The New Yorkers Podcast

In this episode, Kelly is joined by Ed Welter. Ed has operated a construction company for more than 40 years, worked as the chief dialysis technician at Kings County Hospital and has volunteered at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. He is also a licensed New York City tour guide who leads tours of the historic Woolworth Building.

Kelly asks Ed about growing up in Alphabet City, where one of his earliest memories is of his grandfather coming home from work and bathing in the kitchen while listening to “Volare.” Years later, Ed visited the Tenement Museum with his father and was reminded of his grandparents’ home.

Ed then talks about his mother’s battle with kidney disease. When she died, she was the longest-surviving woman on dialysis in the world. At only eight years old, Ed was trained to help operate her home dialysis machine. His mother helped found the American Association of Kidney Patients and traveled to the House of Representatives to help secure dialysis treatment for Americans who needed it.

Ed tells Kelly why 38th Street—the street where the podcast studio is located—holds such a special place in his heart. His father’s construction company was based there, his parents met there and Ed later met his wife there. He also talks about getting married, moving to Long Island to raise his family and never quite feeling at home away from New York City.

After separating from his wife, Ed moved back to Manhattan and began volunteering at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. That experience inspired him to volunteer when the 9/11 Memorial opened and eventually become a licensed New York City tour guide. Ed believes many of the best things in his life came from volunteering.

While volunteering at the 9/11 Museum, Ed met Helen Post Curry, the great-granddaughter of Woolworth Building architect Cass Gilbert. She invited him to become a guide at the Woolworth Building, where he met his future business partner, Bob Gelber. After working there as guides, Ed and Bob eventually took over the tour company and helped bring public tours back to one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.

Ed also tells the remarkable story of how Frank W. Woolworth rose from humble beginnings to build a retail empire and commission what became the tallest building in the world when it opened in 1913.

Finally, Kelly asks Ed to share the heartfelt story of the birdhouse that was left at the 9/11 Memorial to honor one of the victims of the attacks.

But above all else—Ed Welter is a New Yorker.

Kelly's Social Media:

@NewYorkCityKopp

Jae's Social Media

@StudioJae170

Book a tour with Ed & Bob!

https://woolworthtoursnyc.com

https://www.facebook.com/WoolworthToursNYC

https://www.instagram.com/woolworthtoursnyc/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60763-d34318952-Reviews-Woolworth_Tours_NYC-New_York_City_New_York.html

https://www.viator.com/tours/New-York-City/Official-Woolworth-Building-Lobby-Tour-with-Vault-Access/d687-5643763P3

Info@woolworthtoursnyc.com

Chapters

(00:00:00) - Intro and Guest Background
(00:01:57) - Growing Up in Alphabet City
(00:03:38) - The Tenement Museum and Family Memories
(00:07:12) - Mother's Battle with Kidney Disease and Dialysis Legacy
(00:10:17) - Learning Dialysis as a Child and TV Feature
(00:11:39) - Life in Manhattan, Marriage, and Long Island Years
(00:13:47) - Returning Home to New York City
(00:15:30) - Billionaires Row and City Growth
(00:17:11) - Morningside Heights and Cathedral of St. John the Divine Tours
(00:18:37) - The Vertical Tour and the Sweeper Story
(00:20:58) - Surprise Concert with Clapton and Bon Jovi
(00:21:55) - Joining the 9/11 Memorial as a Volunteer
(00:23:42) - Becoming a Licensed Tour Guide
(00:25:17) - Meeting Helen Curry and the Woolworth Building Tours
(00:26:07) - Rebuilding the Tour Company After COVID
(00:28:38) - Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Smart Homes
(00:30:12) - The Tunnel to Towers Run and Stephen Siller's Story
(00:33:58) - History and Legacy of the Woolworth Building
(00:35:24) - Woolworth's Segregation History and New Tours
(00:37:45) - Lighting the Koenig Sphere
(00:43:09) - Knicks Parade Thank You
(00:43:56) - The Birdhouse Tribute Story
(00:48:53) - 25th Anniversary Security and Dignitaries
(00:50:57) - Closing Thoughts on New York and Doing Good

On this episode of The New Yorkers Podcast, Kelly Kopp sits down with Dan from All Day NYC for a funny, nostalgic, and very New York conversation about growing up in Bensonhurst and Gravesend, Coney Island summers, Canal Street, pizza, bagels, the subway, viral NYC moments, the Knicks championship parade, and what it really means to be a New Yorker.

