summer stage

Hi Lovers!

Ever had one of those days where you felt like all the stars aligned and it was just meant to be your day? Well, that’s the kind of day I had yesterday… it was pure perfection. So, if you’re a New Yorker like myself then you’re probably well aware of Central Park’s summer concert series dubbed Summer Stage! Funny enough,I’ve never cared enough to attend one of these concerts before, due in part to the crowds and the lines I imagined I’d encounter.

Hopefuls waiting outside the VIP entrance.

This concert was different though, it was headlined by CHRONIXX (I’m sorry, I just yelled) and Junior Reid! No disrespect Mr. Reid because you a foundation but Chronixx mi love yuh baaaad! lol Can you feel my excitement? I was too excited about this concert and knew I had to be there.

The concert was slated to be from 3pm to 7pm. In standard Cindy fashion, I arrived at 4pm thinking I would just walk into the park and enjoy the show – WRONG! The line was insane, not only that but they were at capacity and were only letting people in as people left (that means they were letting people in, in twos and threes sporadically, pure ridiculousness). I hate lines, and so after learning what the situation was, I made a u-turn back to the VIP entrance. I had no idea how I would get in but I knew I was getting in there. As I sat there and made phone calls to my friends telling them not to bother wasting their time trying to get there because they wouldn’t get in, a very nice rasta man who was also standing outside the VIP area waiting to be let in, told me to stay close. I did as instructed and shortly after, someone I assumed to be his friend came over and handed him a “used” VIP bracelet. It had almost no tackiness left but we did our best to make it look official and it worked. He made it in, and as promised he returned and handed me the same twice used VIP bracelet. The poor thing was done, I had to use a piece of gum to secure it (desperate times…)!

Oh by the way, I forgot to mention I rode my bike to the park! Yeah, I thought I was cute.

My wheels for the day…

Seeing my VIP bracelet, security motioned me over to the front of the line. However, when I got there and they noticed I had a bicycle, they told me they couldn’t let me in with my bike. I was crushed because I didn’t have a bike lock, which meant I wouldn’t be able to go inside. As I made my way off the line, I could see the rasta man in the distance waving with a puzzled look on his face. I yelled to him that I couldn’t come inside with my bike. He motioned me away from the crowd and met me at the fence where he asked a cop who stood watch if he could take my bike. Sure enough, the cop permitted him to take my bike over the fence. I then made my way back to the VIP entrance and was granted entry now that I didn’t have a bike.

Talk about “pleased puss” – that was me! I was stoked. I thanked the Rasta Man who I then learned had a name, Elvis! It didn’t end there though, Elvis got me backstage where we found a corner to tuck my bike. At that point I was prepared to have my bike stolen because I had no way of really securing it and anyone could just walk off with it as it wasn’t my intention to babysit it all evening. I didn’t care though, I was just excited to see Chronixx and Junior Reid in action. Elvis assured me it would be fine, and sure enough he and his friends set up chairs directly in front of my bike and sat there during the entire show. That bike was not going anywhere!

Chronixx in action!

Comforted by that fact, I was able to watch and enjoy the show without worry! Junior Reid was great, vibes can’t done! I only caught the tail end of his performance so I didn’t have a chance to record anything as I was too busy dancing up a storm. Chronixx took the stage shortly after and he was everything!! From start to finish, They Dont Know, Ain’t No Giving In, Here Comes Trouble, Capture Land, Spirulina, Smile Jamaica, and Behind Curtain… he did not disappoint!

Amazing capture with Junior Reid by Rod Figaro of Figaro Images.

I’m always proud of my Jamaican heritage, but seeing Chronixx perform live and seeing the crowd soak up every word he uttered just reaffirmed everything! I love my people, I love my culture, I love reggae music!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout out my new friend Elvis. Thank you for what was nothing short of a perfect day!