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5 of 37

Ali Rosa-Salas From Abrons Arts Center and Henry Street Settlement
Ali Rosa-Salas is a curator whose approach is rooted in the belief that curatorial practice must serve the public good. She talked with host Traven Rice about the history of the Abrons Arts Center at Henry Street Settlement and the importance of arts within communities like the Lower East Side. For over a decade, Ali has served New York City arts and culture primarily through curatorial projects in live performance. Currently, Ali is the Vice President of Visual and Performing Arts of Abrons Arts Center at Henry Street Settlement, the only cultural organization in New York City that is part of a social services agency. From 2020-2023, she served as an Associate Curator of the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.
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Dora Grossman-Weir, GM and Wine Director at Tolo, Mitsuru and Sunn's
Dora Grossman-Weir speaks with Culture Cast host Traven Rice about making wine fun and accessible at two new delicious spots in the neighborhood. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Dora Grossman-Weir is a hospitality professional with a focus on wine. After spending two and a half years working at the online wine shop and start-up, Parcelle, she left to work with the wine team at Momofuku Ko before returning to the group to open Tolo, a Chinese restaurant from chef Ron Yan (28 Canal St.) and later Sunn's, a Korean spot from chef Sunny Lee (139 Division St.). She also oversees Mitsuru (West 4th and MacDougal St.) as their General Manager and Wine Director. Growing up with a family that loved food, she has always been enamored with great restaurants, exploring different cultures by way of their cuisines, and the intersection of wine and history. Grant Reynolds is the founder behind Parcelle, an independent New York City-based online wine business that began in 2019. He then opened a brick and mortar wine bar in 2022 on Division Street with Chinese chef Ron Yan. The team then opened Tolo (28 Canal) in 2023.
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Public Artist Laura Nova
Lower East Side artist and activist Laura Nova speaks with The Lo-Down Culture Cast host Traven Rice. Nova is an artist, educator, and activist who creates festive, absurdist spectacles that unite generations and diverse communities. The first Public Artist in Residence to be embedded in New York City’s Department for the Aging, Nova brings expertise and empathy to her projects and actions, designing each element to enhance social wellness and decrease social isolation. Working in festivals, public monuments, and the city street, Nova delivers spiels to homebound New Yorkers, organizes an older adult cheerleading squad and designs crafting kits, guides, and costumes that help nurture emerging activists of all ages. Nova received a B.F.A. and B.A. from Cornell University and an M.F.A. from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is currently designing and teaching in the CareLab at The New School and an Urban Field Station Collaborative Arts fellow advocating for the care and longevity of humans and trees.
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"Candy Store" a New Photo Book About Ray's Candy Shop Celebrates 50 Years of Ray's
Photographer Whitney Browne talks with Host Traven Rice about her debut Book, "Candy Store - A Behind-the-Counter Look at Ray’s Candy Store, One of NYC’s Most Beloved Sweets Slinging Stalwarts." The book is launching this weekend, just in time to celebrate Ray's 50th year of business in the East Village. Most New Yorkers who live downtown have been into the iconic shop at one time or another, and often late at night, as it was open 24-hours for most of the last five decades. The tiny storefront is located on Avenue A and E. 7th Street, at Tompkins Square Park. It's famous for its egg creams and fried Oreos, a cheap cup of coffee, ice cream and New Orleans style beignets - along with some good conversation with Ray himself, who recently turned 91 years old. Along with many others in the downtown community, Whitney became friends with Ray decades ago, and began helping out behind the counter shortly thereafter. As she got to know Ray and many of the cast of regular characters who came and went, she couldn't resist bringing her camera along to capture the unique New York City establishment that we all know won't continue, or be able to be replicated after he's gone. Browne’s photographs offer more than nostalgia—they capture the joy, grit, and intimacy of a neighborhood stalwart that continues to thrive despite the city's constant transformation. The book launch will be celebrated with a public event at Ray’s Candy Store on Saturday, May 17th, from 5 PM to 8 PM. You can pick up a signed copy of CANDY STORE for yourself, grab a fried Oreo or soft serve, and enjoy tunes from Lower Eastside Record Club along with a classic East Village hang with Ray himself. CANDY STORE is available for purchase at www.whitneybrowne.com and select bookstores.
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Coss Marte, Founder of CONBODY and CONBUD
Coss Marte in 2015. photo by Alex M. Smith for The Lo-Down NY. After featuring Coss Marte in The Lo-Down's "My LES" column ten years ago, host Traven Rice connected with him again to catch up on all he has accomplished with his two innovative businesses, both of which have social justice missions at their core. In 2009, Coss Marte was sent to jail as the leader of a multi-million dollar cocaine operation. He was also grossly overweight and warned by his physician that his current lifestyle, if left unchecked, would likely kill him. Faced with this grim prognosis, Coss started to get in shape using the tools he had—his prison cell and his own body weight. Within six months, he lost 70 pounds and replicated his successful formula of body weight exercises with 20 other people incarcerated alongside him. After he was released from prison, Coss launched CONBODY a “prison style” bootcamp that hires formerly incarcerated individuals to teach fitness classes. Since the launch of his company he’s gained over 25,000+ clients , supported many folks coming home from prison, and has been featured in over 200 major media outlets such as NBC, CNN, The New York Times, TED Talks, and Men’s Fitness, to name a few. At CONBODY, the team states that "the mission extends to creating a more equitable world for returning citizens, especially black and brown returning citizens. Marginalized groups always need advocates, rarely is there an opportunity for members of a marginalized group to advocate for themselves." The success of CONBODY led to his latest endeavor, CONBUD, which is one of the first legal cannabis dispensaries in the city, located in the same location as the gym, on the corner of Orchard Street and Delancey streets. This is in the heart of the LES, just a few blocks away from where he was arrested for dealing. Marte is one of the people who led the fight to allow formerly incarcerated people who had cannabis convictions and proof of running a successful business after serving their time, to apply for the liscenses. CONBUD's mission is very specific. They write that the intention is to: "Normalize, Educate, De-stigmatize —— BORN FROM A UNIQUE MOMENT IN HISTORY WHEN NEW YORK PLEDGED OPPORTUNITY AS REPARATIONS TO THE SURVIVORS OF CANNABIS PROHIBITION AND THE FAILED WAR ON DRUGS Our mission goes beyond providing LES's finest bud. We’re here to normalize plant consumption, offer education, and de-stigmatize the formerly incarcerated community. We believe in second chances, and we’re dedicated to easing their integration back into society." We asked him about his journey and what he wants people to know about all that he's trying to do.
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