strange day...

lots going on---a BAN meeting in Brooklyn which will continue planning the August 13th protest rally in Flatbush will be this afternoon at the Flatbush library on Linden Boulevard. This is good; a return to a neighborhood that I want to know more of---should get there a little early to walk around---thought I might stop by a coffee bar in Bushwick that I have not been to for a while, and say hello to a barista friend of mine, but how do you get from Bushwick to Flatbush, without leaving Brooklyn? How do you hold a cloud and pin it down? Might be an interesting voyage.
Yesterday afternoon, at Barnes and Nobles, read an interesting and potent artcle by Connie Bruck about Obama's failure to close the prison at Guantanamo. A very measured and fair approach---illustrates all the pitfalls that prevent such a closing, but also lays some of the fault at Obama's passivity in the matter. Don't understand how some people can lack even the smallest shred of compassion for those who are being unfairly kept at the prison. Really frightening.
Evening: decision time, what to do? Decided that I would finally check out Metrograph, the newly created movie theater at the southern edge of Ludlow Street. Glad I did. Like going into a magical kingdom or something like that. Arrived early, bought a ticket and then went up to their bar-restaurant for a much needed coffee. What did I find? A "bohemian" parlor where scrubby men and women were discussing the strengths  and camera angles of Antonioni and Allen? Nothing like that at all---this is a very upscale dining room (hey, cityboy---it is 2016) full of 25 to 40 somethings, all of whom looked like they could easily afford $25.00 dinners. Bar was similar. Bartender was very nice---got me the coffee and let me sit at the bar. Food that I saw being served looked ravishing---but of course, very expensive. Downstairs there is a smaller more auxiliary bar---kind of dark, in much the same manner. Considering how many books there are about movies, and all the movie brochures that are around, there are very few corners, either upstairs or downstairs with enough light to read in. I pointed this out to the very friendly manager--he accepted my criticism very cordially. Then the movie: Smithereens by Susan Seidelman--- a picture of a bizarre twenty something named Wren living downtown in the early eighties. Beautifully photographed---lots of shots of decaying, empty streets (probably all filled with high rises now) and very dynamic. Story follows Wren through a number of adventures and two lovers---she is very detached and narcissistic but for the most part, her story maintains interest. I really liked the screening room---sight lines great---very atmospheric---wandered around a little on Canal before the movie began---discovered an upscale restaurant amid the tenements on that street as well. Of course it was full. Lots of money around. As I was saying, the experience was for the most part, exciting, and I want to return to see another movie, (and hang out at the bar) again.
So that is it--much more to come this week as I try to get as much in the ten days before the fringe begins,
Will report on all this tomorrow.