Near Bethesda Fountain

The Central Park Choraliers’ inaugural concert was SO MUCH FUN!

Many people came to show their support and enjoy the musical mixed bag. And numerous passersby stopped and listened. The weather was nice…sunny and breezy. I think it was humid but I was in the performance zone, and didn’t really notice it.

My favorite first-day-out story involved a competing busker. There was a gentleman, who is apparently there every week, playing the lute (hooked up to a teeny, weeny amplifier, mind you). He was dressed in Renaissance regalia, complete with purple velvet tunic and gold buttons. He seemed like a gentle soul. And although normally I would never ask another musician to break up his park routine, Mr. Renaissance-amplifed-lute-dude was now our direct competitor for sonic space. Alright, alright…we were actually in HIS space since he plays there every Saturday. But still, this was the PERFECT place for us…there’s a grassy knoll, a view of the lake and a good amount of foot traffic.

I knew the first day would be a learning experience so, with a hey nonny, nonny, I sidled up to ye olde lute player. I had a little speech prepared that went something like: “Hey, Hi, How are you? Beautiful day, eh? Listen, I’m sorry to bother you but I was just wondering if…[he cut me off at this point]…you ever take breaks? You see, we’re an a capella act and just have a short 25-minute program that we’re trying out.” He was SO not impressed. He just looked at me with an expression that said, “I cannot beLIEVE this is happening to me again!!!” He shook his head and emphatically said, “Nope. You can move down the hill that way or go up the hill that way. I’m here every weekend.” Well, that was the end of that. I walked back up the hill, the loud beat of hip-hop and Copoeira emanating over the bushes from nearby Bethesda Fountain, and realized I was going to have to let go of my vision of the exact right place to stand. But you know what? It worked out fine! We launched into our Gilbert and Sullivan madrigal and I knew immediately it was going to be OK and it was…a good time was had by all.

Come hear us for yourself this Saturday, July 8th. We’ll be near the Delacorte Theatre from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. serenading people standing in line for Shakespeare in the Park tickets.