If you like comedy, PR or the occasional inside scoop on the entertainment world,
then drop by for a daily dose written by me, Kambri Crews, producer and publicist to comedians and more!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Eating It on the Water
It was a lovely night for comedy at Pier 63 produced by Eating It. Steve Schirripa and Vincent Curatola were there checking out the talent (Schirripa books the comedy at the Riviera in Vegas) which causes a little buzz amongst the usually unfazed hipster crowd that tends to populate these shows.
Being the first event of the new Eating It season, there were some kinks that will need to be worked out but it was still a great show with a stellar lineup and the venue is worth the trip alone. Also nice about these shows is that you get to see the comedians work through new material. For instance, my own Christian Finnegan set out to try his material about meeting my jailed deaf dad. It went over pretty well considering he's only tried it out on an audience a handful of times.
There were a ton of friendly faces in the crowd wishing me and Finny well on our upcoming nuptials. Although it's nice, it's also a little dicey since a lot of them aren't invited to the party. How does one usually maneuver that rocky path? I don't know one does it, so I chose to slam a fat burger and a few Red Stripes so my mouth was conveniently occupied throughout the night. Okay, this is actually only true about one person, "What? Weddin....Gulp, gulp, chew, chew, swallow...Anyway, what were you saying? You're in a show now, right? Tell me all about it..." The rest, well, I wish we had room for them all but since my trust fund* is tied up in the Texas State Department of Corrections, we'll have to keep a lid on attendance.
--Kambri *By trust fund, I mean the lawsuit I will file against the prison after Dad lives up to his threat to tie sheets around his neck and hang himself. That's gotta net me a couple grand, right?
Link - 3:35 PM -
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Crazy Busy Stuff Day Holy Moly!
The Choose Your Own Adventure books are being turned into a movie!http://imdb.com/title/tt0460746/
Tonight marks the return of Eating It at Pier 63 with a killer line up. I and a bunch of folks I know will be there. It's a beautiful night and, if it does rain, we'll be under cover. Only $8, too!
We settled on No Idea Bar for the Happy Hour Hilarilogues night with Andres du Bouchet. Read more here. It will be a lot of fun, so come out on the 14th! The show is going to be hilarious as the name implies, plus you'll get to have a Q&A with Andres & his director.
I was one of ten students chosen for a writing workshop taught by Paula Derrow, the articles director of Self magazine. I'm psyched!
I'm taking 11 more folks for a free showing of Burleigh Grime$ tomorrow night. I've heard mixed reviews. Will keep you posted if you're thinking of going.
My high school pal Deborah joined the throngs on MySpace and is blogging! I was shocked to have a friend request from her since she's avoided the blogger, friendster, livejournal stuff for so many years. That, in turn, put me in touch with another high school friend, a guy I used to "date". "Date" meaning pass lots of notes and kiss once or twice before parting ways in the course of about three weeks. Ah, high school romance. Hilariously fleeting and meaningless. He and I made each other laugh so much and, I dare say, he's still got it.
The Meow Mix House countdown begins! Two weeks from tonight prepare to be amazed! My friend, talented and hilarious comedian Tom Shillue, agreed to host this new reality show which will add so much, I think. After June 13th, stop by the house on Madison Avenue at 48th Street and vote for your favorite cat.
--Kambri Off to see some comedy, people! Later!
Link - 4:36 PM -
Monday, May 29, 2006
We're Back!
What a great weekend! Last night's show was the best of the weekend with a great big, happy crowd. The Miami Improv has the best staff and then there's the weather and the rooftop pool. I only spent a few hours at the pool but managed to get just perfectly sun-kissed. On the plane ride home I started reading Running With Scissors and got more than halfway through. So far, I find it very honest and riveting. I look forward to finishing it tonight on my rooftop while enjoying the sun set over Manhattan. A perfect ending.
--Kambri Off to treat Paquita with an early dinner al fresca so she can enjoy this gorgeous day, too.
Link - 2:21 PM -
Sunday, May 28, 2006
The Latest Ballyhoo
Comedy Central Records, Bengal Tigers & More! Check it out here. Good stuff lined up this summer!
I used all seven letters TWICE (injuries and unbiased) during one game of poolside Scrabble, one of those being on a triple word score.
Weekend Update
The sun is sporadically finding it's way through the clouds so I'll be brief. The Duff sisters were at the early show. They looked very chic and tiny and incognito in that you really wouldn't have known who they were other than some cute, well-dressed girls. Very non-descript.
