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New News from New Jersey, and The Concert for Art Wallace
In light of our recent post concerning the joys of the Garden State, we must stipulate that we haven’t suddenly become obsessed with New Jersey, we just coincidentally happen to have some news to report. The first item is one that should be of concern to lovers of vaudeville old and new. Even as we were posting our New Jersey piece last week, it seems that the widely beloved entertainer Uncle Floyd Vivino, 71, was in the hospital recovering from a stroke. His brother Jimmy, best known as the bandleader for Conan (and a musician on Conan O’Brien’s previous shows as well as The Tonight Show) put the word out that Floyd was hospitalized on July 26, but reports that a full recovery was expected. We thought you’d like to know.
The other news from New Jersey is that Heather Quinlan’s Tom Carvel documentary Cold Storage(which we’re IN and which we told you about in this post) has gotten some great press in the state in question, in the Bergen Record, and the Asbury Park Press, none of which is linkable apparently, including the website (you have to subscribe). Welcome to New Jersey’s version of the 21 century! But I tell you this in case you are the intrepid sort with the moxie and gumption and know-how to track it down. (I’m not asking for your help. Never am. If you manage to find it, please keep it to yourself with my compliments and don’t bother me).
Anyway, that’s literally yesterday’s news. Here’s something that’s coming up:
Our good friend, colleague, and collaborator Art Wallace (whom some of you may remember from the 2008 edition of my American Vaudeville Theatre, in which he portrayed the head of John the Baptist in the Salome number) was struck down with a heart ailment several days ago, which required surgery. He’s home now and resting comfortably. But he’s got expenses and therefore many of his pals in the theatre community are organizing efforts to help him pay the bills until he’s working again, so many of us having benefitted from his many skills, and the generosity with which he wields them. There’s a GoFund me campaign here, to which I hope you can kick in.
But I also want to announce that the next edition of my “Variety Store” (my monthly comedy/variety show at QED in Astoria, Queens), on August 16, 8:30pm will be a benefit for Art. We’ll be auctioning off cool show biz related merch and presenting an extravaganza with the following stellar acts:
Direct from the Catskills…Funny Man Bob Greenberg!
Direct from Rhode Island, Land of Coffee Cabinets & Quahogs, Comical Comic Chris Fratiello!
These five fingers make a mighty fist, and they’re going to punch the Doldrums Full in the Face! Plus there’ll be me, the m.c., Trav S.D. wielding the butterfly net! It’s bound to be a memorable night (our inaugural edition last month sure was). We hope to see you there! And remember, all proceeds to benefit the Fund for Art Wallace. Again it’s 8:30pm, Wednesday August 16 (our usual showtime is 7:30; August will be an exception). Tickets are $10, and reservations and directions are available at the QED website here.
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