The B List

Next Week = Readings Galore

2008-10-10T06:28:00.005-04:00

Tuesdsay - October 14, 7PM
Opium Magazine's Literary Death Match
The Kitchen
512 W. 19th St.
$7

Thad Rutkowski will represent Poetry Vs. Comedy at Opium Magazine's Literary Death Match.

An epic lineup will feature three of NYC's best reading series and LA's finest. Katherine Taylor (Vermin Reading in LA), Thomas Hopkins (L Magazine's Annual Literary Upstart), Dennis DiClaudio (Guerrilla Lit) and Thaddeus Rutkowski (Poetry v. Comedy) will be judged by the New Yorker's Ben Greenman, videogum.com's Gabriel Delahaye and funnylady Jodi Bullock.

Wednesday - October 15, 9PM
WORD! @ Hysterical Festival
Ochi’s Lounge
353 W. 14th Street (at 9th Ave)
$5 plus a one item food or drink purchase from the discounted menu

Hysterical Festival
Hysterical Festival on Facebook

WORD!
These ladies take their funny from the page to the stage: Rachel Shukert ("Wasp Cove", “Have You No Shame? And Other Regrettable Stories”), Kambri Crews (The Moth, LoveDaddy.org), Allison Kilkenny (Sirius Radio, Huffington Post), Christen Clifford ("BabyLove," Salon.com) Catie Lazurus (Comedy Central, “The Customer is Always Wrong”), Cheryl B. (Poets vs. Comics) and Michele Carlo ("Moth Slam Stories," "It Came From NY") A night of big words, and even bigger laughs hosted by solo/video maven Sara Schaefer (“Video Gaga,” MTV)

Thursday - October 16, 7PM
Drunken! Careening! Writers!
KGB Bar
85 E. 4th Street
FREE

"We write, we read, we curate"
Cheryl Burke (Poetry Vs. Comedy)
Ed Hamilton (Legends of the Chelsea Hotel)
Nita Noveno (Sunday Salon)
Vittoria Repetto (Women's/Trans Poetry Jam at Bluestockings Bookstore)
with your hostess, Kathleen Warnock

Drunken! Careening! Writers! - October 16th

2008-09-28T19:28:00.003-04:00

I will be the evening's Sober! Careening! Writer!

*****

Drunken! Careening! Writers!
Thursday, October 16, 7pm
KGB Bar
85 E. 4th St., NYC
www.kgbbar.com
FREE
"We write, we read, we curate"
Cheryl Burke
Ed Hamilton
Nita Noveno
Vittoria Repetto
with your hostess, Kathleen Warnock

Cheryl Burke is Brooklyn-based poet and writer. Her work appears in numerous print and online publications including; Word Warriors: 35 Women Leaders in the Spoken Word Revolution (Seal Press), Suspect Thoughts, Reactions 5: New Poetry (Pen & Inc), and Pills, Thrills, Chills and Heartache: Adventures in the First Person (Alyson Books). She is the recipient of a fellowship from the New York Foundation for the Arts and a
residency at the VCCA. Cheryl is also the creator and producer of PVC: The Poetry vs. Comedy Variety Show. Her website is www.cherylb.com.

Ed Hamilton is the author of Legends of the Chelsea Hotel: Living with the Artists and Outlaws of New York's Rebel Mecca (Thunder's Mouth Press). He also writes Living with Legends: Hotel Chelsea Blog. His non-fiction has regularly appeared in the local newspapers, Chelsea Now and The Villager. Ed's fiction has appeared in The River Walk Journal, SoMa Literary Review, The Journal of Kentucky Studies, Exquisite
Corpse, Southern Ocean Review, Limestone: A Journal of Art and Literature,
Modern Drunkard, and Lumpen Times, as well as in dozens of online publications. http://legends.typepad.com/

Nita Noveno is a graduate of the New School MFA Creative Writing Program. She founded the Sunday Salon series in the summer of 2002. She has most recently been published in Lost and Found: An Anthology of Teachers Writing and Worldview and was a finalist for the Missouri Review's 2005 Jeffrey E. Smith Editors Prize. Sunday Salon is both an online prose magazine and larger than life reading series in New York, Nairobi and Chicago, featuring a refreshing blend of local and international literary voices. www.sundaysalon.com

Vittoria Repetto's first poetry book Not Just A Personal Ad has won accolades; in a Lambda Book Report column, poet and reviewer Rigoberto Gonzalez wrote "Poems of intense sensibility and gorgeous imagery are a rarity these days; but this book of verse by a distinctly working class, distinctly lesbian, and distinctly Italian American voice is a must for all readers of good poetry." She has been published in Mudfish,Voices in Italian Americana, Rattle, Lips, and many other magazines and
anthologies. She has a chapbook entitled Head For the Van Wyck that contains a poem that her current publisher refused to print for fear of beingsued by Camille Paglia. She has been hosting the Women's/Trans Poetry Jam at Bluestockings Bookstore since 1999.

Drunken! Careening! Writers! is a monthly reading series dedicated to the proposition that readings should be: excellent, well-read pieces that have at least one thing in them that makes people laugh (nervous laughter counts), and don't run more than 15 minutes each.

PVC Lit Crawl

2008-09-28T16:00:00.004-04:00

I got a late start today thanks to last night's Poetry Vs. Comedy/Lit Crawl show at The Lucky Cat in Williamsburg and the after-partying at Metropolitan where I drank my first Red Bull in a while. I stayed up way past my bedtime which was a good thing.

Here's a photo of last night's PVC winner and amazing poet Bakar Wilson with judges Abbi Crutchfield and Shawn Hollenbach:

Apparently, It's My Birthday

2008-09-19T06:45:00.003-04:00

I'm 29 again, for the seventh time.

No plans. I may go to a museum after work and then to the gym. I may eat a chocolate croissant for breakfast. A mani/pedi may occur at some point this weekend. Tomorrow, I'm watching Weeds with my ex. I have work to catch up on the rest of the weekend.

For my birthday, I'd like everyone to come to PVC on Wednesday. That would be super nice.

PVC - Sept. 24th!

2008-09-17T00:04:00.000-04:00

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide.

Featuring: Shawn Hollenbach (Host of here! TV's Busted), Hilary Schwartz (Comix) and Kyle Supley (Comix) Amy Ouzoonian (Your Pill), Tsaurah Litzky (Best American Erotica), Saurabh Tak (The Moth) with judges Jon Friedman (The Rejection Show), Diana Saez and Tionna Smalls (Talk Dat Ish Entertainment) and musical guests Booth & Pat (The Duplex)

Hosted by Carolyn Castiglia (VH1)

September 24th, 8PM
$7, One Drink Minimum
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC
www.myspace.com/pvcshow

This is how I spend Saturday Night...

2008-09-13T20:18:00.005-04:00

What I'm doing:

- Getting some applications together
- Figuring out where I should try to submit some work over the next few months (I made a spreadsheet and everything)
- Writing a poem
- Some other stuff that involves typing

Clearly, I am not busy enough, so I decided my blog needed an updated look. I can't seem to get away from the red/black/purple/gray variations, but it's a bit different. I like it so far. I also need to update the old website thingie too. Eventually...

I'm also totally getting a cold.

Non Sequitur Review on The Artists Forum

2008-09-13T17:12:00.005-04:00

Here's a nice review of the Non Sequitur Festival on The Artists Forum, a very awesome arts organization.

Blind Dates...

2008-09-12T22:24:00.002-04:00

I haven't had any, but my good friend and awesome writer Virginia Vitzthum is looking for your blind date stories for a book project.

In her words; "funny, bizarre blind date stories. Tales with happy endings are welcome, but let's face it, terrible dates usually make better stories. I'd especially like stories of dates set up by mutual friends or family (or even a matchmaker), though great online-dating stories are welcome, too. They can be short or long, however long it takes. (I'm guessing these will be stories you've told before.) I will change names and details to disguise you, and I will edit the writing, so don't worry about polishing it."

Check out virginiavitzthum.com for more information.

Friday

2008-09-05T07:18:00.005-04:00

My raw food fast ends today. I think people typically do these for longer, but even though I love fruits and veggies, I'm sort of bored with my diet. I've had more energy the last few days and I haven't been hungry. The experience made me think about what I normally eat. I'm relatively healthy, but I consume too much caffeine and too many carbs. I'll probably never cut these things out completely, but it's something to keep in mind. My stomach seems a bit flatter too, although that might just be an illusion. Overall it's been pretty good.

Today I upgrade to oatmeal, yogurt, maybe some tofu. And coffee! One (large) cup!

Poetry Vs. Comedy - Tonight!

2008-08-27T00:30:00.002-04:00

I'm actually doing the show this time around!

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide.

Special Guest Host Mindy Raf (VH1's Best Night Ever)!

