I did it! (Again!)
Last Sunday was the free Intro to Musical Improv class offered by the Magnet Theater, and it was... pretty easy! And all because of teacher Tara Copeland and accompanist extraordinaire Frank Spitznagel, as well as the incredibly supportive class.
To be honest, I was nervous going in. It's not often that I take classes anymore, and I always feel like I've gotta prove my "veteran" status to the other students. Maybe everyone feels that way, I dunno. But it was a heck of a lot easier to have a handful of friends and teammates in there (plus it's always exciting to see Ari and Betsy rap), and the environment was blessedly free from any critical eyes.
Luckily, there wasn't much actual improvising, so I felt better - and yes, I'm aware it seems weird for an improviser to be relieved he wouldn't have to do any actual improvising in a Musical Improv class.
Since it was an introductory class, Tara ran a lot of warm-ups and simple musical exercises. To analogize this to my katana class from January, we were just learning how to hold the sword and swing it properly, not how to kill in one slice. You know, the basics. And since I've run a number of these exercises before, it was even less stressful. Also, it's hard to be nervous with Tara around, as she is one of the most incredibly supportive teachers I've ever had (also in that category: Ari).
Throw in the fact that Frank underscored all of the exercises with his epic level piano playing and it threw everything into a whole new dimension. Seriously, with him on the keys, even a simple game like Hot Spot felt performance-worthy.
About halfway through, I became delightedly aware that we were being trained somehow. And this sounds like a redundantly thing to realize while in a classroom, but it was pretty exciting to me. Tara explicitly taught us to not be ashamed of our singing or our lyrics, to never apologize, to love what we sing and to have fun. And those are all lessons I never tire of hearing. It's like walking past those guardians in The NeverEnding Story - you won't fail unless you let yourself fail. But if you live it, love it, sing it... you'll get whatever it is beyond those guardians.
And implicitly, we were learning to trust the piano, to realize the accompanist had our back and would only make things better, not make them harder. Maybe this li'l lesson delighted me so because that's something I've always worried about. As stated before, chord progression and crap like that is alien to me, and God knows I never want to be the performer who's singing off-key. Now I know that such a thing won't happen, the accompanist can handle it. Whew!
Our final exercise was, actually, improvising a song. Four people to a group, one person would come up with the chorus, two would each do a verse, and one would make up the bridge. I would've been happy doing any of those, but I got the bridge, which was probably the best choice, because I wasn't sure what one was until Tara explained it for us. And we sang a silly song about air pollution, and it was pretty great, and I loved it.
Showing posts with label Comedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comedy. Show all posts
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Let's Musical Improv! (III)
I did it!
It was... not easy. But not hard, I guess. I dunno. It's hard to remember.
My favorite part was warming up vocally with everyone, since that's something I haven't done in almost ten years. Yeowch! And I thought, "Oh, right, we're also supposed to actually sing well."
And beforehand I'd asked some folks for simple advice, like, "What's the one thing you should know if you're going to do a musical improv set?" And the best answer I got was that your character should have a strong want - that's what you're probably gonna end up singing about.
And it was fun! A little nutso, but what improv isn't, and I actually sang two songs.
I've never been smart when it comes to musical machinations (I dunno the proper term for this, but things like fifths and eighths mean nothing to me), so I think I was paying too much attention to what the piano player (who did an incredible job all night) was up to, like if the chords were going to change or if we were moving into a different direction.
Then on top of that, there's the lyrics, which I'm responsible for. Yeowch! For some reason, despite being told to the contrary, I kept thinking the song should rhyme, and so that was a hard habit to break. I think that tripped me up the most. But I love rhyming so much, I don't know if I WANT to break that habit.
So we'll see how things go on Sunday. I hope it is a fun day. Four people are going - will my love of musical improv be growing?
See? Rhymes.
It was... not easy. But not hard, I guess. I dunno. It's hard to remember.
My favorite part was warming up vocally with everyone, since that's something I haven't done in almost ten years. Yeowch! And I thought, "Oh, right, we're also supposed to actually sing well."
And beforehand I'd asked some folks for simple advice, like, "What's the one thing you should know if you're going to do a musical improv set?" And the best answer I got was that your character should have a strong want - that's what you're probably gonna end up singing about.
And it was fun! A little nutso, but what improv isn't, and I actually sang two songs.
