The “Bulldog”
After about 3 months of absence from what used to be my favorite spot to play in the NYC subway, I decided to give the Times Square subway station another try. I didn’t have my hopes high as I expected the new music store that opened right next to the Music Under New York spot…
Read MoreCross Platform Coin Pitcher
At the 59th street subway station, an oriental guy kindly offered to help me bring my busking gear up both sets of stairs. there was nobody playing at the Music Under New York spot. I noticed that somebody placed the MUNY hooks for hanging the permit banner up higher than where they usually are. they…
Read MoreLuck of the Irish
For St. Patrick’s Day I put on a green ribbon on my sweatshirt and I wore sparkly green socks to play in the subway. As I got to the subway station near my house a lady offered to help me carry my stuff up the first two flights of stairs. Then a gentleman offered to…
Read MoreKids Grow Up
On the train, on my way to playing in the subway, the mute lady who walks the trains was handing out little sign language cards. She greeted me ‘hello’ in pantomime. She really is mute. I don’t know if she is also deaf. Very nice lady. Nobody was at the Music Under New York spot…
Read MoreMusical Saw Festival in Israel
When I play the saw in public, oftentimes people come forward to tell me about some other saw player that they know or have seen. I perform in Israel frequently and so I came to hear about many saw players there. What surprised me was that even in such a tiny country as Israel, most…
Read More6th Grade Project
When I arrived at the 14th street subway station the older Chinese lady was on the platform, beating her two-tone instrument. As I walked towards the elevator to the mezzanine the Chinese lady packed up her chair and left. As I was setting up at the Music Under New York spot the homeless guy with…
Read MoreSaws in the Subway
While on the train, traveling to where I am going to play in the subway today, the train stopped at the Lexington subway station. Through the open door I saw Frank playing the guitar on the platform. I called out to him and he waved back. He asked if I was going to play at…
Read MoreSubway Conductors’ Window Habits
As I was setting up to play at the Music Under New York site at the 59th street & Lexington subway station a lady wearing an MTA coat walked by, leading a bicycle. She called out to me “Natalia, you’re all right”. That means she bothered to read the MUNY permit banner which I hang…
Read MoreNo Gallstones
At 11:40am there was a Chinese lady on the subway platform at Union Square, beating on her two-toned drum. Upstairs at the Music Under New York spot there was a freelancer, a young guy with glasses, playing acoustic guitar and singing the blues. Both benches were empty and remained empty for the 20 minutes I…
Read MoreA Busker with a Broken Guitar
From time to time I come across cool poetry about busking. Here is such a poem by Elphyon that I found on the blog ‘Grounds for Fiction’ (printed with permission): A Busker with a Broken Guitar/Elphyon A busker with a broken guitar sings tonight a cure for misery. Between neon stars made up of Corporate…
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