Before I came to New York, I read a line saying that "New York is the meeting place of peoples. It is always hopeful." I gradually understand it when I go down to the subway. There is a whole world underground.
Tens of thousands of people go around the New York City subway every single day. You can get a cross-section of all the people who live in New York. You can see every type of person in New York, This underground world is complicated, messy but beautiful. You may consider it as dumpster but you would also find those subway performances really moving.
Every time I go down to the major subway stations, I could always see a singer, a dancer, or a drummer. They try to entertain passerby through their performance and if lucky, attracts a crowd. Some of them would like to perform inside the car for a few seconds between stations. Usually, there were few claps and not many bills go into their boxes.
Sometimes, however, I saw people stopped to watch the performance, to dance with the music and to sing with the performer. Interactions were created at that time. People tend to be more open to music in the subway than in theater. I would guess because the space between audience and performer is closer.
Gladly, the government is very supportive to the street performance. Since 1985, Arts & Design has managed the Music Under New York (MTA MUSIC) program, to bring joyous and engaging music to the commuting public. Currently, more than 350 soloists and groups participate in MTA MUSIC providing over 7,500 annual performances at 30 locations throughout the transit system.
New York's subway performers has become a city hallmark. Performers find the subway as their stages to express. Commuters find a way of connection. Everyone can give a loud shout "This is New York."
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