Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Well, this was the Saturday when everything that could go wrong, did. We were so excited about finding the right spot last weekend (see my July 15 Blog). The little tunnel near the clock tower in the zoo was perfect. So, we went back there again.

We had been singing for about 15 minutes when, right before my big high note at the end of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” a very stern looking security guard came and stood right in front of us—like 2 feet away—and scowled. I think I managed, in between spinning a lyric line and breathing to say, “Only four more measures!” before we finished the tune. He shook his head and said, “You can’t sing here. You can’t perform anywhere inside the gates of the zoo.” Where was that guy LAST week when we were here?

We were sad yet compliant. We picked up our things and started to wander like gypsies in the desert looking for an acoustic home. Our first try was right outside the south gate of the zoo. There was a little area where 3 paths met to form a “Y” and there was a lot of foot traffic. We were feeling hopeful when a guy came walking up to us and pointed to a large black duffle bag sitting on a nearby bench and said, “That’s my bag, that’s my place, I’ve been here for 10 years, even before they reopened the zoo. I mean, you can stand here for a few minutes, but it’s my place and when it gets busy, I’m going to have to kick you out.” Dagnabit!!!! It turns out he was a very nice juggler who did know the lay of the land and was a colleague of the balloon guy who stood a few feet away, making balloon animals and nodding at what the juggler was saying. They were both polite and informative and I was digging the busker fellowship. They suggested we try standing just outside the zoo’s south gate, which we did.

Meanwhile, the sky was darkening and it was becoming clear that a storm was brewing. So, we knew we were on borrowed time. We finally placed ourselves in an attractive, leafy corner just outside the south gate. It was a great spot…until the skies opened up and the 40-day flood started. At that point, we huddled together, sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” a number of times and then retired to the café for a beer.

Highlights were: 1) Doug Skinner, the composer of our rounds, staying the WHOLE time sitting under his umbrella and listening intently, 2) Gregory Peterson, our friend from the Blue Hill Troupe, showing up and singing along with us AND 3) a really sweet looking family sitting across the way in rain slickers who actually sent their teenage son over as an emissary with a soaked dollar to place in our basket. The audience-performer connection had been made, even in the midst of a deluge!

It was a moist, yet satisfying, day in the park.

Central Park Zoo

OK…we finally figured it out. We found “OUR SPOT”—the one where we sounded great, felt great, added to the overall ambience and had lots of audience members. The Central Park Zoo! We placed ourselves right near the clock tower with the animals on it, inside a very small tunnel, where the acoustic ROCKS! It was so fun. My husband Carmen recorded some great takes that we will post here soon.

This week we were joined by Peter Buchi, tenore fabuloso, arrived fresh from “the continent” where he was singing concerts in Milan and Rome. His energy was a great addition to the group and we had a really good time.

We all agreed that the best part of this day was watching many little children walk up to our picnic basket and place a dollar in it. OK…this was cool not ONLY because they were giving us dough, but also because of the way in which they did it. For the most part, they were mesmerized, trance-like, guided by some mysterious invisible force moving them inexorably toward the basket, dollar-bill in hand. I’m sure that for some of them, it was the first time they had heard live classical singers and you could tell they were digging it. Well, I guess a few of them were kind of freaked out. But most of them were digging it. I told Jane Buchi that during her lovely Gilbert and Sullivan solo from “Ruddigore” there was one little girl (about 7 years old), who had this look on her face like, “That’s it! That’s what I’m going to do when I grow up! I don’t know what it is, or where it came from, but that’s DEFinitely IT!” That was cool.

This Saturday, we will be in the same spot—the tunnel near the clock tower in the zoo— starting at 11:00 a.m. We hope you’ll join us. We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo, how ‘bout you, you, you?

Second Performance

The second Central Park Choraliers performance was a success all around. We applied what we learned on June 17th to good effect.

This time we placed ourselves in a great location—near the Delacorte Theatre where intrepid New Yorkers stood on line (many since 5:00 a.m.) waiting for Shakespeare in the Park tickets. They are doing “THE SCOTTISH PLAY” this year and the audience was ready for a great show. However, they were tired by the time we got there at 11:30 a.m. and, I think, VERY grateful to have us entertain them while they waited.

We added two rounds to our program by New York’s own Doug Skinner. Doug came and seemed pleased with our presentation. The text of my favorite round is: “Government without religion is like a lunatic without a knife”—it’s just such a friendly little number—seriously! We also added an old American hymn entitled “Tenting on the Old Campground.” The song is, sadly, still relevant today with its message of peace and of how terrible war is.

While I have no specific anecdotes to report this week, my overall impression of the day was a deep sense of gratification. It felt good to engage with New Yorkers who were there on purpose to take in art. These folks are the Upper West Side’s answer to tailgaters in the Midwest. They are more than willing to come to Central Park in the pitch black of early morning, throw down an air mattress and lawn chairs and wait for 7 hours for tickets just so they can hear one of Shakespeare’s most wonderfully villainous female characters utter the classic line: “Out, out damned spot!” and watch her lead her hubby to his downfall. I mean, IS THIS A GREAT TOWN OR WHAT??????

I also want to mention my classy colleagues. I’m honored to be appearing with such a sterling group of musicians.

See you this Saturday, I hope!