Catching Up!

Phew! Well, now that the holiday madness has settled down a bit, it's time to play a bit of catch up. Hope all of you had a very Happy Holiday! With New Year's just around the corner, let's go over what's happened this last month of 2011 (and what's to come):

Thanks to Funny Not Slutty for featuring my article For $19.95, Shit Can Get Real This Christmas!" You can read the full piece HERE!

 

Also, thanks to everyone who came out to the last Sideshow Goshko of 2011! Great stories, great audience, and it was the perfect way to close out the year in style. Full photo set available HERE! (courtesy of Maryanne Ventrice)

(L to R) Kambri Crews, Michelle-Leona Godin, Leslie Goshko, Giulia Rozzi, Andy Ross)

Next month will be our 3 Year Anniversary Show! WHAT?! That's right. So mark your calendars for Friday, January 13th, 7pm at KGB Bar. FREE! We'll have stories from these amazing performers:

SARA BENINCASA (author "Agorafabulous")

ELNA BAKER (This American Life)

PETER AGUERO (Moth GrandSlam Champion)

And last but not least, did you know I play piano? Well, I do. I even went to college for that shiz. So, why not join up with 3 other award-winning storytellers and make a band? Ok, done. And on Tuesday, January 10th, 8pm-midnight @ Fontana's, we're having our first full-length set. FREE! Know why it's Free? 'Cause it's a party! So come rock out with Single White Band, have a drink or twelve, and listen to us either do alright or cry on stage. Either way, it will be entertaining.

poster courtesy Andy Christie

And don't forget, this Saturday, December 31st, 5:30pm @ Cornelia Street Cafe is The Liar Show! It's always a ton of fun, and the perfect way to kick off your booze-induced evening. I'll be there! But then again, where there's booze and fun...

So, hope to catch you at one or all of these fun shows! Consider yourself officially invited. Happy end of 2011/beginning of 2012, everyone!!! You made this a great year. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Good AfterGoon!

Today, my Monday afternoon was brightened by co-hosting the very fun live show Good Aftergoon with the fabulous Glennis McMurray! Every day at 3pm, Glennis invites a new co-host from the comedy world to join her and talk about all things...well, all things! And in case you missed us, don't worry! You can watch us here and now by just clicking on our cute little faces below:

In this episode, we talk about owls scooping up mice, dead bodies, anniversaries, and our mutual love of Kendra. It's a good one, trust me.

Back to Back Sideshows. WHAT?!

Hey All! Just wanted to say a huge "thanks" to everyone who came out to November's Sideshow Goshko! Great audience, solid performances, and good times all-around. Don't forget to mark your calendar for the next Sideshow on Friday, December 9th, 7pm @ KGB Bar. Also, I'll be running a 4 mile race the following day at 8am. So, if you want to see how Friday night whiskey affects Saturday morning running, come on out!

See you there and enjoy the following pictures from last month's show. All courtesy of the lovely Maryanne Ventrice.

(L to R) Dr. Michelle, Jim O'Grady, Leslie Goshko, David Dickerson, Selena Coppock)

Me and Sarah Silverman (seriously)

I'm very honored to be featured in this Huffington Post article (by Carol Hartsell) alongside the likes of Sarah Silverman, Janeane Garofalo, and more! Us ladies talk about the funny.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE!

*all photos courtesy of the lovely and talented Mindy Tucker

Okie in the City at the Nuyorican? Success!

In case you weren't able to make it to the Okie in the City Artists Collective at the Nuyorican, here's the 1 1/2 hr show distilled down to :40 seconds. Also, we had a blast! Thank you to everyone who performed and came out. The most fun we've had at a reading yet.

the collective (L to R) Michelle-Leona Godin, Christian Ericson, Colin Dempsey, Leslie Goshko, Kyle Erickson, Andy Christie, Daniela Schiller, Steven Leyva)

Poetry, Music, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes!

Well, we're all a-twitter over here 'cause tomorrow is the long awaited Okie in the City Artists Collective! It's gonna be a crazy fun night of performance art, poetry, and live music. And because we think you're special (yes, YOU!), you can get $2 off your ticket price right now by pre-ordering on line.

