It’s Post-Irene Sunday here on the East Coast. I hope everyone here kept safe during the rather windy and rainy conditions. So here’s something to look forward to, the weekly recap! So this week was all about user submissions as I featured the two of the first submissions I have received. On Monday I featured Jeff’s sounds from Athens Square Park in Astoria. A rousing rendition of Cascada is always a great way to get your work week going. On Wednesday we went across the pond with Peter as he showed us the power and potential behind public art through an excerpt of the “Hopes and Fears” Project. I’ve enjoyed receiving these submissions and would like to remind all of you that you can always send me sounds, just check out the Participate page for more information! The more, the merrier. For this week, expect recordings to come a little later in the week than usual from me. I’m in Pennsylvania for the time being, and won’t be in the city until later this week. Until then enjoy the maps of Astoria and England below!
Happy Monday everyone! I am happy to report that I have gotten some user submissions and I will be featuring them this week. The first one comes from Jeff in Astoria, Queens (my home borough!) and it is set in Athens Square Park. The park was originally a playground which the city acquired in 1963. In 1990 a $1 million dollar reconstruction of the space, funded by the city, motivated the neighbors to make the playground a public park space for the community. A community group under the name ‘Athens Square, Inc.’ planned the reconstruction and decided on a design that resembled Athens itself. Why you ask? As many New Yorkers know, Astoria is predominantly a Greek community. The new park was to be comprised of three parts:
Through the 1990s, the group slowly built what is the Astoria Square Park we see today. Fun fact, one of the sculptures in the park is an actual gift from the mayor of Athens in 1998! The recording itself is from an Italian Festival that occurred in the park over the weekend. I hope this cover of Cascada’s “Every Time We Touch” will bring a smile to your face on the start of your work week. I know I smiled and maybe giggled a little.
