Ye Olde Tyme

I haven’t had a lot of time, and I am sorry for how late this post is. I have been busy getting ready to move in a week. A WEEK!!! Crap. I am SO not ready.

The Renaissance Festival has started. One weekend down, six to go. The new fishmonger character is going swimmingly. Every time I turn around, I get another idea. Like life preservers. I just now thought of that. Some one get me a giant wooden dough nut and some rope.

And I am not feeling pressured into anything. Deciding to not worry about my character and just go with the flow has been the best idea I’ve ever had. My time taking improv classes at BNI have been worth it on so many levels. The improvement to my street performance has been just one.

I gave out fish eyes.
I paddled through the crowds.
I worked gate.
I broke for parade.
I sang with a lovely lady.
I marshaled fights.
I played with beautiful people.
I vilified the hell out of that show.

No seriously. Vilification on the first weekend always kind of flounders a little. I had about a half a match of adjustment, and then, it was effin’ ON. You see this stage? This one, that you want? You can’t have it. It’s MINE bitches.

In that list, I forgot hugs. I hugged people. Always with a invitation, arms spread out, and let them come to me. I need a catch phrase to go with it, but that was a very rewarding bit.

In the above paragraphs are several fish-related expressions. See if you can find them.

But I haven’t had much time to dwell on fest. Babies have been born. Many welcomes to Kieran Patrick William, son of Angelo and Suzanne, who arrived on the stroke of midnight (00:00:00) on Wednesday, August 20th. And I am throwing a tantrum because I have not had time to meet him.

‘Cause I’m moving. In a week. Time is a funny thing. I’m not entirely certain I believe the 4^th dimension is a straight line. That, or I just like folding things too often. But I had months, now weeks, and now I am down to days before moving and I am not where I wanted to be with it all. I’m fairly certain it will all happen. But there is something about time that is just plain wonky.

“The funniest thing about time is when it doesn’t. I’ll leave that hanging there for the moment, and let you age while the shadows don’t lengthen, if you see what I mean. …Now, while the Cycle doesn’t turn, and the year doesn’t fail, and the day gets neither brighter nor darker, we begin to see things with a new perspective.”

-Yendi, Steven Brust

Even though he’s barely 2 days old, Kieran has all the time in the world. He has his whole lifetime ahead of him. Is his massive amounts of time because he hasn’t had any, and so he is owed? Is it because he has so many more days ahead of him? Is it because he has no use for time? Or is it because he just doesn’t think about it?

At Fest, I have all the time in the world. Maybe it’s because I’ve decided not to worry about it. That I will simply play and be in the moment and let things happen that will happen. But in my own life, time is suddenly running out. Maybe I could go back to not worrying about it. Just letting it happen. Maybe… the less I worry, the more time I’ll have.

Maybe time really is all about perspective.

Tags: time, MN+Renaissance+Festival, Renaissance, worry, fish, improv, moment, Renaissance+Festival, vilification+tennis, vilification, fishmonger, Suzanne, Angelo, Kieran+Patrick+William, moving, packing, Steven+Brust, 4th+dimention, perspective

All the World’s a Stage I’m Going Though (~B.M.)

The past couple weeks was full of performance stuff… and the next couple of months will be, too!

Monday Night Comedy Show– Last week, we did a roast for the host. I was a roaster. I had so much more material, but I wasn’t feeling well. Still, I got to put down some of my favorite people, and I was even funny! I know, right? Remember, Every Monday at 8pm at the Beat Coffeehouse, there is a variety of comedy.. stand up, improv, sketch, film, music… it is never the same show twice!

Improv– Okay, so I haven’t actually performed any recently. But classes are going really well, and I do have a performance coming up. Tuesday, July 29^th, at 7:30 pm at Brave New Workshop, my class will be performing on the same stage as other, more experienced graduates of the BNI classes at Six Ring Circus. Improv for a dollar? How can you beat that? Oh wait– did I mention that they also sell beverages that you can take into the theater with you? Now I dare you to do better. NOTE: Six Ring Circus happens Every Tuesday at 7:30pm, but not this coming Tuesday, as the workshop is getting ready for their next Mainsatge show.

