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Performance Ponderings, Permutations and Perusings
Posted On 05/31/2009 07:01:14 by aharlib

I am very excited about my upcoming performances!  I will be presenting at both places for entirely different audiences, my comedy eccentric dance act YOGA TREK: To Boldly Stretch Where Few 50+ Year Olds Have Stretched Before!

Everyone is invited to please attend if you can: Monday June 1, 8PM  - The Bindlestiff Family Circus Variety Show at The Galapagos Arts Space (Dumbo, Brooklyn), http://www.galapagosartspace.com/events.html

Saturday June 6, 8PM at The Lava Dance Company Night of Renegades Variety Show at the Lava Dance Studios, 534 Bergen St. , Brooklyn.  http://www.lavalove.org/calendar.html

After that - blank slate - please check this out and contact me.

Thanks!

It is now June 2nd and my performance last night was a success!  MC/Producer Keith Nelson invited me to back to present Yoga Trek at the August Open Variety Show at the Galapagos Arts Space and that makes me very happy.  I enjoyed all the other acts and met some very lovely people and made some interesting contacts.  Onward to this coming Saturday's Night of Renegades!

On Sunday June 7, I am delighted to report that Yoga Trek at the Night of Renegades was another success!  I personally felt my performance was the best yet, and the packed house responded very enthusiastically, plus the Lava Dance Co. presenters were happy.  I hope the video of this event came out - I really need a video of Yoga Trek.  I hope I get more performance opportunities between now and my next definite date of August 3 - much too long a hiatus!

Tues., July 7 - Audition for ritzy nightclub that has weekend variety shows that PAY was a SUCCESS!  The management at The Box at 189 Chrystie St. in Soho wants me to perform Yoga Trek!   My first rehearsal is Thurs. afternoon July 16 when I'll find out the specific terms of the engagement.  I'm deliriously happy!

On Fri. July 10, I performed Yoga Trek at a fund raiser at the Wow Haus space at 37 Grand Ave. in Brooklyn at around 10:30 PM.  It was for a good cause: to stop gas drilling in the NY State and NJ State watersheds http://waterunderattack.com/.  Thus, I did not mind not getting paid and I ended up giving a good performance and the packed house loved it, responding enthusiastically and I tied my act into the cause by briefly commenting at the end, 'To Live Long and Prosper, drink clean water!  Save our water supply!'  I had a great time and helped promote the greater good.  Nothing beats that!  I also enjoyed the bands and musicians that played before and after me and a terrific time was had by all.  Lots of petitions were signed and letters sent and funds were raised and the event was a success all around.

NEWS!  The Box postponed my rehearsal and first performances by exactly one week - July 23 - that's showbiz.

GREAT NEWS!  I am now definitely going to be the opening act for Start Trekkin', a comedy improv group that creates one hour made up Star Trek episodes inspired by the original TV series, on the spot from audience suggestions.  My first Yoga Trek with Start Trekkin' was Sunday, July 19 at the excellent mid-town theater, The Tank, 354 West 45th St. at 9:30 PM and it was a huge success.  Start Trekkin' performs at The Tank once a month and occasionally gets bookings at Conventions, Parties, etc. in which Yoga Trek will be included too.  This is truly a partnership that couldn't be more perfect!     www.start-trekkin.com      http://www.thetanknyc.org/comedy

I never heard fron The Box again.  They stopped responding to my phone calls and e-mails for no reason I can understand.  I am very upset and angry because I was so sure they really were interested in hiring my act.  I have to put this behind me and move on.

On Aug. 3, I peformed Yoga Trek for the second time at The Bindlestiff Family Circus Open Variety Show at The Galapagos Arts Space and although I felt my ending was a little wobbly, the audience loved it.  I loved the other acts on the program and one of them, Angelo Silver's Wild West rope spinning and comedy, made a video that was decent!  I hope to be posting it soon.   I love meeting the other performers and networking at these variety shows.  MC/Producer Keith Nelson invited me back to the Open Variety Show in Oct. to perform my new act: The Amazing Amy as The Yoga Yenta in Yo Ga-Ga or My Yiddishe Yoga! 

The concept of this new act is what if Fanny Brice or Molly Goldberg could do Yoga?  Wearing a black and purple sequined version of my costume, I perform to klesmer music and sprinkle verbal Yiddishisms throughout the presentation to comedic effect.  I tested a 3 minute long version of this act at the Down Town Clown Bongar Challenge talent contest on July 20th and although I didn't win any prizes, the audience loved it and reacted with cheers and loud applause.

Meanwhile, I get to do Yoga Trek again real soon on Thurs. Aug. 6 at 7:30 PM, opening for Start Trekkin' at The Tank's Geek Week performance series - something to be very happy about. 

Indeed!  My second stint with Start Trekkin' was my best yet, cementing a great partnership and making me more eager than ever for the next show.  We need better publicity.  Will see if I can convince the Start Trekkin' people of this necessity.

Had another joyously successful Yoga Trek performance on Aug. 22 at the We'll Never Have Paris Variety Show at the Hi Christina Space, 632 Grand St., Brooklyn.  In the small, informal, storefront theater, the full house responded enthusiastically and Andria, Fritz and Christina - the presenters - all invited me back to perform in future shows.  This bodes well for the future.

On Sun. Aug. 23 I saw a remarkable performance.

 DANCES FROM HOME

La MaMa E.T.C. presents DANCES FROM HOME,

the first gallery installation/performance art piece by choreographer/performance artist Maureen Fleming.

This unique performance and installation will feature a

retrospective of photography, video and live performance

spanning her 25 years as an artist in residence at

La MaMa E.T.C.

 

Maureen Fleming explores the “moment between” as she invites NYC artists (painters, photographers, sculptors, etc) to capture images as she performs live. Selected images from the live performance will be displayed during the second week of the installation.

