A Trip Down the Ol' Charismatic Christian Memory Lane

Evangelist and ORU Chancellor, Oral Roberts

Me sporting a bad hairdo and my Oral Roberts T-Shirt

Today it was announced that Oral Roberts, founder and chancellor of Oral Roberts University, died at the age of 91. Having not only attended, but graduated from ORU, I know first hand about the school, the policies, the beliefs, and Oral Roberts himself. I also know that many people who attended/graduated from ORU are extremely cynical, bitter, angry, or ashamed over said school. I, myself, am not one of those people. I'm neither a proponent for, or against, ORU. I do not gush about what's good about it, and I don't attend alumni reunions. My time there was what it was. Sure, I have my own personal list of things over which the university and I greatly disagree. And if you asked me what those were, I would tell you. But, unlike some, I don't take pleasure in "talking shit" about the school just for the sake of "talking shit."

LAST SHOW OF THE YEAR!

Well, there's parties for hosting and marshmallows for toasting and more importantly, stories that need to be told! Come join us for our final show of '09! Ack! Another year bites the dust. But don't worry, we have just what you need:

Hear stories from:

*Brad Lawrence (Moth Slam Champ, Stories at the Creek)
*DJ Hazard (West Side Stories, Liar Show, Speakeasy)
*Dan St. Germain (Gotham and everywhere else!)
*Tracy Rowland (Moth Slam Champ, Liar Show, Speakeasy)
*Evan Morgenstern (SNC, Comix)

and of course, Dr. Michelle Leona will provide us with LIVE accordion music. We'll also have our staple trivia game and FREE wine giveaway.

Alright, you holiday babies. SEE YOU THERE!

Japanese TV and Turkey!

'Tis the season of turkeys, falling leaves, Pilgrims, cranberry sauce, and NY's top storytellers bringing you their favorite, bizarre tales. Yes, it's time for another edition of Sideshow Goshko! And to make it extra special this month, it will be filmed as part of a documentary on storytelling to be shown on, wait for it...Japanese TV! That's right! So, if you've ever wanted the people of Japan to see your mug, or well...the back of your head, come join us on Wed, November 18th, 7:30pm at Ochi's Lounge and hear:

• MARTIN DOCKERY (Fringe Festival awesomeness EVERYWHERE! Oh, and a Moth Slam Champ!)

• JENNA BRISTER (Moth Slam Champion)

• EUGENE ASHTON-GONZALEZ (1001 Nights)
  

• SELENA COPPOCK (Boston Comedy Festival and stand-up Everywhere!)
  

and no show would be complete without trvia, our free wine giveaway, and the lovely Dr. MICHELLE LEONA serenading us with live accordion music!

So, see you there for a great evening of storytelling. We're all gonna be Japanese TV stars!

This Month Was MADE for Us Freaks!

Hot Dog! It's October! What better month to highlight the odd, bizarre, freakish tales of New York's top storytellers? And boy, do we have a great lineup to bring "the crazy":

• PETER AGUERO (Moth GrandSlam, BTK Band, Risk!, Liar Show)

• BRUCE CHERRY (Tough Crowd w/Colin Quinn)

• AMY DIXON (UCB)

• BECKY FLAUM (UCB)
  

And as always, you'll be serenaded with live accordion music by the beautiful MICHELLE LEONA. Not to mention you get to play trivia and win the chance to walk away with your very own FREE bottle of Sideshow Sauce.

So, grab those vampire fangs and witches hats and head over to Ochi's Lounge where you'll be thrilled to the bone by New York's top storytellers. See you there!

WHEN: Wednesday, October 21st, 7:30pm
WHERE: Ochi's Lounge (Comix) 353 W. 14th St
HOW MUCH: FREE!!! Just buy a soda or something:)

Aaaaand We're Back! September Sideshow Goshko!

Well, after a nice little hiatus for the month of August, Sideshow Goshko is back in full swing for September. And boy, do we have a great lineup to kick things off!

