Recap: ‘Tabatha’ Book Launch at The Hole NYC

New York’s downtown set overflowed onto Bowery and Bleecker Tuesday night in support of 21-year old Tabatha McGurr’s book release at The Hole Shop. The crowd was jam packed with family and friends, many of whom have seen the young author grow up. Though barely even of age to drink, Tabatha has honed her voice running the blog for Married to the Mob and providing a female’s perspective to Complex Magazine’s online readers.

The self-titled, autobiographical, “scrapbook for adults” as described on the MTTM site, is the young author’s first published book. It consists of McGurr’s own work such as illustrations, photography, collages, writing, and more. Tabatha held court in The Hole Store greeting friends and signing copies of the book until they all sold out before the night’s end. A large wooden slab table, tagged up by patrons of the legendary downtown dive bar Max Fish made for a colorful background to book’s minimal black cover.

The overwhelming turnout of familiar faces sipped cocktails on the astroturf of Kembra Pfahler and E.V. Day’s Giverny installation currently on view at The Hole Gallery. Leah McSweeney, founder of Married To The Mob and mentor to the young author, worked the room in a bright pink dress that was hard to miss. In the cuts was Tabatha’s proud father, and legendary graffiti writer, Futura. As I congratulated him for the success of his offspring upon leaving the event, he agreed “she’s one of my greatest works.”

Photo: Jude Liana