Joel, the owner of this Improv in Miami as well as the ones in West Palm and Hollywood FL, is such a doll. Ticket sales are down at all three locations due to the weather, holiday and Miami Heat playoffs, so he invited Christian back for Christmas to make up for it. Nice. He also offered to forward potential clients my way. Nicer! I look forward to seeing Joel again along with his girlfriend in Montreal for the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. It's going to be a big week for all of us in Canada. I can't wait!
--Kambri Off to the pool for 5 minutes of sunshine.
Link - 11:56 AM -
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Meet the Cat-estants!
Four more of the Meow Mix House cat-estants have been chosen to compete in the upcoming reality show. Take a peek and tell me you don't love at least one of these pussy cats! Interested in adopting one of these furry friends? Click on their photos for more information on how to apply.
Mel Has Excellent Taste!
Quick Gossip: Rumor has it Hilary and Haylie Duff will be at one of the three Saturday night shows. If the weather still stinks, I can believe it. Otherwise wouldn't they be hitting the club scene? That's what they do, right? I don't know...I just had to IMDB them to see what they're known for and I still don't know.
Being on the road with Christian is interesting. In New York he gets recognized his fair share but outside of Manhattan, that rate skyrockets. It's fun because it's not insane which makes me actually feel sorry for the Brad Pitts and Britney Spears of the world. I can't imagine the crazy level of non-organic experiences and intrusions into the most generic parts of life they have on a minute to minute basis. Okay, scratch Britney and insert most any other celebrity.
Also noticeable is how little regard people have for even acknowledging my presence when they officially meet Christian after a show (i.e., not just a photo or autograph but actually have a conversation, exchange names, shake hands). It's frustrating only in the sense that I put so much work into each and every appearance Christian makes so I feel I have some stake in and credit for the night. Plus half his set is about me so it's not as though there's no ready small talk available. But, well, I'm a nobody and am treated thusly. So, imagane my surprise and delight when this lovely woman named Mel turned to me with a big smile after meeting Christian and stuck out her hand for a big shake and said, "You're hilarious, too. I read you all the time!" Totally made my night. Nay, my weekend. We're totally MySpace BFFs now!
Christian was excellent on the radio this morning with one station keeping him for over an hour -- longer than they have ever done with any other comedian. Excellent! He also plugged MySpace (part of the deal, you see, for getting plugged on their Comedy page) and ticket sales have gotten a hearty boost. Considering the holiday weekend, poor weather and the Miami Heat being in the playoffs this weekend, this was greatly needed.
The last time I was here, I had a lively and in depth conversation with David Alan Grier about the negatives of marriage. Hmm...well...I actually still agree with all my points, Finny & I are just being practical.
--Kambri What can I say? I'm a hopeless non-romantic.
Link - 6:40 PM -
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Tonight Christian and I indulged in Chilean Sea Bass and Lemon Chicken Scallopine at Shelly's, my usual lunch time haunt. We then walked the eight blocks to the Lyceum Theatre to see The Play What I Wrote. What a great meal, fun show and fantastic company. Guess what it cost us? Not a damn thing. That's right, I have mastered the art of the freebie. Next goal, to get paid for doing these free things. Just throwing that out into the universe.
Link - 11:53 PM -
Holy Smokes!
What a gorgeous day! And I gave 20 free tickets to see Burleigh Grime$ and had a margarita for lunch at Baby Bo's to celebrate it all before my Miami trip. I and 11 other friends will see Burleigh Grime$ for free next Wednesday, so I hope the 20 other peeps like it or else our evening will be spoiled.
I will be performing at the June 26th Drink at Work show at Siberia as will Christian. Cool! We're on the same line-up! We'll probably do a little joint piece that we performed once at PS NBC's "Sob Stories" and was a hit. We haven't had a chance to do it again, though, and this show will be the prime venue for it. So save yet another date!
As anticipated, Christian is spotlighted on MySpace's comedy page. They emailed me a special logo to use on our press materials and shipped a bunch of stickers and cards to the club for me to distribute. Nice. Plus we are to plug the endorsement during our big radio / tv press gauntlet. They don't mess around over at MySpace.com headquarters.
--Kambri I guess that's why they're gamillionnaires and all over the news, huh?
