Musical Chairs Creates Community

Last week, Bryant Park hosted their annual Musical Chairs Tournament. The tradition began in 2012, celebrating Bryant Park’s 20th anniversary of the park's renovation.

Reporter Lainey Nguyen attended the game and shares a firsthand account of the events. More than nine hundred attendees were present. Officials said participants started showing up at 2:00 p.m. in order to secure a seat for the event’s start at 6:30 p.m. After about two hours of eliminations, a winner was found: Amy Beron from Knoxville, Tennessee. She won the honor of having her name printed on a chair in Bryant Park. As soon as she won, the crowd swarmed around her, and park staff had to rush her away.

As the sun set, the crowds dispersed, and the chairs returned to their regularly scattered spots around the park. But for at least two hours, a childhood game was able to bring people from all walks of life together in the middle of New York City.

This story ran on the What’s What podcast from WFUV News on June 10, 2025