Thoughts Become Things: Frank Stallone Edition

Anyone who knows me knows that I genuinely and enthusiastically love the movie Staying Alive. And I don't love it in a tongue-in-cheek Entertainment Weekly-named-it-the-worst-sequel-of-all-time kind of way. I emphatically enjoy it and maintain that it's a good movie to watch. When I was a high school teacher (yeah, that happened) I used to quote and re-enact scenes from it to my students--sorry to all my students who will never be able to un-see that.

So, imagine my utter delight when yesterday THIS happened:

Frank Stallone favorited and retweeted our upcoming "Staying Alive" 30 year Tribute Party at Union Hall!!!!

In case you've been living under a rock, or just have never seen "Staying Alive" which is synonymous to me as living under a rock, Frank Stallone wrote and performed the iconic song "Far From Over" featured in the movie. 

After a gig one night over drinks, I was talking with some fellow comedians about how cool it would be to do a tribute party to Staying Alive. And lo and behold, this was the 30 year anniversary of the movie. I wanted to show video clips, have live commentary, and create a houseband--The StalloneTones--that would cover songs from the movie. And guess what?...THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS! 

On Wednesday, July 10th, the lovely Union Hall in Brooklyn is hosting us and our Staying Alive 30 year Tribute Party. And yes, there will be commentary and dance and prizes and trivia and The StalloneTones! I'm seriously so excited I might wet myself. 

So, thanks to Union Hall for hosting us! Thanks to Frank Stallone for making me squeal with delight at a retweet! Thanks to everyone who's going to be involved with the event! And thanks to everyone who's already planning on coming out to support. This is a dream come true. My Stallone dream...

Staying Alive 30 year Tribute Party

Wednesday, July 10, 8pm

Union Hall, Brooklyn

$8, Tickets available HERE!

April 2013 Sideshow Goshko Recap

Hey Friends!

Well, we did it again! Another Sideshow Goshko down in the annals of history. Big thanks to our amazing storytellers Aaron Wolfe, Robin Gelfenbien, Blaise Allysen Kearsley, & Dr. Leona Godin and to everyone who came out to make it a packed house! I can't high-five you all enough.

Our awesome audience at KGB Bar. Photo courtesy Thomas Pryor

We're back again at KGB Bar on Thursday, May 23rd, 7pm with THIS amazing lineup:

Kambri Crews (author "Burn Down the Ground")

Thomas Pryor (The New York Times, author "River to River")

Joey Novick (Comedy Central)

Joanne Solomon (The Moth)

Music by Dr. Leona Godin

* Time Out NY “Critics’ Pick”
* NY Daily News “Editor’s Pick”
* “a well-programmed night” - The New York Times

And thanks to our faithful photographer Maryanne Ventrice for capturing the evening!

Host Leslie Goshko

Sandwiched between George Carlin and Paul F. Tompkins!

 

Mindy Tucker is an AMAZING photographer who covers the New York comedy scene. I've had the privilege of being photographed by her several times. In 2011, I featured her as the first in a series (which I need to rekindle) of "Genuinely Awesome People."

I am beyond honored to be mentioned in this article by Mindy about photography and the comedy scene. Featuring such comedy heavy weights as Weird Al, Eddie Izzard, Reggie Watts, I'm humbly sandwiched between George Carlin and Paul F. Tompkins! According to paste.com, I am now officially an "up-and-comer."

HUGE thanks to Mindy and paste.com. You just brightened the hell out of my day!

 

Jamming with The Flaming Lips' Drummer! No Big Deal...

Okay, guys. Sometimes I get to be a part of some seriously cool things. This is one of those times.

You may know Steve Burns as the former host of the wildly popular children's television show, Blues Clues. Not only is he an all-around nice guy, but he's a super talented musician as well. Which leads me to my next point...

The Rocktopus! photo courtesy David Bizzaro (L to R: Anthony Joseph, yours tuly, Steven Drozd, Adam Swiderski )

You may know Steven Drozd as the drummer of the wildly popular band, The Flaming Lips. Not only is Steven also an all-around nice guy, but he's a super duper talented musician as well. Which leads me to my next next point...

Steve Burns and Steven Drozd are combining their talents in a new Steve'nSteven collaboration producing a children's music album. But don't let "children's album" throw you off. These songs are layered, catchy, sophisticated, and I've been singing them ever since the first time I heard them. Which leads me to my, okay, you get it...

I got to spend an entire day physically attached to the drummer of the Flaming Lips while Steve Burns directed us as I fake-played a keyboard! All those years of piano lessons paying off. And it was AWESOME!

I also got to meet a great team of other creatives and musicians. The day flew by as we donned green screen suits, talked about Rush versus Led Zeppelin, and snacked on pizza and drinks. All in all, the perfect day.

I leave you with one of my favorite songs from the new Steve'nSteven collaboration as you peruse some photos from the day's shoot. This will go down in my mental history as one of the best days ever!

"So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" A Farewell 92Y Tribeca Recap.

Well, we did it. With the help of Jena Friedman, Eliot Glazer, and Jackie Mancini, Sideshow Goshko bid a fond farewell to 92Y Tribeca which will be closing its doors this summer. We want to say a huge "thanks" to all the folks at 92Y for bringing us back time and again to grace their beautiful stage. We're truly thankful and wish everyone all the best in their future endeavors. And as always, a huge thanks to everyone who came out to support the show. You guys are the best. Seriously. High fives all around!

Yours truly bidding a fond farewell to the beautiful 92Y Tribeca. So long and thanks for all the fish!

"Daily Show" producer Jena Friedman

My 75-Year-Old Dad Reviews "Shaun of the Dead"

Latest HuffPo piece: I sent my 75-year-old dad "Shaun of the Dead" and these were his thoughts.

February Sideshow Recap & 92Y Tribeca!

Hosting and running Sideshow Goshko is always a good time and I'm so grateful to work with so many talented folks. But there are some Sideshow Goshkos that really just "pop." Last month's show was one of those. Andy Ross, Tracy Rowland, and Diana Spechler all brought their A games. The night was a great mix of laughs and heartfelt sentiment. And with a full crowd, I couldn't ask for much more. One of our regulars even called the show "the best Sideshow to date!"

Thanks to everyone who came out and continues to support us. I heart you like whoa!

left to right (Andy Ross, Tracy Rowland, yours truly, Diana Spechler, Leona Godin)

New dad, Andy Ross, talking about goats and cute old women