Photo by myself in Union Square.
A protest was held in Union Square, Tuesday evening in memory of Kalief Browder, a young man who endured three years imprisonment at Riker's Island without having been convicted of any crime.
Kalief spent 400 days in solitary confinement and multiple beatings from prison guards. Kalief was only 16 when he entered the jail, which houses adults. Released in 2013, he committed suicide earlier this month.
Known here simply as 'Rikers', the prison is located in the Bronx and has a long, terrible history of violence and abuse. From many published accounts, Rikers is in dire need of reform. Tuesday's protest is one of a series of events. A march to shut down the prison is scheduled for June 27.
I was very moved by the protest. The sincerity of these strangers for a New Yorker they never knew was touching, and I could not fathom how much senseless pain this young man suffered.
For an article about Kalief in the New Yorker, click here.
For an article in the NY Daily News, click here.
Related posts: Occupy Town Square, in Tompkins Square Park, Women in Black, Against War, and En Route to a Peaceful Protest, Downtown.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Protest for Kalief Browder, in Union Square
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Drinks on 16th Street
Photo by myself on 16th Street and Fifth Avenue.
We're having some coolish, nice weather now, interspersed with some rainy days. It is the ideal time of year to dine and drink on the sidewalk, even with the occasional trash.
Related posts: In Neon, on Seventh Avenue, Evening, on Sixth Avenue, and Under Lamplight, in Park Slope.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
A Moment, in Union Square
Photo by myself in Union Square, at 14th Street and Fifth Avenue.
A man wearing a Chicago Bulls uniform and hat of feathers sat alongside the subway entrance at Union Square. In his hand he carried some sort of voodoo cane decorated with bones.
Meanwhile in the background, another man did push ups.
I was a little worried about taking this photo, since the man wearing the feathers seemed very upset. He was muttering angrily to himself about the Hare Krishna group dancing about, some 20 paces away.
Related posts: Crochet Lady, in Midtown, Green Man, in Washington Square Park, and Funky Chicken, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Signs on Third Avenue
Photo by myself, around 17th Street and Third Avenue, near Union Square.
Signs and old storefronts make up a lot of each street. Not everything is brand-spanking new here, thank goodness. You can get free newspapers in the colored plastic bins on the sidewalk.
Third Avenue is crowded with dry cleaners, grocery stores, specialty stores and the like. Most of the time, there are apartments on the upper floors.
Stores are usually located on the north-south running avenues, and the majority of brownstones and apartments are located on the narrower streets.
Related posts: Death Before Decaf, in Brooklyn, Seeking Help, on the Upper East Side, and Lit Up on Fifth Avenue.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Bright Stalls at the Union Square Holiday Market
Photo by myself in Union Square.
The holiday market in Union Square was in full swing, Friday night.
Brightly lit stalls are selling jewelry, lamps, hats, scarves, art and everything else you could think of. People were browsing around and enjoying the festive atmosphere.
It was a chilly night, but loads of people were out, enjoying the end of the work week. The market has been a recurring fixture for the last 18 years! They will be open every night til 8pm through Dec. 24th.
For a little bit more about the market, see their website here.
One of many stalls selling ethnic art.
These days, people are under the impression that architects just press a button and things are done. Not so! And in the world of real estate every day means a lot of money. So the anxiety level is very high.
I am incredibly excited to soon be working on an apartment on Fifth Avenue, near the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art, at 86th Street). We just finished up an apartment at 83rd and Madison, nearby. Stay tuned for more photos from that neighborhood (!).
Related posts: This Season at the Union Square Holiday Market, It's Christmas All Year, at the Grand Central Market, and Holiday Cheer, Already in Bryant Park. Read more...
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Eye-Popping Signage at Pop Pub, on University Place
The giant cut-out sign at the pick-up window at Pop Pub is visible from the sidewalk. The descriptions advertise the scrumptious menu to the street.
Pop Burger is a chain, with three locations in the city. The other locations are at 58th Street in Midtown and Ninth Avenue and 15th Street, in Chelsea.
Besides burgers, sandwiches and salads, other pub food is available, such as pork chops, fried calamari and fish and chips (!). There is a full list of beers and wine available.
I haven't eaten at Pop Burger, and reviews are mixed. As with any restaurant, do read reviews before going.
