Day 23 – The Memorial – suggested
music – (And When I Die (live at the Bottom Line) by Laura Nyro AND Stoned
Soul Picnic by Laura Nyro)
I don’t know what Laura Nyro’s
Memorial was like – she died 7 years ago from ovarian cancer at the age
of 49.
I know I went to NYC and the
Memorial with expectations. And as Confucius say ‘Road of expectations
filled with potholes of disappointment’.
I left the Bowery in my best,
except that I wore a t shirt I had made with www.spaldinggray.com
on
it. The day before I had taken another one and had my friends at the Bowery
sign it with one of those special pens. It was a big hit with some great
art added. It was an experiment – I wanted Big (Chris Noth) from Sex and
the City to sign it ‘absofuckinlutely, Mr. BIG’ and then I’d sell it on
ebay with the proceeds to the Spalding Gray scholarship fund. Expectation.
As soon as I left to get subway,
a thunderstorm began. Three strikes of lightning. All the movie and TV
filming crews dived for cover. I go off the subway, at 51st, 8 blocks to
soon. I arrived with a mass of people waiting to get in to the theatre.
I was absofuckinlutely soaked, thru my gortex windbreaker. My tweed was
soaked, my pants were dripping. Everyone else seems bone dry. My guess
– the limos got them pretty close to the door.
I recognized one person – she
looked very familiar. When we got to pour into the seats, she sat in front
of me. Judy Collins! Now I knew. The front row – middle seat – BIG. The
stage had Spalding’s table, notebook and water. A huge screen at the back
had a wonderful picture of the Spud.
Then Judy Collins took the stage
– and Heaven and an Angel had ascended. She invited everyone to sing Amazing
Grace with her – “Or sing anything else as I’m sure Spalding
would understand.”
Philip Glass solo, Laurie Anderson,
speeches by close friends, and some wonderful video. A special funny short
made with a Spud look a like. A never before shown interview of Spalding
during his recovery from the accident. A clip from a monologue – the clapping
on the film perfectly blended with the cheers from the audience.
Then Kathie and Theo took the
stage for the finale so to speak. I’ve heard of this concept of indigo
children – have no idea really what it means – but I think Theo would qualify.
Kathie thanked people for coming. And I may have dreamt it but I believe
she said that she would dedicate her life to making sure more people knew
whom Spalding Gray was. That is interesting as that is my goal as well.
After, I was expecting a quasi
celebration – I had thought that Spalding would like that. It was happy
hour after all… No party. So no t shirt signings. But I did take the opportunity
to shake Big’s hand. He was very gracious and amazingly handsome. There
was a big line up to speak to Kathie. I should have stayed. You see I’ve
never met Kathie. The Day about the Sunday brunch – I made it up – everything
else is true. We had emailed about the possibility. I got fuckin stood
up!!! Hahaha…
I walked back towards the subway.
It was still raining and I was still soaked. I had a brief perfect moment,
somewhere near Times Square. I felt the same as I had felt in high
school one day when I walked in the rain over to my girl friend’s. It was
a combination of happiness, suffering, and fucking being ok. I stopped
at Shermans on Fifth. You see I only smoke when I’m in New York and can
get Shermans. I was fucking homeward bound. ( The Wisteria had more blooms
than ever before…)
May 15, 2004 – Victoria, BC,
Canada
© 2004 John Boland
aka Rat Garcia (my NYC nic)
Any and all proceeds to go to
the Spalding Gray Scholarship Memorial Fund. You may make your donation
here.
Addendum: Tell Your Friends –
(suggested music – Amazing Grace by Judy Collins)
(Message has been edited
for content and formatted to fit your screen...)
----- Original Message -----
From: john boland, m.s.w.
To:
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 3:48
PM
Subject: to Kathie from John
Boland
Dear Kathie,
I hope that you and your family
are doing as best as possible now that both Memorials are over. I never
know what's a good time to write so with the completion of my NYC Diary
(Swimming to Manhattan), now seemed like a good time. My math (before social
work and authoring) background leads me to lists things by #:
1) as I mentioned, my NYC Diary
is now complete and posted on the web page. I am sending you a hard copy
in the mail.
2) Again, I am sorry I missed
you during my visit. Now I wished I'd waited in line afterwards to at least
say hello. My trip was incomplete without meeting you.
3) Does a transcript of the Memorial
exist? I'd like to post it on the web page. If none was kept, perhaps I
can approach each speaker and ask if they have any notes kept. Some of
the people like (deleted) are easy to access but other's may be more protective
of their privacy. (edited)
4) One of my next projects is
to attempt to record my 'Swimming to Manhattan' onto CD as a monologue
as well as print on demand. I will sell them at cost with all proceeds
going to Spalding's scholarship fund.
5) I was moved and interested
by your comments at the Memorial. (edited) Was it my imagination, or did
you say something like 'I am dedicating myself to making sure more people
know who Spalding is...' (rough translation). If that is the case, that
is one of my goals as well, and the web page is helping already.
6)I told Spalding once about
my lake front cottage… (edited)
With my best wishes, I look forward
to when you can reply.
John
