Thrilled that the talented, funny, and feisty Julie Gaines, founder of Fishs Eddy, will be our special guest at New York City’s Secrets & Lies storytelling show at Caveat on October 9th at 7pm. We’ll talk about design, activism, entrepreneurship, and her new book. She rarely speaks publicly so this will be a real treat for all of us. Grab your tickets at https://www.caveat.nyc/event/new-york-city’s-secrets-and-lies-10-9-2018
Tag: New York City
A Year of Yes: The next NYC’s Secrets & Lies lands at Caveat on October 9th
We are just days away from the next NYC’s Secrets & Lies at Caveat and I. Can’t. Wait! Sea monsters, the mob, partying with punk bands, fancy dresses of high society, and concerts of world-renowned artists for the dead and the living in the same underground space. What is even happening at this show? You can’t miss it! Tickets on sale now: https://www.facebook.com/events/244046669616498/
A Year of Yes: Tattoo history at the NYC Seaport Museum this weekend
If your idea of a good Friday night involves secret New York City history in a storied museum learning about tattoo art, then I have an event for you! And the best part—all proceed go to support the restoration and public display of a rare collection of tattoo art housed at the Seaport Museum.
On Friday, September 21st at 6:30pm, the amazing Michelle Myles of Daredevil Tattoo and the Seaport Museum’s Michelle Kennedy and Martina Caruso will talk about the tattoo culture and scene in New York City and the Bowery in 1900s, and about the artists in New York that Gus Wagner, a merchant mariner and artist, had contact with. They will share rarely seen artifacts from the Seaport Museum’s tattoo collection that discuss Wagner’s experiences, including a selection of pages from the artist’s scrapbook—a 400-page diary book composed of press clippings, postcards, business cards, sketches, and photographs. Tickets are $10.
On Saturday, September 22nd, you’ll have a rare opportunity to receive a truly historic tattoo based on the nearly century-old collection of tattoo flash housed at the museum. Renowned New York City-based tattoo artists from Daredevil Tattoo, 5 Points, Kings Avenue, Three Kings, Red Rocket, Saved, Greenpoint, Fun City, and NYHC will be on hand inking designs inspired by Gus Wagner’s original artwork. Tattoos will be first come first serve.
More details about the events on Friday and Saturday are available here: https://southstreetseaportmuseum.org/gothamandguswagner/
A Year of Yes: My storytelling show about NYC’s tattoo ban
I became enamored with tattoos and tattoo history a few years ago when a friend of mine found getting a tattoo as a way to give meaning to a grave injury. Then a few months ago, I learned that tattooing had been illegal in New York City, the city that gave rise to tattoo culture in the U.S., for nearly 4 decades in recent history. The more I learned about this prohibition of ink, the more fascinated I became with the reasons behind it and the characters who played a part in it.
I considered making it a part of my secret history storytelling show, New York City’s Secrets & Lies, at Caveat. However, the more I learned, the more I realized that the topic was too big to be a segment of a show. The complex history and all of the people involved needed and deserved a standalone show.
The idea of doing this show, coupled with flash tattooing, just wouldn’t leave me alone. So I reached out to Caveat with an email titled “Is this a crazy idea? Tattoos…” Ironically, one of the co-founders of Caveat had just gotten a tattoo and was talking about the ban with her tattoo artist the day I sent the email. And so we were off to the logistical races to make this event happen.
And it’s happening with an incredible dream lineup of historians and artists who have lived in the swirl of this chapter of NYC history, along with flash tattooing at Caveat, on Sunday night, September 30th. I’d love for you to join us! Grab a ticket to the show, or a ticket that includes a tattoo.
A Year of Yes: NYC’s tattoo history
Paging tattoo artists, lovers of good ink, and history nerds in New York City: I’m looking for 4 people to help me unravel New York City’s long and complicated tattoo history on stage with a packed audience. Are you that someone? Do you know someone who fits the bill? Let me know.
