![\"image-29-04-15-11-48\"](\"http:\/\/www.mrukulele.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/image-29-04-15-11-48.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe day\u2019s Aloha was shattered by Rangers Wheeler and Brown, uniformed Parks Department employees who advised me that I was playing in a Quiet Zone and had to move. They suggested I move to the Arcade or to the Bandshell on the other side of the road. I will not attempt to record the conversation that ensued; suffice it to say I mounted a spirited, unsuccessful defense of my First Amendment rights, was threatened with a summons, then moved on to my second favorite location, under the maple on the path to the Boathouse.<\/p>\n
We buskers have seen this before. Every spring, with the exception of 2014, the powers-that-be clear the park of musicians. Over a period of a few weeks, enforcement is strict, so that by June only the strong of heart remain. The Quiet Zone Wars of 2011-2013 produced a settlement, negotiated by NY Civil Liberties Union lawyer Norman Siegel. It contained some time, duration and location restrictions, but was generally workable, especially for acoustic soloists. <\/p>\n
At my second location, despite the high fence masking work on the rowboat rental operation, I cast my eyes to the heavens, to the fluffy white clouds, to the gracefully proportioned skyline of Central Park West, to the cardinal screeching from the towering mulberry tree. Slowly, the Aloha Spirit returned. A dollar here, a dollar there from passing men, 50 cents from an old lady, a dollar from a late teen boy who apologized that it wasn\u2019t more.<\/p>\n
Four Australian lads, just arrived, hula-ed through a verse of \u201cThe Hukilau Song.\u201d \u201cSo what have you guys planned for today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot much,\u201d said one. \u201cWe\u2019ve already seen enough. I think we\u2019ll head for a bar. Oh, and there\u2019s a concert tonight with an Australian band, you should come.\u201d<\/p>\n
A school group trooped by. When I asked where they were from, someone shouted \u201cMichigan.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you heard this one?\u201d I sang a cappella, \u201cOh, how I wish again, I were back in Michigan, down on the farm.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the kids gave me a dollar. \u201cThanks,\u201d he said, \u201cI never heard that one.\u201d<\/p>\n
A young woman cresting the hill and coming into sight reached deep into her very large purse for something to give me. A teenage boy dropped 60 cents.<\/p>\n
Rangers Wheeler and Brown then showed up again. A walkie-talkie crackled on Wheeler\u2019s belt. \u201cIt\u2019s you again,\u201d she said with amusement. \u201cYou\u2019re our call.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat call?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got a call about you, a complaint. You can\u2019t play here. We told you where you can play.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho complained? About what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t tell you that. Now move or we\u2019ll call NYPD.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was almost quitting time, so I counted up $7.10 and stuffed it in my breast pocket. When I got home I wrote a note to Norman Siegel. Tomorrow, if it\u2019s a nice day with temperatures above 60, I will once more into the fray.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"