Photo by myself, in Tompkins Square Park.
A Boston Terrier wore a sombrero and colorful wrap at Tompkins Square Park, Saturday. He seems oblivious of the paparazzi, snapping photos in the background.
There was a huge crowd of onlookers as dogs went on parade in Tompkins Square Park, Saturday afternoon. It was the 22nd annual Halloween Parade for dogs.
There was a mob scene and tons of people taking photos. This must be what it's like on the red carpet at the Academy Awards? We managed to see only saw a tiny fraction of the dogs, since we arrived a little late and the area was so crowded.
Yes, it's Mr. T, complete with fauxhawk and tiny boxing gloves. He looks deep in thought.
A French bulldog wore an outfit of prison stripes. His hat says 'Bad Dog'. And yet, he is grinning ear to ear.
A pug posed as Evita, in sequins, blonde wig and a ball gown.
Human and canine versions of Wonder Woman.
Goldilocks, I think? I am a little rusty with my fables.
Rupert did not dress in costume, but he was sure to check out those who were!
I've always wanted to go to this parade, but never looked around early enough to know when it was. If you ever want to attend, get there early. This is a hugely popular event, mobbed with people and pets.
For more photos of the parade, click here.
Related posts: All Ears, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Taking a Dip, in Prospect Park Pond, and Dog's Head on the Subway.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Dogs in Costume, at Tompkins Square Park
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Portrait of Two Young Bohemians, in Tompkins Square Park
While at Tompkins Square Park the other week, I noticed a striking couple seated in a quiet corner, on a park bench.
I'm not sure whether Becca and Ludwig were a couple or whether they were just friends. They were nice enough to allow me to take their picture. Ludwig gave me a big smile, but Becca seemed shy and didn't want to look into the camera.
Though they look very 'East Village' (ie; arty, eclectic or un-traditional), neither lives in the neighborhood.
The Portrait Series is a once-in-a-while installment, featuring New Yorkers encountered on the street.
Related posts: Portrait of Style, on the Subway Platform, Portrait of a Dog Owner, in Tompkins Square Park, and Portrait of an Artist, on the Upper East Side.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Drum Circle, in Tompkins Square Park
A drum circle of sorts took place on some benches in Tompkins Square Park, Sunday afternoon.
You could hear the sound of drums across the park. A moment later, another musician joined in on the wood block, standing in front of all the conga drummers. Everyone was out and about, enjoying the vibe and park air.
We had a lovely weekend, after a string of insanely hot days.
Happy Monday, everyone!
Related posts: The Sound of Drums, in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, On Drums and the Brooklyn Bunny, and Swinging to the Welf Dorr Group, at 34th Street.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Occupy Town Square, in Tompkins Square Park
Photo by myself in Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City.
The Occupy Wall Street movement held a peaceful rally Sunday afternoon.
There was a drum circle, loads of signs and general protest about the disparity of wealth in the US. The drum circle was particularly effective - you could hear the persistent thumping for blocks.
Tompkins Square has long been associated with social unrest. In the late '80s, the park was filled with the homeless and was considered dangerous.
Related posts: Occupying Wall Street, One Day at a Time, En Route to a Peaceful Protest, Downtown, and Peace to All.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Portrait of a Dog Owner, in Tompkins Square Park
Photo by myself, in Tompkins Square Park.
Helen, above, has been a New York resident since the late 70's. I met her on a recent cold weekend in Tompkins Square Park. She was wearing white feathers, ear muffs, sunglasses and pink cowboy boots (!). Her dog Bartholomew** is a Boston Terrier, as is our dog, Rupert.
I spoke with Helen briefly about her time in New York. She's lived in the same apartment in Alphabet City for the last 20-some years. Helen is originally from LA. She said that on her first trip to New York, she was overwhelmed by the energy of the city (in a good way).
Helen and I commiserated about how common it is for New Yorkers to move into an apartment and stay, because it's too much trouble to move again. In my case, it was tromping up and down three flights of rickety stairs in the middle of an August heat wave, while the moving truck was creating a traffic jam.
Helen and Bartholomew seemed to know everyone in the dog park and they visit there two or three times a day. Helen was super cool to talk to. We hope to see them next time we swing by the park!
The Portrait Series is a once-in-a-while installment, featuring New Yorkers encountered on the street.
**ps: I might have gotten Bartholomew's name wrong! Please let me know if that's the case!
Related posts: Portrait of a Film Shoot, in Brooklyn Heights, Portrait of a Young Man Without a Home, and Portrait of a Musician, in Midtown.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Don't Litter, in Tompkins Square Park
Photo by myself, in Tompkins Square Park.
Litter is awful to see in the city. You see it on every sidewalk.
This sign in Tompkins Square Park reminds people to properly dispose of their rubbish. We do share this planet, after all.
Can it be the end of 2011 already?! It's hard for me to believe.
