I met Ruthie in Zuccotti Park where she was visiting from Detroit during a school trip to the UN talking with other nations to help find resolutions for things. She asked to join in singing Angel From Montgomery and I was happy to oblige.
filmed by Ruthie's friend Samantha
what Inspires's Ruthie? "want to happy in the world, inspiring me to go find happiness in life."
I was performing in Hudson NY at an annual event called Winter Walk. I was happily surprised to find Paul and Marc Mueller of Mecca Bodega, my Music Under New York buddies, a wonderful duo of hammer dulcimer and percussion performing on a sidewalk to dancing children and enthralled listeners.
Small world, Hudson is a special town and for a moment between the festively decorated main street USA, known as Warren Street and happy togetherness, there was a glimmer of what we are all capable of.
You can't help but appreciate as you can see in this clip, that Paul and Marc had to deal with the elements, it was cold + dark, but they were rewarded with enthusiastic people on a fun night.
What inspires Paul "People who love what they do…..it's a one shot deal, do it now."
I met Qainat Kahn, a Columbia journalism student at Grand Central Station where she came to interview me for research for a master thesis on subway musicians. A musician herself, she believes that music allows people to connect in a way that is rare in this world and subway musicians get a chance to do that.
What inspires Qainat? Human interaction
I met artist Noah Scalin and his sister Mica in Grand Central Station to talk about the release of his book Unstuck, in which I am a contributor.
Unstuck, (Voyageur Press) provides 52 ways to keep your creativity flowing, with projects that are curiously effective as they are inspirational. As Noah was developing the book, I submitted how I get unstuck when in a creativity rut and happily was included. So what do I do? Here's my blog about it.
What's also cool besides the book and Noah's amazing art, is that as a socially conscious designer he created a design for the Occupy Wall Street creedo "The 99%"
November 16, 2011, the evening after the police raid I went to OWS after my subway gig. It was cold and rainy but spirits were strong. The park was barricaded and had only one entrance heavily guarded. They weren't allowing anyone in with items thought to be used for camping etc. Since I had my subway gig stuff, they wouldn't let me in. I went home to drop off my stuff and returned to join the supporters. I got up and sang Amazing Grace. It was truly an uplifting experience. Thanks to Alixanne Goodman who gladly took my camera to film me.
I later heard from her that she witnessed some pretty tough police action. "I have bruises and cuts from the riot cops when I had indeed put my hands up, did exactly what they told me to do, and moved back.....A man next to us was writing down badge numbers of cops who were being too physical with the protesters and he got dragged off the sidewalk and arrested. Well his cardboard he was writing badge numbers on fell to the ground and my fiance went to pick it up... well the cops saw and dragged him off the sidewalk and arrested him... It's a scary world we live in when you're getting picked off the sidewalk for nothing... "
What Inspires Alixanne? The people of OWS. What Inspires me? Alixanne and her fiance ready to stand up and peacefully protest even in the midst of riot police and threat of arrest.
I met Cathy at the Staten Island Ferry terminal, she shared with me her recent loss of her father and how my music was healing to her. Inspired by her daughter Ashianna to come over and chat I also learned Cathy could sing. This clip is a wonderful inside look at how I engage and am engaged by the amazing commuters that feel so comfortable to chat and allow me to record.
Talk about grace, Cathy at the end gets the audience to applaud. So this is a perfect example and peek into my world of performing in public spaces. Thanks to another commuter and singer Justin who gladly took my camera to capture Cathy and I singing Amazing Grace together.
What Inspires Cathy? "music...and listening to your smooth sound put a peace in me...."
Public spaces are being put in the spotlight with Occupy Wall Street in Zuccotti Park inhabited by the People, juxtaposed by Citigroup representing a corporation buying the rights to Bryant Park to install a skating rink.
Maybe instead of a casual place to sit on a bench and read or walk across a park, for a time, a public park is a place for public protest against injustices, or one that becomes a skating rink surrounded by shopping kiosks. My view is we need to understand the rights of all aspects of our community by the people and for the people, live within our beliefs of Democracy and Freedoms, and use ethics and reason to guide our laws. I am hopeful. I sing it and see it every time that I sing in public spaces.
Here's another impromptu moment with commuters joining me in singing. Justin had just filmed me and another commuter Cathy singing Amazing Grace and shared he too is a singer. Justin sings while Cathy films and joins in harmony at the end.
I love these spontaneous moments precious because they're not trying to be.
You've Got A Friend.
I attended the premiere of Dark Sisters, and chatted with composer Nico Muhly and some of the creative team, cast and participants to hear what inspires them..
What inspires producer Diane Wondisford? "Wonderful artists with great ideas."
With inspirations from Nico Muhly, O+M PR rep guru Rick Miramontez, participant and light sorcerer Joshua White, Director Rebecca Taichman, Conductor Neal Goren and Soprano Caitlin Lynch.
I met Eric who stopped to listen to me performing in Grand Central Station. We chatted, what inspires Eric? "Other people's passion."
Putting him on the spot I asked him to sing, and he delivered! Singing "Someone Else's Life" by Kerrigan & Lowdermilk
What's Your Inspiration?
