4/20
Up early. 7:45 am in fact. Meeting Thia Reggio of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at the church to get a load of supplies together to send to Broad Channel for Sandy Relief. Probably our last load. Stephen helping too, with Jay supplying the muscle.
Then coffee with Jon, the retired bass player from the Philharmonic who’s been working with El Sistema, the music project in Venezuela that produced Gustavo Dudamel and the Bolivarian Youth Orchestra. We talk about the current volatile political situation in Venezuela and it’s impact on the program. The fact that Chavez had been so supportive made it suspect in a lot of North American eyes. We talk about how it could be brought closer to a true Freirian model and begin to use not only classical music but everything culturally in the air around the students. Jon’s special program is called Very Young Composers. He’s anxious to schedule an event for the fall at West-Park to begin exploring collaboration with the Center. I have no idea how it would work out, but think immediately of Martin because their approach to art and learning is so similar.
Talk with an American Jewish and Colombian Catholic couple about their upcoming marriage. Late in the day, I’ll marry an Argentine-Chinese couple. This is the world we are living in.
Between these two marriage appointments, I pass back through the church. Danielle is working on bringing more order to the office to get ready for phase two of our spring cleaning project. Martin’s workshop is in full swing, or should I say full flamenco, and Frog & Peach is on break in their final two days of rehearsal here. I walk up the street with Ted Z who once shared F&P with Lynnea but now has his own unlikely country and western music career going. But what we talk about is real estate.
A message comes from Thia that the folks at Christ by the Sea Presbyterian, our worst hit Presbyterian Church, was the thankful recipient of our supplies. They’re only now getting able to receive and handle relief supplies four months later.
After the wedding in breezy, cool but sunny Battery Park, I meet Jeremy at the Firehouse to talk music and watch the Nets take out the Bulls in the first round of NBA playoffs.
After the game, it’s late. F&P is just finishing up. There are noises outside on the steps but I let it go, since I’m working on my sermon. Jay stops by just to check in to see what's going on. Later still, I’m startled by Marc and discover I’d fallen asleep at the computer. Time to finish the sermon and head home.
