AUGUST

2012

LO-DOWN
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News from the Lower East Side

THE

SONS of ESSEX

MY LES Matt Levine of

Also Inside:

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Ed Litvak Editor-in-Chief Traven Rice General Manager/Arts Editor Jennifer Strom Associate Editor Kim Sillen Gledhill Art Director JP Bowersock Contributing Writer Giacinta Frisillo Contributing Writer Vivienne Gucwa Contributing Photographer Cynthia Lamb Contributing Photographer Jac Zagoory Account Executive Intern Joey Rearick Advertising inquiries: ads@thelodownny.com Story tips: tips @ thelodownny.com Contact us: 646-861-1805
The Lo-Down is a publication of Lo-Down Productions LLC, 2012.

THE

LO-DOWN

LO-DOWN
August 2012

THE

letter from the Editor:

Summer, of course, means vacation and relaxation for a lot of people, and in many cases taking a break from the sultry city. But the truth is, New York is kind of great this time of year. Its less crowded and a bit more peaceful than other seasons, when were all trying to get somewhere fast and do a million things at once. The dog days provide an opportunity to slow down, if only for a few hours, to enjoy a place thats easy to take for granted.
This month we offer a guide to making the most of your summer finale. From the parks to the rooftops to the river crossings, there are plenty of warm weather options on the Lower East Side. We hope you will not only read our cover story, but that you actually get out and enjoy some of the small pleasures the neighborhood offers in the summer. Also this month, we are introducing a new contributor, cartoonist and Lower East Side resident Evan Forsch. You may have seen his work in The New Yorker and The Villager. Were excited to have his humorous take on the LES in the magazine. Both in print and online, we strive to reflect the diversity of perspectives in our famously diverse neighborhood. Soon enough, it will be time to shift our focus to the big issues and events that will dominate the fall season. When the time comes, Im sure there will be no shortage of opinions! For now, though, its good to catch our breath and to have a laugh or two. Have a good August.

in this issue

Cover Story

Ten things to do on the Lower East Side before summer ends

New Life For the Jarmulowsk y

A hotel is coming to an LES landmark

11 New Arrivals

Two Hester Street Fair alums open shops, Dudleys, Rustic LES Police shooting, CB3s new chair, Little Jerry on the LES A look at this years Fringe Festival facelift

12 Neighborhood News

Think outside your box.

Schames is MOORE than just paint.
CLEANING SUPPLIES PLUMBING PEST CONTROL ELECTRICAL LOCKS LIGHT BULBS SCREWS & NAILS TOOLS WEATHERPROOFING LADDERS

14 Ar ts Watch

15 The Big Reveal: Clemente Soto Velezs 16 Calendar/Feat ured Events

The Dunes Get Weird, Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, All Tomorrows Parties Spicing it up on the LES

17

J Ps Food Advent ures

WE MAKE KEYS

18 My LES

Matt Levine of Sons of Essex Lower East Sideways

20 Car toon

SCHAMES Paint & Hardware

90 Delancey Street Phone: (212) 673-3860

Cover photo: Hamilton Fish Pool, file photo courtesy of the NYC Parks and Recreation Department Ed Litvak

1 2 To Do
Ten Things

Catch an outdoor film

Theres nothing that says summer in New York City quite like watching a film in the great outdoors. At Tompkins Square Park, theyre showing cult classics, including: Donnie Darko (Aug. 2), The Big Lebowski (Aug. 9) and Poltergeist (Aug. 16). All shows are free and start at sundown. If you dont feel like hoofing it to East 9th Street, the offbeat Rooftop Films series still has a couple of screenings at the very cool Open Road Rooftop, on the top of the Seward Park High School campus (350 Grand St.). On Aug. 10, you can see Only the Young, a coming-of-age documentary about young Christian skateboarders in California. Rooftop Films returns to the LES Aug. 17, with Love Story, a quirky romantic comedy chronicling the summer romance between an unlikely pair in New York City. Admission for each film is $12. Both series include live musical performances. The Main Squeeze Orchestra, everyones favorite all-female accordion band, plays at Tompkins Aug. 9.
Photos courtesy of Vivienne Gucwa, City Parks Foundation, NYC Parks and Recreation and annabanona.com