I've never been smart when it comes to musical machinations (I dunno the proper term for this, but things like fifths and eighths mean nothing to me), so I think I was paying too much attention to what the piano player (who did an incredible job all night) was up to, like if the chords were going to change or if we were moving into a different direction.
Then on top of that, there's the lyrics, which I'm responsible for. Yeowch! For some reason, despite being told to the contrary, I kept thinking the song should rhyme, and so that was a hard habit to break. I think that tripped me up the most. But I love rhyming so much, I don't know if I WANT to break that habit.
So we'll see how things go on Sunday. I hope it is a fun day. Four people are going - will my love of musical improv be growing?
See? Rhymes.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Let's Musical Improv! (II)
Before Tara's introductory class, I'm gonna just try performing it. Tonight. Whoa Mama!
Musical Kaleidoscope
Monday, Dec. 14th, 7:30 p.m.
The Creek, 10-93 Jackson Ave.
Free, but the experience is priceless
Very appreciative to Jeremy for inviting me on his team, and, yeah, I'm kind of nervous! More nervous than I normally get before a show because I don't really know how to properly improvise a song. And by "don't really know" I mean "don't know at all."
There's a chorus in there somewhere, probably, and that's a big part, and there are also verses, and it should rhyme, but other than that, I just don't know. I kind of hope we don't go first so I can watch a group and try to figure this stuff out.
It'd be cool if I end up being this savant about musical improv (much like Charlie Sanders's legendary first Harold, where he came to class late, jumped in at the opening, did a hilarious and awesome set, and then after the teacher said, "So what'd you think of that Harold?" asked, "What the heck is a Harold?"), but I'll settle for not ruining the show.
Monday, Dec. 14th, 7:30 p.m.
The Creek, 10-93 Jackson Ave.
Free, but the experience is priceless
Very appreciative to Jeremy for inviting me on his team, and, yeah, I'm kind of nervous! More nervous than I normally get before a show because I don't really know how to properly improvise a song. And by "don't really know" I mean "don't know at all."
There's a chorus in there somewhere, probably, and that's a big part, and there are also verses, and it should rhyme, but other than that, I just don't know. I kind of hope we don't go first so I can watch a group and try to figure this stuff out.
It'd be cool if I end up being this savant about musical improv (much like Charlie Sanders's legendary first Harold, where he came to class late, jumped in at the opening, did a hilarious and awesome set, and then after the teacher said, "So what'd you think of that Harold?" asked, "What the heck is a Harold?"), but I'll settle for not ruining the show.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Let's Musical Improv!
I signed up for a free Intro to Musical Improv class over at the Magnet Theater. It's Sunday the 20th from 3:30-5:30, and you can register for it, too - just click that link! Do it. Do it now.
I'm pretty psyched, actually. Musical Improv is something I've always wanted to do, since I like singing and making up songs and I really ought to have piano accompaniment in my life, but I never seem to have the free time/cash when classes come rolling around.
So this time I'm gonna do it... and I'm a bit excited/nervous about trying some skill that I have absolutely zero experience in (if you don't count the countless hours I've spent making up annoying songs around the house). It's like when I took rollerskating lessons - my body just had no idea what muscles to use, how to balance, anything, it was an entirely alien thing. Actually, that was worse, since it was physical. This should be easier.
As adults, I don't think we have many opportunities to be exposed to such newness, and in fact we probably avoid it a little - it's weird being uncomfortable and unsure and like, "I just don't know what's going on!" Hence my excitement/nervousness.
Maybe that's why I keep telling my friends (including you) about this intro class - so that I'm not stepping onto that stage with a bunch of strangers. To misquote Calvin and Hobbes, the unknown is never quite so scary when you're with a friend. So sign up!
That's what this blog's been about all along, I suppose. I don't mind doing it alone - sometimes it's fun to face weirdness alone - but shared experiences have their own power, too.
[Edited to add: Pam just signed up for it, so now the entire class is ruined.]
[Edited further to add: Ari and Betsy and Katey signed up, so now it sort of evens out.]
I'm pretty psyched, actually. Musical Improv is something I've always wanted to do, since I like singing and making up songs and I really ought to have piano accompaniment in my life, but I never seem to have the free time/cash when classes come rolling around.
