after three days at Friends, and some sessions up at 145 street. have to say that my body has endured a lot in the last three days, but coming home and sleeping early has helped. Today is only a half (actually a quarter) day at Friends, so was not called. Right after leaving the school yesterday, ran into
Shannon, a last year graduate, who is part of a band. They have a performance tonight at a new venue in Brooklyn and she invited me to come. I told her I would if I was not too tired. With no work today, that seems possible---but stopping off at the Bunin to look at a brochure for their exotic documentary series, I found that tonight is a film that I would really like to see. It is entitled Rat Film, and is an expose of Baltimore via its rat fighters (or something like that). Since I am still fascinated by Baltimore and all its ins and outs---I would love to see this documentary, but think I should instead go to hear Shannon's band. (I gave my word). Venue is located right by Grand Army Plaza, across the street from the library (a library that I love) which is a strange place for a music venue. Should be fun going there, and possibly will stop off at one of the two bars that I like on Vanderbuilt, after the show. So the Rat Film will have to wait, though I will try to follow its progress and see it as soon as it opens at another venue or festival.
Saturday, I stayed at the party for a short time, had a few conversations with some south fourthers and others, but got a little disinterested and left---had a nice slice of fried chicken at the nearby chilcken place (second avenue and first street) and then headed to Burp Castle to hang with my friend Erin the bartender there. assuming that she was working that night. She was, and proceeded to tell me about the last few months of her life. This included moving in with her boy friend, to an apartment in the eastern spur of Bed-Stuy, on Marion between Howard and Saratoga Avenues. This is pretty far east and south, sort of Bed-STuy's back end, and yet she finds it very safe, she even takes her dog out for a walk at about 3 A.M. Previously she lived in the heart of Bushwick, and she mentioned how quiet the new world that she lives in is. The block is very stable and safe. Not many places to get needs taken care of near there, though---the block is still far away from commercial streets. The whole thing struck me as being very interesting--I know very little about life in that area. What happened to the "old" Bed-Stuy, the one that most people did not want to venture into? Seems to have disappeared, for the most part. Have to do some more wandering around there, as soon as time permits.
Sunday, I did see Samaara, the Richard Maxwell piece at the SOHO rep, now on 53rd and 10th. It is an interesting piece, it distances its audience, but the language is very strong and the performances excellent. Kind of like a fevered dream, as with many of these "controlled" projects--the disconnect can be a little too long, sometimes my mind wandered, and I felt the ending went on too long. But as an audience member asked to do his work, I did it. Production was very beautiful. Afterwards said hello to my friend Flako who was in it---nice to see him. There are now about six or seven other plays that I would like to see in the near future, but wonder how that will be possible, given the intense work load I have put upon myself. Next week, all five days at Friends are booked---really good for me financially---but if I go up to 145 street afterwards, I will be very taxed. Thought about that a lot last night, as the tiredness set in; next Thursday and Friday evenings, there are events that I feel it is very important for me to attend. Let's see how it plays out.
Into the Woods by the Friends group on Saturday night---really looking forward to it---will report on it soon, or have another go round at this blog if I don't work tomorrow.
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