or covered by insurance, and relatively painless. Two phlebotomists were there to take blood — both were very good and kind. Nasal swab COVID testing is available too.

Antibody test results in about 48 to 72 hours, delivered by phone. All in all, a good experience. No appointment necessary, although I had one. You will need ID.

[The phlebotomists]

You enter on Avenue B between the school and the rectory...



Free lunches are available as you leave ... along with free face masks...



Here's the number for an appointment: 1-833-766-6769. The site is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. [Updated: I just went by at 12:30 and it was closed.]

Brick through the front door delays Bali Kitchen's reopening by a day

Bali Kitchen on Fourth Street was set to reopen yesterday for takeout and delivery — until owners David Prettyman and Jazz P. Souisay learned that someone threw a brick through their front door window Thursday night.

As they report: "Fortunately, nothing of value was taken."

They will now be open today at 11:30 a.m. here at 128 E. Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. You can order their Indonesian cuisine in advance via the BK website. You can also be old school and call them at (646) 678-4784.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A visit to Bali Kitchen on 4th Street

Hang on to your Ego

Here's "Ego" from the L.A.-based Moaning's March release Uneasy Laughter on Sub Pop...

Reopenings: Emmy Squared, Swift Hibernian Lounge, Tacos Cholula, Starbucks on 1st Avenue

Emmy Squared returns to service today on First Avenue at Fifth Street for delivery and takeout... they set up the front window for easy pick ups... they are open today through Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. ... Emmy Squared will be back then on Wednesday...



... also back for another weekend... Swift Hibernian Lounge is open over on Fourth Street between the Bowery and Lafayette ...



...they're serving food and drinks to take home from 2 to sundown...



And from the EVG tipline: the Tacos Cholula cart returned earlier this week on Avenue A at Second Street...



Also from the tipline: Starbucks reopened Monday on First Avenue at Third Street...

McSorley's reopens today on 7th Street, and this is what you can expect

McSorley's Old Ale House opens its doors today after more than a two-month-plus closure during the COVID-19 crisis.

Longtime bartender Gregory de la Haba, whose wife, Teresa Maher de la Haba, is the owner, gave us a rundown on what you'll find at the saloon on Seventh Street near Cooper Square.

"We’ll keep a limited menu of burgers, sandwiches and hot dogs," he said of their to-go items. "And we’ll implement all the necessary precautions like wearing face masks, and we've already installed four hand sanitizers with one at the entrance. Doesn’t quite go with the decor of the aged and charred wood but for now who gives a shit. Safety first."

Food aside, they'll also be selling growlers to go. And you can expect to see some familiar faces when picking up food or beer to take home. "We kept all our staff, and everyone wants to get back to work."

This is also the longest the circa-1854 McSorley's has ever been dark.

"Billy McSorley closed the bar for one full week when his father John died in 1910. Hurricane Sandy closed our bar for five days," de la Haba said. "But we had no closures during the Spanish Flu, the Civil War — or the riots due to [the War] — or any other war or outbreak. But this is also the first government mandated closing."

For now, McSorley's will be serving daily from 1 to 8 p.m. for at least the next two weeks while they see what the city does with a reopening plan.

"The uncertainty into the unknown is what’s driving most business owners mad," he said. "And the 25 or 50 percent occupancy will be the nail in the coffin for most — especially if it lasts more than one month."

[Updated] A new oven, and a new era at C&B Cafe

[Photo by Dave on 7th]

The new oven for C&B Cafe arrived yesterday here on Seventh Street near Avenue B.

As we've been noting, chef-owner Ali Sahin held a successful fundraiser to buy a larger, more efficient oven for his cafe at 178 E. Seventh St.

To help stay in business during the COVID-19 PAUSE, Sahin had been baking — and selling out of — between 30 to 40 sourdough boule loaves each day. (He also uses the bread for C&B's sandwiches.)

With a new, larger oven, he'll be able to increase his output as well as offer a wider variety of bread.

Stacie Joy stopped by to check out the new oven, which arrived on a truck from Ohio. Before the professional installation commenced, some neighbors from the building next door showed up to help load the oven inside the space.

To make room for it, Sahin did away with the small seating area in the back...









If all goes well, then the oven will be ready to turn on today...



Updated 5 p.m.

Stacie was there today for the official Oven On moment...

The 2020 [virtual] Loisaida Festival will take place on the next 2 Sunday afternoons

The 33rd annual Loisaida Festival takes place this Memorial Day weekend, though in an obviously modified format.

The festival, which launched in 1987 along Avenue C, will take place on consecutive Sunday afternoons — May 24 and May 31.

A few details:

Honoring our over 30-year tradition, this year we will bring our cultural festival to the virtual realm, reaching thousands of participants in the comfort and safety of their homes.

It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color, ravaging our health, livelihoods, economic stability, and social-emotional well-being. For these and many other reasons, we stand by our belief that “Arts & Culture = Social Justice” and, therefore, the show must go on!

