'No fire can stop Revolutionary Love'

The Rev. Jacqui Lewis, senior minister at the Middle Collegiate Church, responded on Twitter to the devastating fire that badly damaged the historic church this morning.

We are devastated and crushed that our beloved physical sanctuary at Middle Collegiate Church has burned.

And yet no fire can stop Revolutionary Love. pic.twitter.com/R8D3NVjAiY

— Rev. Jacqui Lewis, PhD (@RevJacquiLewis) December 5, 2020

And from the Church's account...

Thanks to everyone for your support. It means so very much in our overwhelming grief.

The Church is not a building, but buildings matter. This is home.

We’ll have more to say in the days to come, but here’s the link for anyone looking to donate.https://t.co/Rtb3odKP9d

— Middle Church (@middlechurch) December 5, 2020

For anyone interested in making a donation, here's a link. 

The fire started next door in the currently vacant building on the corner. The cause is under investigation. 

Published reports say that the church, built in 1891, has been destroyed. A commanding officer for the FDNY told Sen. Brad Hoylman that the "structure may not stand."   

Photo by 7th Street Neighbor

Updating: Fire engulfs southeast corner of 7th Street and 2nd Avenue; Middle Collegiate Church destroyed

Updated 11 a.m and 2 p.m. The FDNY is investigating the cause of the fire. There are published reports that four firefighters suffered minor injuries. This link has reaction from Middle Collegiate Church officials. Here's a statement from local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera... and an update from the FDNY.

-----

The FDNY is responding to a four-alarm (now five) fire at the southeast corner of Seventh Street and Second Avenue ... early reports (the first came in at 4:30 a.m.) is that the fire has destroyed the currently vacant 48 E. Seventh St. — the site of another blaze back in February. 

Early reports indicate that the fire has spread to the neighboring Middle Collegiate Church... no injuries have been reported...

4-alarm fire in 2nd Ave and 7 Street #EastVillage inside a vacant building and spreads to Middle Collegiate Church. FD reports no injuries and operations ongoing—live report at 6a. @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/qiK5c3H3OI

— 𝐌𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐍. 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 (@MylesMill) December 5, 2020

... other videos show the church engulfed in flames...

Woken by smoke and embers - Middle Collegiate Church burns in East Village - devastating. Was fire next door last Feb that gutted building on E7th St. pic.twitter.com/H4XUgnsC4R

— Revolting Lesbians (@RevoltingDykes) December 5, 2020

From my roof:@middlechurch fire, 5:30am #eastvillagenyc pic.twitter.com/4kTqraiiAU

— Duke Todd (@DukeToddIsAlive) December 5, 2020

Check back for more updates... 

Top photo by EVG reader 2ndAvenueSilverPanther

Updated 9 a.m. 

Back from the scene... the fire is under control... and now you can begin to see the extent of the damage...

Updated 10 a.m. A 7th Street neighbor shared these photos...

... and from Alexander Romanovich...

Updated 10:15 a.m. There are now concerns that the church, erected in 1891, may not stand...

On scene at devastating fire at Middle Collegiate Church, which is completely gutted.

Can’t help but think of comparisons to Notre Dame fire.

Tiffany stained glass windows destroyed.

Commanding officer told me structure may not stand.

Investigators on scene. pic.twitter.com/8uyC7YPU52

— Senator Brad Hoylman (@bradhoylman) December 5, 2020

News break

 

Local duo the Acute (you may have seen them play this year in Tompkins Square Park) recently released an EP titled Infinidy ... the above video is for "Newsical," the first track from the record. 

BTW this is the final Bandcamp Friday of the year, in which the platform foregoes its revenue and gives the bands all the $$$ from the day's sales.

Christmas is 3 weeks from today: Time to buy St. Patrick's Day gear at the Kmart on Astor Place!

Looks like there might be some Easter baskets up on the shelves too here at the Kmart on Astor Place... thanks to Lola Saénz for the photo...

The annual Holiday Tree Lighting in Tompkins Square Park is canceled due to COVID-19

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Albert Fabozzi first planted the much-loved Christmas tree in Tompkins Square Park in 1992 to honor and memorialize his partner, Glenn Barnett, as well as others who died of AIDS. 

The tree was 8 feet tall when he planted it. Today, the tree is well over 50 feet.

This year would have been the 29th anniversary of the lighting ceremony and holiday event, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event has been canceled. 

Albert says, “we will not be meeting as a group, but I have an arrangement with the Parks Department and the tree will be lighted as per usual. We will respect the tradition.” 

The highly anticipated gathering had grown larger every year, and in 2020, due to the pandemic, the Parks Department had required signing off on a three-page stipulation package for the event, which included mandatory physical distancing, masks, plus an on-site security and medical team, and Albert felt it wouldn’t be possible.  

People will still be able to enjoy the “delightfully askew” tree, which will be decorated by the Parks Department and illuminated on Thursday, Dec. 10, at dusk. 

“Due to COVID-19 restrictions and to be respectful of social distancing guidelines, the tree will be lit as per tradition, just with no party,” Albert says. “The neighborhood appreciates and looks forward to seeing the tree and I want to honor that.”

