The 34th annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 14, from 4-5 p.m. Parks workers were putting lights on our delightfully askew tree this afternoon. 📷 @staciejoy.bsky.social

The "50 Years of PUNK" show opens tonight (11/28) at the Ki Smith Gallery, 170 Forsyth St. on the LES. We got a sneak preview as John Holmstrom, the co-founder, editor, and illustrator of PUNK Magazine, and Ki Smith set up the show. Up through Jan. 11. Weds-Sun noon-6. 📷 by @staciejoy.bsky.social

For the 1st time, Streecha Ukrainian Kitchen has a menu posted outside its basement spot at 33 E. 7th St. in the East Village. A small but notable addition for a 51-year, no-frills staple run by volunteers to support St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church. Open Fri–Sun, 9–5. 📷 @staciejoy.bsky.social

City officials, the Basquiat family and community members gathered today to unveil “Jean-Michel Basquiat Way” — the stretch of Great Jones St. between the Bowery & Lafayette. The artist lived & worked at 57 Great Jones St. from 1983 until his death in 1988. 📷 by @staciejoy.bsky.social

The best in show today at the 35th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in the East Village — "Cereal Killers." 📷 by @staciejoy.bsky.social

Missing/Stolen Cat signs are up around the East Village for Rhaenyra the Dragon Kitty. The 4-month-old kitten A man took her on Saturday afternoon from MJay Convenience at 44 Avenue A. Leads? Call (929) 584-1084. There is a $500 reward for her return. 📷 @staciejoy.bsky.social

Last night, @idlesband.bsky.social ‪played a surprise (and sweaty) 12-song set at Night Club 101 in the East Village ... ahead of the release of the soundtrack 8/29 for Darren Aronofsky's "Caught Stealing." Pics by @staciejoy.bsky.social

Thanks to @staciejoy.bsky.social for her ongoing attention to this issue...

Last night, Austin Butler, his 'Caught Stealing' co-star Zoë Kravitz & director Darren Aronofsky stopped by the Double Down in the East Village to celebrate the actor's bday. The cake was a lifelike version of Tonic the cat, the feline who plays Bud in the film, out 8/29. 📷 @staciejoy.bsky.social

Crowds packed the new Lidl this morning for the long-awaited grand opening of the German brand's first Lower East Side food market at 408 Grand St. at Clinton. The bakery was a big hit. There was also a union protest to start the day. Pics by @staciejoy.bsky.social

For your #caturday consideration: Introducing Rhaenyra, the Dragon Queen Kitty at the smoke shop on Avenue A between 3rd and 4th streets in the East Village. 📷 @staciejoy.bsky.social

East Village resident Anika Chowdhury appears on season 4 of “The Great American Recipe” on @pbs.org starting tonight (Friday, July 11, 9 pm ET). We’ll be cheering her on as she represents both food and recipes from her native Bangladesh and this neighbor that she loves. 📷 @staciejoy.bsky.social

A new DOT CityBench appeared late Thursday night, midblock on 3rd Street in the East Village, and in front of a residence. The placement has left residents scratching their heads. It is not near any transit, hospital, shopping area, etc. 📷 by @staciejoy.bsky.social

Yesterday afternoon, FDNY Engine 28/Ladder 11 received a call that Nico the cat had escaped and was stuck high up in a tree outside his East Village home. You can read more about the rescue captured by @staciejoy.bsky.social here: evgrieve.com/2025/05/me-w...

This a.m., the Whole Foods Market Daily Shop debuted at 409 E. 14th St. in the East Village/StuyTown.The smaller-format store (10,000 SF) offers more grab-and-go items and a Juice & Java outpost. @staciejoy.bsky.social got a preview yesterday if you want to know more: evgrieve.com/2025/05/firs...

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Lower East Side Film Festival. Here, @staciejoy.bsky.social talks with East Village residents Tony Castle and Roxy Hunt, organizers of the fest that starts on Thursday. evgrieve.com/2025/04/abou...

Boris & Horton, NYC's first dog café when it opened in 2018, is back — this time with new ownership and a fresh vision. The café reopens tomorrow (4/12) on Avenue A in the East Village under owners Carol Krakowski and Ben Kaufman. Details: evgrieve.com/2025/04/firs... 📷 @staciejoy.bsky.social

Mount Sinai Beth Israel closed this morning at 8 despite a legal battle to keep it open. Crews removed signage from the facility on 16th Street and 1st Avenue. The hospital began scaling back services in September 2023 due to financial losses & declining inpatient volumes. 📷 @staciejoy.bsky.social

The latest — and largest — New Colossus Festival is underway with 200+ bands playing at East Village and Lower East Side venues through Sunday. @staciejoy.bsky.social talked with co-founder Steven Matrick about how the Festival has evolved and what to expect this year. evgrieve.com/2025/03/q-wi...

Longtime East Village bar Lucy's begins a new era tomorrow on Avenue A. Lucy's, now owned by Golden Age Hospitality, underwent renovations recently. @staciejoy.bsky.social stopped by a preview night and found the place pretty much like she remembered it — only a bit spiffier. Lucy was there too.

You can read our Q&A with the band here: evgrieve.com/2024/10/band...

Genre Is Death is my favorite local NYC band at the moment... photos here from last week at TV Eye by @staciejoy.bsky.social

Meet Bash, the new puppy that belongs to Will Kroeze, pastor at Trinity Lower East Side... 📷 by @staciejoy.bsky.social

Cookie Puss alert! ICYMI: A Cinnabon/Carvel combo shop is coming to 430 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue in the East Village. It is said to be opening soon, and we can relive childhood memories of cakes like Fudgie the Whale and Cookie Puss! 📷 @staciejoy.bsky.social

This photo from September by @staciejoy.bsky.social was the most liked, commented on, etc., this year over the 'gram. As noted then, the upstairs-downstairs block of Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants at 93 First Ave. was down to one. Bringing this up because ------> 1/2

Day 2 of the Cookie Walk at St. Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Church on Avenue A and 10th Street is today from noon to 3 pm. It's good old-fashioned holiday fun where the Santas aren't obnoxious. Pics from Day 12 by @staciejoy.bsky.social

Remembering Joe Strummer (aka John Graham Mellor), who died on this day in 2002 at age 50. In 2004, Dr. Revolt created the first of several iterations of the Strummer mural outside Niagara on Seventh Street and Avenue A in the East Village. 📷 Friday by @staciejoy.bsky.social

Renovations continue at 101 Avenue A, where the owners of Baby's All Right are teaming up with the Knitting Factory for a new venue called Night Club 101 in the East Village. We got the first look at the work-in-progress space, the former Pyramid Club and Baker Falls. 📷 @staciejoy.bsky.social