Nice shot Smack!

Unlike the free concert over the weekend where 60,000 Bon Jovi fans clutched tickets & waited in forever lines to go through security body scans, shed backpacks and recycle water bottles before gaining their limited entrance to the park, this event was free and wide open for public enjoyment. And locals don’t mess around. Picnic blankets, lawn chairs, picnic basket backpacks are dug out of storage rooms and joined with brie, wine, champagne, grapes, sushi, deli delectables and the likes. Last year we learned the trick to find your friends on the great lawn: balloons. So we learned our lesson – C picked up an Elmo & a yellow smilie on his way home from work — and though the cell towers were crowded, Kelly + Dave + their long-lost friend, Marty + Natasha + their stranded friend managed to find their ways to our blanket where much merriment and listening enjoyment was made.

And what goes better after a philharmonic concert in central park then Fireworks!

YAY for NYC living. This is one benefit C & I will never forget — just being to walk outside our apartment, take a right & walk about a half-block into central park. In fact, at the aforementioned Bon Jovi concert, C & I realized we when we returned to our apartment that we could just open the windows and listen to the live serenade (which the city mixed with sounds of buses, passerby’s, and other rich city sounds).

Oops … almost forgot, anyone want a candy red grand piano?

Conrad and I are trying not to do that (as you can see from “the list” page on this blog).

That’s why we extricated our butts from the sofa and unlocked our eyes from the brain-box (TV) on Friday night and compelled ourselves to head out on the town. That and we pay oodles in rent for the privilege of living in the city … so we figure we better do that while we can.

On Friday night we ventured out to a Sushi restaurant with a good “sit at the bar” happy hour / grand opening special. It seems like the word is out and our new little spot is discovered, as it was PACKED. So we went to our Plan B spot … “Rain” (I know, mom – I vowed never to return after “the incident” … but we went anyway).

After that, we wandered through the cold NYC streets, passed the Museum of Natural History, and walked down the history-themed subway steps to catch the down-town C train. A short ride brought us to W 4th Street … a little area chock-full with NYU students and jazz clubs. We met up with a new friend, Shirin, to watch one of her friends play in a band.

The “Village Underground” was just that — a little underground bar in the West Village. The place was pretty full, and the tiny dance floor was packed. But when our eyes adjusted to the dim light, we were surprised to find we were surrounded not by young, trendy NYU students — bt what seemed like a healthy gathering of white-haired B&Ts (Bridge & Tunnel … aka, people who don’t live in Manhattan) who came in to catch the early set and relive their younger years. I tell you what, we had a good smile about it, but we were hopeful that someday when we’re in our 60′s, we’re out at 11pm in a jazz club, up and dancing to the live band. Oh — and that was the median age. There was one old feller out there cutting a good ‘ol rug … he was no younger than 85 … his date however, well, we just hope his daughter was taking him out for his birthday

The band we were there to see took the tiny stage about an hour after we got there. Did I mention the place was SMALL? This is one of the things we’ve come to learn about NYC. Like most old construction, spaces are small. Even the famed Broadway theatres, TINY compared to the new mega-theatres built in new and developing cities. Anyway, small space, in the basement of an old building … and a 10-piece band takes the stage. Saxaphone, Trombone, 3 guitarists, lead singer w. 3 back-ups, bongos (or congos or somekind of hand drum that conrad always tells me I’m calling by the wrong name), keyboard, standard drum set … it was packed.

Music was great fun … Funk I guess it’s called. Our friend “Robin” made a guest appearance on the stage and I dare say he stole the show.

Great Friday night. Here’s to hoping Saturday and Sunday have some more surprises in store!