ASTOR PLACE

Quick history of the area in NYC called Astor Place

It's an area in lower Manhattan
Which runs from Broadway
Just below east 8th street

It was named for For John Astor
Who was at one point the wealthiest
American in the country

It was the site of the Astor Opera House

Also the site of a huge riot
On May 10th 1849

My ancestors, the Irish
Got pissed off at an English actor
Now mind you this is at the height
Of the potato famine
Which killed a good percentage of
Ireland's population

There's was a lot of anti-British
Attitudes at the time
And the play Macbeth was being
Performed by a British actor at one of
The theaters in Astor Place
Actor William MaCready. The American Irish disliked MaCready & started a protest
18 people were shot & killed

In the late 19th century
The area was home to most of the wealthiest Americans
The Vanderbilts
Delano family
The Astors
Poet William Bryant
Entrepreneur Issac Singer

Now it's just a charming area
Around NYU
my favorite Starbucks is here
I like this area of the city

I was in Astor Place yesterday
Morning at Starbucks
And last nite after work

After work I came across a little
Cafe
I needed a cocktail & a lite dinner
While sitting at the counter
Which is my usual if I go anywhere
A famous movie star came in and sat
Down next to me
I of coarse didn't recognize him
Actually his ex-wife is more famous than he is

He was annoying me
Causing the bartender chaos
Over the wine selection
That I said to him
"Pick a damn wine & sit down!"

Well that was it for him
He died laughing & we sat there
And just chatted
During our dinner
He offered to pay for my meal & drinks
But I said no

He's quit famous
He was charming & enjoyed
My brand of sassy mouth Americana

I wasn't star struck at all with him
Which he quit enjoyed
And actually teased him with my
Cocky swagger that I have
"I don't care"

I entertained this famous guy
All nite
He said when we parted ways
" it was a pleasure meeting this
New York City hairdresser"
He had also revealed he had had a rough day
And my bubbly personality
Had brightened his day
Thanx for making me laugh he exclaimed
With pleasure I said

And we parted ways