Stand up Comedy– I did some at the Monday Night Comedy Show a while ago. I did some last Wednesday. Every Wednesday at 10pm at the Downtown Grumpy’s, there is a stand up show called DEATH COMEDY JAM. It’s hosted by The Grin Reaper, and there are all sorts of Stand ups. Sometimes there could be me. But I’m not telling when… you’ll just have to go see for yourself. Why not? It’s FREE!

Vilification Tennis– We performed at a Sci-Fi Convention over the 4^th of July weekend, because we are all geeks. I was amazing. And by that, I mean I did not throw up even though I was -not feeling well– at all. BTW: To the fan that told me he thought “A” cup was a nice size– 1) I WASN’T actually insecure about my breast size until you said something, and 2) I’m a “B” cup, damnit!!! And yes, we have a show this month. Saturday, July 26^th, at 10 pm at Bryant Lake Bowl we will be doing the Olympic Show. It will be awesome. I make no guarantees that I will be there, but I’m also not saying that I’ll be missing from the show, either. Ooooh, how mysterious. But I promise you do NOT want to miss this show. Get tickets here: http://blb.ciceron.com/calendar.asp?date=7/26/2008.. $12, or $10 with Fringe button.

Fringe Festival– Speaking of, I am in a Fringe show this year. It’s frigging awesome. It’s all scripted and stuff, so I’m a little out of my element, but damn! It’s called Shakespeare’s Land of the Dead, A True and Accurate Account of the 1599 Zombie Plague. No shit. Zombies try to take over the Globe theater in 1599. How the hell can you miss THAT?!? Did I mention it’s being put on by Walking Shadow Theater Company (http://www.walkingshadowcompany.org/)? Not to spoil it, but I play a man. Awe yeah. MANLY! That’s me. And what could be manlier than a thrust stage? We’re taking over the U of M Rarig Center Thrust on these dates:

Sat., Aug. 2 @ 1:00 p.m
Sun., Aug. 3 @ 5:30 p.m
Tue., Aug. 5 @ 10:00 p.m
Wed., Aug. 6 @ 7:00 p.m
Sun., Aug. 10 @ 7:00 p.m

When I said thrust, I meant like with a sword, all manly like. What were you thinking? For more information and tickets, go to http://www.fringefestival.org/2008/show/?id=910. Make sure to put us on your Fringe schedule so that all the kids know where the cool kids will be (that’s right, I called you cool).

MN Renaissance Festival– Yes, I will once again be out at The RenFest, but I’m not sure in what capacity or which weekends. I know I will be doing Vilification Tennis out there, and I should be out there almost all weekends, but I may have to miss Labor Day weekend to move. The hell, you say? Yes, having a roof over my head does in fact precedence over my Faire performance. Barely. I may also have a conflict towards the end of September, but it’s very uncertain right now, so I will say not more. MN Renaissance Festival in Shakopee runs weekends and Labor Day from August 16^th to September 28^th, 9am to 7pm. For more information, go to http://www.renaissancefest.com/MRF/

And now I’m spent. For those of you who say you never have the opportunity to see me perform, I dare you to tell me you’re busy every single one of those nights. I mean, I am, but that’s no excuse for you. Hope some of you can make it out to some of these things. I like friendly faces.

Tags: Fringe, Renaissance, Shakespeare, Improv, stand+up, Comedy, theater, thrust, sword, Olympic, sick, Monday+Night+Comedy+Show, Six+Ring+Circus, DEATH+COMEDY+JAM, Brave+New+Workshop, Grumpy’s, Bryant+Lake+Bowl, Walking+Shadow, Ren+Fest, Renaissance+Festival

The Dudley Riggs 24 Hour Improv Marathon to support Gilda’s Club

You guys, I’m really sorry I haven’t posted in a while. I have been Seriously busy, and just haven’t gotten around to updating.

And this one has nothing to do with me. I didn’t even type it out. It’ s just a copy and paste invite. But it’s for a hella good cause. Try to make a show if you can. I will post this weekend if you do.

————————————————————–

The Brave New Institute announces the first annual Dudley Riggs 24-hour Improv Marathon to support Gilda’s Club Twin Cities. The Improv Marathon will pull together the Twin Cities improv community in support of this fantastic cause. The non-stop fun will begin on July 12th at 10 pm and will keep audiences laughing night and day till 10 pm on July 13th at the historic Brave New Workshop theatre in Uptown Minneapolis.

