Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Welcome to 7 WTC

The first tenant moved in yesterday, but the grand opening of the building at 7 World Trade Center was delayed until noon today. The usual dignitaries spoke, a blue ribbon was cut, cameras flashed, reporters took notes and then the real welcome began with a free concert featuring what was billed as "seven downtown artists."

The show started with famed Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, who performed in front of the new fountain with a choir of neighborhood schoolchildren, then climbed onstage and sang solo, ending with the words "God bless America."

He was followed by Americana-gospel hybrid Ollabelle, the legendary Lou Reed (who sang his classic Sweet Jane), folk troupe Pharaoh's Daughter, singer-songwriter Citizen Cope (who gave me one of his CDs), singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega (who sang her hits Luka and Tom's Diner), electronica quartet the Brazilian Girls and the jazz of Bill Ware & Vibes.

An extra treat was provided the Soda Shop, an old-fashioned soda fountain situated on Chambers Street, a few blocks north of 7 WTC, which dished up free snacks of pure comfort New York food - egg creams, lime rickeys, pretzels, macaroni & cheese, miniature hot dogs and tiny pastel-buttercream frosted cupcakes.


Hanging a banner on the facade Posted by Picasa


Ronan Tynan performs Posted by Picasa


Member of Ollabelle performing Posted by Picasa


Lou Reed performing Posted by Picasa


Lou Reed performs Posted by Picasa


Pharaoh's Daughter performs Posted by Picasa


Citizen Cope performs Posted by Picasa


Suzanne Vega performsPosted by Picasa


Brazilian Girls perform Posted by Picasa


Bill Ware performing Posted by Picasa


Elaine Amherd of Bill Ware & Vibes Posted by Picasa


Ollabelle signing autographs  Posted by Picasa


Lou Reed signing an autograph Posted by Picasa


Taking an order for an egg cream Posted by Picasa


Fountain with Balloon Flower by Jeff Koons Posted by Picasa

  • 7 World Trade Center

  • Newsday: 7 World Trade Center Opens

  • Soda Shop

  • Ronan Tynan

  • Ollabelle

  • Lou Reed

  • Pharaoh's Daughter

  • Citizen Cope

  • Suzanne Vega

  • Brazilian Girls

  • Bill Ware & Vibes
  • 1 Comments:

    At 5/25/2006 11:54:00 AM, Blogger Moderator said...

    Hey! You got to see Lou Reed. Lucky.

     

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