 

DANCES FROM HOME is on view August 22 - September 4,

6:00 - 10:00 PM daily with live installation presentations

Saturday - Monday August 22 - 24, at 7pm, 8pm & 9pm.

La MaMa's LA GALLERIA is located at 6 East 1st Street,

between Bowery & 2nd Avenue in Manhattan.


Nonprofit contributions for photography will be donated

to La MaMa E.T.C.

 

Reservations: 212.677.6998

More Information: www.lamama.org

Maureen is a contortionist/dancer whose work is high art as opposed to my circus/vaudeville entertainment approach but I admire and adore what she does.  I also took her one day, 3 hour Workshop 'Dancing the Internal Body/Fleming Elastics' at the same space on Aug. 25. and it was a fascinating, worthwhile experience.  I am now a Maureen Fleming fan for life!

 My Yoga Yenta act just had a smashing, successful debut at Cirque Off! Triskelion Arts Theater, Sept. 4 and 6 at 8PM http://www.cirquethis.com/shows.html.  I had the pleasure of performing to excellent live klesmer-style music and that was a rare and performance-enhancing experience treat.  Andy, the artistic director, invited me back for next year's show!  I already can't wait!

Yoga Trek was a success at Steve Arons' New Talent Showcase at the NY Comedy Club, 241 East 24th St., NYC on Wed. Sept. 9 at 9PM.  It was refreshingly different and fun in the midst of the usual stand-up comics and the audience loved it.  Producer Steve Arons and MC Corey invited me back next month to perform Yoga Yenta (date TBA).

Yoga Trek was  smash hit at Ruby Streak Trapeze Studio's Fall Showcase Fri. Sept. 25 and 26, two shows at 7PM and 9PM http://www.natalieagee.com/rubystreak/09_26_09_FallShowcase.html
Audiences loved it and presenter Natalie Agee loved it and wrote me the following thank you note.
 
Dearest Amy!

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing work with us, and for your wonderful energy in the studio! You are a beautiful soul and a superb performer. ...The showcases happen every so often--usually about every 6 months or so...since they take so long to organize, and my students don't really have as many acts as you do--it takes them about that long to put something together! But I will definitely let you know. I can't imagine another showcase without you!!!
Let's definitely stay in touch!

Much love and admiration, 
Natalie
 
That's just about the nicest thing anybody's ever said about me!  I hope including this letter in my pitches will help me get more gigs.
 
A resounding successful debut: YOGANIME! Yoga Dancing to music from Japanese anime films at Reni Chan's Japanese Maid Show, Sunday Oct. 4th 6-8PM, at Top Tunes 303-305 East 53rd St., NYC.   http://renirenireni.blogspot.com/
 
Despite a rather small stage, it went swimmingly and the audience loved it!  I used music from Miyazaki's superb feature Princess Mononoki which worked just fine.  Agent Sato, the producer, invited me back to the next show in Dec.  I enjoyed the different setting and Reni and her two back up dancers Mieko and Chieri were a delight to watch and hang out with.
 
I got a call from AMERICA'S GOT TALENT on Oct. 5, in the afternoon and was told that I was chosen to audition Yoga Trek in NYC on Oct. 31 or Nov. 1 - exact date and time will be e-mailed to me later.  I will have to bring paperwork and a DVD of my full act and I will have to come prepared to perform only a 90 second excerpt of my dance.  Will I be the 'Susan Boyle' of Yoga?  We'll see.............
 
Later that evening, I debuted Spooky Yoga at my 4th Open Variety Show at Galapagos Arts Space.  Despite a very wobbly one-legged balance pose at the end, it was hugely successful with the audience and I was happy with the way the movement worked with the music as a whole: Bernard Herrman music from Cape Fear.  This is my homage to Halloween, one of my favorite holidays!
 
Urban Yoga wowed the crowd at the F the Recession Party on Thurs. Oct. 8 at 7:30 PM at Rebel (251 W. 30th St., NYC) http://newyork.going.com/ftherecession#.  When the live music for me backed out, the DJ found something recorded by Bonobo that worked beautifully and I managed not to wobble despite the very bright, glaring lights shining in my eyes!  It was a lively, party event in an impressive club and the bands and other acts, especially Squiddie and Burnz and the other fire eaters and fire dancers were terrific.
Just had another performance of pure Yoga Trek joy opening at my third Start Trekkin' Comedy Improv Show at The Tank on Sat. Oct. 10 at 9:30 PM.  Here is where the audiences, small as they are in this little theater, appreciate what I do loudest and most enthusiastically (even when my one-leg balance is wobbly) and where I get to enjoy the improv sketch that follows immediately after and then hang out with my compatriot geeks.  Can't do this enough!
 
Got my name in the newspaper for the very first time!  NY Press!
 
Broke-Ass Stuart left San Francisco for New York last week and brought the circus with him.
Stuart, the West Coast writer whose books and website serve as guides to all things cheap for those living it up in the city, played ringmaster for the East Coast reincarnation of his “Fuck the Recession Party” last Thursday at Rebel because “basically a lot of people got nailed by the recession” and what better way to fuck it than by offering free drinks and entertainment for the people?

Delivering on his promise of a night of alcohol fueled revelry, Stuart offered those in attendance a den of debauched revelry in which to escape their financial misfortunes, reminding people that just because they might be broke doesn’t mean they can’t still have a good time. The crowd enjoyed music sets from Danielle Parente, The Children of Technicolor, Thought and Vicio and beats from Brina Payne along with a slue of Big Top entertainment like The Amazing Amy, crowd-favorite contortionist, TOPAZ, chanteuse extraordinaire, who offered free advice and an exhibition of lubes, lotions and pleasure devices from her sex advice booth and Michelle Bloom who gave guests glimpses at their future with tarot card readings. Nate Hill and his Club Animals offered free bouncy rides and Miss Ricci, clad in her green fairy costume, worked the crowed taking request for her balloon animal creations.  EGOBOO!

