Monday, January 26, 2015

Ain't Nothing But A Party

I sent my daughter a birthday gift two months ago. It fell into the Bermuda Triangle for seven weeks and remarkably returned to me intact last Friday. I'm blaming the French P.O. The U.S.P.S. did a great job. Bored, I decided to throw Alison's bday gift a party. The DVD's are set up, the cat's set up, we have refreshments and the Giants Bad Call Brick & Ali's gift has her lucky hat on. "Go Giants! Bruuuuuuce!"


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

A Vision on Bleecker Street

 21-19 Bleecker Street ~ 2015
Last night, I got off the #6 train at Bleecker Street early for a Jonatha Brooke show at Subculture and walked around. Down to LaSalle Academy's old building next to NYC Marble Cemetery on 2nd Street east of Second Avenue, along Bond Street and The Bowery and back up to Bleecker Street towards Lafayette. The one thought in my head coming back up Bleecker: I still an urge to punch Carmelo Spinelli in the mouth. No, not just for looking at me funny, I haven't seen him since LaSalle graduation on June 12, 1972. No, I wanted to pop Carmelo for another reason.

1968, my mother's torturing my fourteen year old sad-sack body with yells, pushes and shoves to get up, "you're going to be friggin' late again!" Ten minutes later, another push out the door for a run/walk to the subway and ride to school that took a little over an hour.

Arriving downtown on the #6 Local, I'd run up the stairs pushing through other almost late LaSalle students who had no interest in seeing Brother Michael Dean of Discipline's sick smile waiting for late students, or better for him and worse for you, late without ties.
72 yearbook

Carmelo "Don Mel" Spinelli
I'm on my way down the north side of Bleecker Street towards The Bowery  and who pops out one of these doorways (houses in the photo on top) whistling and tying a perfect Windsor knot in his tie like he doesn't have a care in the world?
Carmelo Spinelli, and he says to me, "Hi, Boyass!"

I still can't tie a tie well. I wore a clip-on Freshman year until I couldn't handle the humiliation anymore. Even the lunch lady made fun of me.

For that alone, I want to hammer my red LaSalle schoolbag over his head, but all I'm feeling is deep sadness thinking he gets to sleep an hour longer than me every Monday to Friday morning.

Our antagonism lasted until Veterans Day in our junior year 1971. On the old grass field on 15th Street right off the FDR Drive next to the Con Ed plant my classmates and Yorkville friends played a tackle football game in the rain against Carmelo's classmates and his Little Italy buddies. We beat them on a pass I threw to Kevin King, a 6'6" stick figure of athletic excellence. Nothing like contact sports to stop the bullshit between snotty boys. After that game, we called each other whatever we wanted with a smile and respect.  

Back on Bleecker Street last night, Jonatha Brooke was excellent.

Our "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" finale at Cornelia Street Cafe is Tuesday Feb 10th. It's a good one to go out on.  Our artists: Barbara Aliprantis, Phillip Giambri, Jim Hawkins, Adam Wade and Sherryl Marshall, one of my favorite musical talents on the planet will present a showcase set.

Monday, January 19, 2015

Touchstone Palaces of My Youth



In yesterday's New York Times, Nathaniel Adams wrote about three surviving palatial movie theaters, "A Return to the Wonder Years." I visited one of the three cathedrals in March 2012 and wrote the piece below. On the bottom here is a link to more photos from a memorable night.

Touchstone palaces of my youth: old Yankee Stadium, the original 86th Street movie houses and in distant third place various churches. Something holy happened to me in each of these temples. Churches are still here, but don’t hold my attention like they used to. Old Yankee Stadium was buried under the horrible renovation after the 1973 season. The RKO and Loew’s theatres on East 86th Street were chopped up shortly after the 1960s. 

Yesterday, I took a trip on the PATH train to the classic Loew’s Jersey Theatre at Journal Square. This beauty opened in 1929 same year my Dad was born. It has 3100 seats, same size as the old 86th Street RKO.  Secret, don’t tell anybody: the Yorkville RKO’s Lounge downstairs under the lobby was huge with lots of comfy furniture, a giant black table and several paintings (huge one of "standing  in a boat not too smart" George Washington crossing the river). Matching the lounge's size, the urinals in the men’s room were mammoth. Top of one came up to my eight year old head. When we played hide and seek in the RKO after watching the movie twice we’d hide in the urinals.

