Bawiden

If you get a chance to, do yourself a favor and spend sometime, on a nice day, in Washington Square Park. Walk around a bit and check out some of the people performing there. Most of them are performing there, and not at home, because they want you to listen, so don't feel like you are intruding if you walk over to someone who is playing an instrument of some sort.

Today we watched a 5 piece doowop group doing songs like In The Jungle, under the arch. Next we saw an upright bass, but it was being put away and it turns out we had just missed a group performing. Not to worry, though, as we overheard a banjo and bass drum. As we walked around the fountain we found a man playing his banjo and singing while sitting on a brief case. The briefcase, which was positioned in a way that propped him up the highest, was also doubling as his bass drum. He had a bass drum pedal attached to it and was stomping on that with his heal (in reverse), thus hitting his briefcase, creating an audible tempo. There was a small crowd around him and we hung out for 4 or 5 songs before purchasing his cd. He was that enjoyable.

We came back later to find, and actually help a man with a piano (more rare in Washington Square park) by lifting it over the wall of, and carrying it down into the middle of the fountain area. He then teamed up with a bucket-drummer and a few dancers to put on a show for anyone who would watch, which turned out to be a lot people.

On our way ouch, under the arch, we once again found our banjo friend. He positioned himself under the arch with his back against one side. Standing on the other, the way the sound bounced around - his voice and banjo carried perfectly and it was really awesome.

So, if you get a chance, at some point you should really find some free time and head over there to take in some of the free, and usually entertaining, performances going on. This little square is quickly becoming my favorite place to spend time in the city.