My
next adventure was experiencing The Ride.
This has got to be one of those “happenings” and you have to walk away
in a great mood and smiling. There are these multi-million dollar coaches that are
equipped with surround sound, LED lighting and 40 video screens. They are, in
essence, rolling state-of-the-art theatres that introduce their travelIng
audiences to an interactive experience that only New York could offer . Adding its own actors to the crowded mix
on the street, the huge motor coaches deliver a show worthy of the standing
ovations and group euphoria that results at the end of each RIDE.
Let
me explain it further. The side of this
HUGE bus facing the sidewalk has come up with a second “face”; that of the 3-D art
of Charles Fazzino depicting a concept of miles of New York. You are seated stadium style facing the
streets and opposite sidewalk. You can
see the folks and they can see you. The
small video screens give you the opportunity to see Fazzino’s art as well as
the words to any sing-a-longs.
Then,
there are the actors and you’ll never know what they’ll do. The bus will slow down as you watch a guy
suddenly go into a tap dance, play an instrument, run some rap for a few blocks
or even do a ballet in Columbus Square.
The mike is open both ways and the “audience” of whoever happens to be
passing will see and hear it all, especially the constant encouragement of
getting them to wave back at you. You
can tell who the tourists are…they are taking photos and video of the
passengers.
The
voice of Charles Fazzino will chime in
many times to tell you about the art of where you are; the hosts will do the
rest. What became most amusing to me was
seeing how many people totally ignored both the bus and actors as if it is just
so typical of New York…they were probably New Yorkers.
CEO Richard Humphrey and Charles Fazzino were on my internet radio show today. Check it out on www.blogtalkradio.com on Whirl With Merle. Be sure to see more of Fazzino's works at www.fazzino.com
No comments:
Post a Comment