So this time I'm gonna do it... and I'm a bit excited/nervous about trying some skill that I have absolutely zero experience in (if you don't count the countless hours I've spent making up annoying songs around the house). It's like when I took rollerskating lessons - my body just had no idea what muscles to use, how to balance, anything, it was an entirely alien thing. Actually, that was worse, since it was physical. This should be easier.
As adults, I don't think we have many opportunities to be exposed to such newness, and in fact we probably avoid it a little - it's weird being uncomfortable and unsure and like, "I just don't know what's going on!" Hence my excitement/nervousness.
Maybe that's why I keep telling my friends (including you) about this intro class - so that I'm not stepping onto that stage with a bunch of strangers. To misquote Calvin and Hobbes, the unknown is never quite so scary when you're with a friend. So sign up!
That's what this blog's been about all along, I suppose. I don't mind doing it alone - sometimes it's fun to face weirdness alone - but shared experiences have their own power, too.
[Edited to add: Pam just signed up for it, so now the entire class is ruined.]
[Edited further to add: Ari and Betsy and Katey signed up, so now it sort of evens out.]
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Let's Giles!
Tomorrow night at the Creek, I'll be playing Rupert Giles in Buffyprov tomorrow at 10 at the Creek. I'm pretty honored!
Link to the Facebook event (might not work).
Now I gotta figure out what suit/vest/tie combination to wear.
Link to the Facebook event (might not work).
Now I gotta figure out what suit/vest/tie combination to wear.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Let's DCM XI!
Another thing I did from that list o' fun was attend and perform in the Del Close Marathon, held this past weekend.
Truth be told, I'm not a fan of the DCM. It's always on a super-duper hot weekend, and it's even hotter in an underground theater that's packed full of millions of sweaty people. Someone described it as a "beer sauna," and that's pretty much right.
Even on the best nights, after performing a show, I usually get so claustrophobic that I have difficulty breathing and have to leave, so if we up the temperature and the number of bodies exponentially, it's sort of a nightmare for me.
But I resolved myself to at least do the DeCoster show, since we're a house team at the hosting theater. But as I descended into the thick, steamy green wasteland, I thought, "What the heck am I doing to myself?"
The important thing, though, is that I performed, and then, as an added Year of Yes surprise, got asked to sit in with Oscarbait, a the improvised Movie show that I directed for several months.
It's weird that instantly I was like, "Hell, yeah, I'll stick around for another hour and do a show that'll make me sweat off a pound!" but the Movie has always been my favorite form of improv, it's my one true love, and doing it again after 2.5 years was pretty darn special. There's no way I would turn down that opportunity.
Before the show I was jumping and fidgeting around and someone asked if I was nervous. "No," I said, "just psyched." Doing a Movie! What fun!
And we had a terrific show. It's a lot of work doing a Movie, even more doing it under a tight 25-minute schedule, but damn, it was fun. There was a moment when I was helping to lift one of our biggest, tallest members off the ground (in order to show an overhead shot), and I just started smiling manically at the sheer joy of it all.
And that's what the Marathon is all about, Charlie Brown.
Here's a poster of the Movie, as designed by Jessica Stickles (and a synopsis can be read here). I played the Chinese kid.
Truth be told, I'm not a fan of the DCM. It's always on a super-duper hot weekend, and it's even hotter in an underground theater that's packed full of millions of sweaty people. Someone described it as a "beer sauna," and that's pretty much right.
Even on the best nights, after performing a show, I usually get so claustrophobic that I have difficulty breathing and have to leave, so if we up the temperature and the number of bodies exponentially, it's sort of a nightmare for me.
But I resolved myself to at least do the DeCoster show, since we're a house team at the hosting theater. But as I descended into the thick, steamy green wasteland, I thought, "What the heck am I doing to myself?"
The important thing, though, is that I performed, and then, as an added Year of Yes surprise, got asked to sit in with Oscarbait, a the improvised Movie show that I directed for several months.
It's weird that instantly I was like, "Hell, yeah, I'll stick around for another hour and do a show that'll make me sweat off a pound!" but the Movie has always been my favorite form of improv, it's my one true love, and doing it again after 2.5 years was pretty darn special. There's no way I would turn down that opportunity.
Before the show I was jumping and fidgeting around and someone asked if I was nervous. "No," I said, "just psyched." Doing a Movie! What fun!
