Good morning and happy hot Friday. Don’t let that early morning haze fool you, the heat index will be getting near 100 degrees today!

Tonight, PBS starts airing a new six-part docuseries — ICON: Music Through the Lens. We were lucky enough to interview Bob Gruen, a legendary New York music photographer, who features in the show. He shared with us his stories of being John Lennon’s personal photographer and friend — and his photographs taken at Hell’s Kitchen’s recording studios. More here…


The latest update of Theater District and Hell’s Kitchen businesses receiving Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program reads like a Broadway Playbill — but now with the addition of neighborhood favorites Intrepid Sea Museum ($8m) and Alvin Ailey ($10m). More details…


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What we’ve been reading

As the city returns, so do the unlicensed street vendors. (CBS)

You might not be paying more — but are you getting less? Portion tricks are leading to inflation. (WSJ)

It’s getting hot hot hot! Here are some heat tips for New Yorkers. (Eyewitness News)

Waiting for a train at Moynihan Train Hall — but where are the seats? (Patch)

There are so many mysteries about W4th St (we always get lost) — but here’s the lowdown on the subway history. (Village Preservation)


Freeze Frame

Belated happy 10th birthday wishes to Loubie, the Hugging Dog (pictured with dad César Fernández-Chavéz). Thanks to Carolina Rivera at House of Brews for organizing this last-minute PAWTY for the neighborhood’s most famous pup.