Sunday, February 28, 2016

Giving Thanks to Tenement Moms

So I walk into the house in 1964, I’m 10, and the first thing I see is a pair of bare legs on the inside of a closed window and the rest of the body isn’t in the apartment. I’m praying to God whoever it is doesn’t fall, the soapy glass prevents a clean identification of the person sitting on the outside sill, but I kind of figure it’s my mother by the unmistakable fluffy slippers dangling from her toes. Now I’m flipping out because I’m scared of heights. She’s four stories up, 50 feet smack over the concrete backyard. My heart’s outside my chest doing a Mexican Bean dance on my T-Shirt. Finally an arm starts swirling away the soapy water and I see Mom’s face through the glass and she smiles at me. I love that smile, and for a brief moment I was not frightened for her I was just amazed at how hard she worked to keep our small apartment clean.

 


When I was boy right through my teens, if I was away a day or longer from the house she’d surprise me and cleaned my room like something out of a movie. It looked so good I thought I was in Beaver Cleaver’s bedroom. This blew my mind, I’d run through the apartment and grab my mother and kiss her over and over saying, "thank you, Uncle Mommy, thank you." All Mom said while being tackled, “Watch my head, I don’t like people touching my head.”
Mom thanks the photographer with a look


Yesterday, I washed eight windows. When I got to my daughter’s room I felt Mom’s spirit sweep through me, she made several passes. As I cleaned my daughter’s space (dusted the old knick-knacks, too) Mom stayed with me for two hours. I began to feel the love and enjoyment she experienced doing this for me countless times many years ago.

Growing up, my family and all my friends lived in small spaces, most with two or more kids. A New York tenement mother has a wicked tough job. Keeping a home when the challenges to clean and organized it are near insurmountable. I don’t know about you, but from what I saw, I think most tenement moms had a brittle grip on their sanity. But their love was so sturdy it never left.
Dish towel attached to Mom's shoulder


When I was I polishing my mother’s bone china pieces and her Aries figure, behind me I felt that same smile I saw through the soapy window when I was 10. Thank you, Mom.


Mom with the Smile I love

An injured mouse receives visitors at his hospital bed

Work to do

Daughter''s room cleaned.



My room after Mom cleaned it.



Starting March 30th, I'm working with the New York Public Library's Neighborhood Oral History Project, "Upper East Side Story." Details on this project in the next few days. If you lived on the East Side between 59th St. & 96th St. for 25 or more years (the longer the better) and you would like me to interview you about your history in the neighborhood, please email me at tommy.pryor@gmail.com. An easy conversation where I listen to you talk about where you came from. Your recollections will become part of the permanent record at NYPL, available for the public to hear.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Perfect Bridge Walk on George's Birthday

George Washington's wealth primarily came from making and selling whiskey. Yesterday, on his birthday (people of certain age remember such things) I walked over the Brooklyn Bridge to a storytelling event at a senior center. I thought about our first President as I strolled and felt high from the beauty of all around, the bridge, the city, the bay and the river.

Looking around I drifted away and imagined seeing George and Martha after his 1789 inauguration denying a ride in their royal coach in order to walk from City Hall on Wall Street up Broadway to St. Paul's Chapel. As they walked and stiffly acknowledged the crowd, I saw George looking around at the semi-rebuilt, burnt-out Broadway and thinking to himself about a mysterious fire on Sept 19, 1776 that destroyed 500 houses from Broadway to the Hudson.


ps the reason the pix of 100 Gold Street's north side facing the bridge is here ~ the fifth window from the right on the top floor was my affordable housing office for seven years. That view mentally saved me from probable work-site violence a few times.

More photos here.

"City Boy," Thomas Pryor's play in progress is a love letter to long gone street life and Yorkville, the Upper Eastside New York neighborhood. The show's timing coincides with the opening of the Second Avenue Subway - an event that's triggered a surge of tenement demolition and hi-rise construction not seen since the Third Avenue El came down in 1955. The area's character is slipping away (along with its street light). Sharing our memories for posterity in photographs, voice and on paper reinforces Yorkville's rich history. (Thank you, Joe Dettmore, for creating this film)




Check out my 1960s memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." at Logos Book Store, or purchase the book online at Amazon (114 five-star reviews out of 114 posted) or Barnes & Noble ~ and buy "River to River ~ New York Scenes From a Bicycle" my photography portfolio online.

