I Still Hate Dallas, But I Love My Friends

taken by Gordon Balkcom

"I Hate the Dallas Cowboys tales of a scrappy New York boyhood,"book release party last night at Cornelia Street Cafe was a blast. The crowd laughing at our stories and songs was the best audience in my seven years at the Cafe. Their eyes and ears lit up for each performer. Thank you, everyone.

I asked three artists to share the stage with me last night, Michele Carlo, Leslie Goshko and Adam Wade. Three fine writers who maintain their writing excellence while they create other art that dazzles. They inspire me. Without seeing their work, I'm not sure I would have finished my book.

taken by Gordon Balkcom

Michele paints, acts, tells stories and wrote a book with solid reviews, Fish Out Of Agua: My life on neither side of the (subway) tracks (Citadel 2010) Leslie runs a monthly storytelling show Sideshow Goshko that the NY Times, The New Yorker, and others praise, she plays piano like the Devil buying your soul, and writes for periodicals like the Huffington Post. Adam is the best storyteller in NYC and he's a wicked cartoonist and funny visual and radio actor. A few months ago, Adam shared a section of his planned book with me. Adam will be a best selling author. If you like his telling wait to read his stuff on the page. He was unable to come last night but he was in the room with us. For sure. Michele, Leslie and Adam met with me and generously shared everything they could to improve my book outreach. I'm a lucky dog with amazing friends. I never take that for granted.

Frank Flaherty the best editor in NYC and my book collaborator, thank you. It was all good. YBK Publishers and Otto Barz, thank you, for believing in the book and putting your heart into the entire process.

Thank you, Jaime Nelson and Gordon Balkcom for your promotional support and Gordon's photos here.

Thank you, Michele Pryor and Jon Calvert, for getting the show on the road last night.

Thank you, Robin Hirsch, Angelo Verga, Josh Rebell, Mike, John, Alzee and the entire staff at the Cafe for letting us play in your house. Thank you, Barbara Aliprantis, for kicking me off the branch to tell rather than read.

Robert Marantz, thank you, for directing my lost soul to Barbara Turner's writing group in Vancouver 11 years ago.

Link to more photos on Facebook.

I’ll read and sign books at Barnes & Noble, 150 E. 86 St this Friday, Oct 17th@ 7pm in the Yorkville neighborhood on the Upper East Side. 

St. Stephen of Hungary's 4th grade class will join me at B&N to read their Yorkville memories. 

You can purchase the book at Barnes & Noble East 86 St., Logos Bookstore and online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble and YBK.

taken by Gordon Balkcom

Early praise for the book:

“Thomas R. Pryor has written a sweet, funny, loving memoir of growing up old-school in a colorful New York neighborhood. A story of sports, family, and boyhood, you’ll be able to all but taste, smell, and feel this vanished world.”

Kevin Baker, author of the novels “Dreamland,” Paradise Alley,” and “Strivers Row,” as well as other works of fiction and nonfiction


“Tommy Pryor’s New York City boyhood was nothing like mine, a few miles and a borough away, and yet in its heart, tenderness, and tough teachable moments around Dad and ball, it was the mid-century coming of age of all of us. A rousing read.”

Robert Lipsyte, former city and sports columnist, The New York Times

“Pryor could take a felt hat and make it funny.”

Barbara Turner-Vesselago, author of “Writing Without A Parachute: The Art of Freefall”


“Pryor burrows into the terrain of his childhood with a longing and obsessiveness so powerful it feels like you are reading a memoir about his first great love.”

Thomas Beller, author of “J.D. Salinger: The Escape Artist”

taken by Gordon Balkcom

taken by Gordon Balkcom

Father Demo Fountain

Long Ago, Not That Far Away

Yesterday, I passed the Old New Utrecht cemetery in Bensonhurst on 84th Street and 16th Avenue. It's graves date back to 1654 and though it is a designated city landmark its condition suffers but it was beautiful under the blue Brooklyn sky. Walking around the property, looking through the rusted cyclone fence I thought about the farm community surrounding the cemetery hundreds of years ago. With limited traffic (everyone was on line somewhere trying to buy gas) and few people walking by, picturing that was easy.

Here are photographs of the one acre site, Tony Manero Way (did not see Travolta or anyone carrying paint cans) and photos of the New Reformed Church with a large downed tree at 83rd Street and 18th Avenue.

Long Ago and Far Away ~ James Taylor

Our next "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts" storytelling show at Cornelia Street Cafe is Tuesday, November 13th @ 6pm, our artists: Michele Carlo, Julia Joseph, John Newell and Tim O'Mara. Admission is $8 and that includes a free drink.

Central Park Slipping Into Darkness

Photographing Central Park is like fishing with sticks of dynamite. I love when the park slips into darkness best.

The next City Stories: Stoops to Nuts show is Tuesday, November 15th @ 6pm @Cornelia Street Café.  

 

November’s storytellers & songsmiths: Cris Beam, Michele Carlo, Taffy Jaffe, Thomas Pryor, Lianne Smith & David Terhune.  Large family gatherings will be discussed. The $7 cover includes a free drink.  A swell deal, please join us! 

 

Storytelling Goes Electric

Storytelling went electric last night at Cornelia Street Café. Ward White plugged in his Micro Cube; Claudia Chopek lifted her violin and out came the Velvet Underground’s “I’m Waiting for the Man,” and “Change Your Clothes,” off Ward’s terrific new CD, “Done with the Talking Cure.” Amanda Thorpe shared a tender story before strumming her guitar leading into two city songs. Michele Carlo cleverly dodged bullets and bullies in Class ~ 8BC (Behavior Control). D. Indalceio Guzman came in costume with art work and a mischievous fellow. All Adam Wade wanted was a lean quarter pound of roast beef from John the Deli guy to go with his separately bought fifty cent hero. I played indoor tackle football in friends’ furniture-cleared living rooms while trying to swindle a ticket to a New York Giants game.

Carrying on a fourteen year old tradition, storytelling is alive and well at Cornelia Street on the second Tuesday of the month.Thank you, Barbara Aliprantis, for recommending I guest curate while you are on sabbatical. Angelo Verga and Robin Hirsch, thank you, for allowing me to tryout; and thank you, Steve & Tiffany, for keeping the customers satisfied.

Thank you, Claudia, Ward, Amanda, Daniel, Michele and Adam for playing with gusto. Last night was one kick ass sandbox. I can’t wait to do it again.

Our next, “City Stories: Stoops to Nuts,” storytelling show is Flag Day, June 14th @ 6pm @ Cornelia Street Cafe.

Staten Island Ferry Sunset

The Staten Island Ferry is the best ride in New York City. You can keep your fun houses, wild mouses, and roller coasters. I'll take the round trip across the harbor in good weather or poor and see what the elements have in store. And the ferry is free!

Here are pictures from a beautiful sunset viewed from the ferry.

I'm curating my first "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts," storytelling show, next Tuesday, April 12th @ 6pm @ Cornelia Street Cafe, featuring storytellers & songsmiths:

Michele Carlo, Claudia Chopek, D.Indalecio Guzman, Amanda Thorpe, Adam Wade, Ward White. Please come down, I promise you a wonderful time.