Photo courtesy of Craig Ruttle

This month, hilarious and bizarre tales from:

• Katie Northlich (2 Time National Manhattan Monologue Slam Champion)
  

• Greg Barris (Heart of Darkness)

• Scott Yacyshyn (UCB, The Onion, host of Night of No BS)
  

and more!

And of course, what would a Sideshow be without the lovely Dr. Michelle to serenade us with live accordion music! So, come enjoy a night of storytelling, trivia playing, and the chance to walk away with your very own FREE BOTTLE OF SIDESHOW SAUCE!

When: Wednesday, September 16th, 7:30pm
Where: Ochi's Lounge (basement of Comix) 14th St. just East of 9th Ave
How Much: FREE! plus a measly one item min

SO, SEE YOU THERE!!!

NY International Fringe Excellence Award

This summer, I was very honored to find myself working with some amazingly talented people in the NY Fringe Festival play, "Bargains and Blood (How to Succeed in Home Shopping). In fact, we had so much fun together, that we found ourselves the recipients of the Fringe Overall Excellence Award for Outstanding Ensemble! AND we were named one of the top 6 shows to see (out of 201!) and given FOUR STARS by Time Out NY Magazine. Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make the show a huge success. Woot Woot!!!

Photos by Ethan David Kent

Also, be sure to check out funnynotslutty.com this month! They have a blurb about our Fringe win AND another special award I won this month. Thanks, FNS!!!

Final Sideshow Goshko for the Summer!

Hey All!

Sideshow Goshko is taking a hiatus for the month of August. But before we do, we're gonna have a blow out night of amazing storytelling, trivia, live accordion music, and booze! Not to mention someone is going to walk away with their very own FREE bottle of Sideshow Sauce.

So, help us go out in style for the summer by hearing great, bizarre tales by:

• Myka Fox (Comical Radio)

• Sean Donnelly (Host of The Little Seany Boy Show, Don't Touch Me There)

• Rob Gorden (Spike TV, Onion News Network, Food Network)

• Michelle Leona (Host of The Dr. Michelle Party Show, The Liar Show)

So, come stop by, have a drink, and help us celebrate our last show of the summer!!!!

When: Wed, July 15th, 7:30pm
Where: Ochi's Lounge (Comix) 353 W. 14th just east of 9th Ave

*only 1 item min. That's cheap!!!

I'm either becoming a 13 yr old boy or a lesbian in her 20's!

To say that my heart is exploding with happiness over what I'm about to share with you is an understatement. Although not something I usually do, I have been frequenting a comic book store in my neighborhood and getting turned on to such great graphic novels as Fun Home and Shortcomings. While paying for my new fixes, I noticed the most amazing thing on the shelf behind the cash register:

BIG LEBOWSKI ACTION FIGURES!!!! I knew then and there that I must have them. I need The Dude and Walter sitting on my computer desk, looking at me while I update my facebook status. But along with the good comes the bad...they're sold out! Series 1 has been discontinued and not even the ebay sharks are throwing me a bone! WHAT TO DO?!?!? Series 2 & 3 will soon be available and I will definitely look into adopting the rest of the clan. But what about my series 1 babies? I feel like Angelina Jolie in the Changeling!*

So, that being said. I will not give up hope. I will continue the search for my white Russian chugging baby and his anger management challenged brother. But I do find solace in this one fact. The fact that THIS exists:

AWESOMENESS INCARNATE!!!

* I've actually never seen The Changeling, but I've gotta imagine that it goes something like this: "I'm Angelina Jolie! I'm beautiful! My child is missing! I'll do something daring to find him and look hot while doing it! Child found! I'm still hot! Oscar nomination?"

Recently Interviewed by Author Gwendolyn Glover!

