It's the week of the show! - Free outdoor Shakespeare in DC!

Hi Everyone!

It's the week of the show!!  The Fat and Greasy Citizens Brigade will be back to bring free outdoor theatre to the city for its second year, opening this Thursday!

Our production will be William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” with performances running for two weekends on June 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28, 2014.  Performances will be held nightly at 8 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown (1041 Wisconsin Ave, NW).  Audience members will be able to lay out blankets, pack a picnic and enjoy a free performance out under the stars.  In case of inclement weather the show will be performed indoors.  Doors will open at 7:00 PM for picnicking and relaxing pre-performance.  Some concessions will be available for sale on site.  For additional information please visit our website: www.fgcitizens.org.

So come out and see our show!!! Throw down a blanket, pack a picnic and a bottle of wine and enjoy some free outdoor Shakespeare this June!
Thank you!!

The Fat and Greasy Citizens Brigade presents "Much Ado About Nothing!" - Free Outdoor DC Theatre

Hi Everyone!

I know it's been awhile, but I wanted to write because I am really excited to announce that after a fantastic first year, the Fat and Greasy Citizens Brigade will be back to bring free outdoor theatre to the city for its second year. 

This summer we will be mounting our production of William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” with performances running for two weekends on June 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, and 28, 2014.  Performances will be held nightly at 8 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown (1041 Wisconsin Ave, NW).  Audience members will be able to lay out blankets, pack a picnic and enjoy a free performance out under the stars.  In case of inclement weather the show will be performed indoors.  Doors will open at 7:00 PM for picnicking and relaxing pre-performance.  Some concessions will be available for sale on site.  For additional information please visit our website: www.fgcitizens.org.

The Fat and Greasy Citizens Brigade has become the resident theater company of the Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown. The company's mission is to provide accessible theater to all, and we do so by providing free outdoor productions of the works of William Shakespeare each summer. DC has so many great free outdoor summer activities like Screen on the Green and Jazz in the Sculpture Garden; we are bringing free outdoor theatre to the city.

We already have a fantastic cast and crew working on the production, but we are still raising funds for the project.  So if you are able to donate, please visit our GoFundMe page!

The cast, crew and myself would really appreciate any help that you could give!  By supporting the Fat and Greasy Citizens Brigade you can be a part of bringing free, outdoor, live theatre to DC!

But above all, come out and see our show!!! Throw down a blanket, pack a picnic and a bottle of wine and enjoy some free outdoor Shakespeare this June!
Thank you!!

The Fat and Greasy Citizens Brigade, A New Washington, DC Based Theatre Company!

Hi Everyone!

I'm posting today because I've recently co-founded a brand new theatre company here in Washington, DC called The Fat and Greasy Citizens Brigade!  Our company will be bringing free outdoor summer theatre, featuring the works of William Shakespeare to the city.  To begin, we will be mounting a production of "As You Like It" this August 14th-18th. Who wouldn't love to come out, throw down a blanket, pack a picnic and enjoy a performance out under the stars?

We already have a fantastic cast and crew ready to get working on the production, but in order for the show and our company to be a success, we do need some support.

In order to get this company off the ground we've launched a Kickstarter to help provide funding for our venue, a set, lights, sound, costumes, props, marketing, etc....

So if you are able, please take a moment and and visit our Kickstarter page: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1356825814/the-fat-and-greasy-citizens-brigade 

If you are able to donate, we cast and crew would really appreciate any help that you could give!  By supporting the Fat and Greasy Citizens Brigade you can be a part of bringing free, outdoor, live theatre to DC!

Thank you!!

Frager's

Last night one of my favorite Capitol Hill spots suffered from a devastating fire.  Frager's Hardware was the mom and pop hardware store that everyone on the Hill went to.  It was, in my humble opinion, the type of store everyone should experience at some point in their life, and it was heartbreaking to hear that the 4 alarm fire left the building completely destroyed.  Thank goodness no one was hurt.

In my town growing up in CT we had a local hardware store where we went.  It was only in my teenage years that the Home Depots and Lowes seemed to come in and fill the area's need for hammers, paint and garden tools.  Growing up we had those little stores where you'd go for one specialty item.  There were no Targets or Walmarts anywhere near us until I was on my way to college.  When my sister revealed to a friend of hers in college we didn't have a Walmart or the like, they legitimately asked her where we got all of our stuff. We got it from places like Fragers.  People knew who you were when you walked in the door, and personal attention was a priority. 

