May 9, 2011
Tonight I’m meeting Kate who is the writer/photographer behind the fine blog, One More Folded Sunset. I got to know Kate after she got involved in EV Grieve’s International Coalition of Tree Tossing in the Spring (ICTTS) competition. I was amused at Kate’s obsession with this contest as it mirrors my own obsession over some things. And one of those things is a guy who lives close by the place I’m meeting Kate at who’s known as the “Chillmaster.” I read about the Chillmaster first at EV Grieve’s blog back on April 11th.
It was a nice day that day, so I assumed that this was EV Grieve’s way of saying, “It’s spring.” But after reading the comments, it turns out there’s a whole story behind this photo that EV Grieve posted.
Apparently there’s a guy who lives in the East Village, who leaves his windows open all through the year, blares soul music and has a display of liquor bottles on his coffee table. Check out these comments from the post that EV Grieve put up:
“This guy is the man! We all call him "Chillmaster". He honestly chills harder than anyone I have ever seen chill in my entire life. Would love to hear a back-story or have someone interview him.”
“CHILLMASTER FLEX. what a hero for chillers everywhere. One time my friends and I were drunk during the day and we had a chillmaster dance party outside of his window. he liked it.”
“I pass this guy all the time, and he often cat calls. I would love to hear his story.... “
Ha! I was really intrigued. From what I could gather from the comments was this guy is a neighborhood hero, dedicated to drinking, listening to soul music, chilling out and catcalling women. That’s my kind of guy! I went there that night hoping to interview him and get some photos for MAD. However when I got there he was talking to a woman and I kind of butted in to ask him if he was the Chillmaster. It was stupid of me and he wasn’t too happy that I interrupted his conversation with the woman and asked where I had heard of him. I didn’t want to mention EV Grieve’s blog without checking with him first, so I told the Chillmaster I couldn’t remember and asked to take his photo and he told me no. It was kind of unpleasant and I left and took some photos of the Hell’s Angels building instead, but I made a mental note to go back and try again. And I’ve been obsessed with meeting the Chillmaster ever since.
I told Kate about this and we decided to try and meet the Chillmaster after dinner tonight. We decided to meet a few blocks from the Chillmasters house at Boca Chica, one of my stops from the bar crawl.
And here we are at Boca Chica. Of course i'm about 45 minutes early, because I'm always worried about being late. But that'll give me time to take some photos before Kate arrives.
Hey, there's a familiar face behind the bar.
It's bartender Ivan, who was on duty when I stopped by on the bar crawl last year. He remembered me and we had a nice little reunion.
Here's the back wall of the bar.
A porcelain Indian greets you at the door.
Orange lights hang over and illuminate the bar.
Latin music is played at a conversational level on a turntable! A true blast from the past.
More records are housed below.
A view from the front windows.
The dining room which is located directly behind the bar.
The specials of the evening are written on a mirror on the back wall.
Ivan and his co-workers at the end of the bar.
At this point Kate showed up and presented me with this card. It reads: "Enjoy these swizzle sticks, but alway watch your...
Back." Aaaahhhh!!!! He's everywhere! Great card!
And here's the swizzle sticks she gave me to add to the ever-growing MAD collection. They're glass Christmas tree swizzle sticks! Perfect! Thanks Kate!
And here's Kate and I with the swizzle sticks. Now it's off to meet the elusive Chillmaster.
We got there and the window was shut! This was weird, because everything I read about him on the EV Grieve post said he never shuts his window. We went and had a drink at the One and One and came back about a half an hour later.
Still closed! What's going on here? Did the Chillmaster move? Is this the end of chilling as we know it? I vow to answer all of these questions and more within the week. Stay tuned!
Review From the 365 Bar Crawl
Here’s the review of Boca Chica I wrote last year for the 365 Bar Crawl.
Boca Chica has been a favorite Latin American Restaurant and bar on the Lower East side for close to fifteen years now. The restaurant has a relaxing, low-key vibe with brick walls and festive colors. The bar is cozy and the staff are friendly. The cliental is mainly local folks from the neighborhood and regulars at the bar.
There’s no draft beer but they do have a full bar with a decent selection of bottled beers. Some of the signature drinks include house Sangria, Margaritas and Mojitos. If you like shrimp, this is your dream restaurant, there’s eight different shrimp dishes on the menu including: Shrimp, Avocado and Heart Of Palm Salad; Shrimp Chipotle; Shrimp Ajillo and Moqueca De Peixe shrimp and fish in coconut sauce. Other entrees featured are: Skirt Steak Chimichurri; Cuban Sandwich; Burrito Cubano and an Argentina Chopped Steak Sandwich with chimichurri mayo.
Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm.
Boca Chica
13 First Ave. (at 1st St.)
212-473-0108
Further reading: Shecky’s, Chillmasters, Soul Music, Songfacts.
You might also like: Dino, Desi and Billy.
Four “How to Chill” Instructions
ABC News
Men With Pens
wikiHow
Fast Company
(Surprise link...click on it...I dare you!)
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Bonus Photos From Lex!
My friend Lex is in town from Canada and yesterday she went to the East Village. I suggested she stop at the Mars Bar and she did. Here's her photos from her day at Mars Bar.
Marcus, Lex, Hamlet and Eric at the Mars Bar.
Lex and Hamlet.
A drawing from Hamlet to Lex on her map. Nice!
