STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- HONK NYC! cut a swath of brassy rhythm through Staten Island Wednesday on the North Shore.
For the 11th year running, the sprawling street music crew recruited talented street bands from all across the world and took them on a six-day tour of New York City and its boroughs, playing in a number of places from clubs to schools and, well, streets.
Sara Valentine, HONK NYC's founder and Stapleton resident, says she's always happy to bring her colleagues to her city to play for whole new crowds.
"There's a lot of delight," she said. "It's a way for them to get to know New Yorkers."
The bands in the spotlight: Damas de Ferro (The Iron Ladies), an electrifying all-female band from Rio de Janeiro, and the New Creations Brass Band, a group of skilled young musicians from the Big Easy.
Amalgamating from several solo musicians, New Creations Brass Band has been blowing the French Quarter away for seven years, and has been working with HONK to bring their style everywhere from Rhode Island to Seattle, and play everything from the classics to brass renditions of newer hits. Kyle Gancayco, working the alto saxophone, emphasises the joy he feels to play for the children of P.S. 16. "[These] kids get to hear music they wouldn't normally be able to hear," he said. "From the minute we started, everyone was into it."
Started in 2013, Damas de Ferro was the project of Carol Schavarosk, who set out to form a women-only brass band in a niche of entertainment dominated by men in their home country, and have been met with great praise. This is their first time partnering with HONK NYC, and wowed the students of Our Lady of Good Counsel. "We're enjoying it so much," said Michele Krimer, one of the group's trombone players. "All the kids were participating."
HONK NYC!, which is funded by by a grant from Staten Island Arts, launched its Staten Island tour stop with a visit to these two schools.
Later in the day, a HONK "happy hour" took place at Flagship Brewing Co.'s taproom, followed by New York-based musician Kenny Wollesen playing a "Healing" set with his band at Tompkinsville Park, with the two bands converging to play their sets directly after. All parties joined forces for a finale at the Everything Goes Book Cafe & Neighborhood Stage.
For these two troupes, playing for new crowds is always a gratifying experience, and the privilage to do so by working with organizations like HONK NYC is one surely not taken for granted. "Being part of this is something we never could have imagined four years ago," Krimer said. "Now we know that everything is possible. We feel recognized."
Check out the gallery and video above for a glimpse of the good times.