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Young in Age, but Not in Spirit: 2011 Village Awardee

 

Entrance to Le Poisson Rouge at 158 Bleecker Street
Entrance to Le Poisson Rouge at 158 Bleecker Street

Over the many years GVSHP has presented the Village Awards, awardees have often been praised for their longevity. Though in rare cases, a newly established organization or business will stand out as a worthy recipient. Such is the case for the Le Poisson Rouge, which opened in 2008 and is thus a relative newcomer to the Village. We are thrilled to present this music venue a Village Award for showcasing a diverse and impressive selection of innovative musical performers, while bringing adventuresome nightlife back to Bleecker Street.

The Village Gate
The Village Gate

Le Poisson Rouge (French for “The Red Fish”) opened on the former site of the  famous music venue The Village Gate, which featured some of the most notable jazz performers of the 1960s and 70s. John Coltrane, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, and Aretha Franklin were just some of the many performers who graced the stage of the notable venue, which was opened in 1958 by Art D’Lugoff. D ‘Lugoff also nurtured a “Salsa Meets Jazz” program, which paired the best of salsa with jazz and produced partnerships including Tito Puente and Dizzy Gillespie as well as Dexter Gordon and Machito.  Le Poisson Rouge, which opened with the blessing of Art D’Lugoff, continues to offer an amazing variety of musical genres, including classical, jazz, pop, and even opera.

But that’s not all. Le Poisson Rouge boasts one more claim to Village historical fame, as it is located in the building formerly known as Mills House Number 1, one of the most experimental housing projects in New York. Built by architect and housing reformer Ernest Flagg from 1896-1897, Mills House was a

Mills House No. 1
Mills House No. 1

home for single men and funded by philanthropist Darius Ogden Mills. More about Mills House can be found in GVSHP’s proposal for landmarking the South Village.

We look forward to having you help celebrate Le Poisson Rouge and our other venerable Village awardees at our Annual Meeting on June 13!

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