Dan also shares how All Day NYC got started, some of his favorite viral moments, and his memories of being a 16-year-old high school student in Brooklyn on September 11th, 2001.

We also talk about Kelly’s experience surviving a 2017 NYC subway derailment, whether the subway feels safer today, and why this past summer felt like New York had finally found some of its old energy again.

Chapters

(00:00:00) - New Yorkers Podcast
(00:04:05) - Living in Brooklyn in the 90s
(00:07:09) - Cops Chase Car stereo sellers down Canal Street
(00:09:47) - Bay Ridge resident on the high cost of living
(00:12:45) - What's the Problem with Chipotle?
(00:13:12) - NYC on Social Media
(00:14:59) - School Bus Rave
(00:15:58) - Riding A One Wheeler In The City
(00:18:44) - Raccoons Go Viral
(00:19:59) - The Knicks Parade in NYC
(00:22:53) - Crazy People Try To Get Through The Woolworth Building
(00:23:55) - The Knicks' 53-Year-Old Tattoo
(00:24:41) - NYC Mayor on the Summer
(00:27:21) - World Cup and Fourth of July celebrations in NYC
(00:29:27) - The Summer of Celebrations
(00:30:49) - Favorite Pizza Places in NYC
(00:33:27) - Pizza on Bleecker Street
(00:35:22) - Upper Manhattan's best restaurant, 'Bitcoin Steakhouse'
(00:36:34) - Bagels and Drinking Water
(00:39:10) - The New York City Water Fountains
(00:39:49) - NYC Subway Rider on Safety
(00:42:40) - Jumping off the subway in NYC
(00:45:18) - What Happened On September 11, 2001
(00:48:22) - What Was It Like To Be In NYC On September 11th?
(00:51:05) - The 9/11 memorial in Manhattan
(00:53:46) - The Oculus Museum
(00:54:38) - A Woman's Talk About 911
(00:55:19) - Questions for New York City Residents
(00:55:53) - Top New Yorkers Talk About The City
(00:56:56) - Dan on What It Means to Be a New Yorker
(00:58:05) - All Day NYC

The New Yorkers are on Summer Vacation this week. So join them as they look back on a previous episode while they look forward to the Halloween season! 

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In this episode, Kelly is joined by Zombie Papas Jorge and Todd, the organizers of Thriller NYC! 

Join them as they introduce themselves. Jorge tells us how he came to New York, and what it was like moving here. Todd, on the other hand, talks about being third-generation from Brooklyn. They tell us about how they met, as well as their costume wedding. They talk about how they found Thriller NYC and how long they've been involved with it. 

Jorge talks about the founding of Thriller in the West Village Halloween parade. He talks about the first time it was done and what it was like when it first started. He talks about how he initially joined another Thriller group because Thriller NYC was full. Todd talks about how Jorge invited him to join Thriller one year, but not in the way that he had wanted to. 

Kelly asks about the process of putting together something so massive. Todd talks about the process of how people get tickets and join the group. He goes over what the rehearsals look like as well as what the timetable is like to put on something like that. They both talk about what people are getting out of their ticket. They talk about how it is important for them to form a safe community, and they emphasise moving your body in community, and the healing power that it can have.

Jorge and Todd thank Kelly for his viral video of the performance, and they talk about how that helped them get put back on the map and continue post Covid. They also talk about what it feels like to put together this massive project every year, and the cultural impact that it has on the world. They talk about their trip to South Africa and how Thriller even has an impact there. 

Finally, Kelly asks them some quick fire questions about the dance, the Halloween parade, the costumes, and where to eat after. 

But, above all else; Jorge and Todd are New Yorkers. 