Link - 4:30 PM -
Press & Success
In anticipation of the Miami Improv gig, the Sun Sentinel re-ran an interview I scored for Christian last Christmas in Houston. I was reading it thinking, "This sounds way too familiar," before realizing it was an exact re-print. Regardless, it's good, so you can read it here if you missed it the first time around.
The Drink at Work.com show this past Sunday was the best one yet, Carol reported. Ces, as in Francesco Marciuliano, read a piece he wrote about Sally Forth hate mail and Sean Crespo showed a video of a fake casting he and his writing partner did in LA several years ago. And Craig Baldo was great, of course. Baldo will be DJing our "wedding", too. Awesome.
--Kambri The Drink at Work folks are so amazing...you really should go to the next show on June 5th or the one after on June 26th. Really.
Link - 8:58 AM -
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Fatherly Advice
Over at Love, Daddy. Check it out along with a complete video of my last reading at KGB Bar.
Link - 9:25 PM -
Save the Dates!
Tuesday, June 13th -- After the Meow Mix House opening, I head over to Mo Pitkin's House of Satisfaction to read from Love, Daddy at the popular show Chicks & Giggles. I hope to have a new piece but with things being as crazy busy as they are now, I can't guarantee it.
Wednesday, June 14th -- Tex in the City will be taking a group to see Ballyhoo client Andres du Bouchet in "Hilarilogues" at terraNOVA Collective's third annual Solo Arts Festival. We get a group discount and Andres & the awesome director, Michael Bernard, will stick around for a talk back with us.
Saturday, June 24th - a big party on the beach! Why? It's summer, it's a spot I bet you've never been to and it's my birthday(ish). My pal Rachel & I along with Christian and my Tex in the City friends will join forces to stake out some prime sandy real estate and picnic tables. Visit WaterTaxiBeach.com. You won't believe how neat it is and how cheap!
Free this Sunday?
If so, I have some tickets to see Burleigh Grime$ at New World Stages. I can't make it as I'll be in Miami. Drop me a line if you want them.
"BURLEIGH GRIME$" Sex. Money. Rock 'n Roll.
A new comedy by Roger Kirby Starring Wendie Malick (Just Shoot Me), James Badge Dale (24), Mark Moses (Desperate Housewives) and Ashley Williams (Huff) Directed by David Warren (Drumstruck) Music by David Yazbek (The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels)
"Wedding" Stuff
My best pal and Tex in the City co-founder, Scott, has agreed to become ordained by the Universal Life Church and marry me and Finny. How cool is that? He's excited as are we and is worried he's going to either cry or laugh through the whole thing. I'm betting we do both. He's a doll and I'm so glad he said yes to our request.
We have the caterer picked out, too. BBQ ribs and chicken, mac n' cheese and buffalo chicken skewers...just my style!
--Kambri I can't wait to sample one of everything.
Link - 3:12 PM -
Sunday, May 21, 2006
We Made NY1 News*
Today's AIDS Walk was an awesome, beautiful day shared with new friends and old. We had a fabulous group of 20ish men & women, three dogs and two big signs. We laughed and talked and got to know the team. Then afterwards we trekked over to 9th Avenue where our friend Kieran, formerly of Siberia, treated our team to pizza and a free round. Our team announced on 101.1 radio and Scott was interviewed for NY1. *They didn't use his footage but we were still visible in the background looking absolutely clueless. Har! Watch the slow motion clip to see Kevin, Nicole & Jonathan, me, Paquita, Scott, Brian & Keith. For normal speed, click here. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and donated online and in cash. We raised well over $1,000!
Paquita was so exhausted on the subway ride home she was snoring as I cradled her in my arms like a baby. If only someone could have cradled me. I'm beat!
--Kambri Realized I am more charitable than I give myself credit for sometimes.
Link - 7:44 PM -
Reading Re-Cap & AIDS Walk
I just got home from my best reading yet at KGB Bar. Best because I held my own, was better paced, not nervous one bit and spot on. But, I did know pretty much every single person there except for five people. That's lame. But the weather was beautiful and the reading was early, so I knew the crowd would be light.
The 20ish people there seemed to enjoy it and since a couple of readers cancelled, we did an impromptu Q&A with me. I felt it was very self-indulgent but, in all honesty, it was helpful in so many ways since I've never fielded questions from strangers before about a topic so sensitive. And these strangers hadn't heard of the tin shed or prior attempted murder of my jailed deaf dad, so their questions were very focused on the story at hand. It was a lesson for me in how to not answer a question, how to prepare for odd back story stuff and to help me find the laughter in a very non-humorous story.
