Hunter’s Walking Tour of Greenwich Village – co-led by Margaret Harrell, who shares memories of personal exploits – is Friday, 10 a.m. to 12:00 – FREE to all.

The other co-leader TBA.

It would be helpful if you sign up on this site. Let’s begin. But if you forget, come anyway.

We gather at 9:55 – 10:00 a.m. at the famous Sheridan Square in Greenwich Village – otherwise called Sheridan Square/Stonewall station – and proceed to walk just a few minutes to 55 Perry Street (the old 57 Perry), where Hunter lived and enjoyed shenanigans with John Clancy and Eugene McGarr April 1958 — January 1959. He described this as a basement apartment with black walls. [pp 115-150, The Proud Highway]

By the best of luck John’s wife, Judy Clancy, will regale us with the tales that John told her, unpublished to this point. For historical record, for sheer fun, you will not want to miss this.

A snippet of a letter from you know who!

Join the tour to learn more stories.

Next we move JUST TWO MINUTES to Margaret Harrell’s old apartment, 378 Bleecker Street, steps away, right around the corner. Hunter went there his first night in New York, in town to promote Hell’s Angels. By the highest of irony – or the roundest of circles – the date was February 20, 1967. He had just 38 years to skyrocket to fame and write his classics. And that was time enough to complete the task, as the clock ticked, bringing him to February 20, 2005. At this stop we hear more stories, this time from Margaret herself.

Next – just two minutes away again – is the White Horse Tavern – 567 Hudson Street. Put yourself back in time and imagine Dylan Thomas standing beside you. Or stumbling. As the website says, “Dylan Thomas loved it because it reminded him of his favorite spots back in Wales. Jack Kerouac, the Beat poets, and other big names like James Baldwin started showing up, along with jazz legends and folks from the growing folk and rock scenes. The bar still has its original wood and tin ceiling and is a historic landmark.”

From there, we make our way back to Sheridan Square and the world-famous Kettle of Fish, on Christopher Street. “Wikipedia:

Kettle of Fish is associated with Beat Generation figures such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg and was also frequented by folk revival musicians such as Bob Dylan. During the 1960s, Kettle of Fish was located above The Gaslight Cafe, and performers at the Gaslight would often go to the Kettle between sets. According to Blues figure Dick Waterman: “Whoever was playing at the Gaslight, they went upstairs between sets.”

But this Christopher Street location, off Sheridan Square, was long the site of the famous Lion’ Head, where back in the day (before the Kettle of Fish moved there in the 1980s) you could have found David Amram holding court frequently among literary lights.

The Lion Head’s glory days as a legendary Greenwich Village watering hole was during the 1960s.

That’s when the downstairs bar at 59 Christopher Street equally attracted literary types and longshoremen, and drinkers could rub elbows with writers, newspaper reporters, Irish folk singers, politicians, and a pre-fame Jessica Lange, who waited tables.

From Sheridan Square if there’s time as we make our way back to Howl Happening, we stop at McSorley’s Old Ale House, which will be open – much loved by Hunter – for a bite to eat.

Established in 1854 – McSorley’s can boast of being New York City’s oldest continuously operated saloon. Everyone from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon have passed thru McSorley’s swinging doors. Woody Guthrie inspired the union movement from a table in the front — guitar in hand . . . 1928. Poet e.e. cummings writes the poem “Sitting in McSorley’s”

McSorley’s proudly states that nothing has been removed from the walls since 1910, including relics like Harry Houdini’s handcuffs locked to the bar rail. The proprieters claim that the bar opened in 1854, but historical research has shown that the site was a vacant lot in 1860 and 1861. So, the tavern business that Lincoln visited may have been in an adjacent building.

Try its modest, inexpensive, mouth-watering menu.

McSorley’s is first come, first served, cash only. But it won’t break the bank, as a burger with fries is $10. And today’s soup $6. As we end here around noon, or just before noon, you should have time to indulge and make it to Howl Happening by 1:00.