East Village Underground: Two Centuries of Creativity and Rebellion, Walking Tour

Discover how German émigrés fleeing the 1848 revolutions in Europe sparked the US labor movement, thus shaping the area’s identity as the epicenter of radical counter-cultural movements. With guide Marc Catapano, you’ll visit Tompkins Square Park, scene of the 1874 and 1987 riots and home to the mystical Hare Krishna Tree. Stroll down St Mark's Place, where free jazz, acid rock, and punk reshaped music. The tour will investigate the infamous 1967 “Groovy Murders” and visit CBGB’s, the Fillmore East, and the setting of Rent. We’ll also learn about luminaries such as Allen Ginsberg, Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, and Charlie Parker.

Starting location: The Ottendorfer Public Library (outside), 135 Second Avenue

Marc Catapano is a Licensed NYC Sightseeing Guide, active member of the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC), and the proprietor behind Flowers in the Concrete Walking Tours. Born and raised in New York, Marc has spent years roaming the city’s streets, uncovering its secrets and sharing them with friends and visitors.

Marc’s career includes writing and editing for Interview Magazine and Starlog Press, producing for MTV, award-winning scriptwriting for Nickelodeon, and freelance work for Oxygen Media and Discovery Networks. He was Vice-President of video content for Steve Van Zandt’s Renegade Media and even had a spell as a stand-up comedian. Marc’s tours—Beatnik Greenwich Village, East Village Underground, and Greenwich Village A Go Go—blend his creative talents with his passion for New York’s history and culture, offering a unique and engaging experience for all.