Saturday, August 9, 2025

A glimpse of last night's almost-full Moon

A dispatch from Felton Davis of the Second Avenue Star Watchers... five months into retirement... 
Can't believe we dragged the telescope out at 9:30 pm, when the almost-full Moon rose up very low on the horizon. It disappeared behind the trees within minutes of rising and was not visible until much later, going down over the Public Hotel.
You can read more about Felton in this article by Elizabeth Kuster (who does not accept his retirement!) in Astronomy Magazine: Felton Davis: The Sidewalk Astronomer of Second Avenue.

Previously on EV Grieve

Friday, August 8, 2025

Friday's parting shot

The pedestrian safety island garden on the northwest corner of First Avenue and Seventh Street is looking splendid

Thanks to the volunteers from Tile Bar and elsewhere for maintaining this space... (and please don't pick the sunflowers).

A 'Rough' patch

 

95 Bulls are first up tomorrow afternoon for Day 1 of the free Show Brain Festival in Tompkins Square Park. 

The above video is for "It Was Rough."

More portraits of bands playing the Show Brain stage in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy 

This summer, we've been taking portraits of some of the bands playing the free Show Brain-sponsored shows in Tompkins Square Park (herehere, and here). 

Going back to July 26 for this show... featuring Avishag Cohen Rodrigues ...
... and Two Man Giant Squid...
... and one of the most cinematic bands we've seen in the park — P.H.0. ...
Thanks to Show Brain's Ozzie (on the right) for organizing so many free, all-ages shows... including the Show Brain Festival this weekend.

Friday's opening shot

Thanks to Roger Bultot for this photo from along the East River... providing a sneak preview of August's full moon — aka the sturgeon moon. Details here.

Thursday, August 7, 2025

A tree grows on 1st Avenue

EVG reader William Klayer shares this photo of a freshly planted tree on the west side of First Avenue between Ninth Street and 10th Street... it's not one usually planed by the city... so perhaps a business owner, landlord or resident(s) were responsible?

Report: 1 of the young hawks from Tompkins Square Park has died

Photo from June by Steven 

Goggla has the sad confirmation of a rumor that circulated toward the end of July: One of the red-tailed hawk fledglings has died. 

The young hawk was found dead on a fire escape along Avenue C on July 27. 

Per Goggla
It's not known exactly what happened, but the situation looked a lot like one we saw in 2022 when a fledgling had to be rescued from a fire escape after displaying obvious signs of illness. In that case, the theory was it had been weakened by rodenticide poisoning and died just a few hours after being rescued.
The Department of Environmental Conservation has the deceased hawk, and hopefully, they can determine the cause of death. 

In more positive news, the other two 2025 offspring of Amelia and Charlie remain active in the park this week, Goggla reports (even nabbing their own meals!).

This marked Amelia's eighth season raising chicks in Tompkins.

See some free live music this weekend in Tompkins Square Park at the Show Brain Festival

This weekend marks the third annual Show Brain Festival in Tompkins Square Park, two afternoons of free, all-ages concerts. 

Here's how the show is shaping up now (more bands are being added to the bill for Sunday): 

Saturday
• The Thing 
• 95 Bulls

Sunday 
• Fine Mess 

You can follow Show Brain on Instagram for band updates and set times.

Openings: Stashed Goods on Houston

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Stashed Goods recently debuted at 305 E. Houston St. 

The shop, between Clinton and Attorney, specializes in new and used luxury goods and streetwear, with a buy/sell/trade counter and authenticator. They have a buy-outright policy for cash or store credit, no consignment. 

East Village resident Angel Ramirez, who previously ran Angels on A, teamed up with (below) Tashi Fu and Donny Walter for the business...
Ramirez's sister, Nicole Cosme, is the store manager...
On a recent visit, the shop had a well-stocked selection of sneakers...
... and streetwear brands...
Hours: Monday-Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. You can follow the shop on Instagram here.

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

At the National Night Out Against Crime event on 5th Street

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Dozens of local residents turned out yesterday for the annual National Night Out Against Crime event that took place at 70 locations citywide... including outside the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

(Apologies for NOT telling you in advance. We wanted less competition for the free hamburgers and jumbo franks.) 

Guests included McGruff the Crime Dog — the original true crime influencer...
... and Fabien Levy, deputy mayor for communications, who handed out several neighborhood commendations (congrats to EVG regular Carol from East 5th Street on receiving one!).
The community-building event included plenty of activities and games (with prizes) for kids, such as the bouncy dragon-horse race that we were too tall to enter.
...and the aforementioned grill spread...
Games and food aside, it was an easy way to meet local officers and learn about available programs for residents... sharing information for victims of domestic violence...

Noted

EVG reader Richard Hutt shares this photo, noting a new product arriving at Union Market on A and Houston earlier today...

Historic 9 Bleecker St. has a new owner

The for-sale signs are down at 9 Bleecker St., the three-story townhouse just west of the Bowery. 

According to public records, the historic building has a new owner — listed only as 9 Noho New York LLC with an Albany, N.Y. address. 

No. 9 arrived on the sales market last December with a $6.6 million ask. (The recorded sale price earlier this summer was $5.7 million.)

This past November, after 10 years at No. 9, Overthrow closed its boxing gym on the ground floor. As ownership wrote on Instagram: "Unfortunately, we took on immense debt during and post-Covid, which kept the doors open, but we can no longer afford our current lease, and the building has been listed for sale by the owner, making staying open unsustainable." 

