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

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)

Here are more photos from last night.

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.

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

Carmine

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

"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

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

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

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.

Street Light Finale

After seeing my favorite sculpture, The Vine, under the sky light in The American Wing, I left the museum and walked east down 86th Street and saw a last pass of afternoon light over the closed Gristedes - part of the footprint for the planned hi-rise that will take up that large space on the block and four or five tenements on First Avenue directly across from Tri-Faith. Goodbye street light along this frontage in the mornings and afternoons.

Next Sunday, Feb 14 @3-6pm I have a free show at Ryans Daughter , 350 E. 85th St. I'll perform sections from my upcoming play, "City Boy." The play is a love letter to street life, street light and our Upper Eastside neighborhood. My guests Nina & Son (David Terhune & Nina Terhune) and Eric Vetter & his musical guests.

The show's tied to the opening of the Second Avenue Subway, an event that's triggered a surge of tenement demolition and new hi-rise construction on the Upper Eastside not seen since the Third Avenue El came down in 1955. The area's character is slipping away (so is our street light) - collecting our memories for posterity in voice and on paper reinforces our sense that this is still our community.

Thomas Pryor presents: "My Aim Is True" ~ Stoops to Nuts Valentine Show @Ryan's Daughter
Ryans Daughter
350 E 85 St.
Sunday, Feb 14 @ 3-6pm

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