This month's installment features Kumail Ali (Unpronounceable at UCB), Giulia Rozzi (Stripped Stories), Robert Keller (Gotham Comedy Club), Micia Moseley (Where My Girls At?), Elon James White (Brooklyn Comedy Company) and Poetry Vs. Comedy producer Cheryl B.

With judges Shawn Hollenbach (Host of here! TV's Busted), Livia Scott (Comix) and Tionna Smalls (Talk Dat Ish Entertainment).

August 27th, 8PM
$7, One Drink Minimum
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC
www.myspace.com/pvcshow

Non Sequitur Festival

2008-08-16T12:07:00.004-04:00

Just a reminder... I rehearsed my piece with the band on Thursday night and it sounds pretty good, if I do say so myself. The other pieces I've heard are all really excellent as well. I'm excited/nervous but mostly excited.

CCi ComposersCollaborative inc presents
The 8th Non Sequitur Summer Festival — 5 evenings of Performance
The Flea Theater, 41 White Street (Tribeca), NYC

August 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 @ 8PM
By subway: 1 & 9 to Franklin St or 6, N/R, Q/W, A/C/E to Canal St

Tickets: gen’l $25 students/seniors $20
Tickets

Information: Composers Collaborative

Non Sequitur 2008

Rejection: a series of slips and falls

Rejection: a series of slips and falls – an unprecedented run of 5 performances of 5 commissions. ComposersCollaborative inc. (CCi) assembles a cast with 5 composers, 5 poets, 7 musicians & 2 theater artists. The composers and poets pair up, create five new works, and perform them with NON SEQUITUR house band NEWSPEAK. Musical and literary worlds collide, styles are stretched, and creative envelopes are pushed to unpredictable yet always entertaining heights.

Regie Cabico, returns as literary curator and irrepressible host. Our spoken word contingent – Anselm Berrigan, Bakar Wilson, Cheryl Burke, and Douglas A. Martin – descend from New-York-School Royalty to a generation of slam hip hop champions. Our roster of composers – David First, Jennifer Griffith, Kate Soper, Sima Wolf, and CCi Artistic Director Jed Distler – brings together home-grown mavericks, experimentalists and not-yet-categorized voices. The cast is abetted by director Arnold Barkus, lighting designer David Lovett, and Newspeak – Eileen Mack (clarinets), Dave Broome (synthesizer/piano), Taylor Levine (guitar), David T. Little (drums) – with Mellissa Hughes (diva). All are geared up to write a new creative chapter in the CCi NON SEQUITUR mode.

PVC - Coming Up on August 27th!

2008-08-16T12:03:00.002-04:00

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide.

This month’s installment features Colin Kane (Carolines), Giulia Rozzi (Stripped Stories), Robert Keller (Gotham Comedy Club), Micia Moseley (Where My Girls At?) Livia Scott (Comix) and Poetry Vs. Comedy producer Cheryl B.

With musical guest Mark Douglas (Drink At Work) and judges Tionna Smalls (RADAR Magazine) and Shawn Hollenbach (Host of here! TV's Busted).

Hosted by Carolyn Castiglia (VH1).

August 27th, 8PM
$7, One Drink Minimum
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC
www.myspace.com/pvcshow
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=31021246797

Carl & Shelly Best Friends Forever

2008-07-16T23:17:00.005-04:00

Carly and Shelly are the fabulous creations of Poetry Vs. Comedy favorites Allen Warnock and Andrea Alton. These two brilliant performers have had me guffawing until I cried at PVC and they're bringing their act to the NY Fringe Festival.

And look, they're on Myspace: www.myspace.com/carlandshellybff.

Carl & Shelly, Best Friends Forever at the NY Fringe Festival!

Written & performed by Andrea Alton & Allen Warnock.

www.fringenyc.org

Friday 8/8 @ 7:15
Tuesday 8/12 @ 3:00
Friday 8/15 @ 5:45
Sunday 8/17 @ 9:30
Thursday 8/21 @ 7:30

VENUE #14: Theatres at 45 Bleecker Street - The Lafayette Street Theatre

ADDRESS: 45 Bleecker Street (at Lafayette) Tickets $15

Hi!

2008-07-04T21:50:00.000-04:00

Hello there. I just want to say thanks if you're still checking the blog. I know I've been a real blog delinquent. I'm giving myself detention which is partially why I'm at home this fourth of July. Okay, it's really because I don't drink or eat barbecue, I don't like being out in the sun and I'm not a fan of fireworks... But it's nice to have a day off. I did some writing this morning, then I treated myself to a tasty carb breakfast at the diner (hash browns and toast, 2 cups of coffee) worked out for ninety minutes, then bought new jeans. Quite a nice day. I'm happy to stay in tonight with my laptop, a frozen burrito and some DVDs.

Although I'm sort of over reporting on the minutiae of my life, a lot has happened in the past few months:

1. T/A and I broke up. It's been completely amicable and we're still truly good friends. We see each other frequently and she even gave me her old bike. She's awesome.

2. I got a bike.

3. Been keeping up my promise to get my "literal and literary asses in line". I've been going to the gym and writing a ton. I've finished a few new poems and have drafts of a few essays. And I'm on my way to semi-sveltdom.

4. Also reading alot and keeping up my private paper blog, also known as my journal.

5. PVC is still awesome, awesome, awesome. It's probably one of the best things I've been involved with in all my years being involved in such things.

6. I'm part of the Non Sequitur 2008 Summer Festival in August. This year's theme is one of my favorite topics; Rejection. I highly suggest you check it out.

Non Sequitur Summer Festival - August 19-23

2008-07-04T21:17:00.009-04:00

CCi ComposersCollaborative inc presents
The 8th Non Sequitur Summer Festival — 5 evenings of Performance
The Flea Theater, 41 White Street (Tribeca), NYC

August 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 @ 8PM
By subway: 1 & 9 to Franklin St or 6, N/R, Q/W, A/C/E to Canal St

Tickets: gen’l $25 students/seniors $20
Buy tickets before August 11 and save $5! Use the discount code “EARLY”

Information: Composers Collaborative

Non Sequitur 2008

Rejection: a series of slips and falls

Rejection: a series of slips and falls – an unprecedented run of 5 performances of 5 commissions. ComposersCollaborative inc. (CCi) assembles a cast with 5 composers, 5 poets, 7 musicians & 2 theater artists. The composers and poets pair up, create five new works, and perform them with NON SEQUITUR house band NEWSPEAK. Musical and literary worlds collide, styles are stretched, and creative envelopes are pushed to unpredictable yet always entertaining heights.

Regie Cabico, returns as literary curator and irrepressible host. Our spoken word contingent – Anselm Berrigan, Bakar Wilson, Cheryl Burke, and Douglas A. Martin – descend from New-York-School Royalty to a generation of slam hip hop champions. Our roster of composers – David First, Jennifer Griffith, Kate Soper, Sima Wolf, and CCi Artistic Director Jed Distler – brings together home-grown mavericks, experimentalists and not-yet-categorized voices. The cast is abetted by director Arnold Barkus, lighting designer David Lovett, and Newspeak – Eileen Mack (clarinets), Dave Broome (synthesizer/piano), Taylor Levine (guitar), David T. Little (drums) – with Mellissa Hughes (diva). All are geared up to write a new creative chapter in the CCi NON SEQUITUR mode.

Poetry Vs. Comedy - July 2nd

2008-06-21T19:23:00.000-04:00

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide. The show was created by writer and literary series curator Cheryl B. Hosted by comedian Carolyn Castiglia.

July 2nd, 8PM
$7, One Drink Minimum
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

Poets
Tionna Smalls (RADAR Magazine)
Bakar Wilson (Cave Canem)
Chavisa Woods (Dixon Place)

Comedians
Thaz Gordon & Deet (Wet Fingerprints)
Laura Mannino (Writer for here! TV’s Busted)
Charles Star (Onion News Network)

Judges
Robin Cloud (Under the Pink Carpet)
Shawn Hollenbach (Host of here! TV’s Busted)
Livia Scott (Comedy Central's Motherload)

Come Hear Reading This Thursday

2008-06-07T06:59:00.003-04:00

I'll be reading this Thursday at the Leslie Lohman Gallery with a whole bunch of really great poets.

Come Hear: Queer Women Speak!
June 12th, 6:30-9pm
The Leslie/Lohman Gay Art Foundation
26 Wooster Street (between Grand & Canal Streets)
NYC

PVC:GVB - May 28th!

2008-05-16T07:01:00.001-04:00

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show
Girls Vs. Boys Edition

On May 28th, the show where the stanzas and the stand-up collide, features three female comedians vs. three male poets in the ultimate battle of wits.

Yes, it’s PVC:GVB.