All you have to do is click HERE!

See? Easy! So here's all the deets:

Excuse me...

Excuse me, but is that my face?

photo by http://jirkavinse.wordpress.com/

92Y Recap

Well, we had our debut at the beautiful 92YTribeca, and let me tell you, it was a blast! Thanks so much to everyone who came out and helped make it a fantastic evening. And in case you missed it, you can read all about it in this review by Jester Journal. Also, thanks to Anya Garrett for the awesome pics. We love 'em!

Next month we're back at KGB for another installment of Sideshow Goshko. So, mark your calendars for Friday, November 18th, 7pm and we'll see you there.

I can find a way to work whiskey into any conversation!

Seriously. Read for yourself:

Culture Klatsch Questionnaire with 92YTribeca!

See you at tonight's show!!!

Me and Ira Glass

Recording with Ira Glass at This American Life. Not a bad way to brighten a rainy day.

I'm a happy girl.

The man, the myth, the legend.

FREE 92YTribeca Sideshow Tickets!

Three truisms:

1. Shows can be expensive.

2. People are broke.

3. Everyone likes "FREE!"

Hence, why we're super thankful to the folks over at flavorpill.com for giving away FREE tickets to this Thursday's Sideshow Goshko @ 92YTribeca. Answer the trivia question and be entered to win.

What are you waiting for? It's FREE! Click HERE for your chance to win!

The Container Store

As a comedian, I've had my share of performing at interesting venues: abandoned factories, strangers' living rooms, restaurants where people were eating and had no idea they were about to get bombarded by a live comedy show...so needless to say, when I found out that last night's gig was going to be outside, at night, under a tent, surrounded by converted shipping containers, I was a little skeptical.

photo courtesy of Stephanie Ursula Hodges

But, alas, it was a charming little space known as the DeKalb Market. Surrounded by shipping containers that have been transformed into shops and cafes, you can sit at picnic tables under a canopy of twinkling lights and listen to some of New York's favorite storytellers. Last night's show was produced by PenTales in association with BBOX Radio and hosted by the lovely Stephanie Ursula Hodges (which how cool is it to have "Ursula" as your middle name? I'll tell you. Very!). 

Thanks to my partner in crime, Colin Dempsey, for sharing in the evening and for bringing the wine. Oh, did I mention? You can sip hooch out of paper bags and no one even blinks an eye. It's Brooklyn. We can get away with that.

So, thanks to all who came out last night and thanks to Stephanie and PenTales for having me. Had a blast!

Again, we're super serious

September SG Recap

Hello faithful friends and followers (and mom)!

Well, it was another rainy day, but like I always say...our audience is the BEST! They put on their galoshes, threw back a shot of whiskey, and headed out into the wet to join us for another Sideshow Goshko. With a full house, lively stories, and Dr. Michelle back in the sidekick seat, it was a great evening.

(L to R) Rob Lathan, Leslie Goshko, Nisse Greenberg, Cammi Climaco, Dr. Michelle-Leona Godin (and her sidekick, Igor)

Sideshow Goshko, The New Yorker Festival, & John Lithgow!

Well, it's exciting enough to be named a "Notable New York Event", what with all the great things going on in this city. But it's doubly exciting to be named a "Notable New York Event" alongside the New Yorker Festival and John Lithgow. Huge thanks to The Rumpus for the shout out! You know we love you, right?

"That's Not Normal"--A dinnertime conversation

Last night, the husband and I went out for an adult dinner with friends. I say "adult dinner" because it wasn't grabbing a slice of pizza on the street after sitting in a crowded bar for several hours watching a bunch of twenty-somethings trying to get laid. And as part of the adult dinner routine, we went back to our friends' place for post-meal conversation where the inevitable question came up:

"So, you guys thinking of having kids?"

Me: "No. And every time I see kids, I can't help but think that the boys will grow up to be drug dealers and the girls hookers."

To which my host responded:

"Um, that's not a normal reaction."

Maybe I should stick with pizza on the street.

Although this little girl didn't grow up to be a hooker, she did grow up to be a comedian which some may argue is just as bad.

