Tag Archives: continental

IN ABSENCE OF AMNESIA – Chapter 2 By Peter Nolan Smith

Two weeks after Labor Day the Continental opened its door without a liquor license. Limos lined West 25th Street well past dawn, as models, actresses, and strippers danced with abandon to the city’s best DJs. Movie stars snorted coke with two-bit dealers and national politicians seduced Amazonian TVs on pop-art sofas. Few revelers cared about […]

ALMOST A DEAD MAN by Peter Nolan Smith – CHAPTER 2

Howling sirens sent East Villagers fleeing into the Astor Place Subway. A lucky few reached the shelter of the tunnel and the rest raised their eyes to the speck falling to Earth. A white flash vaporized New York into the ionosphere.

BAG OF NAILS by Peter Nolan Smith

Throughout the 70s Nickie Barnes strongarmed for a Harlem heroin empire under the protection of the Lucchese crime syndicate. His godfather ‘Crazy Joe’ Gallo helped Barnes create ‘the Council’ to run the trade north of 125th Street and Barnes earned the nickname ‘Mr. Untouchable’ for his skill at beating charges and evading arrests. Neither the […]

The Arthur Of Light

Arthur Weinstein was a master of light. His gift transformed empty space into cathedrals of color. His miracles are entrenched in my memories of Hurrah, the Jefferson, Continental, and Milk Bar. Today is his birthday and anyone who was his friend will know how to celebrate his joyous life. Long live Arthur Weinstein.

LAST CALL WITH ARTHUR

After my arrest for copyright infringement in Thailand I had to stick around Pattaya for my court date. Three months without any income. I called my various friends around the world for contributions to my ‘stay out of jail’ fund. There was a schedule to these pleas and in April it was Scottie Taylor’s turn. […]