January 27, 2007

Keep on Keepin' On

Anne, a volunteer at the Maennerchor, contacted me about performing in January.  Scott Summitt, Tim and Yury joined me last night and we had a blast.

The audience was a joy to be with and I had a very enjoyable evening.  Based on all their positive comments, the audience did, too. 

I'm grateful for their ideas and their energy, which combined with Yury, Tim and Scott's talent make this show a joy to produce.

January 1, 2007

Hope & Change

I continue to balance my work and time with my kids.  For me, doing comedy now is like the universe is saying, "Hey Dawn- don't take yourself so seriously and remind everybody else, too, while you're at it.

I am filled with the hope that a new year brings. 

October 2006

Still Learning

My parents have moved up to Ohio from Texas.  That's right, the former rocket scientist and gossip columnist are here and haven't missed a Cafe' Comedy show since their arrival.

It's a joy having them here.  My mom says she enjoys seeing me and the guys perform.  Which is odd because she also says she doesn't like comedy and thinks it has narrow audience appeal.   I wonder when I'm going to get to do my new material -- since it's about her.  With comments like that, she's a constant inspiration.

I was approached by a very sweet producer after a recent show.  She wanted me to do the warm-up comedy for the Ohio Lottery's new Make Me Famous, Make Me Rich show.  It conflicted with my day-job, though I would have enjoyed the special challenge of the work. It was very nice that they looked me up, as well.

A new and dear friend gently reminded me it's been awhile since I did a journal entry. So, if you enjoy reading my journal entries, you can thank him for this one.

Here's to fun in the fall for us all!

December 2005

New beginnings

I'm audio-reading a book, Comfortable with Uncertainty, and quite honestly, there's a lot of that puppy, 'Uncertainty', in my life right now.  So, having the Cafe' Comedy 'shows go on' and enjoying laughter each month is great.  I highly recommend it.  Specifically, with us, but try to find comedy and floss daily.  It's good for you, seriously.

I love our audience.  I'm not kidding.  I want to make you a cake and tea.  The people who join us are so smart, special and creative.   And it blows my mind when I think about the many talented comedians (on and off the stage) with whom I've had the privilege to perform while producing Cafe' Comedy.

What about the road shows? 

When we started getting invitations to perform on the road I suggested to the group we'd see each of our beautiful states, by way of performing across the U.S.  Initially, it was a way to introduce Rhonda, a Cafe' Comedy alumni from Australia, to our country.  I realized, it was something I wanted to do, even if our troupe's members change in the process.  So, officially, it's a personal goal.  I think I've got about dozen under my belt so far, and Tim and Yury agreed this is a good goal and would be happy to continue working on it.  We'll keep you posted.

Along those lines, I welcomed Yury Khidekel to the Cafe' Comedy troupe after the December show.  Tim Lucas and Yury have worked together in other improv troupes, but the comfort the three of us have developed working together over the last several months and Yury's creative contributions to Cafe' Comedy made this a very natural decision.  I'm delighted he agreed to join us as a 'regular'.

In the meantime, Jay Hendren and Dan Swartwout have shared their talent as special guests and their time with us has delighted our audiences.  I hope to continue to see them join us as their schedules' allow in 2006.

Other Changes On Stage

We say "Asta la juego" to dear and talented friends Ben Lee and Rhonda Carling-Rogers.  Ben, our youngest troupe alumni, is happily completing his degree at OSU and is very much in love with his girl Mary.   Rhonda, now Rhonda Thomas, is following her heart and pursuing other endeavors including being a newlywed with Clay. 

I look forward to reunions with Ben and Rhonda on and off the stage.

I wish peace, tolerance and love for us all in the new year.

Many think of faithfulness in the terms of marriage, however, I see it in many relationships.  It's a quality I treasure. 

I think working with Ben, Tim and Rhonda for close to a year is a demonstration of faithfulness.  Working together has brought some surprising rewards. On a recent road trip, we sprang into a sing-a-long that lasted over an hour. 

