The greatest summer bargain in New York is the free music at Summerstage in Central Park. A few weeks back I went to see Balkan Beat Box, an amazing band founded by two Israelis which gave one of the best live music performances I have ever seen at any venue, anywhere.

Being a “real” New Yorker, I tend not to think too much about Brooklyn, which I know is just plain wrong. So at the urging of my youngest son, I biked out to Prospect Park, where there is the Brooklyn equivalent of Summerstage. This Saturday they were having an African Festival, which basically meant a bunch of bands from Africa.

I was blown away when I finally hit 7th avenue and 2nd street and saw the yuppie haven that Prospect Park has become. This is Brooklyn? Not the Brooklyn of my childhood, for sure. Ok I’m being a bit over-dramatic - I’ve been to Brooklyn many times over the past four years and know how much its changed. Still, this photo captures my reaction. Jeez, Prospect Park makes the Upper West Side look shabby.

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