What's Your inspiration?
Inspiration, it comes in many ways. What's magical and thrilling, is people feel comfortable enough to stop and share their thoughts with me. I've begun to record their wonderful comments as they express what inspires them.
What inspired me to create "What's your inspiration?"
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10:22PM I met Qainat Kahn, a Columbia journalism student at Grand Central Station where she came to interview me for research for a master thesis on subway musicians. A musician herself, she believes that music allows people to connect in a way that is rare in this world and subway musicians get a chance to do that.
What inspires Qainat? Human interaction
Friday, November 18, 2011 at 4:11PM November 16, 2011, the evening after the police raid I went to OWS after my subway gig. It was cold and rainy but spirits were strong. The park was barricaded and had only one entrance heavily guarded. They weren't allowing anyone in with items thought to be used for camping etc. Since I had my subway gig stuff, they wouldn't let me in. I went home to drop off my stuff and returned to join the supporters. I got up and sang Amazing Grace. It was truly an uplifting experience. Thanks to Alixanne Goodman who gladly took my camera to film me.
I later heard from her that she witnessed some pretty tough police action. "I have bruises and cuts from the riot cops when I had indeed put my hands up, did exactly what they told me to do, and moved back.....A man next to us was writing down badge numbers of cops who were being too physical with the protesters and he got dragged off the sidewalk and arrested. Well his cardboard he was writing badge numbers on fell to the ground and my fiance went to pick it up... well the cops saw and dragged him off the sidewalk and arrested him... It's a scary world we live in when you're getting picked off the sidewalk for nothing... "
What Inspires Alixanne? The people of OWS. What Inspires me? Alixanne and her fiance ready to stand up and peacefully protest even in the midst of riot police and threat of arrest.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 12:16AM I met Bonnie at Carnegie Hall during a Joshua Bell concert. She's an usher and shared what inspires her. "..Need to listen to people and hear their stories." Bonnie has traveled and worked for humanitarian reasons in as far reaching a place as Uganda. She's a true inspiration.
What's yours?
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 12:14AM I attended the premiere of Dark Sisters, and chatted with composer Nico Muhly and some of the creative team, cast and participants to hear what inspires them..
What inspires producer Diane Wondisford? "Wonderful artists with great ideas."
Friday, November 11, 2011 at 11:02AM I met Eric who stopped to listen to me performing in Grand Central Station. We chatted, what inspires Eric? "Other people's passion."
Putting him on the spot I asked him to sing, and he delivered! Singing "Someone Else's Life" by Kerrigan & Lowdermilk
What's Your Inspiration?
Monday, November 7, 2011 at 10:45AM I met Melanie in Zuccotti Park day 49 of the Occupy Wall Street movement. She spoke to a group gathered with the amazing Eve Ensler to hear women's stories of why they had come to Occupy Wall Street. Melanie shared her excitement about the new women's safe space tent she had gone to check out and donate supplies to. It was the first day of the tent, a welcomed protected space as it was a cold and windy night.
What inspires Melanie Butler? Her female mentors @CodePink.org a women's peace organization and the activist community in NYC.
To watch and hear her speak these words "I'm just so full of hope." Well all I can say is Inspirational!
What's Your Inspiration?
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 9:52AM I walked past Don at 47th @ 6th avenue where he sets up to shine shoes. Scrunching up his nose at all the sneakers passing by, he lights up when he gets the chance to polish some pretty spiffy shoes. I loved his passion for life and gorgeous spirit.
What Inspires Don? "To smile and see the world from a different point of view."
His philosophy? "We need bridges to shorten that gap between races, religions, political views, people will find any slight reason to oppose you….for a few minutes of the day forget all that." I showed him my sneakers apologizing for the lack of need for polish, saying I'd return, his answer "We all got to pitch in and help somehow."
Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 10:38PM I met Brian while he was waiting for an uptown 1 train at Columbus Circle and I was setting up. We had a chance to chat. Would be fun if one day he would join me and jam.
What Inspires Brian? To be open to many musical genres.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 6:17PM Zeus a photographer, videographer along with friend Chat passed by me as I gigged at Grand Central Shuttle. They asked me to sing for Chat's boyfriend Jon's birthday.
What inspires Zeus? "Music" and Chat? "Giving"
Friday, September 16, 2011 at 7:52PM A really cool physician who founded Physician Volunteers for the Arts. Also not a small mention, Charles Busch based his play The Tale of the Allergist's Wife on Dr. Barry and his wife, Brina. We had a brief chat and he shared what inspires him.
What Inspires Dr. Barry? "My grand daughter...Enjoy the moments you're given."
What's Your Inspiration?