Another great example of faithfulness is with our friends, the venue owners, John and Nora.  Then there are the friends/regulars we see in the audience month after month and our regular guests comics, like Preston Albert and Tasha Neal who come back again and again over the last two years.

I celebrate all us getting together each month. To me, all these relationships are examples of faithfulness.  

This weekend I read Rudolf Steiner's thoughts on Faithfulness and it rang true to me, so I wanted to share it. 

Create for yourself a new indomitable perception of faithfulness.  What is usually called faithfulness passes so quickly.  Let this be your faithfulness:
You will experience moments, fleeting moments, with the other person.  The human being will appear to you then as if filled, irradiated, with the archetype of his/her spirit.  And then there may be, indeed will be, other moments, long periods of time when human beings are darkened.  

At such times, you will learn to say to yourself, "The spirit makes me strong.  I remember the archetype. I saw it once.  No illusion, no deception shall rob me of it."  

Always struggle for the image that you saw.  This struggle is faithfulness.  Striving thus for faithfulness you shall be close to one another as if endowed with the protective power of angels.   Rudolph Steiner

The art of comedy is one of high risks and high rewards.  When the magic is there --it's incredible, when it faulters-- it's a very lonely place.

In all relationships we have opportunities to be both stellar and shadows of our true selves.  We might inspire one day and disappoint the next. This is where the faithfulness comes in. I encourage you to expand your faithfulness. 

Late Summer, 2004

I think Johnny Depp looks like my grandmother

I watched Benny and Joone with Stacey this weekend, and  enjoyed Depp in the film.*  Then I thought the young J.Depp had a bit of a resemblance to my grandmother.  

Now  Johnny, if you're reading this,  I'm not saying you look like her now--so much as when she was 19 ;-).

Here's a beautiful soul, the result of lots of laughing and picking cotton on an Oklahoma farm. Add volumes of reading and caring for others and that's the saintly lady I know as B.B.  I may add her basketball team photo to the site sometime. It's one of my favorites.

She celebrated her 90th birthday this year.  She's a wonderful lady, doing what ALL grandparents do eventually: live in Florida. 

*Last night the family watched the incredible Harold Lloyd in Safety Last, a silent film with wonderful physical comedy, much like Depp's character, Sam, saluted in Benny and Joone. 

Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Summer means baseball and...

I've been thinking about bugs and baseball.   What if bugs played baseball?  

We are getting ready for Cafe' Comedy's first anniversary in JULY!  If you haven't checked out Cafe' Comedy yet, July 8-9 will be great nights to see the shows or to see if we have any information on gnats holding bats.  

An Asian afternoon in the Park
On Saturday, after Max's Kung Fu class, the family spontaneously headed to the Asian Festival at Franklin Conservatory.  The day was perfect for an outdoor event--sunny, but cool. 

Max and I joined in a demonstration of a Japanese kodo drum core.  I like banging those big drums in unison with others.  We'd all hold our sticks in the air and shout something in Japanese, which I believe roughly translated meant, "Hey, we've got drums." 

We explored Mongolian and Vietnamese huts that were just George's size.  We watched a puppet show, ate Indian food and coconut shrimp from an unknown Asian country. We topped it off with mango ice with tropical fruit with shaved ice for dessert.  We saw many boards broken choreographed to music, in a sort of Karate Opera demonstration.

I've been spending a lot of time working on the Laughing for Life show.  Spending time out Friday night with Mary Miller, Larry, Patty and all the lovely folks at Three Cups in Reynoldsburg and getting out Saturday was a wonderful mini-holiday this weekend.

Great Tribute
We watched the George Harrison tribute concert on DVD over at a friend's house last night.  Beautiful concert and a wonderful celebration of the composer, performer and the man.   Thanks, Dan, for having us over.

On another note...
What I think about Comedy Competitions:
A year ago, (see journal archives), I was writing about my LA comedy comrade, Rebecca Arthur,  making semi-finals in California's Funniest Female contest.  She had a good set, but didn't advance to finals.  At the time, I was in a contest, too. It reminded me to focus on the reason I do comedy, not contest results, it's to hear people laugh.  