I got home to find this email from my hairdresser's mother in my inbox:
Dear Kambri, Thank you for being an important part of one of my best mothers-day. Daniel (I call him Dap as in Dapper Dan on his baby bib) and I enjoyed your performance. It hit me right in the heart. When I get my NY pictures I'll forward to you. And Christian Finnegan ... what a doll. The best to you and yours. Keep on keeping! Daniel's Mom Pat
I want her for my Mother's Day every year and an email from her every time I'm not expecting it. Dap...Dapper Dan...Oh, I love her.
I also found notice of a few last minute additions to the AIDS Walk team. My inner cynic says, who officially signs up at 11:30 the night before a walk? It must be a spammer. But then really, who would be a douchebag to rob a charity fighting AIDS. Cynic says, "Someone very bored and angry with their life, that's who."
But I doubt they're illegitimate as we knew we had some "maybes" and had planned for the potential extra guests so everyone would get their promised free tee. Also, those last minute adds have raised some cash. That makes me warm and fuzzy. Tonight I spoke of my lost family and friends, George, Lisa & Darrold, and remembered just why I spent time organizatng a group for tomorrow. They were dear to me and were lost in the early days when AIDS was "Gay Men's Cancer" and feared and reviled and misunderstood. They were the pioneers of an illness, trying experimental drugs and succumbing nonetheless. Today, people live for years with AIDS and it makes me wonder what George, Lisa & Darrold would be doing if only AIDS had waited a year or two or six to find them. Who they would be and would they visit me in New York, attend my wedding, be proud of me?
--Kambri Walking to *help* change the course of an epidemic.
Link - 12:36 AM -
Saturday, May 20, 2006
The More the Merrier
Very last minute reminder that I'm reading at 6:00 PM at KGB Bar on 4th Street. I expect to have about 6 friends (or more?) there so we'll have a little group outing for eating and drinking afterwards. Come on out! The more the merrier. Click here for the details.
Tomorrow is expected to be decent weather (knock on wood) with a late day shower forecasted. We'll be done with our AIDS Walk by 1:00, so I think (hope) we'll be dry and happy on our 6.2 mile trek through Manhattan. If you see the walk, be on the lookout for about 25 - 30 walkers and three pooches clad in Tex in the City tees. Afterwards we're heading to a bar where we'll enjoy $3.00 Lone Star Beer special just for us. If you want to join up, it's not too late. Just send me an email or show up near the fountain at 60th & 5th by 9:45.
Gawker "To Do"
Hey! Gawker gave a shout out to the AIDS Walk as a To Do this weekend and pointed to our Tex in the City listing on Upcoming.org but they linked to the wrong event. Phooey! Ours is listed directly under the one they mistakenly copied shortcut / pasted into their entry.
Link - 3:06 PM -
A Ménage à Trois of Events for you to Enjoy
You said you loved me, right? Well, if you loved me so much you would come out to at least one of these three events over the next three days. Seriously, there's something for everyone:
(1) Drinking at a bar in the early evening while listening to hot chicks bitch about their men in prison, (2) Walking through Central Park & other parts of Manhattan with three tiny dogs and a bunch of hot gay men, and/or (3) Watching great comedy and live music in the straightest of straight dive bars in Hell's Kitchen/Midtown-ish.
Really, I have every demographic covered except perhaps the Amish or Hassids.
Here, in chronological order, are your fabulous choices:
SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2006 -LOVE, DADDY READING I will read an excerpt from Love, Daddy, at KGB Bar in New York City. KGB Bar 85 E. 4th Street New York, NY 10003 6:00 PM - FREE
SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2006 - AIDS WALK NY Want to join in on the fun? Fill out this form and show up on May 21st with your walking shoes. You'll get a free t-shirt and some exercise, too. Alternately, you can donate any amount, big or small, to support their efforts by clicking here.
MAY 22, 2006 - DRINK AT WORK PRESENTS The talented folks behind DrinkatWork.com produce another FREE music & comedy extravaganza at Siberia. Siberia Bar 356 W 40th St. New York City, New York 8:00 - FREE!
--Kambri For complete details, see my calendar page.
Link - 10:53 AM -
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Two Quick Plugs Then on to a Boring Entry
Fiance and comedian extraordinaire, Christian Finnegan, made the top 11 of AOL's Comedy Picks! And...unless something changes...MySpace is choosing Christian's headlining gig at the Miami Improv as the Pick of the Week! Woot woot!
