Fiveoutsiders, a blog- "NYC misfits with know opinion"

I was blogged about on fiveoutsiders blog under the section Jessica's Street Performer Series.  I love the byline “NYC misfits with know opinion”.

I met Jessica at Times Square Mosaics the day of the Yankees ticker tape parade when it seemed like the only people stopping by were Yankees fans.  The energy was actually infectious, as everyone (almost) was in such a great mood.  Jessica asked if she could film/interview me for her blog Five Outsiders.  It was fun. Here's her clip, check out the blog to see what she wrote:

fiveoutsiders Jessica's Street Performer Series on nycsubwaygirl

Thanks for stopping by Jessica! 

Update

on 2009-11-19 16:54 by NYC Subway Girl

forgot to add this pic of Jessica and Deena (she covers art) fiveoutsiders.com they've added me to their NY sites we love

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Yankees Ticker Tape parade, I was at Times SQ mosaics

Nov 6, 2009 Times SQ Mosaics Yankees won World Series, perfect fall crisp sunny day. Ticker tape parade meant the city was a sea of Yankee uniforms, caps, banners, jackets, and sweatshirts. Started with Prof Alvarez performing to a small curious crowd. I was a bit late, his son who helps him set up/tear down was nowhere to be seen. Michele appeared-passing through from a Dr's appointment. It was sweet seeing her. She was protective over a very blotto guy who was bumping into people. He never came near me, but in a big crowd it’s true being careful is advised.

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LIRR a spot for chaos or calm

LIRR a spot for chaos or calm November 5, 2009 LIRR Arrived ready to set up and Ricardo steel drummer was playing he was a joyful fellow from Trinidad and we laughed about our fun life… The performance location is between the flower stand and McDonalds, so I get this amazing color from the flowers and the close proximity of the people stopping by to buy bouquets, a lovely energy. The people coming in and out of McDo’s couldn’t be more diverse. I don’t really like the smell, but tolerate it better than the constant hum=roar of a large machine? Fan? Don’t know what it is, but it’s somewhere behind me. People linger, lean on columns, listen. I started
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Re “Homecoming Of Sorts For Navy Ship” November 3, 2009 NY Times

USS New York fabricated with steel from destroyed towers, enters NY Harbor

http://bit.ly/7T8X1C

To the Editor,

The photo of the USS New York pausing at the World Trade Center painfully reveals a visible slice of an empty lot idly waiting. A more fitting “homecoming” use for the 7.5 tons of steel could have been a memorial at Ground Zero instead of material for a Naval ship. While the USS New York might be an honor to board for the harbor pilot Neil Keaton, imagine if instead he stood where his brother perished to inaugurate a memorial in a renewed neighborhood rebuilt from the ashes and same melted steel as the USS New York.

Cathy Grier

YES on NY State election ballot Proposition 2

This November 3rd there are two propositions on the New York State ballot. I am blogging about my concern for Proposition 2.  A Yes vote would allow inmates to perform work for nonprofit organizations.  I know of many non profits that have successfully used this important program.  It would be very unfortunate if it were to end.  Maybe you have volunteered or contributed on some level to organizations that would be affected by this proposition, consider sending an email to any directors of organizations you might know, so they can inform their supporters.

If you vote in New York state, please consider voting yes on Proposition 2.  

Halt! by dance group Palissimo

I caught an amazing audio dance installation at Whitehall ferry the day I performed at the terminal at St. George.  I met choreographer Pavel Zustiak and also listened to audio (at the sound bar). The group then performed a very free dance right there in the terminal which integrates commuters into the piece-very moving.  Fantastic, catch it if you can as it runs from Oct 26-3oth

from their website: 

HALT! We miss a ride or a subway and halt in our tracks. When you stop chasing, what finds you instead? 

http://www.palissimo.com/work/halt/index.html

here's a picture of Pavel after the performance

Eve Ensler, one woman's dream now a world cause reality

Eve is one of the most remarkable leaders of our time. A provocative playwright, an intensely adept voice, and a tireless presence wherever violence against women is unveiled.  In bringing atrocities to light, she is a fearless seeker of truth. From villages in Africa, campus’s in America, to congressional hearings, her focus is fierce. Her words strong, her action deeply committed. Eve’s campaign of non-violence throughout the world, is essential and worth our support.  V-Day is run by a very small group of people committed to ending violence against women. Their efforts are funded through people like you and me. 

Congratulations Eve!!

Eve named one of U.S. News & World Report's Best Leaders 2009!

U.S. News Media Group, in association with the Center for Public Leadership (CPL) at Harvard Kennedy School, today released the 2009 edition of America's Best Leaders, available online at www.usnews.com/leadersand featured in the November, 2009, issue of U.S. News & World Report magazine, on newsstands Tuesday, October 27.

V-Day Founder Eve Ensler has been named Best Leader 2009 along with 22 of the country's most exemplary individuals, including Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Operation Smile founders Bill and Kathy Magee, Artist Twyla Tharp, and Rockefeller Foundation President Judith Rodin.

