The Power Of 6 Strings

Saturday on Labor Day weekend in New York City can mean a lot to many people. For me I had date with someone I've been neglecting of late ... myself.

It might appear to be as simple as a shirtless man in jeans with a piece of wood hanging around his shoulders surrounded by people enjoying either him, the city, their iPods or all three and more. However, for those lucky few who were there (Insert Smirnoff Ad here) it was much more!

My stroll began from the East Side with no destination but with an objective to people watch. I was going to treat myself to a snack and a can of pop, but 1. I spent $4 on a much needed bottle of Fiji Water and 2. No one calls it pop anymore and the looks bought me a detour through the Upper West Side. Soon I landed upon the scene above and a man called David That Guitar Man in Central Park. His personality was infectious and in a time when the term Swine Flu has set up shop above the fold, it was nice to see strangers converging on such a beautiful New York afternoon.

He began to engage with those passing by and those sitting, as one would do over cocktails sharing a story about that guy Bob at work and that incident with the copier. Needless to say, he had people laughing with him and at him, however no one was leaving. I began to see a certain community being built as each rhyme was made and note was sung. People's shame melted away as hands shot up as he began a group of those who have ever tried online dating, people's voices added to the tune of his guitar and to that of the city, as strangers became friends when home towns were shouted out.

Suddenly his 6 strings became 5 and even more people showed up, as he offered free hot dogs, wrapped as a pair and encouraged people to find a new friend to share one with, while he fixed his guitar. David That Guitar Man in Central Park became the shoreline connecting the people sat atop the hill with those out in the row boats as he belted out a few Beatles hits, for not only our ears but for Mr. Sid Bernstein, who just like me, was on a date with himself on this particular Saturday. Although he was a true gentleman, for he had brought a lawn chair!

Just as it was time to take to the skyline in order to make it in time for a surprise engagement party, my Saturday date was made by the power of 1 man and his 6 strings. A bride and groom making their way from what must have been the best Saturday wedding in New York, crossed the path in front of David and his hill top audience. His Beatles cover quickly turned into Elvis' Can't Help Falling In Love, as 1 by 4 by 17 by what must have been 70 of us joined in as we caught this new couple's first official New York City dance. These are the kind of memories this city is made up of.
It might have been as simple as a shirtless man in jeans with a piece of wood hanging around his shoulders surrounded by people, but for us all it was the best interruption from a midday stroll through the park, for he made people feel welcome and most of all, no matter the length of time it lasted, we all felt apart of something.