Before Summer
M

See a show at East River Park

Here on the Lower East Side, SummerStage doesnt come until the end of the season, but the events sponsor, the City Parks Foundation, packs a lot in during a one-week run at the East River Bandshell. This years lineup includes the legendary improv group Upright Citizens Brigade (Aug. 19, 7 p.m.); Dominican salsa singer Jose Alberto (Aug. 21, 7 p.m.); Lyracist Lounges hip-hop showcase featuring Pete Rock and DJ Premier (Aug. 22, 7 p.m.); and an edgy take on Jason and the Argonauts from the Faux-Real Theatre Company (Aug. 25, 8 p.m.) While youre at the historic 1941 amphitheatre, you can admire the newly opened stretch of the East River promenade directly behind the bandshell and to the south. The new recreational space even includes a patch of grass, an ideal spot for a pre-show picnic. East River Amphitheatre, Cherry Street at FDR Drive, free.

Ends
ost of us are tempted to head for the beach or the hills when the temperature soars into the 80s and 90s this time of year. But theres a lot to be said for the city in the summer, especially on the Lower East Side. Theres really not much need for an agenda any time of year in this neighborhood; walking down any side street can reveal something new and interesting. But its easy to take the good stuff for granted, so we offer up a few suggestions for the lazy days of August. There are only 33 days before Labor Day; the frenzied fall months will be here before you know it. So get out there and soak up some of the good things the LES has to offer in the summertime! 4
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Take a lesson In this insanely expensive city, theres an amazing amount of

stuff thats free including lessons for the kids. On Aug. 2 and 7 from 9 a.m. to noon, children ages 5 to 16 can enroll in free tennis lessons in East River Park. On Aug. 3 and 17 from 5 to 7 p.m., the LES Ecology Center offers catch-and-release fishing clinics at the East River Park Fireboat House. The program is for both children and adults.

Swim like an Olympian

Even without its illustrious history, the swimming pool at the Hamilton Fish Recreation Center would be a worthy summertime hangout. Its one of only five Olympic-size outdoor pools operated by the city in Manhattan. Its surrounded by a nicely landscaped park, which features a gorgeous 1898, BeauxArts style gymnasium. The 1952 U.S. Olympic swim team practiced in the Ham Fish pool before heading to the Helsinki games. You have only until Labor Day, Sept. 3, to take the plunge. The 165-foot pool is a great spot for the kids during the day, with free lessons offered for children of all ages. Adults can swim laps in relative tranquility from 7 to 8:30 a.m. weekdays and from 7 p.m. until dusk.

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5 7 6
Visit atocommunity garden activists, the Thanks the efforts of neighborhood
Lower East Side, especially the area above East Houston Street, is fortunate to have quite a few beautiful community gardens. Our favorite spot is the MFinda Kalunga Community Garden, created in 1982 and named in memory of a nearby African-American burial ground. The lush sanctuary, located within Sara D. Roosevelt Park (at Stanton Street), is an ideal place for a weekend picnic. A short walk around the lovingly cared-for flower beds will make you forget youre right in the middle of the gritty city. Hours are limited; MFinda Kalunga is open Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m.; and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. 6
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Appreciate something interesting to see at the New Museum in the galleries, as art and the cityscape Theres always
well as from the seventh-f loor balcony. The Sky Room boasts spectacular views of the Lower Manhattan landscape, from tenements surrounding the Bowery to the East River bridges. Its only open to the public on weekends from 10 a.m. to noon. Once youve gotten your fill of the scenery, head downstairs for a look at Ghosts in the Machine, a recently opened exhibition in three separate galleries that explores our constantly changing relationship with machines and art. Before venturing outside, treat yourself to a glass of fresh lemonade at Birdbath, the museums cafe.

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Walk across the Williamsburg Bridge
It doesnt matter how many times youve done it. The views of the waterfront and the New York City skyline are awe-inspiring from any angle. Plus, theres always something or someone interesting to be found along the 1.3 mile footpath. Upon your arrival in Brooklyn, the dining options are numerous. Within striking distance of the bridge are Marlow & Sons, 81 Broadway, where you can sit outside and enjoy a plate of oysters and a cold beer; festive Brazilian bistro Miss Favela, 57 South Fifth St.; and legendary steakhouse Peter Luger, 178 Broadway, where almost everything is absurdly expensive except the half-pound luncheon burger for $10.50.

Enjoy a cool drink outdoors

It can be quite a scene at the neighborhoods al fresco bars. Our advice: go early and avoid the weekends! Sure, The Delancey (168 Delancey St.) and Hotel Chantelle (92 Ludlow St.) are not exactly neighborhood spots. But its hard to beat the views from their outdoor lounges. The Delanceys lush tropical lounge features a Wednesday night barbecue for $8. At Hotel Chantelle, there are half-priced cocktails until 9 p.m.