And we had a terrific show. It's a lot of work doing a Movie, even more doing it under a tight 25-minute schedule, but damn, it was fun. There was a moment when I was helping to lift one of our biggest, tallest members off the ground (in order to show an overhead shot), and I just started smiling manically at the sheer joy of it all.
And that's what the Marathon is all about, Charlie Brown.
Here's a poster of the Movie, as designed by Jessica Stickles (and a synopsis can be read here). I played the Chinese kid.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Let's Do Things!
Those About to Die Salute You
Thursday, August 13
Wow, this is awesome! And free! And requires togas!
Del Close Marathon XI
Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16
DeCoster - Saturday 12:15 a.m. at Urban Stages
UCBW: Kicking Ass and Taking Suggestions - Saturday 5:15 a.m. at UCBT
The Puppet Revolution - Saturday 10:30 a.m. at UCBT
Beauty Love Truth - Sunday 5:15 p.m. at Urban Stages
Japan Fair
Sunday, August 23
I feel like I miss this every year... but not this time!
Enormous Television 8
Friday, August 28
Holy shit this is gonna be an awesome one.
Dragon*Con 2009
Friday, September 4 to Monday, September 7
Whee!
(This blog entry is mostly so I don't forget about the Japan Fair.)
Thursday, August 13
Wow, this is awesome! And free! And requires togas!
Del Close Marathon XI
Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16
DeCoster - Saturday 12:15 a.m. at Urban Stages
UCBW: Kicking Ass and Taking Suggestions - Saturday 5:15 a.m. at UCBT
The Puppet Revolution - Saturday 10:30 a.m. at UCBT
Beauty Love Truth - Sunday 5:15 p.m. at Urban Stages
Japan Fair
Sunday, August 23
I feel like I miss this every year... but not this time!
Enormous Television 8
Friday, August 28
Holy shit this is gonna be an awesome one.
Dragon*Con 2009
Friday, September 4 to Monday, September 7
Whee!
(This blog entry is mostly so I don't forget about the Japan Fair.)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Let's Birch 'n' Bear!
I got asked sort of last minute by good ol' Ruby Sneakers if I could do two-person improv set at her show tonight. And since my improm date/Hogwarts student was in a bind, I said yes. Also, her terrific suggestion of who I should ask to be my partner certainly helped, because it's this guy...
...the always wonderful Birch Harms!
However, I also added a stipulation. I didn't want to do a normal set, and requested that I could perform as this guy...
...my bear puppet!
So come check out Birch and a Bear (along with the stand-up stylings of Lee Rubenstein, Matt Little, Rob Stern, Beth Appel, and the host Katey Healy-Wurzburg), tonight at The Lorelei!
The Lorelei - Sunday, July 19th at 8 p.m.
Parkside Lounge, Houston Street b/w Ave. B and C
Free!
PS: Be warned, sometimes this bear is incredibly foul-mouthed.
...the always wonderful Birch Harms!
However, I also added a stipulation. I didn't want to do a normal set, and requested that I could perform as this guy...
...my bear puppet!
So come check out Birch and a Bear (along with the stand-up stylings of Lee Rubenstein, Matt Little, Rob Stern, Beth Appel, and the host Katey Healy-Wurzburg), tonight at The Lorelei!
Parkside Lounge, Houston Street b/w Ave. B and C
Free!
PS: Be warned, sometimes this bear is incredibly foul-mouthed.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Let's Weekend Recap!
A big three days! So much to do, so little time, here's everything in bolded form.
Moustache!
Friday = shave and a haircut for the Hogwarts show. I brought the barbers this picture...
...and walked away looking a bit like Freddie Mercury. I'd forgotten how uncomforable it is to get a professional shave. It feels like they're just scraping off my bristles, and since I'm not the type of man who can shave up against the grain, it gets almost painful at times.
The reviews are mixed. Two people called it "cute," but others have advised I get rid of it. But for the time being [meaning until I'm in a situation where it would be inappropriate to look like Freddie Mercury], the moustache stays. This could be for a very long time, since I never do anything where such a look would be inappropriate.
Yoga!
The hilarious and kind-hearted Kate Spencer spent her birthday teaching her first ever yoga class, and I was lucky enough to be a part of it.
Faithful readers might remember my strained relationship with yoga, but this class was a delight. Difficult, sure, especially since I was probably the only beginner in the class, but I got through it and felt better afterward. I'm still a little sore, which makes me want to do more yoga.
