Yorkville Stoops to Nuts: David Ruffin

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

"I Wish It Would Rain"

"Sunshine, blue skies, please go away," I heard these words coming from a slim black man as we crossed paths on Bleecker Street last night. He looked like David Ruffin and he got his wish ~ but the rain did not prevent a wonderful time for the audience and the artists at the "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" storytelling show at Cornelia Street Cafe.

Thank you, Barbara Aliprantis, Robin Bady, Mike Fornatale, Leslie Goshko, Joy Kelly, and The Tall Pines for bringing your best game. I watched the crowd carefully during your sets and everyone was fully engaged in your performances. It was a pleasure to share the stage with you and enjoy your abundant talent. Please come back to Stoops to Nuts soon.

Thank you, Michael and Shannon for hosting the event and making everyone feel at home at the Cafe.

"I know to you, it might sound strange. But I wish it would rain."

West Village storytellers at the Cafe on a rainy June evening.

Barbara Aliprantis

Joy Kelly

The Tall Pines

Leslie Goshko

Robin Bady

Mike Fornatale

The Tall Pines

Leslie Goshko

The Tall Pines

Mike Fornatale

Joy Kelly

Barbara Aliprantis

Robin Bady

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

403 East 83rd Street ~ Hanging Out in 1969

Freddy Muller Off the Point on 83rd Street @ 1969

My friend, Matt, asked me to photographed 403 East 83^rd Street. Unfortunately, that building was demolished years ago to make way for the garage ramp for 400 East 84^th Street.

Here are a few pictures of the location now, and a few shots from 1969 taken by Sissy Chapman of our gang playing in the streets. The first two photos are a now and then of the spot where Freddy Muller is about to smack the ball off the 400 E. 83^rd Street point, probably with one fielder in the street and the outfielder on the other side walk waiting for the ball to fly. Mrs. Walsh is hanging out her window leaning on a pillow above watching us play.

Freddy was good at all sports. Muller never got tagged out running the bases, he always ducked or squirmed his way to the chalk base or manhole cover.

There is a picture of Sparky Lyle, my dog, daughter of Monique, a poodle owned by a tenant of 403, Barbara Morgan, who gave Ginny Chapman two puppies, Sandy and Sparky. Ginny gave Sparky to my grandmother and me. Another picture is me in the 403 hallway on the night of my LaSalle Academy graduation holding Ginny’s cat, Boo-Boo. We had boundless fun on that street. Playing singles on the stoop first with a suitcase record player we connected with extension wires through the Chapman window, later off the outlet on the bottom panel of the street light pole, and finally on the battery operated record players that came along when we were 15,16. we played touch football year round, and ringalario when it got dark.

I can hear David Ruffin singing as we ran out of breath.

Then we started all over again.