Stoops to Nuts ~ The Bottom of the 9th at Cornelia Street

Thank you, Mom for saving this stuff

Early on, the awards piled up for young Thomas Pryor: Numbers Work, Reading, Arithmetic, Spelling, Religion ~ all achieved while his teachers, the Sisters of Divine Charity, tried to crush his spirit with poor marks in Conduct. Outside the classroom, the boy was a lauded Bobcat Cub Scout at Trinity Church, St. Stephen's Altar Boy of the Year, and survived an assassination attempt by his Troop 654 Scout Master (accused by Pryor, but never charged) in Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camp in 1968.

Tommy’s art has appeared on loose-leaf and construction paper (all colors); Daitch Shopwell’s bathrooms; LaSalle Academy’s cafeteria; inked bone samples in Physical Anthropology Lab at Hunter College and sagas with steely knives on several desk blotters at the NYC Comptroller’s Office.

In 1963, Thomas performed in front of the St. Stephen student body and two hundred hooting Hungarians, singing “Mindem Vagyam Visszaszall,” Father Emeric’s favorite folk song at the priest's Silver Jubilee. Pryor's made countless appearances at Joe’s Candy Store, Spotless Cleaners, Parker’s Grocery, Herman the German's Barber Shop, Loftus Tavern and other Yorkville gin mills where they either liked him or threw him out.

Pryor's "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" final show at Cornelia Street Cafe is Tuesday, February 10th @ 6pm. We exit with a-bing, and a-bang and a-boom. Short tellings, sweet music and time to yap with each other. Our artists: Barbara Aliprantis, Phillip Giambri, Jim Hawkins, Adam Wade and Sherryl Marshall performs a showcase set.

Admission is $8 with a free drink. Show starts @ 6pm. No reservations necessary. Pryor's hosting and telling one from his memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood."

Thank you, Robin Hirsch, Angelo Verga & Joshua Rebell for your warm support and steady love. Thank you, to the gang at the Cafe who always welcome me like family. I don't forget my friends.

"I will return, I will return, I'll come back for the honey and you."

Next month the second Tuesday storytelling tradition rolls on with "The New York Story Exchange." The show features four alternating hosts: Barbara Aliprantis, Michele Carlo, Nicole Ferraro and Jeff Rose. You are in good hands with the same concept as "Stoops to Nuts," come and tell a good one, sing a good one, have fun. 

Casey on Bow Bridge in Central Park in 2014

Passing Time ~ Stoops to Nuts on Cornelia Street

Michael Schwartz

We had a blast last night at the "Penultimate City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" at Cornelia Street Cafe. Thank you, Don Rosler, Michael Schwartz, Robert White, Judith Heineman and Michael Braudy for rocking the Cafe. Your stories were wonderful. Thank you, Paul Jones & Robin for terrific service, and thank you, to the Cafe's family for letting us play.

I was touched by the full room of friends. I watched the eyes of the engaged crowd as the music and stories flowed and saw why storytelling is so important in our lives. It soothes and fills emotional gaps that strengthen our connection to each other.

Robert White

Our last Stoops to Nuts show at Cornelia Street is Tuesday Feb 10th. We're going to drop a bomb on you. Our artists: Barbara Aliprantis, Phillip Giambri, Jim Hawkins, Adam Wade & Sherryl Marshall, one of my favorite musical talents on the planet will present a showcase set.

If you would like to check out my memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood," it's available at Logos Bookstore, 1575 York Avenue, or buy it online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or other booksellers.

Don Rosler

Judith Heiniman & Michael Braudy

Cornelia St Cafe

"Stoops to Nuts" crowd

Bleecker Street

Penultimate Stoops to Nuts is This Tuesday, January 13th

Tommy @ Cornelia St Cafe in 2008

The penultimate "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" @ Cornelia Street Cafe is next Tuesday, January 13th @ 6pm. 

Our show is a merge of storytelling and narrative song - a love letter to street life, the neighborhood and the characters in it. Our artists: Judith Heineman, Don Rosler, Michael Schwartz & Robert White. (Hunter College's best teacher ever) 

 

$ 8 admission includes a free drink, I'm your host and I'm telling one from my book, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." This is our next to last show at the Cafe. I thank everyone who's been onboard these past five years, especially, the Cornelia Street Cafe's family for letting us play in your yard. 

Our final "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" show at the Cafe is Feb 10th @ 6pm. 

