RIP Matthew Courtney
- amolho11
- May 13
- 2 min read
Matthew Courtney - the downtown New York City legend and artist, who sold his work on Prince Street in New York City, has died at the age of 66 on May 2, 2025. Hyperallergic Magazine has a good article on his passing.
Matthew had many lives and some challenges. I got to know him from his “Wide Open Cabaret” performances at ABC NO RIO on Rivington St. in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was the host and organizer, which usually took place on Sunday nights. Performers included John S. Hall, Jennifer Blowdryer, Sarah Hauser, Roger Manning, Bob Holman, Winchester Chimes among many others.
Attending these performances had a profound effect on me.
As the host, Matthew was a charismatic showman and he was very funny. Matthew and the performers conjured a great atmosphere of words, emotions and ideas. After each show - I was so dazed and enthused - I wanted to run through a wall - and create something.
“Wide Open Cabaret” was generally an open mic and as host, Matthew had one main rule, “ You are on your honor to be amazing.”
Here are John S. Hall’s poems about “Wide Open Cabaret” on Instagram (poem 686 "our host") in commemoration of Matthew’s death.
In my mind, Matthew was a wonderful poet too.
You often read and hear about the legendary music, performance, and art scene in New York City's East Village and Lower East Side in the late 1980s and early 1990s (for example: PS 122, The Pyramid Club, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, 8BC, Club 57, La Mama, Save the Robots, CBGB, Danceteria, ABC NO RIO, and Mudd Club). These myths and legends are mostly true. But they're mostly true because it took really inspired, clever, obsessed, and creative people to be legendary - and to make it real in those moments. Matthew Courtney was one of those people and ABC NO RIO was part of the mythic pantheon because of Matthew.
For the past almost two decades, Matthew sold his painting and poem pieces on Prince St. in SOHO. He called it the "Steps To Nowhere Gallery." He combined his poetry and art pieces, which were for sale. His character and persona were free of charge and he did not suffer fools. He became a beloved member of the group of people selling art work, original t-shirts, jewelry etc on Prince St. Almost everyday on the sidewalk, he was an artist in action for all to see.
