Lower East Side Culture at the NYPL

Rock, Eternity and Tompkins Square

I’m deeply honored to share this little iPhone video from the hallowed halls of the Tompkins Square Branch of the New York Public Library—a place that has borne witness to over a century of social upheavals. In the vitrine on the left as you enter the Library there is a stunning new exhibition of Gary Azon’s photographs.

Gary’s photo of me is from 1996. That was the sudden moment—when the Guerilla Girls were hammering at museum doors, demanding to know Where are the women?, and simultaneously the RiotGrrrl feminist rock movement erupted. We claimed our civil right to play guitars and lead bands. The music in this clip is an excerpt from my song “Little White Dress,” words and music © Phoebe Legere,

featuring my band, 4 Nurses of the Apocalypse,(@Spotify)-

This library has seen revolutions. Today, it holds Gary’s photos, and the echo of my Fender Mustang Custom Cutaway guitar. Thank you Dorothy for curating me into this historic exhibit - along with Allen Ginsberg, Keith Haring, Karen Finley, Anton Perich, Gregory Corso and others.