A Hook Hand and a Wobble Knee
The trains were screwed up today – I had to take a train going away from Manhattan in order to transfer to a train going to Manhattan… When I arrived at the Union Square subway station there was a guy with a lot of Duane Reed bags and a newspaper in his hand sleeping on…
Read MoreDon’t Break Any Guitar Strings
At 11:30am, as I was setting up my gear at the Music Under New York spot at the 59th street subway station, a lady sitting on the bench near by said to me “How are you?” She recognized me and was happy to see me. What a nice start of the day. A guy told…
Read MoreI Didn’t Forget How
It was 32 degrees (with a promise of a high of 39) when I left my house this morning to go play in the subway. I could see my breath in the air, and as I was walking towards the subway station I thought “do I remember how to busk?” You see, I was overseas…
Read MoreVideo From Union Square
This video was taken a while ago by Ask a New Yorker at the Union Square subway station. Blackwolf, the Central Park Wizard, happened by and can be seen in this video as well.
Read MoreFamous Violinists Who Busk
My blog still gets a lot of hits from people searching information about the incident last year when famous violinist Joshua Bell played in the Washington DC subway. Another famous violinist also busked in the streets, but as he didn’t do it as a publicity stunt most people don’t know about it… Fritz Kreisler (1875…
Read MoreUnusual Coin
I love it when people put unusual things in my busking donations bucket. Last month somebody tossed into my bucket a coin with no currency number on it. So, I thought maybe it was some sort of a medal. It turned out it’s a silver shilling from 1787! It says ‘Georgius III Dei Gratia’ on…
Read MoreThe Subway Musician
On one of my Internet excursions I came across the blog of John Stevens, a Canadian poet. Here is a beautiful poem he wrote about a subway musician, inspired by a guy he used to see in the London Underground almost every day (printed with permission): The Subway Musician/John Stevens I hear the approach of…
Read MorePure Connection
During the first half hour of my playing at the Music Under New York spot at the Union Square subway station people I always see there, such as the blond blind lady, two messengers, and the older gentleman with the big smile, all greeted me ‘hello’. People still said ‘Happy New Year’ to me today,…
Read MoreHappy New Year!
I guess I must be really tired from the exhausting holiday season – while I was on the train going to my spot I realized I forgot my watch, my Music Under New York permit, the New Year’s Eve hat I always wear on this day and the camera! Good thing I didn’t forget my…
Read MoreChristmas Wrapping Paper
Louis and Uri, the two Andean musicians, were playing at the Music Under New York spot at the Union Square subway station when I arrived there. I set on the bench to wait for them to be done playing. Near me there was a homeless looking guy, sleeping. On the seat between me and the…
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