Risks

Janeane Garofalo performing as part of the Kevin Allison's RISK! podcast series at Joe's Pub last night. Full episodes can be downloaded at ITunes or through the RISK! website here.

Running Up That Hill

John Forte with special guest Carly Simon and band at Joe's Pub last night.

The Field

We used to live in an apartment within walking distance of Wrigley Field.

This was back before Wrigley had lights so all of the games were played during the day. I was a Cubs fan as a kid and I went to many a game with my Mom's room-mate Annie and her boyfriend Rocco. One of the best days of my childhood was when my grandfather talked to his buddy, the legendary Cubs announcer Jack Brickhouse, and managed to get us out on to the field before a game. I will never forget the thrill of walking through the gate and past the guard near the dugout and being introduced to Pete Rose at the plate as he was warming up to take on my Cubs. He extended his hand and the vivid memory I have of that greeting is looking down my tiny arm to a lost hand swallowed at the wrist by the grip of the largest fist I've ever seen in my life.

For the most part we were Bleacher Bums and my love of baseball will forever be tied up in the memory of those afternoons spent at 1060 West Addison.

Now I live in New York and we have two teams here just like we had back in Chicago. I'm not a huge fan of either, but I've been to a couple of Mets games and I do like it when my home team wins. Last night Chris and I watched the opening game of the World Series at his place and ate some take-out and we saw the Yankees get their hats handed to them.

It ain't over till it's over and the fat lady hasn't sung yet--she barely seemed to warm her voice last night--but I'm looking forward to watching some baseball in the coming weeks and remembering the day my grandfather became my hero by walking me out on to the grass at Wrigley Field.

Voices

Adam Matta, the human beat box at Joe's Pub. It was a night of exceptional voices creating exceptional sounds.

Masai Electro joined Matta for the opening slot.

My Brightest Diamond's Shara Worden joined Adam for a song and then Black Sea Hotel started their set with Shara out front on ukelele.

Shara Worden tends to create magic whenever she sings and last night was no exception as she entwined her song with the four harmonies of Black Sea Hotel.

Things that Fly Away

The Star Man

Color by Isabelle Weber.

Open Studio

This weekend, I'll be participating in the open studios sponsored by AGAST (Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tours), so if you ever wondered what my work space looks like, now's your chance to see. I'll be selling prints of many of the pictures you've seen on this blog and originals of many drawings never before seen outside the studio. I also have a large selection of dance prints that were made for the various books I've put together over the years and these will be available at very low prices. Also, there's a bunch of very large drawings that don't fit on my scanner that no one's really ever seen. I share a studio with photographer Bernie DeChant and with Laura's help, we've made the place look great, so come on down to the Gowanus and say hello.

As an added bonus, the AGAST folks have hired free pedicabs from Jay street because the F train isn't running.

I hope to see you this weekend. For more info, click here.