The Moth - Live Storytelling Performances

This month has been one for facing fears. I got over my busking shyness and now I was going to get over my telling stories in public shyness. My friend Michael Call had told me about The Moth - this place for getting up and telling stories based on a predetermined theme. My dream was to one day read at Sit and Spin in Los Angeles and this seems to be somewhat close.

The deal is you line up to get in and then if you want to get up and tell a story (Tonight's theme: OUTLAWLESSNESS) you put your name in a hat and if you are called you have 5 minutes to tell you tale and then you are judged with Olympic-style scores by three groups of judges.

Sue and Sean came with me tonight to the very cool East Village haunt The Nuyorican Poets Café
on E 3rd between B & C. The place was packed and I was fearful, but hoping to do it. I mean, why not, I had my story, my support and it was my next thing to overcome.

The gods were not on my side (or maybe they were and I just don't know it yet) because I was not chosen. But...consolation prize, those not chosen go up at the end and say the first line of their story. Mine was "It was the mid-eighties and I was working as a security guard at the Sherry-Netherland Hotel when I got a notice to go sign for a certified letter at the Post Office..."

Scores

Good pals: Sue and Sean

Me delivering my opening line.

Moth, I will be back!

ME! Me!! Oh my God, Me!!!!

iphone photo, but you get the idea.

My one big regret that I didn't achieve before leaving Los Angeles besides buy a house, get married, have abs of steel and go to the redone Getty in Malibu was perform at Sit & Spin. This is at the Hudson Theatre in Hollywood and selected writers get up and perform their written pieces to a live audience and there is a jazz combo playing between pieces. It is the ultimate of arty, geeky cool. And it is free. If you are in Los Angeles, go. It is great theatre.

Certainly New York has something similar?

My friend Michael suggested I check out The Moth. It is live storytelling. Not written, but there is a topic and tonight's was "WHEELS." ( I would have told the story about my false arrest for Grand Theft Auto.) You can put your name in a hat and if you get called you go up and tell a TRUE story for 5 minutes and then three groups of judges give you those Olympic-score style ratings which are put up on a board. In front of everyone. Horrible!

I loved it!!! and totally want to do this.

Tonight's Moth was at The Nuyorican Poets Cafe in the East Village. It was a great space and when I arrived it was SRO. I was so lit up by the experience that I wanted to talk to strangers and wear a jaunty cap. There is a stand up MC which sounds horrible, but this woman was excellent. I wish I knew her name so I could promote her. So funny and off the cuff. For $7 it was the greatest value I have had in a long time here in NYC. What a hoot. I am hooked. Watch this space as I am going in!