today, the Mayoral debate, which I plan to watch or listen to, and then there was the performance last night at Roulette, by the Team, called "A Primer for a Failed Society" Hard to describe; a series of songs and chants, all in an "underdog" vein, by that I mean workers songs, songs from the protest days of the sixties, many civil rights songs, and some chants, songs and interviews about the present state of inequality. All generations included, from high school kids to baby boomers. Lots of intense singing and moving.
For someone of my generation, it was more like watching a replay of the "greatest hits" of the sixties and seventies, with some modern issues thrown in. I was annoyed that sometime the passion reeked of a kind of self congratulation---and with all the issues championed, and a fully diverse group of people, no comments about the world right outside the Y, where Roulette is located---a world of luxury buildings designed to keep the very people this show seemed to be fighting for---out. Afterwards several activist groups spoke and asked for commitment and contributions from the mostly white, mostly twenty or thirty something audience, and that was an attempt (well meaning, I suppose) to bring the audience into the present, yet none of these groups spoke of today's debate, the Mayor's vision of the city, the exploding cost of living---things that seemed to be happening right outside the venue. I left feeling a little spent---also a bit left out---I could have made some kind of valuable contribution, but was not asked--really I don't know if I would have fit in with the rest of the group. I am so fond of the people in The TEAM---want to support them as much as I can, just watching the energy of some of them was exciting--but--well, my perspective on the past fifty years seems to be kind of unique---hopefully more discussion to follow.
Afterwards, I walked around Park Slope (near the venue) and landed at a bar on 5th and Bergen, one that I have often passed and been curious about. Air conditioning was off (fans were pretty useless) as it was at Roulette, but stayed anyway. Had a bud light for (you got to believe this) $7.62 (with tip it came to $9.00) and watched the end of the Met game as the Diamondbacks held the Mets off in the ninth. No conversation---not a great experience, but trying a new bar always has its ups and downs. Tired after that returned home.
Today, should try to find a suit or at least sport pants for the upcoming wedding---then the debate---will report tomorrow.
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