Hogwarts!
As the song goes, it was the best time of my life. If I ever needed to conjure up a Patronus, I'd only have to think of this show.
Immediately after making this statement, Royal realized it was true.
(Here's the flickr set, for those who are curious.)
Street Fair!
On Sunday I was delighted to find a street fair right outside the apartment, so I spent some funny money on a 10-minute massage (not bad!), some corn (not bad!), lemonade (not bad!) and funnel cake (not great).
Even though they're all the same, I always walk through street fairs. But this one was different because it was right outside my apartment! So I could run around going "Street fair!" and buy a lot of weird and crazy food because I could wash my hands afterward.
Swimming!
I went swimming this morning. Swimming! With a moustache!
Moustache!
Friday = shave and a haircut for the Hogwarts show. I brought the barbers this picture...
...and walked away looking a bit like Freddie Mercury. I'd forgotten how uncomforable it is to get a professional shave. It feels like they're just scraping off my bristles, and since I'm not the type of man who can shave up against the grain, it gets almost painful at times.
The reviews are mixed. Two people called it "cute," but others have advised I get rid of it. But for the time being [meaning until I'm in a situation where it would be inappropriate to look like Freddie Mercury], the moustache stays. This could be for a very long time, since I never do anything where such a look would be inappropriate.
Yoga!
The hilarious and kind-hearted Kate Spencer spent her birthday teaching her first ever yoga class, and I was lucky enough to be a part of it.
Faithful readers might remember my strained relationship with yoga, but this class was a delight. Difficult, sure, especially since I was probably the only beginner in the class, but I got through it and felt better afterward. I'm still a little sore, which makes me want to do more yoga.
Hogwarts!
As the song goes, it was the best time of my life. If I ever needed to conjure up a Patronus, I'd only have to think of this show.
Immediately after making this statement, Royal realized it was true.
(Here's the flickr set, for those who are curious.)
Street Fair!
On Sunday I was delighted to find a street fair right outside the apartment, so I spent some funny money on a 10-minute massage (not bad!), some corn (not bad!), lemonade (not bad!) and funnel cake (not great).
Even though they're all the same, I always walk through street fairs. But this one was different because it was right outside my apartment! So I could run around going "Street fair!" and buy a lot of weird and crazy food because I could wash my hands afterward.
Swimming!
I went swimming this morning. Swimming! With a moustache!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Let's Publicity!
I'm a producer!
From TimeOut New York's Wizard Lovers' Guide to NYC
From TimeOut New York's Wizard Lovers' Guide to NYC
...Or put your prophecies on hold and cheer for your favorite Hogwarts house–Gryffindor or Slytherin–on Saturday 11, when members of the Hogwarts Improvisation Society battle it out at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (307 W 26th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves, 212-366-9176; midnight–1am, $5). “My one requirement [for performers] was being a superfan—like, big enough to already own a costume,” says producer Kirk Damato. As for Potter-themed suggestions, Damato says “the best would be ‘hormones.’” And the worst? “‘Equus.’”
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Let's Aruba!
One of the secret things I did last May was help make this video, written by my wonderfully talented friend Crystal.
"Help" originally meant being an extra (you can see me glancing worriedly over my shoulder for a moment), but it ended up being a little bit more.
You see, shooting stuff outdoors in NYC is never easy. I believe technically you can shoot on the street without a permit as long as you aren't using a tripod, but if a cop wants to hassle you, you're gonna have to shut down. Sucks, but such is life.
Anyway, we were shooting in a private residence community which has even stricter standards. Some security guards came by and we were quickly stopped. Crystal went off to the building manager to try and get a permit (which I doubted would happen), and I was the phone liason between her and the crew.
During that time, we got a lot of rehearsing done so the commercial could be shot in a single take (and it was! Well done, everyone!), but if it were up to me, I'd wait until there were no guards in sight and just start shooting. Rehearsing doesn't look that different from the real thing, you know?
It takes me back to my own days of "guerilla" filmmaking, filming at 8 a.m. before the crowds arrived, everyone dressed up in medieval gear and battling one another, hoping that no tourists or cops would chance upon that particular part of Central Park. Good times.
