In the bustling streets of New York City is an artist who continuously spreads joy, fun and unity as he moves from location to location with his high-tech portable sound system. Visual artist Nelson Betancourt was inspired to bring his creativity to the public areas of Manhattan during the gloomy silence of the 2020 COVID lockdown. That was when Love Train was born! Equipped with a full-size speaker he made portable, a playful uniform he designed himself and an infinite playlist, Love Train became the celebrated wandering DJ of New York. Happily he roamed from neighborhood to neighborhood in all five boroughs. Spirits were lifted, bodies were dancing and faces were smiling as impromptu block parties surfaced all over the metropolitan area thanks to this innovative artist. Ben Aaron featured Love Train on a news story on WPIX Channel Eleven long after the lockdown concluded as this high-spirited nomadic DJ still brings his music to the diverse communities of the city. Originally intended to be a pop-up art installment, Love Train's popularity has propelled his work into a beloved urban attraction. At times he even creates art installments within this mobile art installment. He has hopes of creating a designated music subway car in the MTA system and going international with his work in the future. As a visual artist he has also sold a few of his works to private collectors. One of his most valuable works is colorful disco ball comprised of tiny images from the vast world of music. I am proud and overjoyed that I had the chance to interview this wonderful New York phenomena on my podcast!