The citys hotly anticipated bike share program was delayed last month but is likely to debut just in time for summers last gasp. Lots of stations will be located throughout the Lower East Side, including along the East River, near Sara D. Roosevelt Park and within striking distance of Lower Manhattans bridges. BikeShare is designed for short trips; a 24-hour membership costs $9.95. Sign up at any station kiosk with a credit card and return the bikes to any of the 600 BikeShare locations across the city.

Ride a bike

Eat ice cream!

Be sure to check out our Calendar on page 16 for more don't-miss August activities in the neighborhood.

Il Laboratorio del Gelato, 188 Ludlow St., is the obvious choice for a delectable ice cream cone (or takeout pints) on the Lower East Side. But there are plenty of other options. Dessert Truck Works (recently renamed Cathcart & Reddy) at 6 Clinton St. offers only a few flavors, but theyre all delicious. Theres basic vanilla and chocolate, as well as passionfruit and honey-rosemary. Melt Bakery, 132 Orchard St., offers great ice cream sandwiches, featuring flavors such as cream cheese, egg nog and salted caramel. Also check out the offerings from Adirondack Creamery, founded by Lower East Side resident Paul Nasrani, which is for sale at Pushcart Coffee and Malt & Mold, both on East Broadway at the corner of Clinton Street. Last month, the company released three limited edition summer flavors: Black Raspberry, Strawberry Moon and Coconut. If you find yourself a few blocks to the west, the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, 65 Bayard St., is always a good choice. Almond cookie or lychee ice cream offers a perfect ending to an evening in Chinatown!

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Independent Hotel Planned for Jarmulowsky Bank

By Ed Litvak The 1912 Jarmulowsky Bank building at 54 Canal St. is one of the Lower East Sides architectural jewels. The city designated it an historic landmark three years ago, but the 12-story neoRenaissance-style tower has remained empty for several years. Every so often, rumors have circulated that a national hotel operator planned to revitalize the Jarmulowsky. We can now report that the building is finally undergoing a transformation. DLJ Real Estate Partners bought the building from Lower East Side developer Baruch Singer for $36 million earlier this year. The LoDown has learned that LES architect Ron Castellano and restaurateur Taavo Somer have partnered to turn the Jarmulowsky into a small hotel. Castellano was responsible for the conversion of the historic Forward Building on East Broadway and is a co-founder of the Hester Street Fair. He helped lead the campaign to landmark the Jarmulowsky, as well as the Loews Canal Theatre nearby. Somer is the co-owner of Freemans and Peels, two of the Lower East Sides trendiest restaurants. Hes known, as Bon Appetit put it, for single-handedly ushering in an era of taxidermy and salvaged decor. The Jarmulowsky conversion is an independent project; no regional or national hotel chains are involved, and neither is Singer, the former owner. Castellano and Somer plan to restore the building to its past glory, retaining its historic elements while adding modern design twists. The Jarmulowsky features high ceilings and large windows and offers spectacular views of Lower Manhattan in all directions. The hotel will feature at least one restaurant. Sender Jarmulowsky, the banks founder, was a beloved figure on the Lower East Side, but he died soon after his namesake building opened in 1912. Two years later, the bank was forced to close after a mortgage scandal. Up until several years ago, c o m m e rc i a l b u s i nesses operated out of the upper floors. Scaffolding went up several weeks ago, and work on the buildings plumbing and electrical systems is proceeding before the cosmetic phase of the project begins. Theres no word yet on how long the project is expected to take.

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new arrivals
PRESS TEA (168 Ludlow St.) doesnt serve coffee. That silver steam machine behind the bar is a specialized tea press, used to concoct the meticulously designed blends of partners Kenny Shyu, Gary Ye and Chris Chang, culinary veterans with no interest in serving what everyone else is brewing. For the three of us, its like if you dont enjoy it, dont do it. Dont sell what you dont try yourself. So I dont think we could have sold coffee at all, Shyu said recently. Press Tea serves more than 15 unique varieties of tea, as well as pastries. So far, customers have raved about the Iced Green Tea, especially when its paired with an infusion of pineapple juice, and the Rooibos Iced Latte, a tasty spin on a brilliant red tea traditionally brewed in South Africa.