According to U.S. News press release, the fifth annual Best Leaders issue honors a select group of men and women from a variety of fields including business, public service, education, and arts. These inspiring professionals have contributed to industry advancements with their innovation and achievements, and through their advocacy, service, activism, and philanthropy, have dedicated their careers to improving the everyday lives of people across the globe. "The country has faced exceptional challenges in the past year," said Brian Kelly, editor of U.S.News & World Report. "With our Best Leaders issue, we focused on individuals from a range of industries who have demonstrated unwavering leadership and a commitment to finding solutions in this difficult time."

 

 

Twitter

If you don't know, I twitter under the name nycsubway girl, I really am at the most basic level of twittering, my tweets are mostly about where to find me in the subway.  It's an easy way to quickly check if you just might happen to be in an area near where I'm playing.  Maybe you'd consider "following me".  Just click the link at the right of any of my blog pages under the Socially Speaking heading.

today's tweet: bummer-threw my back out (again) so no gig today at Astor Place-it's a stair only access and impossible to imagine hoofing it...

"Keep Playing We're Rolling"

Taken during the shooting of a music video (1986) with my band "Student's Of Life" at Bradley Air Museum in CT.  My brother John found this picture recently and sent it to me-he's the one on the plane with the sadly ineffective smoke machine.  As we were shooting, two museum security guards were running towards us and shouting you can't be up there.  The director was shouting-keep playing we're rolling.  Needless to say it was a one take shot!  The clip is uploaded on my clips page-the song is "Breaking New Ground", which won an MTV Basement Tape Award in 1986.

 

LIRR Penn Station

This spot was actually the first place I ever performed as a MUNY artist 10 years ago. I was stunned to find it too chaotic, loud and impossible to find my mark. I hadn't booked it in quite some time and decided to give it another try. That was then, this is now-I take all that in stride and had a great day performing. Roland-steel drum player was there performing when I arrived, we talked and he told me about South St seaport as a good spot to play. He has a nice touch on the steel, melodic and resonant without being too harsh. Flamenco man dancing to my song “Through My Eyes” also proof that all it takes is one person to join me to make crowds form-he was entertaining and allowed me to adjust the rhythm to a more Latin-gypsy kings kind of feel and I liked it! A mom with a family of 3 girls
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Jury Duty continued....

Room 362 111 Centre Street Supreme Court, Manhattan. I arrived at 9:30 am. Almost lunch break (12:30) and no one has made a peep since we had roll call at 10:00 am. I’m beginning to wonder if they will just let us all out. We’re at least 50 people here hanging around, it’s strangely quiet. They didn’t even call jurors into court cases like they did throughout the day yesterday. Even the annoying soda vending machine has only made me jump once with its sudden crashing sound. I swear it sounds like someone tripping over a large object. I did find out that the taser girl
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Jury Duty day 2

back to jury duty today, did lot's of reading, no case yet, most interesting was yesterday's security check- a young woman had a taser in her bag! Officer-"Miss, do you know owning a taser is illegal?!" I overheard that she bought it online.  Saw her later in the same jury room, so I don't think they arrested her. They needed her more for jury duty!  Do you think they let her check it, like they made me check my camera?  Something tells me she left the building without it.....to be continued


 

Times Square Alliance Best Of Buskers series 45th @ B'way

I really enjoy this gig spot and find the tourists, locals, the street vendors and cops to be really supportive of my performances. Robert the Naked Cowboy came over to introduce himself and bought a disk (wondered where he was going to put it...). I've had a great time and do hope Times SQ Alliance gets a chance to continue this series (there’s talk that it won’t survive). Met Rachelle and Kathie from CA with the best color purple nails. They bought a CD and came back later and tipped me with the same color polish! That beats the 2 cans of Ensure or the bag of potato chips I’ve gotten in the past! A karate kid from Tennessee in his outfit and black belt, walked by, he had just finished being on an NBC show, the segment will be aired in a few weeks. He’s the youngest black belt. Soooooo cute and when I asked him what his friends say about it, he was cool and was coy. I also asked what was the best thing he’s learned about being a martial artist and he said the control. Smart kid. It took him 5 years to get the belt. I hope his folks send me the pictures they took too.
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Robert and I meet in Times SQuare

On a perfectly beautiful fall day, I performed in Times SQuare.  The Naked Cowboy strolled-strummed by, and stopped and introduced himself- "Hi I'm Robert", we chatted for a while and then he bought a CD!  "Where will you put it I ask?" with a not so subtle grin. He replied that he had a special spot-gotta be somewhere where he stashes all his tips-a guitar sound hole can only hold so much.  This picture above was captured by Luca Nassini a tourist from Florence, Italy. He sent me 2 other shots (found on my pics sent to me page) that perfectly capture the essence of my work.


Brooklyn vs Westboro Baptist Church protesters

This short takes place outside Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The Westboro Baptist Church staged a protest there, preaching bigotry and hatred.

This clip is from Greg Reitman, the same guy who's been creating my clips.  I'm still trying to wrap my head around why a group so filled with hate and bigotry could travel all the way to Brooklyn to protest against people they would rather denounce than try to understand.

It is a powerful commentary, showing that humanity is continuously in conflict. Only by being true to ourselves can we finally abolish hatred, bigotry and ignorance.

and I'd rather be the optimist.