Urban Independence

Holiday weekends conjure up visions of beaches and BBQs.

I had neither this 4th of July. Instead, I reveled in urban outdoor delights.

I had the unmitigated pleasure of a sculpture garden performance by the Hawaiian steel guitar swing band The Moonlighters at the Brooklyn Museum of Art's "First Saturday" open house, complete with a hip-swaying 11-year old hula dancer. I followed their performance with a quick trip indoors for a visual feast on room after room of ancient Egyptian artifacts. I returned outside with every intention of leaving the grounds and then found myself captivated by the nifty "dancing waters" fountain in front of the museum. I wasn't alone. This attraction was most definitely attracting a crowd, young and old (I claim a spot somewhere in the middle!).

On Sunday itself - the 4th of July - I took part in a grand picnic spread with friends in Battery Park, while taking in a concert by Tuscon band Calexico, playing their rock with a decidedly Southwestern twang. And, Calexico was followed ably by a little-known musical artist from Texas - Lyle Lovett.

Topped off Independence Day with a trip to a friend's home in the South Street Seaport area. A merry group of us, post-Lyle picnic, with way too much spiked punch and Sangria under our belts - ascended to the eighth floor and climbed up the stairs onto a perfectly situated roof, overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge and the throng of humanity below. We all hunkered down, kicked back, imbibed a Corona or two and took in the evening's summer breeze and dazzling fireworks show. Gosh that Grucci family is good!

Now, I'm not knocking the beach or BBQs, but somehow I'm not missing them this year. However, if someone wants to invite to an oceanfront BBQ for Labor Day, I could be up for it.

Then again, where are The Moonlighters playing that night?