I've been witness to, and read about, talented comedians receiving big laughs in contests, then being eliminated in prelims, semi-finals and final rounds to the amazement of the comic and befuddled audience members. Then there's the classic story of Steven Wright losing a contest, later to be invited on to the Tonight show based on a performance at an open mike.

So, Rebecca did her job at that contest, she made people laugh.  She's kept it up, too.  Last week she performed in the finals for both the Improv's Laugh Olympics and CA's Funniest Female Contest.  

Regardless of the results of these contests--I KNOW she's funny.   We've been writing together for over a year.  I credit her risk-taking and creative energy for her very funny material.  Both keep me (& audiences) laughing.  Isn't that what this business is all about? 

I'm happy to report Rebecca won the California's Funniest Female contest last night.   

So, hats off to all the victors.  Those, like Rebecca, who've made it to the winner's circle, and those who keep the audiences laughing.  That's a service worthy of recognition, regardless of the contest results.

Thursday, April 8, 2004

My new head shot? 

Joe Brooks did this cartoon the night of the Ladyfest show.  He was also kind enough to video-tape my set. 

Thanks to him and his buddy Jason  Haye for putting together a demo tape from that show.

 Thursday, April 1, 2004

Today, daffodils in the garden provided yellow in the sun's absence.  The buds are coming out on the trees.  Spring will be in full color soon.  

I've had time to spend with new friends, to play with the boys, to work on comedy and computers.  As my dad often says, 'Life is good.'   I hope it's good with you, too. 

Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004

Leap Year Day.  Did Hallmark miss a card opportunity? 

This week has been full.  Saturday was the kick-off for Relay for Life, they had a touching ceremony for those you know who've been diagnosed with cancer.  It gave me pause.  I know many who have been touched by cancer. I'm doing a benefit at Little Theater for the cause on June 5th.

Speaking of benefits, The Ladyfest show on Thurs. was a love fest.  I had fun, visited with some very talented people and the audience was great.  

I believe this was the first comedy show at Little Brothers.  Here's a pic taken back stage before the show.

Laughing Medusas: Ladyfest Benefit
Bryn Miller is in front, 
2nd row: Me, Faye Haire, Tasha "Spice" Neal, Laverne
3rd row: Rebecca Krefting, Yvette Weems and Meghan Frazer

Oscars have been divvied out.  I'm convinced, that after tonight's awards, there's an Oscar for every citizen in New Zealand.

Time for bed.  Tomorrow I can say "Goodnight, Cleveland".

Tues., Jan. 13, 2004

Teaching and the color gray 

Gray is a fine color for slacks, skirts and jackets, but I look forward to seeing the sky depart from this color scheme soon.

However, it is during these gray times I feel quite content to take on new projects and focus on indoor activities.  Right now, after being a part of 3 fine Cafe' Comedy shows, I'm back in the computer trainer's seat preparing classes for a new client.  

Teaching is grounding for me.  I enjoy coming together with folks interested in learning and sharing experiences.  

Comment from the inner-heckler. 'Hey, Ms. Funny Pants,  the website says your a comedian.  You don't sound very funny.'  

While I love hearing people laugh and the increasing number of corporate invitations allows me more time for comedy, I don't believe I will ever stop teaching.  

Sure, I'll teach other topics. Like when I'm a senior citizen, I plan on teaching yoga.  I figure by that time my voice will be an asset for fellow seniors.  Dawn Holley:  loud yoga instructor for the hearing impaired.  

Namaste' and blue skies to you.

Weds., Dec. 24, 2003

I'm cleaning for a bright Christmas... 

We all have more than enough to do to prepare for the holidays.  I 'cope' by becoming a drill sergeant in an to attempt to get all the things on the 'infinite list' ready before blessed Christmas Eve.  It's ironic that any angelic intent is eradicated when I remind our 10 year old to pick up his toys and quit goofing off in my boot camp sergeant voice.   I even evoke fear in my 6 foot 6 husband as I set the expectations for his tasks for the day.   

