Music Under New York Auditions – 2010

About 300 people who wish to perform in the NYC subway with a permit submitted an application to audition for Music Under New York. 69 of them passed the first stage of the audition and were chosen to audition live at Grand Sentral Station last week: The Doc Scanlon Trio played swing music on bass,…

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Aching Soul

At the Music Under New York busking spot at the 34th street subway station an Andean flute player was playing. He has been there since 10am. He only plays in the subway on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The rest of the days he sells Ecuadorian stuff, like bracelets, sweaters, etc., at street fairs. He has…

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How Many Grandchildren

At the Music Under New York busking spot at the 14th street subway station Raices Group were performing: Edgar on flute and Geo on guitar. While I was waiting for them to be finished, a group of MTA construction workers wearing yellow/orange vests walked by. One of them said to his friend: “Hey, it’s the…

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People Showed Me Their Hands

As I was setting up to play on the platform at 59th street, a guy asked me how much it costs to get a permit to play in the subway. He said he busks in Boston, playing guitar and singing, and that its very different the way busking works over there. Buskers don’t have to…

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Certificate of Conduct

A gentleman helped me bring my busking gear up the stairs at the subway station. He told me that he has seen & heard me numerous times at 14th street and at Times Square. I told him I’m on my way to 14th street now and he asked how I determine where to go to…

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iPod Death

As I set up to busk at the Music Under New York spot at the 59th street subway station, I had to sand-paper the saw before starting to play. A guy passing by asked me what I was doing, so I explained that due to the high humidity the blade rusted, and that takes away…

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$3

It was raining as I left my house to go play in the NYC subway. A gentleman offered to help me take my gear up the stairs at the subway station. When we got to the top of the stairs we saw a lady fall to the floor. The guy helped her up while I…

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It’s a Bird

It was raining as I made my way to playing in the subway today. At the Music Under New York spot at the Union Square subway station Louis and a friend were playing Andean music. They were there since 8am. It was almost noon, and they said, as they gave the spot over to me,…

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Kids 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…

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Subway 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…

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