Old Washington Square Park

Circa 2005, before the City aligned the fountain with the arch, decreased the fountain's diameter, made the sidewalks smaller, and installed various plaques honoring wealthy patrons. The fountain is now always partially filled so no one can dance in the basin, as these entertainers above are.

Now we hear NYU may pay special security officers to patrol the park. Watch your back!

From bare eyed sun:

we hear folk who have come to the Big Apple seeking whatever promise it holds, are perfectly happy with turning the greatest city in the world into wherever it was that they left behind and we scratch our heads in wonder. if THAT's what you wanted, then why in heavens name did you have to come here?

we were studying film when we first encountered the phenomena in 1989.we were reviewing an early screening of Spike Lee's DO THE RIGHT THING, and the discussion digressed from issues of racism to heated arguments pro and con streetlife as we knew it then. a young woman from Michigan decried the playing of congas in the Thompkin Square Park. she couldn't understand why the "racket" was allowed, since it would never be allowed "back home". Never mind that skin slappin' in the park goes back to the Draft Riots. and never mind that those "rumbones" gave birth to the likes of Ray Barreto and Max Roach, Miss Michigan wouldn't have it, and by gosh-golly she got her way. Heroin and homeless were scraped off the collective out-of-town shoe and now the park, curfew and all is as wholesome as white bread.

hey, all is not lost, one can still go see THE HEIGHTS, take the L to BillyBurg, or learn Salsa at L.C's Out-of-Doors. see: art doesn't HAVE TO be dangerous, dirty and crowded. :-)