Free Music and Other Spectacles in City Parks -- Or Not

Ejected from Tompkins Square Park on March 22, SidDylaN relocated across Avenue A 

The New York City Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) were all over Tompkins Square Park on Saturday afternoon, May 22. Two officers stood at the entrance of Avenue A and East Ninth Street, two PEP patrol cars were parked inside the park at the old band shell area, and other PEP officers were peppered throughout the park. They were there to make sure that Chris Flash's punk rock concert and political rally did not happen.

Flash staged his first of eight proposed events in the park on April 24, but his permits were revoked after more than 2,000 punk music fans descended on the park that day, far in excess of COVID-era limits. The Nihilistics, Reagan Youth, Dutch Gutz, and Thirsty Pirates were scheduled to play on May 22. The PEP officers were there to make sure this did not happen. Flash told The Manhattan Beat on May 19 that his lawyers are still in talks with the municipal government's lawyers, and he maintains hope that the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation will issue permits to him for future events in the park.

On May 22, the PEP officers made sure that no one else played in the park either. They asked SidDylaN to leave the park shortly after the duo flipped the "on" switch on a portable amplifier. As a result, the rock band, named after Sid Vicious and Bob Dylan, relocated across Avenue A, outside a not-yet opened Doc Holliday's bar.

"The officers said that on any other day, they might turn their heads and look away," the musicians told The Manhattan Beat. "Today they said they will have zero tolerance."

A flag dancer at Tompkins Square Park on May 21

Meanwhile, musicians and disc jockeys are playing in many parks, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. Boom boxes, disc jockeys and dance parties proliferated last summer in the wake of the pandemic shutting many indoor venues. In recent weeks, live bands, dance parties, and skateboard jams are nightly events in Washington Square Park. For the past three Fridays, more than 100 party people have danced past midnight to blaring recorded music in Tompkins Square Park.

Government-sanctioned events will take place this summer as well. Little Island announced its preliminary schedule this past week. Lincoln Center announced its initial concert schedule for Restart Stages last week. Bryant Park also published its schedule of Picnic Performances. Hopefully, SummerStage will publish its complete schedule soon. In the meantime, the parks will continue to host other unauthorized music and spectacles.

Musicians played eerie music and a man eats fire in Washington Square Park on May 15 

Body Painting in Washington Square Park on May 15

Inflatables in the fountain in Washington Square Park on May 18

Jugglers practice with illuminated pins in Washington Square Park on May 18

Skateboarders use a downed police barrier as a prop

A prayer station at Tompkins Square Park on May 19

Manco Studios provided an art installation in Tompkins Square Park on Mothers Day weekend

Drag in the Park at Tompkins Square Park on May 2

Dark Sky Hustlers at Washington Square Park on May 12

John Sully at Tompkins Square Park on May 15

The Anomaly Duo at Union Square Park on May 15 (photograph by Seth Okrend)

Frank DiNunzio (left) at the 11th Street Community Garden on May 15

Andrew at Washington Square Park on May 16

The Renaissance Street Singers on May 16

Marc Capon at Tompkins Square Park on May 19

Amy of Rukus Interruptus at Tompkins Square Park on May 19

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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music developments as they happen. All photographs are by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise. For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music." For a listing of upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's  May 2021 calendar.