• Category Archives Parks

  • Going Tribal

    Posted on June 5, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    In Central Park, near the Bandshell (at 72nd Street), African drummers meet regularly on weekend afternoons. I worked my way through the dense crowd around them to get to the front, where there were also dancers inspired by the drummers – the energy and spirit was amazing.

    Percussion is a visceral experience, so to really appreciate it, you need to hear it live and close up for full immersion. If you visit Central Park, I highly recommend it. In the meantime, you can make do with the video. Like many things in NYC, one finds a concentration and distillation of authentic talent in this gathering of drummers…

    Posted on June 5, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Music and Concerts, Parks, Street Performing. Bookmark the permalink.

  • The Boathouse Restaurant

    Posted on May 29, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    The Boathouse Restaurant is located on The Lake in Central Park. This is one of my favorite spots in NYC – when the weather is right, this spot is absolutely idyllic and bucolic. Tables on the terrace are a wonderful place to have a meal. Although a little pricey, I would highly recommend it if you can get a table. Rowboats are available for rent nearby, as are rides on genuine Venetian gondolas. Centrally located in the park at 72nd Street, it’s the perfect location for exploring Central Park, which is a world unto itself…

    Posted on May 29, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Food and Restaurants, Parks, Scenic NYC. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Petanque

    Posted on May 17, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    I love watching petanque in the shade on a warm sunny day. It’s so relaxing, and I feel transported to Provence, where the game originated. These courts in Washington Square Park are quite busy in nice weather and are home to La Boule New Yorkaise, a local club which also plays in Bryant Park and Central Park. What’s interesting is that although they are centrally located in a such a small and heavily used park, it is easy to overlook them, and most people are probably not aware of their existence. I know nothing of the game, but in observing, I have noted a lot of French being spoken, so I would imagine that this is quite serieux…

    Posted on May 17, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Parks, Sports Games and Hobbies. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Hair Wraps

    Posted on May 14, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    Today was such a surprise and joy at many levels. For one, it was supposed to be cloudy with rain – instead, we had beautiful sunshine all day. I was on the way out of my neighborhood but ended up completely ensnared for the entire day by the various events going on in Washington Square Park. There was a Dog Dating event being filmed, a rock concert, numerous performers, acrobats and singers, boule players, champion chess playing, and more (for Monday, I will bring you something really cool with a video).

    I have seen the fellow in the photo nearly everyday, but this was the first time I had seen him with a “client” in his ground level salon with a garbage can as backdrop. I can’t attest to his skill – I know nothing of hair wraps. But I imagine that, along with her chest tattoos, she will be adequately adorned. Here are more views of the procedure.

    Posted on May 14, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Art and Sculpture, fashion, Parks. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Music Speaks For Itself

    Posted on May 4, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    New York City is a dynamic place and, like most cities, is defined by activity. I frequently shoot short video clips when taking photos for NYDP. In many situations, it is difficult to really convey an activity with a still photograph, so today I would like to introduce video to the city daily photo blogs (I will do this from time to time as appropriate).

    I ran across two guys (Jason Dehenzel and his partner) in Washington Square Park drumming on cans and other objects – not an unusual urban activity, but these guys were GREAT. One said that he wanted to audition for Stomp. So, let the music speak for itself…

    Posted on May 4, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Music and Concerts, Parks, Street Performing. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Music for 9 Basses and 1 Cello

    Posted on April 20, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    There was an unexpected musical and visual event this evening – nine acoustic bassists and one cellist rehearsing, forming a long line underneath the Washington Square Arch, which forms a natural outdoor acoustic chamber. A crowd had spontaneously gathered.
    Among audiences, many higher-pitched instruments (such as the violin) typically garner the most attention. However, there are musicians who feel that instruments with a lower range, such as the bass, have a greater visceral impact yet have been largely seen as a supporting instrument. The lack of repertoire for these instruments reinforces this. All of this is what makes such an ensemble a pleasant surprise.

    As it turns out, the group was the NYU Bass ensemble, which suggests that there is a whole world of music being performed that features predominantly very deep notes…

    Posted on April 20, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Music and Concerts, New York at Night, Parks, Street Performing. Bookmark the permalink.

  • While It Lasts

    Posted on April 19, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    The first flowering of spring is on the wane, and the earliest flowering plants – magnolias, tulips, and cherry blossoms – were very bright in the sun this morning but are on their way to losing their petals and subsiding into green leaves. The next wave should be hitting us very soon – the lilacs, wisterias, azaleas, and lindens.

    This is a section of Washington Square Park along one of the main entrances, planted for maximum impact on the pedestrians passing by. Spring in NYC is short, and the summers are hot and long, so it’s good to enjoy the best of this weather by getting outside, while it lasts.

    Posted on April 19, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Natural NYC, Parks. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Dog Run

    Posted on April 18, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    The dog runs in the city parks are designated places where dogs can be let off the leash. There are a number of them around the city because owners have banded together to get places to let the dogs run free, in return for policing themselves and picking up after the animals. They love it, especially when many other dogs are there – the more the merrier, because there is nothing dogs like better than socializing with other dogs.

    This one is in Washington Square Park, and people come to watch them run and twirl around in happiness, from the sidelines, like a spectator sport. There are also certain human social cliques that form among the dog owners, by breed and size and temperament, and city people who do not normally interact with strangers will do so on behalf of their dogs, striking up friendly acquaintances that are built around their pet’s interactions. You can see, in the photo here, a human tribal gathering forming to mirror the pack gathering that occurs with the pets…

    Posted on April 18, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Animals, Parks. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Gandhi in Union Square

    Posted on April 2, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    It was appropriate on this magnificent spring day that someone had placed a flower in Gandhi’s left hand. This bronze of Mohandas Gandhi by Kantilal B. Patel was installed on a traffic island on the southwest corner of Union Square Park in 1986, one year after a major renovation of the park. I have always been moved by Gandhi, and this statue always brings his life to mind. A reminder of his calm and resolve in the face of adversity is perfect for one of the busiest areas in New York City. Visit this small sanctuary should you get a chance…

    Posted on April 2, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Architecture, Parks. Bookmark the permalink.

  • Park Lampshades

    Posted on March 21, 2006 by Brian Dubé

    One day last spring, we found that the streetlights in Washington Square Park had been dressed with lampshades, making it seem even more like an outdoor living room than it already is – nicely subtle for public art. Popular demand has extended this exhibit by Marjorie Kouns.

    Brian’s place overlooks the square, and at night, this piece seems to add another room outside his window, with what looks like lamps burning in the trees…

    Posted on March 21, 2006 by Brian Dubé
    This entry was posted in Art and Sculpture, New York at Night, Parks. Bookmark the permalink.


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