From one bohemia to another, trace the birth of punk through an immersive audio walk from Greenwich Village to the East Village.
When we listen to songs of the past, they open a window into the world those songwriters inhabited. We like to think of this walk as a kinetic documentary, where the music maps a through-line from the past to the present. We’ll peer into the shuttered storefronts, and reminisce on an intense period of artistic expression.
In the 1970s, Lower Manhattan was sliding into decay. Within this negative space emerged a new subculture. We’ll call them punks, even if they didn’t at first. Many of the original punk hangouts no longer exist, but their impact on the broader cultural landscape is permanent and profound. Join us to retrace the steps of poets, photographers, painters and performers who defined punk.
Punks + Poets was written and produced by Sarah Holtz. Special thanks to Roberta Bayley, David Godlis, Alice Sparberg Alexiou, David Hershkovits, and Kembrew McLeod for sharing their stories with us.
Show Notes
Playlist of songs mentioned on our walk.
Punk, meet high fashion. Check out the exhibition, PUNK: Chaos to Couture, which was on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from May 9 through August 14, 2013. Although you can't experience the exhibition in person anymore, there are plenty of archive videos, photos, and gallery views to get lost in.
While you're in the area, consider supporting these local businesses (and walk around and discover even more local spots not mentioned!). There are various options for outdoor dining, takeout, and/or delivery but check their websites and social media for the latest updates.
Take a look at this facade turned shrine to Blondie by graffiti artist Shepard Fairey.
Browse through this slideshow from the New York Times that shows NoHo's transformation over the years.
In need of a good book or article to read? Here are our recommendations:
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A Step-By-Step Walk Through ‘Just Kids’ and Patti Smith’s New York
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Devil’s Mile: The Rich, Gritty History of the Bowery by Alice Sparberg Alexiou
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From Shakespeare to rock music: the history of the word ‘punk’
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Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain
Check out iconic photographs from New York's punk scene as documented by Roberta Bayley and David Godlis.
Speaking of documenting New York's punk scene, watch this trailer for Shots in the Dark with David Godlis and get an inside look at legendary nights spent at CBGB's.