Existing on the Hill for the last 93 years, Frager's has become a DC institution.  While I didn't grow up on the Hill, going to a place like Frager's now as an adult, somehow made living on the Hill feel that much more like I was at home.  They've helped me get replacement parts to fix my own toilet and their staff has walked around with me on several occasions as I was trying to come up with creative ways to build a variety of different props (from fishing poles to old fashioned microphones) for the theater company I work with.

Thank goodness the owners announced today that they plan on rebuilding.  There have also been a variety of fundraisers set up to assist the owners and staff while they rebuild.

So if you are able, please lend a helping hand to help out Frager's; they've certainly lent one to me in my times of need.

An Invocation for Beginnings

New beginnings. Sometimes exciting. Sometimes scary as all hell.

For those who actually follow these posts you've probably read about one of my personal favorites Ze Frank here and here. I've been anxiously awaiting the start of his new show, and to my delight things have gotten underway.  Below is the first episode in what I hope will be many, and in my opinion it's a brilliant start.

To those of you who are starting new jobs, going back to school, beginning new relationships, ending old relationships and choosing to move on alone, having kids, meeting new people, writing your first book, writing your second book, giving painting a shot, auditioning for a play, choosing to spend the rest of your life with someone else, going to see a movie in the theater by yourself for the first time... to those of you who are starting something new, "This is an invocation for anyone who hasn't begun, who's stuck in a terrible place between zero and one..."



Perhaps this particularly strikes me as I'm personally on the verge of new beginnings.  One of the things I think is so great about what Ze Frank does is his ability to make his followers feel connected and somehow remember that they are part of a larger community.  We remember that we're all in it together; whatever the task might be at hand.  New beginnings can hard; that first step is a doozy.  Knowing that we're all in it together makes it just a little bit easier.

So thanks Ze, I'm looking forward to what's coming too.  Let's start this shit up.

Clues to a Great Story

Today I saw a pretty incredible video of a talk given by Andrew Stanton posted by TED.  Andrew Stanton is a film director, screenwriter and producer based at Pixar Animation Studios and Sony Pictures Animation.  He's worked on Finding Nemo, Wall-E, and a variety of other well known Pixar films.  In his speech, he talks about the various elements that each play a key role in good storytelling.

I, like most people, love a good story.  Whether its told through a movie, a TV show, a play, or a book it doesn't really get much better the hearing a really great one. I'm also personally interested in the structure and construction of a story. Through my writing and my work in theater I, along with others, strive to tell a story in a compelling or affecting way.  Many of my favorite stories have interesting or unusual structures.  Frankenstein, Arcadia, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Lost.  Part of what I love about them are those structures, but it is not only that.  They are the stories that make you care.  You care about the characters; about what happens in the end.  There are a lot of things that go into telling a good story, and it's not an exact science. 

In Andrew Stanton's words, "We all love stories. We're born for them.  Stories affirm who we are.  We all want affirmations that our lives have meaning, and nothing does a greater affirmation than when we connect through stories. It can cross the barriers of time; past, present, and future; and allow us to experience the similarities between ourselves and through others, real and imagined "

So take a look below at his speech, where he explores why to him storytelling is important, in his experience what goes into telling a good one and just what it is about good storytelling that we love so much.

Beware the slick, dandified cake eater

It has come to my notice that in the early 1920s a club specifically for women was formed in Washington DC.  What sort of club you ask would be appropriate for the era referred to as the "Roaring 20s"?  Why the Anti-Flirt Club of course.
 

Formed in the early 1920s by Ms. Alice Reighly, it was "composed of women and girls who have been embarrassed by men in automobiles and on street corners."  They launched the first "Anti-Flirt" week, which began on March 4, 1923. The club had a series of rules, the were:

1. Don't flirt; those who flirt in haste oft repent in leisure.
2. Don't accept rides from flirting motorists—they don't invite you in to save you a walk.
3. Don't use your eyes for ogling—they were made for worthier purposes.
4. Don't go out with men you don't know—they may be married, and you may be in for a hair pulling match
5. Don't wink—a flutter of one eye may cause a tear in the other.
6. Don't smile at flirtatious strangers—save them for people you know.
7. Don't annex all the men you can get—by flirting with many, you may lose out on the one.
8. Don't fall for the slick, dandified cake eater—the unpolished gold of a real man is worth more than the gloss of a lounge lizard.
   
9. Don't let elderly men with an eye to a flirtation pat you on the shoulder and take a fatherly interest in you. Those are usually the kind who want to forget they are fathers.
10. Don't ignore the man you are sure of while you flirt with another. When you return to the first one you may find him gone.

While the whole list seems rather ridiculous, I have to say my favorite has to be number 8.   Ah, the use of language during the 20s! Gotta love it!