Expert Time-Wasters

Until we reschedule our Bowery gig, we remain professional time-wasters.

What's Coming Down the Pipe?

Over here in Goshko land (which is basically a combination of my mind and a thimble of Jim Beam) we're excited for some upcoming developments (didn't that sound official..."developments"?). So, if you're into marking up calendars, here's some fun dates to scrawl all over:

Thursday, October 20th, 7pm

92Y Tribeca presents SIDESHOW GOSHKO!

I Love My Job

One of the perks of my profession is that I get to meet some of the most ridiculously talented people in the entertainment industry. And 9 times out of 10, they end up being kind-hearted, decent people. And on last week's Sideshow Goshko, I got to host and perform with three of my absolute favorite storytellers. Thanks to Adam Wade, Colin Dempsey, and Andy Christie for a stellar night of laughs and stories! Thanks to our amazing audience who continues to support us, and thanks to all the internet/print mavens who gave us press. It is with a humble bow that I say, "Thank you!"

(L to R) Andy Christie, Leslie Goshko, Colin Dempsey, and Adam Wade

• Time Out New York features Sideshow Goshko in both their Comedy and Books sections!

• The Skint names Sideshow Goshko a New York event worth checking out around town today HERE.

• Hyreviews.com names Sideshow Goshko a "Top Comedy Pick!" HERE.
  

• Zouch Literary Magazine reviewed last month's Sideshow Goshko in their piece, The Artist As Storyteller! Read all about it HERE.

Mark your calendars for next month's Sideshow Goshko on Thursday, September 29th, 7pm @ KGB Bar!

Save The Date!

WHAT: Single White Band: Plugged

WHO: 4 storytellers who happen to play instruments and like classic rock

WHERE: The thick of your dreams (or the Bowery Poetry Club)

WHEN: Tuesday (which everyone knows is the best day to rock out), August 30th, 7pm

WHY: Because it's gonna be too f*cking weird NOT to check out. Plus Colin will be drunk and wearing tiny girl shorts.

THE GIST: We're having an end-of-the-summer blowout party and everyone's invited! It's FREE, there's a full bar, and dancing is the universal language.

Single White Band is:

ANDY CHRISTIE: Guitar/Bass

COLIN DEMPSEY: Bass/Guitar

LESLIE GOSHKO: Keyboard/Keyboard

DANIELA SCHILLER: Drums/Awesomeness

SEE YOU THERE!

*video by the talented Andy Christie

 

G.A.P. #1

I'm starting a new blog series called G.A.P. (until the GAP store yells at me and tells me to change the name). And what does G.A.P. stand for? I'll tell you...Genuinely. Awesome. People. Sure, there can be some pretty douchey folks in the entertainment industry. But just as easily as I could go off about that, I could also just as easily shine a light on some of the amazing talent that I am so privileged to work with. So, for our first feature in the G.A.P. series, I present to you...Mindy Tucker!

photo by Marianne Ways, lighting by Kurt

We Did Indeed Kick Assonance!

Last week I got to host the much-anticipated, Kick Assonance Poetry Reading. Now, you may say, "Poetry? Laaaaaaaaame." But believe me, with a packed house, Jack Daniels drink specials, and some really funny yet moving stuff, it was a blast. Thanks to Kyle Erickson (the brain child behind the event) for asking me to host and share in an amazing evening. Me and four good-looking, talented young men? Not a bad gig.

(L to R) Kyle Erickson, Christian Ericson, Leslie Goshko, Steven Leyva, Sei Shiroma)

And as proof that I was correctly cast as host and not poet, I present to you a reading from my high school poetry journal. My apologies in advance.

Photo by Maryanne Ventrice. Full gallery HERE!

Take That, Violet Beauregarde!

My mom on the phone to me: "Yeah, for some reason you kept turning blue as a baby. Something to do with your esophagus. I don't know, you grew out of it..." This message brought to you by "parents who go with the flow."

Violet Beauregarde (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory)

Better Late Than Never

This post is way overdue, but fear no more. It's here!

Last month's Sideshow Goshko was, shall I say...Awesome! A packed house, standing room only, the best audience in the world (I mean that), and amazing storytellers who brought the goods. 