This month we welcome one of London’s brightest performance poets and finalist for the Forward Prize, Tim Wells. Tim will be representing the menfolk alongside Jawnee (Broin’ Out at UCB) and Shawn Hollenbach (Host of HERE TV’s Busted) who will be venturing out from his usual spot behind the judge’s table to be judged himself! The boys will battle it out against Margaret Dodge (Manson Family Singers), Margot Leitman (Late Night with Conan O'Brien) and Becky Yamamoto (Ars Nova)! Michele Carlo (It Came From New York) and Tionna Smalls (RADAR) will judge.

With performances by NYC cabaret stars Mel & El (The Duplex) and the inimitable emcee Carolyn Castiglia (VH1).

May 28th, 8PM
$7, One Drink Minimum
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC

Fervor Chapbook Party - May 21

2008-05-14T06:32:00.001-04:00

Next Wednesday, I'm reading at this party for Zaedryn Meade's fabulous new chapbook, Fervor.

Pleasure Boat Studio: A Literary Press and The Bowery Poetry Club present:
A book release party for
Fervor: Poems from the East Village By Zaedryn Meade

"Fervor is powerful, beautiful, resonant."

"Reading it is moving and sometimes troubling, a deep look
at love's joys and tragedies, at the ways that love can both enthrall and disturb."

Featuring Zaedryn Meade, Jeanette Anderson, Cheryl B., Ariel Federow, and Emily Haines

Wednesday, 21 May 2008, 8pm
Bowery Poetry Club at 308 Bowery in New York City
no cover

About the performers:

Zaedryn Meade (www.zaedryn.com) is a queer butch activist, classically trained poet, spoken word performer, and smut writer. She has self-published two chapbooks, Covet (2001) and Valence: Fool's Gold in the Shape of Poems (2004), and one spoken word CD, For the Record (2004). The third in her chapbook trilogy, Fervor: Poems from the East Village, was published in 2008 by Pleasure Boat Studio: A Literary Press. Her poetry has been included in various collections including The Seattle Review and NPR's "This I Believe" project. Zaedryn holds degrees in both social change and creative writing from the University of Washington, and she studied and taught performance poetry at the Bent Writing Institute for queers. Born and raised in the rainforest of Southeast Alaska, she now lives in New York City.

Jeanette Anderson, poet and photographer, has received national recognition for her writing from the Scholastic awards in 2006 and 2007. Her work has been published in literary magazines such as Xelas and Magma. Scholastic Alliance for Young Artists & Writers published her first solo chapbook, and her second chapbook was a collaboration with poet and mentor Zaedryn Meade. She has also studied with poet Regie Cabico, and participated in creative writing workshops with PEN American Center, Columbia, Random House and Girls Write Now. She currently attends Eugene Lang College, and lives in Brooklyn.

Cheryl B. is a Brooklyn-based writer and performance poet. Her work appears in several print and online publications, most recently; Word Warriors: 35 Women Leaders in the Spoken Word Revolution (Seal Press, 2007) and Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure (Harper Perennial, 2008). She is the creator and producer of PVC: The Poetry vs. Comedy Variety Show, a monthly competition between comedians and performance poets. Her website is www.cherylb.com and she blogs at theblist.blogspot.com.

Ariel Federow spends her days administering non-profit and her nights and weekends sweating glitter and shitting sequins. She has been seen in various incarnations: Switch'n'Play's Open Drag Nights; Miss Jew-S-A 5767 (crowned by the 14th St Y); the director of Big Moves New York; part of the creative team for the JFREJ/Workmen's Circle Purimshpiel; a variety of other radical Jewish spectacle art. She is currently working on running away with the circus and invites you to visit http://www.queeryenta.com to find whatever it is your queer heart desires.

Emily Haines was born in the Bronx and was politicized by the racial injustices she witnessed in elementary school. Her heroes include her grandmothers, Ella Baker, Assata Shakur, and her students. Her writing influences include KRS-One, Chuck D, Eminem, dead prez, Mos Def, Audre Lorde, Adrienne Rich, Pablo Neruda, June Jordan and the seven fabulous women of FYI who shake her brain and move her soul twice a month.

The Boring List

2008-04-22T20:10:00.001-04:00

I interrupt my regularly scheduled non-blogging to blog.

It's been a crazy month-plus here. But after dealing with a series of personal problems, I'm back, hopefully on a semi-regular basis. There are some exciting things upcoming, including a a very cool project taking place this summer. I'll post the details when I have them, which should be soon.

In the mean time, I've put myself on a writing/gym schedule to get both my literal and literary asses in line. That's right I have two asses. I'm special like that. Right now, I'm digging the spring weather, and my new iPod has been keeping me happy on the subway and anti-social at the internet cafe.

More soon, I promise.

Poetry Vs. Comedy - April 30th!

2008-04-21T19:46:00.001-04:00

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide.

$7, One Drink Minimum
www.myspace.com/pvcshow

EMCEE
Carolyn Castiglia (VH1)

MUSICAL GUEST
Wendy Ho

POETS
Andrea Alton (The PIT)
Rain Maker (Nuyorican Poets Café)
Douglas A. Martin (In the Time of Assignments, Soft Skull, 2008)

COMEDIANS
Brian Baumley (Life & Style)
Mike Ennis (The StraightMen)
Livia Scott (MEAT)

JUDGES
Eliot Glazer (Comix)
Shawn Hollenbach (Host of Here TV's Busted)
Tionna Smalls (RADAR)

Benefit Next Friday - Be There!

2008-03-14T18:37:00.010-04:00

A Belly Dancer! Raffle Prizes! Speculums!

I'm hosting this benefit next Friday for At Your Cervix, "a film dedicated to making pelvic exams respectful and pain-free" by Amy Jo Goddard and Julie Carlson. This documentary "peek" into the world of pelvic exams puts a spotlight on the Gynecological Teaching Associate (GTA) Program in New York City.

Here's the Info:
Friday, March 21, 2008
Doors 6:30, Show/Screening 7 pm
Collective Unconscious
279 Church Street
$15-$50 Sliding Scale

Poetry Vs. Comedy - March 26th!

2008-03-07T00:50:00.001-05:00

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

Don't miss this special all-comedian version of the show on March 26th!

March 26th, 8PM
$7, One Drink Minimum
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC

EMCEE:
Carolyn Castiglia (VH1)

Poets
Rob Lathan (Late Night with Conan O'Brien)
Micia Mosely (Where My Girls At?: A Comedic Look At Black Lesbians)
Billy Wood (Carolines)

Comedians

Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central's Premium Blend)
John O'Donnell (The Kingdom of Heaven)
Matt McCarthy (MAX)

Judges
Eliot Glazer (Comix)
Shawn Hollenbach (Mintyfresh)
Tionna Smalls (Radar Magazine)

Sometimes I Socialize

2008-03-02T18:01:00.002-05:00

Here I am socializing with Felicia and Susan last night. I really like this photo of the three of us.

Story telling show

2008-02-24T21:12:00.006-05:00

I'll be telling a story at Coraline on March 3rd alongside one of my favorite performers, Lisa Haas. I had to cancel on this show earlier this month because I was sick, but I'm once again looking forward to it.

STORY TELLING @CORALINE CAFE

480 62nd Street (@ 5th Ave ), Brooklyn , NY

Take the R or N to 59th Street in Brooklyn and walk 3 blocks.

Tickets $5 (Includes first drink!)

Monday, March 3rd – 8 PM

Hosted by: Cyndi Freeman

Featuring: Lisa Hass, Mark Belli, Jay Chase, Alexandra de Suze, Cheryl Burke

Only a Week Later

2008-02-13T05:23:00.004-05:00

I finally post about PVC. In short, it was fabulous. Judges: Tionna Smalls, Ann Carr and Livia Scott with Carolyn Castiglia.

Craig Baldo won PVC!

Our fabulous audience.

Check out the rest of the awesome photos taken by Brian Van at our 2nd anniversary show.

Sickly

2008-02-04T20:23:00.000-05:00

One thing I hate more than being sick is canceling gigs because I'm sick which is what I had to do tonight thanks to a cold/flu thing that's taken over my body. I have very rarely had to cancel, which means I'm currently feeling pretty lousy. Hopefully, a long sleep will help out.

Monday

2008-01-30T23:33:00.000-05:00

Monday Night!

Story Telling @ Coraline Cafe

480 62nd Street (@ 5th Ave), Brooklyn, NY

Take the R or N to 59th Street in Brooklyn and walk 3 blocks.

Tickets $5 (Includes first drink!)

Monday, February 4th – 8 PM

Hosted by: Cyndi Freeman

Featuring: Kimberly Auerbach, Brad Lawrence, Peter Lubell, Cheryl Burke

Update: PVC Birthday Show

2008-01-23T21:14:00.000-05:00

Got the judges lined up for the show on the 6th!

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

PVC has been a montly show for two years now! We'll be celebrating on February 6th with this fabulous lineup and free candy.

