I picked my tattoo design that I’ll get on stage (!) at Caveat when we host incredible speakers at the storytelling show Illegal Ink. They’ll discuss New York City’s 36-year tattoo ban. You can get inked, too, by our flash artists! Storytelling + a tattoo = best #SundayFunday ever. Come hang with us next Sunday, Sept 30th, at 7pm! (Getting a tattoo is not required.)
Tag: storytelling
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 Secrets & Lies goes into 2019
Exciting news! New York City’s Secrets and Lies, my live storytelling show about wild NYC history, has been renewed for another year. We have dates at Caveat through December 2019, all at 7pm:
10/9/18
12/6/18
2/7/19
4/4/19
6/6/19
8/1/19
10/3/19
12/5/19
See what we’re about at our next show on 10/9. Tickets available at https://www.caveat.nyc/event/new-york-city’s-secrets-and-lies-10-9-2018.
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: Tell your deepest, darkest secret
Today I looked into a camera and said my weak things in a strong voice. I told my story about my intense struggles with PTSD after my apartment building fire, and how that recovery turned me into an author. I told my deepest, darkest secret, and I feel fierce and free. Link to video will be live soon.
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: Untapped Cities features NYC’s Secrets & Lies storytelling show
Received a lovely writeup in Untapped Cities for the New York City’s Secrets & Lies show on August 8th. Our storytellers are diving into dusty archives and busted up boxes of historical footage to bring you the craziest pieces of NYC history we can find. Looking forward to seeing you at Caveat. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7:00pm! Tickets available at http://caveat.nyc/event/new-york-citys-secrets-and-lies-8-8-18
A Year of Yes: Marrying writing, storytelling, business, product development, and science through biomimicry
Some news. Shark mucus sounds like an odd inspiration. Stay with me. After the podcast Ologies released its shark episode, I re-examined biomimicry as a way to marry my product development, business, and storytelling experience with my love for science. I owe host Alie Ward and Chris Lowe, who was the shark expert on the episode a million thanks. Here’s why:
I always loved science and actually started college in the engineering school. After a professor told me I didn’t “have a mind of physics”, I believed him and left all my dreams of working in science behind. I changed majors entirely and have always wondered what might have been if I hadn’t let this professor get into my head.
Fast forward a number of years. I’ve continued to learn about science and its applications. Over the years, I’ve thought about different ways that I could have a career that combined science with all my other experience & interests. Enter Ologies and sharks…
Shark mucus acts as a built-in antibiotic bandaid that allows sharks to rapidly heal. This may contribute to their long life spans of – wait for it – up to 470 yrs! We should apply this to our own medical research, right? We do! In the field of biomimicry.
Biomimicry is an applied science field in which the wisdom of the natural world plants and animals is studied and applied to the human-built world of products & environments in a sustainable way that benefits all beings.
After some research, I learned there’s a Masters of Science in Biomimicry through Arizona State University Biomimicry 3.8 that’s a dream program. Multidisciplinary, online, created for working professionals, and with a travel research cohort component. Best of all, it leverages ALL my prior experience.
I’ve been a fan of Janine Benyus‘s work since reading about her 10 yrs ago. She founded this program. It’s exciting how much the field has grown & how vital it will be to use design + business + science to build a better world for all beings as we grapple w/our changing planet.
I’m now in application and scholarship hunting mode, hoping to begin the program in 2019. Finding the work we’re meant to do is a long and winding road. I hope my story inspires you to stay curious and to keep reaching for a life fueled by passion and goodness. The world needs us.
A Year of Yes: Hannah Gadsby is a role model for storytellers
Like everyone else I know, I am riveted and inspired by Hannah Gadsby’s show, Nanette. (If you haven’t seen it, go to Netflix immediately. I will not at all be offended that you stop reading this blog post because she is genius.) Her words about storytelling are the ones that really got me, and they are powerful advice and wisdom for all of us, and particularly those of us who tell stories in any way, shape, or form.
“I think I have to quit comedy. Because there’s a difference between stories and jokes. Stories have 3 parts: a beginning, middle, and end. Jokes have 2: beginning and middle. You learn from the part of the story you focus on. I need to tell my story. My story has value. I will not allow my story to be destroyed. Stories are our cure.”
Christa Avampato 