Kelly's Social Media

@NewYorkCityKopp

Join Thriller NYC!

https://www.thrillernyc.com/

@Thrillernyc

Donate to the village Halloween parade!

https://halloween-nyc.com/donate/ 

Jae's Social Media

@Studiojae170

Chapters

(00:00:00) - New Yorkers Podcast
(00:01:57) - This New York Couple Had A 'Thriller' Wedding
(00:05:18) - The Halloween Parade With Thriller
(00:05:49) - The Thriller Dance in the NYC Parade
(00:09:08) - How To Participate in the Parade Thriller Dance
(00:11:52) - The West Village Thriller Parade
(00:14:27) - The Memphis Thriller Parade
(00:18:47) - The New York Thriller Dance
(00:23:18) - Mets Mascots at the Parade
(00:25:32) - The Cast of Thriller
(00:28:33) - Thriller's Spring Parade
(00:30:55) - What Makes The Thriller Dance So New York?
(00:34:12) - Dancing To Michael Jackson's Thriller in Mozambique
(00:36:21) - The New York City Zombie Parade
(00:38:14) - How the Village Halloween Parade Works
(00:41:02) - Thriller's NYC Parade
(00:41:29) - Village Halloween Parade
(00:43:12) - The Halloween Parade in New York
(00:43:59) - What It Means to Be A New Yorker
(00:46:02) - New Yorkers: Thank You!

In this episode, Kelly is joined by Dan Rimada! He is the founder of Bodega Cats NYC, Author of the book, and started a campaign to pass the first legislation in New York City surrounding Bodega Cats! 

Kelly asks Dan about growing up! Dan talks about what it was like to grow up in the same neighborhood as The Wu Tang Clan! He talks about going between Brooklyn and Staten Island, and where his parents ended up. Dan asks Kelly about Disney World, and you won't believe the number of times that he's been there!

Dan then talks about his love for Cats! He talks about how he first noticed his local bodega's cat during COVID. Kelly and Dan talked about how time slowed during that time, and how they were able to appreciate more of the little things.

Dan talks about the New York Tour that he does, and tells Kelly a story about how a cat saved Brooklyn Borough Hall! Kelly asks Dan all about his tours, and Dan talks about where his tours go, who he runs them with, and tells us another great story about a famous New York City Cat!

Kelly asks Dan about the Bodega Cats of New York Instagram account. Dan talks about how he originally wanted to keep the account focused on his photos and experiences. But after receiving a lot of requests from other New Yorkers, he decided to start posting submissions. He then talks about how his account got deleted, right at the peak of its growth!  

Kelly then asks Dan about his Book. Dan talks about how he worked with a cat photographer to go to Bodegas across all 5 boroughs to take pictures and write down the stories of the cats who live there. Kelly asks Dan about some of the stories in the book, and Dan tells him the tale of Zorro and how he earned his name!

Kelly and Dan then talk about how Dan started the movement to legalize bodega cats. Dan talks about his initial petition, and the phone call that he received that ended it. Dan talks about the undertaking of changing New York State and City Law. He goes into detail about what the law says, how it's harmful for Bodega Cats, and what his proposal hopes to change. 

Finally, Kelly asks Dan about his upcoming projects, and Dan tells Kelly about a secret project that has not been announced yet, but he asks for Kelly's help with it on the Podcast!

But above all else; Dan Rimada is a New Yorker!

Kelly's Social Media:

@NewYorkCityKopp

Follow Bodega Cats of New York

@NewYorkBodegaCats

Pre-order the Book: Bodega Cats of New York

Jae's Social Media

@Studiojae170

Chapters

(00:00:00) - New Yorkers Podcast
(00:01:14) - Knicks fans at the game
(00:01:48) - White Man at Disney's Florida Resort
(00:03:59) - How Jerry Fox Saved Brooklyn Borough Hall
(00:06:56) - Jerry Fox on a Plaque
(00:08:08) - The Cat That Crossed the Brooklyn Bridge
(00:11:01) - Bodega Cat on
(00:11:42) - Bodega Cats of New York Instagram Account
(00:14:52) - Turkish Street Cats: The Story
(00:17:36) - Bodega Cats: The Story
(00:18:48) - We Spotted A Bodega Cat
(00:22:12) - The Health Inspector Who Scratched His Arm
(00:24:53) - Bodega Cat: Good Move
(00:27:48) - Donor Donates Cat Cat Boxes to Bodega Cats
(00:30:25) - Boca the Bodega Cat Got Stolen
(00:33:37) - Blanca the Bodega Cat Spotted on Google Street View
(00:35:08) - Bodega Cats: Legalize the Cat
(00:38:45) - Linda Rosenthal Introduces Bill to Officially Legalize Bode
(00:41:31) - Bodega Cat Archive in New York
(00:43:55) - Favorite NYC sandwich
(00:45:33) - What They Don't Understand About New York
(00:48:19) - Biker Lane Move on the Brooklyn Bridge
(00:49:10) - What It Means To Be A New Yorker