Link - 8:25 PM -
Rock Star No Longer
I haven't been to Jack's office since my last day "working" for him. We had only been at that office for about a year before I made Ballyhoo Promotions and Tex in the City my full time gig (aside from that part time stint for the exVPoftheUSofA) so I have no particular lasting affection for the place. Unlike my office in the British Empire Building at Rockefeller Center where I enjoyed my first job after moving to NYC, met Jack, endured 9/11, watched from perched upon my window ledge all the subsequent funerals at St. Patrick's, learned of my dad's sentence of 20 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife, fled from the blackout, hosted my annual private Rock Center tree lighting party (link to the last party) and created other awesome and awful memories.
Today, in anticipation of Sunday's AIDS Walk, I stopped by this other office to pick up a box of Tex in the City t-shirts Jack has been storing for me since I left. When I stepped off the elevator I was met with a group of familiar faces whose eyes collectively grew large and big smiles swept across their faces. "KAMBRI!" They shouted in unison. I immediately began strutting like my dad and felt like a million bucks. Wow, that felt good. I had no idea I'd left a good impression! I was so miserable there.
Even with the warm reception, I don't miss that place. Rock Center, however, is forever in my heart and soul. There's too much history between us. It felt good to be back in the 'hood and recognizing the change along with the sameness and even better to know that I'm there by choice to meet old friends and run errands and not the drudgery of working in an office. I like being uncensored by anyone but myself and I like where I am, in Queens, in my office, in my apartment, with my fiance and dog and bird and rabbit and not nearly worth the million bucks I felt like today.
Dilemmas? Errr...Not So Much American Idol, Amazing Race finale AND Dateline's "To Catch a Predator" are being aired simultaneously tonight. Actually, no dilemna at all since Kathrine McSucks and Elliot Yawnmin are still in it. My DVR has found a perfect match in pedophiles and risky foreign travel.
Last night's Brett Rattner photography exhibit was lovely (i.e., many munchies and free flowing, well staffed open bar) and in a very interesting design space but, really, not a lot of pictures at which to gawk. Everyone seemed to be looking at everyone else with an expectant, "You're somebody, right?" kind of look which made the whole place seem desperate. Some Croatian dude with a missing canine practically ass raped me in front of Christian which was the most fun thing to happen the whole 40 minutes* we tolerated the place. I made sure to have the photographer grab a couple of stills of Finny (much to his horror) before we moved on to the Beard & Moustache thing at the Knitting Factory.
*Three drinks and an entire free meal of butlered satay and sushi takes more time than one would imagine.
The facial hair contest was as hot as you might expect a room of curly haired men to be. Sweaty, smelly, stuffy and filled with an aroma that one can't quite put her finger on without first being swathed in latex. I will admit, however, that the best beard contestant decked out in biblical, middle eastern garb (see right) smelled quite exotic. When asked, he informed me that he massages the oils of a tree in his short and curlies. Mmm...exotic, indeed. I single-handedly started a chant for contestant number 200 seen at left (TWO-HUN-DRED, TWO-HUN-DRED, TWO-HUN-DRED...) as the winner of the moustache category. However, he inexplicably lost to #204, a mock Chinese dude clad in traditional Chinese wear who gave a boring and needlessly long speech to which I screamed, "GONG!" This comment promptly deemed me a racist by Todd Levin. I guess The Gong Show isn't popular amongst the 20-something, hipster Williamsburg crowd or else I actually am a racist towards 40-something old Asian man dressed in a brocade robe dancing to "Dun dun an dun dun dunk dun dun." Dude had a shitty moustache. I'm all about style, man.
--Kambri A dude shows up nekkid on Dateline tonight, fergodsake...American Idol can suck a big underaged Chris Daughtry should have won co*k.
Link - 8:45 PM -
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Breaking News! Christian Finnegan, comedian and client slash fiance to yours truly, has been asked to perform at the 2006 Montreal Comedy Festival! This marks his second turn at the largest comedy festival in North America, his first being July 2003 when he appeared in the "New Faces of Comedy" showcase. This year he will perform in "Bubbling with Laughter" and one of the galas. Visit the festival site for all the details.
Other stuff: -- You can read the latest Tex in the City newsletter here. -- Go to Giant Tuesday tonight for their 2nd TV Pilot taping. Good humored stuff, I assure you. -- I just hit "send" on our save the date email for our "wedding" guests. Weird.
