I met singer songwriter Najah Lewis while she was performing on the uptown F platform at 23rd ST. I asked her my favorite question "What Inspires You?" and was happy to also meet her Mom Eureka. Najah sang Rihanna's song "Diamonds." Beautiful.
It's always great to see another female musician.
Here's the unedited version of the song:
check more Inspirations on my Facebook page The Inspiration Project NYCSubwayGirl
What's Your Inspiration?
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My friend Erin McHugh loves to write books. Her books are witty, sincere and fun to read. I am inspired by Erin's book Llife and the extraordinary lesbians she has featured.
Artist Paulina Antoniewicz came to the US as part of Pawel Althamer's creative team in presenting The Neighbors at the New Museum. As part of the collaborative nature of the exhibition, Pawel wanted street musician's to perform in the lobby throughout the exhibition and I've happily performed and filmed people for my Inspiration Project. Paulina is an amazing artist in her own right.
What inspires Paulina? "Meeting people, others, beauty of nature and creation."
Read more about my experience creating my Inspiration Project for the New Museum.
Here's a clip of the same moment taken by another member of Pawel's team. It's fun to see both perspectives.
check out other Inspiration Project clips from the New Museum
My New Museum performance schedule
I met beatboxer Adam Matta after his gig at the New Museum where street musicians have been invited to perform during Pawel Althamer's exhibition The Neighbors.
Street musicians have been invited to perform at the New Museum as part of artist Pawel Althamer's exhibition The Neighbors (ongoing until April 20th). The sound is mic'ed and then amplified into the 3rd floor exhibition room. I met cellist Anthime Miller performing after me, as he was setting up in the lobby
Street musicians have been invited to perform at the New Museum as part of artist Pawel Althamer's exhibition The Neighbors (ongoing until April 20th). The sound is mic'ed and then amplified into the 3rd floor exhibition room. I met guitarist James Joseph of gHSTS n gUITARS performing after me, as he was setting up in the lobby.
What inspires street musician James of gHSTS n gUITARS?
"Life, Living,
Solving problems that governmental organizations set up to slow me and other people down,
Little kids, energy from children help me tap into energy I'd forgotten about- incredibly powerful,
blessings,
women, nice bottle of wine,
420 friendly."
You can say that James is one inspired guy!
check out other Inspiration Project clips from the New Museum
My New Museum performance schedule
today is Diva's Underground day at Union Square. In celebration here's a clip I made of Arlethia called "Lioness Of Gospel Music."
Street musicians have been invited to perform at the New Museum as part of artist Pawel Althamer's exhibition The Neighbors (ongoing until April 20th). I met cellist Jacob Cohen as he was performing during the opening of the exhibition on the 4th floor entitled Draftsmen's Congress.
check out other Inspiration Project clips from the New Museum
My New Museum performance schedule
I met Jim at the opening of Pawel Athamer's exhibition at the New Museum. Street musicians have been invited to perform throughout the exhibition (ongoing until April 20th) Jim was invited by the artist to perform during the opening of the part of the exhibition entitled Draftsmen's Congress. With Jim's baritone trumpet and socially conscious heart, he shared his philosophy on life and the world.
What Inspires Jim? "The common good from the commonwealth, all people created equal, all people entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Follow the other Inspiration Projects I've filmed during the exhibition:
Jacob Cohen inspired cellist
Communication Director Gabriel Einsohn Inspiration
What inspires artist Pawel Althamer ?
What inspires Museum Curator Massimiliano Gioni?
My New Museum performance schedule
I caught up with Alice Tan Ridley before her showcase at this year's Association of Performers and Presenters (APAP) at the Hilton hotel on 6th ave. Alice performed for years in the NYC subways with Music Under New York, before catapulting onto the national stage with her amazing America's Got Talent performances.
Alice is the real deal, an amazing gospel singer with heart and soul. Her story is amazing. You might know her daughter Gabourey Sidibe an Academy Award nominee her role as Precious in Precious.
What's Your Inspiration? #inspirationproject #nycsubwaygirl
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NYCSubwayGirl chats with Communications Director of the New Museum about Pawel Althamer's exhibition The Neighbors, and what inspires her. The New Museum's is also supporting their true neighbors the Bowery Mission, there will be a coat drive to benefit the mission. Bring a coat during the exhibition and get free admission.
I am performing at the New Museum during the exhibition. Pawel wanted to have street musicians performing during the exhibit to express the idea of collaboration and connection. I will be performing from time to time until April 12th (here's a link to my schedule). Many other street musicians have been selected to also perform.
