Koninginnedag aka Queens Day (April 30th)

A wonderful celebration where the streets of A'dam are over crowded with drunk orange attired out-of-towners (think New Years Eve-NYC Times Square). All public transport to and out of the center of town is canceled; all police are called up for duty; all the orange food colouring is sold out; people walk the streets dripping orange beer over each other; music is so loud people can't hear themselves shouting into their mobiles trying to find their friends while stepping in puddles of orange puke ... yep great times
... all to celebrate the Queen's Birthday ...

this is my first time in 8 years that I haven't been to one and I miss it! one fascinating part is the "garage sale" aspect. Last year Cuneyt and I helped Heleen sell some of her stuff ... was a great day spent with great friends and a helping of goodies from Bagel and Beans added to the fun. If you have never had the chance to experience one it is wonderful and unique - especially if you like orange beer.

Singer of the Week: Eric Himan

I was lucky enough to see this talented man perform at Borders, the same place Darren Hayes played. Two completely different types of performers, bringing in two different amounts of crowds, two different types of music, two different kinds of voices, but both just as touching, goose-bump inducing and downright talented.

I have to remember how Eric came to my attention ... oh yeah ... I was listening to a podcast and they featured him on the cast chatting and singing a few songs. Now I'm not a big blues/jazz fan and he's a bit jazzy and a bit bluesy, but I liked it ... I really liked it!!! What made it all more endearing is hearing why he wrote each song and how he related to the audience.

He's still on tour, so take a gander at his website and give him a go: Eric Himan

Poetry: self-described

So this poem I wrote just shy of 11 years ago, I like it, though I didn't get it then and don't think I get it now...

self-described

physical impurities drain creative impulses
flowing words freeze to an icy mindset
broken heart-pieces gather to mend
mental insecurities yang & yin, counter then clock
aimlessly thoughts wander, twirling the mind vertigo
overabundant skin extends over belt-line, creating an insecure self
sexual addictions resurface drowning the suicidal soul
frustrated words scratch forth, ink the white page black
unexpressed feelings rot, implode, corrosively scarring the drenched soul
imperfections arise ushering forth obsessiveness to reach the ultimate
penniless the naked body clothes itself poor
erotic endless dreams fuck the virgin mind awake
the poetic self constipates, ponders exlaxic words, then squirts itself free
tainted love baptizes itself clean, in holy-water, praying to mate its soul
dicotimized mindset compounds, shredding christian beliefs
unimpressive package feeds inescapable insecurities, hungering the addictive self
raw eroticism bursts forth damning the youth eternal
untapped potential mulls, bringing unmeasurable passion
faceted personalities split, become whole, replicate, express themselves to death
religionless a wet soul mosses the depths, jesusing its way to salvation

fate-controlled the insecure self addictively awaits ...

July97
dsl

Poetry: nobody

nobody

im nobody
no one
nothing

im just a speck
in gods eye
just a speck
not even that

im a blur
in the spinning world
a blur
not even that

im just a figure
a number of an unimportant thing
just a figure
not even that

im just a word
on the tip of someones tongue
just a word
not even that

im a raindrop
among millions
a raindrop
not even that

im a grain of sand
in a vast desert
a grain
not even that

im nobody
im noone
im nothing
...but...
im not even that

14JAN97
dsl

Poetry: We Are Too Old

I must say this is one of my favorite poems I have written; I wrote it after reading a book called Pink Triangle...

we are too old

the pink triangle that once defined us,
now is blackened with decay and neglect

we are too old, too fearful to clean it,
lest we wash away our memories

the youth of today will never understand our pain

they must forge their own Holocaust
they must create their own Hitler

we are too old, too tired to teach them,

but we find an eerie comfort in this pretty red ribbon they pin on themselves

18NOV97
dsl

Come see a play all about me: FAT PIG

Tis true - I am, yet again, doing another play ... last time I picked a play with the two most things I'm allergic to in it's title: ORANGE LEMON EGG CANARY - did you know that if you google my name and the two allergic things, my name pops up with a review of the play! PRAISE FAT BUDDHA! I HAVE FINALLY MADE IT!

So this time I decided to take a play with a former nickname I used to have (in Junior High/High School) and what some people might now whisper about me behind my back - it's all good - it's all good- I am in the google search engine now so fuck all those SKINNY BITCHES!

As well as Stage Managing this show - I am playing the "Sushi Boy" and "Beach Towel Boy." Two roles that I had to painstakingly spend hours and hours preparing for - it's my Dame Judi Dench moment (it's not about how long it is; it's about what you do with it - that's my mantra)

Unlike the last play, which maybe 2 of you came to I don't have comps this time, so you'll have to dig deep into your wallets and scrounge up a few bucks - it's for your love of theatre!!! It's a great script and a wonderful cast!!! Come give it a go! There's CUPCAKES, come pig-out and get fat with us!!!!

RESERVATIONS: (310) 712–5711 / www.plays411.com/fatpig

---

You wanna see magic?

How does the amazing and handsome gimp man (see attached pic) lift 2 - not just 1 but 2 - beautiful women onto a spike?

Well you'll just have to come see 1 or 2 or 3 of the last shows I'm in for the answer ...

Tonight, Friday and Saturday that's it!!! Bring your pity, a pen, watch the show and come sign my cast!!!

COME SEE ...

The West Coast Premiere of
ORANGE LEMON EGG CANARY
A Trick in Four Acts

Written by Rinne Groff
Directed by Talya Klein

Starring Martina Lotun, Ann Moller, Elizabeth V. Newman
and introducing Brett Schneider as "Great"

ORANGE LEMON EGG CANARY is a dark love story about obsession, revenge, and above all, magic.  Great, a troubled young magician, is running from his past, the beautiful assistant that betrayed him, and the trick that tore them apart.  He soon befriends Trilby, a waitress with a passion for magic, and initiates her into his haunted world: a place where cards change color, coins disappear, objects float and love is the biggest illusion of all.  When a bitter secret is revealed and magic becomes a matter of life and death, their love is put to the test and Great realizes that he might not have been the one holding the cards all along.

What The Critics Have To Say…
"Rinne Groff, the playwright, is a master at drawing you in." – New York Times

"A play that makes one think and feel – a hell of a trick." – The Village Voice

"Rinne Groff blends a love story, a ghost story and a magic act into ravishing entertainment!" – Columbus Dispatch


DATES:  FEBRUARY 28th - APRIL 5th
Playing THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY EVENINGS

TIME:    8pm

PLACE:  The East Theatre at The Complex
          6476 Santa Monica Blvd. (Between Wilcox & Cole Aves.)
          Hollywood, CA 90038

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR TICKETS: www.plays411.com/orange
OR CALL:  323.960.7862