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 Kenny Moscot Kenny Moscot remembers spending summers on the Lower East Side when he was a kid, hanging out in the family store and picking up a few life lessons along the way. These days he’s doing a bit more than “hanging out.” Along with his older brother Harvey, Kenny has successfully transformed eyewear institution Sol Moscot from a “mom and pop” store into an internationally revered brand.
Recently, I spoke with Kenny about the changes the family business has undergone in the past century (particularly in the last few years) and about Moscot’s deep neighborhood roots.
There’s always a lot of talk about the death of old-style retail businesses on the LES. Notably, Moscot has not only endured in this community, they have embraced the company’s humble beginnings on the Lower East Side as a way of distinguishing their products worldwide. Continue reading Kenny Moscot: Embracing L.E.S. Roots is Good Business
 
It will feel more like summer than fall today: 85 degrees and sunny with rain showers beginning around 7pm. President Obama arrives in New York this afternoon for the opening of the UN General Assembly and Democratic Party fundraisers tonight. Expect East Side gridlock. Continue reading Good Morning: Sin Sin Owner Confronted by Grieving Family, Silver Foe Seeks “Hipster Vote,” 38 Delancey Troubles
Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side this week:
 Shroud Eater
SHROUD EATER – Wednesday, Sept. 22 at Pianos
The Miami based post-punk group Shroud Eater packs a hell of a punch. Growling out the kind of pumping noise numbers that cage fighters walk out to at the Mandalay Bay on fight night, the trio (two chicks on the front end – one dude on the drum end) inspire a certain amount of sweatiness. On tour with metal assemblage Monstro from Atlanta, Shroud Eater aim to kick-off Wednesday night at Pianos with the appropriate musical savagery. // FREE // 7pm // 158 Ludlow Street.
Continue reading This Week’s Music Picks
K Webster, Co-Chair of the lovely M’Finda Kalunga Community Garden, has written to let us know that they will be holding a Sukkot celebration this Sunday, September 26th, from 12pm to 2pm at their garden on Rivington and Forsyth (gate is on Rivington). She writes:
There will be a short talk on the meaning of Sukkot by Miriam Bader of the Museum at Eldridge Street, Klezmer music by Steve Elson and Friends, a reading by Jane Barrer and Kosher food provided by WholeFoods. All invited.
K also sent us these great photos (more after the jump) from the event in years past.
Continue reading M’Finda Kalunga Garden to Host Sukkot Party
The monthly reading series, “How I Learned,” is back at Happy Ending tomorrow night with stories about drugs. Featured guests presenting their drug-addled adventures include Tony O’Neill (Sick City; Down and Out on Murder Mile), Royal Young (Fame Shark; Interview), Jeff Simmermon (This American Life; The Moth GrandSLAM) and Edith Zimmerman (The Awl; New York Magazine’s Vulture). Continue reading How I Learned:To Inhale at Happy Ending Tomorrow Night
 More now on the future of the Loews Canal Theater (31 Canal), which was partially protected by the Landmarks Preservation Commission earlier this month. The decision was a big victory for preservation activists, who would love to see the shuttered 1927 building reopened as some kind of public performance space.
Last night, I spoke briefly with Amy Chin, head of “CREATE in Chinatown,” a group that hoped to turn the theater into a Chinese cultural center. Last year, her organization and Loews Canal owner Thomas Sung released a statement saying an architect had been hired to study the idea.
Continue reading What’s Next for the Loew’s Canal Theater?
It goes without saying that it’s different being a kid on the Lower East Side than almost any other place in the country. There may not be a lot of big backyards and other trappings of suburban life, but there are many other things that make growing up in this diverse neighborhood a unique experience. 8-year old Sarah (pictured) is learning early on about some of the advantages of big city life, thanks in part to her proximity to the Abrons Arts Center. Continue reading Sponsored Post: There’s Still Time to Register for Abrons Arts Center Classes
We begin the morning with a view of the neighborhood from the roof of the Bowery Mission. Another nice fall day is ahead — sunny and 72. On the agenda, this evening’s meeting of the 9th Precinct Community Council should be interesting. Neighborhood activists hope for a big show of support for cracking down on Sin Sin, the infamous East Village bar. Continue reading Good Morning: Sin Sin Meeting, Arrest in 1993 Rape Case, Wal-Mart Looks Downtown
Lo-Down Arts Contributor Ashlie Cotton recently spoke with the artist Tommy Hartung.
 Portrait, "T.H." from 2009 by Zipora Fried (http://onstellarrays.com/artists/zipora-fried/) This past summer, while roaming around the floors of the contemporary show, Greater New York, at P.S. 1, I stumbled into a gem of a room. As I entered the darkened wonderland I was greeted by a koi that swam in sparkling waters of a tranquil fish tank, positioned near the room’s entrance. I began to watch the single video in the room, The Ascent of Man, by artist Tommy Hartung, and was instantly mesmerized. Hartung’s piece, which incorporates stop-animation, model toys, and a living mouse, was all at once surreal and poetic. It was abstract, and yet very emotional. I learned that Hartung is represented by the LES gallery On Stellar Rays, and knew I had to meet with him. Here’s what he had to say in a recent conversation:
Continue reading Featured Artist: Tommy Hartung
 In search of the lulov and the ethrog on Essex Street. It’s a sure sign of fall on the Lower East Side. Yesterday, in advance of Sukkos, merchants on Essex Street were selling the lulov and the ethrog. It was a beautiful weekend – and more nice weather is ahead today. 76 and sunny to start the week.
This afternoon, there’s a key meeting of the Chinatown Working Group. As we have reported, the 50-member organization is essentially in limbo, unable to proceed with a comprehensive community plan, due to internal squabbles. Today, they’ll consider a proposal to elect a handful (perhaps as many as 10) co-chairmen. Continue reading Good Morning: Chinatown Clash, Aces & Eights Followup, White Roof
 We’ve got some good news for fans of the Essex Street Market. Beginning November 7th, you’ll be able to visit your favorite market vendors on Sundays. Up until now, Essex Street has only been open Monday-Saturday.
The historic market is operated by the NYC Economic Development Corp. A few moments ago EDC Spokesman Kyle Sklerov told us the decision was prompted by the increasing popularity of the indoor food mecca. Continue reading Essex Street Market to Open on Sundays
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