I always had this fantasy about becoming an official tour guide in the Village. But I never got beyond taking friends on informal tours of Westbeth Artists Housing (my building) and leading them through the quaint cobblestone streets of the West Village. Instead, I’m an armchair guide who hangs out in the active Facebook group
On Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day, members of New York City’s LGBTQ community did just that—to show their support for mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Speaking to the crowd that had gathered at the AIDS Memorial in Greenwich Village, the founder of Gays for Zohran, Katia Portela, said, “Zohran has changed the game for trans
Coming Out for Mamdani, by Kate Walter Read More »
During the early 1970s, I lived in a fun house on Lake Valhalla in New Jersey. A group of young people in their 20s, friends from college, had rented a big house on a small lake. We were the only residents on this road who were not a biological family; thus, we were not allowed
Scary Night in the Hippie House, by Kate Walter Read More »
As Shakespeare noted “summer’s lease has all too short a date.” But I also love autumn in New York when it’s still warm during the day. I used to lounge outside in the Westbeth courtyard, around our center garden, but since Westbeth is now a loud construction site, it’s no longer relaxing to hang out
Our Village Greens, Story and photos by Kate Walter Read More »
I was standing outside our family beach bungalow at the Jersey Shore, watering the garden, when a neighbor greeted me as he walked down the road. “Was your mother Agnes?” he asked. “Yes, I replied, “I’m Kate.” “Your mother was a gem,” he said, introducing himself. “I miss talking to her.” “We miss her too.” All
Carrying on the summer legacy, story and photos by Kate Walter Read More »
Pride took over Manhattan on the weekend of June 27-29. The Drag March on Friday kicked off the festivities as drag queens in outrageous outfits paraded from Tompkins Square Park to the Stonewall Inn. At the Dyke March on Saturday, thousands of fierce women proceeded down Fifth Avenue, from Bryant Park to Washington Square Park.
Pride Takes Over Manhattan, Story and Photos by Kate Walter Read More »
The 15th annual WestFest Dance Festival took place from May 1-4 at Westbeth Artists Housing with four nights of performances at the Martha Graham Studio Theater on the top floor of Westbeth. But the super popular (free) highlight was two afternoons of site specific dance performances on Saturday and Sunday all over the Westbeth campus.
“All Over” sends dancers all over Westbeth, story and photos by Kate Walter Read More »
I called my sister to wish her happy Mother’s Day. She has four daughters and nine grandkids. “I know this might sound crazy,” I said, “but I’m really glad Mom is gone and not here for this.” My sister said that she was thinking the same thing. We would be so worried, even though our
Melting down in lockdown, book excerpt by Kate Walter Read More »
I called my sister to wish her happy Mother’s Day. She has four daughters and nine grandkids. “I know this might sound crazy,” I said, “but I’m really glad Mom is gone and not here for this.” My sister said that she was thinking the same thing. We would be so worried, even though our
Five Years Ago, Melting Down in Lockdown: May 2020, Book Excerpt by Kate Walter Read More »
“Show me what democracy looks like.” “This is what democracy looks like.” The call and response chant rang out loudly as thousands of protestors filled 20 blocks of Fifth Avenue on a chilly, rainy afternoon. The massive action in New York City on April 5 was part of the nationwide Hands Off mobilization. It was organized by
New Yorkers say hands off, story and photos by Kate Walter Read More »
