I’ve Seen Things, Folks

Look, I’ve been in this game for over two decades. I’ve seen the rise and fall of trends, the birth of new stars, and the death of old ones. I’ve watched from the front row as New York City’s entertainment scene has evolved, and honestly? It’s been a wild ride. But lately, it’s been kinda breaking my heart.

I’m Dave, by the way. Senior editor at a major publication, though I won’t name which one because, frankly, it’s not about me. It’s about this city, this scene, and how it’s changing in ways that make me wanna scream into a pillow.

Last Tuesday, I was at this little bar in Brooklyn—let’s call it The Dive, because that’s what it was—when Marcus, a colleague named Dave (yeah, I know), leaned over and said, “Dave, you ever feel like we’re just committment-averse when it comes to good art?”

Which… yeah. Fair enough.

We’re All Guilty

I mean, think about it. We’ve got a city that’s bursting at the seams with talent. Musicians, actors, writers, gamers—you name it, we’ve got ’em. But what do we do? We binge-watch some completley forgettable show on Netflix instead of checking out that indie band playing down the street. Or we spend $87 on a fancy cocktail when we could be at a poetry slam.

About three months ago, I was at a conference in Austin, and this woman—let’s call her Lisa—told me, “Dave, you’re not alone. Everyone’s struggling to find the balance.” And she’s right. It’s just… yeah. It’s hard.

But here’s the thing: it’s not just about balance. It’s about commitment. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard. Even when it’s cold. Even when you’d rather stay in and binge-watch “The Office” for the 17th time.

And look, I get it. I really do. Life is hectic. We’re all busy. But if we don’t support the arts, who will?

Let’s Talk About Gaming

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Dave, you’re gonna talk about gaming? Really?” Yes, really. Because gaming is art, folks. It’s storytelling at its finest. And New York City has some of the best gaming communities out there.

I remember back in 2018, I was at this gaming convention—let’s call it GameOn, because that’s what it was—and I saw kids, adults, everyone, just losing their minds over the latest releases. It was electric. It was alive. It was art.

But then I think about how many of us would rather play “Candy Crush” on our phones than actually engage with a story. And it makes me sad. It makes me wanna scream into a pillow again.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. There are people out there fighting the good fight. People who are committed to the scene, to the art, to the city. And we need to support them. We need to show up. We need to be there.

And hey, if you’re looking for something to do, check out Las Vegas parks recreation activities. I know, I know, it’s not New York, but sometimes you gotta get out of the city to appreciate it.

A Tangent About Coffee

Speaking of getting out of the city, let’s talk about coffee. I was at this place on 5th—let’s call it BrewHaHa, because that’s what it was—and I overheard this guy say, “You know, I used to love going to concerts. But now? I’d rather just stay in and drink my coffee.”

And I get it. Coffee is great. But so is live music. So are plays. So are art exhibitions. We can’t let our love for the simple things replace our love for the extraordinary.

But enough about coffee. Let’s get back to the point.

We need to support the arts. We need to show up. We need to be there. And we need to do it now.

Because if we don’t, who will?

And look, I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m not saying it’s simple. But it’s necessary. It’s important. It’s… well, it’s art.

So let’s do it. Let’s show up. Let’s be there. Let’s support the arts. Let’s make New York City the entertainment capital of the world again.

Because honestly? We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to the city. We owe it to the art.

About the Author: Dave has been a senior editor for over 20 years, covering everything from movies to music to gaming. He’s seen it all, and he’s not afraid to tell you what he thinks. When he’s not writing, he’s probably screaming into a pillow or drinking coffee at BrewHaHa.

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