The day ended without a permit (yikes!) and the crew deciding to risk it anyway. We got in three takes before the rain started pouring, and I'd kind of like to see the final take with Joe screaming amidst the thunder.
This is the sort of stuff I love doing.
"Help" originally meant being an extra (you can see me glancing worriedly over my shoulder for a moment), but it ended up being a little bit more.
You see, shooting stuff outdoors in NYC is never easy. I believe technically you can shoot on the street without a permit as long as you aren't using a tripod, but if a cop wants to hassle you, you're gonna have to shut down. Sucks, but such is life.
Anyway, we were shooting in a private residence community which has even stricter standards. Some security guards came by and we were quickly stopped. Crystal went off to the building manager to try and get a permit (which I doubted would happen), and I was the phone liason between her and the crew.
During that time, we got a lot of rehearsing done so the commercial could be shot in a single take (and it was! Well done, everyone!), but if it were up to me, I'd wait until there were no guards in sight and just start shooting. Rehearsing doesn't look that different from the real thing, you know?
It takes me back to my own days of "guerilla" filmmaking, filming at 8 a.m. before the crowds arrived, everyone dressed up in medieval gear and battling one another, hoping that no tourists or cops would chance upon that particular part of Central Park. Good times.
The day ended without a permit (yikes!) and the crew deciding to risk it anyway. We got in three takes before the rain started pouring, and I'd kind of like to see the final take with Joe screaming amidst the thunder.
This is the sort of stuff I love doing.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Let's End of the World!
I'm in this show! It's tonight! It's gonna be a lot of fun!
I don't take a lot of classes these days, but when I saw Mr. Will Hines was doing a class on the End of the World, I had to sign up, unemployment be damned.
And seriously, this class has been a lot of fun. I'm sorry that it's over, but glad that we're about to start a four-week run showing the apocalypse in all its glory. Plus, I get to wear my yellow pants.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Cakes on a Plane!
Cakey's back, bitches!
The very funny Raspberry Brothers will be doing a MST3K-style screening of Snakes on a Plane this weekend, and they asked us if we'd like to screen two Cakey shorts before the feature. So of course we said yes.
This'll be the first time in, like, a year that we've had a Cakey episode up on the big screen, and as an added bonus, there will be a Q&A session featuring me, Dyna, AND Cakey (and maybe Duncan?). Even bigger bonus, as Dyna blogged, you can touch Cakey if you come, or get your picture taken with him. That's a pretty rare opportunity outside of Dragon*Con or my apartment.
The Raspberry Brothers: Snakes on a Plane
(b/w 2 episodes of Cakey! The Cake from Outer Space)
Two shows:
Friday, May 8, 2009 at 12:00am
Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 12:00am
Clearview’s Chelsea Cinema
260 West 23rd St (east of 8th Ave.)
New York, NY
Tickets: $15
The very funny Raspberry Brothers will be doing a MST3K-style screening of Snakes on a Plane this weekend, and they asked us if we'd like to screen two Cakey shorts before the feature. So of course we said yes.
This'll be the first time in, like, a year that we've had a Cakey episode up on the big screen, and as an added bonus, there will be a Q&A session featuring me, Dyna, AND Cakey (and maybe Duncan?). Even bigger bonus, as Dyna blogged, you can touch Cakey if you come, or get your picture taken with him. That's a pretty rare opportunity outside of Dragon*Con or my apartment.
(b/w 2 episodes of Cakey! The Cake from Outer Space)
Two shows:
Friday, May 8, 2009 at 12:00am
Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 12:00am
Clearview’s Chelsea Cinema
260 West 23rd St (east of 8th Ave.)
New York, NY
Tickets: $15
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Let's Folk! (The Recap)
Boy, I must sound like a Johnny Come Lately, but Flight of the Conchords was an incredible show! What a great time! So inspiring!
I thought I wasn't gonna like it that much since I didn't know any of their songs, but that just made it better. Each song told a story, so I was always engaged (lyrics are usually my weak point in music... I never listen to them), and since it was my first time hearing the funny bits, I laughed a lot. Also, most of the ha-ha had to do with rhyming, and rhyming is one of my three favorite things.
