New Webseries! Classical Idiot Episode 1: Mozart Loves Butts

Hi! Here's a new idiotic thing I'm doing. I'd say it's a "web series" but it's me talking to myself in a room with my cat while combining comedy with classical music. Oh, did I mention it's idiotic?

November Sideshow Goshko Recap and Exciting News!

Hi Friends! (and lovahs)

Holy moly, what a fantastic Sideshow Goshko we had last month! You guys completely packed the joint out and our storytellers brought their A+ games. Thank you thank you to everyone for your amazing support and belly laughs. Internet high-fives for all of you! *slap*

And although I can't completely spill the beans yet, we have some very exciting Sideshow Goshko news for 2014! (hint: it's a super duper cool show that we're partnering with a major organization on! That was terrible grammar, but I don't care.)

In the meantime, enjoy these photos courtesy of the lovely Maryanne Ventrice (full photo set HERE) and mark your calendars for our final show of 2013! Saturday, December 21st, 7pm, KGB Bar. Featuring the talents of Brad Lawrence (Moth GrandSlam Champion), Rory Scholl (Chicago City Limits, BTK Band), and Glen Rosenberg (Story Collider). Always free, always at a Soviet Bar.

host Leslie Goshko

Jenny Rubin (The Jenny Rubin Show)

Calvin Cato (Game Show Network)

Jenny is not amused.

Kambri Crews (author "Burn Down the Ground")

Sideshow Goshko is a Time Out NY Best Comedy of 2013!

Wow! We are beyond honored and excited to have Sideshow Goshko featured in Time Out New York's Best Comedy 2013 timeline of storytelling feature alongside some other great performers and shows! Big thanks to Time Out NY for their consistent support and to Jenna Marotta for the great write-up. 

Best Comedy 2013: The Story of New York storytelling

And coming up, a weekend edition of Sideshow Goshko on Saturday, November 23rd, 2013, 7pm at KGB Bar! Come see why The New York Times names us "a well-programmed night." See you there!

I Heart THE NEW YORK TIMES!

We're super stoked to be kicking off the opening night of the 2nd Annual Gotham Storytelling Festival! HUGE thanks to THE NEW YORK TIMES for the mention.

WHEN: Tonight! Friday, November 1st, 10:30pm
WHERE: Under St. Marks Theater (94 St. Marks Pl.)
WHAT: Award-winning storyteller Leslie Goshko (Huffington Post, SiriusXM Radio, WNYC) invites some of NY’s top writers, comedians, 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 (The Liar Show, Moth GrandSlam Champion)

Catie Lazarus (Employee of the Month, UCB Theater)

Michele Carlo (author "Fish Out of Agua," The Moth, Chicken Soup for the Latino Soul)

w/music by Dr. Leona Godin (NY Frigid Festival)

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

Tickets available HERE!

Cozier than Mulled Wine--Autumnal Sideshow

We're shining our shoes and teasing our dos for tonight's installment of Sideshow Goshko! I may even wear my new cowboy boots to make it a real hoedown. We've got an amazing lineup, loads of drinks, and an extremely red bar. The only thing missing (hopefully not) is YOU! (Yes, you! And you look great.)

Hope to see you tonight at KGB Bar (85 E. 4th Street, 2nd floor), 7pm, FREE!

And our big thanks to Time Out New York, New York Daily News, Flavorpill, Club Free Time, The Lo-Down,  Wherevent, & AllEvents for listing Sideshow Goshko as a thing to see!

SIDESHOW GOSHKO STORYTELLING SERIES

Thursday, October 24th, 7pm

KGB Bar, FREE!

Award-winning storyteller Leslie Goshko (Huffington Post, SiriusXM Radio, WNYC) invites some of NY’s top writers, comedians, 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:

Kerri Doherty (host/creator "Geeking Out")

Andy Ross (Onion News Network, Comedy Central, MAD Magazine)

Amber Drea (Honey & Poison, Spin.com) 

w/music by Dr. Leona Godin (NYC Frigid Festival)
* Time Out NY “Critics’ Pick”
* NY Daily News “Editor’s Pick”
* “a well-programmed night” - The New York Times

Sideshow Goshko in THE NEW YORK TIMES! (again:)

Our huge huge thanks to The New York Times for featuring September's Sideshow Goshko as one of their comedy events to see. This show is gonna be a doozy and we can't wait!

