Category Archives: Events

Congrats: “Occupy Wall Street” won this morning!!!!

Text and videos by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

I got up this morning at 5:10 am. Turned the TV on to find out what was happening with the Occupy Wall Street movement downtown  at Liberty Plaza or Zuccotti Park. This morning at 7am Mayor Bloomberg wanted to clean Zuccotti Park, and use a new set of rules (including no lying down and no sleeping bags) which were designed  to end the Occupation of Wall Street for good. NY Channel 1 reported that nothing important had happened. So I got the feeling there was no reason for me to hurry. To arrive at 7am sharp was good enough. I prepared breakfast for myself and my wife. When I finished brushing my teeth, charged my Iphone, got into my jeans…got on the 1 at 79th Street. Changed to the 3 at 72nd Street and arrived at Wall Street at 6:55am and 7am sharp,  I was finally there.

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Occupy Wall Street – a group dynamic’s improve!

Text by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

I was there this afternoon. What I saw was very interesting. I could see and feel that something important was happening. I was very happy to see and hear that music is an important element and force in this freedom movement.

Honestly the music I listened to wasn’t that great and expressive, but better to have music than none. I missed my own horn. Maybe next time when I go there I might play. Hope that some of the good NY musicians will come out and perform, and let people know that music could be a very strong energy to support the protesters in their fight and motivate non protesters to join this movement which still doesn’t have a name, not an elaborated goal and doesn’t have a leader representing this movement physically and intellectually.

Personally I don’t care about the no leadership. In fact, like in music, I am interested to watch how people at Liberty Plaza communicate with each other in the moment…like musicians they are improvising: composing in the moment and process. Listening to each others complaints and concerns. Trying to find the right language to speak to each other and find out the right way to resolve.

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Have you heard of the Homeless World Cup, 2011?

Text by Jim Hoey

The victors from Scotland celebrated this year’s Homeless World Cup in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower with yelps and jumps and drama worthy of Maradona or Messi or Beckham. The homeless, or formerly homeless, players from around the world gathered in the spirit of unity to fight hard on the field and show themselves, their families and the world that it’s possible to go from the deepest depths back up out of whatever tragic circumstances or bad decisions might have racked and changed their lives.

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7th NY Gypsy Festival at Drom (NY)

Tomorrow the official kick-off of the annual Gypsy fete with Gabby Young & Other Animal’s return to New York on Thurs, Sept 9. From klezmer hip-hop to flamenco funk, Balkan blues to circus swing and indie-pop there is a little something for everyone at the 3-week festival this time around. Drom in downtown Manhattan is gearing up to host all of the shows under one roof this year and you can still buy $45 festival passes here or join our Facebook page where we will be giving away a few festival passes starting tomorrow!