Our [Virtual] Loisaida Festival’s theme Cuenta Con Nosotros – Count On Us! will highlight the unwavering dedication of our Latinx essential workers, who have bravely fought in the frontlines against the ongoing health crisis, as depicted in this year’s beautiful commemorative artwork by local artist María Dominguez.

You can find the streaming links at the official website.

Sen. Hoylman introduces legislation allowing bars and restaurants to continue offering drinks for takeout after COVID-19

[7B via Instagram]

State Sen. Brad Hoylman announced new legislation yesterday that would allow bars and restaurants to continue offering drinks for takeout and delivery for two years after the state disaster emergency expires.

The bill would also provide community boards and local government with the power to conduct oversight that ensures an establishment is operating safely.

"If we want our favorite bars and restaurants to survive the crisis, we’ve got to help them adapt," Hoylman said in a statement. "My new legislation will allow bars and restaurants to provide beer, wine and cocktails for take-out and delivery for two years after the crisis ends, giving these establishments a much-needed lifeline while New York slowly returns to normal."

Per info via Hoylman's office:

The bill includes multiple safeguards to ensure all sales are safe and legal. It would require all alcoholic beverages to be sold in closed/sealed containers, to be accompanied by the purchase of food, and to comply with open container laws.

It would also require the State Liquor Authority (SLA) to conduct regular outreach to municipalities and community boards to solicit comment, and would allow the SLA to hold hearings to decide whether to suspend or revoke a licensee’s ability to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption in response to complaints from community boards or municipalities.

The bill requires the SLA to report to the Governor and the Legislature on the implementation of the law, and to hold public hearings across the state to hear from local communities about how the law has affected them.

New York’s hospitality industry is facing enormous economic pressure from COVID-19. According to a recent report from the New York City Office of Management and Budget (OMB), restaurant revenues declined by nearly 90 percent immediately after the New York on PAUSE regulations took effect.

Benched: City removes seating from Ludlow and Stanton

From the EVG tipline... a reader shared this photo yesterday from Ludlow and Stanton, where city workers removed two four-sided benches that surround trees at this spot.

No word why these benches were deemed disposable... city officials likely wanted one less possible spot for people to potentially congregate as spring moves into the summer... there had been reports of daytime boozing without any social distancing here in Hell Square central.

Thursday's parting shot

Tompkins Square Park view this afternoon...

Takeout openings: William Barnacle Tavern, 2A

The William Barnacle Tavern opened today for take-home drinks here at Theater 80, 80 St. Mark's Place near First Avenue.

Steven ran into proprietor Lorcan Otway, whose bar offerings include mead, an alcohol made from water, honey and yeast...



And 2A has their take-home setup happening at their Second Street window here at Avenue A...



... and there are flyers asking patrons to move along after making their purchase...

Coming of red-tailed age

It's becoming more difficult to see the red-tailed hawk's nest in Tompkins Square Park... however, Goggla was able to manage a few photos of Amelia and Christo's three hawklets last evening... (unfortunately, they wouldn't cooperate and pose for a group shot) ...









As she notes: "They're growing fast and should be ready to fledge in the next couple of weeks." You can find more of her photos here.

Grant Shaffer's NY See

Here's the latest NY See panel, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.

2nd Avenue mainstay B&H Dairy now accepting credit cards and mobile pay

[Image via @bandhdairy]

A quick follow-up about B&H Dairy's reopening ... as noted here, the popular lunch counter (circa 1938) known for its house-baked challah at 127 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place is now open for takeout and deliveries as of this past Saturday.

In the first few days, they were cash only. Now, however, owners Ola and Fawzy Abdelwahed have announced that they're also accepting credit cards and other forms of mobile pay.

There was a lot of enthusiasm when B&H announced its return. Unfortunately, that hasn't translated into actual sales.

In an Instagram post about the credit cards, B&H noted:

We hope this makes ordering easier for everyone. Though we are open for take-out and delivery, we are not yet doing the volume of business needed to sustain being open and it is possible that we may temporarily close again next week.

Before the pandemic we served 200 customers a day. Now we serve 20-30 on a good day.

B&H is taking order by phone only at 212-505-8065 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check their Instagram and Facebook pages for links to the menu and daily specials.

Construction watch: 302 E. 2nd St.

There's plenty of progress to note at 302 E. Second St. between Avenue C and Avenue D where a 14-story affordable housing complex is rising on this long-vacant, city-owned parcel...



The project — called East Village Homes — will feature 45 affordable apartments and a ground-floor community facility.

As Patch reported last fall:

Eight apartments will be for formerly homeless people under Section 8 for incomes up to 20 percent of area median income, seven apartments at 47 percent of AMI, 14 apartments at 77 percent of AMI and 15 apartments at 120 percent of AMI — which ranges from annual incomes less than $15,000 to about $90,000 for a single person.

And a look at the rendering...


[Via Leroy Street Studio]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Here are more details on East Village Homes, the affordable housing set for 2nd Street