Friday, May 8, 2020

A rooftop musical salute to frontline workers



Text and photos by Stacie Joy

I'm running late and it’s unclear if, due to rain, this event (on April 29) will be postponed. Billed as a citywide symphonic fanfare to honor courageous frontline workers, musicians Frank London (event co-organizer), Tine Kindermann, Tony Geballe and Thomas Linder are already setup on a rooftop on 12th Street near Avenue C.



I arrive a bit breathless, in part due to running in the rain with my heavy equipment, in part to the six flights of stairs, but also my stress that I will miss the strict 7 p.m. start time.

The 7 p.m. Clap Because We Care starts with the traditional banging of pots and pans and then the swell of clapping and cheering takes over, despite the rain, and the musicians — jokingly referring to themselves as the 6 Feet Apart band — start to play.


[Thomas Linder]


[Tony Geballe]


[Tine Kindermann]

Neighbors clap from their fire escapes, windows, patios and rooftops, and for about 10 minutes or so music fills the air. Here's Frank London on trumpet..



Everything seems quiet and still, and quite relaxed when they put down their instruments. Everyone poses for a socially distant group shot before I pack up my equipment and head back downstairs.

With thanks to Robert Galinsky for helping secure the roof and spreading the word of the event!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Jojo was a man who thought he was a loner, but he knew it couldn't last"

Anonymous said...

doin' it for the people! thank you!

Dan said...

Hi Frank, Tine and Stacie Hope you are all doing well!! :)

bonnie said...

Bravo! The Rooftop Fanfare on April 29, with Frank London, Tine Kindermann and friends and folks throughout the world. we banged our pots in Hudson Valley with you.