NYCirca

By Jan Behmer copyright 1983-2020

During the summers of 1983-1984, in my free time, I bussed and subwayed around various parts of New York, mostly Manhattan and Coney Island. My new Nikon SLR was my prized possession, and with many rolls of black and white film, I had the best time. Those two summers hold fond memories of another era in the Big Apple.

NYCirca is dedicated to Anna, who was my neighbor, friend and babysitter on the Upper East Side in the 1970’s and 80’s. Anna and her husband emigrated from Ireland and owned The All Irish Bar on Third Avenue near 83rd Street. When her husband died, she ran the bar alone while raising her three daughters. She told me it was a popular spot for police officers and they had made her feel safe. By the time I met her, she had sold the bar and retired. The space became a disco nightclub. One night I went there with a girlfriend and we had a good time dancing. But I imagined I would have had more fun when it was The All Irish Bar. Anna was a lovely person and is remembered with great fondness.

PATROLLING DOWN LOWER 5th AVENUE, JULY, 1983
JOHN JAY PARK, EAST 77th STREET and YORK, JULY, 1983
ON THE CYCLONE, CONEY ISLAND, JULY 1983
EVENING CONCERT IN WASHINTON SQUARE PARK WITH YOUNG GERMAN TOURISTS AND A LOCAL, 1983
CHATTING WITH THE SISTERS ON THE BOARDWALK, CONEY ISLAND, JULY, 1983
CONCERT GOERS AT LINCOLN CENTER, JULY, 1983
DINER ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE, OFF ORCHARD STREET, JULY, 1983
MORNING MEETING AT CONEY ISLAND, JULY, 1983
MADISON SQUARE PARK AT 28TH STREET, JULY, 1983
THE CHAUFFEUR AND THE MECHANIC, EAST 76TH STREET, 1983
CONEY ISLAND BAR, AUGUST, 1984
THE TWO LOVES OF MY LIFE , AUGUST, 1984