I wish to thank all the readers and visitors to my blog. I've enjoyed sharing my experience of New York with you every day. Your comments and visits are what keep me going.
Here's to a happy and healthy 2012! xoxo!
Related posts: Now on Sale, in Midtown, On Mulberry Street and Small Packages, and More Free Hugs, in Union Square. Read more...
Monday, June 13, 2011
A Quick Game, in Tompkins Square Park
Photo by myself in Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City.
A public ping pong table is available for use in Tompkins Square Park. It's set up in cast concrete and has a metal net.
These two fellas played an intense game, Sunday afternoon.
Happy Monday, everyone!
Related posts: A Glimpse into the Orchard Corset Center, on the Lower East Side, Old New York, on the Lower East Side and Making Off with the Lower East Side.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Serenade, in Tompkins Square Park
Photo by myself in Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City.
A young fellow serenaded a woman in Tompkins Square Park, Sunday.
We've had a beautiful weekend here, sunny, in the 60s. My fiance Mark claims that mid-September to mid-October is the best time of year to visit New York. (It helps that his birthday is in mid-October).
So far, Mark has been right. It feels like late Spring, and people are eating and drinking outside. The light quality is incredible, sort of a golden color, perfect for taking photos.
Related posts: On Art and Music, Below Times Square, Halloween Musicians and the NYC Marathon and Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City. Read more...
Sunday, August 8, 2010
On Tompkins Square Music and Japanese Monkeys
Photo by myself in Tompkins Square Park.
A trio of musicians in summer garb convened in Tompkins Square Park.
It's hard to believe it's August already!!
Mark and I will be visiting Japan in late August. It's supposed to be horribly hot and humid, but we're going nonetheless. We'll be seeing Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukuoka. The flight will be looong and we'll only be there for ten days.
Does anyone of my well-traveled readers have suggestions regarding sights to see? I expect much time will be spent wandering around despairingly lost, but I'm hoping we could plan to see at least a handful of places.
Mark wants to visit the Iwatayama Monkey Park in Kyoto. Yes that's right, I will be posting photos of monkeys in the next few weeks! Stay tuned.
Related posts: Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City, Chez Bouley, in Tribeca and Guiseppi Logan, Performing in Tompkins Square Park.
Read more...
Friday, June 4, 2010
Furry Friends in Tompkins Square Park
Photo by myself in Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City.
I took a photo of couple of Rupert's friends last weekend, when we visited the dog run in Tompkins Square Park.
Dog runs in New York are usually split in two - one side is for smaller dogs and one side is for dogs of all sizes. Some smaller dogs, puppies and their owners prefer to hang out with their smaller buddies.
If you are ever in the city with your dog, the dog runs are a great place to visit and socialize with other dogs and their owners. There is usually one dog run per neighborhood or park, and there are well over 100 runs throughout New York City.
Each dog run is equipped with a water fountain for dogs and seating for humans. Most are lined with gravel and some have kiddie pools.
Larger parks, such as Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn, have off leash hours. Before 9 am and after 9 pm, you can let your dog roam free. Of course, there are leash laws in New York. At all times, you must have your dog on a leash.
Curious to know where the dog runs are in New York? Here is an official list.
Related posts: Off Leash in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Sharing a Moment and On the Train.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
On Blooming Trees and New York Apps
Photo by myself in Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City.
It seems like every tree is fully in bloom right now, a mass of yellow or pink. If you have any allergies at all, be sure to bring kleenex.
This week in the Times, there is an article about new apps (application for the iphone) made just for New Yorkers.
Parking spaces are scarce in certain neighborhoods. Park Slope, where Mark and I live, is drastically short on parking space. (As a result, a high percentage of Mini Cooper owners live here).
StreetParkNYC and Roadify allow New York drivers to communicate when they're leaving their precious parking spaces. Meters cost 50 cents per hour and garage parking costs anywhere up to twenty bucks an hour. I'm sure New York will be one of many cities for such applications. I'm sure this will be a default part of navigation devices in the future.
Related posts: Happy Summer, Fall Foliage, in Prospect Park and Tell me about the Rabbits. Read more...
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Guiseppi Logan, Performing in Tompkins Square Park
Photo by myself in Tompkins Square Park, around 8th Street and Avenue A.
The other day I was walking about Alphabet City. I hadn't hadn't much luck with taking photos of people, and Mark and I were about to go home. Then I heard the sound of a saxophone.
A man was hunched over, improvising in Tompkins Square Park. I asked if I could take his photograph.
The man was friendly and played rapidly, the notes tumbling forward. He said he's played in New York and Philadelphia but didn't have any gigs at the moment. He carefully spelled out his name and asked me to look him up on youtube.
It turns out that Giuseppi Logan was something of a figure in the free jazz world in the late 60's. According to Wikipedia, Logan is 75 years young. He's made records. He studied at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
Sadly, Logan's story is one that movies are made of - a precocious youth, loads of talent, drug use and a mysterious disappearance from the music scene. There were queries on messageboards about Logan's whereabouts and rumors of his death.