In this Episode, Kelly is joined by writer Gabriel Rotello! He is the author of two books: Sexual Ecology: AIDS and the Destiny of Gay Men and The CBGB Conspiracy. He became the first openly gay op-ed columnist for a major American newspaper and is the founder of Out Week Magazine. He has also written, directed, and produced dozens of TV documentaries for major networks like HBO, Netflix, and the History Channel.

Gabriel talks about growing up in Danbury, Connecticut, and traveling into the city with his older brother when he was 13! Even at that age, he knew he wanted to move to New York when he grew up. Kelly asks him what life was like in New York in the 1970s. Gabriel talks about how Manhattan was a playground for young adults in their early 20s. He tells us how cheap his rent was, describes the decay of the Bowery in great detail, and talks about how wonderful it was to play music at CBGB. 

Kelly asks Gabriel about CBGB. Gabriel tells us that in the beginning, no one wanted to go there. He describes the "Bowery Bums", the mismanagement of the venue, and its terrible location. He then talks about how it became one of the most famous punk venues in the world. 

Gabriel talks a bit about his book: The CBGB Conspiracy. He tells Kelly that he actually did not want to write a book about his time in the 70s at first. With the aids epidemic looming over it, he thought it too depressing. But when inspiration struck, while walking along the street one day, he came up with the idea of creating a murder mystery, with CBGB as the background and weaving in famous people of the era, along with his personal experiences.

Kelly asks Gabriel a bit about the process of writing, and Gabriel talks about how he was inspired by a past guest of our show, Jonathan Mahler! He talks about reading Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx Is Burning... and being transported back into that time in his life. 

Kelly then asks Gabriel what gay life was like back in the day. Gabriel describes the streets of the West Village being filled with shirtless gay men dancing and having the best time on a random Tuesday night. He talks about how there was a feud between the East Village gay community and the West Village gay community. He talks about their differences, what it was like to have one foot in both, and he reflects on how his perception has changed since then.  

Gabriel then talks a bit about his partner Hap, who passed during the Aids Epidemic. Gabriel had met Hap when he was studying abroad and just happened to run into each other when he moved to New York. Gabriel talked about how Hap showed him the ropes as a newly out man. He talks about how they dated until Hap's passing. Kelly talks about marching on Washington in support of the movement. Gabriel talks about how it inspired him to start Out Week Magazine, and how he invited outing!

But above all else; Gabriel Rotello is a New Yorker!

Kelly Kopp's Social Media:
@NewYorkCityKopp on all platforms

Buy Gabriel's Book!

Gabriel's Social Media:

@GabeRotello 

Jae's Social Media

@Studiojae170 

 

Chapters

(00:00:00) - New Yorkers: Gabriel Rotello on the Podcast
(00:01:57) - Phil Collins on Coming Out in NYC
(00:06:02) - Living in the East Village in the 60s
(00:09:51) - Punishment for Bowery Bums
(00:14:57) - The Talking Heads on Hilly Hill's Death
(00:19:50) - Madonna's First Public Gig
(00:20:32) - CBGB's Conspiracy is a Novel
(00:26:00) - The Making of A Time to Win
(00:26:33) - In the Elevator With Steven Spielberg
(00:31:42) - Inside The Bowery
(00:32:24) - How To Write a Novel
(00:33:03) - In the Elevator With Jonathan Harris
(00:37:07) - How a dime changed the phone
(00:37:24) - Adam Levine on the Gay Scene in New York
(00:41:18) - Punk and Disco in the East Village
(00:44:13) - In the Elevator With Out Week
(00:47:12) - Gabriel on ACT UP and the Gay Community
(00:50:54) - What It Means to Be a New Yorker
(00:52:47) - How To Find Gabriel Ortello On Social Media