February 6, 8PM
$7, One Drink Minimum
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC

Starring

EMCEE:
Carolyn Castiglia (Caroline's)

MUSICAL GUEST:
Jenn Lindsay (Sidewalk Cafe)

POETS:
Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz (NYC-Urbana)
Robin Cloud (Snatchtastic Comedy Hour)
Rob Lathan (Late Night with Conan Oï¿½Brien)

COMEDIANS:
Craig Baldo (The Onion)
Emily Epstein (New York Underground Comedy Festival)
Rachael Parenta (Chicks & Giggles)

JUDGES:
Shawn Hollenbach (Mintyfresh)
Livia Scott (MEAT)
Tionna Smalls (Radar Magazine)

Proud

2008-01-20T15:01:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I'm celebrating seven years of sobriety. I've had some challenges, especially in the last few years, but I'm truly proud to be committed to the sober life.

Six-Words

2008-01-20T14:30:00.000-05:00

I'm super-excited to be included in this anthology of six-word memoirs, Not Quite What I Was Planning, from Smith Mag, due out on February 5th. Check out the video below:

Reading

2008-01-17T22:44:00.000-05:00

I've been so busy this week, I haven't even had a chance to blog about my trip to Baltimore. In short, it was great. T/A and I had a great time and I got to do a fabulous reading with Christine at the very lovely Minas Gallery. Many thanks to Julie from Poetry in Baltimore for putting together such a great series.

Speaking of readings, I just booked one for OCTOBER at the very awesome Drunken! Careening! Writers! Only nine months away!

Masked

2008-01-01T22:57:00.000-05:00

I spent my New Year's Eve with T/A and an awesome group of friends. The bar where we celebrated supplied masks (as modeled here by T/A), hats, and noisemakers. I was so willing to say goodbye to 2007, I agreed to wear the tiara and everything. There was kissing at midnight. It was good.

Tonight, I read at Bowery Poetry Club as part of the 14th Annual Alternative New Year's Day Spoken Word/Performance Extravaganza. The reading went well and it was great to see so many old friends. I'm wholeheartedly excited for this new year.

New Year

2007-12-31T18:09:00.000-05:00

I'm heading out soon for dinner with friends. Have a great night and a wonderful new year.

Various

2007-12-29T09:43:00.000-05:00

Wow, I've been a bad blogger the past few months. I've been busy working, writing, booking 2008 winter and spring PVC shows, hanging out with T/A and you know, all that holiday stuff. I've also been keeping up with my personal journal and I just started a poetry notebook I've been working on during my lunch breaks. So, I've been writing, just not on the blog as much. I can't guarantee I'll be posting a whole lot more in the new year, but I will continue to post notices about shows, PVC lineups, my friend's projects, the occasional observation etc.

I have some cool gigs coming up, including one in Baltimore. It will be good to get out of NYC, even for only one night. I haven't been out of the tri-state area since my trip to London last October. T/A is coming with me.

Readings:
January 1, 6-8PM:
14th Annual Alternative New Year's Day Spoken Word/Performance Extravaganza
This event runs from 2PM to midnight. I'll be reading between 6 & 8 PM.
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC

January 13, 4PM:
Mina's
815 W. 36th Street, Baltimore

February 4, 8PM:
Storytelling @ Coraline Cafe
480 62nd Street, Brooklyn

Poetry Vs. Comedy - December 19th!

2007-12-13T06:50:00.000-05:00

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide.

Starring
Emcee: Carolyn Castiglia

Musical Guest: Erin and her Cello

Poets
BrYan and Rexxx
Tsaurah Litzky
Thaddeus Rutkowski

Comedians
John F. O'Donnell
Jodi Wasserman
Brian Baumley

PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show.
Last Wednesday of every month at Bowery Poetry Club.
$7, One Drink Minumum
308 Bowery, NYC

November

2007-12-03T07:08:00.000-05:00

Sorry I've been absent the last few weeks. A lot happened in November and it was hard to keep up with the blog. I started a new job. The job is interesting and it's good to be on a regular work schedule again. I attended a few awesome book parties, which were fun and fabulous, hosted a Thanksgiving potluck at my house, battled a urinary tract infection, was super-proud of this month's PVC show and spent a healthy amount of time with the Tall, Adorable One.

I also did some readings. One was a really fantastic night for Brooklyn Reading Works at the Old Stone House in Park Slope. And I did two readings for the new anthology, Word Warriors: 35 Women Leaders in the Spoken Word Revolution both of which were awe-inspiring experiences.

So, it's been busy, but good.

Upcoming Readings

2007-11-17T08:19:00.000-05:00

I have a few more upcoming readings. Info. below. I hope to have a recap of the last week's readings and events up this weekend.

*****

December 6, 9PM:

DEFENDERS OF PEACE
Join Trickydame & Tom 4 Prez and friends
Otto's Shrunken Head (e 14 & ave b)
$5 door

All info. and lineup here.

November 19, 7PM:

Word Warriors Book Release Party
Bar 13
35 E. 13th Street, NYC

Meat and Potatoes

2007-11-17T07:48:00.000-05:00

Look! Some of my favorite PVC-ers are doing this show on Novemeber 26th. Check it out.

Monday, November 26 at 8 pm
Meat and Potatoes
The Green Room
45 Bleecker

A show about growing up in "middle class" 'Merica, featuring stand-up and stories that examine a blue collar youth from the other side.

With:

Paul Case (Here TV)
Pat Candaras (Nick-at-Nite)
Kambri Crews (Comix)
Shawn Hollenbach (The Back Room)
Elon James White (Shades of Black)

Hosted by Carolyn Castiglia (VH1) and Baron Vaughn (Aspen Comedy Festival).

$12, with 50% off using discount code 8T2FOR1. Admission includes passes to see ukelele rapper Jon Braman! BYOB!

Performer bios can be found at our website: http://meatandpotatoesshow.blogspot.com

Poetry Vs. Comedy - November 28th

2007-11-14T07:09:00.000-05:00

I'm behind on posts, but a lot has happened in the last week. I hope to have a full report by the weekend. In the mean time, here's the next PVC show.

*****

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide.

Starring
Emcee: Carolyn Castiglia

Musical Guest: Adira Amram

Comedians
Hilary Schwartz
Reg
Marilyn Torres

Poets
Boni Joi
Sven Wechsler

November 28th, 8PM
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC
$7, 1 drink minimum
www.myspace.com/pvcshow

Girlfriend

2007-11-06T11:11:00.000-05:00

I now officially have a girlfriend, because it says so on Facebook. Yes, I changed my profile to "In A Relationship." T/A changed hers as well. We're like a couple. Awesome.

Early Morning Photo Posting

2007-11-03T01:33:00.000-04:00

I fell asleep around 9 last night, so now I'm awake and probably will be most of the night. I'll take this opportunity to post a few more pictures from the show on Wednesday.

Here's a group photo a bunch of us took outside Bowery Poetry Club, from PVC winner Margaret Dodge:

From left to right: Livia Scott, Margaret Dodge, Me, Carolyn Castiglia, Matt McCarthy and Katina Corrao.

And here's one of me, taken by the lovely Abbi Crutchfield:

PVC Recap

2007-11-01T10:53:00.000-04:00

The Halloween Super Show, was, well, SUPER! Here we are at the end of the show. That's Carolyn as a Bumble Bee, Margaret Dodge as Lubka Bubkova, Elon James White as Care Bear X and me as a beatnik.

Elon James White came in second:

The winner was Margaret Dodge:

Photos of all the performers up on flickr.

The Show Is Tonight!!!

2007-10-31T10:32:00.001-04:00

The show is tonight! Don't miss it. I'm even dressing up! I'm going as a beat poet. Okay, it's barely a costume, it's more of a concept. Actually, I went as a beat poet several Halloweens ago, which was probably the last time I dressed up.

PVC Flyer

2007-10-25T09:56:00.000-04:00

Miss CKC made this flyer for next week's PVC show. There will be free candy and a prize for best audience member costume!

Weekend

2007-10-21T22:25:00.000-04:00

T/A's birthday was on Friday. Happy Birthday T/A! To celebrate, she threw a great party at a Brooklyn bar. There was popcorn, pizza and cupcakes. I also got to meet a bunch of T/A's friends. Then we spent Saturday afternoon together watching TV. It was a great reminder of how nice it is to just hang with someone you really dig.

Six Words

2007-10-21T21:11:00.000-04:00

I have a six-word memoir in the anthology, Best American Nonrequired Reading 2007 edited by Dave Eggers. My contribution is just one of a group of fantastic six-word memoirs from the very awesome Smith Mag. I highly recommend you check out the anthology. It includes selections from just about every literary genre imaginable. I pretty much read it from cover to cover.

Halloween PVC Update

2007-10-17T01:50:00.000-04:00

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show
Halloween Super Show!

On October 31, don't miss these Poetry Vs. Comedy superstars as they conjure up their finest characters in this spectacular Halloween installment of the show!

