Love this dive into Kathy Kirkpatrick's life. I remember that Cafe. I remember that time in New York. I remember RENT. Life-changing show for my 12 year old daughter. Thank you, Sari. This was a joy to read.
I worked at LIFE Cafe when I lived around the corner on 11th Street between B&C. I had a purple mohawk and NO restaurant experience, but I made it somehow. The friendships between the staff and customers formed there were life-changing, and (mumble mumble) years later, are enduring, albeit mostly online. Everyone has a LIFE story to tell.
Kathy, thanks for creating a cherished neighborhood fixture. We all miss the LIFE Cafe tahini to this day!!
I really appreciated this interview! I lived around the corner, on 11th between B&C, for several years, between 1986 and '92 or so. Many meals at Life, and my late partner, Robin, and I would take out often. I remember the spinach fettuccine in a white cream sauce with garlic. (Sadly, I can't remember what she would order as she always stayed away from garlic in her dishes...) We moved to 13th St. between 2nd and 3rd so didn't come over to Life as much, but one evening, we went out to eat, and I wanted to just wander and walk into some new place but none seemed appealing. She was getting very irritated with me, at my indecision, and I said, "Why don't we walk over to the Life," which we hadn't ate at in years. It was a bit of nostalgia, remembering the beginnings of our relationship, and after the good meal we walked home by all those beautiful residential buildings on 10th Street. across from the park. That evening was such an ordinary, quotidian one, but since she passed, I think back on it as being one of the happiest of my life.
Oh boy, how fabulous. I was an Orlinian more than a Lifer, but the vibes, the smiles, the time, the everything. What a time. Keep on keeping on! Write that memoir!
Beautiful interview. I loved LOVED LIFE Cafe and schlepped myself downtown as often as I could to get there. During a time of great flux, it was an anchor.
I really loved this "memoir" and read it this morning on my phone and then again on my laptop just now. So many wonderful bits, Kathy, and I hope you do write a memoir. One of my favorite lines was "I refuse to act like an angry old person." I didn't ever think of old people as angry, but once you mentioned it, I realized my father, who died at 93, was angry. It gives me more compassion for him.
I remember the Life Cafe and I remember Kathy from the era when I lived in the East Village and was active in the neighborhood. Glad to learn how her life has turned out and I'd love to read a memoir from her. But I'm tired of all the mythology lauding Jonathan Larson, a straight man writing about AIDS and the gay community and who may have stolen the plot of RENT from Sarah Schulman's novel People in Trouble.
So much wisdom here. ‘Our job is not to regret our life as that would deny its existence.’ Wonderful friend who doesn’t complain - a great model for aging well and wise!
Thank you for this deep exploration Kathy and Sari. Great photos!
Love this dive into Kathy Kirkpatrick's life. I remember that Cafe. I remember that time in New York. I remember RENT. Life-changing show for my 12 year old daughter. Thank you, Sari. This was a joy to read.
Glad you enjoyed this, Barbara! <3
I worked at LIFE Cafe when I lived around the corner on 11th Street between B&C. I had a purple mohawk and NO restaurant experience, but I made it somehow. The friendships between the staff and customers formed there were life-changing, and (mumble mumble) years later, are enduring, albeit mostly online. Everyone has a LIFE story to tell.
Kathy, thanks for creating a cherished neighborhood fixture. We all miss the LIFE Cafe tahini to this day!!
Oh, wow!!! You probably waited on me. Didn't know we lived in the same neighborhood...coulda hung out then! xox
I really appreciated this interview! I lived around the corner, on 11th between B&C, for several years, between 1986 and '92 or so. Many meals at Life, and my late partner, Robin, and I would take out often. I remember the spinach fettuccine in a white cream sauce with garlic. (Sadly, I can't remember what she would order as she always stayed away from garlic in her dishes...) We moved to 13th St. between 2nd and 3rd so didn't come over to Life as much, but one evening, we went out to eat, and I wanted to just wander and walk into some new place but none seemed appealing. She was getting very irritated with me, at my indecision, and I said, "Why don't we walk over to the Life," which we hadn't ate at in years. It was a bit of nostalgia, remembering the beginnings of our relationship, and after the good meal we walked home by all those beautiful residential buildings on 10th Street. across from the park. That evening was such an ordinary, quotidian one, but since she passed, I think back on it as being one of the happiest of my life.
Oh boy, how fabulous. I was an Orlinian more than a Lifer, but the vibes, the smiles, the time, the everything. What a time. Keep on keeping on! Write that memoir!
I consider myself part Orlinian as well! But I spent more time at Life.
The East Village diaspora.
Funny, I once thought to publish an anthology called “Dispatches from the Downtown Diaspora”
that'd be fun! so many LGBTQ punx had their identities formed at Pyramid, LIFE Cafe, Wigstock, etc.
Maybe I'll still do it...
Yes!!⭐️
Orlin for me too....
❤️ everyone's old address!!!
9th and A from 1987 to 1999
Many meals at Orlin too, and film projects debated and started there. I miss that place.
This is wise and wonderful. I feel as though I know her.
Beautiful
Awesome and inspiring. And not that far off for some of us!
Beautiful interview. I loved LOVED LIFE Cafe and schlepped myself downtown as often as I could to get there. During a time of great flux, it was an anchor.
Well said. Yes, an anchor. I miss that place...
I really loved this "memoir" and read it this morning on my phone and then again on my laptop just now. So many wonderful bits, Kathy, and I hope you do write a memoir. One of my favorite lines was "I refuse to act like an angry old person." I didn't ever think of old people as angry, but once you mentioned it, I realized my father, who died at 93, was angry. It gives me more compassion for him.
<3
I love reading about people who just go from one big life change to another. It's so inspiring.
There’s a lot of sadness, joy, and wisdom that comes through here…what a life! And what an inspiring attitude about life!
<3
I remember the Life Cafe and I remember Kathy from the era when I lived in the East Village and was active in the neighborhood. Glad to learn how her life has turned out and I'd love to read a memoir from her. But I'm tired of all the mythology lauding Jonathan Larson, a straight man writing about AIDS and the gay community and who may have stolen the plot of RENT from Sarah Schulman's novel People in Trouble.
So much wisdom here. ‘Our job is not to regret our life as that would deny its existence.’ Wonderful friend who doesn’t complain - a great model for aging well and wise!
Thank you for this deep exploration Kathy and Sari. Great photos!
What an amazing life Kathy, and that cafe looks like one I would have loved!
Legend! And I love "Lick the plate clean!"
I think Jane and I must be related. So much in common, especially the eyebrows. Thank you for another fun read.