writebloody.com
Whoever said authors couldn't host talk shows? Spoken word poet, magician, and ex-weatherman Derrick Brown is hosting a weekly variety show in Long Beach's Basement Lounge every Wednesday at 8pm. And in case that isn't enough to entice you in, they're also offering champagne in a can. That's right, bubbly through a straw.
The variety show is unscripted, featuring one author, one musician, and one informationalist, with a six-person open mic poetry contest at the very end. With help from organizations Write Bloody Publishing and Write Now, whose objective is bringing great writing off the page and to the stage, the show attempts to revive the side-splitting humor of classic radio shows from the 1940's. And with unparalleled improvisation, quirky discussions on how to sell sperm, and lyrically savvy musicians, the cast pulls it off.
"We just want to capture and broadcast this crazy talent!" says Brown of the show. "Long Beach is really coming into its own now, as a lighthouse of musical power and literary sauce to the world."
Currently Brown and his team are booking informationalists with clever 3-6 minute how-to messages to share with their rapidly growing audience. To participate as either an author or informationalist, you can look up booking information on their website, and check out upcoming lineups at lightbulbmouth.com. If you want to participate in the poetry slam contest at the end of the show, be sure to get there early to sign up. Plus, you wouldn't want to miss the chance to learn the sing-a-long that kicks off the show, or the chance to win a free $5 can of bubbly.
With a dark, romantic bar scene, a belly of laughs, and a $5 admission fee (plus $2 off if you dress in fancy, cocktail attire), there’s no better way to spend a Wednesday night. You'll get the opportunity to see upcoming acts by actress Amber Tamblyn, author of Bang Ditto and star of the television series Joan of Arcadia, classic beat boxer Joshua Silverstein, and various informationalists discussing topics like lady mysteries, how to kiss, and how to be friends with Armenia.
The Basement Lounge is located beneath the Broadlind Hotel at 149 Linden Avenue, Long Beach CA 90802. Doors open at 7pm, with senior citizen and military discounts until 8pm, when the price goes from $5 to $6.
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