I'm going to see The Boss on Broadway!

Springsteen on Broadway Pillow 2
16x16 inches

I am a long-time Bruce Springsteen fan, ask anyone who knows me well. I tried to get tickets to see Springsteen on Broadway via Ticketmaster and had no luck. But wait...this is a feel good story so keep on reading.

A friend/collector who used to live in LIC not far from my studio and who is also a longtime Springsteen fan, messaged me asking if I had any luck getting a ticket and I said I'd never received a code, so alas, I would probably never see the man perform live again as ticket prices were through the roof and nearly impossible to find. She managed to purchase two tickets. Her friend, trying for the same date, also got through and purchased 2 tickets so they decided to use the friend's tickets.

My friend then offered me a ticket at face value, $700.00!!! I wrote back thanking her but saying I could never afford it and she could probably sell them for A LOT OF MONEY. As an afterthought, I asked if she would consider bartering a painting for a ticket. She immediately wrote back, YES, but was concerned that since she lived out of state, getting a painting would be difficult. I assured her it was fine, I could ship the painting out via UPS. It turns out she had a particular painting in mind, one that she had seen several years ago which she loved and regretted not buying. Well, I just happened to have that painting in the studio so I wrote back saying it was hers.

But, she said, that painting is much more expensive than $700.00. She didn't want to take advantage. I replied this was a special circumstance. She then offered me the two tickets and my reply was, "FANTASTIC!". She didn't want to scalp the tickets, preferring instead to have them go to a friend/fan and I turned out to be the lucky one. Come January I and a good friend, another long-time fan, are going to see the show.

So, to sum up, in a very round about way, it looks like I will get to see the Boss on Broadway after all. I'm still not happy with the ticket system and the obscene ticket prices as it is a real disservice to the man's many fans, but I guess that's showbiz. The bar has been raised pretty high and for those prices he will really have to deliver an amazing performance. Springsteen is quite the showman so I don't think I'll be disappointed. And the reviews have been glowing.

Springsteen on Broadway 8
16x16 inches

As I am a quilter these days in addition to being a painter, I was inspired to create 8 pillows and 2 wall hangings in celebration of Springsteen on Broadway which I've posted on my ETSY site. They would make a wonderful gift for any fan and this being the holiday and gift-buying season I figured what the heck.

You can check out my fabric creations at The Florin Collection by sjfstudio at www.etsy.com/shop/sjfstudio

Springsteen on Broadway Wall Hanging 1
16x12 inches

I'm gonna boogaloo down Broadway to see Mr. Springsteen tread the boards of the Walter Kerr Theater this winter, WOOHOO!

A Lost Music Row

Remembering Music Row
Oil on canvas
12x9 inches

48th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues was famously known as Music Row and for good reason. Walking down this street, one would find shop fronts filled with glittering musical instruments of all kinds. And if you looked up, you might see windows filled with more of the same. I did that one day while walking and was intrigued with the small gargoyle-like figures adorning the facade of a building along with the selection of horns displayed in the windows. The sign in the window says "Open" but sadly, Music Row is no more. Many of the shops have either closed for good or relocated due in part to the rising rents and redevelopment of the area. One can still find the musical instrument of their dreams, but not on 48th Street.