In
NYC's
Central Park, The xx and Chairlift Raise Hipsters' Spirits,
Bronx Death Continues
By
Matthew
Russell Lee
CENTRAL
PARK,
NYC, August 8 -- A surprise free show by The xx in Central
Park's Summer Stage drew a crowd that could not fit in the venue.
Also drawn by Brooklyn based Chairlift, hipsters filled the park's
hills and rock formations, chased by security guards as they surged
closer to hear the music.
One
had to move
close to hear The xx, especially at the beginning. The set began with
only bass. Inner City Press saw several less than committed hipsters
get up and leave, muttering “Just play the songs!”
But
The xx did. By
the time they reached Basic Space, the crowd inside the Summerstage
and out on the grass was roaring. Because of the stripped down
arrangements, the bands sounds as good or better live as on
recording.
When
they played
“Shelter,” with the all purpose lyrics about if I said something
wrong, let me make it right with the light turned on, several in the
crowd were crying.
Meanwhile
a
security guard chased listeners down the hill by the Park's 72nd
Street entrance. He shouted, “They're not letting anyone else in!”
But The xx won't play in New York for some time.
The xx, previously, hawking of bookbags and skateboards not shown
There
was the smell
of marijuana; there were Brazilian drums from elsewhere in the Park.
One imagines Mayor Bloomberg taking credit even for this, as he did
for the Dumpster swimming pools on Park Avenue and 40th Street on
Saturday, saying the publicity draws more tourists.
In the
outer
boroughs, the Bronx and eastern Brooklyn, people are being shot like
dogs. But in Central Park and by Grand Central, hipsters and tourists
are doing just fine. That is Bloomberg's New York. But after him,
will it be more democratic? Watch this site.
* * *
At
UN,
Nigeria's
Reception Features Fela and Gambari, UNAMID Vote Friday
By
Matthew
Russell
Lee
UNITED
NATIONS,
July
28 -- At Nigeria's end of Security Council Presidency
reception Wednesday night, the de facto guest of honor was Ibrahim
Gambari. Ambassador Joy Ogwu, who has followed him in each of his
Nigerian jobs, took photos with him, as did Nigerian and other UN
staff members in attendance.
The
event was in
the penthouse of Nigeria House, built under Gambari's tenure as his
country's ambassador to the UN. So it was something of a home coming.
As
regards his
current job, the joint African Union - UN Mission in Darfur, the vote
to extend its mandate will be Friday and not Thursday. Gambari
chatted up the political coordinators of Council members such as
Mexico, Austria and Turkey. He schmoozed Western Deputies Philip
Parham and Rosemary DiCarlo.
Chief
backer
China
did not appear in attendance. But that was not the point: Nigeria's
representative on the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and
Budgetary Questions was there, kindly telling Inner City Press about
ACABQ's trip to El Fasher during one of Gambari's absences, to see
the cost of living differences in different parts of Sudan.
Later,
she helped procure a plate of food for Ghana Perm Rep Leslie K.
Christian, then clear the tables It is a down home and full service
mission, one refreshingly without pretensions.
The
soundtrack was
pure Fela, spun by a Ethiopian DJ who words for the Nigerian mission.
More than one Nigerian remarked to Inner City Press that Gambari,
like Fela, might not always be welcome in Nigeria: the latter because
of protest, Gambari due to perceived defense of the military
dictatorship of Sani Abacha.
But
on Wednesday
Sani Abacha was scarcely mentioned. Ambassador Ogwu, the host with
the most, said she does not envision following Gambari to a
peacekeeper mission, as she is 64, as in the Beatles' song.
Joy Ogwu and DPA, Ms. Gurlach not shown, outside
candidate in wings?
Goodluck Jonathan's picture was
up; the UN Department of Public Information's reticence to move from
Lagos to Abuja was a bone of contention. A spicy dish came with fish
bones included. The vibe was good: but where were China and Russia,
August's president?
It
was confirmed
to Inner City Press that DPI is consenting to include the word
“blogger” for the first time in their accreditation guideline.
Still they are trying to confine it to a footnote. We'll see -- watch
this site.
Our own footnote,
then: the top Department of Political Affairs post with Security
Council Affairs, from which Horst Heitmann was removed without
ceremony, will not necessarily go to Ms. Gerlach. The talk now is of an
outside candidate. But why leave this post unfilled for so long?
* * *
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