(L to R) Ophira Eisenberg, Robin Gelfenbien, Leslie Goshko, Steve Zimmer, Michelle-Leona Godin

Father Knows Best

My dad's response to me wishing him Happy Father's Day: "Wish you could find your biological dad."

Best. Dad. Ever!

the classic "Father Knows Best"

Happy Early Father's Day

My dad on the phone to me: "Just so you know, I plan on being an a**hole on Thursday."

HAPPY EARLY FATHER'S DAY, DAD!

Me and Dad with my rockin' Barney Rubble bottle.

I wouldn't have believed it if you told me.

This past weekend, I participated in and completed the NYRR Women's Mini 10K (that's 6.2 miles for all you who are like, "What the heck is a 10k?" I was one of those people).

photo courtesy Brightroom Photgraphy

Time Out New York Endorsed!

Thanks so much to Time Out New York for naming our upcoming Sideshow Goshko a TONY "Critic's Pick!" We love you, TONY!

Proof is in the pudding HERE!

What I Learned At Long Beach

1. No matter how much you shower or shake your beach sh*t out, sand will end up in your apartment. EVERYWHERE!

2. You WILL see a trashy couple having sex on the beach in front of children and you will ask yourself, "How on earth do I even begin to explain this to anyone?"

3. In order to deal with said sand and sex situations, bring a friend who will make you incessantly laugh your head off for three hours straight.

So. Much. Sand. Thank you, Lonster, for the best beach education ever!

June Sideshow Goshko!

You've seen them on Comedy Central, The Moth, and the New York International Fringe Festival! This month's Sideshow Goshko is going to be a doozy.

Award-winning storyteller Leslie Goshko (Manhattan Monologue Slam Champion, NY Fringe Excellence Award, Sirius XM) invites some of NY’s top writers and storytellers to share true, bizarre tales about their lives. There’s live accordion music, a challenging trivia game, and a free wine giveaway where one lucky audience member will walk away with their very own bottle of Sideshow Sauce! Tonight's stellar lineup includes stories from:

Ophira Eisenberg (Comedy Central, VH1, Moth Host)

Steve Zimmer (Moth GrandSlam Champion)

Robin Gelfenbien (New York International Fringe Festival)

• Time Out NY “Critic’s Pick”

• New York Daily News "Editor's Pick"

Sideshow Goshko

Friday, June 17th, 7pm-9pm

KGB Bar (85 E. 4^th Street)

FREE

http://www.kgbbar.com/calendar

I'm Hosting a Poetry Reading. WHAT?!

And it's gonna Kick Assonance! okieinthecity: Kicking Wednesday Interviews

photo courtesy Maryanne Ventrice

Tourettes, Sailors, and Storytellers. Just another Memorial Day Weekend!

Hello, my name is Leslie, and I suffer from "Fleet Week Tourettes." Every year when Memorial Day Weekend rolls around, so do hundreds of handsome young Sailors and Marines. And no matter how hard I try, when I see one of those dapper gents, I blatantly point in their direction and repeatedly scream, "Fleet Week! Fleet Week!" It's meant as a compliment. As if I'm saying, "Thank you for your service to our country! And PS, you look smokin' hot in your uniform." Instead, it looks like I'm off my meds as I stand, point, salivate, and shout. So, to give the young men and women of our armed services a break from my mania, I took myself up to the KGB Bar to host another Sideshow Goshko! Thanks to all of the lovely storytellers and audience who came out. You are all amazeballs! And now, to recap:

MY SIDEKICK IS BACK! After a couple busy months of gigs and traveling, Dr. Michelle-Leona Godin was back in the sidekick buddy seat as our live accordion playing DJ. Welcome back, Doc!

Good Morning!

Comedians are just like you! We go to the grocery store, we do laundry, and we greet the day with a cup of coffee, the morning paper, and a goooood stretch!

Jungle Recon Loves His Job More Than You Do!