Link - 12:15 PM -
Big Days Ahead
Besides the readings, AIDS Walk 2006 preparation, a trip to Miami, another visit to my jailed deaf dad in the clink and the Meow Mix House grand opening, I have other fun, busy days ahead of me -- as if that stuff weren't enough!
I've got some Brett Ratner photography party exhibit thing to attend tomorrow night. I'll be taking Christian as my guest then will accompany him as his guest when he does a guest appearance at the 2006 Beard & Moustache Championship at the Knitting Factory.
We've also been invited to a book launch for Michele Wucker celebrating the publication of her latest book Lockout: Why America Keeps Getting Immigration Wrong When Our Prosperity Depends on Getting it Right. Besides Christian being happy for her success, he is also somewhat connected to her as he was working at the literary agency Writer's House which got her first book published. I don't think I'm wrong in saying that he was the one to actually "green-light" her first manuscript or whatever the literary word is for "green-lighting", but I'll ask him. Is green-lighting even hyphenated? I'll ask him that, too.
Writer's House also where he met his friend John Hodgman who is celebrating so many successes in the last few years it's hard to keep track: the Get a Mac ad campaign for Apple (John's the PC), The Daily Show gig, his best selling book The Areas of My Expertise...it goes on and on. In a weird little twist, John was once a special guest of the Cuervo Nation, the private island in the Caribbean where I entertained dozens and drank tequila for breakfast, lunch & dinner and where I found out my dad had tried to kill his girlfriend/wife Georgia (read about that). John read about his experience on the radio show This American Life. He also happens to be a super nice guy.
Anyway, the book party will be held at Serena, the place where Tex in the City took root and where our initial parties were held with the likes of namesake Serena Bass, Shelby Bryan, Rex Reed, Charlie Pollock and many other notables. Serena is the socialite / caterer who developed the "Rope Burn", a spicy tequila shot, especially for us and wrote about it in her very first book Serena Food & Stories. I actually took Christian to that book launch party as my guest and garnered his first syndicated photos that night.
I know I am making something out of nothing, this world is a small one after all and the stuff above is really not what makes me think this, but I just love the serendipitous full circle our lives have taken us and continue to touch us. We were swirling around each other for so long, lightly brushing into each other's spheres eventually our bubbles broke and made one bigger bubble that now swirls around as one touching others' bubbles big and small.
--Kambri It's late, I'm tired and stupid. I just hope I can get a Dairy Queen hamburger smuggled through security when I go see Pop. It's not winter, after all, where am I supposed to hide this thing?!
Link - 2:37 AM -
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Success! Here's the article about Cisco in the Miami Herald! I'm happy to have gotten some press hits and have four additional markets I need to have similar success with for the Meow Mix House reality show.
I just got another reading under my belt at The Back Fence and have one last one scheduled for Saturday at 6:00 at KGB Bar. I'm ready and anxious to have a new piece to read so back to the keyboard.
My hairdresser Daniel was there with his awesome mother in town visiting from St. Louis! I was stunned. I've only gone to him three times and this last time we had the most lovely conversation but never in a million years did I imagine him coming out to see me...to this dive...on Mother's Day...with his mom. She was so gracious saying, "You touched me. I'm 71 so I've seen & heard just about everything and you moved me." She even wanted a picture with me afterwards. Thank God I actually did my hair this morning. That would have been embarrassing to run into my hairdresser with with a nappy do.
The audience was seriously drop jawed the whole time so there wasn't the rolling laughter from my first reading. I was so much better at maintaining my breath and was more exact with my sign language but afterwards my neck and chest were all splotchy red. Luckily it wasn't noticeable except to me. Damn nerves. Everyone...seriously everyone...kept telling me it should be a novel. This is so encouraging to me to know that I'm a good storyteller and that I don't come across as callous or victimized or angry that this is just the way my life is. Wait till they hear about the tin shed and prior attempted murder stuff!
I hope I rock the joint this Saturday without any nervousness. Scott & Kevin will be there since we're having a sleepover Friday night and planning our AIDS Walk details and other Tex in the City stuff. So, come out to KGB on Saturday evening (see my calendar page for details), watch my reading and meet my best pals.
--Kambri I came home to find Paquita all tangled up in a plastic bag! She was excited to see me but couldn't walk without tripping and falling over. She was so happy to get freed and walked a big arch around the bag trying her best to avoid it. What the hell was she doing while I was gone?!
