“People who were trying to escape repressed backgrounds, like mine and Bob Dylan’s, were congregating in Greenwich Village. It was a place you could be yourself, where you could get away from the directives of the people who went before you, people who you loved but who you knew had blinkers on.”
Liam Clancy said that. The late Irish folk singer lived in the Village in the 1950s and 1960s. Bob Dylan was his pal and his fan. They’d hang out and perform at the White Horse Tavern on Hudson Street, a watering hole for artists.
Dylan recalled in an interview once, a bit of advice Clancy gave him: “He said, ‘Remember Bob, no fear, no envy, no meanness.’”
Considering Clancy had allegedly drunk about 30 pints of Guinness before he gave Dylan that advice, I’d like to imagine that encounter happening at the White Horse Tavern.
Clancy also said once, while looking back on his life: “Serendipitous things kept happening.”
I happen to be a big fan of serendipitous things.
So Clancy loved the Village, Dylan loved Clancey, I love serendipity.
And because I feel I’ve used the word love too much, here are…
5 Things I Don’t Hate About Greenwich Village
This semi faded #onthiscorner note I saw on a pole while waiting to cross Bleecker Street. It says: I can’t help but to think of Bob Dylan singing to Liam Clancy.
House of Oldies Rare Records, The record shop at 35 Carmine St. More specifically, the shop’s hours. They operate strict office hours of 9-5. Makes me think the thought process was something like: If you have a 9-5 job, eh, you’re okay not being here. Also, they’re closed on Mondays according to Google. Also, they’re closed on Mondays and Sundays according to Yelp. Also, they have two websites.
On the (slightly) more outdated looking site:
On the second site:
Also, I think 9 out of 10 times I walk by it’s closed. But, on a more real note, this place has been around since 1969. It was a favorite of people like John Lennon and Bowie. And if you do go when it’s open, its a haven for collectors of rare rock records.
That in 1917 a group of six bohemians noticed an unlocked door at the bottom of the Washing Square Arch and proceeded to climb to the top, where they strung red balloons and lanterns from the parapet, had wine and sandwiches, and announced the “The Free and Independent Republic of Washington Square.” To celebrate the succession of Greenwich Village from the rest of the United States, Gertrude Drick— one of the six “Arch Conspirators” — read the declaration of independence they had drafted.
The text (or one repeated word) that said declaration consisted of.
These things happening in the neighborhood. They’re cool:
Saturday, Feb 29- The Black Imagination: Black Artists' Launch Party, presented by The New School Black Student Union, with a showcase that includes performing arts, design, media, and fine arts.
Wednesday, Mar 4th- FREE screening of the film Swallow at the IFC Center with the director Carlo Mirabella Davis and FREE popcorn, followed by a FREE beer at the Half Pint (76 W 3rd)
Thursday, Mar 5th- Ad Hoc's Party with a Mic, a monthly variety show hosted by the collective at 13 Christopher St.
Fri, Sat, Sun evenings - these cool house parties. Aaron and Jerry may have stopped throwing them, as this is from several decades ago. But if you’re an Egg Head, it may be worth looking into.