STARRING:

EMCEE
Carolyn Castiglia

MUSICAL GUEST
Mindy Raf (as Leibya Rogers)

COMEDIANS
Katina Corrao & Shawn Hollenbach (as Skip Lickdale and Sparkle Montgomery)
Margaret Dodge (as Lubka Bubkova)
Luke Thayer (Landlord Maurice)

POETS
Matt McCarthy (as Bad Ass Larry)
Livia Scott (as Anthony Moscowitz)
Elon James White

JUDGES
Laura Mannino (as Becky: The girl who sits behind you at work)
Allen Warnock

Various

2007-10-14T17:18:00.000-04:00

T/A Update: T/A continues to rock. She's Tall and Adorable, very sweet and generally awesome. She's also well-liked by Lulu (who usually takes a while to warm up to people) which I take as a raving endorsement. My friends also dig T/A.

Webbing: I made a few small changes to my website and seem to have disabled the sidebar links on the main page. They're working on the other pages. I'm thinking perhaps a whole site redo is in order, but probably not for a while. And, as you've probably already noticed, I've been tinkering with the blog template too.

Autumn: It's rare that I enjoy being outside, but I've been digging the fall weather., it really is my favorite season.

Footwear: I got myself some cool, new knee-high boots as a belated birthday present. They were inexpensive and are incredibly comfortable. The jeans will be tucked in this winter.

Writing: Oh yeah, that's what I'm supposed to be doing. I have been writing in bursts, slowly getting stuff done.

Editing: The deadline for the anthology is tomorrow. I will be reading new submissions this week.

Lulu/Roses

2007-10-04T14:55:00.000-04:00

Lulu checking out my birthday roses, which are drying nicely.

Chocolate Shoes

2007-09-27T09:42:00.000-04:00

Tuesday: I read at Bluestockings as part of the Women/Trans' Poetry Jam alongside the awesome Christine Hamm. Christine read poetry and I read memoir in front of a fabulous audience. I really love Bluestockings and hadn't read there in a while so it was a real treat.

Last night: PVC was fantastic! I swear it wasn't fixed, but I won! Many thanks to comedians Mama Spell, Rob O'Reilly and Emily Epstein and poets Jane Cassaday (who came all the way from Syracuse!) and Evert Eden, who was a very last-minute addition to the show. Shayna Ferm belted out the dirty ditties and Carolyn was ablaze as usual. We were judged by Shawn Hollenbach as Bryan with a Y, Allen Warnock as Jean Baptiste and Michele Carlo as Carmen Mofongo. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so there are no pictures from the show.

For those of you who haven't been to PVC, the winner is determined after the top poet and top comedian do battle in a one-minute riff on a topic chosen by the audience. We have ten minutes to compose the riff while the musical guest performs. Last night's topic was "chocolate shoes," which pretty much joined together two of my favorite things.

Birthday Weekend

2007-09-24T13:23:00.000-04:00

This was just one of the birthday surprises awaiting me at T/A's place on Saturday night. I also got a bag of goodies including Dark Chocolate, tissues, hair ties, cool stickers, temporary pirate tattoos and fucshcia Bingo markers from CVS, you know, because I'm so old now...

But you look so young!

2007-09-19T10:17:00.000-04:00

Today is my birthday! 30 effing five. I know I've reached an advanced number as most people respond to my age with a quizzical look, stating, "but you look so young!" As if they, too, are baffled as to how this came about.

I will spend the day enjoying the fall weather.

Getting Closer...

2007-09-18T16:54:00.000-04:00

Luckily, I'm feeling better today. I'm out and about in the city. Hope to be back 100% tomorrow.

Almost Birthday

2007-09-17T23:06:00.000-04:00

Just as I've begun to enjoy the fall weather, I've come down with a cold/flu thing. I've been drinking lots of tea and water and taking cold medicine so hopefully I'll be better by my birthday - which is Wednesday by the way - although I'll accept birthday wishes earlier. 35, it's a big one. I remember I thought I was old when I turned 25. In addition to the flu, I'm having my customary pre-birthday blues. I have no plans for my actual birthday, but will be celebrating next week at PVC.

What I'm Doing...

2007-09-13T23:31:00.000-04:00

I'm working on two poems at once, because I have writer's ADD and I can't concentrate on just one thing at a time. I don't know if that's a good thing or not, probably good to have a lot of ideas, not so good to lose focus. I hope to have at least one of them in presentable shape for the readings on the 25th and 26th.

Today, I purchased the perfect light fall jacket at my favorite store, Beacon's Closet. I've been looking for one for a while now and was elated to find it fit me perfectly and cost less than $20. I'm considering it a pre-birthday gift. I have my eye on a new bag as well, but I'm on a limited budget, so that may not happen.

Speaking of clothes, I'll be attending another clothes swap this Sunday. I scoured my closet last night and have a pile of stuff to give away.

Also, have another date with T/A on Saturday! Yay T/A.

Hey! I've booked myself on my own show...

2007-09-10T11:31:00.000-04:00

I'm doing PVC for the first time on Sept. 26th. And, I'm nervous! This will also be my official birthday party (my birthday is actually the week before, but will be celebrated on the 26th), so it should be a really fun night.

Here's the rest of the lineup:

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide.

September 26th, 8 PM
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC
$7, 1 drink minimum
www.myspace.com/pvcshow

EMCEE: Carolyn Castiglia (Caroline's)

COMEDIANS
Emily Epstein (New York Underground Comedy Festival)
Rob O'Reilly (Last Comic Standing)
Mama Spell (The PIT)

POETS
Cheryl B. (PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show)
Da Bjorkman (The New Theatre of the Absurd)
Jane Cassady (Beyond Baroque)

BIOS:

COMEDIANS

Comedian and writer Emily Epstein has been trapped in a self-cleaning toilet, has stitches from a treadmill accident, and likes guys that list one of their hobbies as eating out. She has performed at clubs all over New York City, as well as the Northeast, and even a boat in the middle of the Yangtze River in China. Emily has been on Good Morning America and written for such publications as Two Drink Minimum and the Hartford Courant.

With appearances on the Tonight Show and Last Comic Standing, 22 year-old Rob O'Reilly is quickly gaining a reputation as one of NYC's most buzz-worthy young comics. It all began in Ohio, where Rob made is stand-up debut when only 16 years-old at a high school talent show. By 18, Rob won Cleveland's largest comedy competition and later earned an academic scholarship to Boston University, where he became a well-known alternative comic and a finalist in the Boston Comedy Festival. Rob has opened for Dane Cook in front of thousands of students and now headlines colleges across the country. Represented by BCA, he had a stand-out performance at NACA Central in 2006 and is doing NACA Northeast in 2007.

Although her training and background geared her for a life of sitting alone in a studio inhaling paint fumes, Sharon Mama Spell longed for a life before an audience. She moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from Hattiesburg, Mississippi after earning a BFA from the University of Southern Mississippi in Painting and Drawing. Her visual art has been described as possessing a "fine and distanced beauty that suggests abstract expressionism." She was teaching at the Andy Warhol Museum and Carnegie Museum of Art when she dove headfirst in the cabaret performances, putting her fine and distanced beauty onstage, spouting abstract expressionist humor that everyone can relate to. Mama Spell has performed her comedy (and tragedy) across America for nearly ten years, and just this past summer she moved to New York to begin classes at UCB. Her show is more rock-n-roll than stand-up comedy, the kids dig it and you can dance as you laugh along to it (think Steve Martin + Pee Wee Herman + [Liz Taylor / Belle Barthe] = Mama Spell).

POETS

Cheryl B.’s work appears in dozens of print and online publications including BLOOM, Small Spiral Notebook and The Guardian. She is also the creator and producer of PVC: The Poetry vs. Comedy Variety Show, a monthly event at the Bowery Poetry Club featuring comedians and performance poets. Cheryl has given readings and performances of her work throughout the U.S. and Great Britain.
In 2003, Cheryl received an artists fellowship from the New York Foundation for the Arts and a residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Cheryl lives in Brooklyn.

Da Bjorkman, a bizarre, controversial, surrealist, absurdist comic who has to be seen to be believed. He is the epitome of the New Theatre of the Absurd. Da Bjorkman will take you to the edge of your seat and beyond. With a combination of comedy, performance art, theatre and the bizarre. Da Bjorkman's Show is an unnerving tale of monumental descent into the hellish world of reality, told with the naiveté of one who accepts the incomprehensible as it is. People who barely know him have said he is a very lovely little soul – but with a mouth like the devil -that eternal watchman of hideous body shakes and smiling banana bones. He will have you reveling in the fantastic and burrowing into the armpit of the person sitting beside you, reliving mother memories rinsed in vertigo. Da Bjorkman travels with a suitcase full of Dada and a pocket full of surrealism.

Jane Cassady runs a weekly reading series in Syracuse, NY. She has appeared in The November 3rd Club, The Comstock Review, and Valley of the Contemporary Poets. She has featured at such venues as V.C.P. and Beyond Baroque in Los Angeles, SLAMicide in Baltimore, and Got Poetry in Providence, RI. She has a degree in Art History from Syracuse University, and also paints things.