Han's Duck friend

Mr. Beller's Neighborhood published "Two Guys Talking on the Corner." A story from my memoir, "I Hate the Dallas Cowboys - tales of a scrappy New York boyhood." (YBK Publishers) 

Thank you, Mr. Beller's!

The book's on sale at Logos Bookstore, 1575 York Avenue. If you're not local, buy the book online at Amazon, B&N and other booksellers. If you admire Mr. Peabody & Sherman, or H.G. Wells, you'll love the story. If you like the story, the book will provide a ride on the WABAC Machine to street life in your old neighborhood when you were a kid.

Mom pitching to Tommy in Central Park -1962

n/e cor 84th & York Ave - 2014

n/e cor of 84th & York Ave - 1945

Don't Be a Ninny, Be a Loser

The Losers Lounge has inspired my writing since 1999. It took four years to write my first story and then I couldn't stop. Each show rich tales are laid out in song. If you want a creative push see the The Losers Lounge at Joe's Pub. Here is a photo album from Thursday night's Elvis Presley show.

Founded by Joe McGinty and Nick Danger in 1993 at the Pink Pony, the revue grew into a musical force when it merged with the Kustard Kings led by David Terhune (David formed the band in 1992.) Four to five times a year, the Losers pay tribute to a band or songwriter (sometimes two artists in a show down like the next show in February: The Pretenders versus Blondie.) Here's the plan: each night, 20 or more artists spill their guts on one song with the band behind them. Today, The Losers Lounge are brilliantly led by Joe McGinty and David Terhune on lead guitar in the Joe McGinty 7 (Kustard Kings merged into the 7.) The band roster changes a bit but the steadys are: Julian Maile, Jeremy Chatsky, Clem Waldman, Eddie Zweiback, Connie Petruk, Katia Floreska, Tricia Scotti, Claudia Chopek, Garo Yellin, Jeff Hermanson & Eleanor Norton clear your minds of worries with fabulous music at each show. The sensational Nick Danger continues to perform at each show.

My first Losers show at West Beth in 1999 blew me away. I followed the music to Fez under the Time Cafe, and later north across Lafayette Street to Joe’s Pub. Where they go, I go. Don't be a ninny, be a Loser. 

My memoir, “I Hate the Dallas Cowboys – tales of a scrappy New York boyhood,” is a great stocking stuffer.   

The book is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and all other online booksellers.

Ducks, Stoops and Nuts @ Cornelia St Cafe

Yesterday, the weather delivered driving rain and swift winds, but a flock of loyal fans of story and music paddled down to Cornelia Street Cafe to see and hear great performances by these fine artists: Muneesh Jain, Margarita Pracatan, Jeff Rose and Elizabeth Rowe at last night's "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts." Their work knocks me out and they all kicked ass. A welcoming crowd braved the weather to get there and cheer us on (I was the host.) Michael and Josh kept the customers satisfied with warm professional service. The Café opened their home and let us play. The Cornelia Street Café does that for all their guests.

Muneesh Jain

Storytelling at the Café on the second Tuesday of the month is a given. I’ve been the host for the last five years. Our next show is January 13, 2015. My special guest, Professor Robert White from Hunter College - the best teacher on earth. Our show case artist on February 10th is the outstanding singer and songwriter, Sherryl Marshall.

Margarita Pracatan

These are my last two "Stoops to Nuts" shows at Cornelia Street Cafe. After five years I'm onto something new, and will always treasure my time hosting the storytelling series going strong for 18 years. I thank the entire Cornelia Street Cafe staff for treating me like family. I love you all.

Jeff Rose

Barbara Aliprantis, thank you, my dear friend, for telling me I was storyteller when I was clueless, and wrapping your arms around me and pulling me into the series to meet new friends, extraordinary artists. One thousand kisses and hugs. Thank you, Angelo Verga and Robin Hirsch for choosing me to lead this amazing series. I never could have done it without your friendship and steady support. Thank you, Josh Rebell for watching my back and working with me to ensure we got the word out.

Elizabeth Rowe

Please come down to "Stoops to Nuts" in January or February on the second Tuesday of the month to say hello, goodbye. I wanna see you.

My memoir, “I Hate the Dallas Cowboys – tales of a scrappy New York boyhood,” is available at Amazon and other online booksellers. Take a trip back fifty years to street life in one rough and tumble New York City neighborhood in the 1950s and 1960s where humor is the lead remedy for pain.

Cornelia's Opening for Tommy's Photography, 2013

Here is a link to more photos from Stoops to Nuts show.