New York, as we all know, can drive a person crazy. The traffic, the noise, the congestion, the heat, the pollution, the tourists….

But then you go through stretches, like the one I’ve just been through, where you really take advantage of all the city has to offer, and you wonder, How could I live anywhere else?

Friday night: The Cure at Madison Square Garden. Three hours, just like heaven.

Saturday afternoon; the New York City Ballet performing Jerome Robbins at Lincoln Center. Ravishing and impressive.

Monday night: Coldplay, free at the Garden. (Yes: free.) Like the new record a lot.

And Tuesday night: Brazilian legend Gilberto Gil, at the Nokia Theater in Times Square. Have you ever been to a concert with Brazilians, particularly Brazilian expats? It’s a wonderful experience; the emotion is palpable. And Gil is not only a brilliant musician, he’s a great teacher who interspersed his songs with short histories and commentaries on the origins of Brazilian music. (He was, after all, Brazil’s minister of culture.)

Below, some photos.

The Cure pray for rain

The Cure pray for rain….

Coldplay: Fix You and Viva La Vida

Gilberto Gil