Eloise & The Plaza

This New Yorker Roz Chast cartoon was sent in by Jayne, she says its at least 20 years old. How The Plaza changes hands... again. We are trying to get Eloise moved to The Algonquin!

Posted by Kevin Fitzpatrick on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments

Algonquin Spoken Word Series Kicks Off With Meade Talk

Monday, Feb. 21 is the first of the Algonquin Hotel's "spoken word" series of free talks on its famed Second Floor. Marion Meade is going to be talking about her most recent book, Bobbed Hair & Bathtub Gin: Writer's Running Wild in the Twenties (which comes out in paperback in a few months).

In addition to Meade, two actresses will be on hand to perform as well. Caroline McMahon and Donna Coney Island, who both were in the cast of The Talk of The Town musical at the Bank Street Theatre, are going to help bring to life the subjects of the book: Dorothy Parker, Zelda Fitzgerald, Edna Ferber and Edna St. Vincent Millay.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a cash bar cocktail hour. This is followed at 7 p.m. with the program, which is FREE and open to the public. Reservations are a good idea, call Barbara McGurn at the Gonk, 212-840-6800.

Bring some friends, this promises to be a wonderful evening. If you want to order the book, click here.

Posted by Kevin Fitzpatrick on Wednesday, February 09, 2005 at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments

How Funny Are You?

Dorothy Parker's best friend was Robert Benchley. Like Mrs. Parker, Mr. Benchley has a society that keeps his memory alive. And they are working with a humor publication to find someone funny enough to stand up to him. From their press release:

The Robert Benchley Society and Espree Magazine announce a contest for humor writers.

Robert Benchley has been the "humorous muse" for many of this nation's greatest humor writers. His writings and film shorts are classics that even today retain their engaging, "everyman" humorous appeal.

As Benchley himself has written: "In order to laugh at something, it is
necessary (1) to know what you are laughing at, (2) to know why you are laughing, (3) to ask some people why they think you are laughing, (4) to jot down a few notes, (5) to laugh. Even then, the thing may not be cleared up for days."

Up for the challenge? Espree magazine invites writers to submit a 350-word humorous essay in the style of Robert Benchley. Entries will be judged by the Robert Benchley Society during our March meeting. The winning entry will be printed in an upcoming issue of Espree and the winner will receive a hand-signed original caricature of Robert Benchley.

Contest rules and details for submissions be found the Robert Benchley Society website.

If you think you have what it takes, give it a shot.

Posted by Kevin Fitzpatrick on Thursday, February 03, 2005 at 2:35 PM | Permalink | Comments