My performance last night at the NY Comedy Club didn't happen.  Their sound system CD player connection was kaput.  No music - no dancing!  Totally not my fault.  The comedians were funny but I was bummed out.  Presenter Steve Arons said next month for sure and he'll make sure the sound system is working.  That's showbiz!

 
I had a exceedingly happy experience performing flawlessly, Spooky  Yoga at The Dead Man's Bones Talent Show on Thurs. Oct. 15 at 7:30 PM at Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleeker St., NYC. http://lepoissonrouge.com/events/view/544.  The huge club venue was sold out and packed and the crowds and presenters loved it.  I was thrilled to meet members of the Dead Man's Bones Band, esp. Ryan Gosling and was able to enjoy their entire concert.  The other 4 acts in the Talent Show were excellent, especially my friends Spencer and Brett who have been on the same lineups with me before and who I'm always delighted to see again.
 
Spooky Yoga also thrilled audiences at The Set NYC on Fri. Oct. 16 at 8PM at The Sullivan Room, 218 Sullivan St., NYC. http://thesetnyc.com/  Presenter Robert Taliver invited me back to perform at the next The Set event.  This was a joy to be part of despite the lousy, dim lighting that nobody could change and I gave a flawless performance.
 
Yoga Trek astounded audiences on Sat. Oct. 17 for all 3 shows at the STREB Trapeze Academy's Benefit: A Nightmare On North First St., 3PM, 7PM and 11PM at 51 N. 1st St., Brooklyn. http://www.streb.org/V2/school/trapeze_halloween.html
Presenter Bobby Hedglin invited me back to perform at the next STREB event on Valentine's Day (I can't wait)!  STREB has an amazing space equipped for every possible aerial skill including a full flying trapeze rig!  All three shows were awesome - fun to be in (I wobbled a little in the first two shows but third time lucky - it went perfectly) and to watch - the array of talent was extraordinary and all to a good cause - Kids in Control - which enables youngsters in need to take classes at STREB for free for their artistic and fitness benefit.  This event was also a mutual admiration society, an excellent networking opportunity and a social gathering - so many of the performers knew each other from being in other shows together and that goes for yours truly.  This was one of the happiest experiences of my life!
 
Spooked Yoga! delighted and amused at the Down Town Clown Revue, Mon. Oct. 19th, 8PM, Kraine Theater 85 E. 4th St., NYC. http://www.newyorkdowntownclown.com/about.htm
The very talented John Leo www.johnleo.net accompanied me on his musical saw and the interaction between us created theatrical magic!  It was wonderful to perform to his spooky sounds!
 
Spooky Yoga with John Leo's marvelous musical saw accompaniment made theatrical magic again at Mongrel Vaudeville on Thurs. Oct. 22 at 9PM at Freddy's Bar and Backroom, 485 Dean St. @ 6th Ave. in Brooklyn. http://mongrelvaudeville.blogspot.com/.  Presenter Julian invited me back for the next show in the Spring.  I had such joy performing flawlessly and with John's musical saw and enjoying the other really fine acts and I actually got PAID, $20, but it's better than the nothing I usually get!
 
Spooky Yoga triumphed (despite a wobbly ending), at Recovery Rocks on Fri. Oct.23, 8PM at The Cup, 388 Van Duzer St., Staten Island, NY
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141469671363.  This was a really nice venue and the event was interesting because all the performers had some kind of addiction (mine was bulimia) and my Yoga has literally saved my life and kept me going.  I loved the supportive atmosphere, but there were so many acts, the program ran very long.  I got paid $15!  Finances are improving slightly!  I felt even better when organizer Scot Magri invited me back to appear in the next show.  I was also delighted to be sharing the line up with two of the same acts that were at Mongrel Vaudeville yesterday!  We are becoming friends and thinking of working together more.
 
Spooky Yoga opened Mon. Oct. 26 at 7:30PM for The Candy Janes Unwrapped! Rock 'N Roll Burlesque Comedy Cabaret at the Broadway Comedy Club, 318 W. 53rd St., NYC. http://broadwaycomedyclub.com/candy-janes.htm
http://www.myspace.com/candyjanesnyc.  This was really an audition and although I performed flawlessly, and everybody had nice things to say to me, they were noncommital about when I would return to do any more openers.  Very disappointing.  The venue is in a great midtown Manhattan location and has a nice stage and technical facilities; the Candy Janes, 4 gorgeous women all young enough to be my daughters, are exceedingly talented dancers who perform very well choreographed and tastefully erotic routines dressed and undressed in lovely costumes and the comedian who fills time while the dancers change costumes is very good too.  I'd love to perform there regularly, but it is not up to me.
 
On Halloween morning I auditioned Yoga Trek for America's Got Talent at the Javits Center.  It was an exciting experience.  Although one was allowed only 90 seconds to perform, the judges responded well and I was able to give them a DVD of my full act and a picture/resume.  I was also singled out for extra special interview treatment on mike and camera - a very positive sign.  I won't be notified about whether I will make it to the next level until early in 2010.
 
 Later that evening, Spooky Yoga was a huge success at the Theater For the New City's Village Halloween Costume Ball on Sat. Oct. 31 at 9:30 PM in the downstairs Womb Room, 1st Ave. bet. 9th and 10th Streets, NYC. Live synthesizer music by Zaak greatly enhanced the presentation. http://www.theaterforthenewcity.net/halloween.htm I gave a flawless performance and Zaak's eerie synthesizer sounds really worked well with it.  The audience and staff all responded enthusiastically and it was very gratifying.  I also had great fun enjoying some of the other acts and the 'House of Horrors' attraction there!

