MacArthur Park
at Urbanworld Film Festival
New York City August 2001

August 5, 2001 -- Veronica, (my Connecticut Billy Wirth fan, powwow buddy, and lovable friend) and I decided on Saturday that we would try to make the showing of MacArthur Park on Sunday evening. We could not order tickets online or by cc so had to take the chance that we could pick them up at the box office when we arrived in New York. However, ahead of time, we decided that if tickets to the show were sold out, we would spend the day in New York City and go with the flow of the day. Well that's what we said to each other.
Arriving on Peter Pan bus at noon time, we immediately started walking the three blocks to Times Square. The first Loew's theater we passed did not have any advertisement. I told V that Maxine told us it is in Times Square.
So that is where we headed. We saw a Loew's sign right in the Square and headed towards it. But when we got there, it was the Virgin megastore and I saw no signs to any theater. As I turned to look up at the little marquee I pointed it out to V and as I said, "now we have to find what door to go in to find the tickets. V stopped, I turned and standing right to the side of me was Billy.
Now talk about a full-moon moment. What were the chances? We had just arrived and MacArthur Park was not showing until 7 that evening. I said, "Hey Billy...we've come to see your movie and need to know where to buy the tickets."
After some really cool hugs and introductions, Billy told us not to worry about getting tickets."
Let me tell you people, this man is in his element in New York City. We were so proud to see that Billy's movie was showing at probably the most important movie theater location (Times Square).
During our conversation, a man collecting for the homeless asked us for donations. Not only did Billy donate but spoke to the man about his movie and invited him to see it that evening. The genuine passion that Billy has for his movie is so evident and so inspiring.
We chatted a bit. Billy said he would see us later, that he was going to find a friend to ask him to go to his movie tonight. We got more hugs and we said see you later.
Then Veronica and I decided we were going to buy tickets, anyway, although Billy has promised to walk us in. 1) they were souveniers 2) we were supporting MacArthur Park and the UrbanWorld Festival.


After we got tickets and a sheet telling which time and where, we left the store and went around the corner to call Maxine.
We were just telling Maxine about our zen moment with Billy and the conversation with the man collecting for the homeless when Billy rounded the corner. I teased "are you following us?" Maxine thought we were being followed by a homeless person. V handed Billy my cell phone and Billy said "Hi, Maxine." She couldn't believe it. Oh don't we wish we could have had a picture of that image when Maxine realized it was Billy speaking to her? They spoke about her artwork which she truly loves as I love mine. We both decided to let Billy choose for us so we had no idea when we got our pieces, what we would find.