Intense couple of ....

days, as Fringe now begins its 5th day. Have been working very hard---some of it fun, other times simply exhausting. When I wake up in the morning, I am kind of annoyed---but as I get closer to the beginning of the Fringe day, things get better. Today there are six shows that I am box officing----tomorrow seven, then it goes down for a couple of days. Spending hours around the MacDougal Street area, must be at least four chocolate or ice cream shops in a short proximity.  Getting to know them all. Next meeting in about an hour and a half.
Last night, after last fringe assignment, needed a break so went to the Film Forum to see Sudden Fear with Joan Crawford and Jack Palance. A preposterous plot but so well made and so well filmed that it doesn't really matter. Remarkable camera work in the final fifteen minutes. Movies were made so differently in those days (forties, fifties) The unreality of the world they were creating was taken for granted--but within that unreality directors and camera men could do wonders.
That will be all for now...will try to report tomorrow on how things progress...

wow!

First day of the fringe over---how to describe it---action everywhere. My cohorts and I (they actually have a more difficult job than I do) got through it very well---a little adjustment between workers , but I think we have passed that, and can all work together well. Highlight (if you can call it that) was getting in about 160 spectators into Players Downstairs theater for our second show, Dream Ticket, with very little problems and starting the show basically on time. What for today?  A little  easier I think, since we all know each other, but many shows, and the heat is brutal. How will it all play out?
Will find out later---almost time for me to leave for my box office.

This is it!

Fringe begins, on what figures to be the hottest weekend of the year, with a strong possibility of thunderstorms. Wow! Am I ready? I guess I must be. What will the weekend be like, how will we stumble through it with about 20 performances to box office before the last one Sunday evening. Will anyone be left standing? Nothing to do but let it happen---after I leave here will go to the first meeting at the Fringe. That will be from 12 to about 2---first performance at 5. Hold your breadth!
That is all the report for now---sorry I am missing the march tomorrow---hang tough!

in Brooklyn on this...

last day before the Fringe. So it begins as it has for the last nine yearss. Tomorrow, in the midst of this incredible heat wave, I will be working the two box offices at the Players Theater. Wow! Eight shows on Sunday, when the temperature is supposed to be close to 105---will I stick it through----I think I can. Will try to blog during the Fringe, but it may not be possible on some days.
   I was in Brooklyn because a press conference was scheuduled for 12, regarding the march, but it has been canceled. Oh well, saves me another "ordinary" day in Manhattan and this library (the Central Brooklyn one) is very cool. At some point will leave here and head to Fringe headquarters on 2nd and 4th and see if I can get some questions answered and maybe a little more training. Then to do my session in the library later in the afternoon. That should be the day---maybe something in the evening, but have to get my rest. Not sure if there is an pre opening night get together that I might attend (there usually is). At any rate, all will be revealed to me later.
Yesterday evening, headed to Lansdowne Road to visit with the twins---I had seen their play last Thursday. They were really happy to see me, and I had some good conversations---especially with Mel (one of the two twins) I am really happy that they have done so well with the multiple roles that they play---but when you look at it, they really do have to move back and forth into several different roles with no time for change---a lot of skill is required, and they really show that they have it. Standing on tenth avenue, waiting for the bus, I really felt a surge of joy for them---glad to be as supportive as I am. Looking forward to seeing them again at the bar in Setpember.
Just read about Baltimore's reaction to the Justice report, condemning police practices especially against people of color. So many liberals and decent people in that city, yet because the areas in whick black people live are so isloated---these polcies were allowed to continue. Hopefully there will be real communication now and something will change.
That is it for now---will report soon,...

still no finish....

to that scene that I wrote yesterday called "dialogue" ---seem blocked by it now, maybe return to it later.
Yesterday; after session, took B train out to Cortelyou Road library to work on posters with the BAN group for Saturday's march. Late but glad that I came. Will go to press conference tomorrow--about not having a permit for Saturday's march. Nervous...? Perhaps---but must go---will not be on the march Saturday as the Fringe is happening and I must be there all weekend. Also will miss conference on gentrification at Mayday Space a week from Saturday---that I really would have liked to attend---any possibility I could get a day off from Fringe? I have never taken one in the past (we are talking nine years here) but this is the first year that my job there goes right through the 16 days, without a break.
Still a lot of questions about Fringe organization and how the changes will be handled---weekend should be full of revelations---and hopefully not a lot of problems.
Last night---on way to library, got off the B at Church---walked the three blocks to Cortelyou down Argyle Road---the houses on the first block---between Church and Albermarle are utterly amazing. Walking down that street, and also the one between Berverly Road and Albemarle, one experiences an almost suburban removal of life. Architecture on that street is totally amazing. A world unto itself.
After the meeting, spent time on Cortelyou between Coney Island Avenue and the subway. Totally diverse neighborhood---all sorts of people and colors--wandered down one of the blocks, south of Cortelyou---apartment houses---people outside, felt very at home. But did not find a bar that I wanted to enter, so took the Q back to 7th Avenue stop, went to Plan B--the sports bar on Vanderbuilt, closest to Eastern Parkway---okay time there, watched both ball games, listened as the woman sitting at the bar in front of me bitched about her roommate situation. Finally left---walked north on Vanderbuilt to Fulton, then west on Fulton to Nevins on the 2 and 3. Long walk but my body could handle it. On the train back started to read Modiano's short novel a second time, may be more interesting this time. Returned home and slept, as usual awoke early---went down to Union Square to pick up Fringe brochure and grid---probably that is why I am tired now. Should try to see Richard's performance at Geffen tonight, also visit the twins at Lansdowne Road---not sure how many of these things I will get to.
That's about it---continue to be haunted by Brooklyn streets---wonder how the Fringe will deal with what they have set up the first weekend---we will see.

