Located between East 7th Street and East 10th Street, and between the Avenues A and B, in the Alphabet City neighborhood of Manhattan sits Tompkins Square Park. This is just one of the many neighborhood parks located throughout the city, and offers the communities that live here respite from a hectic lifestyle, a place to walk the dogs or let the children play, and provides a collective meeting ground for celebrations, concerts, outdoor movie nights and festivals. Most of the parks are either surrounded by or include within them some of the best restaurants New York City has to offer.
While Tompkins Square is not a large park, covering just over ten acres, it has quite a history and has become one of the nicer parks in the city over the last few years of gentrification. The neighborhood surrounding the park has always been a mix of eclectic cultures, everyone from fashion divas, to rock musicians, radicals, artists and poets. Many who live near this area have stayed here for many years, just because of this simple fact that the energy and the creative buzz is overwhelming and inspiring.
Some of the festivals that happen in the Square throughout the year include one that is honor of author Allen Ginsberg called the Howl Festival. Wigstock, the outdoor drag celebration has always been popular as is the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival. But even when the special events are not taking place, there is still so much to witness and to experience.
The Farmer’s Market takes place each and every Saturday, as well as many other open art artist markets. And there is always someone performing, and they are good too, not just hacks out there with broken guitars, but string quartets, and groups of drummers accompanying break dancers. It is truly a great way to experience the vibe and the artistry that has been cultivated throughout the many years of those who have lived here at one time, or who are continuing to do so today.
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