My Day in the Park

Hello everyone, I somewhat hinted about some of the content I will share here in my previous entry. I also wanted to give an example of what can happen simply by stepping out and doing something you enjoy.

A few months ago, I decided to visit Tompkins Square Park in the East village of NYC for a Beltane or May Day ritual with the NYC Pagan Community (after a Freudian style typo I almost named this "May Day in the Park", still fitting right?) If you are unfamiliar with this Holiday, this is a celebration that marks the beginning of Spring and a time to set new intentions for the coming months. We did so by dancing around the May Pole which was woven in ribbons of multiple colors. There is much more to this ritual that I have omitted, but there are plenty of places to find out more about these and other practices you can do on your own or with a group of people. One such way you can do that would be to attend WitchsFest this Saturday if you Happen to in NYC. Actually, we will be performing live in the afternoon at this event.

Yes, this decision of mine to join the gather of the community lead me to once perform at WitchsFest. We have always enjoyed performing at this event, especially since it will be supporting some great charities like Witches Giveback , St. Jude's Hospital and City Harvest.

This day in the park, lead me to another day in the park...

But this was no ordinary day in the park. Well, maybe for this park it is but I am sure you will get what I mean in a moment. You see, Tompkins Square Park is famous for hosting outdoors concerts. I had experienced my first a little over 10 years ago. The show that I will include pics from includes bands such as: The Undead, The Nihilitsics, Skitzopolis, Jones Crusherand the Coffin Daggers. Unfortunately, I was unable to get pics of the first band (me and my weak bladder) once I get more info on them, I will add it. Having little knowledge as to how all this came about and as I reached out to some key sources to help me get the information, I needed to complete this entry I discovered that concerts have been held in this park since the 1800s! Not only that some very famous acts have come through as well from The Doors, The FUGS, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead and many more. There was even bandshell in the park, which unfortunately the city tore while "renovating" the park. Which was more of an attempt by the city to gentrify the area and prevent the growing Punk Rock culture from inhabiting the park. Which (and other things) as most people know lead the violent riots brought on by the NYPD. Here is some direct info from the source :

When Tompkins Square Park was re-opened in 1992, punk shows produced by activists Uncle Don Yippie and Jerry the Peddler resumed. 

Since 2006, when the torch was passed to us, we have been producing shows in the park each year, from April through November. Our shows are a mix of current bands and bands from the good old bad old riot days, who play better than ever, to audiences consisting of youngsters and oldsters who love the music and the political messages behind it. 

This year, on August 2nd and 3rd, we are hosting our 37th Annual TOMPKINS SQUARE RIOT REUNION shows, commemorating the 1988 riots and addressing the issues of the day. 

At all of our shows, we provide political speakers, literature and self-published art, zines and newspapers by our community members, including The SHADOW, an underground newspaper which we have published since March of 1989, as a result of distorted media coverage and outright LIES in the aftermath of the 1988 park riot.

We are determined to keep the tradition of free music and political activism alive and thriving in Tompkins Square Park, despite the forces of gentrification that have displaced long-term residents and have caused countless venues and small businesses in our community to close. Gentrifiers and their monied transient tenants may have grabbed Lower East Side real estate, jacked up rents and the cost of living here, but it's still OUR FUCKING PARK. Folks can find out more about our shows at our website: shadowpress.net, and on our FaceBook page: "Shows In Tompkins Square Park"

- Chris Flash, Promoter for shows in Tompkins Square Park & Publisher of the Shadow Newspaper

Well, I hope you enjoyed this one and that I see you at WitchsFest on Saturday. I have plenty more pics from this day so please reach out if you wantto see more of them and maybe I'll see you at the Park.

Be well,

Nate, xoxo