Month: October 2011

It seems like every time I walk out the door I pass by a march of one sort of another. It could be a protest or a celebration. Today it was a protest. After choir rehearsal I walked out into Broadway and a march against police brutality.

I stood talking with a cop, and he characterized it as an anti-police protest and I said, “No. There are a few bad apples and they are protesting those guys, not all of you.” I brought up DI Bologna as an example of a bad apple. He didn’t quite buy it, but said he realized not everyone thinks they are all bad guys, but that some people do. That’s probably true, I said. Then we both agreed that this would be a pretty small number of people. Still, there are larger, over-arching cultural problems within the NYPD, but I didn’t bring that up.

It just upsets me. I’m sure everyone has now heard about Terry Thompson killing himself after releasing dozens of wild animals. All except six were later killed. I’m not faulting the individuals for responding this way, but given the state’s laws about exotic pets, they should have been more prepared to deal with this. Please change the laws. And in the meantime, please provide training and equipment to local authorities so they can handle things like this differently in the future.

A friend came to visit and she wanted to see the Wall Street protesters so we took a walk downtown. It was a chilly night which got even chillier.

This year we’re singing at a church in Times Square. Times Square isn’t what it used to be, but happily, for me, this block has the feel of the old Times Square without the sad porn-shops or the crime. This guy wearing the old-fashioned sign was across the street. So! The details …

WHEN: Thursday, December 1 at 8:00 PM, Friday, December 2 at 8:00 PM, and Saturday, December 3 at 3:00 PM.

Tickets are $20 if you get them from me, or $25 at the door or if you buy them online here. We usually sell out and this is a smaller venue, so if you want to go you should buy your tickets as soon as possible.

WHERE: Church of St Mary the Virgin, 145 West 46th Street (between 6th and 7th). According to our conductor, this church has one of the best organs in New York City.

PROGRAM

Giovanni Gabrieli:  Jubilate Deo
Leonard Bernstein:  Missa Brevis
Arvo Part:  Magnificat
William Billings:  Shiloh (The Shepherd’s Carol)
Amer. traditional:  I Wonder as I Wander (arr. John Rutter)
Randall Thompson:  The Peaceable Kingdom
Carols with audience, chorus and organ

Our conductor just sent this in email.

TESTIMONIAL FROM A SATISFIED CUSTOMER:

“Hi All,
If you haven’t seen this already, please see the email flyer from XXXX. XXXX has invited me for 47 years and last year I finally attended. I have been kicking myself ever since and will never miss another one as long as I’m breathing. Truly one of the most exceptionally moving experiences I’ve had in my life and a must for the holiday season. If you’ve never experienced a performance by the Choral Society (OK I know you haven’t) you are in for a treat. Sit back, close your eyes and soak in the sound. And no, skeptics, I don’t get a cut of the sale. You all know that for me to highly recommend going to a church to hear a choir, it HAS to be good. XXXX is still educating me after all these years. Let XXXX know soon as the tickets go fast.”

None of my pictures of the inside of the church came out well, but the ceiling is this wonderful blue with gold painted stars, it’s gorgeous. There was also so much beautiful artwork inside it made me wonder about the history of Times Square. I must admit I don’t know it. Bottom line, a lot of love and money went into this church. I wonder if they miss the old Times Square days. Saving souls is their business. Ah, here’s a short history of the church.

So I am at this moment a prisoner. I can’t get more coffee. Or food. I can’t reach my music to practice for rehearsal tonight. I can’t reach the book I’m currently reading. I can’t make all my dreams come true. I can’t save the world. If someone was bleeding to death not ten feet from me I wouldn’t be able to save them. I WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO … oh. Nevermind. He’s up now.

There are a lot of constraints associated with being on a tight budget, but I have to say I honestly like one part: there’s rarely any decision to be made about what to buy. It’s usually simply don’t buy at all. There’s nothing to think about or angst about it, the answer is NO.

Of course that sucks if you really need something, but I am not there yet. I can still afford what I need. At the moment I need to get ready to go swimming and then I’m thinking of running down to St. Paul’s for their Bach at One series. Then afterwards I can see what the Occupy Wall Street protesters are up to. (I talk about tight finances then swimming and Bach concerts all in one post. I appreciate the irony.)

This looks a little old-lady-ish in the picture, doesn’t it? I would wear it with black tights, those cute shoe-boot things everybody wears, and a 20’s style cloche hat. (This is a fantasy because in reality I can’t wear heels anymore.)