Lower East Side Links
–A New York state judge tossed out a lawsuit from a group of property and business owners who wanted to stop a homeless facility from opening in the Blue Moon Hotel on Orchard Street. [New York Post]
–A 21-year-old driver struck a bicyclist, a pizza deliveryman, and then fled on foot from the scene at Delancey and Columbia streets. He later returned and was arrested. [Channel 7]
–Congress moved to help struggling performance venues, but if financial support promised through the “Save Our Stages Act” doesn’t arrive soon, many music halls and studios are doomed. Tony Caffrey of Arlene’s Grocery says, “For us to survive, we need to get another shot of money quickly, or we won’t be here… The lag time month by month is catching up. We really need help now. We really need the funds to come through and not talk. Talk won’t keep us open.” [NY1]
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Like many independent NYC performance venues, longtime Lower East Side live music dive Arlene s Grocery is hanging by a thread after nearly a year of closure due to the pandemic. The owners announced this month they will have to close by the beginning of February 2021 if they don t get immediate financial help. After 25 years of serving the Lower East Side, and giving a platform for musicians and artists alike, Arlene’s Grocery is on life support, the owners recently wrote on Instagram. Without any aid we will not be able to continue to serve our community and will be closing our doors on February 1st. The owners and staff members are absolutely heartbroken. They added that they are in desperate need of your help, and started a GoFundMe.