Concerts in the Parks

After work earlier today (yesterday, actually), I headed into The City for the free New York Philharmonic concert and fireworks in Central Park. After a little bit of drizzle threatened to postpone the performance, the storm stayed far enough away for the whole night. The first half of the concert consisted of music by Leonard Bernstein, including stuff from West Side Story, Candide, and On The Town. Special guest performers included Joshua Bell and a forgettable female vocalist. The conductor, who was giving his Philharmonic premier, was pretty animated. He felt the need to give “woo-hoos” when acknowledging the soloists.

After a long intermission, the orchestra returned with a Prokofiev symphony, which didn’t seem to hold too many people’s interest. About two minutes of fireworks followed the concert. I was hoping for a bigger display. Maybe next year.

At the concert, I met up with Melissa. She attended Camp Ramah when I did, about twelve years ago. I hadn’t seen her since. She managed to find me online at a Moxy Fruvous community website, and we made plans to meet at the concert, with a group of friends (Darren, Stacey, Randi, Stacey G., Amy, Devon and Keith). We talked about people we remember from camp, and the usual “catching-up” kind of stuff.

All in all, it was a good night. I like New York City; I need to find excuses to go there more often. I was even able to park on the street, in the same exact parking space I used last year for the same event. Although it was a space with a one hour parking limit, my car was thankfully not ticketed or towed, just like it wasn’t last year. It’s a good thing it wasn’t towed, since I intended on driving Randi, Stacey G., and Amy back home afterward. Luckilly, it all worked out.