“Bigelows Drugs (still in the same spot) had their gas lamps on, so it was the only place lit up. They were giving away ice cream before it all melted. All the food shops were giving away their food before it spoiled. There was an excitement of sharing another New York happening.”

— Minna Scharff, 69, West Village

“The scene in the piano bar was wonderful. All of the piano players who played there on varying days came by, and the place was in full song, defying the dark and the heat.”

— Carl Ian Schwartz, 66, Washington Square West

“Outside, you could look up and see the stars.”

— Jane DeFilippis, 68, Greenwich Village

“The city was alive with hundreds of people in the streets, many dancing and just having fun. Latin music was blaring out of battery-operated boomboxes, and the entire walk was musical. I admit I found myself dancing and taking a longer route home just to enjoy the festivities.”

— Harry Wagowski, 68, Upper West Side

“When the power didn’t return, I went outside and played Frisbee with my father (it glowed in the dark).”

— Nancy Nicolelis Litsas, 58, Astoria, Queens

“We attended a performance of a revival of ‘The King and I’ with Yul Brynner. The blackout interrupted the performance. The cast (including Brynner) came out in rehearsal clothes and sat on the edge of the stage. Several cast members had transistor radios which they held up for the audience to hear as borough after borough shut down. The orchestra continued to play songs like ‘Dancing in the Dark’ and ‘Glow Little Glowworm.’ ”

— Lucille Shanahan, 70, Broadway