Press Tea

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MELT BAKERY (132 Orchard St., meltbakery.com) proprietors Julian Plyter and Kareem Hamady have translated two years of Hester Street Fair success into a new permanent brick-and-mortar presence in the neighborhood. Hamady, who has a finance background, met Plyter, the onetime pastry chef at Lever House, during one of the latters popular cooking classes. They soon became business partners and co-conspirators in a plan to re-imagine the traditional ice cream sandwich in artisanal combos such as cream cheese ice cream and red velvet cookies. The new space serves as both a production facility for wholesale orders and a retail operation. The sandwiches are $5 each and orders of a dozen or more are available for delivery. PROHIBITION BAKERY (9 Clinton St., prohibitionbakery.com) is the second Hester Street Fair alumnus launching a permanent outpost in the neighborhood this summer. Brooke Siem and Leslie Feinberg bring their experiences as a classically trained chef and a baker/ bartender, respectively, to the art of liquorinfused cupcakes. Some examples: the Mojito (lime, rum, mint), Sex on the Beach (orange, cranberry, vodka, peach schnapps) and Pretzels & Beer (pale ale, Nutella, pretzel, truffle). RUSTIC L.E.S. (124 Ridge St., rusticlowereastside.
com) serves traditional Moroccan items that should pique the interest of adventurous foodies, including a lamb liver crepinette, wrapped in the thin exterior tissue of lamb stomach, and a whole roasted lamb. Were doing some craziness; were not doing safe, said Yassir Raouli, the Moroccan cuisine guru who also operates the gourmet Bistro Truck with his wife Elsa. The menu at their first brickand-mortar place also features items familiar to fans of the truck. Takeout will be available during lunch and dinner, starting at 11 a.m. each day. Raouli launched his new venture with backing from Smallknot, a crowd-funding website that aims to support locally owned businesses.

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Grilled peaches at Dudleys

Erin Rodriguez erodriguez@fenwickkeats.com Real Estate Salesperson, REALTOR 419 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 www.FenwickKeats.com
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as its happening!

LO-DOWN

DUDLEYS Dudleys (85 Orchard St., dudleysnyc.com), a new AustralianAmerican bistro owned by Nick Mathers of Rubys on Mulberry Street, has taken over the former Little Giant space at the corner of Orchard and Broome. The casual gastropub features a menu of burgers, salads and small plates like grilled peaches with marscapone and arugula, as well as mains that include roasted fluke and chicken schnitzel. Theres a full-service bar as well as a walk-up coffee window, which is apparently all the rage on the LES these days.
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neighborhood news
crime

A man wanted in connection with the June 29 double murder of two Chinatown residents was taken into custody in a dramatic scene at JFK airport on July 16. The man, identified as Songfei Li, was pulled out of his seat on a plane that had been preparing to depart for Hong Kong, police sources told several media outlets. His car had been impounded from a Chinatown street a few days earlier, according to police. Two women, 70-year-old Xiao L. Li and 36-year-old Hua Chen, were found shot in the head in an apartment at 83 Henry St., after firefighters were called to the scene of a blaze that was apparently set in an attempt to cover up the crime. Neither of the women lived at the apartment where they were found. At the time of the killing, police said, Chen had money in her possession that might have come from an underground Chinatown credit system, which is known as the Hui. Participants contribute to a pool of money and they are able to withdraw funds with interest. Investigators are apparently looking into rumors that someone in the Hui feared that Chen, a mother of two young children, might leave the country without repaying the money she had borrowed. The suspect was being held on charges stemming from an unrelated incident in Brooklyn and had not been charged with the murders or the arson as of press time.
real estate

arts

Dead Man Down star Colin Farrell films a scene along Essex Street. man.

A fire at 83 Henry St. led police to a double murder scene.