A Year of Yes: New York City’s Secrets & Lies returns on October 9th
I’m so excited to share that my storytelling show New York City’s Secrets and Lies returns to Caveat on Tuesday, October 9th. The doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7:00pm. October’s show features: Alex Taylor, Zak Martellucci, Michele Carlo, Anne Leafe, and special artist guest Andrew Ousley. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.caveat.nyc/event/new-york-city’s-secrets-and-lies-10-9-2018.
Show premise:
Can you tell the difference between a secret and a lie? Four expert storytellers spin incredible tales about the secret pasts of NYC locations you walk by every day. All the stories are true except for one. If you can identify the lie, you’ll be in the running to win a pair of tickets to a secret NYC event put together by our pals at Untapped Cities.
Plus, did we mention there are fantastic drinks available, too? Don’t miss it. We can’t wait to see you!
A Year of Yes: In & Of Itself
It’s difficult to put into words the emotions that surface during Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself. Part magic show, illusion spectacular, storytelling night, and clairvoyant event, it is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. His poise, grace, empathy, and masterful command of the stage and audience are on a level of genius that I didn’t know was possible. I alternately cried and laughed for close to two hours, completely riveted by the through line and captivated by Derek’s presence. Mostly I sat there with my jaw on the floor because I was astounded by his work.
My friend and mentor, the incomparable writer and storyteller John Bucher, took me and our friend, Ashley, to this show a few weeks ago and I’ve thought about it every day since. I will be thinking about it for many days, weeks, and months to come. Even now as I write this post, I keep getting chills down my entire spine. In & Of Itself is that electric.
Derek gave every member of the audience a gift, personal and perfectly crafted. I’m not quite sure how I’ll ever be able to repay him, and legendary director Frank Oz, for all they gave me—a stranger they will likely never meet—during this performance. Thank you feels so woefully inadequate, and it’s what I have. I mean it from my whole spirit. Thank you, Derek and Frank, for showing all of us what can happen when we show up with our whole heart, pay attention, and make purposeful connection with another person our single goal. It is the purest form of magic I know—to really see and be seen.
In & Of Itself runs this weekend at the Daryl Roth Theatre in Union Square. After Sunday, August 19th, it will be never be done again.
A Year of Yes: NYC’s Secrets and Lies recap
Another successful NYC’s Secrets & Lies happened on Wednesday night with a stellar cast! I had the best night hosting another edition of this storytelling show of secret NYC history at Caveat. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Thank you to the phenomenal cast (what a tribe!), the entire packed audience, and Caveat for being the best dang venue in NYC.
Ashley Semrick, Erin Hunkemoeller, Leslie Goshko, John Bucher, and Tom Rowley (our special guest talking about Story Map!) filled up my heart. Thanks to Untapped Cities for your partnership!
We’ll be back again on October 9th w/ Alex Taylor, Michele Carlo, Zak Martellucci, and one more to-be-named storyteller. Andrew Ousley of Unison Media will be our very special guest. Tickets will be on sale soon!
A Year of Yes: NYC’s Secrets & Lies is 3 days away
What’s on tap for NYC’s Secrets and Lies at Caveat on Wednesday? Hidden New York City history stories of danger and deceit, disease and descent. I made a sneak preview for you. Have a look and then grab your tickets at http://caveat.nyc/event/new-york-citys-secrets-and-lies-8-8-18. This show features the amazing talents of storytellers John Bucher, Leslie Goshko, Ashley Semrick, and Erin Hunkemoeller, and filmmaker Tom Rowley.
A Year of Yes: Here’s a 15% discount code for all Untapped Cities Tours of secret New York City places
Untapped Cities offers a huge variety of tours about secret New York City history. Alexander Hamilton’s historic home, the abandoned Ellis Island Hospital, Grand Central Station, abandoned subway stations, the Woolworth Building, Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, Penn Station, the Members Only Players Club, and the list just. keeps. growing.
As a little gift to you, I wanted to share a special discount code that gets you 15% off of ALL of their tours – just type in CHRISTA at checkout. You can share this with friends and use it as many times as you want. And there’s no expiration date. Because I love you, and I want you to have nice things. And by nice things, I mean adventures.
Christa Avampato 