the beatnik

I have always felt like I was born in the wrong time. And while the iPhone and ordering take-out over the Internet bring me a certain sense of joy, I have always been fascinated with the New York of the 1950s, 60s and 70s– times of rebellion, change, awesome writing and even more awesome music to match. So many great minds came out of the East Village during that time and I would kill to sit and meditate with Allen Ginsberg or grab a pint with Jack Kerouac. But being born in the 80s has made it very difficult to actually experience those things. Lil' Wayne ain’t Bob Dylan. However, the area that emerged from this past is one of the most fascinating locations in the country. Walking down the streets it is still possible to feel the history seeping through the cracks of chic restaurants and trendy bars. I love history and the East Village is teeming with it.

But some of my other passions are more primordial, like food. If it tastes good, I’ll eat it. The East Village has options from every corner of the globe at polar opposite prices and quality. Much of the food is influenced by the immigrant history. For example, Veniero’s on First Avenue and 11^th Street is over 100 years old and has some of the best, authentic Italian pastries in the city.

As a bass player and Irish fiddler, I am drawn to music history of the East Village. It is a haven for musicians, whether they are the guy on the corner howling or people on a stage at the Fillmore with an actual sound guy. Lou Reed’s blood pumps through veins in this neighborhood. It’s inspiration to walk down a street that is whined about in a Black 47 song (“Oh it’s midnight on the Bowery…”-40 Shades of Blue).

The point is, a lot of crap happened here. And stuff is happening all the time based on what came before it. I plan to cover everything from music, restaurants, artists, culture and current events, whether it be a hole-in-the-wall restaurant or the next traditional Irish music session. My goal is not to bore you with the facts but share my knowledge and passion of a great New York neighborhood that was the birthplace of great movements, which continue to shape it today.