I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised if three ghosts visit me this evening.  They probably just want to remind me to get back to my yoga practice so I can find some calm.  Maybe one of the ghosts will be from Bathing Past.  Bath time is relaxing. I bet it would have worked on old Scrooge, too.  

After spending time shopping, cleaning, cooking and wrapping, it's nice to relax with friends and family.  So we may not be immersed in one of those giant Japanese tubs, I hope we're still blessed with some calm moments.

Joyful, restful and bath-ful holidays to you.

An invitation to perform in Hollywood at Dublin's came from Ahmed-Ahmed after my showcase.
Many diverse comics (about 150) showcased at the event. 

After the conference I was introduced to producer/comedian Bill Word and Martini Blues when I  performed in California's O.C. Comedy Festival's "Good Girls Night".  I just got an email from him today inviting me to perform anytime I'm in Southern CA.   Thanks, Bill! 

I'm enjoying being home and playing with my boys. The California invitations to perform are nice, yet dream-like now that I'm back in Ohio.

Still happy on the path.  
Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful for Cafe' Comedy 

We had a great show last night and I look forward to tonight's show.  I'm grateful for the talented comics I've met on the road and doing Cafe' Comedy.  Still happy on the path.

One of our Cafe' Comedy regulars has asked for more shows.  We are going to 3 shows the and week of the month in Jan.  

Sunday, October 19, 2003

All I can say is - we had a great variety show Saturday night with the Pantheatrics Ensemble at Triple Force Arts Center.  The audience knows what I'm talking about.  It was one of those "I'm in the right place" feelings all night long and Dale Gregory, Eric Ewing and the entire company should be feeling great about what they put out Saturday night.  The show rocked.  

I will always remember "Darlene's" interpretation of the Britney Spears dance number.  It freed me.  A very special thanks to Michael Parsons for recommending and thereby introducing me to the very talented Dale Gregory.

Thursday, October 16, 2003

HOLY PRESS KIT, BATMAN
All right it's been a month of Weekender papers...well, maybe not that long, since my last entry.  The wonderful events between these two dates are numerous.  Let's take a look...

First off...Cafe' Comedy shows at Nora's are going gangbusters.  We were filling the place before, but after Gary Budzak's  write-up in the Dispatch; lots of new faces in standing room only crowds are joining the fun and  taking a gander at the comedy  talent visiting a sweet little coffee house in Grove City.  

Big thanks to the great audiences in September and October.  Packed at both Thursday and Friday night shows last week, our Friday night show broke our record for tip funds.  Thanks again to the comics and audience members -  it takes both to make the magic!  

Roxane put together a tremendously successful benefit at the Sawmill Einstein Bagels shop  for ALS, raising over $1,000 toward the cure of Lou Gehrig's disease.  It was great fun performing in the show with Rhonda Carling Rogers, Bryan Lee Emler, Rox and a host of other local talent.

Bill Word contacted me the night of the benefit to let me know I had been selected to perform in "Good Girls Night" of the California Orange County Comedy Festival. 

Then I heard from Dale Gregory, he asked me to entertain and emcee the first performance at Triple-Force Artistic Center, a new theater complex in Hilliard.  The show is this Saturday.

I came home and picked up the Grove City News from the front stoop.  Big write-up by Kevin Corvo about TripleForce Artistic Center and the Variety show we are doing this Saturday.  I'm beaming for them.  Eric Ewing, Dale Gregory's business partner, is a talented actor and gentle soul.  I hope this beginning marks a long successful run for this troupe and this creative space.

Somewhere in the mix, Cindy Kazalia, a freelance writer, contacted me to do a write-up for The Messenger.  She managed to convince this poodle-haired comic that silly is ok for the paper...I'm curious to see if they use the picture with the bananas on my head.    She said the article is in the paper today, 10/16/2003, but it will say Mon. on it.  La, la, Monday, Monday.

