AugTue 2010

Bryan Close
Craft: Artist/Photographer
Why we think he’s cool: Is standing up for the rights of other street artists
Where to find him: thelightdynamic.com
Interview by: José
Jessica and I were strolling through Union Square looking for someone to interview when we came across Bryan Close. He was carrying his own art on his shoulders with a sign that read “Mayor Bloomberg Stole My Vending Table.” We knew this was the guy we needed to talk to.
READ MORE...Tags: new yorker, Interview, Art, Artist , Jose
JulMon 2010

Mikey Palms
Craft: NYC Entrepreneur
Lives: Brooklyn
Why we think he’s cool: You’re lucky if you can catch him! There’s no slowing this guy down.
Where to find him: spsounds.com, publicassemblynyc, chanceswithwolves.com,
Interview by: José
Mikey Palms was hired to DJ our wedding back in May, and he did a fantastic job. Chatting with him, I quickly realized that there was a lot more to this man than his turntables...
About being an entrepreneur: “What I’m learning is that you can’t put all your
hard boiled eggs in the same fridge. You gotta spread that mustard a bit - especially in New York City”READ MORE...Tags: new york, new yorker
JunMon 2010

“Pop”
Craft: A driver for J & R
Lives: Brooklyn
Why we think he’s cool: At 93 years old he’s still doing his thing!
Where to find him: Eating a slice at Grimaldi’s
Interview by: José
About the craziest job he’s ever had: "From 1947-’55 I was a policeman. $65 a week. Could you believe that?”
READ MORE...Tags: Jose, new yorker, Interview
AprTue 2010

Michael A. Propper
Craft: Owner of Village Chess Club
Lives: NYC
Why we think he’s cool: Keeps his shop open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Where to find him: 230 Thompson St., West Village
Website: http://www.chess-shop.com/
Interview by: José
Describing Village Chess Shop: "It’s a great place. We’re maintaining what’s always been here for the old regulars, yet we’re introducing it to a whole new generation. We’re modernizing it.”READ MORE...Tags: Jose, new york, new yorker
MarMon 2010

Sandro IsaackCraft: Storyteller
Lives: Harlem
In New York: Eight years
Why we think he’s cool: His book, Stork M.I.A., was created for children of same-gender couples.
Where to find him: http://daddadmommom.com/
Interview by: José
On what’s lacking for kids of same-gender parents: “Sure, there’s a lot of great literature for kids out there, but I started to think if I were a kid and both my parents were gay, these other books would feel borrowed from another world...”
READ MORE...Tags: Jose, Interview, new yorker
JanMon 2010

Stevie Boi
Craft: Celebrity Eyewear Designer
Lives: Downtown
Why we think he’s cool: He is a revolutionary designer and in 2010, fashion will never be the same.
Where to find them: stevieboi.com
Interview by: José
When asked about how he’s inspired to create: “You might think this is crazy, but part of my inspiration comes from nightmares and dreams. I use them to create objects in the shapes of glasses such as spikes, black lace, etc...”READ MORE...Tags: Jose, Interview, new yorker
DecMon 2009

Lián Amaris
Craft: Performance Artist
In New York: 7 years on and off
Lives: Brooklyn
Why we think she’s cool: She reminds us why monologues can be brilliant
Where to find her: www.lianamaris.com/
Interview by: José
When asked about her critics: “I realize that I’m standing on the shoulders of giants, and that’s scary, but at the same time what are we supposed to do--just look up at them?...”READ MORE...Tags: Jose, new york, new yorker, Interview, Artist
DecMon 2009

Cathy Eastman
Craft: Fashion and wardrobe stylist
In New York: A little over a year
Why we think she’s cool: Has worked with Whitney Port from MTV’s The City
Where to find her: http://www.cathyeastman.com/
Interview by: José
“The whole purple thing is partly from Michelle Obama. People in the industry are always looking to see what the trend is, so when she came onto the scene it changed...”READ MORE...Tags: Jose, new yorker, new york , Interview, fashion , wardrobe, Stylist
NovMon 2009

Michele Bell
Craft: Hair and Makeup Artist
In New York: Born and raised
Why we think she’s cool: Has a couple of ideas for Ms. Liberty and the men love her.
Where to find her: www.bridestobeny.com
Interview by: José
“I am the Feng Shui of hair and makeup! Everyone's beauty is captivating...”
READ MORE...Tags: Jose, new yorker, new york , Interview, hair and makeup artist
NovMon 2009

Ryan Smith
Craft: Acupuncturist
In New York: 5 and half years
Lives: Morningside Heights
Why we think he's cool: Wants to push to have acupuncture more available in our hospitals
Where to find him: ryansmithacupuncture.com
Interview by: José
Treating me for Bell’s Palsy, I ask Ryan to explain the Mei Zen technique: “For starters, when there is any kind of atrophy such is in the case of Bell’s Palsy and Chinese medicine, it’s know it’s know as a “Windy Attack...” “
READ MORE...Tags: Jose, new yorker, Acupuncture
NovMon 2009

Thomas Stevens
Craft: Glass Blowing Artist
In New York: Over 20 years
Lives: East Village/Asbury Park
Why we think he's cool: Opened up a glass blowing studio Hot Sand Studio in Asbury Park
Where to find him: hotsandsap.com
Interview by: José
“You can’t take 20 minutes to think about it. Not even a bathroom break. You have to finish what you start and I like that...”
READ MORE...Tags: Jose, new yorker, Glass blowing