I was a guest on The Side Hustle Podcast this week… had a great time talking to Sarah Lowe and Chelsea Phillips-Reid about the creative life and paying the rent! Check it out!
I have started a writing practice again… specifically I’m on that Morning Pages stuff again… you know, Julia Cameron. And in renewing this practice, I was reminded about the “Artist’s Date”, where you take yourself, alone, out for two or so hours to be inspired by something in the world.
As I was thinking about what to do for my Artist’s Date, coincidentally I browsed the website for Flappers Comedy Club, and they had a killer lineup for a “Grand Reopening” on June 15. One of my comedy heroes, Jimmy Pardo, along with a murderer’s row lineup of Laurie Kilmartin, Jackie Kashian, and… Jay Leno. How could I pass this up? (Hint: I didn’t. I went to the show.)
The Main Room at Flappers is actually a lovely setup for stand-up, shallow and wide, good sightlines, great small-room vibe. I was instantly reminded that I don’t like sitting close to the front of a stand-up show, because I was made fun of right away by the host for having two plates of food in front of me. (Thank you for making me feel fat, comedy show host.) The other thing I don’t like about being at the front is that the comics can very clearly see you, and … I’m not the easiest laugh. Even when things are funny or well-constructed I don’t always guffaw… oftentimes I’m in my head a bit, admiring their writing. But I’m sure to a performer it feels like I’m not onboard. So then I end up sort of forcing myself to laugh and then I feel like I’m performing the part of a good audience member for the sake of the comic’s self-esteem.
Anyway. Luckily it wasn’t necessary for a lot of the show as the comics were really good. A new discovery was Preacher Lawson, the headliner and AGT veteran apparently. He was terrific and I’m glad I got to see him. I’m glad I got to see all of them live, actually. It was sort of back to normal in a wonderful way… about an 80% full room of (hopefully) vaccinated folks.
Oh, and randomly, I was sat next to Edie McClurg from Ferris Bueller. The host mentioned her name and she stood up and took a round of applause. Only in Burbank, I think.
(Leno had good jokes, by the way. His face and head are gigantic.)
And so … maybe, we are just one step closer to the pandemic being behind us. It was a nice step back into seeing live performance, and I felt safe throughout, and sufficiently artistically stimulated. A good Artist’s Date.
I wish you well when you see a live show for the first time in the near future, and a feeling of safety and joy in simply being around other human beings.
Have a wonderful weekend.