And it's a great first freewrite! I love this story of your first night, quite an auspicious beginning. NY definitely can sink it's claws into one, especially the performing arts scene and especially still the music scene. Welcome!
I'm Stacey, a steem friend of your mother's. I live a bit north of NYC, love Harlem (lucky you).
A warm welcome from 
RE: My First 5-Minute Freewrite: Day 787: Monday - Prompt: only what we could carry