You can see their menus and even order online from the Pop Burger website, here.
Related posts: Outside Memphis, on Broadway, Lit Up, on Fifth Avenue, and The Ghostly Glow of Times Square.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Thinking Outside the Box, in Union Square
An Occupy Wall Street demonstration was held some weeks ago in Union Square.
The Occupy movement has dispersed from its original location in Zuccati Park, near the World Trade Center. The mayor had the park cleared out when businesses started to be affected by the crowds and news cameras.
You now see smaller, transient groups of people with signs of protest in various locations, including Union Square and Tompkins Square Park.
Related posts: Occupy Town Square, in Tompkins Square Park, Occupy Wall Street, One Day at a Time, and Tibetans of the World Unite.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Hurdy Gurdy Player, in Union Square
A fellow named Davin sang along to an instrument called a hurdy gurdy in Union Square, Thursday evening. I'd never seen one of these before, though wikipedia says they are common in European folk music.
A crank on the bottom of the instrument turns a wooden wheel, which rubs against six strings. The result sounds like a nasally, stringed version of the bagpipes. Meanwhile, the player presses keys with the other hand to change the pitch.
At one point, Davin rubbed the wheel with a square of rosin, the same stuff that violinists use on their bows. The rosin maintains the friction between the wheel and the strings, which creates the nasally sound.
I managed to speak with Davin for just a minute, between songs. He said he fell in love with the instrument after hearing it by sheer accident. When I got home, a quick search on youtube shows Davin playing in the same area just last night (!).
Related posts: The Morning Serenade, Young Man, on the Subway Platform, and The King of Song, Below Ground.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
A Dash of Color, Below Union Square
We had a brief glimmer of sun the other day, but it's been raining just about every minute this week.
I took this photo because of the building across the street looked European. The sunlight was hitting the windows, casting reflections everywhere.
Related posts: The New York Public Library, Awash in Blue, Portrait of a Skateboard Artist, on Prince Street, and Portrait of a New Yorker in Fashion.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Balancing Act, Near Union Square
A giant bronze statue of an elephant standing on its trunk has been located at the corner of Union Square. People lounged in the comfort of its shade, last week.
The statue was installed last September. It will only remain there another couple weeks, until the end of May. The statue has stood in Madrid and Barcelona.
The statue is the work of Spanish artist Miguel Barcelo. It stands 26-feet tall and weighs a whopping 5-tons. The artist worked with engineers to ensure that when erected, the elephant would not topple over (!)
For a bit more about the statue, click here.
Related posts: Zodiac Heads, Outside the Plaza Hotel, The Sign of the White Rabbit, on Houston Street, and Through the Looking Glass, in Midtown.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Free Massages, in Union Square
A fellow wandered around Union Square the other day, bearing a sign for free massages.
I didn't see a line forming around him and I couldn't figure out the catch?
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Occupy Wall Street, in Union Square
Friday, the Occupy Wall Street protest continued peacefully in Union Square.
Above, a fellow in color dress carried a sign that read 'Money is the route of all bullsh-t'. Behind me, a few policemen stood quietly on watch for any funny business.
I was near Union Square doing errands on Friday, getting some last-minute things for my vacation.
People had left the office early, and we had flooded the sidewalks to enjoy the beautiful Spring day. There was a general hubbub of excitement for the long weekend ahead.
And I had one of those moments, where I was missing New York before I'd even left. This happens often, where I simply fall in love with the city. Sometimes I get that feeling and I'm not even leaving!
Related posts: Occupy Town Square, in Tompkins Square Park, Occuying Wall Street, One Day at a Time, and En Route to a Peaceful Protest, Downtown. Read more...
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
This Season, at the Union Square Holiday Market
Photo by myself in Union Square.
The holiday markets at Union Square are in full swing. From now until Christmas Eve, you can browse hundreds of outdoor kiosks for arty gifts.
There are few things resembling plastic here, and nothing is wrapped in plastic. There are no 'name brands' or electronics, from what I could tell. The vibe is 'handmade' or at least looking handmade, and therefore unique.
There is a lot of winter gear (hats, scarves, mittens), doodads (desktop sculptures, wind chimes, buddhas, candles), art and jewelry. You could easily spend an hour or two, browsing.