As children, we often fantasize about what we're going to be when we grow up: astronauts, firemen, teachers, doctors...nothing seems off-limits. Take for instance, this little girl:

She wanted to be a veterinarian. Did that happen? No. Instead, she explains to her parents once a year that even though they don't understand it, drink tickets ARE a form of payment!

So when someone is able not only to achieve their career goals, but loves and thrives in what they're doing, I think that deserves to be rewarded.

So, for the first time ever, I'd like to present the "Oh My Goshko! I'm Doing What I Love" Award to Mr. Jungle Recon. Congratulations, Mr. Recon, for not only achieving your dreams, but for being able to say, "You ever shot a machine gun on peyote?"

We should all be so lucky.

(NSFW...or at least wear headphones)

It's Coming...

 

Award-winning storyteller Leslie Goshko (Manhattan Monologue Slam Champion, NY Fringe Excellence Award, Sirius XM) invites some of NY’s top writers and storytellers to share true, bizarre tales about their lives. There’s live accordion music, a challenging trivia game, and a free wine giveaway where one lucky audience member will walk away with their very own bottle of Sideshow Sauce! Tonight’s stellar lineup includes stories from:

• Brad Lawrence (Two-time Moth GrandSlam Champion, Standard Issues)

• Ed Gavagan (The Liar Show, Moth GrandSlam Champion)

• Sharon Spell (Biography Channel, Shrink!, UCB) 

Time Out NY “Critic’s Pick”

New York Daily News "Editor's Pick"

Sideshow Goshko

Thursday, May 26th, 7pm-9pm

KGB Bar (85 E. 4^th Street)

FREE

It's not a track suit!

Track suits, hoodies, and tube socks...these are things I love. Most days I am wearing one if not all of these things. So, in a rare glimpse, I thought I would share some photographic evidence of me performing in something other than fleece.

Thanks to Anna Rubanova for the photos and to Margot Leitman and Giulia Rozzi for having me on their amazing show, Stripped Stories at UCB Theater. It was a great night all-around!

More photos after the cut...

RECAP: April Sideshow Goshko

A full house, a Gilda Radner action figure, and a lineup that made my heart swell with happiness = April's "Sideshow Goshko!" First off, thanks to our amazing audience for packing out the joint and to the wonderful talents of David Crabb, Tracy Rowland, & John Flynn. What transpired? Well, keep reading...

No show is complete without Sideshow Sauce

Tax Day Just Got HILARIOUS!

The IRS may not be funny, but the lineup we have for our April 15th "Sideshow Goshko" IS! Join us at the legendary KGB Bar (named "Best Literary Venue in NY" by NY Magazine) for a night of storytelling, trivia, and all-around good times.

Award-winning storyteller Leslie Goshko (Manhattan Monologue Slam Champion, NY Fringe Excellence Award, Sirius XM), invites some of NY’s top writers and storytellers to share true, bizarre tales about their lives. There’s live accordion music, a challenging trivia game, and a free wine giveaway where one lucky audience member will walk away with their very own bottle of Sideshow Sauce! Tonight’s stellar lineup includes stories from:

John Flynn (ECNY Award nominee "Best Storyteller", UCB Theater)

Tracy Rowland (Emmy Award-winning writer/producer, The Moth)

David Crabb (Ask Me Stories, Risk!)

*Time Out New York "Critic's Pick"

*New York Daily News  "Editor's Pick"

FREE!

Sideshow Goshko

Friday, April 15th, 7pm-9pm

KGB Bar (85 E. 4th Street)

"Where everybody knows your naaaaame..."

Getting into elevator with man who lives in my building, I press his floor number for him.

Man: Ah, thanks. You just move in?

Me: No. We've lived here for about three years.

Man: Oh...really?

Me: Yes, you and I have actually had this conversation before.

Man: REALLY?

Me: Twice.

Man: ...Oh. 

Aaaaaaaand Scene.

 

How to become a master storyteller

Everything you ever needed to know about stories:

BBC, B*tches!

I'm very honored and thrilled to announce that SIDESHOW GOSHKO is one of the NY storytelling shows highlighted in this BBC article by Amy Klein. We've been having a great time over at KGB Bar (named "Best Literary Venue in New York" by New York Magazine) and are grateful to be named a Time Out New York "Critic's Pick", New York Daily News "Editor's Pick", and going.com "Editor's Pick." Come see what all the fuss is about at our next show on Friday, April 15th, 7pm. Tax day, bitches!

