The Bethesda Arcade remains one of the most recognizable and historic structures of Central Park. On this afternoon, Abraham Boyd can be found at the entrance nearest the terrace, singing before a large crowd of tourists and regular park goers. His voice carries incredibly through the 19th century tiles in an acoustic atmosphere that produces just the right amount of echo. 

    Abraham sings with the use of a backing track, played out of a small speaker that sits unassumingly near one of the pillars of the structure. He allows his movements and body to dominate the space as he sings without the amplification of a microphone. Without being ordered to do so, passerby provide him with a 10 foot radius wherein he can move freely, standing on the edge of the undrawn barrier as if to give space for his voice to carry.

    Abraham’s voice so beautifully occupies the space he performs in. So much so that the attention he has received nearly obstructs a passage through the arcade. The crowd that he attracts is diverse, a testament to the fact that music has a universal appeal.