Sideshow Goshko
Thursday, September 26th, 7pm
KGB Bar (85 E. 4th Street, 2nd Floor)
FREE!

So Much Sideshow Love! See you on 9/26/13

Ahh...We're nice and rested after our summer hiatus and have a killer lineup to get us back in the swing of things! Also, big thanks to all of the following for their internet/print love:

• Time Out New York Magazine

• New York Daily News

• The Lo-Down

• Flavorpill

• Club Free Time

Always FREE, always at a Soviet Bar. Hope to see you there!

Sideshow Goshko Storytelling Series
Thursday, September 26, 2013, 7pm
KGB Bar, FREE!
 
Award-winning storyteller Leslie Goshko (Sirius XM Radio, The Huffington Post, Manhattan Monologue Slam Champion) 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:

ADAM WADE (18-time Moth StorySlam Champ, NPR, TED Talk)

SAM DINGMAN (Moth GrandSlam Champ, SplitSider, People’s Improv Theater)

KEVIN TOR (College Humor, Funny or Die, BBC Radio 1)

w/music by Dr. Leona Godin (NYC Frigid Festival)

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

Sideshow Goshko Storytelling Action!

Hey friends! We have lots of Sideshow Goshko storytelling action coming up with a few calendar changes. Hold on to your butts and hope to see you there: 

• Thursday, September 26th, 7pm @ KGB Bar
• Thursday, October 24th, 7pm @ KGB Bar
• Friday, November 1st, 10:30pm @ Under St. Marks Theater (Gotham Storytelling Festival)
• Saturday, November 23rd, 7pm @ KGB Bar
• Saturday, December 21st, 7pm @ KGB Bar (HOLIDAY PARTY!)

Phew. We've earned those drinks now. And for your Monday pleasure, here's a kitten in a hamster ball...

8 Signs You're A Musical Theater Geek!

Big thanks to the Huffington Post for featuring 8 Signs You're A Musical Theater Geek! on the front pages of their Comedy, Theater, and Lists sections! Suddenly, all those late-night tech rehearsals seem worth it :)

8 Signs You're A Musical Theater Geek!

by Leslie Goshko

Also, I just realized that this month marks one year of me writing for the Huffington Post! My big thanks to all of you for your "likes", "shares" and for taking the time to read the random ramblings that come out of my brain. I so appreciate it and am giving you all major internet high-fives!

New Website Coming!

Hey Friends (and lovahs)!

I'm very excited to announce that a brand new ohmygoshko.com is on its way! But as of right now, if you go there, you won't see much. But fear not. I'll be updating this good ol' here blog with all the latest and greatest.

So, in the meantime...



Thanks as always!

Latest Huffington Post Piece - How to Botch an Elopement

Thanks so much for all the "likes" and taking time to read "How to Botch an Elopement." I'm giving you all internet high-fives! *slap*

Maybe the Most Fun I've Ever Had...and we may even do it again.

After nine months of planning and coordinating and booking it finally happened: The Staying Alive 30 Year Tribute Party! On Wednesday, July 10th, 2013 (almost exactly 30 years to the date of Staying Alive's original release date), we packed out Brooklyn's Union Hall with the most fantastically enthusiastic crowd and group of performers. It really was everything I could have ever asked for and overwhelmingly MORE!

I've had this idea for literally almost an entire year, and to watch it unfold in such a fun and collaborative way made it worth every second of work (but let's be honest, it's not really "work" when it's Staying Alive). We had a live house band covering songs from the movie's soundtrack (props to my band The StalloneTones and to Frank Stallone for re-tweeting our event!),

a panel full of experts on the movie as well as Staying Alive neophyte, Mr. John Flynn, who we got to watch experience the movie and its effects in real time,

a Staying Alive Ultimate Trivia Challnge (which yes, I spelled it incorrectly 'cause that's what making a game board at 12:30am while drinking wine will turn into),

audience giveaways which included swag like the Staying Alive dvd (donated by Kim's Video), a gift certificate to Ovenly Bakery, and tickets to a production by Horse Trade Theater Group,

and last but not least, the unveiling of a signed head shot by none other than John Travolta dedicated to the Staying Alive 30 Year Tribute Party!