 
Autumnal Yoga was a WOW at Cream of the Big Top II, two shows at 3PM and 8PM, Sun. Nov. 8 at The Galapagos Art Space in Dumbo, Brooklyn. Alan Ozier's beautiful live music accompaniment was a great asset to the performance.
http://www.thetrapezeloft.com/about.html
http://www.galapagosartspace.com/events.html
This event was pure bliss.  I gave a flawless performance helped considerably by Alan's lovely drone, flute and sax music during both shows of my straight 'A Bit of a Stretch' act retitled because I wore gold and copper sequined accents on my basic black Yoga costume and I wanted to relate it to the season.  The other performers were all dazzling and many were familiar and beloved from sharing line ups at previous shows.  It was also a good networking opportunity.  I am so greatful to Tanya, the presenter, for allowing me to participate on only a week's notice.
 
Urban Yoga: A Bit of a Stretch charmed the audience on Mon. Nov. 9 at the Raising The Roof Benefit at Theater for the New City (1st Ave. bet 9th and 10th St in NYC), 7PM.
http://www.theaterforthenewcity.net/raiseroof.htm.  I was the only dance act in a program of playlets, poetry reading, songs and dramatic scenes and I closed the show with Alan Ozier's excellent music helping me to give a flawless performance.  I hope this leads to more performances at this venue which I love very much. 

 
Autumnal Yoga was a hit at Creative Vibrations Studio Dance Showcase and Party on Fri. Nov. 13 at 7:30 PM, 22-55 31st St., 2nd Fl., Suite 200, Astoria, Queens, NY. http://creativevibrationsstudio.com/events.htm.  This is a lovely new space where monthly showcases are being planned for all kinds of performing arts, not just dance.  Presenter Lalita loved my presentation (no wobbles, went smoothly), and wants me back regularly!  This first show featured plenty of excellent belly dance, some modern dance, yours truly and an incredible 8 year old girl contortionist/acrobat who did extreme back bends.  I do extreme front bends which she didn't do.  Our performaces complemented/contrasted each other perfectly.  It was extraordinarily interesting and entertaining.
 
I also got some very gratifying feedback from this event.
 
Dear Amy,
Thanks so much for bringing your amazing talent to our studio. This is a quote from our meetup member about your performance:

 I had an amazing time, re-connected with an old friend, experienced some beautiful and soulful dance, including a yoga dance which truly shook-up and re-arranged what yoga means to me. A fun and inspiring evening by any measure! 

Keep in touch for future dance performance events at our studio.
You are an amazing talent!
Lalita
 
The audience loved Yoga Yenta at my third appearance at the Night of Renegades Variety show, at Lava Dance Co. Studio, Sat. Nov. 14, 8PM.  http://www.lavalove.org/calendar.html.  I gave a flawless performance greatly aided by Harlan Muir's excellent klezmer accordian playing. I love the warm, relaxed and fun vibes at these events and the exuberantly eclectic mix of talented folks sharing the line up.
 
From the Lava Studios I went to perform at a late night party at The Glasslands in Williamsburg, http://glasslands.blogspot.com/, a Bon Voyage for Trapeze Loft doyenne and Wau Wau Sister Tanya Gagne who is leaving next week to perform in London until next Spring.  Tanya sang with the Vic Thrill Band (who performs for her Team Animal Spirit Squad Shows) and performed her terrific multiple hula hoop act to their music, followed shortly after by my Yoga Dancing which was a resounding crowd pleaser!  I had a ball - I so adore performing to live music!  Everybody loved each other and the event was a huge success!  I am very happy to be in Tanya's good graces for she is a wonderful, talented person and very influential in the NYC circus and variety show world.
 
Last night I performed my Yoga Trek act for the fourth time as the opener for the Start Trekkin' Comedy Improv Group (The Tank at 9:30 PM).  I just adore doing this - one of my favorite gigs that satisfies my inner geek and my passion for performing at the same time plus I get to enjoy the improvised Star Trek episode that follows me and that is always hysterical!  I wish this happened more than once a month!
 
Yoga Trek triumphed at Arelah's Dance Benefit on Sun. Nov. 29th at 8PM at the Galapagos Art Space in Dumbo, Brooklyn.  http://www.galapagosartspace.com/events.html#112909
I gave a flawless performance - Arelah and the audience loved it and it was for a very worthy cause:  to raise funds to help establish Arelah's dance academy in Bed Stuy to fulfill her dream of helping the community through the performing arts.  The other acts at this event were all excellent and diverse: modern dance; hip hop/popping and locking; Salsa ballroom dance; jazz dance; body percussion and step dancing; ballet; capoeira; and gospel and rap singing.  I hope Arelah's dream comes true!
 
Solstice/Yuletide Yoga was a sensation at Integral Yoga Institute Holiday Variety Show, Sat. Dec. 5, 8PM,
http://www.iyiny.org/workshops_events/holiday_variety_show/.
This was a really serious yoga place, so Alan Ozi who made marvelous live music for me, and I, gave it our all and the audience LOVED it and many individuals complimented me afterwards and told me how I inspired them to pursue their yoga practice with more zeal.  I did my job.  I am so happy.  Presenter Prakash invited me back next year.
 
YOGANIME! made a rousing return to Reni's Japanese Maid Show on Sun. Dec. 6 at 6PM at Top Tunes, 303-305 East 53rd St. and 2nd Ave., NYC. http://renirenireni.blogspot.com/.  My movements went fine except for one slight, barely noticeable wobble.  The music, from Miyazaki's 'Nausicaa' anime feature was a disaster.  The mp3 sound file I sent to presenter Agent Sato from my PC to his Mac was incompatible and got garbled in the process and the audio was completely messed up.  I gamely performed my act as choreographed and the audience responded warmly, but the crappy sound definitely was a downer.  Painful lesson learned:  always download music files to a back-up CD just in case!  Agent Sato reassured me that he still loved my act and that I would return at the next Maid Show, date TBD.