The urinals are not over-sized at the Loew’s  Jersey but everything else about it made me feel like an explorer breaking through the bush and finding an ancient city.  From outside the theatre you barely get a sense of the majesty beyond the gold doors. All the luxurious decorations inside help you suspend your disbelief for a few hours and transport you to another world.  Last night, I went to the land of the “Dude.” The film was “The Big Lebowski.” I felt safe knowing, “the Dude abides.”  By the way, before the film we were entertained by an organ that rose from the orchestra pit. This was a blow my mind bonus since the Yorkville theatres had no live music when I was a boy.  You had to go to Radio City for that. Visit the Loew's Jersey if you can, it will not disappoint.

Thank you, Eric Vetter, for turning me on to this treasure, I had a blast. 



on sale



Below are pictures from Loew’s Jersey Theatre and a link to a hundred other photographs.

























Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Passing Time ~ Stoops to Nuts on Cornelia Street

Michael Schwartz
We had a blast last night at the "Penultimate City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" at Cornelia Street Cafe. Thank you, Don Rosler, Michael Schwartz, Robert White, Judith Heineman and Michael Braudy for rocking the Cafe. Your stories were wonderful. Thank you, Paul Jones & Robin for terrific service, and thank you, to the Cafe's family for letting us play.

I was touched by the full room of friends. I watched the eyes of the engaged crowd as the music and stories flowed and saw why storytelling is so important in our lives. It soothes and fills emotional gaps that strengthen our connection to each other.
Robert White


Our last Stoops to Nuts show at Cornelia Street is Tuesday Feb 10th. We're going to drop a bomb on you. Our artists: Barbara Aliprantis, Phillip Giambri, Jim Hawkins, Adam Wade & Sherryl Marshall, one of my favorite musical talents on the planet will present a showcase set.

If you would like to check out my memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood," it's available at Logos Bookstore, 1575 York Avenue, or buy it online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or other booksellers.


Don Rosler

Judith Heiniman & Michael Braudy

Cornelia St Cafe

"Stoops to Nuts" crowd

Bleecker Street




Monday, January 12, 2015

Stoops to Nuts Tomorrow & Safety Last


The penultimate "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" @ Cornelia Street Cafe is tomorrow, Tuesday, January 13th @ 6pm.  Our show is a love letter to street life, the neighborhood and the characters in it.  Our artistsJudith HeinemanDon RoslerMichael Schwartz & Robert White (Hunter College's best teacher ever) ~ $ 8 admission includes a free drink, I'm your host and I'm telling one from my memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." 

If you read my book, please post a few honest words on Amazon and/or B&N ~ Thank you, everyone who has put a review up for me.

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Safety Last

I strolled the neighborhood with Dad all the time. Whenever I could I tried to direct our walk past Rappaport's Toy Bazaar on the east side of Third Avenue between 78th and 79th Streets. They had gorgeous model sailboats in the display window perfect for cruising Central Park's sailboat lake, south of the Alice in Wonderland statute. I pictured myself in my captain's cap directing my "Flying Dutchman" over the sea just off Fifth Avenue.
One day in the early 1960s, I got Dad to turn left on 79th Street putting us directly in front of Rappaport's. It was Saturday, and the street was crowded with people. Dad grabbed my hand and we did a punt return dance through and around most of the folks. I wanted to stop and pitch Dad on the boats, he wanted to get to 72nd Street to meet a friend. As he pulled me forward and I pulled him back, a tall man said, "Hi, Tommy." I said, "Hi, John." Dad gave me a funny look and we kept going. Crossing 78th Street a short chubby man with a moustache said, "Hey, Tommy." I said, " Hi, Jeff."

Once we were on the sidewalk, Dad stopped dead and twisted my head with his hand straight up so we made eye contact.
"Who the hell were those two men?" 
"Oh, they're Emergency Room doctors at Lenox Hill." 



Dad shook his head and we kept walking.

