It's been months and months since I've organized any Zoom events, but I have a good excuse: I've been hard at work on my next several books and the Chain of Fools audio-book which will be the first thing out of the pipeline. If all goes according to plan, expect a veritable geyser of public activity that will play out over the next several years! (Nothing ever goes according to plan). Short term, though, I hope you will partake of these three special events I am cooking up for the delectation of all discerning Travalanche patrons:
Saturday, October 21, 6:00pm (EST)
A conversation with Frank Cullen about Ethel Waters and his new show about her, as well as sundry related topics. Frank and his partner Donald McNeilly have forgotten more than I'll ever know on the topic of vaudeville. They ran the American Vaudeville Museum, put out a vaudeville newsletter for years, created the vaudeville research collection at the University of Arizona, and wrote the amazing two volume encyclopedia Vaudeville Old and New published by Routledge. Following the wide ranging talk and dog and pony show, you'll have the opportunity to ask these whiz kids (they're pushing 90) anything your heart desires. A rare chance to pick the brains of the guys who "wrote the book on vaudeville" eons before I ever did.
Saturday, November 18, 6:00pm (EST)
That's right, comedy fans! A 60th anniversary celebration of that beloved all-star comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Mad World! It won't be a screening (homey don't play that), but more like an "unpacking" -- I'll break it all down for you: who's in it (including teeny tiny cameos, people you'd never dream are "somebody") as well as who's NOT in it, which in many cases is significant. As well as other useful snippets and angles of appreciation for those who love to obsess about this movie.
Saturday, December 21, 6:00pm (EST)
A special bicentennial tribute to the beloved poem A Visit from St. Nicholas or Twas the Night Before Christmas, written in 1823. I'll talk about author Clement Clark Moore (who also gave us the NYC neighborhood of Chelsea), as well as the NYC origins of Santa Claus, and will give a history of the poem's career over the past two centuries. To cap it off, I'll give a dramatic reading of the poem (and some humorous parodies of it) from a rocking chair in front of my fireplace! For real! It's been a tumultuous and uncertain year once again; let's try and end it on a nice note.
How and where to tune in? Become a Travalanche supporter! You don't have to kick in much! A dollar a month? It's practically free. Here's where to join.
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