dialougue

where are they now

they are on flatbush

flatbush and where

Linden boulevard

and.....

nothing has happened...

so far.....(a pause)  and...

they are walking up flatbush to Church

church and flatbush---arnie meyerowitz used to live there

listen to him

anything new

what do you mean, anything new..?

I mean the police---are they following them

I don't see any police...

I am so nervous...

Relax---Anna is smart, she knows how to take care of herself

She is my sister's granddaughter, that is enough---they always stayed with me during the summer...I don't want to see her hurt

so, she wants to take part in a march...

this is not any march, it is a march against the police...

it is not a march against the police, grandma, it is a march against police brutality and it is a march against gentrification

so what, she is in danger---

she has a cause----

what cause, two years ago and black man whom she knew from the neighborhood gave her a lift and he was stopped by the police---since then it is all about changing things---I should have given her a room in my apartment, here on the upper west side. I should have never let her move to that place on
Nostrand Avenue...

Nostrand avenue, we used to play stickball there

oh please....

what next----

okay--they are going east on Church---uh oh, the police are following them

oh, my God

Holy shit!

What!

I thought for a minute the police were hitting them---they wern't they were just marching close--now they just got off Church---thank God, too crowded---they are going down Rogers---everything is cool...

here, let me take a look.....

reminds you of where you grew up....

yes, where I grew up---and where I moved away from as fast as I could

how many blocks away from there did you live, grandma

a long way, past the parkway---Saint Marks Avenue and believe me, it was no picnic living there then

last night ban

meeting, very well attended, very passionate---lots of talk re the anti-gentrifcation forum two Sundays ago, and plans for this Saturday's march through Flatbush. I will not be there, because of my fringe commitment, maybe kind of relieved about that, but also would like to be on that march. Lots of interest, which is very good. Lots of talk about neighborhoods under siege---the woman sitting next to me was from a group in Sunset Park---they are very frightened about the inroads from Industry City. A new realty company has just taken over---their expansion will bring in a lot of wealthier people to work in the area---and of course the fear is that they will also want to live there---raising housing prices, encouraging displacement and poor services---anything to move the people who are living there out. When I consider the vision of this company, there is something frightening about it. A total lack of concern for the feelings of those who they want out. I spent most of last night, after the meeting, just thinking about this---there are still so many "good people" on the upper west side, who know nothing of this, and who probably don't want to know. After the meeting, went to Dive Bar, for a meal, the third visit I have paid there this week. Why? Nothing great about the place, the staff is nice, all the time, but recently have had very few interesting conversations, nevertheless, it seems to be my "go to" place on the upper west side. Anyway, the bartender, who I had not seen in a while, gave me a very warm greeting---I felt very greatful for that---but his warmth seemed completely separate from the content of the ban meeting---could I explain to him that I was enraged by the goals of the Industry City people? Of course not---felt like I had to be "jolly" , just to go along with his warmth. But he did mean well---anyway, the split screen version of my life seems to be taking hold. Had the buffalo wings at the bar; had to because it was the only "realistically" cheap item on the menu---did not want to end up paying $16.00 for a blt with tax on tip.
After the meal, walked from the bar (96th and Amsterdam) the twenty blocks up Broadway to my apartment---filled with the five pieces of chicken---had no trouble making the walk.
Not a great sleep night, woke up at around 3, did not get back to sleep until around 5.
Three more days before the fringe---how to describe how I feel, remind yourself, cityboy, that you are not the only one working to stop the juggernaut that is threatening all New Yorkers of limited income--that elected officials can be talked to---but more people need to become aware and join the fight. Well, we will see what happens.
Today, will attend last work session of march on Saturday in Flatbush after my session at the library---then perhaps will stay around there and watch some baseball. Would like to try a bar that I have never been to---well we will see what happens...