Monday, February 18, 2013

Making music downtown


It was great to see this duo making music in the downtown area.  The poobahs who run things in Ocala are trying to renovate the old downtown area to make it more "family friendly" and more attractive to locals and visitors.  Thus, city hall has been redone with a European-style courtyard, a new parking lot is planned which I believe will include residences on the upper level, more unique restaurants are in the works, and a variety of artists are being encouraged to share their skills with the public, etc.

This is all good.  And these two guys were quite good!  The one on the right played a wicked jazz trombone!

27 comments:

Linda said...

This photo has great appeal, Lowell, as all your photos. Love the colours and spirit here!

Janet said...

It would be nice to be serenaded at lunch!

Stefan Jansson said...

Nice to know that everything is good for once!

Stefan Jansson said...

Nice to know that everything is good!

Taken For Granted said...

Have a friend who claims that restaurants with food painted on the windows are good places to eat. Good to see new downtown cafes opening.

Jack said...

Good developments to read about, Lowell. A lively downtown is vital for a liveable city or town.

~Cheryl said...

Boy, would I like to hear these gents play! How fun! I do like your photoshop snow, too.

As to your question, I don't know what the heart was made of. I thought maybe it was a paint splatter but it's probably bird poop. Best Valentine came from my orthopedic surgeon who lifted all restrictions. I just have to not "push it" too much. I feel so free! Still being careful but a lot less paranoid.

Thank you for stopping by and for the nice compliment!

hamilton said...

It all sounds very appealing.

Randy said...

It's all good when there is music in the air.

Anonymous said...

This is a fantastic photo, Lowell! I can almost hear the music...

Pierre BOYER said...

Great !!!
Enjoy your day Lowell...

Pierre

cieldequimper said...

Our downtowns are dying mainly because of the American style shopping malls and super(hyper)markets that have opened everywhere... This is very nice, I wish I could hear them!

Cezar and Léia said...

I see lunch time is always a great moment there! Awesome shot , I love the musicians!
Léia

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

Good music in public is a good thing! Glad Ocala is making the effort to renovate the downtown area.

Janis & David
Greensboro Daily Photo

Sharon said...

That trombone will wake you up first thing in the morning.

Anonymous said...

Great shot. Since I don't teach at the Appleton anymore I don't get downtown as much...most times just get as far as Hobby Lobby ;)

EG CameraGirl said...

A few towns in my area are renovating in much the same way. I like the atmosphere.

Judy said...

Very nice! It's great to find good street musicians out playing for the love of music.

snowwhite said...

Hi Lowell
The ideas to renovate the old downtown area sound superb.
Soon people will enjoy lunch in unique restaurants, enjoying art and music!! I hope my town Nara also will be renovated like this.
I love the signs on the window!!
Have a wonderful week.
keiko

Pat said...

Ah, good idea. And are these guys playing Real Good For Free?

Small City Scenes said...

Oh what fun. Street musicians are generally pretty good. I like little shops and cafes instead of big box stores. MB

RedPat said...

It's great to have downtown as a people place - hope it all works out!

Anonymous said...

The musicians look good against that dynamic background, great capture!

Kay said...

For so long "City Fathers" have zoned for dollars, welcoming in malls and megastores that have crushed the local downtowns. It's good to hear that planners are starting to notice that it kills our communities to do this.

fiziskandarz said...

Absolutely love the vibrant colors of the subject and the signs in background. Really make object stands out :D

fiziskandarz said...

Absolutely love the vibrant colors of the subject and the signs in background. Really make object stands out :D

magiceye said...

Would love to listen to them too!

"Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again." — Henri Cartier-Bresson