So not to worry ladies, dating in DC has apparently always been quite the "harrowing" experience.  Keep your eyes averted from any passing motorists, dandified cake eaters or lounge lizards and you should be just fine.

The Return of The Show with Ze Frank!

Hey there Sports Racers.  For those of you who have followed this here blog from its inception, you may have read my post about the online character Ze Frank.  If you haven't you can check it out... here.

Being a huge fan myself I was alerted yesterday to his new Kickstarter project. I've posted his Kickstarter video below, but you can check out his page... here to bring back The Show with Ze Frank!

I was going to post about this yesterday right when I heard about it, but figured today would be good, and low and behold he's already surpassed his goal! In less than 24 hours! Amazing.  Just goes to show how many people love the stuff that he puts out there.  For those of you who know me, you probably know I'm beyond excited for the return of The Show!  For those of you who don't know me, you know now.

So get excited Sports Racers, the show's coming back! And if you feel so inclined, go and support his Kickstarter!  Even though he's surpassed his goal, I have no doubt whatever additional funds he comes up with will be put to good use on new fun internet projects like dressing up vacuum cleaners or songs about a guy named Ray.

This is My Home

This man is adorable. Love his collection. Love his story. 


This Is My Home from Mark on Vimeo.

 Check out the filmmakers site for some bonus material as well.

Drunk Monkey Business

Yesterday in DC, temperatures reached up into the high 60's, which is practically 70, which is crazy for it still being February.  I have absolutely no complaints with the warm weather.  I say more of that in the days to come!  However such an early warm spell has resulted in full on Spring fever settling in.  I, and I imagine the many other DC-ers, would love nothing more than to be sitting on a patio on a warm afternoon, cocktail in hand.  I could also be persuaded to sit on a warm beach somewhere with a nice cocktail as well.

In honor of the unseasonably warm weather, the impending spring, and the hankering many of us have for a warm breeze and chilled cocktail, I give you Drunk Monkeys of the Caribbean.

Apparently Vervet Monkeys residing in the Caribbean have developed a liking for an occasional alcoholic beverage after nibbling on fermented sugar cane left in the fields.  The BBC show "Weird Nature" has been able to catch some of these monkeys in action.  Not going to lie, I kind of love these guys; especially the ones that roll around on the table towards the end.  Enjoy!

Why's the rum gone Jack? 

Because the monkeys drank it all.

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

The trailer for Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter has been released and I saw it for the first time this morning. I've always loved American History, particularly learning about the Civil War.  I suppose that may have something to do with the fact that my grandfather is a huge Civil War buff, and it has been around as a family topic of discussion from time to time.

Honestly I'm not sure why there haven't been more movies specifically about Abraham Lincoln up until now (at least to my knowledge), and this year we are getting two of them: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter and Lincoln staring Daniel Day Lewis (who coincidentally looks creepily like him).  I fully intend on seeing both; Lincoln for a more serious portrayal of the man, the war, the history, etc... and Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter for the whimsical ridiculousness of it.  I'm liking the trailer so far.  Totally plausible that Abraham Lincoln could not only save the Union from ruin, but also take down some bad ass vampires with a large ax as well. Didn't realize that Tim Burton was a producer on this project, which is intriguing.  Take a look below.



What do you think?

bad dates...

Happy Valentine's Day!  No, this post is not about the perils and pitfalls of a bad date; which given the fact that it's Valentine's Day, could totally be an appropriate topic of discussion.  No, rather than do that I'm choosing to write about one of the true loves of my life.  Who you ask?  Well if you didn't get the reference from my title, that'd be the one and only, Indiana Jones.

.

Yes Dr. Jones, that means you.  Ever since the first time I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark, I knew that there was something special there.  If you need to ask why, then I'm not exactly sure what is wrong with you or where you've been since Indy was released in 1981, but I'll explain anyway.

First off he's a total nerd.  He's a professor who super smart, gets super excited about things like discovering the lost city of Tanis, and gets to wear a spiffy bow tie. He finds clues in libraries that everyone else seems to miss.  It's kind of awesome too that he's a hero who is scared of stuff; not something you find all the time. Ask him to land a plane that he doesn't know how to fly; sure why not.  Ask him to come face to face with a snake?  Not really his bag. Hey, if I fell into a vat of snakes as a teenager I'd probably be pretty scared of them too. Clearly despite his fear of snakes and love of reading, Indiana Jones can kick ass.  He can throw some punches, wield his whip, get dragged by a tank, hop onto a horse and ride off into the sunset like the hero he is.  Selflessly brave, not to mention super handsome, and all in the pursuit of knowledge... or you know, the woman he's off to save (or get captured with).

