Summer heat, the roar of voices, and overwhelming cool jazz that infiltrated the entire area. That was the trigger that threw me back in time to the 1920s. It was late afternoon when I walked to Carl Schurz park, on the east side of Manhattan. Upon entering the park I saw there was some "high to do up at the fort" ( well it wasn't a fort but a restaurant and the usage stands) as guards were posted at the entrance and one table had a printed sign saying guests while the other was labeled press. Dresses and stilettos, tuxedos and suits were the wear around the area, yet there I stood in shorts and a simple cotton T-shirt. Walking around the structure, through the park to the river, I could hear the battle between the crowds' voices and the music of a live jazz band. Instantly I imagined flappers dancing the Charleston and quickstep, and coy conversations over alcohol (provided by a private bar and smuggled in as it was illegal with the prohibition) and smokes.
It was definitely an amusing moment for me; other than wishing I was on the other side of that wall. Some day maybe. Aye governor.
To learn about the 1920s visit:
http://www.1920-30.com/
To see the Charleston and quickstep performed:
http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIDhqapR93sAUHP7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBvMTRhdDlrBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDVjE0Mg--?p=1920s+charleston+dance&vid=1485a0d9b85bd0c0e06fb18b657aaf04&l=3%3A11&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DV.4670696375518504%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dx6KDtr_RP5Q&tit=1920%26%2339%3Bs+-+Quickstep+Vs+Charleston&c=5&sigr=11afeclmh&age=0&fr=yfp-t-656&tt=b
p.s. can anyone tell me where the quote "seems like there's some high-to-do up at the fort, aye governor" is from. I tried web searching but failed. Thanks :)