I'm very lucky to know some pretty kick a** people. One of them is author Gwendolyn Glover (check her out HERE). Recently, she took time out of her busy schedule to send some questions my way and pick my brain. I happily obliged. Check out the interview where I divulge information about Canadians, roaches, and my onstage nakedness:

Interview By Gwendolyn Glover

June 17th Sideshow Goshko is gonna be off the hizzie!

That's right! We just keep truckin' right along through these summer months. And June's lineup is bringing the freaky funny to you.

Hilarious storytelling by:

*H. Alan Scott (Sirius/XM Radio, here!TV, Hollywood Improv)
*Margot Leitman (Comedy Central, MTV, VH1)
*Mark Normand (We're All Friends Here)
*Robin Gelfenbien (Sirius/XM Radio, VH1)

and as always, the fabulous Michelle Leona will be there to serenade us with LIVE accordion music. Don't forget about our trivia game and wine giveaway!!!

So see you there! Wednesday June 17th, 7:30pm, Ochi's Lounge (353 W. 14th, E. of 9th Ave)

Sideshow Goshko Gets Outstanding Review!

Writer, performer, and storyteller Brad Lawrence stopped by the most recent edition of Sideshow Goshko and wants to let you know what he thought about it:

SIDESHOW GOSHKO REVIEW!

Enjoy!

Forget Taxes and Come Laugh!

The next "Sideshow Goshko" is on Wednesday, April 15th...aka Tax Day! So, if you're fed up with W2's, write-off's, and social security numbers, come relax with us in a rather stylish comedy basement, grab a drink, and hear hilarious stories from:

• Jim O'Grady (Moth GrandSlam Champion, NY Times)

• John Knefel (Huffington Post)
  

• Kambri Crews (lovedaddy.org, The Moth, Speakeasy)

• Juliet Jeske (CNN, Joe's Pub, Fringe Festival)

• Jeff Simmermon (Moth StorySlam Champion)

and of course, live accordion music by the fabulous Dr. Michelle! Not to mention our challenging trivia game (which someone has yet to answer all 4 questions correctly) and our FREE wine giveaway (you could end up leaving with your very own bottle of Sideshow Sauce)!

So, get your mind off those refunds (or lack there of) and come enjoy some hilariously, bizarre stories from some of New York's BEST storytellers.

Wednesday, April 15th, 7:30pm
Ochi's Lounge (Comix) 353 W. 14th St. (just E. of 9th Ave.)
No cover *one item minimum ($4 and $5 draughts available)

SIDESHOW GOSHKO THIS FRIDAY!

That’s right folks, come one come all! There’s a new sideshow in town, “Sideshow Goshko.”

These comedians are FREAKS! Come on down to Ochi's Lounge and watch your favorite comedians perform and tell stories about their crazy selves. You'll learn all about their bizarre quirks, hidden talents, OCD complexes, social interactions gone awry, and MORE! It's a sideshow, so you never know WHAT you're gonna get! And just like seeing a two-headed baby for the first time, you won't be able to look away!

January 30th Freaks:

Sara Benincasa (CNN, Sirius Radio, 236.com, MTV)

David Cope (Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Comedy Fest NW, Bumbershoot)

Jessica Delfino (Good Morning America, Fox News Red Eye, Montreal Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival)

Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central, US Weekly, The Moth)

Dan Allen (Comedy Central)

Adam Wade (10 Time Moth StorySlam Champion, ESPN, Comedy Central, Conan)


with AWESOME accordion sideshow music by Michelle Leona!!!


Here’s the deets:

WHAT: Sideshow Goshko—OUR VERY FIRST SHOW!

WHEN: Friday, January 30th, 11pm (after this, the third Wed. of every month, 7:30pm)

WHERE: Ochi’s Lounge (basement of Comix--353 W. 14th, E. of 9th Ave.)

WHO: Your favorite freakish comedians! (and if you didn’t know they were freaks before, you do now!)

So come on down to the "Ochi’s Big Top" and help make our first Sideshow a freakishly AWESOME one! It will be laden with craziness, prizes, and surprises!

*(no cover, one item minimum)