NQD: 9/11 Charity Concert at Madison Square Garden

Notes: MSG isn’t as packed as I thought it’d be (I thought it’d be sold out); colored lights (primarily red, white and blue, sometimes green and purple) flash and appear in patterns; Canadian and US flag hang from the rafters; DJ plays music; some audience members are masked, others aren’t, but everyone is vaccinated; people eating, smells like delicious, greasy food; videos play on a screen above the stage of various celebrities cheering on the charity comedy show; chatter and movement increase as the time inches closer toward 7pm; lights are dimmed but not off all the way yet; a little chilly; tech crew preparing the stage and testing mics; phones put away in pouches before entering the arena

Quotes: “The Knicks are back. Are you cheering? I hope so,” Adam Sandler, prerecorded video; “Super excited. Very excited to be here. This is the first big show I’ve been to in a year,” Rys Bloom; “I’m excited because I’ve never been to Madison Square Garden. I could never have imagines doing this during a pandemic, so it’s a refreshing sight to see,” Sarina Johnson

Details: Who: List of comedians including John Mulaney, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, and Pete Davidson;

What: “NYC Still Rising: After 20 Years: A Comedy Celebration,” charity comedy show

Where: Madison Square Garden

When: September 12, 2021 @ 7:00PM EST

Why: all proceeds went to 9/11 charities; an opportunity to laugh and celebrate the resiliency of NYC