I met Melanie in Zuccotti Park day 49 of the Occupy Wall Street movement. She spoke to a group gathered with the amazing Eve Ensler to hear women's stories of why they had come to Occupy Wall Street. Melanie shared her excitement about the new women's safe space tent she had gone to check out and donate supplies to. It was the first day of the tent, a welcomed protected space as it was a cold and windy night.
What inspires Melanie Butler? Her female mentors @CodePink.org a women's peace organization and the activist community in NYC.
To watch and hear her speak these words "I'm just so full of hope." Well all I can say is Inspirational!
What's Your Inspiration?
Vo happened to pass by my Bowling Green gig and I asked him to play and so he performed
his song "Run."
I walked past Don at 47th @ 6th avenue where he sets up to shine shoes. Scrunching up his nose at all the sneakers passing by, he lights up when he gets the chance to polish some pretty spiffy shoes. I loved his passion for life and gorgeous spirit.
What Inspires Don? "To smile and see the world from a different point of view."
His philosophy? "We need bridges to shorten that gap between races, religions, political views, people will find any slight reason to oppose you….for a few minutes of the day forget all that." I showed him my sneakers apologizing for the lack of need for polish, saying I'd return, his answer "We all got to pitch in and help somehow."
I met violinist Bryan while he was waiting for an uptown 1 train at Columbus Circle and I was setting up. We had a chance to chat. Would be fun if one day he would join me and jam.
What Inspires Brian? To be open to many musical genres.
NYCSubwayGirl visits Zuccotti Park encampment of Occupy Wall Street protesters. Joined by musician activist Joy Askew.
My take away: Hope, inspiring to take action and making a difference...
If you'd like more insight from within Zuccotti Park, here's some interesting posts by Eve Ensler and Amy Goodman's Democracy Now whom I believe are the true pioneers of our time.
Also one of my fav sites is Place Matters. They have made Zuccotti Park the place of the month.
Breaking News: Friday 7am. Cleanup of Zuccotti Park by occupiers yesterday. This morning the Mayor and Brookfield Properties (owners of the park) have backed off and Occupy Wall Street continues. If those against the movement could shift their energies to cleaning up the financial mess, that would be real progress.
EMERGENCY #OWS EVICTION DEFENSE:
Prevent the forcible closure of Occupy Wall Street
Tell Bloomberg: Don't Foreclose the Occupation.
This is an emergency situation. Please take a minute to read this, and please take action and spread the word far and wide.
Occupy Wall Street is gaining momentum, with occupation actions now happening in cities across the world.
But last night Mayor Bloomberg and the NYPD notified Occupy Wall Street participants about plans to “clean the park”—the site of the Wall Street protests—tomorrow starting at 7am. "Cleaning" was used as a pretext to shut down “Bloombergville” a few months back, and to shut down peaceful occupations elsewhere.
Bloomberg says that the park will be open for public usage following the cleaning, but with a notable caveat: Occupy Wall Street participants must follow the “rules”.
This is it—this is their attempt to shut down #OWS for good.
Zeus a photographer, videographer along with friend Chat passed by me as I gigged at Grand Central Shuttle. They asked me to sing for Chat's boyfriend Jon's birthday.
What inspires Zeus? "Music" and Chat? "Giving"
On September I7, 2011 I walked to an LES Ecology Center e-waste event in front of Tekserve. With my pups in tow, we brought a box of old cell phones, cameras, a fax machine, transformers and cables to be properly disposed of. It was a true NY moment.
When we arrived I met Development Director, Caroline Kruse who shared with me just how easy it is to recycle electronic waste.
It might take a little of your time, but recycling e-waste is so important. It feels good to know there's something you can do to reduce the massive amount of toxic waste we produce and discard without much thought. The Lower East Side Ecology Center leads the way.
A really cool physician who founded Physician Volunteers for the Arts. Also not a small mention, Charles Busch based his play The Tale of the Allergist's Wife on Dr. Barry and his wife, Brina. We had a brief chat and he shared what inspires him.
What Inspires Dr. Barry? "My grand daughter...Enjoy the moments you're given."
What's Your Inspiration?
I met Valerie Williams while I performed at Grand Central Station. A woman who lived through a horrible tragedy, and yet has found the courage to let life, song and faith inspire her.
What's Your Inspiration?
Musician Vo Era walked by me while I was performing at Grand Central Station, I asked if he wanted to jam and he opened his case took out a sweet Ibanez and began riffing on one of my songs. On his way to catch a train, we only had a chance to chat for a brief moment, but I did film him a bit. I checked out his website and loved this comment: "Do I choose to do this or do I have to do this, but this you go the extra mile because it's so more rewarding."
What Inspires Vo? "Life."
Musicians Billy Maluw and Nigel Schat with friend Marvin visiting from Amsterdam, Netherlands, arrived inside the SI ferry terminal with instruments on their shoulders. I asked if they wanted to jam. Of course they said yes. They joined in and we had a great time.
What's their Inspiration? "Performing in New York City"
Billy: "love," Marvin: "go with the moment," and Nigel: "expressions of my emotions through music."
check out the clip I made of them jamming