As commuters walk at a fast pace through the busy station in Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, some can’t help to stop and listen to Alvaro Munoz and his partner deliver the soothing sound produced by their wind instruments. Alvaro belongs to the group Raices (Roots in Spanish) who, through their music from the Andes Mountains, wish to deliver their message of indian pride.
“The problem nowadays is that people have no identity,” said 24-year-old Alvaro. “We try to educate people with the teachings that our ancestors left us in their music.”
Alvaro makes it very clear that their Andean music is not folklore, but a music genre very much like rock or country. “Folklore talks about legends or myths and that’s not what we’re about. We take contemporary music and make it our own.”
Raices uses wind instruments such as sinkus and quenas. Sinkus are composed of 13 to 15 tubes made out of of sugar canes which are tired horizontally together. Each tube makes a different sound. On the other hand, quenas are kinds of flutes tht have six holes and are made from wood.
“Because of construction, there is no Flushing bound local train…” This is an ordinary announcement on the 7 line in Queens. During April, the 7 line has more “service changes” than its original schedule. When one way makes all local stops, there are not local trains working on the other way. “This is annoying. I have to go to Willets Pt-Shea Stadium, to transfer to Manhattan bound local train, and then back to 103rd St, Corona Plaza. It takes me at least 20 more minutes going back and forth,” one of 7 line commuters complains.
The frequent schedule changes on the 7 line are not only today’s issue, but what makes riders frustrated is the condition gotten worse. The train comes rarely and runs slow when service changes, so it is usually packed. The number of guides at subway stations seems to be reduced; only service changes notice posted on the walls at station. Riders had to spend double time on their trip using trains and endure inconveniences.
Even though, the MTA New York City Transit announced last year that they will improve services on the subways and buses, no improvement shows on the 7 line. “There is no change, but only fare increases,” says a rider on the 7 line.
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