photo: rev billy
During the first part of the video, Angelo stands in the doorway looking somewhat inscrutably bemused as Billy and the choir do their thing, preaching and singing the story of Mr. Fontana's demise. Billy explains how Angelo's original landlord had two buildings, he was the local pharmacist, and undoubtedly knew all the people he rented to. His son, now Angelo's leaseholder, owns 150 buildings and is raising Angelo's rent. “That is the story of New York City," Billy says, "that soulless absence of human scale... The demon monoculture is surrounding us!"
Then, towards the end of the video, Billy and the choir are invited into Angelo's shop and a woman serenades him in Italian. The song is sad and lovely and it might bring tears to your eyes, as Billy and Angelo embrace. It's a touching moment in this hideous time of ongoing condoschmerz and wholesale loicide.
Praise Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir. Keep New York local and real. Boycott those chains that bind us and suck the life out of our communities.
ReplyDeleteGet your shoes repaired instead of buying new ones.
As a loyal customer of Angelo Fontana's it is heartbreaking to see what's going on. I decided to spread the word to the Germasn speaking community on my blog here (with new photos): http://storiesfromtheapplecore.blogspot.com/2008/02/farewell-angelo.html
ReplyDeleteI hope Angelo Fontana will find a way. If neccessary, I'll carry my shoes to Staten Island. Instead of just complaining about greedy landlords, which never helps, people should help Angelo to find an alternative and encourage him to carry on wherever. Viva Angelo!