Hey guys – so you know the movie I went off to southern France to film/do stunts for in the middle of the book? Well…it’s finally time for it’s premier, which means it’s time for the cast & crew  (including yours truly) to walk the Red Carpet. so, yes, I’ll be above ground for a night : )

Here’s the invite and some fun bits of info I thought you’d like to peruse – ya’ know, in case you were wondering how that all turned out…
 

As many of you America’s  Got  Talent fans  probably already  know -  our  Underground  friend  fellow  Diva,  Alice  tan  Ridlely  is  in the  final  group  going  to  LA  to  compete  live on  July 20th  on  America’s  Got  Talent

She sent  back a  message  today to  the  ‘Underground  Divas’ as  Tim  (our  fearless  leader) calls us.

ALICE TAN RIDLEY

My  take on  Alice having gotten  to  know  her over  the  past  few years -  not  only is she a phenomenal vocalist  but  a rare human  being,  diplomat, and has a way  with  words,  insight and wisdom  that  is  unmatched.

Alice  Tan  Ridley  for  President!

PS here’s a little extra from today’s NY Post about our Diva rising to the top

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/not_just_precious_mom_now_Hki8uvfau0CRTNN5iOwo9K

This  has been the  hottest  summer here  in  NYC in  9 years. Amp  that up  by a   10 -  12 degrees and you get the feel  of  the underground in  this  heat.  it’s  beyond a sauna.  When  done  each  day I’m  soaked  from head to  toe -  hair drenched, shirt drenched poor  guitar  getting  dripped  on   for  hours.  I  loose  so  much  fluid I  now  carry a  little  container of  salt  to  replenish  what  I  loose in  the 3-4  hrs in the heat.

Here’s a taste of the underground, on one of the hottest  days yet  courtesy of Melissa Donovan, superb  Cinematographer  who you  can  find  at www.melissadonovanproductions.com

Video link below – Feel  the heat : )

Hi all!

This has  been one heck of a hot summer so far, right? One of the biggest challenges  being just hangin’ onto my  guitar  pick while I’m soaking wet from the heat Underground

Yesterday as I came up  from Herald Square I  noticed theair above ground had finally cleared, all the way down to the 80’s – “ahhhhhh…” so the coolness is  bound to trickle down to the trains sooner or later…we hope!

Along with the recent influx of comparatively refreshing air  comes  some strong  rays of hope from the Underground. This past week,  City Lore’s Executive Director Steve Zeitlin had a productive meeting with the new NYPD Transit Chief, Raymond Diaz and all NYPD transit borough commanders. At issue was latest Police harassment of street performers. I spoke with Steve today and I’m very encouraged at  both the appointment of a new chief of Transit  Police and his responsiveness to our ever escalating plight of harassment over the past few years. Steve and City Lore had requested a meeting for over three years and only with the  appointment of a new chief did the meeting happen.

But happen it did.

Rays of hope with Diaz!

Finally – Many apologies to all for the “Press” links  sent to you via the blog – big mistake and Jason’s working on fixing the ‘glitch’  – again – so  sorry to inundate your inbox on a Friday w/ mistakes. It  shall be remedied.

Catch you in the cool breeze when the train doors open underground 

Heidi

A fascinating glimpse into a world that few really understand. In this book, Heidi Kole presents a first-hand account of performing in the New York subway system in an honest and elegant voice. From her initial fright at the idea of performing to gradual understanding of the ‘code of the underground’ to her acceptance and befriending of fellow performers, this book is filled with interesting insights and philosophy. Each chapter reads like a short story, and those short stories are beautifully woven into a compelling narrative that I found impossible to put down.

Heidi is a free spirit in the best sense of the phrase….trusting her own instincts to be a creative human being. This is the truth, I will never look at people on the Metro or downtown DC the same way after reading her book.

I read a couple of chapters in the evenings as a way to experience New York since I have only been there a couple of times. Thanks for the enjoyable read and for modeling a life based on art and openess to new relationships. Alice

This is a great read and insight into the underground world/code, that many pass by everyday without knowing, overall just a great experience to read and definitely worth a look.

This book should be mandatory reading for every American !!I could not put it down.The underground culture described by Heidi is an amazing model of trust, caring for each other,and unity. If all people would read and apply the features of the model our world would be an amazing place!!

Reminiscent of an urban, underground Celestine Prophecy (but much more well written), Heidi Kole takes her readers through an incredible journey – filled with larger than life characters, personal revelation, love, compassion, heartache and fear – without ever leaving the confines of the New York City subway system. Through short chapter-like diary entries that keep the story moving at a quick, exciting pace, Kole gives us an insider’s look at the lives of some of the city’s best, and least well-known, musicians as they deal with background noise, foul odors, bizarre on-lookers, and the fight for their right to exist – all in the name of entertaining their audiences – and while asking for very little in return. Heidi is part story-teller and part philosopher in a guided tour of a city’s underground that will change the way you look at the people who make your commute a little more bearable.

Wow! Wow! Wow! I thought I would just take a peak at Heidi Kole’s book, “The Subway Diaries” instead I found myself hours later, past midnight, with red tired watery eyes and a night getting shorter and shorter…not being able to put her book down! I kept on scrolling page after page, reading about her amazing world. I felt like being propelled into a C.S. Lewis world! My! I am so fascinated!! Who would have ever imagined what is actually happening on the platforms under our streets??? Tomorrow I am rushing myself to buy hard copies and give them to my friends! I want them to know that Hey! Heidi Kole is FANTASTIC!!!
Therese
Washington, DC – New York City