Heart) and Noomi Rapace (from the Swedish version of Girl With the Dragon Tattoo). During the last week of June, the films production team took over the tennis and basketball courts along Essex Street at Grand Street, as well as the entrance to a Seward Park Co-op building at 383 Grand St. for shooting several scenes. Additional filming took place on Orchard Street in front of Lucky Jacks bar, and other locations around the LES. The film features Farrell as an underworld crime figure who is blackmailed and seduced by a crime victim played by Rapace. Both of the lead actors were on set around Grand and Essex, with Farrell filming a scene on a park bench, and Rapace appearing on the balcony of a 16th-floor apartment in Seward Park Co-op to watch the action below. As filming continued into the night, enormous lights mounted on cranes and rooftops flooded the grounds of the co-op as fans screamed We love you, Colin! from the building. The movie is set for an April 2013 release.
sports

The Lower East Sides landscape will make yet another major motion picture debut next year in a crime thriller called , which stars Colin Farrell (In Bruges, Crazy

politics

is co-director of the Neighborhood Family Services Coalition. Previously Li was CB3s second vice chair. She is the first Chinese-American to serve as chairperson of any New York community board. In recent years, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and City Councilmember Margaret Chin have made it a priority to appoint more Asian members to local community boards. Chinese residents make up more than a third of Community District 3, which encompasses the East Village, the Lower East Side and most of Chinatown. Li came to this country from Hong Kong when she was a little girl. In addition to her role as an advocate for families seeking social services, she served as interim co-chair of the Chinatown Working Group. Li received a B.A. from Smith College and has a Masters Degree in social work from Columbia University. She succeeds Dominic Berg, who will remain on the board but chose not to seek a fifth one-year term as chair. During Bergs tenure, CB3 ended more than 40 years of acrimony, finally approving a plan for the Seward Park redevelopment site. He also was a strong advocate for reclaiming Pier 42 at the end of Montgomery Street. 12
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Community Board 3 elected a new leader, Gigi Li, on June 27. Li, a Chinatown resident,

The New York Mets briefly tenured mascot made a stopover on the Lower East Side a few weeks ago.
Little Jerry Seinfeld, the rally chicken purchased by Mets pitcher Tim Byrddak to bring his team luck in a subway series against the Yankees, spent the night in a Grand Street apartment before heading to her new home upstate. The birds name derives from an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld, in which a rooster, named for Jerry by Kramer, meets his demise in a cockfight. Thanks to LES residents and animal lovers Jeffrey LaPadula and Tisa Smith, the real Little Jerry wont suffer a similar fate. The couple played a key role in rescuing the hen, housing her temporarily at their Hillman Co-op apartment and then escorting her to a farm animal sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y., where she will spend the rest of her days in peace.

crime

A police officer was shot and injured while responding to a call in the Seward Park Extension building at 64 Essex St. during the early hours of July 5.
Officer Brian Groves, 30, was saved by a bulletproof vest during the incident, which occurred in a stairwell of the public housing complex at the corner of Grand and Essex streets. Groves and a partner encountered a gunman while doing a vertical sweep of the building in response to a complaint of criminal activA police sketch of the suspect ity in a stairwell. They gave chase down the stairs. Groves was hit from less than 8 feet away and was briefly hospitalized. Witnesses reported hearing four shots. The blocks around the building were closed to traffic in every direction for several hours after the shooting, which occurred shortly before 4 a.m. Police officers subsequently questioned many residents of the building, and issued a description of the suspect, who was seen leaving the building and remained at large as of press time. He is a 20-year-old black man with a slim build. At the time of the shooting, he was wearing a long black T-shirt and long red basketball shorts with a cream-colored stripe. His hair is styled in corn rows with beads. A total of $22,000 in rewards is being offered for information leading to his arrest; call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
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Several large parcels of Lower East Side land changed hands last month. On lower Es-

sex Street, a development partnership purchased two lots side by side: the former home of the M. Schames Paint Store, one of the LESs oldest businesses; and a vacant lot where a tenement had been demolished. A corporate entity, 3-5 Essex Partners LLC, paid $2.5 million for the Schames property at 3 Essex and $3.5 million for 5 Essex. To the north, a large chunk of East Houston Street is also in the hands of new owners. East Houston Development LLC paid a total of $12.4 million for four properties near Ridge Street. The deal included two vacant lots at 327 and 329 E. Houston St., part of the enormous real estate portfolio amassed by the late William Gottlieb, which sold for $8.4 million, as well as two adjoining parcels at 331 E. Houston and 163 Ridge St., which sold for an additional $4 million.