The Riggs Marathon unifies the Twin Cities improv community for the first time in support of a wonderful philanthropic cause. Organizers project to raise $8,000 through the pledges of the performing teams. Audience swill not only be entertained as they endorse an admirable cause, but will also have the opportunity to experience the array of styles and techniques that Twin Cities’ improvisers have to offer.

Gilda’s Club is a non-profit organization with a mission to create welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer – men, women, teens and children – along with their families and friends. The innovative Gilda’s Club program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, education and social activities. Founded in 1995, Gilda’s Club is named for Gilda Radner of Saturday Night Live fame, who passed away in 1989 of ovarian cancer. During her cancer journey she called for the need for a place that will provide the emotional and social support for people living with cancer and their loved
ones. Currently there are 21 clubhouses open in the United States and Canada, with 7 more, including the Twin Cities, in development. Gilda’s Club Twin Cities is currently raising funds towards opening the first Minnesota clubhouse in late 2009.

Event Info

Host:	The Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre
Type:	Causes – Fundraiser

Time and Place

Start Time:	Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 10:00pm
End Time:	Sunday, July 13, 2008 at 10:00pm
Location:	Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre
Street:	2605 Hennepin Ave S
City/Town:	Minneapolis, MN
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Contact Info

Phone:

6123326620

Here’s The Schedule:

10-1030 Intro/Welcome – including Gilda’s Info
1030-1100 Larynx
1105-1135 Police/Cop/Detective/PI
12-1230 Chrysler Building
1235-105 Vaudville with a Pig
110-140 Stagecoach
200-245 Gilda Video
245-315 Voices in My Head
320-410 Club Squad Group Gang
430-500 Thunder Clown
505-535 Straight Up
540-610 Mime Rifle
625-655 Evil Dumpling
7-730 Feels So Good When it Stops
805-815 Gilda Video
830-9 Heidi’s Crotch
905-935 Comedy Sportz
940-1010 The Lowrollers
1210-1220 Gilda Video
1240-110 Gay/Straight Alliance
115-145 Beth/Jen/Kelly
150-220 Toaster Forks
300-415 Production Class
415-430 Intermission
430-445 Gilda Video
445-515 Age Difference
520-550 Group 21
555-625 BNW
640-725 Gilda Video
725-755 Ferrari/McSpeedy
8-830 Adorable
830-9 Dear Stalin
9-930 Freudian Slip
930-10 Sweet Box

TCIF Day 1 and 2

It’s all a blur, so I’m combining them in one post. I have an Ultrapass, which means I see a lot of shows. I have seen them all so far. That probably says something about me. Quick notes:

-My Improv instructor sang his death.
-I need to change my last name to something that starts with a B. And include the sound “ill” somewhere in there. Joe Bill and Jill Bernard did a SCRAM, and it was quite possibly the most attractive thing I’ve ever seen.
-”Come, hawk.”
-Butch does a lovely Lauren impression.
-Girls, Girls, Girls was amazing. They were all choreographed, but not preplanned. It was like they shared a brain. It was hot.
-People love Rampleseed. How could you not?
-Pimprov was brilliant. It just was.
-Be careful when you’re a woman talking about all of your eggs in a basket. Or better yet, don’t.
-I could have been vice president. I am also “A. Woman.”
-Improv games in the street with visitors.
-Smokes make friends.

there was so much more, you guys. too much for my tiny little brain to process. I took a million pictures, but on my crappy camera phone… well, they didn’t all suck. Here are a few:

Twin Cities Improv Festival

It’s only a few short days away.

Read this article from the Southwest Journal: http://www.swjournal.com/index.php?&story=11763&page=152&category=64

Come on… It’s got a picture of Mike Fotis, who, according to my poll, is hotter than Butch Roy. But only a little.

“The second annual Twin Cities Improv Festival is June 26–29 at Brave New Workshop, 2605 Hennepin Ave. S. Tickets for individual shows are $10. To purchase tickets or festival passes, or to sign up for improv workshops, visit the festival website, www.twincitiesimprovfestival.com.

Tickets also are sold at the Brave New Workshop box office. www.bravenewworkshop.org. 332-6620.”