 
SUCCESS! I WAS INVITED BACK BY PRESENTER VANESSA PAGE to the January Showcase after the SOUNDANCE STUDIO THEATER DECEMBER HOLIDAY SHOW
281 N. 7th St. (between Havemayer and Meeker)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
212 767 9406, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 at 8:00 pm
FEATURING THE AMAZING AMY as The Yoga Yenta with HARLAN MUIR'S KLEZMER ACCORDIAN.  And this was despite being a little wobbly at the end of my dance.  I also enjoyed the other presentations sharing the program in this lovely, intimate studio space.
 
Yoga Yenta, met with gratifyingly positive audience response at my 5th Bindlestiff Family Circus Open Variety Show appearance on Mon. Dec. 14th at 8PM, Galapagos Art Space, Brooklyn. http://www.galapagosartspace.com/events.html
Harlan Muir's klezmer accordian accompaniment was terrific and enhanced the proceedings.  The other acts were all an excellent eclectic mix, typical of Keith Nelson's shows and included some familiar folks it was great to see again and some new to me that were valuable contacts.  We were all a mutual appreciation society and I had a wonderful time and felt great about my presentation and about being there, period.
 
Yoga Yenta with Harlan Muir's excellent klezmer accordian accompaniment was a sensation celebrating Chanukah at Consume! A Holiday Spectacular presented by The Giddy Multitude Vaudeville Co. on Thurs. Dec. 17th at 8PM at WOW Cafe Theater, 59-61 East 4th St., 4th Fl bet. 2nd and 3rd Aves. in NYC.  http://www.wowcafe.org/index.html
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=189196152654.  It was a great venue, a great show, a flawless performance by yours truly and host/presenters Evangeline and Nicoletter invited me back to their next show in Feb.  JOY!
 
Solstice/Yuletide Yoga with Alan Ozi's lovely musical accompaniment, made a warmly received 2nd appearance at Creative Vibrations Studio's Bellydance Show, Fri. Dec. 18, 7:30PM, 22-55 31st St., Suite 200, Astoria, Queens.  http://creativevibrationsstudio.com/events.htm.
I gave a flawless performance in this lovely, intimate studio space with an informal, relaxed atmosphere and a great roster of Bollywood and Bellydance and Modern style dancers!  Presenter/host Lalita invited me to be a regular at their monthly shows!
 
Yoga Trek opened for the 5th time for the Start Trekkin' Comedy Improv Group on Sat. Dec. 19th at 9:30 PM at The Tank Theater (downstairs), 354 W. 45th St., NYC.
http://www.start-trekkin.com/CALENDAR.html
http://www.thetanknyc.org/comedy
Despite a near blizzard, the show went on with a decent sized audience that braved the weather and loved it and even me though I was wobbly at the end.
 
There followed a period of no performances for days on end and on Jan. 6, walking home in the dark, I tripped on the sidewalk and smashed both my knees, the left one worse than the right one.  my knees were badly bruised but nothing was broken.  It was and IS badly painful and affects my work-outs and performances. 
 
I attempted an audition for a group project called Flight 18, on my Birthday of Jan. 14 and it involved an improvisational dance jam rather than my usual act and I was thus able to avoid stressing my knees too much and acquitted myself well enough.  I love dance jams!
 
I then attempted a real performance: my favorite gig, Yoga Trek opening for the monthly 'Start Trekkin' Comedy Improv Group on Sat. Jan. 16th at 7:30PM.  My slight modification to my movement to protect my left knee helped a lot and I got through it fine except for wobbling a little at the end, but no worse than I've wobbled in the past when my knees were fine.  The audience loved it enthusiastically so despite the pain in my knees, I can get through my act. 
 
The next day, Sunday the 17th, I found out by phone and e-mail that I got the Flight 18 job!  This will involve a lot of time rehearsing/work-shopping and multiple peformances.  This could create some serious conflicts with my own solo gigs.  I hope this can be worked out because there is some small amount of pay involved.  I won't know the details until the first meeting on Wed., Jan. 20th.
 
Yoga Yenta went swimmingly, I didn't even wobble despite the still awful pain in my knees, at my third appearance at the Down Town Clown Revue on Monday Jan. 18th at 8PM at the Kraine Theater.  Harlan Muir's excellent klezmer accordian accompaniment was a huge factor in this success.  The audience response was enormously gratifying proving again that I can overcome the pain (on top of all my other permanent bodily injuries), in my knees when I'm performing.
 
Had my first and second Flight 18 rehearsals and yes, I am able to accomodate my own gigs and still do this show!  Flight 18 is going to be incredibly fun and refreshingly different from my own solo performances.  It involves all kinds of group  (about a dozen people evenly divided between men and women and very ethnically mixed) improvs and theater games and songs revolving around the concept of the Flight 18 Star Ship on a voyage of creative and free discovery and playful fun and adventure.  There will be lots of audience participation and interaction with the performers.
 
Urban Yoga was warmly received at my 3rd appearance at Creative Vibrations Studio's Bellydance Show, on Sat. Jan. 23, 7:30PM, 22-55 31st St., Suite 200, Astoria, Queens.  Despite my painful knees, I gave a flawless performance - no wobbling!http://www.yogaastoria.com/events3.htm
 
'Sloppy Yoga' performing with the band, was a real crowd-pleaser at Quiet Colors Sloppy Circus on Sat. Jan. 30 at 9PM at The House of Yes, 432 Maujer St., Brooklyn. http://quietcolor.com/qc/?cat=2001.  House of Yes is a wonderful space, it was fun performing to heavy metal/punk rock style music for the first time and I hope presenter/producer Alex will invite me back for another of his shows.  I also loved the fire eaters/dancers and aerialists who also performed and it was a good networking opportunity.