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arts watch
Photos courtesy of FringeNYC

The Clemente Soto Velez Center, before renovations (left), and after (right). Left photo by Mark LaRosa

FringeNYC

Clemente Soto Velez Gets an Overdue Facelift

By Traven Rice
If you have walked by the corner of Rivington and Suffolk streets recently, you cannot have missed the gleaming, refurbished exterior of the majestic Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Education Center (CSV). The five-story, 98,000-squarefoot Latino/multicultural arts facility has finally unveiled its long-overdue facelift when scaffolding that had concealed the building for 11 years came down last month. The $6 million restoration project, financed by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, began in July 2009, a year after Executive Director Jan Hanvik took the helm at CSV. The building was a shambles when he arrived, with the scaffolding already in place as a safety measure due to the facades poor condition. As far as he knows, it had gone untouched since at least 1973. Its amazing the building was still standing, he said. Walls and wooden frames were just crumbling. Hanvik arrived amid many contentious lawsuits, as some of the artists and organizations in the building were feuding over the management of the facility unhappy with the lack of maintenance and upkeep of the cityowned building. Constructed in 1898, the Dutch Neo-Gothic building was originally a public school (P.S. 160) and functioned as such until the mid-70s. It was more or less abandoned until the early 90s, when it was turned into a cultural center by a writer from Puerto Rico, and actors from Uruguay and the Dominican Republic. It was then named for the respected Puerto Rican poet and activist Clemente Soto Velez. Other artists and organizations quickly moved in to make use of available studio spaces and theaters. Today, it houses four theaters, 43 artist studios, three galleries and 11 nonprofit arts organizations. An additional $4.2 million has been allocated for the next phase of rehabilitation, on the interior. Workers will begin replacing the heating system this fall. After that, the city will start the search for firms interested in leading the interior design phase of the project. Hanvik estimates the interior work will be completed sometime between 2017 and 2019. A brand-new lower level will contain a communal art space, open to the public for classes and workshops. Hanvik also hopes to build some soundproof music studios that would be available to musicians for rehearsals and performances. What I envision is something beautiful and high quality, Hanvik said, while still remaining true to the buildings 1898 origins.

Weird & Wonderful

icks Off Its 16th Y of ear

WORKS

By Giacinta Frisillo
Sixteen years ago, Elena K. Holy had a dilemma. Her young theater company had drawn some recognition for its production of Brian Parks Americana Absurdum so much so that supporters were urging her to take it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The problem was, the troupe couldnt afford the trip. Then came the brainstorm thats now known as the Great Head Thunker. We quickly realized we didnt have the money to get to Scotland, Holy said. Then, suddenly we thought, Wait a minute! Why not do a festival in New York? With that realization, the New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC) was born. Starting as a door-to-door campaign collecting signatures and donations, it has grown into a mainstay not only in this city, but in North America. It has become the largest multi-arts festival on the continent, backed by more than $1 million. From Aug. 10 to Aug. 26, FringeNYC hosts a whopping 1,200 performances by 200 companies spanning 20 downtown venues, all for just $15 per show. FringeNYC is all about showcasing its scrappy downtown personality. This year, organizers are excited to present Fringe Al Fresco with the help of two partnerships: one with Fourth Arts Block, an organization dedicated to creating a cultural district on East 4th Street; and another with the city transportation departments Summer Streets program, which blocks off streets for pedestrians to en(contd. on page 20) 14
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calendar

what to do in

AUGUST

jps food adventures

Neighborhood Spice Hunt
by J.P. Bowersock so well in Thai spicy basil eggplant. If they dont have an item Im looking for, a walk westward to Bangkok Center Grocery at 104 Mosco St. usually solves the problem. The need for Indian ingredients sends me north to Dual Specialty Store at 91 First Ave. Theyve easily got me covered for most ground and whole spices, rice, dried pulses, tea and spice pastes. They also carry dried fruit, nuts, couscous, fresh turmeric, exotic herbs and produce, sweets, Indian convenience foods and a surprisingly large variety of bottled beer. The shop is jam-packed with imported food items some of them unexpected. Looking for Lebanese Zaatar powder or Spanish smoked paprika? Look no further. For Malaysian imports, Hibiscus 2 at 135D Division St. is worth a stop. Its a tiny shop with a small selection of imported foods. The truly adventurous can stock up on fermented shrimp paste here. I go for the curry pastes. Just about any Chinatown grocery carries hot bean paste (toban djan) and Sriracha sauce both of which have become secret weapons among Asian fusion cooks. Huy Fong, the company responsible for Sriracha, also makes a chili garlic sauce. It has the same ingredient list as Sriracha, but a chunkier texture and a better flavor, in my opinion. Its my first choice for adding a little extra heat at the table. Theres a reason why spicy food is popular in places where hot, humid weather is the norm. It may seem inelegant, but a burn in your mouth soon becomes sweat on your skin, which is your bodys natural climate-control system. It works. When the heat gets brutal, some will shut their windows and crank the A/C, but Ill be hitting the hot peppershard.

