In 1958, around the time Bob Dylan was shadowing Karen Dalton in the West Village while folk music ascended in popularity, The Music Inn opened its doors. From the get-go, Jeff Slatnick was part of the Music Inn scene too, hanging there Saturday afternoons while a high school student in Newark. Time passed, Jeff went to India for seven years of sitar study with Ali Akbar Khan, moved to San Francisco where he hung with Black Panthers, with Chuck Berry, opened on sitar for Sly and the Family Stone, and while returning to New York via St Louis re-met Chuck both there and again in New York.
Several instances of being in the right place at the right time led Jeff to the present day and his role as a shop owner, teacher of Classical Indian sitar, instrument inventor, designer and maker, repairer (even of darabukas), player of stringed instruments, a seller of all, including percussive instruments and vinyl records. And, producer: on Thursday nights, beginning 7 pm, he hosts an open mike for rising stars.
This shop is similar in style to the Red Caboose, one of the pre-eminent railroad hobbyist stores in North America. Upstairs and downstairs there's stuff everywhere, hardly any two pieces alike. Beauty abounds on every hand whether you're noticing the quality of wood, brass, stainless steel, shape of instruments, suppleness of hide, or uniqueness of purpose.
Interesting video, and here are some of the recognizable, unnameable instruments hanging on his walls: Balafone, L'oud (Lute), Charango, Dutar, Dirube.
Explore New York like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our New York guide.
John's Pizza is situated inside a former tabernacle with a domed stain glass ceiling about 50 feet above, and ‘sliced’ into 8 sections, just like a pizza.
By
On Broad Street stands a bronze sculpture named Fearless Girl which exudes bravery, pride and strength but not, according to the artist, 'defiance'...
By
The space functions day to day as a bright and modern-looking upscale deli and on certain evenings, it doubles as a performance space for stand-up comics.
By
It’s all free, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll get a life jacket, a paddle, a 'kayak', and a locker, for a session of approximately 20 minutes.
By
"Amsterdam Billiards" in New York has a nice bar, nice service and soft couches. It's a well-known place to play (and watch!) billiards, darts, foosball...
By
The Cage in West Village is a chain link fenced, bagel-sized basketball court in New York. Here you can also find handball, a citywide spectacle...
By
"TAP - NYC" makes Brazilian tapioca from yuca! I really love their Pão de Queijo, tangerine-sized, feather-weight bread-puffs with molten cheese...
By
"The Seasoned Vegan" in New York is crowded (in a good way), energizing and really fun. I got the Harlem Chopped Cheeseburger, and I'd order it again...
By
"Bethesda Terrace" in New York's Central Park is home to Bethesda Fountains, sculptural balustrades and breathtaking magical depictions of wild animals...
By
"Bodegas" are NYC convenience stores that are as much an essential part of urban culture as are chippies in Whitley Bay or curry shops in London, England...
By
You can see eight of the thirty-six paintings by "Johannes Vermeer" in New York City. There's a ninth one, but it's behind closed doors...
By
"35 Times - Toby Buonagurio" in New York are small artworks in the Times Square subway station, maybe even 16 inches square, lit on the inside. Jazzy!
By
299 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 299 Insider Tips from our local Spotters