Comic buddies Mike Dodge and Roxane Larimore along with Bryan Lee Emler will be performing in Cleveland tomorrow (10/17/2003) night. If you are in the neighborhood, check it out.

My first guest spot at the Funnybone  was for Kathleen Madigan's Sunday night show last weekend.  Kathleen was very nice and (of course) very funny.

Artemisia notes:(About my Art Girl Friends) 

Jo Ann Huntwork has been showing her artwork. I'm delighted seeing her produce work and stretch her artistic muscles.  Keep a lookout for her upcoming ceramics pieces. 

Stacey Rings www.staceyrings.com is working on new pieces for prints and has been selling her marble greeting cards.  

Rebecca Pavlenko (Minnesota buddy) has moved her studio to new beautiful space.  Actually, her last studio was beautiful, but this one she's buying!  Rebecca's cards are available at the hippest card shops.  Look for hand painted photos of Japanese gardens.

Maggie Hillyard  is selling her paintings on Ebay.  You go Maggie!

Susan Vass: corporate comedian, is a new friend and mentor.  She's a delightfully funny lady and she's in Minnesota.   We talked, or as she said, croaked an hour over the phone yesterday (we are both bouncing back from colds).   She's a wonderful blessing for this comic. 

Ok...I'm pondering a benefit to help a school/public library.  More later. 

Thursday, August 14, 2003

WHAT A GREAT CAFE' COMEDY SHOW!!!  
Thanks to all the audience members (and the tips!)  A very special thanks to the wonderfully talented performers Damien, Rox, Spice and Mark.  Nathan and Jared's special brand of improv was a the perfect addition to our Freeze Tag game.  

Now it's time to get ready for the Reynoldsburg benefit next week.

Well, here's to finding the energy and resources to organize a benefit at the Little Theater in Grove City.  

I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by so much talent - if you haven't made it out to a performance yet...please do...laughter is wonderful medicine.

Saturday, July 26, 2003

Summertime

Both Benefits were successful.  The Reynoldsburg show/benefit raised over $1750 for the kids (who survived the arson fire) trust fund. The Comedy X benefit was packed and I heard through the grape vine $500 or more was raised there.  Hat's off to Marty Daniels and Kirk Crawford for arranging the benefits.  

We had two fine Cafe Comedy shows.  Both audience were great, tips were generous and the performers enjoyed themselves.

Preston Albert, our first show headliner, has representation and will be hitting the national circuit in a few weeks.  Congrats, Preston!

I'm delighted that Nathan Huntwork and Jared Bader will join the Cafe Comedy Improv show on August14.   

Jo Ann Huntwork has designed some great new biz cards for me in addition to the Cafe' Comedy schedule available at Nora's and other points around town.  

I'll be hitting the 'Bone and the Improv the next couple of weeks.  

Saturday, June 14, 2003

Performing in Comedy-X The Women show was a blast!  Lot of laughs, friends and fun.  I had the first guest spot and tried some more suggestive material than I've done in the past.  

It all went well, I'm glad to say.  I met Rhonda Carling Rogers, the Australian comic in the show, and liked her right from the start.  We later found out we were born 1 day apart*.  I hope we can celebrate our birthdays' together this month.

Thanks to my buddy, LA comic  Rebecca Arthur, for jamming with me almost every night this week to help work up the new material for this show.

Thanks to all who came out to Spikes-great turn out!

*Considering the international dateline, and the times we were born, Rhonda and I arrived on the planet at about the same time.  

Too much life to write upon and reflect.  A good lesson for this week seems to be:

Live your life honorably, despite what those around you may be doing.

Anyway

by Kent Keith

     [The verses below reportedly were engraved on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, and are widely attributed to her. However, according to The New York Times, the verses actually were written by 19-year-old Kent Keith in a motivation booklet for high school counselors published while he was a student at Harvard in 1966. In 2002 Keith was communications director at the Honolulu YMCA.]

People are often unreasonable, illogical,
and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some
false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone
could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
they  may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.