New act, Yoga Cougar (flirting outrageously with audience to Pink Panther theme played by Harlan Muir on his accordian), debuted to great success at my 6th Bindlestiff Family Circus Open Variety Show appearance on Mon. Feb. 1st at 8PM, Galapagos Art Space, Brooklyn. http://www.galapagosartspace.com/events.html.
This is one of my favorite regular gigs.  This time was my first feather boa experience and it was so much fun!  Harlan's music was terrific and it would have been impossible to do this act nearly as well without him.  The eclectic mix of acts sharing the bill was a delight as always.
 
The next day, Harlan and I gave a flawless audition of Yoga Yenta for a Purim show on Feb. 28th.  Will we get the gig?  I'll know by next week.
 
A week later - YES!  We got the gig and are still awaiting message with exact time and order of show details.
 
Urban Yoga rocked to thrilled crowds with VIC Thrill, T-POW! & BAMiAM.tv & Lone Wolf and CUB, Thurs. Feb. 4th at 8PM, Union Pool, 484 Union Ave. (@ Meeker), Brooklyn. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=282014443864
http://www.circusnyc.com/shows/100202.html
I love performing with these folks, especially T-Pow aka Tanya Gagne, a very well-connected person in the variety show/circus scene.  It was a wonderful show in a pleasant venue with a decent stage and friendly vibes.  I gave a flawless presentation to Vic Thrill's happening music and had a terrific time and was able to network at this event too.  I even got paid $10!  That's better than the ZERO I usually get!  Other acts making the evening great were: Drummer Lone Wolf and trapeze soloist Cub, Magic Brian, and Tanya and Miss Saturn displaying their awesome skill with multiple hula hoops.
 
The audience loved 90's Yoga to the music of Band of Bicycles!  Appeared in the Totally Freakin' Awesome 90's Variety Show, Sat. Feb. 6th at 9PM at The House of Yes, 342 Maujer St., Brooklyn, NY.
http://www.houseofyes.org/events/totally-freakin-awesome/
http://www.facebook.com:80/event.php?eid=302078257188.  Awesome was the word for this truly fun event in which I gave a flawless performance to the band's wonderful music and all the other acts were terrific.  There were very clever, laugh-out-loud parodies of Titanic and Jurassic Park and much creativity and wit on display all evening.  For all this joy I even got paid $10!  More awesomeness!
 
NEW!  Yoga Tango triumphed at STREB Valentine-Themed Benefit Shows, all 3 shows Feb. 12, 11PM and Feb. 13, 3PM and 11PM, Streb Lab for Action Mechanics, 51 N. 1st St., Brooklyn, NY.
http://www.streb.org/V2/school/trapeze_benefit.html
I was a bit wobbly during a difficult balance on one leg I do at the end of my brand new act during both late shows and did my best at the 3PM show.  I also had a lot of fun working with an extra costume prop - a fancy glittery fringed shawl - I entered with, manipulated/flirted with and then tossed aside to perform the Yoga dance.
Harlan's music was his best ever!  He really outdid himself at all 3 shows - what a treasure!  Reaction by the audience, Host/MCs Bobby and Doug, was extremely positive.  I adore being in these Benefit shows at the Streb/SLAM studios and I hope I can be a regular participant.  The other acts were all terrific - totally top quality.  Backstage mutual admiration societies abounded.
 
Flight 18 is beginning to gel.  Lights and sets and painting the space are progressing and the 'Flights' are coming together.  Cast members now have promotional post cards and business cards to hand out and I've already begun to give them out with my personal promos.  Cast photo was taken at Sunday's rehearsal by photographer from Time Out NY magazine.  I hope I'll see it soon
 
Had my 7th Yoga Trek opener for the Start Trekkin' Comedy Improv Group on Wed. Feb. 17th at 7:30PM at the usual The Tank venue where on a weekday night, the audience was smaller than usual.  Despite the bad pain in my right groin tendon, I managed to get through it OK with a bit of a wobble at the end.  Audience response was excellent and the Start Trekkin improv was inspired when member Frank introduced a muppet-like puppet character dressed in a miniature unifrom shirt - as a non-human sentient crewmember - hilarious and brilliant idea.
 
Yoga Trek delighted the crowd at the February Sky Box Variety Show, Sat. Feb. 20th, 9PM at The House of Yes, 342 Maujer St., Brooklyn, NY.
http://theskybox.org/performances.  This was despite the fact that my upper right groin tendon pain had become so bad that I had to stop doing two of my best moves - both kneeling back bends - and modify my choreography.  I feel very diminished and inadequate, but the audience doesn't know what's missing and I managed to fill out the time of the act and make it look smooth although I did wobble a little at the end.  Judging from the positive audience and presenter reactions, I was fine (and felt not fine at all inside and the pain was awful).
 
I have an appointment to see Dr. Padgett, the same Orthopedist who operated on my left hip replacement.  That is on Mar. 2nd.   I will see what he suggests I do about my sprain.  I just can't stop now that after a year of performing, I'm getting a momentum going of connections and contacts and gigs.  I just wish the pain would go away and I could let go and enjoy myself totally.
 
Yoga Cougar pounced to the audience's pleasure with the help of Harlan Muir's accordian music at The Giddy Vaudeville Multitude's The Best [of] Love Show, Thurs. Feb. 25th at 9Pm at The House of Yes, 342 Maujer St., Brooklyn, NY. 
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=295253251105http://thegiddymultitudevaudeville.wordpress.com/,
http://www.circusnyc.com/shows/100224.html.
This was a really fun show that I loved being in despite the terrible pain in my right upper, inner thigh that forced me to modify my movements.  The house was only half full because of a blizzard, but the spectators there were very enthusiastic!
 