The usual animal hats and scarves are available, with or without pom poms.
Decorative objects and colorful ornaments make shopping tough. How does one choose?
Some kiosks offer food and hot drinks, to fortify weary shoppers.
Many shoppers were eyeing the fine art and jewelry displays.
For the holiday market site, including a link to the vendor list, click
here.
Related posts: 100-Vendors Selling at Union Square Market, 'Tis the Season, from Herald Square, and The Markets in Union Square.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Get Your Paper Here, at Union Square
Photo by myself outside the subway station in Union Square.
A woman handed out free newspapers at the Union Square subway station, Monday morning.
At most major subway stations, papers are given out to morning commuters. The papers are financed through paid advertising.
Often the first thing you see after huffing up the stairs is a hand, waving a paper in your face. Nice! The foot traffic getting up the stairs is often slowed as a result.
Related posts: The Throngs in Union Square, In Line, On the Phone, and Read All About It.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Busking, Below Union Square
Photo by myself, below Union Square.
Union Square is one of the more popular subway stations for musical performers.
Above, I'm not sure whether these fellows are still celebrating Halloween or whether they dislike being photographed. I haven't seen them before.
They played electronica to an interested audience, Tuesday night. This station gets a ton of foot traffic crossing between the many subway lines that stop here.
'Busking' is a term for earning a living by performing in public. There is no shortage of performers here in NYC. Someone is always tooting or banging a drum or singing or doing backflips.
Or even posing half naked while doing so.
Related posts: Subway Jam Session, The Jazzman, 34th Street, and Sound the Horns, in Union Square.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Night View, from Union Square
Photo by myself in Union Square, around 14th Street and Broadway.
Tons of people were walking around and hanging out in Union Square, Monday night.
This is a major subway station, since several different lines intersect here, including express trains. Much of the open area is paved with asphalt pavers. There are landscaped areas too, a fountain and a dog run.
Some snobs claim to never venture north of 14th Street, for whatever reason. I'm not sure why!
Related posts: Union Square is Where It's At, Grains of Sand, in Union Square and Live Music, Union Square.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Sleeping it off, on University Place
Photo by myself on University Place and 13th Street.
We had a lot of rain, Wednesday night.
A homeless or very, very tired person took a break from the rain under a canopy. Behind him is one of the Ralph Lauren Rugby stores in the city.
Related posts: The World Walks by, on Fifth Avenue, Worthy Causes and Society's Trash.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
In the Sun and in Shades, near Union Square
Photo by myself near Union Square, at 15th Street and Union Square West.
It's been sunny here, with low humidity for now.
Crowds of people were walking around shopping, Saturday afternoon. The sidewalks were crowded with folks enjoying the nice weather and outdoor street fairs.
Related posts: Uggs in Times Square, Beautiful People, East Village and Fall Fashion Week, Bryant Park.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Pizza Truck, Only a Buck
Photo by myself along Union Square West.
New Yorkers have a love affair with their pizza.
The pizza served by this truck must be good, since the truck is covered with graffiti. A sign on the truck says 'If you like our pizza, sign our truck'.
I'm sure the price tag (a dollar a slice) makes this pizza taste even better. To make it easy, they make only one flavor of pizza, which is made right on the truck.
To check where the truck plans to be every day, you can tune into Twitter (pizzatrucknyc) or check out their website, here.
I'm out in Los Angeles until Tuesday. Posts will continue here as usual.
Related posts: Pizza, Pizza, Greetings from a New York Pie, in Midtown and Food, Glorious Food.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Looking Twice, the Platform at Union Square
Photo by myself at Union Square subway station.
The lighting at the platforms at Union Square is pretty damned great.
The platforms are washed in light, while the tracks are relatively dark. The result is dramatic and stage-like.
Mark is away on business in LA (Los Angeles). Without him here, I couldn't figure out which photo was better of the same scene. What do you think?
There are more people in focus and in frame in the photo below, but I like the stance of the red-headed woman in photo above. She provides a central focus.
I'll be off for a long weekend, joining Mark in LA starting today (Thursday). Hooray!
Daily photos will continue here. Same bat-time, same bat-channel.
Related posts: Across the Platform, at 59th Street, A Moment on the Subway Platform and The Elevated Tracks in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
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