(from
blog.alfa-music.com)
So let me tell you how Sunday's gig at the Make Music NY Festival in Jackson Heights ended up being one of the coolest gigs I've ever played. It was a big surprise, considering I almost didn't do this show because of the intermittent rain and some issues with organizing (i.e., I was told the backline would be "electricity." Since when was "electricity" a backline?!)
After playing a half-hour set on Grand St. in NYC, we headed over the Williamsburg Bridge and instantly saw the massive grey-tone rain clouds forming in the distance. Knowing my luck, I almost knew that localized storm cloud was hanging over the very spot I was to perform. And it was no surprise that when me and Jon got to the place we were supposed to play, there was absolutely nobody there. Just a makeshift tent for rain covering, and a tiny two-prong extension cord that jutted out of Italian Farms, the storefront generously providing the electricity for us. The problem with a two-prong is that my amp is three-prong...and then there was the issue of plugging Jon's amp in. I considered just bouncing from the gig altogether. No one was there, and according to one local, the other guys who were supposed to play earlier bailed on their set because of rain.
Thank God for my sister, who said I should suck it up and figure out a way to play...even if it meant playing without plugging in (true blue busking style!). I meandered into Italian Farms and met with the nicest woman ever, Mary, who went out of her way to find a three-prong extension cord that would reach far enough to go around the front door of her store, around the corner and out to the performance tent. Then she got someone else from the store to help her find a surge protector, so we could plug in the bass
amp. Seriously, she was a miracle worker, because in a few minutes' time, we were already setting up and the passersby were stopping to see what was happening.
The set went super awesomely. The crowd was so receptive, and I have to say, it was the perfect kind of sidewalk to play on. Not too big that folks could just duck out of your way and keep walking, and in an area with a good amount of traffic. And the faces were young, old, diverse... the beauty of Queens, I guess.
Well, then the rain began to pour. Some folks
left, but surprisingly most stayed, opened their umbrellas, and some even stood in the rain to hear us play. I invited them to come into the tent, seeing that the rain was getting worse. And they did! It had turned into a very cozy, uber-intimate kind of show.
This would happen twice- and the second time, the crowd was so squeezed in that me and Jon had to play our instruments nearly upright (see picture) to make enough room. I also love the expression of the little kids, just looking slightly drenched, but still interested in the music.
What was also cool, was seeing cars slow down at the intersection and roll their windows down to hear the music. Someone in an SUV was even videotaping the set as the car crawled slowly forward. I felt like I knew the audience members better than most other audiences I've had... which is truly an amazing thing. They were super appreciative and enthusiastic about the music, and we had some great feedback. We also had the guitar case out, so these little kids would come and drop dollar bills from their parents into the case. SUPER cute!
We were eventually forced to stop, because the rain was drenching through the outlets and we didn't feel like getting electrocuted. While we packed our things and made a mad dash for the car, I told my sister how amazed I was at how everything had turned out, that if it weren't for her egging me on about not letting a small thing get in the way of playing, I would never have had that experience, nor would I have the chance to spread the music to others.
So... there it is. Best gig ever. Or . . . top 3. :)