Link - 8:08 PM -
Friday, May 12, 2006
Tex in the City Update Scott was one of only 16 people accepted into the Manhattan School of Music! He just quit his day job less than a month ago to rejuvinate his musical theater career and is already on the right track. Congratulations to him!
Meet The Cat-estants Two cat-estants have been chosen to compete in the Meow Mix House. Meet Sam from the Dallas shelter Operation Kindness:
and Chico from the Miami shelter The Cat Network:
Sam will be on KDFW tomorrow morning so you folks in Dallas can check him out, and Chico will be the subject of an article in the Miami Herald.
--Kambri Nice!
Link - 6:49 PM -
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
IT'S FOR REAL!
MEOW MIX ANNOUNCES WORLD'S FIRST CAT REALITY SHOW --10 Cats to Live Together in a House and Vie for Job with The Meow MixCompany--
Reality show contestants will do anything to win. Whether it's living on a deserted island, undergoing plastic surgery or eating cockroaches, they will stop at nothing to be the best. In the latest twist on the reality genre, competitors will be asked to lick themselves clean, chase balls of string, and relieve themselves in a litter box as they scratch and claw their way towards the grand prize. However, for these particular participants, accomplishing the tasks will be second nature. After all, they are cats.
Awesome, right?!?! Read the rest of the release on MeowMix.com
--Kambri I can't wait for it to open!
Link - 9:46 PM -
TV Pilot Taping
Tonight and again on Tuesday, May 16th, the Drink at Work folks are helping the Giant Tuesday Night of Amazing Inventions and Also There is a Game folks by recording the show for use in editing together a pilot to shop around. What this means is they need a great audience (YOU!) to laugh loud and hard at their hilarious antics. Here are the details:
RIFIFI/CINEMA CLASSICS 332 EAST 11th STREET (bt. 1st & 2nd Aves.) FREE with one drink! Show at 8pm sharp (doors open at 7:30)
Comedy Central Presents: Christian Finnegan is available for purchase on iTunes for only $1.99. Buy your copy today! Link - 1:50 PM -
Poser Paquita is shown here modeling her new Tex in the City t-shirt custom made especially for her to wear to the 2006 AIDS Walk NY in Central Park. She's such a good model...I really need to try and get her real jobs so she can earn her keep.
You can join Paquita and the Tex in the City team for the Sunday, May 21st walk and post-event picnic by clicking here and filling out the form. We'll be meeting around 10:00 and all done by 2:00. All are welcome!
Visit www.texinthecity.com for more information on the walk and other upcoming events.
For fun, here's a photo of me giving "Liz Smith" my business card at the AIDS Walk Team Leader & Star Walker reception held at Madame Tussaud's.
Just Checking In
Liam, a group of our comedian pals and I all went to last night's awesome Mets game versus the Braves. We got TWO seventh inning stretches! All those extra innings and a come from behind win that rivaled the other and best baseball game I've ever witnessed. With such two for two excitement, Liam & I are going to watch every Mets game from now on together.
Christian & I took the train to Philly this afternoon and are staying at the Four Seasons. Pretty hoighty toighty and damned expensive (we're not paying for it) for just a regular room. We do have an amazing view of the fountain and city, though. We booked a late train home tomorrow so we can tool around the city. I've never been and he's only been here once before but never saw the city. We know there must be something cool going on but what? Anyone have any ideas before 10:00 tomorrow morning?
Oh, and I'm officially booked for another reading. In addition to the one I mentioned on Sunday the 14th at the Back Fence, I'll be at KGB Bar (above the Kraine Theater) on Saturday, May 20th from 6:00 - 7:30 for a reading called "Locked Up" which is all about jail.
--Kambri Off to mingle with a bunch of attorneys at the Academy of Natural Sciences.
Link - 6:29 PM -
Friday, May 05, 2006
Recap
Wednesday night I read from Love, Daddy - Letters & Stories From My Jailed Deaf Dad for "8 Million Stories" produced by the Gathering of the Tribes in New York. It was a strange little place but perfect for my virgin reading.
I was happy to have some friendly, familiar faces in the crowd for my first time "performing" in about eight years. I am out of practice, definitely, as I was so short of breath the whole time but think that was mainly due to nerves. Hopefully, I'll get better & better as my confidence grows.
