Scott LynchGood morning, East Village.
Brad Hoylman has announced that he’ll run for Tom Duane’s state senate seat. His announcement, reprinted on Politicker, touts his record as chair of Community Board 2 and a Democratic District Leader: “I have helped secure two new public schools; won concessions from developers to scale back and mitigate inappropriate proposals; advanced landmarking and rezoning efforts that preserved historic buildings and neighborhoods; created an innovative legal defense fund for rent stabilized tenants; and brokered a deal that allowed for the long-stalled renovation of Washington Square Park.”
The Lo-Down reports that the LES Business Improvement District is planning a spin-off group called the Lower East Side Development Corp, a non-profit entity that would focus on “initiatives that involve capital expenditures.” A small business incubator is one idea and the East Village may be included in its coverage area.
Fourth Arts Block tells The Local it’s holding a fundraiser raffle at The Standard East Village on June 19. $45 gets you entry into the penthouse party, $85 gets you four drink tickets and a chance to win a Pennsylvania farmhouse stay, and $150 gets you perks like an open bar and more. You can purchase tickets here.
At his favorite restaurant, Lucien, Taylor Mead talks to the Paris Review about his days at Max’s Kansas City, Mudd Club, and later Mars Bar, where he hung out until a bartender insulted him. He’s worried that his local bodega is becoming a boutique, but says, “I love my neighborhood. And I love the new yuppies, they’re very nice. They help me get out of cabs.”
The Lo-Down notes that “a venerable Who’s Who of the downtown theater scene” has contributed to Chris Tanner’s latest production at La MaMa, which is “a collage of scenes, songs, poetry, music and dance that explores the ‘Etiquette of Death.'”
Crush New York reviews the Thai spot Bodhi Tree on Third Avenue and recommends that you “get the table by the window (excellent for people watching/playing ‘count the hipster’.”
Finally, check out this video of a snakehandler on St. Marks Place: “This guy brought his pet snakes out onto the street and had a tip jar next to them,” reads the YouTube caption. “The video shows two intermingled snakes, one light brown and the other dark camouflage.”
