Yesterday I went to the Museum Mile Festival in New York. Nine museums within walking distance of each other were free, the streets were closed off so people could walk and be cultured n’ shit.
I came home nine times as cultured for zero the money.
I didn’t go to too many museums, as there were long lines. But I did go to the Cooper-Hewitt museum of design. The temporary installment they had was on dinner-ware. Yes, the evolving design of forks, spoons, knives and plates, please don’t overlook the plates.
It was interesting. Looking at some of the older designs was yawn-worthy. Very ornamental, but all expected.
What I liked was seeing the peculiar designs made for in-flight eating or other innovative uses of kitchenware. My favorite was the Spoon-o-brush. I couldn’t take pictures because of the evil overlord museum guards. But imagine a spoon with a head that comes off and can be replaced with the head of a toothbrush.
The next big notable thing that occurred at the festival was a sighting. I saw Silly Billy the Magician. 
But this isn’t any ordinary kids magician. This is David Friedman, of ‘Capturing the Friedmans.’ Arguable the most famous children’s clown in the world, because he documented the trial surrounding his father and brother, accused of raping their computer students.
I recognized him instantly, because when I watched that documentary two-years ago in Boston.. well… it tripped me out.
I’m glad that Billy didn’t notice the mid-20’s hipster watching him with a grin. It might have ticked him off and sent him in a rage. I do have to say, good for him, following his dreams of being a magician despite a slightly tarnished repuation.
Silly Billy seemed to be good with the kids. I was certainly entertained.
But what really had me in awe was a group of musicians hanging outside a church with bells. They lined
up and rang bells of different tunes. It was very lovely. The whole thing made me curious, what is this kind of group called? Bellers? Ringers? I don’t know but it was very lovely.
P.S. from Pastor Ann, who I wrote about for the NY Times, can be found in the comments — “For the budding religion-writer…those are handbells. Many a church,
especially of the larger mainline variety, have handbell chiors or bell
choirs as they are known.”
For the budding religion-writer…those are handbells. Many a church, especially of the larger mainline variety, have handbell chiors or bell choirs as they are known. This past week I attended my great aunt’s memorial service where the handbell choir played a lovely version of the 23rd psalm. Their choir is called “Eendracht” which is the Dutch word for unity. I thought it was pretty witty given that the choir played in a Dutch Reformed Church, which has the motto “Eendracht maacht macht” or “unity makes strength.”
There was a mention a few weeks ago that we should get some bells and start a bell choir in Greenpoint, wanna sign up?