Visit our CALENDAR online at www.thelodownny.com/calendar for more details on these and other happenings, and to add your own events.
FringeNYC on Fourth: Fourth Arts Block hosts a street festival with popup performances, art installations and previews of all the FringeNYC shows. 1-8 p.m. Also Aug. 19, 25 and 26. Fourth Street between Second Avenue and Bowery, free, fabnyc.org/fringenycon4th (For more on FringeNYCs 16th season, see our story on page 14.)

Thurs.

Shakespeare in the Parking Lots Coriolanus: The Drilling Company presents its political exploration of Shakespeares Roman tragedy in this futuristic take on the classic. Thursday Saturday at 8 p.m. through Aug. 18, municipal parking lot at the corner of Ludlow and Broome streets, free, shakespeareintheparkinglot.com. Still Figuring It Out A Feminist Coming-Of-Age at CULTUREfix: Recession Art offers up a night of performances, readings and screenings, along with a small exhibition of visual work in hopes of challenging any concrete definition of the term feminism. Curated by Ana Alvarez. 7:30 p.m., 9 Clinton St., free, culturefixny.com/artgallery. Sat. 11 Crunk Witch at The Nuyorican: Award-winning zombie-pop duo consisting of noted electronica producer Brandon Miles and Flawed Design entrepreneur Hannah Colleen perform in anticipation of releasing their first full-length album, The Legends Of Manicorn. 6:30 p.m., 236 E. Third St., $10 advance/$15 door, nuyorican.org.

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Sat.

photo: Cynthia Lamb

Thurs.

24

Fri.

Get Weird: Dunes + Household at the New Museum: The museums cutting-edge live music series features an evening with the post-punk L.A. trio the Dunes along with the underground Brooklyn band Household. 7 p.m., 235 Bowery, $12, newmuseum. org/events.

COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER
All Tomorrows Parties at Pier 36, Sept. 2123: The highly regarded British music festival is moving from Asbury Park, N.J., to Pier 36, the Basketball City facility at the end of Montgomery Street. Afghan Whigs singer Greg Dulli is this years curator. Performers include: Philip Glass with Tyondai Braxton, the Roots, Lightning Bolt, the Make-Up, Godspeed You Black Emperor, the Dirty Three and the Antlers, Chavez. Day and weekend passes on sale now. $60-$199, atpfestival.com

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In the winter I dont find myself pining for spicy food, but come summer, Im looking for Mexican, Southeast Asian, Indian and other cuisines that use hot peppers and fresh herbs for a cooling effect. While there are plenty of dining out options in this vein in and around the neighborhood, I find it both enjoyable and cost-effective to cook for myself, even in the summer. And living in a place where exotic spices are easy to find makes doing so far more convenient than it would be for the average home cook. A short walk around the neighborhood leaves me well-stocked for spicy summer cooking. For Mexican ingredients I usually hit the Essex Street Market. Between Viva Fruits and Vegetables and Essex Farm, I can gather a wide variety of products: tortillas, salsas, cheeses, chorizo and other prepared meats, fresh and dried hot peppers, beans and fresh produce. You can even find Mexican sodas, if sweet drinks are your thing. And Brooklyn Taco is located right between these worthy establishments, offering more immediate gratification (and inspiration) at a few bucks a pop. When it comes to Southeast Asian herbs and spices, many Chinatown groceries are happy to oblige. Coconut milk and cans of curry paste are easy to find. Thai basil, lemongrass and Kaffir lime leaves arent too hard to come by, either. My go-to Southeast Asian source is Tan Tin Hung Supermarket at 121 Bowery. I even buy canned wheat gluten (seitan) from them, because it goes

J.P. Bowersock is a professional musician and music producer who has toured the world, eating at top restaurants and hole-in-the-wall joints. He is also a wine consultant and a serious home cook who scours the Lower East Side for frugal food finds in his free time.