So here's to you Indiana Jones! You've been making this lady smile for quite some time. 

(just stay away from the dates)

In honor of my love for the one and only Indy, I give you "Raiding The Lost Ark: A Filmumentary By Jamie Benning"  I stumbled upon it today and its pretty incredible; a sort of comprehensive commentary on "Raiders of the Lost Ark" with audio clips from the film makers, photos, interesting facts, etc... over the course of the movie. Hope you enjoy!

Raiding The Lost Ark: A Filmumentary By Jamie Benning from jambe davdar on Vimeo.

How Stuff Works

My regular, run of the mill Wednesday got so much better when I saw HowStuffWorks.com's two articles today on:

HOW INVISIBILITY CLOAKS WORK

and

HOW LIGHTSABERS WORK

Just the fact that someone took the time to put these articles together about lightsabers and invisibility cloaks is just delightful to me.  Enjoy!

A Time of Hope

Ever since I started listening to podcasts, "The Moth" has been one of my favorites.  The Moth is a non-profit organization dedicated to the "art and craft of storytelling."  They hold forums where thousands of stories have been told by individuals, live and without notes.  There are stories told that make you laugh, make you tear up, make you think, make you reflect on your life or the experience of others. They entertain.  Being in general a lover of good storytelling the podcast had me hooked from day one.

Their most recent post I found particularly interesting.  Guest Andrew Solomon spoke at the New York Public Library in 2010 at one of The Moth's forums about his experience researching the resurgence of art in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban.  I found his story touching, interesting and full of hope.  For those of you who have listened to The Moth before, I hope you enjoy this one as much as you have others, and for those of you who haven't, I hope that this one hooks you just as I was hooked three years ago.  (Click the Link below...)

Andrew Solomon, A Time of Hope

By Leaves We Live

I know its been awhile, but here I am again, hoping to be better at posting more often. 

Today one of my favorite online "personalities" Ze Frank, who I've written about before, posted a link to this article, and I just really felt the need to share it as well. 

If you take a look you'll see it is about a series of a paper sculptures left anonymously in "support of libraries, books, words and ideas" in various libraries, cultural centers, book festivals, etc...  around Scotland.

The sculptures themselves are pretty incredible, and what they are all about is pretty incredible too.  So here is to good storytelling, to the writers that inspire, to the readers who enjoy, and to the anonymous artist for their beautiful work.

Here are a few of my favorites...

"Nothing beats a nice cup of tea (or coffee) and a really good BOOK, except maybe a cake as well"

"a gesture (poetic maybe?)"

"A gift in support of libraries, books, words, ideas..... and all things *magic*"

Fall-ing into Sports

It’s almost fall. I’m not entirely convinced that we’ve seen the last of summer. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to wake up to another 90 degree day here in DC, but yesterday’s high in the 60s was for sure a sign that cooler weather is on the way. I will say that I’m a fan of Fall. Crisp evenings, apple pie, school supplies, boots, pumpkin spice lattes and hot apple cider. Love it.

I took advantage of the cooler weather last night and walked back to my apartment instead of taking the metro, and on my walk listened to one of the podcasts I check out regularly called Radiolab. The title of their most recent episode was “Games,” and it discussed what is it about games that we love so much, why we become fans, why we might root for an underdog, how we play with the rules, and why a game can be something we get so invested in. You can check it out here:



Fall is the time of year when baseball is winding down, football is gearing up, and for one reason or another, sports in general seem to be more on my mind than usual. I have to admit I was never a huge sports person growing up, possibly because I wasn’t ever very good at sports. In my twenties I’ve become much more of a sports fan, possibly because I’m not in danger of being the last one chosen at recess for a team. Regardless, these days I just love a good evening at the ballpark or crowding into a friend’s living room to watch a football game. My inner-artsy 13 year old’s jaw would most likely drop, but hey, its fun, and I'm not one to question what's fun.

Listening to the podcast last night got me thinking about the idea behind games. In the episode when asked why he believes “sports fandom” carries almost immeasurable value, guest Stephen Dubner very succinctly says:

“It’s a proxy for real life but better; you know, it renews itself; its constantly happening in real time; there are conflicts that seem to carry real consequences, but at the end of the day don’t; its war where nobody dies; it’s a proxy for all our emotions and desires and hopes; I mean heck, what’s not to like about sports?”

Really a lovely way to put it. I will also add, at least for myself, that I have some very fond memories of nights spent with my college friends drinking beer, eating chicken, and using sports metaphors to explain our love lives. I also love how sports are an occasion for friends and/or family to come together to hang out or play like they were kids again; an occasion to kick back and share a pitcher and wings while watching a game even if the company you are with is rooting for the opposing team. It's an occasion to have fun, and hey, if it's that alone that makes a game important to you, it's more than enough.

