Ok, well, at least as close as we've been able to get so far..... which is the new Istanbul Coffeeshop and Restaurant in Lawrenceville!
My friend Coskun has taken over the old Your Inner Vagabond space at 4130 Butler Street, on the corner of 42nd and Butler. He has done some nice remodeling in the front area for a very comfortable dining experience and the back he has kept with all the Turkish tuffets, cushions and the big stage, which is awesome, because now you can enjoy his incredible cooking and still see a show in a very comfortable lovely setting. He has a couple eateries around town, a nice lunch counter downtown on Liberty Ave, so you might have had a chance to enjoy his cuisine before. He is a big sweetie and I am really excited to sing at his new place and that wonderful space that Andrew and AJ worked so hard to bring to our town is preserved.
So this Saturday (tomorrow) I am singing with Colter Harper. I am hoping to have some special guests, and we shall sing some special holiday selections like "Un Flambeau, Jeanette Isabelle" and some of my hebrew / spiritual medleys. I also have a lot of new material I want to swing past you, and we'll throw some classic standards in there as well. A little Turkish rock here, some french cabaret there, a little Sabbath to lighten the mood and my new creepy songs about a haunted hotel in Windber, PA..... I declare it shall be a delightful evening of sensual song and rhythms. I might even get Colter to break out the djembe......
I hope to see your shining faces, please come spend some time in from out of the cold and have a little coffee, eat some food, and let me sing to you. The deets: Showtime 8 pm - 11 pm. Food available til 10 pm. BYOB , $3 corking fee, all ages, $10 at the door. 4130 Butler St, at 42nd and Butler, Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 412.683.1623 http://www.istanbulpgh.com/Events.html
Your friend, your neighbor, your songstress, Phat Man Dee
Also, I wrote some poetry last week, at Tony DePaolis's cd release party at Little E's, you check out his release, it's pretty awesome, he helped to produce my last disc and I am really proud of him, his disc is called "The Contemporary Dynamic". I wrote this poem at the party while listening to the music.
Righteouscity by Phat Man Dee, copyright 2009
"Righteouscity again, just a little bit brighter Don't do it again, all night long With hipsters flying and Gods childrens crying Sacred music takes many forms as you play that song.
Sing it Kathy, sing it out And Kenia makes our hearts to shout Its righteouscity pretty as George cries loud Little brother selling cds so very proud
But the tune drives us mad with sorrow and pain Then lifts up our hearts from out of dark rain Into the heaven where angels fly free The bass tells a story in counts of three
A flat fourth here and a sus fifth there The math is almost visible as notes hang in the air But its the soul which sings from one heart to mine Its in between phrases that we can feel time
Jimmy wants a peace of the tenderness cuz it fills up inside And say what you want, they aint playing from pride And tho some will analyze it all til your sore My heart cries out for more and more
Righteouscity again, just a little bit brighter Don't do it again, all night long With hipsters flying and Gods childrens crying Sacred music takes many forms as you play that song."
In fact, I shall sing songs you can learn if you go to the library! My set list tonight includes La Vie En Rose, A Tisket A Tasket, Ay Linda Amiga, Rien de Rien, Dona Nobis Pacem, War Pigs and Imagine. I might toss in a couple of originals, because I do recall giving the library my cd once, but if they actually cataloged and made it available for folks to check out, I don't really know. I tried.....
So I am sorry for the late notice, I have been kind of dazzled by trying to get back into the Pittsburgh swing of things. I have had breakfast at O'Learys, noodles at Lulu's and Thai Me Up, wontons at Cambodican and a singular Black and Gold chocolate bob from the Get Go. I sang at a benefit for the Brewhouse the same night I flew home, and then for Zafira and the Indigo at the Rex a couple days later.
Photo by Chiko Sugimoto. Taken at the Rex Nov 29, 2009 with a show I was emceeing. Zafira presents The Indigo. From left to right, me, Christine Andrews, Zoe Jakes, Olivia Kissel, Mardi Love, Maria Hamer, and Rachael Brice.