I've always worried that the story is just too heavy and weird for people to feel comfortable laughing so I had two intentional bits of comic relief peppered in. I was pleasantly surprised at the laughs I wasn't expecting at things I had no idea were funny.
Anyway, here is a super short clip for your potential enjoyment: Larry Story
There's another one posted over at Love, Daddy. Check it out or come watch me read it live on Sunday, May 14th at the Back Fence.
--Kambri The Sunburnt Cow is a great restaurant.
Link - 9:29 AM -
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Today on Today
The guys from VH1's Best Week Ever had a great segment with Matt Lauer on The Today Show this morning. Everyone enjoyed it so much they asked the guys to stick around for Len Berman's "Spanning the Globe" piece.
Watch Matt & the Best Week Ever panelits here:
They should do another spot before Katie leaves, so stay tuned for another great way to start your morning.
--Kambri Doesn't Christian look great!?!
Link - 12:49 PM -
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Okay, bitch all you want about how Chris Daughtry ripped off the "Walk the Line" rendition (of which he STILL did an awesome performance), naysayers bow down to the awesomeness that is "Renegade" by Styx. First of all, Christian Finnegan, fiance, comedian and all knower of that which is music didn't even know the song. I was screaming and singing and rewinding and singing and just astounded at the awesome awesomeness. This song just might replace my theme song (AC/DC's She's Got Balls for those of you click lazy carpal tunnel people). Big kudos to Daughtry for dusting off this awesomely awesome classic and knocking it out of the park!
Earlier: I attended a private party at Madam Tussaud's in Time Square with my business partner Scott. I screamed through the haunted part and was overall weirded out. They look too real and, well, a few of them I've met in real life before and it made me feel dirty. The Today Show folks were prominently displayed and we'll be there on Thursday (Tune in! Not sure of the exact time, though.) which made me examine them more closely to assess the differences. Frankly, Matt is pretty spot on as is Al. Katie they have all wrong. I guess women change their hair and makeup too frequently. I took some fun photos that I'll hopefully have time to share after my reading.
--Kambri Up too late with too much to do.
Link - 2:04 AM -
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
The Bengal Tiger: Twilight Huntress
From the wacky mind of Andres du Bouchet, springs forth this hilarious short spoof on nature shows. Filmed & expertly edited by Jonny Fido, this movie is hopefully just the beginning of their future film endeavors. See Andres & Jonny live every Tuesday at Rififi for Giant Tuesday Night... Meanwhile, watch their first movie here:
Ralph Mouth is a Mooch!
I've been hearing this guy, a mouse named Ralph Mouth, eat Paquita's dog food for months now but haven't really done anything about it. I caught three of his cohorts over the winter and set them free but they were different. They were on my kitchen counter as evidenced by their miniscule poops.
This guy, though, just feasted on Pacutie's grub and hid behind the stove. What's the harm, really? So when asked if I had pets I'd say I have Paquita Borgito Borgato Chorizo Jimemez the chihuahua that knows about 10 tricks in sign language, Larry Bird the parakeet that catcalls and barks like the chihuahua, Maybelline the rabbit rescued from NOLA that is litter boxed trained and Ralph Mouth the mouse that eats dog food. A logical addition to my strange little menagerie.
But, although Maybelline the rabbit is a rodent, too, somehow I knew people thought me a wee bit crazy for hanging on to Ralph Mouth since he didn't abide by house rules. So tonight, I removed Paquita's dog food and within 10 minutes (or less!) I heard THWAP! The door on the no kill trap swung shut and Ralph Mouth was officially a house guest that had over stayed his welcome.
I put on my tennis shoes and made my way to the kitchen. (One can't deal with feral rodents without proper footwear, you see.) His little tail was peeking out of one of the cracks of his flimsy crate and I tried to soothe his frantic efforts with my best mouse soothing voice and choice phraseology.
Tonight, after he stops trying to figure out how to escape, he will dine on a hefty pile of peanut butter before he is set free. He's outgrown this place anyway and there's a big grocery store waiting for him. Somewhere very far from here, namely across Northern Boulevard.
--Kambri He'll forget about us in no time.
Link - 12:46 AM -
Monday, May 01, 2006
Hey MySpacers
Join the "We Love Christian Finnegan" MySpace group created by a girl named Carly from the Bay area.
Stay tuned for some news about a hilarious new reality television show for which my friend Keith & I are doing publicity. If you're a cat lover, you'll get a big kick out of it.