Say Something Nice

Woke up this morning, not in the best of moods. Came into work, and came across the above video as I was settling in. Just watching it somehow made me feel so much happier, so I thought I'd share. (I will say my personal favorite is the kid saying "To Infinity and Beyond!")

So say something nice today, doesn't need to be out of a megaphone, but hey that works too.

A Day in California

Kind of lovely.


A Day in California from Ryan Killackey on Vimeo.

sMattdown!

Continuing on my previous post, it appears Anderson Cooper loves Matt Damon too!

Don't Mess with Matt Damon, the Silver Fox told you so.

Thanks Matt Damon!

This past weekend Matt Damon was a speaker at the “Save Our Schools March” here in DC. I’ve been a Matt Damon fan for quite awhile; not only because of his acting, but because he just seems like a really smart, genuine, cool guy. (The fact that he’s easy on the eyes is really just an added bonus) I would totally want to be his friend if I ever actually met him. While I wasn't at the event, a friend of mine alerted me to the speech he made in front of the crowd of teachers and teacher-supporters on the ellipse.  I just really loved what he had to say. Check it out:

“I flew overnight from Vancouver to be with you today. I landed in New York a few hours ago and caught a flight down here because I needed to tell you all in person that I think you’re awesome.


I was raised by a teacher. My mother is a professor of early childhood education. And from the time I went to kindergarten through my senior year in high school, I went to public schools. I wouldn’t trade that education and experience for anything.


I had incredible teachers. As I look at my life today, the things I value most about myself — my imagination, my love of acting, my passion for writing, my love of learning, my curiosity — all come from how I was parented and taught.


And none of these qualities that I’ve just mentioned — none of these qualities that I prize so deeply, that have brought me so much joy, that have brought me so much professional success — none of these qualities that make me who I am ... can be tested.


I said before that I had incredible teachers. And that’s true. But it’s more than that. My teachers were EMPOWERED to teach me. Their time wasn’t taken up with a bunch of test prep — this silly drill and kill nonsense that any serious person knows doesn’t promote real learning. No, my teachers were free to approach me and every other kid in that classroom like an individual puzzle. They took so much care in figuring out who we were and how to best make the lessons resonate with each of us. They were empowered to unlock our potential. They were allowed to be teachers.


Now don’t get me wrong. I did have a brush with standardized tests at one point. I remember because my mom went to the principal’s office and said, ‘My kid ain’t taking that. It’s stupid, it won’t tell you anything and it’ll just make him nervous.’ That was in the ’70s when you could talk like that.

I shudder to think that these tests are being used today to control where funding goes.

I don’t know where I would be today if my teachers’ job security was based on how I performed on some standardized test. If their very survival as teachers was based on whether I actually fell in love with the process of learning but rather if I could fill in the right bubble on a test. If they had to spend most of their time desperately drilling us and less time encouraging creativity and original ideas; less time knowing who we were, seeing our strengths and helping us realize our talents.


I honestly don’t know where I’d be today if that was the type of education I had. I sure as hell wouldn’t be here. I do know that.


This has been a horrible decade for teachers. I can’t imagine how demoralized you must feel. But I came here today to deliver an important message to you: As I get older, I appreciate more and more the teachers that I had growing up. And I’m not alone. There are millions of people just like me.


So the next time you’re feeling down, or exhausted, or unappreciated, or at the end of your rope; the next time you turn on the TV and see yourself called “overpaid;” the next time you encounter some simple-minded, punitive policy that’s been driven into your life by some corporate reformer who has literally never taught anyone anything. ... Please know that there are millions of us behind you. You have an army of regular people standing right behind you, and our appreciation for what you do is so deeply felt. We love you, we thank you and we will always have your back.”


I grew up in a household with teacher parents and have quite a few extended family members who are teachers or who work in education. I have also had the privilege of being taught by a number of incredible and inspiring teachers throughout my years in school. These are people who not only taught me facts and figures, but taught me how to think; how to be creative and think outside of the box.  These were people who set an example on how to be a good person; who pushed me to work harder and do better than I ever thought I could myself. They introduced me to topics, ideas and questions I probably would never have stumbled upon on my own.  None of these things were taught to me through teaching me how to sufficiently pass a test.

I can say for certain that my life would not be what it is today if it hadn’t been for the very many teachers in my life. So thanks Matt Damon for saying so well what so many of us out here think. Thank you to the teachers who have changed my life for the better and who continuously work so hard to improve the lives of so many others every day.