This one-time home (41 years) of the Yippies, named and created by Abbie Hoffman and Paul Krassner, ended in January 2014 after a protracted legal battle. (Read this archived story in the Times for all the legal wrangling and history.) 

Overthrow was named after one of the countercultural newspapers that the Yippies published here.

New owner, old address — the future of 9 Bleecker St. is TBD. The sales listing for No. 9 stated that it "is primed for transformation into a single-family residence, multi-family with retail, or retained as a prime commercial investment."

Here's hoping whoever moves in has at least some appreciation for the history that has passed through those doors.

Openings: The Re:Shop on 12th Street

The Re:Shop is the latest vintage clothing entry (as of this past Friday) in the East Village with a storefront at 523 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

This is the newest outpost for the family-owned business that "offers a unique combination of vintage, trade, and upcycled fashion while also promoting sustainability and increasing awareness of the effects of global waste."

The Re:Shop takes over the space from SLCT Stock NYC, whose owner decided to move on after four years here.

Need a hand keeping tabs on all the local thrift shops? Check out the East Village Vintage Clothing Map via the East Village Cintage Collective here.

Openings: KEBABISHQ on 2nd Avenue

KEBABISHQ debuts today at 128 Second Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place. (Signage alert here.) 

The quick-serve spot comes via Chef Vamshi Adi (above left), who opened Ishq at 202 Avenue A last year (and later a Bib Gourmand recipient) and Gazba at 179 Essex St. just below Houston before that.

Here, he's joined by co-owner Neel Mittal. They're keeping the focus tight: freshly made kebabs (with halal meats and vegan options), a few sides, and some classic Indian drinks like mango lassi and chai.

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, from noon to 10:30 p.m. Delivery will also be available via the usual apps. Find the website here.

This is the latest quick-serve concept for the space (RIP Seasoned Vegan Real Quick, among others) since the Stage, the 35-year-old lunch counter, closed in March 2016 following an ongoing legal/eviction battle with landlord Icon Realty.  

Signage alert: Godunk on the Bowery

Signage is up now for Godunk at 332 Bowery. 

The quick-serve establishment will serve Thai street food from this space between Great Jones and Bond. 

Per the business Instagram account: "Born from a love of bold flavour, big energy, analog soul. More than just a place to eat, it's a vibe." 

Community Board 2 approved a liquor license for Godunk this past December. 

Since 2013, the storefront housed retail, including Burkleman, which later relocated, and Intermix.

Previously, it was the well-worn deli-grocery Steve's on the Bowery.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Tonight's fiery sunset

Cecil Scheib shared these photos this evening... as the Canadian wildfires created another photogenic sunset...
NYC was under a second day of an air-quality alert... with improvements reportedly by Thursday.

Aug . 5

Not sure what it is about early August that's making people decide to discard a Christmas tree. Quitters!

Reader-submitted photo from 11th Street between First Aveune and Second Avenue.

RIP Oswald 'Ozzie' Rodriguez Jr.

The La MaMa theater community is mourning the loss of Oswald "Ozzie" Rodriguez Jr., who passed away on July 24. He was 81.

A passionate artist, playwright, actor, and longtime steward of La MaMa's history, Rodriguez dedicated decades to the East Village's legendary experimental theater on Fourth Street. 

Here is more from LaMama
It is with profound sadness that La MaMa announces the passing of our beloved Archive Director Ozzie Rodriguez (2/20/1944 – 7/24/2025). His love of and dedication to La MaMa, his careful stewardship of the Archive and his abiding friendship will be sorely missed by all of us. We send our love and prayers to his family and all those near and dear to him. We mourn with them the monumental loss of this great man. Our hearts are broken. 
He joined La MaMa in the early 1970s as a resident director under founder Ellen Stewart. In 1987, he became director of the La MaMa Archive, where he helped preserve and share the history of the Off-Off-Broadway movement. His dedication ensured that generations to come could access the stories, artifacts, and spirit of La MaMa's groundbreaking work. 

A bilingual playwright and actor, Rodriguez also founded two experimental theater companies and mentored countless artists. He is remembered not only for his stewardship of La MaMa's legacy, but also for his warmth, generosity, and belief in the power of community theater. 

LaMama is inviting friends and colleagues to leave their remembrances at this link. While plans are still underway for an official memorial celebration, an informal gathering will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at the Community Arts Space, 74A E. Fourth St., between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

 For more on the La MaMa Archive, which Rodriguez helped shape into a vital resource, visit this link.

Monday, August 4, 2025

Aug. 4

Thank you to the kind EVG reader for sharing this photo from along 14th Street in Stuy Town early this evening.

Unsure if the trash bag atop the tree is a disguise or a hat. (Or, possibly, both.)

Sunday in Tompkins Square Park

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Yesterday marked day 2 of the free shows commemorating the 37th anniversary of the Tompkins Square Park police riot of Aug. 6, 1988

Although there was a good-sized crowd, it wasn't quite the stage-diving free-for-all we saw during parts of Saturday's shows

The afternoon also served as the Rock Against Racism concert, originally scheduled for May 4 in Washington Square Park but postponed due to rain

Bands yesterday included Frida Kill (below)...
The band told us this after the show: 
Getting asked to play Tompkins is a huge honor for the band. Half our band grew up going to the free shows in Tompkins — and being asked to come and play feels very full circle. The Tompkins Square punk community is such an important part of the East Village’s history and continuing to have excellent shows that are free and accessible to everyone is crucial — especially right now.
The afternoon concluded with headliners Rebelmatic...
... and in the crowd...