Overall, it was a dream come true for my Staying Alive-obsessed nerd self, and it wouldn't have been possible without everyone's support.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Staying Alive 30 Year Tribute Party! Your guys' energy and enthusiasm was off the charts! Thanks to my fellow StalloneTone members (Ryan O'Toole, Andy Christie, Bill Chambers) for all their hard work and talent, and thanks to my fantastically hilarious panel members for their wit and humor. Thank you to Union Hall for backing this insanely specific idea and thanks to Ovenly Bakery, Kim's Video, and Horse Trade Theater Group for their donations. In the words of John Travolta per the headshot he signed for us, "Dreams Do Come True!"

all photos courtesy of Maryanne Ventrice & Craig Ruttle. Full photo gallery HERE! And our big thanks to Todd Jackson for filming the entire evening.

Final Sideshow Goshko Summer Send-Off Show!

Hey Friends!

Well, it's been a great year so far and you all have been amazing supporters of the show! And since you deserve to kick back, relax, and enjoy a margarita, we're taking the month of August off. But fear not! We'll be back in full swing come September and can't wait to see your lovely tanned faces then.

So, please join us for our summer send-off show this Thursday, July 25th, 7pm at KGB Bar. Always free, always at a Soviet Bar.

And our big thanks to Time Out New York for featuring us in their Books Section!

Hope to see you at the show!

SIDESHOW GOSHKO STORYTELLING SERIES SUMMER SEND-OFF SHOW!

Thursday, July 25th, 7pm

KGB Bar (85 E. 4th Street)

FREE!


Award-winning storyteller Leslie Goshko (Huffington Post, SiriusXM, WNYC) invites some of NY’s top writers, comedians, 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:

STEVEN BERKOWITZ ("Scientific American", The Moth)

ANDREW LINDERMAN (host "Local Stories")

MICHELE CARLO (author "Fish Out of Agua")

with music by DR. LEONA GODIN

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

Sideshow Goshko Gets Frigid!

Hey Friends!

I'm very excited to announce that in addition to our regularly scheduled Sideshow Goshko at KGB Bar, we have an extra special performance taking place as part of HorseTrade Theater Group's miniFRIDGE Festival! The miniFRIDGE is the carefully curated summer companion to the annual FRIGID New York Festival. This year Horse Trade Theater Group invited ten of their favorite fringe artists/acts, and we're honored to be among the select few.

So, join us on Saturday, June 29th, 7pm at Under St. Marks Theater for a night of true stories from Erin Barker, Ed Gavagan, David Crabb, and yours truly. Music by Dr. Leona Godin.

Tickets available HERE!

May Sideshow Recap!

Hey Gang!

So, there's good news and there's bad news. The good news is, KGB Bar remodeled and updated their bathrooms! And for all the ladies who have had to use that first stall with the half-missing door, you know what an awesome big deal this is.

The bad news is, the once quiet older bathrooms have been updated with the world's LOUDEST hand dryers and crypt-keeper-type squeaking doors. As you can imagine, for a place that runs literary events, this can be quite distracting. BUT, lest I sound ungrateful, I will say that I still heart KGB and you all proved to be the best and most loyal audience out there. So, thank you! Our May show was another full house with tales from Kambri Crews, Joey Novick, Joanne Solomon, and Thomas Pryor. 

We'll be back at it on Thursday, June 27th, 7pm with true, bizarre tales from David Crabb, Emily Epstein White, and Jake Hart. Always free, always at a Soviet Bar.

(full photo gallery HERE. all photos courtesy Maryanne Ventrice)

host Leslie Goshko

"River to River" author Thomas Pryor sharing a sweet family tale.

Off-Broadway performer Joanne Solomon recounting an interesting "Burning Man" experience.

"Burn Down the Ground" author Kambri Crews shedding new light on David Lee Roth.

Comedic Politico Joey Novick on how you don't want to underestimate the Democratic underdog.

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