Albert tells me that he’s grateful to the coalition that sponsors the event every year, including Tom Birchard at Veselka, Crystal Field and her Carolers of Olde New York choral group, Third Street Music School Settlement and the Mandel & Lydon Trio, who provide musical accompaniment to the choir. 

He also tells me that this coming year will be his last as leader of the event, that he is looking to turn it over to the coalition, as he’s turned 80 and is ready to just be there to celebrate and participate. 

Additionally, the tree dedication and memorial plaque, which Albert says had been in place for almost 20 years, was stolen earlier this year at the beginning of the quarantine. 

Albert had been cleaning and maintaining the dedication (it had been vandalized from time to time) and now he’s planning on having it replaced, perhaps in bronze. He’s looking forward to next year’s event, and also to passing the baton to the next generation.

You can revisit the previous few years’ coverage here, here, here and here.

A visit to Paradise Alley at Duane Park

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

Since mid-October, 308 Bowery at First Street has been home to Paradise Alley, Duane Park’s elegant outdoor dinner theater.

This twice-nightly COVID-safe outdoor sophisticated supper show includes a reservations-only set-price three-course meal (adult beverages not included), while roving performers and live band ALMALUNA entertain the diners, semi-ensconced behind partitions that block the wind.

Since the event is outdoors, onlookers and passersby get in on the experience as well, and I watch several truckers pause from unloading goods nearby to enjoy ariel artist Marcy Richardson and peignoir-clad glamour burlesque star Tansy as well as contortionist Ellie Steingraeber on the hula-hoops. Knife-tossing Paris the Juggler, magician Albert Cadabra and stripteuse artist Lilin Lace are also on hand keeping the crowd entertained.

Marisa Ferrarin, owner of Duane Park, stops by to chat with my tablemates, Chi Chi Valenti and husband Johnny Dynell. I take a few minutes between performances to ask her some questions about the show, the space, and what live entertainment looks like during the time of coronavirus. 

How did the idea of Paradise Alley at Duane Park come about?
 
After seven months of closure, we felt we had to do something to get everyone back to work and thanks to 310 Bowery Bar next door allowing us to use their sidewalk frontage, we realized we could make it work. The entertainment is a very edited version of what we have been doing for the past 12 years and we are complying with the rules set out by the state so the performances are incidental and all staff, performers, and customers are safe.
 
Were you surprised by the customer reaction and the subsequent need to extend the experience through November? 

No, people are starved for entertainment and what we do is unique in this climate!
 
The performers, including a magician, juggler, aerial and burlesque artists, and musicians have modified their art for an outdoor audience. What factors came into play when creating and producing this experience? How have East Village passersby reacted to the production?
 
Everyone has modified their act slightly to suit the outdoors, but basically, they are still doing what they do best, just without the stage and lights. Passersby are enthralled by what’s going on and often stop to watch. 
 
How does the new-ish 10 p.m. curfew affect the dining and performance experience?
 
We had to act fast to modify our timing to fit in with curfew, but we have done it. Although, people want to stay later to enjoy the vibe.  
 
You are not, at the time of my visit, using space heaters or a tent, and you tell patrons to dress warmly and bring a blanket, how do you plan to extend this al fresco experience when the temperature drops even further?
 
We have tents and heaters ready to go as the weather drops. The tents will modify what we are able to do for the performances, and we are trying to keep those artists engaged as long as possible.

Thoughts on the future of Duane Park as we head into winter? What’s next for the space?
 
We’re hoping to be able to get back inside to do what we do best. We will keep going outside as long as we have to. Everyone is happy to be performing and making customers smile. The Winter Wonderland version of the show is going on now. Tents and a blizzardlike experience for outside for all!
 

This month, Duane Park is now presenting Winter Wonderland on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. (There’s a 5:45-6 and 8 p.m. seating for up to 20 guests.) You can keep up with Duane Park on social media here.

Loverboy has apparently closed on Avenue C

Multiple readers have pointed out that Loverboy has apparently closed on Avenue C at Eighth Street... a reader who lives nearby reports that workers emptied this space this week... 

There isn't any mention of a temporary or permanent closure on the bar-restaurant's website or social media properties.

Loverboy, specializing in pizza and slushy drinks, opened in June 2017 ... from the team behind Mother's Ruin on Spring Street. 

As previously noted, this corner space — in a building owned by Steve Croman — has been home to many concepts in recent years, some forgettable ... the list includes Lumé, the "Epicurean drinkery," ... Life — Kitchen and Bar … which had taken over for Verso. Other restaurants here in the past nine years include Caffe Pepe Rosso and Caffe Cotto. 

Before all this, the storefront once housed an excellent neighborhood bakery … (which apparently Iggy Pop frequented for cake and strong coffee in the early 1990s).

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 and NYC...

A visit to the Tree Riders

The Tree Riders arrived late last week outside St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery here on Second Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street... as they set up to start their 10th season — the longest-tenured tree sellers in the neighborhood — in their usual spot.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy was on hand as the Tree Riders got to work...

... and people were ready to buy a tree for the season...

You can keep up with the Tree Riders via Instagram.