Concert Report 120607 Boy's & Girl's Harbor

I will start with what I learned about Boy's & Girl's Harbor.

This institution was started 75 years ago by a man named Tony Duke, who, quite amazingly is still alive and was present at the event. He was not up to going to the stage, but they brought a mike to him where he was sitting and he spoke. He started working on this when he was 18, when he was a senior in high school.

Boys & Girl's Harbor began as a summer camp for under privileged children. Now they still have a summer camp, but also a number of other programs. The have some full-time students in 3 programs: an arts conservatory, "Upward Bound" for college bound students, "Genesis" for at risk students. They also have a pre-school program that they are hoping to expand to 300 students, an after school program that includes both arts and academic aspects; and an evening program that includes classes for adults. They share space with "El Museo del Bario" a museum about the Hispanic experience in New York City, and some other programs, as well. They have no admission requirements and operate on a first come, first served basis. Many of their students are underprivileged, but not all.

This event began with a reception in the entry courtyard with lots of food & beverages. We started with a brief rain, but after that the weather was cooperative. There were several of us Grobanites there. We got pictures taken with Mark & Tariqh when they showed up, but Josh was either already inside or came in another way.

The program started at 8. I got one of the $250 seats, which was in the balcony. There were quite a few empty seats up there. I felt very fortunate, really, to be able to hear Josh in such a small venue. I'm not good at counting seats, but it was probably less than half the size of the Schubert, where I saw him in New Haven in 2010. There were professionals videotaping the concert, so I suppose, if one knows where to look, one might be able to see and/or purchase the whole thing.

First there were a number of speeches. Then there was a show by the kids. I later learned that the school consider their dancing program to be their strongest art program. One could see that in the show. The instrumental accompaniment was mostly professional adults, except for one student who had some violin solos. Unfortunately, the sound was not very well adjusted, so the musicians made the kids difficult to hear, but the dancing was great.

Josh ended the show with four numbers; "Changing Colors," "February Song," "Smile," and "As We Go." There are videos of at least some of these performances on YouTube.  The last was performed with the kids. Josh said he had liked the song so much that he had begged to be able to join the kids on it. It was a peppy dance number, and not the usual sort of song that he sings. They said that this man had composed the other numbers that the kids performed.

After the concert there was a party with desert, drinks, and a salsa band. It was supposed to end at 10:30, but I left after 11 and they were still playing & dancing. 

Here is a link to a biography of Lyor Cohen, who spoke at the event.

http://www.wmg.com/m...ement/lyorcohen

He is CEO of Warner Music. It was said that he was the one who invited Josh to perform.

I don't quite understand the structure of Warner Music right now, as it was purchased by Sony Music, but Warner Music is who runs Josh's official site. 

Here is a link to a biography of Lynda Baquero, a newscaster with NBC, who acted as MC of the event.
http://www.nbcnewyor...da_Baquero.html


 The composer of "As We Go" is Pablo Mayor. The lyrics are by Michael Awusie


There was also a speaker from the huge law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. The program says it was this man, though I don't recognize the face, now.

http://www.weil.com/stephendannhauser/