Sentimental Journey @ Cornelia Street @ Tues @ July 12 @ 6pm

The West Side Spirit published my Yorkville story, “Sentimental Journey on a Hot Summer Night.” An excerpt is below, click link above if you'd like to read the entire tale.

Sadly, during his youth my father’s emotional development was stunted. In 1945, hanging over the mezzanine at the Paramount Theatre, Dad swayed dreamily side-to-side listening to the Artie Shaw Orchestra. In mid swoon, while admiring his new suit, Dad flipped over the railing landing head first on an usher flirting with a floozy in the orchestra’s tenth row. Luckily, neither was killed. Both bleeding, they were taken to Polyclinic Hospital for stitches and x-rays. Dad begged the theatre’s manager for a rain check as the medics led him through the lobby. Dad sustained permanent injury that became apparent as the years unfolded. He no longer could make a decision or form an opinion that’s basis did not derive from something that happened in 1945 or before.

The next “City Stories: Stoops to Nuts,” Storytelling show is this coming Tuesday, July 12th @ 6pm @ Cornelia Street Café. With terrific yarn spinners & songsmiths:Barbara Aliprantis, Jake Goldman, Thomas Pryor, Francesca Rizzo, Tricia Scotti & Coree Spencer. Please stop by! Admission is $7 (that includes one free drink.)

Cornelia Street Café, @ 29 Cornelia St. between W. 4th St. & Bleecker St.

I'll Have None of Your Shenanigans! ~ Return of the Nerds!

Last night, I worried about performing at Adam Wade's "Whatever Happened to the Nerds?" storytelling show. The talent line-up was packed with seasoned yarn spinners: Peter Aguero, Maya Genis, Jake Goldman & Andy Ross (I used to watch Andy on Ed Sullivan ~ he's better than the guy spinning the plates). I was the rookie.

How could I ensure the alien audience would embrace my story?

I planted my mother in the house in a seat alongside Murt the Barkeep from Loftus Tavern.

Mom's famous for her TV laugh track on "Bilko," and "Car 54 Where Are You?" Nat Hiken, the shows' creator hired Mom, not yet 18, on the spot when he heard her laughing at a friend's joke while sitting on a stool in Nedick's on 6th Ave and 49th Street in 1952. I brought Murt for ammunition. His ongoing murmuring under his breath with his strong Irish brogue has a giddy effect on everyone around him. Not sure how well I succeeded, but I was comfortable on stage having Mom and Murt in the peanut gallery. Mom & Murt saluted all the performers with raised lollipops.

After the show Mom went directly home to tell the birds. Murt sat in the back of the tavern in a booth, nursed his whiskey and told anyone who would listen, “I’ll have none of your shenanigans. I threw your father out of the place and I'll do the same to you. Stop your gallivanting and get your carcass down to Magnet Theater for “Whatever Ever Happened to the Nerds,” next show May 30th. Rest your soul, Have a pop, your mother approves."