JUDGES
Michele Carlo as Carmen Mofongo
Shawn Hollenbach
Allen Warnock

Urban Home on the Free Range

2007-09-08T23:42:00.000-04:00

Check out my friend Laura's new website, Urban Home on the Free Range, "Your hip urban guide to sustainable living, cooking & entertaining..." Laura is one of my oldest friends and a true master of all things domestic and crafty. If I correctly recall a phone conversation from years ago, Laura was both churning butter and sewing curtains in her tiny LES apartment while speaking with me. This woman knows what she's talking about.

It Came From NY

2007-09-08T21:02:00.000-04:00

On Thursday, I performed at It Came From NY, where I was in great company alongside story-tellers Eric Vetter, Marilyn Torres, and Ryan Britt, burlesque lovely Gigi La Femme and my old friend from the early-nineties poetry days, Azha Day. Everyone was awesome and Michele Carlo, ICFNY's curator and producer did a really fantastic job. There was even a little slide show at the beginning, inclduing pictures of all the performers at their home subway stops, or in my case in front of a Staten Island Ferry sign.

Weekend

2007-09-03T11:26:00.000-04:00

On Saturday night, I went to see my friend Jenn Lindsay perform at Sidewalk Cafe. Jenn is one of my favorite musicians and one of a handful of singer/songwriters whose work I really enjoy. So I was honored when she wanted to turn my poem "Reasons to Stop" into a song. I've always had a hard time hearing other people read my work, I think it's a control thing, but I trusted Jenn's instincts and I was interested to hear her interpretaion. She sent me an mp3 of the song a few weeks ago and on Saturday she played it live for the first time. Jenn changed some of the verses around and added a few lines to make it flow. It's really well done and it was fun to hear my words in song form.

The song also gave me the chance to show off a bit to Tall & Adorable who accompanied me to the show. T/A seemed impressed and squeezed my leg as the song was being played. In the past, I've wooed dates with my own readings and performances, so it was interesting to do this through a third party.

Further wooing occurred when we returned to her home and a mouse was caught in a trap beneath her stove. T/A has been having a mouse problem in her apartment and is a bit wary of mice. I'm no fan of rodents myself, but I volunteered to do the deed and with the help of rubber gloves and a plastic bag, I was able to remove the poor critter.

Hairs

2007-09-03T02:18:00.000-04:00

I visit a nail salon in my neighborhood once a month for an eyebrow waxing. I don't have particularly big eyebrows, but I like the slick look of the post-wax.

As I laid down on the waxing table Friday afternoon, I explained to the woman who would be doing the honors how I preferred my waxing (bottom of the brow only, waxing the top makes me break out). She nodded in agreement, pointed at my upper lip and asked, "you don't want to wax this instead?"

I declined the offer. She expertly pulled the appropriate hair out of my face, I paid for said pulling and left the salon.

There was a time in my life when such a comment would have sent me down a spiral of self-doubt. I would have gone home and spent an hour studying the fine, near-invisible hair surrounding my mouth. It's not that I don't care about what I look like, but at this point in my life I have much more important things to occupy my time. I can't worry so much about the little things, like a moustache I'm positive I do not possess. I hope this is a sign of maturity, not denial.

Poetry Jam at Bluestockings - 9/25

2007-09-03T00:42:00.000-04:00

I'm reading with the inimitable Christine Hamm on the 25th!

*****

Women's / Trans' Poetry Jam & Open Mike

Tuesday September 25th 7PM - 9PM

Feature Writers: Cheryl Burke & Christine Hamm

Bluestockings Bookstore
$5 suggested donation

Hosted by Vittoria repetto - the hardest working guinea butch dyke poet on the lower east side

Cheryl Burke writes poetry and prose that is both humorous and serious. Favorite topics include sex, not having sex, NYC, things that annoy her and sobriety. Her website is www.cherylb.com

Christine Hamm's poetry is dark, surreal and intimate. Her influences range from fairytales and the confessional poets to early 20th Century instructional pamphlets. She frequently writes about the small and brutal struggles between mothers and daughters.

Bluestockings Bookstore
172 Allen St.
(between Staton & Rivington)
1 1/2 blocks south from E.Houston
NYC
http://www.bluestockings.com/

I Know You Don't Need Another Reminder...

2007-08-29T01:17:00.000-04:00

But the show is tonight and PVC is a Voice Choice this week!

****

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide.

August 29, 8 PM
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC
$7, 1 drink minimum
www.myspace.com/pvcshow

EMCEE: Carolyn Castiglia (Caroline's)

COMEDIANS
Michele Carlo (The Moth)
Mike Ennis (The Straight Men)
Barry Rothbart ( Discovery Channel)

POETS
Gloria (Kanipchen-fit)
Stacy and Lesley: Super Bloggers
Maria Shehata (Comedy Central)

MUSICAL GUEST: Soce, The Elemental Wizard ( VH1)

My Cynicism Takes A Night Off

2007-08-26T19:31:00.000-04:00

I had a lovely, normal date on Friday with someone who shares my disdain for certain folksingers as well as my squeamishness about mayonnaise. We have other dislikes in common, but these are two standouts. Dinner was consumed in a mature setting and included a chocolate souffle and nice conversation. I successfully accessorized with cleavage and didn't spill on myself, accidentally break any glassware or say something idiotic.

Since she, who will be known here as Tall and Adorable, had picked the restaurant, I suggested we head to the local dyke bar afterwards. I figured we could continue our conversation in the backyard and possibly get some smooching started. When we got there we ran into a group of people we knew and joined a lively, raunchy conversation already in progress. As odd as it should have been to take part in a roundtable sex discussion during a first date, it seemed pretty natural and easy-going. Smooching, in a semi-private setting ensued, followed by more conversation with the sexy group, then more smooching. We parted at the cab stand.

There are tentative plans for next week. You will be notified.

It Came From NY - Sept. 6th

2007-08-25T21:11:00.000-04:00

Come hear me tell tales of Catholic School!

*****

IT CAME FROM NEW YORK: OLD SCHOOL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH @ 8PM SHARP!
COLLECTIVE:UNCONSCIOUS 379 Church St. (btw. White & Franklin)
(A, C, E to Canal; #1 to Franklin; 4, 5, 6, N, R or W to Canal)
TIX: $10

Stories about best friends, worst enemies, blood brothers & sisters, playground wars, cutting out,sneaking in, smokin’ behind the handball court, five-finger discounts and “You, three o’clock – outside!”

Featuring:
It Came From WASHINGTON HEIGHTS: Eric Vetter(comedian/NoName & A Bag O’ Chips)
It Came From HARLEM: Marilyn Torres (actress/writer)
It Came From STATEN ISLAND: Cheryl B (writer/Poetry vs. Comedy)
It Came From MOTT HAVEN: Azha Day (retiree)

Plus b-boy comedy from It Came From FLUSHING: BurtNapkins

Old-skool burly-Q from It Came From ASTORIA:Gigi LaFemme

and token Non-New Yorker to be announced!

For more info, please visit: www.michelecarlo.com

Rain

2007-08-21T11:11:00.000-04:00

It's chilly for August and raining today. Is it wrong that this makes me happy? Alright, maybe not happy, but pleased it's not hot anymore and excited for fall. I like wearing a jacket.

Happy Third

2007-08-09T13:57:00.000-04:00

On this day three years ago, I made my first-ever blog post, creatively titled "My First Blog" and in the second line, asked readers to "Please be gentle." At the time, I was preparing to perform at The Edinburgh International Fringe Festival and started the blog as a way to chronicle my time there. I was pretty sure I was going to flake out once the festival was over. But here I am, still typing away and here you are reading it. So, thanks!

Poetry Vs. Comedy - August 29th!

2007-08-08T13:35:00.000-04:00

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide.

August 29, 8 PM
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC
$7, 1 drink minimum
www.myspace.com/pvcshow

EMCEE: Carolyn Castiglia (Caroline's)

COMEDIANS
Michelle Carlo (The Moth)
Mike Ennis (The Straight Men)
Barry Rothbart (Discovery Channel)

POETS
Gloria (Kanipchen-fit)
Stacy and Lesley: Super Bloggers
Maria Shehata (Comedy Central)

MUSICAL GUEST: Soce, The Elemental Wizard (VH1)

Sickly

2007-08-06T15:38:00.000-04:00

I got really sick on the bus late yesterday afternoon. Seems like I had a 24-hour stomach flu. Just now feeling better. Actually started feeling sick Saturday afternoon, but didn't become fully ill until Sunday evening. I've had this type of thing before, not sure where it came from this time though. Glad to be almost back to normal.

How Did This Happen?