Guiseppi Logan once lived near Tompkins Square. He was born in Philadelphia.
There are loads of talented people in New York. Why was I so surprised by Logan's history? I must say it was a little like stumbling upon Bobby Fischer playing chess outside in Washington Square. I could have easily walked by and missed the opportunity.
Here's a page devoted to Logan by one of my favorite radio stations, WFMU.
Related posts: All That Jazz, Performing Free in Bryant Park and On Music and Elephants, Underground.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
What's Hopping in the Trees
Photo by myself in Tompkins Square Park, around 6th Street and Avenue A.
After Friday's photo of the giant bunny, I couldn't resist posting a photo of a normal-sized squirrel.
I'm assuming a human New Yorker fashioned this squirrel house and fixed it to a high branch. Whoever did it should rest easy, because the house is being used!
Mr. Squirrel-in-Residence poked his head out for me one recent rainy day. His home, once a mailbox, is decorated with salvaged mosaic tile. He looked content.
I have to say that New Yorkers are soft-hearted folk. Don't believe everything in the press. We are frequently seen rescuing animals, feeding pigeons and watching birds.
Related posts: On Rupert and the Wild Parrots of Brooklyn, Odd and Colorful Birds, in Bryant Park and On Dogs and Dogs.
Read more...
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Ready to Rumble, in Alphabet City
Photo by myself in Alphabet City, on Avenue A and 6th Street.
A large group of about 20 motorcyclists convened in Alphabet City. They roared down the street, causing a minor ruckus. Several bystanders looked on in awe.
I'm not sure whether these folks belonged to the Hells Angels, but they were a startling sight against the backdrop of graffiti. It was early on New Year's Day, and many places were shuttered.
Alphabet City was only recently considered dangerous. Normal people didn't venture into Tompkins Square Park, which was filled with vagrants and homeless people.
The park has been renovated within the last 10 years. I've been visiting the neighborhood more often because of Rupert. He loves the dog run in Tompkins Square Park, which is roomy and usually filled with his Manhattan buddies.
Related posts: Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City, City Portraits - The East Village and The Latest Urban Adventure.
Read more...
Monday, November 9, 2009
Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City
Photo by myself in Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City.
It was a gorgeous day Sunday, which resembled summer. Just about everybody was out walking around, eating on the sidewalk and enjoying themselves.
Mark, Rupert and I spent the afternoon walking around Alphabet City and Tompkins Square Park. Mark lived there years ago, and he was shocked by how the neighborhood has changed.
Many of his old stomping grounds have disappeared. Mark had once cautioned me about Alphabet City before one of my walking tours. 'Watch out around 5th and (Avenue) B,' he'd said.
But there's nothing to worry about. The area is completely and utterly gentrified now. People have brunch. And not just brunch, but prix fixe brunch. There are cheese shops, now. I mean, come on, people!
It's hard to believe that Tompkins Square Park was once riddled with drug dealers and squatters, not so long ago. Now a crowded Farmer's Market is there on weekends. Bushels of local produce, cheeses and cider were on display.
Alphabet City is so named because it spans from Avenue A through Avenue D. It lies just east of the East Village.
Related posts: City Portraits - East Village, Really Living Real Life and Cuppa Joe to Go.
Read more...
Sunday, July 26, 2009
City Portraits - The East Village
Photo by myself somewhere deep in the East Village.
A facade covered in graffiti, chipped concrete steps, an uncovered garbage can.
The East Village is known for being slightly grungy with a touch of Goth. There's a high percentage of Japanese restaurants, cute boutiques and tiny bars.
The result is an eclectic neighborhood that is as ruggedly charming as it is authentic.
Friday Mark and I spent some time in the East Village, one of our favorite areas, partially because of the availability of parking (!).
We brought Rupert in to romp around Tompkins Square Park, which has an enormous new dog run. He befriended a whole pack of dogs, which within minutes of meeting were chasing him around the perimeter.
Here he is with his buddies at the watering hole.
Tompkins Square Park was known for being dangerous not long ago. Today you can still find odd characters sleeping on benches or wandering around. It's not dangerous, but do keep your wits about you.
Just across the street from the park, The Upper Rust, an antiques store with lovely country charm.
Otherwise, the East Village is known for tiny clothing boutiques featuring vintage pieces or individual designers.
The unique interior of Sakaya, a specialty store on East Ninth Street. Here, you can find all the sake you'd like, each in its beautifully designed bottle.
Above, good old St. Mark's Place, a street always crowded with tourists and young kids. Here, you can find all sorts of memorabilia. Take home a t-shirt, piercing or tattoo.
City Portraits is an ongoing, once-in-a-while installment featuring parts of New York.
Related posts: City Portraits - Shelter Island, City Portraits - The High Line, Chelsea and Signs of the Times.
Read more...