Another realization that everyone else who's ever heard them has already realized: they're very good songwriters! Even if I didn't understand English, I'd still be like "What a great song!" Some of them were just so damn pretty, it made me wanna weep. In particular, that song about Jemaine's ex-girlfriends, which people know, and the one about a tour guide giving a tour of his town, which I don't think people do (a friend of a friend remarked that he'd only heard it on a rare mp3... but who knows, maybe everyone knows that one. I am ignorant of everything.).
Also, music is fun. Seeing two guys (well, three including Nigel, who played one of my three favorite instruments ever, the cello... He also played the steel drum and the shakers, which aren't so high up on my list) play guitar and a toy piano and a keyboard and an OmniChord, that's pretty good.
And their banter is pretty spectacular. Just low-key and nice. If that's what the New Zealand sense of humor is, then I'm a fan.
I thought I wasn't gonna like it that much since I didn't know any of their songs, but that just made it better. Each song told a story, so I was always engaged (lyrics are usually my weak point in music... I never listen to them), and since it was my first time hearing the funny bits, I laughed a lot. Also, most of the ha-ha had to do with rhyming, and rhyming is one of my three favorite things.
Another realization that everyone else who's ever heard them has already realized: they're very good songwriters! Even if I didn't understand English, I'd still be like "What a great song!" Some of them were just so damn pretty, it made me wanna weep. In particular, that song about Jemaine's ex-girlfriends, which people know, and the one about a tour guide giving a tour of his town, which I don't think people do (a friend of a friend remarked that he'd only heard it on a rare mp3... but who knows, maybe everyone knows that one. I am ignorant of everything.).
Also, music is fun. Seeing two guys (well, three including Nigel, who played one of my three favorite instruments ever, the cello... He also played the steel drum and the shakers, which aren't so high up on my list) play guitar and a toy piano and a keyboard and an OmniChord, that's pretty good.
And their banter is pretty spectacular. Just low-key and nice. If that's what the New Zealand sense of humor is, then I'm a fan.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Let's Petitioning!
As some of you know, I'm a performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre here in New York City, and lately there's been some buzzbuzzbuzz about opening a second stage in the East Village (just one tiny block away from my old tiny apartment... damn it, why did I ever move to Astoria? Oh, right, because I pay half my old rent and have enough space for a piano, a drum set, and a gerbil cage).
Anyway, opening a second stage is contingent upon securing a beer and wine license. And what better way to convince the board to grant one than to present them with a petition full of local signatures that says yes, the neighborhood would enjoy a theatre that sells beer and wine.
So this weekend a number of intrepid volunteers braved the freezing weather and trooped for signatures. I was one of them.
Even though such an activity isn't my cup of tea (strangers scare me!), it went pretty well. I got to work alongside an old compadre of mine, and most people who stopped to listen were very friendly and open to the idea of a new theater (incidentally, we'd be moving into the old Pioneer Theatre, which showed a lot of great, weird movies... some of which featured friends of mine) rather than another Starbucks.
Then at the end (we were all pretty frozen after two short hours) I was like, "I'm gonna thaw out by karaoke. Do you want to come?" And the remaining two volunteers (whom I had just met) were like, "YES," which I found amazing and awesome (because what kind of person says yes to a stranger's request for karaoke? An awesome person, that's who.).
And whoa mama, that was a fun time. I love karaoke, especially on an early Sunday evening, when the drinks are ludicrously cheap and the place is empty so the only people singing are in your group (and the bartender).
Anyway, the real point of this entry is to say that if you live in the East Village or Lower East Side, you can still sign the petition online. And although I think I got the 100 people in my neck of the world who'll do it, I might have missed some folks.
So if you live in the neighborhood, please sign! We can do karaoke!
Anyway, opening a second stage is contingent upon securing a beer and wine license. And what better way to convince the board to grant one than to present them with a petition full of local signatures that says yes, the neighborhood would enjoy a theatre that sells beer and wine.
So this weekend a number of intrepid volunteers braved the freezing weather and trooped for signatures. I was one of them.
Even though such an activity isn't my cup of tea (strangers scare me!), it went pretty well. I got to work alongside an old compadre of mine, and most people who stopped to listen were very friendly and open to the idea of a new theater (incidentally, we'd be moving into the old Pioneer Theatre, which showed a lot of great, weird movies... some of which featured friends of mine) rather than another Starbucks.
Then at the end (we were all pretty frozen after two short hours) I was like, "I'm gonna thaw out by karaoke. Do you want to come?" And the remaining two volunteers (whom I had just met) were like, "YES," which I found amazing and awesome (because what kind of person says yes to a stranger's request for karaoke? An awesome person, that's who.).