Read the BBC article featuring Sideshow Goshko (and yours truly) HERE!

 (L to R: Leslie Goshko, Michelle-Leona Godin, photo courtesy Maryanne Ventrice)

If You Don't Love This, Your Soul Is Broken...

The Ides of March Sideshow Goshko

What can I say? I'm extremely lucky and grateful to be able to host and work with such great talent. We had another amazing Sideshow Goshko last week. So much so, that an audience member reviewed us on Yelp...and it's GOOD!

Yelp review HERE!

Our formidable cast included David Dickerson, with a tale of jelly fish and skinny dipping...

My Thoughts On Storytelling

Glennis McMurray is a NY performer and producer who also happens to run a great site called GLOC (Gorgeous Ladies of Comedy). They recently asked me to share a little bit about my involvement with the New York storytelling scene. Below is what transpired. Hope you enjoy!

THE NEW YORK STORYTELLING SCENE WITH LESLIE GOSHKO

TONIGHT!

We have the former host of "Blue's Clues" joining us tonight. Need I say more?

• Time Out New York lists us under "Your Perfect Friday!"

• Also, check out Sideshow Goshko and Steve Burns on the Apiary's "Honey Shot!"

Award-winning storyteller Leslie Goshko (Manhattan Monologue Slam Champion, NY Fringe Excellence Award, Sirius XM), invites some of NY’s top writers and storytellers to share true, bizarre tales about their lives. There’s live accordion music, a challenging trivia game, and a free wine giveaway where one lucky audience member will walk away with their very own bottle of Sideshow Sauce! Tonight’s stellar lineup includes stories from:

Steve Burns (Emmy-nominated host of "Blue's Clues")

Jim O’Grady (New York Times, Moth GrandSlam Champion)

Eugene Ashton-Gonzalez (NY Confidential, The Moth)

Leslie Goshko (Sirius XM, WNYC)

with live accordion music by Dr. Michelle Leona-Godin

SIDESHOW GOSHKO

Friday, February 18th, 7pm

KGB Bar (85 E. 4th St.)

FREE!!!

Oh My Effing G*d!

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before, but ironically for being in comedy, there are few things that REALLY make me laugh. So when my friend Robin told me about a musical based on "Silence of the Lambs" and how "funny" it was, I was skeptical. Then I saw this video and busted up laughing by myself and watched it a dozen more times. To get to my favorite part, start at the 1:20 mark and prepare to laugh and possibly tinkle yourself a little.

Sideshow Goshko Turns 2 years Old!!!

Oh me, oh my! Sideshow Goshko is turning 2 years old! And you, yes YOU, are invited to help us celebrate. We've had a great 2 years so far and have been honored to receive the following award titles:

• Time Out New York "Critic's Pick"

• New York Daily News "Editor's Pick"

• Going.com "Editor's Pick"

And now, we're so happy to be at our new home, the legendary KGB Bar (named "Best Literary Venue in New York City" by New York Magazine).

Oh, and did I mention it's my birthday as well? Double Birthday Fun Times!

Award-winning storyteller Leslie Goshko (Manhattan Monologue Slam Champion, NY Fringe Excellence Award, Sirius XM), invites some of NY’s top writers and storytellers to share true, bizarre tales about their lives. There’s live accordion music, a challenging trivia game, and a free wine giveaway where one lucky audience member will walk away with their very own bottle of Sideshow Sauce! Tonight’s stellar lineup includes stories from:

Andy Christie (NY Times, The Liar Show)

Jeff Gordinier (author "X Saves the World," NY Times, Details)

Sara Benincasa (author "Agorafabulous," Comedy Central, MTV)

Colin Dempsey (ComedyLand)

hosted by Leslie Goshko

music by Dr. Michelle-Leona Godin

Sideshow Goshko

Friday, January 14th, 2011, 7pm

KGB Bar (85 E. 4th Street, NY, NY)

TOTALLY FREE!!!