2007-08-04T23:15:00.000-04:00

Since my birthday is in September, I have a habit of spending the summer months telling people I'm the age I'm about to turn. I believe this started in 1982, when I just couldn't wait to turn 10. More recently, I had the bordering-on-existential experience of telling someone I'm 35. It still seems like an age that's far in the distance, but it's right there in front of me.

I Did It Again

2007-07-30T07:28:00.001-04:00

Apparently I have nothing else to do, so I keep tinkering with my blog template. I really do like this setup though.

Suspect Thoughts Press Literary Salons

2007-07-25T14:08:00.001-04:00

Throughout August, Suspect Thoughts Press will host some Bay Area fundraising literary salons. The spectacular lineups include some of my favorite writers - Michelle Tea, Thea Hillman, Justin Chin and more... I wish I could go!

PVC - Tonight!

2007-07-25T11:45:00.000-04:00

The show is tonight! The show is tonight! Are you going to be there?

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide. The show was created by writer and literary series curator Cheryl B. and is emceed by comedian Carolyn Castiglia.

July 25, 8 PM
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC
$6
www.myspace.com/pvcshow

EMCEE: Carolyn Castiglia (Caroline's)

COMEDIANS
Liz Miele
Greg Walloch
Sven Wechsler

POETS
Christine Hamm
Livia Scott (as Anthony Moscowitz)
Kathleen Warnock

MUSICAL GUEST: The Manson Family Singers

Dude, I've Been Tagged!

2007-07-19T17:19:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged by the brilliant and prolific Anne Elliott.

Rules:
1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

If you read my blog, you probably know enough crap about me already but here we go...

1. I'm allergic to Penicillin.
2. I hate sleeping in tents, but I don't mind sleeping on couches.
3. I'm most comfortable wearing either sneakers or platforms. Any other shoes are really hard for me to walk in.
4. I'm a klutz (see post below)
5. Despite that fact that I have never smoked an entire cigarette, except for a handful of drags in my pre-adolescent days, people I've known for years think I'm a smoker.
6. I eat a lot of carbs and have no guilt about it.
7. Sometimes Red Bull gives me a hangover.
8. I am often caught with lipstick on my teeth.

I Tag (If they feel like it):
Christine Hamm
Nichelle
Felicia Sullivan
Curly McDimple
Chris Hampton
Mary Phillips-Sandy
Zeebah
Alice

Klutz Thursday

2007-07-19T09:47:00.000-04:00

This morning I dropped an entire mug of freshly brewed coffee on my sparkling just-cleaned kitchen floor. The mug (one of my favorites) broke and the floor was made sticky. I had to clean the floor again and make a new cup of coffee. Not a good start.

At Your Cervix

2007-07-18T17:42:00.001-04:00

Sex educator, performing artist and an old friend of mine from my WOW Cafe days in the mid-90's, Amy Jo Goddard is directing the film At Your Cervix, a documentary on Pelvic Exams.

For any woman out there who, like me, dreads her annual gynecological exam, check this out from the film's website:

The documentary, At Your Cervix, answers these questions after entering medical and nursing institutions and uncovering the troubling and unethical ways students learn to perform breast and pelvic exams. These methods include nursing students “playing the patient” for their colleagues, and medical students “practicing” on unconscious patients. It also illuminates the history and importance of the Gynecological Teaching Associate Program, a revolutionary approach to teaching respectful, pain-free exams in which the “patient” herself is the teacher.

This important film on women's health is in need of finishing funds. Click here for donation options.

Red

2007-07-18T12:46:00.001-04:00

I was bored with the white background so I switched to red. I like it, but I have to do something different with the header. Any suggestions?

Also, changed my myspace to a red background. A lady has to match.

Sunday Fun

2007-07-16T11:51:00.000-04:00

I attended two really fun events yesterday. First was the GLBT Blogger Weenie Roast at Cattyshack. It was a truly heaping helping of queer goodness and I got to hang out with Uffish, Christine, and Zaedryn. I also met the afternoon's lovely organizer and super-blogger Curly McDimple. Ms. McDimple has a post up about the Weenie Roast complete with link to photos.

Then on to Nichelle's latest clothes swap which was another good time. I got rid of a lot of stuff and I scored a denim jacket (I'd just told a friend I wanted a new one), high heeled boots, a skirt and a top - a whole outfit!

This was a Clothes & Queers weekend.

Feline Photo Friday

2007-07-13T13:59:00.000-04:00

Lulu sleeping.

Lulu with mouse.

Question of the Week

2007-07-09T21:55:00.000-04:00

Random question asked while walking home at approximately 9:30 pm last night: "Donde Internets?"

Although she was probably looking for an internet cafe, and there are none that I know of in my neghborhood, it sounded somewhat existential. I shook my head, and said "no internet cafes." She thanked me and was on her way.

Today

2007-07-05T19:47:00.000-04:00

is a not-so-great anniversary. Ten years ago today, my father died. In a hospital in New Jersey, not far from where we lived. Of kidney cancer. And, as always in the years since, he has been on my mind these first few days of July.

Call For Submissions: Coming Out of the Closet Again

2007-07-04T17:12:00.000-04:00

Yes, I've been working on this for a while, but I finally have an definite date for it. So, here's the final call.

****

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Coming Out of the Closet Again: Queer Women on Loving Men
(Suspect Thoughts Press, due out in 2008)

Editor: Cheryl Burke

Email Submission to: libi_women@yahoo.com

Deadline: October 15, 2007. But please let me know ASAP if you're interested in submitting and what you would like to write about.

Payment: $25, plus two copies of the book

I’m interested in women with personal stories of coming out again and women who identify as lesbian/queer-identified bisexuals.

- Did you start dating a man after you were out as a lesbian?
- Are you a lesbian with a boyfriend?
- Are you a woman in a relationship with a man who still identifies as queer? - Are you both bi and dyke?
- How do you maintain a queer identity while you are being perceived as straight?
- How have those around you reacted to your coming out again?

Submit well-written personal essays/nonfiction, 5-12 double spaced pages. Some prose poetry may also be considered. I cannot accept erotica for this project. Please include a brief bio, and your contact information with your submission.

If you would like to discuss essay ideas/topics or if you have any questions, please contact me at libi_women@yahoo.com.

New Poem up on Suspect Thoughts

2007-07-03T11:21:00.001-04:00

I have a brand new poem up on Suspect Thoughts. The whole issue is excellent so read them all and check out the fabulous art work.

Commitment Ceremony

2007-07-02T23:03:00.000-04:00

My friend Erin made this hilarious music video starring comedian Julie Goldman.

It's Official...

2007-06-30T00:17:00.000-04:00

I'm totally sick. My head feels like it's about to explode. My ears and throat hurt, I can't stop coughing and my nose is running a marathon. It's sexy.

Ugh

2007-06-29T15:40:00.000-04:00

Still sickly. I made myself leave the house for a little while though - it's a drag to stay at home all day - and I got some cold/flu medicine. I've only been out of the house for about an hour, but I think I need to head back already. Bummer.

Feet

2007-06-28T07:01:00.000-04:00

I've been a bad blogger the last few weeks. I've probably been a bad blogger all along, but I've recently been lax about posting. I'm teetering between not much going on and being almost overwhelmed. Still looking for a job, booking PVC for the next three months, working on a short series of essays while I take a break from the memoir and preparing for a new project of sorts which I will announce when it's under way. And I must confess, despite my pledge to celibacy in the last post, I've been poking around on dating websites.

Also, feel like I have a bit of a summer cold/flu. Yuck.

I've been having shoe-related issues:

My feet were bleeding and throbbing with pain as I wore my semi-expensive black patent platform wedge heels to my friend's party a little while ago. I had purchased these shoes online back in December as a Christmas present for myself even though I knew they were a half size too small and I don't have a job. I'd actually never worn them out for an entire night, and after simply walking to the subway and changing trains, I could barely take it anymore. I stopped at a Strawberry and bought a different pair of black patent heels. Although they're my correct size and have a lower heel, the shoes are not platforms and are a lot harder to walk in. I don't know how women walk in stilettos.

A few weeks ago, I purchased cute low-top slip-on gray Converse sneakers when one of the cheap but comfortable platforms I was wearing literally fell apart while walking in Park Slope. I guess that's what happens when you buy strappy pleather shoes for $7.99. Anyway, the Converse are great and I think this may be my sneaker summer.

Then this past Monday, I realized as I was getting ready for my job interview that almost all my dressy shoes are open-toed, which are probably not appropriate footwear for the occasion. I didn't have time to buy new ones, so I chose what I thought were the least offensive pair to wear with my skirt suit. Luckily I had already removed the green toenail polish.

End shoe talk.

A Bunch of Stuff

2007-06-22T00:44:00.000-04:00

Sorry about the lack of posts. I've been busy.

Here's what's up:

Monday night's PVC was fantastic! You can read about it on the PVC Myspace Blog.

I have another job interview next week which I'm excited for/nervous about.