Street life seen through 53 stories and 90 photos

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Surreal Losers Lounge Bowie Tribute At Joe's Pub

"Had to call someone, so I picked on you."

The Losers Lounge sent nothing but love to Bowie last night at Joe's Pub. Dropped my camera yesterday, and it didn't bounce. Focus and light are off. So, last night the only decent shots involved right light, luck and Claudia Chopek & Eleanor Nortonhad to scoot and stop blocking my view.

When the stars aligned, I took pictures of Katia Floreska, Paul Oakley Stovall, David Nagler, Connie Petruk, Julian Maile, Dan Lipsitz & Joe McGinty. Wonderful show, bad camera.

Something happened on the day he died
Spirit rose a metre and stepped aside
Somebody else took his place, and bravely cried:
(I'm a blackstar, I'm a blackstar)

Monday, February 15, 2016

Stoops to Nuts Valentine Show @ Ryan's Daughter


Thomas Pryor presents: "My Aim Is True" ~ Stoops to Nuts Valentine Show @Ryan's Daughter was a blast. On the coldest New York City Valentine's Day in one hundred years, 85th Street rocked, folked & R&Bed out with Nina & Son ( Nina Terhune​, David Terhune) and Eric Vetter & The Summer Replacements (last night's formation: Alex De Suze​, Jordan Okrend​, Fernando Morales Gonzales & Richard Binder). Thank you to both bands, the audience ate you up. Nicole Ferraro​, star of FRIGID New York presents: "Why So Much Shame?" - a solo show by Nicole Ferraro​, told a crushing tale of loss and pain from her brilliant work that opens this Wednesday in the first of five performances.

Here is a link to more photos from "My Aim Is True."

Thank you, to Karen & Lars for keeping the customers satisfied and your professional sound & lights. Thank you to Jim, Mick & Walter​ and the entire Ryans Daughter​ gang for treating me and my guests like we are family. Thank you, Joe Dettmore​ for creating the "City Boy" film clip (link here), everyone loved it.

Thank you, to a brave audience whose radiant love kept us all warm. hugs to all, Tommy.
ps so David Terhune​ comes up to me right before his set and asked me to take a few pictures of him & Nina with his camera, I say sure. Then it hits me, I'm doing too much at once and I've forgotten to take photos of Eric​ & The Summer Replacements​.

Then I notice the kid below making faces at me, mouthing but not speaking the word, "asshole." He's a big Summer Replacements fan, and told me I didn't have my head on straight and to make up for it by finding some good shots of the gang from previous Stoops to Nuts appearances at Ryans Daughter​. Nicole's shots were mostly yucky, my camera is on the fritz, so I added some of her prep shots at Ryan's from last time we were there.



The Yorkville ghosts came in from the cold and swirled around the room and through the artists and audience for four hours. It was a sweet comforting wind.









Sunday, February 14, 2016

It's Show Time ! ~ Stoops to Nuts, Today, 3-6pm @ Ryan's Daughter

Carmine

"Hi, Carmine the Bulldog here. I own this park, I just let you borrow it. I'm a guy so popular they named a street after me ~ so I'm delivering the straight dope.

Before your big date today, Sunday, Feb 14th, come to Ryans Daughter at 3pm and you can sink back into the warm haven of a lost world ~ NYC street life in the 1960s; with music by (Nina & Son) Nina Terhune & David Terhune and Eric Vetter & The Summer Replacements featuring: Alex De Suze, Fernando Morales Gonzales, Jordan Okrend & Richard Binder.

Thomas Pryor will share sections of his upcoming play, "City Boy." Show ends at 6pm (we will go later if people wish to stick around for more stories & music), you'll have plenty of time to make your dinner reservation with your honey. 

Thomas Pryor presents: "My Aim Is True" ~ Stoops to Nuts Valentine Show @Ryan's Daughter.