Later that night, Dad said to Mom, "I think Tommy should wear his football helmet all the time." The look on Mom's face said she was giving the idea strong consideration. I had no defense. My stitch collection was starting to make my face look like a hockey goaltender. A clumsy fellow, I regularly fell off the ten cent rides in front of Woolworth's, Lamston's and Grant's. 

Friday, January 9, 2015

Penultimate Stoops to Nuts is This Tuesday, January 13th

Tommy @ Cornelia St Cafe in 2008
The penultimate "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" @ Cornelia Street Cafe is next Tuesday, January 13th @ 6pm. 

Our show is a merge of storytelling and narrative song - a love letter to street life, the neighborhood and the characters in it. Our artists: Judith Heineman, Don Rosler, Michael Schwartz & Robert White. (Hunter College's best teacher ever
 
$ 8 admission includes a free drink, I'm your host and I'm telling one from my book, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." This is our next to last show at the Cafe. I thank everyone who's been onboard these past five years, especially, the Cornelia Street Cafe's family for letting us play in your yard. 

Our final "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" show at the Cafe is Feb 10th @ 6pm. 

Han's Duck friend


Mr. Beller's Neighborhood published "Two Guys Talking on the Corner." A story from my memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." (YBK Publishers) 

Thank you, Mr. Beller's!

The book's on sale at Logos Bookstore, 1575 York Avenue. If you're not local, buy the book online at Amazon, B&N and other booksellers. If you admire Mr. Peabody & Sherman, or H.G. Wells, you'll love the story. If you like the story, the book will provide a ride on the WABAC Machine to street life in your old neighborhood when you were a kid.




Mom pitching to Tommy in Central Park -1962


n/e cor 84th & York Ave - 2014

n/e cor of 84th & York Ave - 1945

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

My Book Excerpt Published in Mr. Beller's Neighborhood

Mr. Beller's Neighborhood published "Two Guys Talking on the Corner." A story from my memoir, "I Hate the Dallas  Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." (YBK Publishers)

Thank you, Mr. Beller's!

The book's on sale at Logos Bookstore, 1575 York Avenue. If you're not local, buy the book online at Amazon, B&N and other booksellers.

If you admire Mr. Peabody & Sherman, or H.G. Wells, you'll love the story. If you like the story, the book will provide a ride on the WABAC Machine to street life in your old neighborhood when you were a kid. 





The penultimate "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" @ Cornelia Street Cafe @ Tuesday, Jan 13th @ 6pm. A merge of storytelling and narrative song ~ a love letter to street life, the neighborhood and the characters in it. Our artistsJudith HeinemanDon RoslerMichael Schwartz & Robert White. (Hunter College's best teacher ever) - $ 8 admission includes a free drink, I'm your host, and I'm telling one from my book, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." This is our next to last show at the Cafe. I thank everyone who's been onboard these past five years, especially, the Cornelia Street Cafe's family for letting us play in your yard. Our final "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" show is Feb 10th.


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If you like Jean Shepherd's 'A Christmas Story" you'll love my book, promise. 






is perfect for the big kid in your life.


Praise for the book ~ ( if you read it, please say a few honest words online in booksellers reviews section)

“Thomas R. Pryor has written a sweet, funny, loving memoir of growing up old-school in a colorful New York neighborhood. A story of sports, family, and boyhood, you’ll be able to all but taste, smell, and feel this vanished world.”
—Kevin Baker, author of the novels Dreamland, Paradise Alley, and Strivers Row





“Tommy Pryor’s New York boyhood…was the mid-century coming of age of all of us. A rousing read.”
—Robert Lipsyte, author and former city and sports columnist, The New York Times


“Pryor could take a felt hat and make it funny.”
—Barbara Turner-Vesselago, author of Writing Without A Parachute: The Art of Freefall


“Pryor burrows into the terrain of his childhood with a longing and obsessiveness so powerful it feels like you are reading a memoir about his first great love.”
—Thomas Beller, author of J.D. Salinger: The Escape Artist






“I wasn’t alive for the New York Thomas Pryor writes about, but thanks to his brilliant, honest, and hilarious book, I feel like I was there.”
—Dave Hill, comedian and author of Tasteful Nudes