Yoga Trek soared successfully in 'FLY! Matchbook Productions Benefit Show' on Sat. Feb. 27 at 8PM, at Soundance, 281 N. 7th St., Brooklyn, NY.
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2qjqtnh9497e4b4&oseq=

Yoga Yenta with Harlan Muir's klezmer accordian accompaniment, celebrated Purim and charmed the audience at the We'll Never Have Paris Variety Show 4 on Sunday Feb. 28th at 7PM, 107 Suffolk St., NYC.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201111827297&ref=ts

Yoga Yenta and Harlan Muir continued to celebrate Purim schlepping from one show to another, on Sun. Feb. 28th at The Crazy Kinky Purim Extravaganza and the packed house loved it. This event started at 7:30 PM but My Yiddishe Yoga appeared about 9PM at The Delancy, 168 Delancy St., NYC. http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/The_Delancey_Presents_CRAZY_KINKY_PURIM_EXTRAVAGANZA_228_201002 11
 
Yoga Odyssey was part of an ensemble show, Flight 18, that opened on Thurs. Mar. 4th until April 4th with performances Thursdays-Sundays with 2 shows nightly on Fridays and Saturdays @ Seaport at 210 Front Street (@ Beekman) in a gorgeous converted storefront in the heart of the South Street Seaport.  For details: http://www.flight18.net/
 
 
Flight 18 was one of the best experiences of my life.  No two Flights were alike - all were the most fun, creative adventures in interactive, improvisational theater I've ever encountered and the people I worked with were wonderful and I'll really miss them.
 
Concurrently, I started PT for my right iliopsoas muscle while involved with Flight 18 and I performed despite severe pain and restricted movement in my right hip.  I hope with not so many performances now that Flight 18 is over, that my right iliopsoas will heal a little and stop hurting so much.
 
Yoga Tango with Harlan Muir's impeccable accordian accompaniment, marked my 7th crowd-pleasing appearance at the Bindlestiff Family Circus Open Variety show on Monday Apr. 5th at 8PM at the Galapagos Art Space, Dumbo, Brooklyn.
http://s80131.gridserver.com/public/.  My act went smoothly and was well-received and Harlan's music was phenomenal, as always.  Too bad the house was barely half full - at least the folks who were there reacted positively!  The other acts in the lineup were all excellent - lots of good clowning was on hand!
 
Yoga Yenta kibbitzed to Harlan Muir's exemplary klezmer accordian accompaniment, at the New York City Talent Show on Mon. Apr. 12th, 10PM, at The Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, NYC.
http://www.nyctalentshow.com/.  We were the featured opening act (thus getting paid $10 each) and the performance went flawlessly and Hosts Diane O'Debra and Victor and the rather full house loved it.  Flight 18 cast member Jessica Delfino sang 2 of her delightful original songs in this show as well and I loved seeing her again.
 
Yoga Trek delighted the audience at the third Recovery Rocks: A Talent Show Celebrating Sobriety on Sun. Apr. 18th at 4PM at The Cup, 388 Van Duzer St., Staten Island, NY.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=280651466020&index=1
The 2/3 full house responded well to my flawless performance and it was worth the schlepp on the Ferry!
 
Yoga Trek charmed folks at the Neon Lights Variety Show Sun. Apr. 25 at 9:30PM at the Triskelion Arts Space, 118 N. 11th St., 3rd floor, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC. 
http://www.circusnyc.com/shows/100421a.html
http://www.triskelionarts.org/events.htm
Jeff and Buttons were the MC/Hosts and the other acts were all comedians of various types who all had their own shows.  It was a mutual admiration society and an excellent networking opportunity as well as being a totally fun experience.  My act went flawlessly in the beautiful Triskelion Arts Space - a wonderful place to perform in.
 
Yoga Tango with the accordian accompaniment of Harlan Muir thrilled the audience at The Set NYC, Fri. Apr. 30 at 9PM at The Sullivan Room, 218 Sullivan St., NYC. http://www.thesetnyc.com/?section=events.  We gave a flawless performance, had a wonderful time and I did some networking too.
 
Special!  Glowing Yoga with Harlan Muir's excellent accordian musical accompaniment, wowed the crowd at Disorient and Kostume Kult's The Black Light Ball, Sat. May 15th after 10PM at Times Square Arts Center, NYC.
http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php?fcode=962e05dc7&f=100000320836161#!/event.php?eid=253870826862.  We did two shows about an hour and a half apart which went equally flawlessly.  This was a really fun gig where most of the costumes among the audience members were more spectacular that those on the performers!  The other acts and the bands were all terrific and there was luminous dazzle everywhere!  Since this was benefit for The Burning Man Project, nobody got paid but it was worth it for the fun factor!
 
Yoga Tango was a crowd-pleasing hit at The Dance Parade Festival Sat. May 22 at 5:30PM, Stage B in Tompkins Sq. Park, NYC. http://www.danceparade.org/EE/index.php/about/whose_in

New! Jedi Yoga premiered to rousing success at Return of Vaudeville, Fri. May 28th at 8PM at Producer's Club Crowne Theatre, 358 West 44th St., NYC.
http://www.dreamcatchertheatreworks.com/comingsoon.html
New!  Jedi Yoga met with enthusiastic audience approval again, at The Sky Box May Aerial and Variety Show at The House of Yes, Sat. May 29th at 9PM, 342 Maujer St., Brooklyn, NY.
http://theskybox.org/performances
 
Special! This was the best I've done so far - a phenomenal success! Combination performance: The Amazing Amy and Zero Boy (www.zeroboy.com ) in Audiyoga! Stretching the Boundaries of Beatbox: A Sonic and Movement Odyssey - my contortion and awesome beatbox sound FX together at my 8th Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Open Variety Show on Mon. June 7th at 8 PM at The Galapagos Art Space, Brooklyn, NY. http://s80131.gridserver.com/public/  
 