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MATT LEVINE

Favorite coffee in the neighborhood? So many good coffee spots in the hood, this is a tough question, but I gotta say either 88 Orchard or Grumpys. Favorite slice in the neighborhood? (or favorite cheap eats) Hmm, you can always randomly catch me grabbing my cheap eats in the Essex Street Market, whether Brooklyn Taco or Saxelby Cheesemongers. And I have to give a shout out to Souvlaki GR; I love me some hummus. Where do you take your visitors when theyre here? Sons of Essex, and soon to be Cocktail Bodega. Favorite dive bar in the neighborhood? 169 Bar is my spot, chill atmosphere for a cocktail, always a cool setting at Pianos, the basement of Hotel Chantelle regularly rocks like an old-school house party, Bondi Road (gonna miss that spot) and Epsteins are my go-tos when the weather is nice, and I really like the vibe at the new spot, Grey Lady ... and then I have a few other local spots that I dont even think have names! How has the neighborhood changed in the last few years? The Lower East Side is known by many for our bars and restaurants, but the recent influx of art galleries and creative agencies has really taken the neighborhood in a great artistic and cultured direction. I also think brands are starting to take notice of the influence the Lower East Side has. You see more and more brands activating in the area, from events to product sampling and seeding. Favorite LES memory? The Lower East Side has such a sense of community, so many of my memories are just being able to kick it, collaborate [with] and support other entrepreneurial spirits, watching their businesses evolve and the overall growth of the LES as a whole. Most recently, being a part of organizing and producing a three-block street fair called DayLife with the Lower East Side Business Improvement District. The support and turnout was overwhelming, and the impact it had on the neighborhood was very rewarding.
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For our regular feature spotlighting the people who live and work on the Lower East Side, we talked recently with Matt Levine of the celebrity hot spot Sons of Essex. What do you do? I wear many different hats (and I purchased them all on Orchard Street. Haha, kidding). Hospitality and operations are my passions. I co-own Cocktail Bodega and Sons of Essex with my business partner, Michael Shah. (I guess you can say I am a restaurateur.) I also own a branding, marketing and special events company based out of the LES, Brandsway Creative, with my business partner there, Kelly Brady. How long have you lived on the LES? Ive lived in the Lower East Side since 2007. 18
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I was drawn to the artistic, creative edge and grit of the LES; the innovation and forwardthinking [mindset] of the neighborhood. Favorite block in the neighborhood? Orchard between Grand and Hester. It has a little bit of everything art galleries, coffee shops, clothing stores, bars and restaurants. The block has a ton of character and personality, along with a true sense of camaraderie and entrepreneurship. Favorite date spot in the neighborhood? Right now, my girlfriend is Cocktail Bodega and my mistress is Sons of Essex, but some of my favorite spots in general are: An Choi, Bacaro, Barrio Chino, Fat Radish, Les Enfants Terribles and Mission Chinese.

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arts watch
(contd. from page 14) joy artistic and cultural events. The Al Fresco street festival will offer play teasers that will do for shows what trailers do for movies, only live, while restaurants on the streets will offer table service. Think of it like a huge block party, said Holy, FringeNYCs cofounder and producing artistic director. The festival showcases pieces that run from the weird to the wonderful. In past years, its helped shows such as Tales from the Tunnel and Silence! The Musical! go on to Off-Broadway triumphs. Others, such as Debbie Does Dallas, and perhaps the best known of all, Urinetown, have made it all the way to successful runs on Broadway. Jonny Savage, a British tourist visiting New York City for the first time to see the festival, loves to take a chance on fringe theater. Its more exciting to be here while theres an event like this going on, Savage said. You get a real feel for the area and its cultural vibe. His boyfriend, Greg Davies, added: Its an inspiration to me as an artist trying to make it. Im excited to see new theater in a city so famous for it. In deciding what shows to see, Savage said, You go and see stuff that you wouldnt think about going to see otherwise. You get a chance to find new things. With sharply rising prices throughout Manhattan, though, its becoming more and more difficult to produce new and independent theater. Troubles range from venues closing due to lack of funding to artists choosing to live in cheaper cities to avoid unreasonable rent. In spite of all this, New York is still a creative destination, and we want to help keep it that way, said Holy. Since the beginning, Holy and her crew have tried to provide the infrastructure and support to f ledgling artists to make indie theater happen. Weve really tried to stay true to our roots and were really proud of that, Holy said. Venues such as The Kraine Theater on East 4th Street and The Studio at Cherry Lane have become staples, with the often sold-out Fringe Fest performances there helping pay the rent for another year. That support base is crucial, Holy said. If I can say one thing, said Holy, it would be thanks! to the Lower East Side, East Village and West Village, too. Thanks because we feel so embraced by downtown and we feel like [youre] proud of us and were just so grateful.

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