Posts Tagged ‘parks’

Most-requested parks

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

On our website about two weeks ago, we started listing the NYC parks that are available for MMNY musicians this year. As you might guess, the City’s “Flagship Parks,” like Central Park and Battery Park, got a lot of requests.

But the most popular parks among musicians, for the second straight year, are spaces you might never have heard of: Bleecker Playground and Abe Lebewohl Park.

Most Requested Parks, MMNY 2009
(as of 4/14/09)

Bleecker Playground    10
Abe Lebewohl    9
Central Park: Wollman Rink Terrace    8
Brooklyn Bridge    8
Battery Park: Castle Clinton    7
SoHo Square    5
Astoria Park    5
DeSalvio Playground    5
Minetta Triangle    5
Battery Park: Battery Place and State St.    4
Central Park: Stranger’s Gate    4
First Park    4
Sakura Park    4
Sheridan Triangle    4
City Hall Park    3
Dag Hammarskjold: First Avenue Plaza    3
McCarren Christmas Tree Area    3

Meanwhile, about 25 parks that we used last year still haven’t been requested at all. If someone snagged Bleecker Playground before you could, think about some other parks that could work. (Or better yet, set up on a sidewalk where you can get access to electricity!)

75+ Parks Now Available for June 21st

Friday, April 10th, 2009

Over 75 parks permits have been approved for Make Music New York and are now listed on the Make Music NY website.

Boy Problems in McCarren Park, MMNY 2008, photo by Ervin GaviriaThese amazing park locations are open to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register at timeoutnewyork.com/makemusic so you can spend Sunday, June 21st making music in the park!

Note that access to electricity in parks is not guaranteed, so be prepared to perform “unplugged” or to bring your own power source.

If you’re a musician who needs a space that provides electricity, a sidewalk location could be a better choice. Just choose a sidewalk entry on the website and click “Request this Location” (or create your own).

Once again, registration ends April 24th.

(Photo of “Boy Problems” in McCarren Park by Ervin Gaviria)

How to Create Your Own Location

Friday, April 10th, 2009

Make Music New York is open to every musician, in every neighborhood.

Really.

New York City has 12,000 miles of sidewalks, almost all of which can be used for MMNY.

If you’re having trouble finding the perfect spot for your music on our website, sign in and click on the link to Create Your Own Performance!

But first — please read the following guidelines carefully.

(1) A lot of musicians are requesting Washington Square Park — if you’ve been there lately, you know that most of it is under construction, and is not going to work. We don’t want you to be competing with the sound of bulldozers (unless that’s your thing). Choose places where you spend time already, places that you know and love.

(2) If there’s already a space that’s filled (like Governors Island), don’t create an entry for Governors Island and try to play there. It won’t work. Your request will be denied.

(3) Some marquee locations — Bryant Park, Prospect Park, Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, and others — are impossible to get for June 21st. We tried our best, but couldn’t secure them. You won’t be able to, either.

(4) Because you are responsible for your own electricity, we ask artists who need amplification to perform in places where they have a personal connection — in front of a friend’s store, for instance, or in front of their own apartment. This should make it easy to run an extension cord out to the sidewalk. When you propose a space like this, include a note to us explaining your connection to the space, and who you’re working with. That will speed up the confirmation process considerably.

(5) Do not create a block party as your location, unless you have gotten the permits already. Do not create a NYC park location — all available parks are already listed on the website.

(6) Finally, do not create more than two locations where you propose to perform. We will look over the first two that you submit, and ignore the others. Choose wisely!