May 14, 2011
Okay, last Sunday’s post was a little bit of a fiddle. Meaning the end wasn’t what really happened. If you don’t remember or haven’t read that post here it is: Last Sunday’s post. I left everyone hanging and wondering why the mysterious East Village Chillmaster of East Third Street’s window was closed, when he’s usually got it open to reveal a legendary coffee table of knives, a chess set and a nice display of liquor bottles. And of course blaring out of those windows is classic soul music.
What really happened is he was trying to sleep and heard Kate and I outside and wanted to know what the hell was going on. I explained I had read about him on the EV Grieve blog and he was amazed that he had been written up on the internet and that people had left comments about him. He had to go to bed early, but we made a date to meet the following Friday night and chill. And that night is tonight! I’m meeting Kate from One More Folded Sunset and then we’re off to meet the Chillmaster!
And here's the subway, off we go to the land of chills and soul music. I can't wait!
I've just met Kate and she's a little camera-shy tonight, so she's staying out of the photos. But it's good to have her along, this is quite an adventure!
And, whoomp! There he is, The Chillmaster himself! The soul music is blaring and he's chilling out on his chiller easy chair.
He welcomes Kate and I into the Inner Chill Sanctum!
And it's not polite to show up empty-handed, Kate and I brought a bottle of Hennessy as a chill offering. Here I am with the man himself, The Chillmaster! Let the good times roll!
I placed the bottle on the legendary chill coffee table alongside his liquor bottle presentation, state of the art knives and a chess set. Oh and there's a picture of President Obama smoking a blunt. Hilarious!
The view from the inside. Nice!
Here's the state-of-the-art sound system that outputs The Chillmasters sweet soul music. Great set up!
Hennessy is poured...
And with a quick snap of The Chillmaster's thumb, the music begins along with the chill night.
Let the chilling begin!
I output a poster of the original EV Grieve post that inspired this whole evening.
The Chillmaster loved all the comments from everyone. He had no idea he had such a following!
Who's the man?
EV Grieve's the man! The Chillmaster sends his love to you and all the EV Grieve community!
The Chillmaster loved Gumby!
And he even let him have a seat on the Chillmaster Chill Easy Chair. This chair vibrates and has a heat control!
The Chillmaster demonstrates the fine art of chilling. He is the master!
Wow, he's really chilling now! I think it's time to call it a night! If you'd like to contact The Chillmaster, here's his email: hwchillmaster@gmail.com.
The Chillmaster
I first read about the Chillmaster at the wonderful New York City blog, EV Grieve. Here’s the post: Chillmaster post at EV Grieve.
I loved all the comments and was intrigued by a man who’s life seemingly revolved around an open window, a cocktail, sweet soul music and the occasional catcall to women walking by. I doubt I’d ever be able to live that kind of life, but wanted to observe someone who was living a chill dream. And last night I was able to fulfill that wish. And the Chillmaster did not disappoint. We had a great time.
Hennessy was poured, soul music blared, we laughed and laughed and in between, we chilled the fuck out. He told me his real name but I prefer to think of him as The Chillmaster. He’s retired and has been in his Chillmaster pad for the last eight years. He grew up in Harlem and was telling Kate and I stories about his parents and at one point said, “My daddy was a rolling stone,” and then I shouted out, “Papa Was A Rolling Stone!”
“You want to hear that?” The Chillmaster shot back.
“Fuck yes,” I answered.
Within minutes the classic song, “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” was blaring out of his speakers louder than I had ever heard it. The three of us grooved to the music, drank and chilled. Pure heaven!
The Chillmaster is a legend on the block and as you sit inside of his chill lair, it’s fun to watch the world go by. The soul music wafts out to the people on parade on the sidewalk and they look in, smile and wave and give a thumbs up in appreciation. There’s not too many places where you can check your nerves and worries at the door, but there is one place on East Third street, near Avenue A where they can be checked and then a drink is poured, classic soul music happens and you chill right the fuck out. I can’t wait to go back.
To the Chillmaster!
Further reading: EV Grieve, Urban Dictionary, antimoon and One More Folded Sunset.
You might also like: Soul Food, Filet of Sole and Rubber Soul.
Six Chili’s
Chili Apprecitation Society
Wikipedia
Chili
Manhattan Chili Co.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
43 Comments