Lots of stuff planned this weekend. I'm reading in Williamsburg Friday night as part of the Earshot Reading Series. Assorted Pride events this weekend and my friend's birthday Saturday night. It's a karaoke party, which I typically don't partake in, although I enjoy witnessing others singing poorly. Perhaps I'll even break out with some Jersey classics from Expose or Shannon.

I've been enjoying the second and third seasons of Little Britain on DVD and last night I watched Grey Gardens which served as a cinematic reminder of why I will never live, albeit with less cats, no head scarves and in a retirement community not a mansion, with my mother.

Since I'm going to be busy for the next few months with various projects, some of which I will announce soon, I've decided to dump dating, thinking about dating, bitching about not meeting anyone, general cynicism and misanthrophy etc. for a while. Even though I recently posted a few personal ads, I realize I'm fine by myself and I'm definitely doing better now than I have in months. Now that I've put this out there, I'll probably meet someone I really like. Ho hum.

PVC = GAY

2007-06-18T02:19:00.000-04:00

Poetry! Comedy! Queers! It doesn't get much gayer than this folks.

*****

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show
Gay Pride Spectacular!

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide. The show was created by writer and literary series curator Cheryl B. and is emceed by comedian Carolyn Castiglia. On June 18th, don't miss PVC's first annual Gay Pride Spectacular!

June 18, 8 PM
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC
$6
www.myspace.com/pvcshow

EMCEE: Carolyn Castiglia (Caroline's)

COMEDIANS
Christian Cintron (Menaga a Ha)
Michael Cyril Creighton (VH1's Best Night Ever Podcast)
Kelli Dunham (I Am Not a Twelve Year Old Boy)

POETS
Robin Cloud (Under The Pink Carpet)
Zaedryn Meade (Best Lesbian Erotica)
Jhon Valdes (Bearapalooza)

MUSICAL GUESTS: Kicker and Turner with Shawn Hollenbach (Thursgay)

Etsy

2007-06-16T00:27:00.000-04:00

Tonight, I went to the very fun 2nd Anniversary party for Etsy Labs, the center for all things crafty and creative. The place was packed with friendly people, free pizza, gift bags and even a pinata. I even ran into a few friends I hadn't seen in a while. Good stuff.

Post 'Wyg

2007-06-16T00:12:00.000-04:00

Me and Uffish embrace after the show on Wednesday night.

Next Friday's Reading

2007-06-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

EARSHOT!

I'm reading with Ms. Felicia next Friday at Earshot. This should totally rock!

Join us for the next installment of EARSHOT at The Lucky Cat, located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn! EARSHOT is a bi-monthly reading series, dedicated to featuring new and emerging literary talent in the NYC area.

*Friday, June 22nd, 2007 at 8 PM*
Hosted by Nicole Steinberg

Featuring:
Felicia Sullivan (author of the upcoming memoir The Sky Isn't Visible From Here)
Cheryl Burke
Alison Rogers (Hunter College)
Helen Phillips (Brooklyn College)
Rebecca Keith (Sarah Lawrence College)

Admission is a mere $5 plus one free drink (beer, wine or well drinks only)!
The Lucky Cat is located at 245 Grand Street in Brooklyn, between Driggs and Roebling.

The Gays Went Wild Last Night

2007-06-14T13:31:00.000-04:00

The WYSIWYG Talent Show took it's final great big, gay bow last night. To summarize the evening there was a disco song about Gonorrhea, Satan's assistant, the most asinine questions to ask trans person, a go-go intern, Kelli Dunham's boobs and a brand-new hanky code. I read an extended version of this B List classic. There should be pictures and possibly video soon.

Many thanks to Andy Horwitz and Chris Hampton for having me on last night and for putting together such a consistently excellent show for the past three and a half years. Well done.

440

2007-06-11T00:19:00.000-04:00

Enjoyed the reading at 440 Gallery Sunday evening. The other two readers were Kate Hall, who is an engaging and prolific writer in many genres and an incredibly mesmerizing poet named Liesl, whose last name escapes me. They both rocked.

440 is great little gallery currently showing a series of paintings by Shanee Epstein, who gave a talk about her work before the show. I'm always curious about the creative proceses of artists working in other mediums.

Writers Revealed Website Now Live!

2007-06-10T14:28:00.000-04:00

My favorite new Sunday night entertainment, Felicia Sullivan's literary radio show, Writers Revealed, has a shiny new website! Tonight's show features Joshua Ferris, author of Then We Came to the End and Michelle Goodman, the author of The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube.

PVC Gay Pride Spectacular Now with Even More Gay...

2007-06-09T23:36:00.000-04:00

This month's PVC Gay Pride Spectacular just got even gayer. We've added Theme Park Superstars Kicker and Turner to the show!

Cheryl B. Presents
PVC: The Poetry Vs. Comedy Variety Show
Gay Pride Spectacular!

PVC is not a typical poetry slam nor a regular stand-up comedy show. PVC is a battle of wits and rhymes where the stanzas and the stand-up collide. The show was created by writer and literary series curator Cheryl B. and is emceed by comedian Carolyn Castiglia. On June 18th, don't miss PVC's first annual Gay Pride Spectacular!

June 18, 8 PM
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NYC
$6
www.myspace.com/pvcshow

EMCEE: Carolyn Castiglia (Caroline's)

COMEDIANS
Christian Cintron (Menaga a Ha)
Michael Cyril Creighton (VH1's Best Night Ever Podcast)
Kelli Dunham (I Am Not a Twelve Year Old Boy)

POETS
Robin Cloud (Under The Pink Carpet)
Zaedryn Meade (Best Lesbian Erotica)
Jhon Valdes (Bearapalooza)

MUSICAL GUESTS: Kicker and Turner with Shawn Hollenbach (Thursgay)

According to Time Out NY, I'm 33

2007-06-07T17:38:00.000-04:00

Just took this "What's Your New York Age" quiz in Time Out NY and shaved off a year. I was afraid I'd be even older.

Cross 'Em All

2007-06-06T15:14:00.000-04:00

I have a job interview tomorrow. Keep them crossed.

Dollar A Word

2007-06-05T14:33:00.000-04:00

Interesting:

The new blog, Dollar A Word, follows writer Michael Thomas Ford as he writes a novel at the rate of one sponsored dollar per word. From the blog, "dollaraword.com is an attempt to start a discussion about what art—and artists—are worth in our increasingly media-focused society."

Read more about the project here.

This Sunday's Reading:

2007-06-04T19:42:00.000-04:00

Kicking off my June hometown reading tour:

JOIN US FOR A READING AT PARK SLOPE’S 440 GALLERY!

WHEN: Sunday, June 10th from 4:30-6:00 pm

WHERE: 440 Gallery, 440 Sixth Avenue (at 9th St. , F to 7th Ave. )

Admission Free

WHO:

Douglas Light is the author of the novel East Fifth Bliss, which received the 2007 Benjamin Franklin Award for Fiction. His short fiction won an O. Henry Award, and has appeared or is forthcoming in the Best American Nonrequired Reading 2003 anthology, StoryQuarterly, and the Alaska Quarterly Review. To contact the author, please visit www.douglaslight.com.

Kate Hall received the Robert Frost Poetry Prize while a senior at Kenyon College . Her poetry, stories, and nonfiction have appeared in such publications as The Antioch Review, Rattle, Perihelion, Mr. Beller's Neightborhood, The Brooklyn Rail, The Mississippi Review, 3:AM Magazine, 5_Trope, and Stirring, where she served as a poetry editor. She was recently nominated for storySouth’s Million Writers award for fiction and won a Time Out New York short story contest. She holds a JD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . She lives in Greenpoint.

Cheryl Burke’s work appears in dozens of print and online publications. She is also the creator and producer of PVC: The Poetry vs. Comedy Variety Show, a monthly event at the Bowery Poetry Club featuring comedians and performance poets. Cheryl has given readings and performances of her work throughout the US and Great Britain . In 2003, Cheryl received an artists’ fellowship from the New York Foundation for the Arts and a residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.

Shanee Epstein, June’s featured artist and a co-founder of the 440 Gallery, will give a talk on her work. Epstein is a painter and educator living in Park Slope. She received her undergraduate degree at The University of Massachusetts and her MFA at Pratt Institute. Her latest show, Polyphony, a collection of abstract paintings, continues an exploration of color that the artist began three years ago. The paintings are hung in a melodic line around the gallery, allowing a dialogue between the pieces similar to the discourse which shapes the artist’s creation process. For more information, go to www.440gallery.com/artist_sepstein.htm.

About 440 Gallery: Park Slope’s only artist-run gallery, a jewel box space offering an alternative venue for nine Brooklyn artists. 440 Gallery seeks to present surprising, unexpected art to the community through exhibitions, talks, readings and events centered around direct contact with the artist. Open Thursdays and Fridays, 4-7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 12-6 pm, or by appointment.