And whoa mama, that was a fun time. I love karaoke, especially on an early Sunday evening, when the drinks are ludicrously cheap and the place is empty so the only people singing are in your group (and the bartender).
Anyway, the real point of this entry is to say that if you live in the East Village or Lower East Side, you can still sign the petition online. And although I think I got the 100 people in my neck of the world who'll do it, I might have missed some folks.
So if you live in the neighborhood, please sign! We can do karaoke!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Violet Krumbein's "Human Painkiller"
"Human Painkiller" is a really funny and terrific show, and I'm not just saying that because it's written by and starring my friend Violet (formerly of the Ghosty Teens) and directed by Megan Neuringer (a fellow member of the clan DeCoster).
I like this show a lot, so much so that I'm seeing it again tonight. I almost never see things twice! And you'd be surprised to hear this, but I'm not that keen on watching comedy shows. I do it all the time, but I don't often see stuff I love.
Too many of them, especially solo shows, seem focused on presenting us with five different character monologues and in selling the performer to an agent (and I understand, that's the business). Sometimes the shows are funny, even hilarious, but it's all too rare that I'm like, "You can tell that this person wrote something that they're really into."
And that's why I loved "Human Painkiller." It's so Violet! At first it seems a little crazy, but bit by bit you realize it's also incredibly savvy and quite possibly brilliant (just like Violet). I don't wanna ruin anything, but it's a one-act play, not a series of sketches or monologues (so I'm immediately more invested because there's a story) and she sings, tap dances, and has a puppet.
And it's... pretty weird.
But I think that's important, vitally important, in comedy, for people take risks or do something that might fall flat but they believe in it and care about it and are like, "Eff it, I think this is funny and it's what I really want to do" and are willing to try something different on stage. And not just for the sake of being different, but because it's who they are.
When I saw "Human Painkiller" for the first time, I was just so inspired and found myself thinking, "I wish there were more shows like this around." And maybe there are and I don't know about 'em, but I'd like to spend 2009 seeing stuff that, in the words of Mitchell, "freeze me up and turn my legs to putty."
So get used to it, readers, there might be some plugs in this blog throughout the year, but they'll only be for things I genuinely enjoy and make me want to Yes. Hopefully, you'll also Yes and see this show.
"Human Painkiller"
Wednesday, January 7 and January 28 at 8 p.m.
UCB Theatre - 307 W. 26th Street (west of 8th Ave.)
Tickets: $5, click here for reservations
I like this show a lot, so much so that I'm seeing it again tonight. I almost never see things twice! And you'd be surprised to hear this, but I'm not that keen on watching comedy shows. I do it all the time, but I don't often see stuff I love.
Too many of them, especially solo shows, seem focused on presenting us with five different character monologues and in selling the performer to an agent (and I understand, that's the business). Sometimes the shows are funny, even hilarious, but it's all too rare that I'm like, "You can tell that this person wrote something that they're really into."
And that's why I loved "Human Painkiller." It's so Violet! At first it seems a little crazy, but bit by bit you realize it's also incredibly savvy and quite possibly brilliant (just like Violet). I don't wanna ruin anything, but it's a one-act play, not a series of sketches or monologues (so I'm immediately more invested because there's a story) and she sings, tap dances, and has a puppet.
And it's... pretty weird.
But I think that's important, vitally important, in comedy, for people take risks or do something that might fall flat but they believe in it and care about it and are like, "Eff it, I think this is funny and it's what I really want to do" and are willing to try something different on stage. And not just for the sake of being different, but because it's who they are.
When I saw "Human Painkiller" for the first time, I was just so inspired and found myself thinking, "I wish there were more shows like this around." And maybe there are and I don't know about 'em, but I'd like to spend 2009 seeing stuff that, in the words of Mitchell, "freeze me up and turn my legs to putty."
So get used to it, readers, there might be some plugs in this blog throughout the year, but they'll only be for things I genuinely enjoy and make me want to Yes. Hopefully, you'll also Yes and see this show.
Wednesday, January 7 and January 28 at 8 p.m.
UCB Theatre - 307 W. 26th Street (west of 8th Ave.)
Tickets: $5, click here for reservations
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