Rumor has it there are still spots open in the beginning improv class. If you haven’t done it before, and want some of the best instruction out there from one of the top improvisers alive, you will go sign up NOW.

Do it, or I will give you the disappointed mommy look. I don’t want to hear how scary it is. Suck it up, pansy. You will thank me later.

I originally got the 6 show pass… I’m working on that fiscally responsible thing (I just now realized that there is an improv team named fiscally responsible- I can’t get away from improv). Really, 6 shows is not enough. There are just too many awesome teams to be seen. I’m trying to figure out how to upgrade…

What? I’m not an addict. I’m a student. This is all to further my education. Really.

Memorial Day and the Mind

Topher usually picks up our son right before improv a go go, but with Topher working Memorial day and me and my Brilliance with BBQ plans, we rearranged stuff a bit. So my Brilliance and I met Topher at his place, bringing steaks and salad. Topher grilled, I tossed, and we had a regular old family dinner.

Then I went to Improv A Go Go. We talk about improv being the art of getting lost in the moment… You enter a different mental state, where you are hyper aware but singularly focused on the moment.. where you exist in a place without time… you have all the time in the world, but it means nothing because of the moment you are in. And you practice building scenes and heightening and performing until you don’t think about what you’re doing. You simply do it all out of reflex from this aware and focused mental state.

Instead of going to the Mill or Grumpy’s, I went back to Topher’s neighborhood and attended a bonfire hosted by one of my son’s friend’s parent. The man of the house was a fellow who reminded me of my stage fight instructor… A toughness, a caring intensely without caring kind of thing. The kind of attitude a person gets when they’ve seen too much, something scaring and overwhelming, and have learned to take joy in simpler things, cause that’s all they’ve got.

This is the beauty I find in most white trash/ghetto/impoverished communities. Who needs a $150 meal and a night at the opera when I have a 6 pack and a bonfire, and can appreciate that?

I was half way though my mojito wine cooler thing, when the Man of the House started talking about Korea. Choppers flown into rice paddies and his best man shot in front of him (he showed me a scar where the same bullet hit him in the arm). I have seen my share of horrors, things that make your average American squirm, but never to the degree of THIS.

At one point, the Man of the House told the story of how his wife tried to wake him up by the shoulder, and how she got flattened before he was even awake. Practice. Muscle memory. That hyper awareness and singular focus. Act and react.

Memorial day is a day to remember. To remember that our minds can do things, handle things that we aren’t even aware of… through training and practice and muscle memory we can enter a state of awareness that will get us through horrible things. To remember that we all have this ability, and to honor, HONOR those who have used these skills under extreme circumstances for the benefit of others. It doesn’t matter if you believe in a war or not, a battle of not… those people, human beings, are exercising and training their brains in a way you could never even dare, in ways that will affect them the rest of their lives.

I chose to train my brain in comedy and laughter. I took the easy route.

Dear Readers,

What have you trained your brain in? What are your thoughts this Memorial Day? Do you have a war story?

Also, please take a moment to meditate on those who have passed on for the benefit of something bigger than themselves.

Upcoming Shows and Marital Strife

Saturday, 5/17- Vilification Tennis- The breeder’s Cup
Bryant Lake Bowl
10pm
$12

Tuesday, 5/20- Six Ring Circus (my team is up… Where’s Todd johnson?)
Brave New Workshop
7:30pm
$1

Someone asked me what I’m doing for fest this year, and I don’t know. Vilification. not last year’s character. I was good at it, but it wasn’t very circumstantially transportable. I have ideas of what I could do though. So there’s something.

I hit a performance slump the other day. Like, After months of taking in shows and study and class and the like, I needed a theater break. I did not go to MNCS, did not go to Six Ring. Though I should for study and immersion.

It’s almost like this whole performance thing has become work. I *should* go. Ugh. Like a chore, or a stifling marrage.

Only, I love it. I know that this is temporary, that Performance will eventually remind me that She loves me back, that She’ll show up with flowers or line up a sitter for a weekend so we can drive up the north shore to a little getaway cabin and laze about and play like back in the day. But right now, I’m begining to understand why some spouses take separate vacations.

Dear Readers,

Tell me about a time when something you loved was getting on your nerves.