General Discussion

orangecrush

(28,733 posts) Sat Jan 10, 2026, 10:45 AM Jan 10

Mamdani hands out free theatre tickets

Pure class.

Love this guy.

â€œWhen I speak about making our city more affordable, my vision is not limited to the homes that we live in or the child care that weâ€™re making universal â€” itâ€™s also a vision where we make it possible for working people to afford lives of joy, of art, of rest, of expression.â€
— Amanda Litman (@amandalitman.bsky.social) 2026-01-10T00:22:44.244Z

From the NYT article -

"“The shared laughter in a crowded theater, the eager debrief after a musical, the heavy silence that hangs over all of us in a drama — these are moments that every New Yorker deserves,” Mamdani said later, explaining the initiative during a news conference at one of the festival’s venues, Brooklyn College’s Leonard and Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts.

Mamdani spent about 20 minutes before the news conference standing outdoors, behind a folding table with black, purple and red Under the Radar beanies, shaking hands with passers-by who had been told that if they waited in line they could meet the mayor and get a theater ticket. (The free beanies were a bonus.)"

A true Gentleperson befitting the office.

16 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Mamdani hands out free theatre tickets (Original Post) orangecrush Jan 10 OP

Too many people believe that only the wealthy deserve leisure time. CrispyQ Jan 10 #1

Damn right, Crispy orangecrush Jan 10 #2

I hope he's hugely successful! CrispyQ Jan 10 #3

One sided class warfare orangecrush Jan 10 #5

THIS malaise Jan 10 #7

The arts are necessary to nourish mind and soul. jls4561 Jan 10 #4

Well said orangecrush Jan 10 #6

That's one special guy PatSeg Jan 10 #8

Indeed. Almost nobody else could have done this. Igel Jan 10 #9

He's not only an excellent politician, PatSeg Jan 10 #10

Even better imo. orangecrush Jan 10 #12

A happy note orangecrush Jan 10 #11

We certainly can use one! PatSeg Jan 10 #13

Good for him. SamKnause Jan 10 #14

Thanks orangecrush Jan 10 #15

That's a great benefit. Those tickets can be very expensive. Melon Jan 10 #16

CrispyQ

(40,719 posts)

1. Too many people believe that only the wealthy deserve leisure time.

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Sat Jan 10, 2026, 11:08 AM

Jan 10

If you're unhappy with your lot in life it's your own damned fault cuz you're not working hard enough.

orangecrush

(28,733 posts)

2. Damn right, Crispy

Reply to CrispyQ (Reply #1)

Sat Jan 10, 2026, 11:10 AM

Jan 10

The unions gave the working people leisure in their lives.

Part of why they hate them and us.

CrispyQ

(40,719 posts)

3. I hope he's hugely successful!

Reply to orangecrush (Reply #2)

Sat Jan 10, 2026, 11:43 AM

Jan 10

I'd love if he does so many great things we can tip the "socialism is bad" narrative to our favor. Not that I'm pushing socialism as a system, but our side has never properly challenged the trickle down bullshit the repubs have been pushing for over 40 years now. Why shouldn't our tax dollars make our lives easier?

orangecrush

(28,733 posts)

5. One sided class warfare

Reply to CrispyQ (Reply #3)

Sat Jan 10, 2026, 11:49 AM

Jan 10

Since Reagan.

malaise

(293,208 posts)

7. THIS

Reply to CrispyQ (Reply #1)

Sat Jan 10, 2026, 11:52 AM

Jan 10

Rec

jls4561

(2,852 posts)

4. The arts are necessary to nourish mind and soul.

Reply to orangecrush (Original post)

Sat Jan 10, 2026, 11:43 AM

Jan 10

That’s why museums have free days. That’s why there’s Shakespeare in the park.

That’s why until the Rethugs came along, we had arts in schools. And PBS and NPR.

I applaud Mamdani for making the arts a priority.

Perhaps he can give Fat Donnie from Queens a few tips on running the Kennedy Center.