L Magazine
New York City magazine (2003–2015)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The L Magazine was a free bi-weekly magazine in New York City featuring investigative articles, arts and culture commentary, and event listings. It was available through distribution in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Hoboken.
| Editor-in-Chief | Mike Conklin |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Biweekly |
| Publisher | Nick Burry |
| Total circulation | 106,600[1] (2011) |
| Founder | Scott Stedman, Daniel Stedman |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Final issue | July 2015 |
| Company | The L Magazine LLC |
| Based in | Brooklyn |
| Website | www |
History
The L Magazine was created in 2003 by brothers Scott and Daniel Stedman and editor Jonny Diamond in Dumbo, Brooklyn.[2] The brothers named it for the L train, a subway line that connects Brooklyn to Manhattan.[3] It ceased publication in July 2015, with resources shifted to sister publication Brooklyn Magazine.
The Boxing Match
The L's launch coincided with that of New York Sports Express,[4] an offshoot of New York Press. The distribution boxes used by Express and The L looked very similar; both were bright orange, and they were the same shape and color.
While most likely a coincidence, Express editor-in-chief Jeff Koyen decided to print a series of barbs[5] against Scott Stedman, The L's publisher. Stedman responded with a full-sized ad in The L challenging Koyen to a boxing match. On October 25, Koyen and Stedman boxed at Gleason's Gym in Dumbo,[6] Brooklyn to settle the score. The match ended in a draw, and no re-match was rescheduled.[7][8]
The boxing match was re-created on the TV show Bored to Death. Jonathan Ames claims in his blog[9][10] that the season finale was based on this match.
Events
In 2005, The L Magazine launched Summer Screen,[11] a free weekly film series in Brooklyn's McCarren Park.[12][13]
In 2009, the magazine launched the Northside Music Festival.[14][15] Headliners included indie rock acts Cymbals Eat Guitars, The Dodos, Screaming Females, and Real Estate (band). In 2010, the second Northside Music Festival[16][17][18][19][20][21][22] featured performances by Polvo, Liars, Elvis Perkins in Dearland and The Fiery Furnaces.[23] The festival also hosted the films Feast of Stephen by James Franco[24] and Life During Wartime by Todd Solondz.[25][26]
Honors
In November 2010, The L Magazine art critic Paddy Johnson was nominated for Critic of the Year in the Rob Pruitt Art Awards, a fundraising event for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.[27][28][29]