I met Massimiliano the curator for the New Museum during the set-up day of a new exhibition entitled "The Neighbors" by artist Pawel Althamer, which will also include street performers.
What inspires Massimiliano? "Nudity" he says with a laugh looking around the room at Pawel's sculptures most of them nudes. Then on a more serious note he responded "Weirdness." What caught me off guard was he then asked "what about you?" Being the first time anyone ever asked me, I kept filming and I quickly answered, "spontaneity and free flow of people, thoughts and ideas." I am really inspired to be a part of this amazing exhibition in collaboration with Pawel. Massimiliano added a quote, "Can I restore my innocence?" I say "Do you want to?" to which he replied, "Guess that's what we do." Perfect!
The exhibition is Feb 12- April 20th. And certainly not to be missed. I have yet to hear of another endeavor as complex and encompassing as this while also using street performers. The live music will be piped up into the 3rd floor exhibition room. I will be performing on specific dates (here's my schedule). On the 2nd floor will be open to the public to come and create the art installation. There will be every kind of creative tool and materials to use. It will grow daily and will be interesting to see how a public installation will turn out by the end of the exhibition on April 20th.
On the 2nd floor Pawel with a group of collaborators will be creating new works. And he will collaborate with next door neighbors The Bowery Mission which will include a collaborated film with tenants and a coat drive. Wow.
watch what inspires Pawel Althamer
my performance schedule at New Museum
What inspired the artists Pawel Althamer to want to include NYC street musicians to perform during his exhibition at the New Museum entitled The Neighbors?
I'm really excited to have been invited along with a great lineup of other NYC subway musicians, buskers and street performers to perform at the New Museum 235 Bowery. NYC, as a musical layer of a new exhibition entitled The Neighbors by Pawel Althamer February 12-April 20th
My New Museum performance schedule is listed below.
The Neighbors has many layers of collaboration. On the 2nd floor Pawel will be creating new work. On the 4th Floor will be a completely interactive room where anyone can come and paint on the walls, create art. And in true collaboration with neighbors, Pawel will create a film with Bowery Mission tenants (neighbors of the New Museum). There will also be a coat drive.
What's Your Inspiration? #inspirationproject #nycsubwaygirl
Cathy Grier NYCSubwayGirl performance schedule:
I met Robin at Staten Island Ferry Terminal Whitehall station, she was really enthusiastic about my music. I asked her my favorite question, what inspires you? What inspires Robin? Her 3 children.
What's Your Inspiration? #inspirationproject #nycsubwaygirl
Courtney found my Columbus Circle subway spot thanks to my FB post and showed up with her Uke. It was a very cold Saturday and it felt like the Little Match Girl fairy tale, with every song we sang it lit up the cold subway platform and commuters with such warmth. Strike another match SubwayGirls. Here's Courtney's inspiration and a lovely excerpt of Last Christmas. Although an announcement comes in pretty loudly, what I love is the sound of the subway announcement chimes that are in a perfect chord just as Courtney starts the song.
Happy Holidays.
I was interviewed by Michael J. Mand's for his OWWRNY SUNY radio,show St. James Infirmary. We had a fun free flow conversation, and I also got Michael to answer my favorite question "What inspires you?" Michael's "day job" is dentistry. Michael is a dentist with an amazing love of music and people. On air he calls himself Michael The Molar Maven a perfect handle.
I met Adriana in Penn Station while I was singing and she was waiting for her sister Viviana to show up. When Viviana showed up and I saw they were identical twins, I had to ask them my favorite question. "What inspires you?" What I didn't know was how well they harmonize together. Sisters!
What inspires Adriana and Viviana? Music and of course each other!
What's Your Inspiration?
I met Kendall Glaspie on the uptown 1 platform at Columbus Circle. I loved that he came across from the other side to listen more closely. What inspires Kendall? Desire to create and share. Connections....
What's your inspiration?
I met Harrison in Union Square where he was embarking on a photo essay assignment for Business Insider on Buskers (subway musicians). What inspires Harrison? A great song..words and New York.
What's your inspiration?
here's Harrison's story on buskers. I'm thrilled to be a part of the story, and only wish there could have been more women in it. Sadly when walking about the subway there seem to be less women out there busking. But we are there folks, we are there. Calling all women......
I met Betty in Grand Central Station Mezzanine and we had a lovely chat about gardens virtually and metaphorically. What inspires Betty? Helping people to live the best life they can.
what's your inspiration?
