Summers in Denmark are glorious. Sunsets that last for hours. No need for air conditioners (except for those two weeks in mid-July, but 2 out of 52 ain’t bad). Gelato shops open on every corner. Jazz bands that meander through the streets, or sail through the harbors on little boats, swinging their instruments from side to side as they play them. Eating dinner in the courtyard, then taking after-dinner walks through downtown Copenhagen, because by 10 pm all the shops have closed, the number of tourists has thinned out to a tolerable level, the sky is a deep dazzling blue and all the best street performers are out. Think Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova in Once. Okay, in reality, think Lisa Loeb sitting on a fountain stoop in purple tights and a head mic. Or a string quarter playing Ave Maria in front of the cathedral gate. And a mime who breaks character as soon as he sees an empty spot on the bench where two pretty girls are sitting. But there were two guys from Holland who just wanted to give street performing a shot.
I followed these guys for several blocks after spotting them outside of the Grand Teatret. Its kind of crazy how it all happened, but in the end, I helped get their first performance started! All they needed was for someone to push them over an edge of nervousness. By the time we walked away, they’d drawn quite a crowd, so I have no doubt that they did well. Lykka till!
