just made plans to...

see Beardo, the new (and practically under advertised) Dave Malloy musical at a church in Greenpoint tonight. Not sure if I wanted to do it, but it seems like the best idea I can have for this evening. It was very easy to reserve an inexpensive ($25.00) ticket for tonight, but who knows, if word of this gets out, it could easily become a "hot" ticket and cityboy might find himself standing on the sidelines, or worse, on the cancellation line. That won't happen now---interesting this is the show's second performance---I also saw the second performance of Natasha and Pierre at Ars Nova---kind of an interesting coincidence.
 Yesterday a free day, so two contrasting experiences in a short time. First, going to the Justice for Ramarley protest at Foley Square---of course I approached this with some nervousness but there were plenty of people there when I arrived around 5. Interesting group, I would say about 50% white---the speeches and call outs were very passionate and focused; they, lasted about an hour and a half---although the leader said that BAN was represented, I did not see anyone that I knew---spent the 80 or so minutes there by myself, though surrounded by passionate people. Very strong experience, glad that I went.
  When it was over, I thought the best place for me to hang out would be the Starr Bar in Bushwick, the "activist" bar that is part of Mayday. But fatigue set in on the subway, still it was too early to just return to the apartment, I opted to see the movie Paterson; I was looking for a calm after the storm and I found it. Paterson is a mellow, lovely movie, totally apolitical--it is beautifully filmed, basically about a bus driver around 30 who drives a city bus in Paterson, but whose name is also Paterson. Although race and class problems were non-existant in the movie, the characters that Paterson interacted with were of all races, living ordinary lives. A beautiful and unexpected conversation about poetry ends the movie. Soft, but fulfilling. The movie theater (sunshine) was about half filled---I must admit I enjoy being at a play much more---I feel much more part of the community, and of course, there is always the possibility for conversation with the artists or with fellow audience members---it is much more visceral for me. Well, that should happen tonight and also tomorrow, if cityboy decides to spend a second evening in Brooklyn (tonight's performance is at a Church in Greenpoint) and see Brian Parks' play tomorrow at the Brick.
  So that is it. Admit to being a little "frazzled" at the moment---a decent amount of free time is in front of me before the Greenpoint adventure---but I should be able to report on the whole thing next post, which should be tomorrow.