Yoga Tango with Harlan Muir's awesome accordion accompaniment, was a real crowd-pleaser in The Trapeze Loft's Circus Cabaret on Sunday June 13th at both the 4 PM and the 8 PM shows at The Galapagos Art Space, Brooklyn, despite my wobbling a little in the earlier presentation. http://www.circusnyc.com/shows/100605.html
http://thetrapezeloft.com/about.html
http://s80131.gridserver.com/public/
 
Special! The Baba Yaga Yoga Witch was a spellbinding success as part of TALE: Revisiting the Fairytales of our Youth in A Night Of Music, Dance, Animation, Trapeze, Burlesque, and Psychoanalysis - Thurs. June 17th at 8 PM at The Galapagos Art Space, Brooklyn.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111386715572413&ref=ts
http://www.poisonpeach.com/tale/CAST.html.
My act went flawlessly to fabulous live music from 'What Time is it Mr. Fox'.  The whole show was a dazzling extravaganza of every kind of performance skill and a networking bonanza too - pure joy!
 
Special!  Fireside Yoga with the musical marvels of Harlan Muir, was sensational as one of many featured attractions at Winkel and Baltick present: Campfire - A Wilderness Warehouse Adventure! on Sat. June 19th at 10 PM in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.  RSVP for details and to attend at: http://wandbnyc.com/rsvp.html.  For list of presentations: http://wandbnyc.com/art.html
 
We did two sets, both were flawless in a setting full of fabulous art installations, music, games and delightful creative craziness and fun!
 
SIDESHOW! Urban Yoga Contortion Dancing to the live music of the band Dinosaur Feathers, delighted crowds in the Art in Odd Places 2010 Presents Sideshow! Tues. June 22 at 7 PM at Theaterlab, 137 West 14th St., NYC.  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122712657764219&ref=ts
Flawless presentation - loads of fun!
 
Tribal Yoga triumphed at Djam Under Je'bon, Wed. June 23, at 7:30 PM, hosted by Kaeshi Chai from Bellyqueen and Djinn, at Je'Bon's Noodle Shop, 15 St. Mark's Place, NYC. http://www.bellyqueen.com/djam.html
I gave a flawless performance to the awesome live music of the band, Djinn and enjoyed the beautiful belly dancers in the line up and the fine venue.  I hope I will be invited back.
 
Yoga Trek beamed beautifully into The Robroy's Mountjoy Variety Show, Sat. June 26th at 7 PM, at The Diving Bell, 45-15 Queens Blvd., Woodside, QNS, NY. http://www.divingbellnyc.com/comingevents.html
 
SPECIAL! AQUATIC AUDIYOGA: Swimmingly Stretching the Boundaries of Beat Box and Movement with the vocal marvels Jay Stone's Mouthmatics! www.mouthmatics.com, was as hugely successful as it was when I did Audiyoga with Zero Boy! in Open Mike Night for Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue, Mon. June 28th at 8 PM at The Kraine Theater, 85 East 4th St., NYC.  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=130922140266490&ref=mf.
Despite a wobbly ending, the crowd went wild and Jay and I had a wonderful time and we definitely want to work together again.
 
Super Jedi Yoga was flawlessly performed and joyously received by audiences at the Gallery of Yes Affordable Art and Variety Show at 9 PM, Fri., July 2, at The House of Yes, 342 Maujer St., Brooklyn. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125745060798349&index=1.
This gig came from Doctor Adventure and his Side Show Crew and it was pure joy to work with them.  I hope we can get more gigs together in the future.

Special! The Yogarachnid: Spidery Stretch! was a resounding success in the Team Spirit Animal Squad Spectacular on Thurs. July 8th at 9 PM at Union Pool, 484 Union Ave., Brooklyn. http://www.thetrapezeloft.com/about.html
http://www.circusnyc.com/shows/100704.html
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127418827300025.  This was an experiment that succeeded brilliantly.  A spider costume with 8 legs sticking out the back and a spidery ornament on my head did not interfere with my movements which were modifired to reflect the creature and it was fabulously fun and everybody loved it.  Tanya Gagne, creator of the show, assured me that I would be included in future Team Spirit Animal Squad show from now on! 
 
Yoga Yenta kibbitzed to audience acclaim, with the klezmer accordion musical marvels of Harlan Muir in the Ruby Streak Trapeze Studio Velveteen Rainbow July Showcase, Sat. July 10th at 8 PM at The Ruby Streak Trapeze Studio, 220 36th Street, suite A-503, Brooklyn, NY.  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1629519216&ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=114662671912555&index=1
http://natalieagee.com/rubystreak/07_10_10SummerShowcase.html
 
Techno Trance Yoga Dance debuted and delighted the audience in the Bless Da Mic Showcase on Wed. July 14th at 8 PM at Public Assembly, 70 N. 6th St., Brooklyn. http://www.publicassemblynyc.com/events/view/1812
I was definitely different, the only dance act and white person in a line up of hip hop, rap, soul singing, etc., but the crowd loved it!  I had a great time reaching out to new audiences and would love to continue to do so.
 
Jedi Yoga met with jubilant audience acclaim in The Trapeze Loft's Circus Cabaret, Sun. July 18th, 8 PM, at Union Pool, 484 Union Ave., Brooklyn.
http://www.thetrapezeloft.com/about.html
I gave a flawless presentation and felt honored and humbled to appear in a line up of the most incredibly skilled and talented acts.  I had a wonderful time.  Presenter Tanya Gagne assured me that I would continue to be in all her NYC shows.
 
Tribal Yoga thrilled the crowd at The Left Hip Burlesque Hot as Hell Show on Mon. July 19th at 9:30 PM at The Delancey Lounge, 168 Delancey St., NYC.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108827285835633

Tags: Yoga Trek To Bindlestiff Family Circus Open Variety Show



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