Kindness in Brooklyn

As the evening air cooled down, I knew I did not want to be in my apartment. However, I also knew I did not want to spend money. I was aware that The National was playing a paid concert at Prospect Park to help the Celebrate Brooklyn concert series. I thought that would be a perfect place to ride my bike to, lay down in the grass and take in a band I was somewhat familiar with.

As I laid in the grass outside the fence, sitting alone, watching people go by I took in the music. After a few songs though I became restless. If I was with some other people I could have stayed there all night. Yet when you take in a concert, especially outside the venue and alone the enjoyment runs out sooner than expected. A few songs in I decided I had enough and I headed back to my bike.

Excuse Me.

I turned around expecting to be asked who was performing or where something was located. Thankfully, I was surprised with their question.

Do you want a free ticket to the show, we have an extra one. 

I was taken aback but I immediately accepted because only minutes before walking to my bike I thought it would be a whole lot more fun inside. Plus I was craving a beer. I smiled and took the ticket, thanked them and locked my bike back up to head inside to enjoy the rest of the concert. That couples choice to give the ticket away reminded me of the simple actions one can take that can make a persons day. I thank those people, whoever they are, and because of them I got to see a band that I, as I said, was somewhat familiar with but had never seen perform live.

The concert moved, the band was excited to play the venue since they had adopted Brooklyn as their new hometown after moving away from Ohio. Besides the various talking scattered amongst the crowd, they had the majority completely into their performance. A reason I wanted to see them perform was I saw video of their performance of their song Mr. November online and I was impressed with their stage presence. Thankfully, because of that kind couple that offered me a free ticket, I got to see them firsthand.

Thank you, stranger couple in Brooklyn, you made my night.

The National Performing Mr. November at BAM