The ‘Hood’ has moved from the Bronx …
… to Tribeca?
So as many of you know, I live in Tribeca. Most New Yorkers will tell you this is a pretty yuppie place to live, with a healthy mixture of artists, models/actors, and Wall St. types, all who dress well, pose a lot and eat at hip restaurants. Apparently though, my particular street is an anomaly. On one side of my building is the Knitting Factory – a pretty famous music bar where a multitude of bands play indie, jazz, improv music, there are films, poetry readings, performance art and dance. That usually draws an interesting crowd every night of the week, but the clientele is generally well behaved. They may look odd at times, but they are there for the art.
Then there is the bar/hip-hop dance club across the street from my building. It’s only open two nights a week (Friday and Saturday), but it really packs a punch. There is a long line-up that starts around midnight and I routinely hear loud music emanating from what I think is a basement but can’t confirm because the windows are always covered and it looks like an abandoned floor. Anyhow, last Friday night, as per the norm, there were loud noises at 4am, but this time it was so loud I couldn’t even sleep through it. So I get out of bed, and immediately realize this is not just post-club crowd noise. No. I look out the window and there is a full-out mob scene going on. There are about 150 people on the street outside the club, mostly men, and a few of them shouting and shoving. Some scantily clad women are on the outskirts calling out to their men, but to no avail. People start swarming and then … the kicker … gunshots! Yup. “Bang, bang, bang” … three in a row. It crossed my mind that I should probably get my face out of the window, but I was too fascinated.
At least 8 cop cruisers showed up, four lined up in front of the club, and the others blocking the street off from traffic. A number of other cops appeared on foot wielding batons, and barricades were set up on the street as cops tried to clear the crowd out. It took an oddly long time.
I didn’t see anyone get shot, but I felt like I was watching a 50-cent movie. (The rapper, not the price). Moreover, no mention of it on the morning news!
Anyhow, that’s the news from my new ‘hood (Jarvis St. is suddenly looking downright pleasant-ville-esqe).
PS – Tomorrow I check out Harlem … volunteering at food pantry for Thanksgiving. Totally think I’m ready for it now.
PPS – Please, please don’t tell my mom.