It's Valentine Day, but the show ends at 6. Afterwards, take your squeeze to dinner ~ or order in during the show. Ryan's has menus for local restaurants and fast food. No problem. Or make a reservation. Below are fine restaurants within blocks of Ryan's."

Arturo's, 1617 York Ave, corner of 85 St & York Ave

Wa Jeal Sichuan Chili House , 1588 2nd Ave, (212) 396-3339,

Cavatappo Grill, 1712 1st Ave, b/t 88th St & 89th St, (929) 529-7018

Uva, 1486 2nd Ave, # (212) 472-4552, website uvanyc.com

if you're broke or ordering in: good burger: Mansion Diner, corner of 86 St & York Ave.

Our show upstairs is a tie in with Ryan's Daughter's "Blind Date Billiards Championship" on the first floor, today, Sunday, 3-7pm. Gentleman Walter Michael DeForest is your host. You're in good hands at Ryan's Daughter.

If you can't get there by 3pm feel free to come later, we may be there as late as 730-8pm

Walter and Tommy @Ryan's Daughter @ 2015





Check out my 1960s memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." at Logos Book Store, or purchase the book online at Amazon (114 five-star reviews out of 114 posted) or Barnes & Noble ~ and buy "River to River ~ New York Scenes From a Bicycle" my photography portfolio online.

Street life seen through 53 stories and 90 photos



Friday, February 12, 2016

Heads Up! City Boy's Coming!


Be careful today, if you are on or near York Ave. & 83 St. I'm getting ready for Sunday. Thomas Pryor presents: "My Aim Is True" ~ Stoops to Nuts Valentine Show @Ryan's Daughter

Thank you, Joe Dettmore, for the terrific art work. Thank you, Robert (Dad) Pryor, for right after taking this photo knowing I wouldn't break and stopping the bike before it & I flew into the street bed ~ Christmas 1960.



Check out my 1960s memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." at Logos Book Store, or purchase the book online at Amazon (114 five-star reviews out of 114 posted) or Barnes & Noble ~ and buy "River to River ~ New York Scenes From a Bicycle" my photography portfolio online.

Street life seen through 53 stories and 90 photos

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Storytelling & Music @ Ryan's Daughter, Sunday Afternoon

"Where are my friends?"
Storytelling & Music
Thomas Pryor presents: "My Aim Is True"
Stoops to Nuts Valentine Show
Ryan's Daughter, 350 E. 85th Street
Sunday, February 14th @ 3pm to 6pm

Pryor performs sections from his new play, "City Boy,"
a love letter to street life and our neighborhood.

Our musical artists: Nina & Son (David Terhune & Nina Terhune) and Eric Vetter with Alex DeSuze, Fernando Morales Gonzales, Jordan Okrend and Richard Binder.


"I know you miss me, and I miss you."


Check out my 1960s memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." at Logos Book Store, or purchase the book online at Amazon (114 five-star reviews out of 114 posted) or Barnes & Noble ~ and buy "River to River ~ New York Scenes From a Bicycle" my photography portfolio online.

Street life seen through 53 stories and 90 photos




Sunday, February 7, 2016

York Avenue, Sunday Morning (1939)


Armin Landeck, American, 1905-1984: “York Avenue, Sunday Morning,” 1939; drypoint. Ackland Art Museum, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The Hunter and Cathy Allen Collection, 2013.21.26

I found this work this morning, thought the subject was perfect as a borrow for this page.


Tricia Alexandro @ Stoops To Nuts @ Ryan's Daughter
Mark your calendar. Valentine's Day, February 14th, a special Stoops to Nuts show at Ryans Daughter, 350 E. 85th Street @ 3-6 pm. I''ll perform sections from my upcoming play, "City Boy." Our musical artists: Nina & Son (David Terhune & Nina Terhune) and Eric Vetter & his Mirth Makers.

"My Aim Is True"

Thomas Pryor presents: Stoops to Nuts Valentine Day Show

Ryans Daughter, 350 E. 85th Street
February 14th @ 3pm to 6pm
Free show






directly across the street from the sketch above ~ ball field 59 St.