I should have let you know about these things, but to be fair, I was mired in gigs for BRAF and also in a movie shoot before I left San Francisco for the movie FEED and I had little computer access, but I do try and keep up with shout outs via twitter..... (I feel so Hannah Montana) http://www.twitter.com/phatmandee
So tonight, it is Sunday December 6 and my friends The Typewriter Girls have put together a benefit to save the library!
When I was in California, a community there was just building their first library, and some small towns don't even have one, we have an amazing legacy here, we need to protect it. It can be so easy to take something as grand as the Carnegie Libraries for granted and say what you want of Andrew Carnegie and his deplorable labor practices, the library is a gift that has lasted over 100 years but it doesn't have to be forever, it will only live if we continue to feed it, it will only be around for our children and their children as a repository of knowledge and ideas if we maintain and let it grow, so I entreat you, come on out and show your love for the written word and knowledge and information in general!
Specific info: TypewriterGirls Save the Libraries!
What: A poetry reading and performance by the Avant-Garde cabaret troupe The TypewriterGirls to raise awareness and funds for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Who: The TypewriterGirls Poetry Cabaret w/ Readers: Sandra Beasley, and Nancy Krygowski; music by Phat Man Dee; stunts by Dave Doyle; dance by NAKA; performance art by Christiane D.; comedy by Sean Collier; and musical accompaniment by upright bassist Spat Cannon and guitarist Chad Hammitt Where: Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh PA, 15213 When: Sunday, December 6th Doors Open at 5:30 pm / Show begins at 6:00 pm Cost: donation based—minimum donation of $7.00 required
On Sunday, December 6th, utilizing the power of poetry, protest, pygmy goats, awkward conversation, and, yes, even necromancy, The TypewriterGirls gather up all of the forces at their disposal and battle furiously to save the Pittsburgh library system--the same libraries that spawned their very group’s formation through its fine artistic and educational programming, amazing international poetry collection, and its generosity in employing Crystal as a security guard despite her frequent and occasionally dangerous bouts with delusions of grandeur.
This show will feature many of the area’s greatest activist artists including poet Nancy Krygowski, performance artist Christiane D., and famed vocalist and song writer Phat Man Dee. Don’t miss this artistically stunning opportunity to show your support of and contribute to our local library system.
True to the TypewriterGirls’ cabaret spirit, the event will include a library themed typewriter written exquisite corpse at the door, a sure to be rousing and thoroughly literary round of the improv comedy game “Poets” in the middle, and lots of inanely intellectual comedic theatrics to tie it all together, as Crystal and Margaret and guest comedian Sean Collier take to the streets (and many other indiscreet locales) to round up the funds to keep our libraries running, with a special guest appearance by Franco Dok Harris.
Many other acts will take the stage in this epic battle--including but not limited to Naka Entertainment, a unique hip-hop dance group comprised of youth from Pittsburgh‘s East End, Dave Doyle, a daring performer who will amaze us with a round of physical stunts, poet Sandra Beasley, author of I Was the Jukebox, forthcoming from W. W. Norton, and poetic musical accompaniment by stand-up bassist Spat Cannon and guitarist Chad Hammitt. In addition, there will be a silent auction filled with goods from local artists, musicians, poets, restaurants, and shops. Come bid on baskets filled with chapbooks, CDs, handmade jewelry, and other goods! All the proceeds go to the library’s operating fund! More Info: www.typewritergirls.net
Hope to see you, if not tonight then down the road, I am working on a club date, probably at Istanbul Restaraunt for the holidays, more info as it solidifies. I am still available for some last minute house or corporate holiday parties before I head west again, so write or call! Love, butter and follow me on facebook,
This painting was done by my beautiful friend Dr Deb from Palm Springs, CA. She and I met during a run of "How to Survive the Apocalypse, a Burning Opera" in San Francisco, 2009. I dream of singing back up for her in her show "Dr Deb's Southern Bapti-Jew-Bu Gospel Hour and traveling roadshow".
Love, butter and hope to see you out! Phat Man Dee
PPS Also just posted phone video to you tube of my fabulous last friday night, saw Jim Donovan, Zafira and Machete in one night.... reminding me again, exactly why I adore this crazy town we call Pittsburgh!