Lex and Paola at the bar.
And the Marty sticker on the cash register. Great photos, Lex, thanks for sharing them! To the Mars Bar!
27 Comments
Reader Comments (27)
Love the Cardboard Boxman card and swizzle sticks! I hope you continue the Chillmaster investigation, I'd love to see photos of this guy, I'm intrigued! And great Mars Bar photos from Lex! Classic post today!
Wow! Best. Pop-up. Card. Ever.
How 'bout that Lex? Intrepid, ain't she?
Now to chill…
The Chillmaster is a Legend!
Ah… Boca Chica: I normally start of with a Mojito or
twofour with the Shrimp Ticul, and then the Chuletas Al Carbon with a bottle of Malbec from Argentina***BURP***
The Cardboard Boxman popup card; can only be described as Epic!
Cardboard Man tops the Chillmaster !
@Barfly: The Chillmaster investigation will continue!
@Ned Sparks: It's great that Lex got to the Mars Bar! And yes, that card rules!
@Harry: Nice drink list and the card is epic indeed. And the Chillmaster is legendary indeed. I hope to meet with him soon!
@GENE: Cardboard Box Man tops him for now...but stay tuned, the Chillmaster investigation is not over yet!
GREAT Pop up Card (board box).
Good to see Lex made it to Mars (Bar).
The Chillmaster shutting his window was cold.
@"Boris:" Agreed on all points and yes, there was a chill in the air at the Chillmaster's lair last night. But don't worry, I'll try, try again!
i hope you get to meet chillmaster, he sounds legendary! love that card! and the photos of lex at the mars bar rock! nice one today!
And now I am obsessed with YOU meeting the Chillmaster. I think I might love that guy!
Wow! Kate's Cardboard Man card rocks! Nice swizzlers, too. Too bad you didn't get to dance to some of the Chillmaster's tunage, but at least you got to have some good grub. I'm pretty sure I already have Boca Chica on my agenda from the 365 visit, but I think I might bump 'em up a notch or 100 and head there on my next visit. Just the turntable alone is visit-worthy, but the shrimp dishes seal the deal! Anyhoo, glad to see that Lex is having such a great time in the Big City; and good luck with your future Chillmaster visit. I hope he hasn't closed up shop.
When you first went there you scared him off , & he closed his windows , because you look like an undercover cop , so he's Chillin Lower Profile , & waiting for you not to come again .
@rita r: I think one day, the Chillmaster and I will meet!
@Meleah: Stay tuned, when I get obsessed with something I don't let it go!
@Biff: Kate and I got to talking and I forgot to take photos of the dinner. The coconut shrimp there is great! And the swizzle sticks are a nice addition to the collection, thanks again to Kate!
@JHwang: He's going to have to wait quite a while, because I'm not giving up!
Wow, what a card! I see a very lucrative career as a humorous Court Summons server in Kate's future.
fuckin' A that card was no less than pure genius....those swizzle sticks look like a nice addition to the MAD collection...hoistin' one to kate...also one for lex...then one to the mars bar...hope that the chillmaster quest is successful...MAD has everyone on the edge of their seats over here...
I write to discover what I think. After all, the bars aren't open that early.
Daniel J. Boorstin
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Yes, it had been a while since I'd made a pop-up, & this one worked out OK. Am happy to take commissions for that special occasion (the weirder the better)... just drop me a line. It was great to meet Marty & an honor to participate in the (doomed) Chillmaster expedition!
@csp: Great idea!
@rr: I will get an audience with the Chillmaster, don't worry! And that's one of the best quotes yet!
@onemorefoldedsunset: Great to meet you, as well, Kate! And thanks again for the swizzle stick set and for that card, it made my night and my day!
Make yourself unique! Have a look, how to wear this trousers and see the colours:
Sadness on the chillmaster. You are not on a good impromptu interview streak. Thanks for the how to chill links, I need those. Going on vacation stresses me out. Billy scared me.
@csp: Ha ha ha! I need to order some of that stuff!
@kari: I'm definitely due for an interview break soon! Billy scared me too!
Boca Chica used to be a bar called "First on First". I remember it as the most racially integrated bar I've seen in the EV - to this very day. This was late 70s early 80s. They had frequent music performances, sometimes with well known artists. Never an admission and drinks were very cheap. The owner used to meet his favorite courtesan in the "kitchen", which of course was never used for its intended purpose. I've been unable to set foot into Boca Chica, even though their food is very appealing. That's no fault of theirs, of course - it's just that there are too many ghosts and memories in that place for me to feel comfortable. Many of the people I associate with that locale have passed away.
Don't forget Kurtis Blow - I'm Chillin'!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ytA-gcVnpU
Can I tag along when you go back ? Haven't done anything but cleaning & organizing my moving , nothing Fun , so let me know , if no , no big problem , will understand !!!
@JHwang: No, now get back to cleaning and packing.
:.... < {
@Uncle Waltie: "First on First" was very hip, indeed.
@Uncle Waltie: I wish I could've seen it back then, don't blame you for not being able to go now. Nice to hear from you over here!
@onemorefoldedsunset: Great chiller tune!
JHwnag: I'll let you know.
I'm the one that wrote mouse tits. Me and my friends were bartenders there, it was based on a pinball machine my friend saw that had an anthropomorphic big breasted mouse chick on it