RE: Jeremy Bosch at Lincoln Center's Summer in the City

[robert smith]

Greetings Classmates,

Well, we’re already in late July, and summer, having just arrived last month, is rushing to completion. If you haven’t taken advantage of some of the City’s varied seasonal activities, I suggest you make your move quickly, before it’s too late.

One of my preferred cultural touch-points for the summer is Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City. I personally find their calendar not the easiest to use, and it helps to know something about when and what you’re looking for. It’s been my experience that often what you want to find is not where you expect it to be in the results returned by searching the calendar.

In any event, on Thursday, 7/18 Jeremy Bosch and his Orchestra were playing in the plaza in front of Alice Tulle Hall. I originally mistook the program to include Jimmy Bosch, as I was unfamiliar with Jeremy. Turns out, I was pleasantly surprised by this multi-talented performer who sings, writes and plays flute!

The evening started out with an intro dance lesson, featuring Talia. I was a bit surprised to see her there, as she normally hosts a standing Thursday evening outdoor social at Pier 76 from, 6-9pm, but there she was. I suppose that fact explains her exit immediately after her session.

Mr. Bosch was backed up by his really tight 9 piece band. In addition, DJ Marysoul was on the wheels during intermission, keeping the audience on the floor. The band played standards and original dance compositions, as well as a few ballads, all sung by Bosch.

I always appreciate Manhattan events because dancers from the other boroughs will likely come. The Lincoln Center complex was built on/in the old San Juan Hill neighborhood, only partially depicted in Bernstein’s ‘West Side Story’. A lot of the remaining ‘old school’ residents’ descendants show up for these happenings.

Most don’t want to hear nothin’ about “on’2” or anything else you might have picked up in class. They are dancing their dance. I had the pleasant opportunity of dancing with one such follower, who ‘street salsa-ed’ her way through most of the turn patterns I offered. Blending the styles on the floor was fun, and we had a good dance.

Another follower, who appeared to be a rather accomplished ballroom dancer, was sporting a “Brooklyn” T shirt. During our dance, I asked if she frequented one of the popular Brooklyn studios and was informed that she was a “Queens girl”. I remain unfamiliar with the Queens dance schools, but the lady demonstrated on the dance floor, she had clearly learned a thing or two.

In summary, the evening had near perfect weather, and was filled with interesting dancers and great music. We danced on the now legendary Lincoln Center dance carpet, an aquamarine floor covering that is soft yet firm, gentle to the feet as well as the knees. Almost immediately you forget your standing on a synthetic layer of material. All in all, a very pleasant evening, for free at that.

Luis Perico Ortiz & His Orchestra performs Friday 8/2 at 7:00p

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