LINCOLN CENTER Oct, 24, 2017: 4:15pm- On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, three ballet dancers crossed the square. Some tourists were taking pictures enthusiastically. Flocks of students passed by with heavy backpacks. We were debating the significance of the iconic fountain among the buildings of Lincoln Center.
A lady in a French beret, who was posing for pictures in front of the Met, appeared to be at home. Natasha, as we later found out, was originally from Russia but now lives in Florida, had lived in Queens for 20 years. She immediately stated with pride that she had never missed an opera performance at The Met during the years she lived here. She explained that she had seen Aida seven times and would be seeing The Hoffman Stories that night for the second time. When asked how she felt about Lincoln Center she said “This is my life” smiling, her eyes sparkling behind her green eyeliner.
4:30pm - A couple standing under the awning of the New York City Ballet looking at a poster of ballet dancer Chase Finlay. Jalna Jaeger, from Connecticut, a self-identified “ballet geek,” says enthusiastically “We know him!” She has been going to the New York City ballet since she saw the Nutcracker as a little girl when Lincoln Center first opened. To our surprise, Jalna expressed her love of the fountain.
Two Fordham students, Kyle and Nathaniel, standing by the fountain explained that they often come here to relax and reflect between classes. Nathaniel, wearing a red Fordham sweatshirt, said that he has often come on dates here. Turns out he is also an opera and theater fan and goes to shows and performances frequently. Alluding to the iconic scene in which Cher attends the Met with her date: “This also where Moonstruck with Cher was filmed so…” and laughs.
4:50pm - A few teenagers sitting under the trees next to the reflection pool, Madeline, Emma, Jadelyse, students at LaGuardia High School, explained that Lincoln Center was a nice place to come after school. While the three girls sat giggling and posing for our photo, the boy sat with them indifferently - possibly anxious to get away.
Though the rain continued to fall softly over the buildings and the square, it did not stop people from leisurely crossing between the famous buildings of the Philharmonic, Ballet and the Met. Tourists would enter the square with happiness in their eyes and for a brief moment, this one place became everything that mattered, where dreams have come true and hearts are opened.
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