! week ago we were plunged into crisis. Today I hope people can be patient as the new week begins. I know some are still unable to return to work, others have children at home unable to go back to school. Stories I have heard have made me feel so lucky and blessed. I returned last night to my building in full power, a not unexpected garbage odor and the smiles and hugs of neighbors who stayed throughout the power outage. Stories of pitch dark hallways and staiwells that meant many just stayed put and never left. I am heartened to hear of others who ventured down multiple steep flights to bunk in with neighbors on lower floors.

There is so much we can do. For me right now I'm going out to sing. Best way I know is to bring some joy back into an otherworldly, intense, scary week where many things will never be the same.

Transit update: Most subway lines are working but the B G Z lines are still without service, no PATH trains, ferries have returned, Holland tunnel open to only buses, and no longer HOV restrictions for car occupancy.

more info here.

My sister living in NJ has seen gas and battery rationing, power lines and poles still down and power out. It's hard to wrap our heads around the massive widespread devastation. Many areas will take a long time to clean up and get back on track.

For those in need here are important #'s:

FEMA 1-800-621-FEMA

Red Cross tri-state 1-877-733-2767

NJHelp -800-Jersey 7

My first performance back from my summer break was at Columbus Circle, uptown 1 platform. This spot is great. The crowd builds in between trains, but it's also quite noisy with express trains passing in both directions on the inside tracks. I learn how to pause to save my voice. When the train arrives and the doors open, I love to see people inside look out in my direction, seemingly surprised to hear live music. I see a lot from my vantage point where I set up, and the colorful Sol Lewitt mosaics are behind me.

I met photo journalist Nousha Salimi who discovered my website and found where I was playing. She came to my gig the following day where I performed in Brooklyn at the LIRR station. It was interesting to have Nousha spend the entire gig with me 2 days in a row and each of the locations couldn't be any more different. To be able to see what I witness, the humanity, the intense experience of being in one location for 3 hours at a time, while everything and everyone else is speeding by on their way to somewhere.

Columbus Circle:

by Nousha Salimi

Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn, LIRR station

by Nousha Salimi