A Way to Remember September 11th is going to be a day of memorials, tributes and speeches. While most people in America watched that day, a year ago, unfold on their televisions, for New Yorkers, it unfolded on their doorsteps, galvanizing NYC into a community like it has never been before. It seems to me that the best way to honor that day is, at least for those who lived through that day up close, may not be to spend it at home on the television, but out with your fellow New Yorkers. At the very least, it's better to share sadness than to keep it in. I was at Union Square, days after, when the park was still covered in pillows of candle wax and a group at formed a large circle around three guys from California, who had packed up and come to New York, with their guitars, "just so that we could show you that the rest of America cares about you too." These guys had slightly new-aged Christian tone to them, but nobody seemed to mind as we sat around singing America the Beautiful softly, like a lullabye. Being there, sharing the grief together, made it more bearable, it gave hope. This Wednesday, if you don't know what to do, may I suggest turning to one of the concerts being put on throughout the city? Music speaks where words fail. I'll be going to the my favorite NYC church, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, for their Concert of Remembrance and Hope which starts at 7pm. Musical gueests include Joan Osborne, Jason Robert Brown,Bang on a Can Allstairs, Joanie Madden, DJ Spooky and Susan Deyhim. Best of all, it's free. If anyone would like to join my little group that's going, send me an email to japhy@hotmail.com Directions to St. John's: The Cathedral is located at 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, one block east of Broadway. By subway, take the 1 or 9 train to the 110th Street / Cathedral Parkway station. By bus take the 4 or 104 to Broadway and 112th Street or the 11 to Amsterdam Avenue and 112th Street. Here are a few other free alternatives around the city: Verdi's Requiem at Liberty State Park- 7pm. Zdenek Macal conducts the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. While free, a ticket is required. Call 800/255.3476 Faure's Requiem at St. Francis of Assisi Church- 7:30pm The home church of Rev. Mychal Judge, the fire department chaplain who was killed on Sept.11th presents a choral and orchestral performance of Faure's Requiem. An Evening of Memorial and Renewal @92nd St Y- 8pm Readings by John Guare, Paul Auster, Art Spiegelman, Vivian Gornick and a dance performance, Bound. While free, a ticket is required. Call 212/415.5500

posted by Japhy at 9/08/2002 02:19:00 PM || #